Analysis of a Continuity Sequence (Sean O)

"Cinema is the matter of what's in the frame and whats out" - Martin Scorsese

Unfortunately, I was absent for this task, therefore I will be analysing a different group's piece.

This task was all about continuity, and creating a sequence that successfully highlighted different editing styles and shot types. The continuity system of editing aims to prevent the audience from becoming disassociated with the film they are watching, so it presents the scene so that the editing is "invisible" and the audience isn't distracted by jumps or random cuts in the middle of the scene. types to make a short clip. 

This sequence begins with a normal cut, (00:00) when usually we would start our sequences with a fade up. This was simply due to time constraints, and the group informed me that if they had more time, a fade up would be added to the beginning of the sequence. This first shot is an establishing shot, as it sets the scene. We see in the scene a doorway leading out to a car park. We assume that someone will soon walk into frame and either in or out of these doors, which does happen. The camera angle is normal, and as we can see most of the doorway, and then most of the person walking through it. I would class this as a medium shot. I would say this is quite a successful shot, as it clearly establishes the tone for the sequence, with the jolly soundtrack and the fast paced walker, we can clearly see that this will soon become a piece of comedy.

Establishing Shot

In the next shot, we cut to a wide view, (00:03) this is a nice match on action, as it captures the moment the character walks out of the door in the first shot, and continues it in this shot. For the first time, we get some camera movement, as the camera pans to follow the character from right to left as he walks through the shot. The camera remains at a normal level which suggests normality and innocence in the scene. This again is a successful shot, however the pan from right to left isn't as smooth as it could have been, so for next time to improve, I would try and make sure the panning movement is done a bit smoother.

Wide Shot

With another cut, (00:10) we get yet another match on action as the character reaches for the handle to the car, we get a close up of this action, from a higher angle than usual. With natural outdoor lighting, the exposure of the shot is done quite well, and highlights how our knowledge on using a camera.

Close Up (outside)

With yet another simple cut, and another successful match on action, (00:12) we get a high shot of the character getting into the car from inside the car itself. The mise-en-scene is quite bad however, as there is a bit of clutter in the shot, such as the object on the passenger seat which could distract from the character himself. The exposure has been dealt with quite well, and the camera is static. Therefore, to improve next time, I would think about what is in the actual scene, and remove anything irrelevant that may distract from the main action.

Close Up (inside)

As soon as the character sits down, we get another match on action cut to a wide shot, (00:13) which shows the car disappearing, being replaced by a single plastic chair. This match on action however was less successful for two reasons. Firstly, the characters hands and legs are in different positions to the previous shot, to improve this next time, we would have to make sure everything matching is the same. Also, the match isn't quite perfect, as in the previous shot, the character had already sat down, but when it cuts, outside, we see the character sit down again, so by using the ripple tool in Adobe Premier Pro in post-production, next time the action can be perfectly matched to the previous shot. I also believe this shot goes on for too long, as we are watching the confusion on the characters face for what seems like just a bit too long, on the other hand, this highlights the fact that the piece is a comedy, and allows us to revel in the moment. To improve this, I would maybe make this shot a bit shorter, and cut straight to a closeup of the characters face, so we get a reaction shot.

Wide Reaction Shot

With no inventive editing style, we get another cut to a closer reaction. (00:18) This match on action is successful, as we see the chair spin match the previous shot. The reaction to the disappearing car continues, with the character wildly looking around. To improve this shot, I would maybe take the camera even closer to the character, to highlight the facial reaction given.

Closer Reaction Shot

Adding another boring cut to the list, we finally get a close up reaction shot of the character. (00:23) In my opinion, this is not perfect, as it is a failed match on action, as in the previous shot when the character was looking in a different direction. However, this close reaction shot is perfectly fine as we finally get the culmination to the madness and disaster the character has experienced. To improve this scene, I would maybe re-shoot it without the explicit dialogue, as the ending to the sequence cuts perfectly before the character can finish swearing, highlighting for comedic effect. I believe however it is slightly dampened as the character has already sworn previously in this shot, so it kind of takes away from the comedy of the dialogue.

Culminating Close Up Reaction

At (00:26) we get another simplistic sudden cut to classroom door, and mirroring the first shot, the character walks into the scene from out of frame, and proceeds through the door.