Author: Miryssa

Blog Post #3 (WK4) – Sound

Miryssa

Blog: Discuss the framing and editing in the clip below (it’s an opening from an episode of the show Shameless). What is the scene communicating? What is happening visually? How does continuity editing help narrate the family dynamics? What are the visual anchors within the chaos of movements?  How can a family gather at the table, discuss plans and eat breakfast in under 2 minutes!?  No need to answer all these questions, just address what you see.

This scene captures the chaos of getting a family ready for the day, but with a twist. It opens with Fiona, the main character, wiping fog off the window. As the camera comes into focus, we’re positioned behind her, watching her reflection in the mirror. Fiona turns around, and the camera shifts to a front view, following her as she moves through the house, waking everyone up. The shot follows the 180-degree rule, and we’re now positioned behind Fiona again as she interacts with the rest of the cast. A door slams, and in a quick cut, we transition to the family sitting at the dining table for breakfast.

Breakfast is pure chaos. The electric bill is due, food and supplies are running low, and everyone is scrambling to eat. We see Fiona adding water to the milk jug, trying to make it last. The family then passes around a box, each person contributing money for the bill. Finally, there’s a match-on-action cut where Fiona catches a tossed cell phone. So much all in one!

Blog Post #2 (WK3) – Editing for Continuity

Miryssa

Blog Post:
This is an exercise to illustrate how continuity editing and framing are used to make a space and build a narrative. Select one of these scenes from Duel.

What kind of continuity edits are used to build the scene?  Try to use continuity terms:

  • 180 degree rule
  • 30 degree rule
  • Cut in / Match on Action (from wide to close-up or reverse)
  • Motivated POV shot
  • Shot Reverse Shot 
  • Empty frame
  • Graphic Match
  • Parallel action/ Crosscut

Describe how the arrangement of shots make a believable space. How does the framing focus attention to narrative detail? Discuss the role of sound in supporting the spatial relationships made in the cuts. If possible, comment on how the continuity editing in the scene (the spatial and temporal relationships from shot to shot) builds the tension of the story. What narrative information is revealed and concealed in the scene through the cuts?

In the opening scene, the way the shots are arranged really helps set the stage and build tension. Let’s break it down!

180-Degree Rule and Setting the Scene: Right from the start, the film uses the 180-degree rule to keep things clear. The camera stays on one side of the imaginary line between the car and the truck, making sure we understand their positions and relationship. We begin with a wide shot of the two vehicles, then zoom in on the driver of the car. His calm, collected demeanor is immediately clear.

Contrast Between Characters and Vehicles: Next, we get a shot from behind the car, showing what the driver sees. This is where the truck’s imposing presence really stands out. It feels like a big, intimidating machine compared to the calm driver. This contrast sets up the tension between the two and makes us feel the weight of the situation.

Building Tension: As the scene unfolds, we see the driver’s frustration grow. He’s trying to figure out how to get around the truck, and the shots keep cutting back to his increasingly annoyed face. There’s a shot from the front of the truck with the car close behind, highlighting just how uncomfortable the situation is. The camera then zooms in on the driver, focusing on his irritation.

New Setting and Growing Tension: When the driver finally pulls over and gets out, the scene shifts to wider shots around the payphone. We see him using the payphone up close, while cuts between the truck and the driver add to the suspense. The way the camera moves and the shots are framed keep us on edge, highlighting the driver’s growing anxiety.

Role of Sound: Sound plays a big role here too. The noises of the truck and the payphone interactions add to the atmosphere and help us feel the tension in the scene.

Continuity and Narrative Impact: The editing keeps everything flowing smoothly, making sure we understand the spatial and emotional shifts. The cuts reveal the driver’s mounting frustration while keeping the truck driver’s intentions a mystery, which only adds to the suspense.

In summary, the combination of shot arrangement, framing, and sound in this scene does a fantastic job of building tension and drawing us into the unfolding drama.

 

Blog Post #1 (WK2) – Importance of framing and shot types

Miryssa

Blog: Post these screen grabs in sequential order to the blog. Then for each image provide a description for the kind of shot (long shot, medium shot, close up, shaky, pan, etc) it is. Use Class Notes- Framing for reference. Discuss how the scene is held together as a narrative whole through the camera framing and editing.

Framing and shot types are important in storytelling because it helps the audience set the scene, portrays feelings, and establishes characters throughout the story. In the next few photos, we will be going over a variety of shots in a scene from the Sweetest thing, a 2002 romantic comedy, and explain why its important.

In the scene above, we have a medium close-up shot, capturing her hands up to her chest as she animatedly describes her date to her friends. The director uses this shot to emphasize her exaggerated expressions, highlighting her excitement and joy.

 

The next scene shows all three friends sitting around a table at the restaurant, enjoying lunch together. The setting provides the perfect backdrop for their gossip session. This helps the audience establish the setting/environment of the story.

 

If you haven’t seen this movie before, this scene unexpectedly breaks out into song and dance, as hinted by the chicken wings above. The director uses a medium long shot, with two of the friends in the foreground, shown from the knees up, while the third friend is in the background, being held as she playfully walks across a table. If this doesn’t scream fun then I don’t know what will.

 

The director uses a close-up shot here to emphasize the character’s reaction as she says ‘eww,’ while someone nearby is in the middle of a handstand. The entire restaurant pauses when she speaks, amplifying the impact of her statement.

 

Lastly, this is an interesting shot as it captures the full body but intentionally excludes the heads. The director focuses on highlighting a specific dance move that primarily involves the legs, which is why the camera avoids showing any faces.