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Cinematography Analysis Blog Task

Cinematography Analysis Blog Task


Task One: The Birds (1962), directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

Alfred Hitchcock uses editing to establish action whilst also building suspense. Soon after the woman sits down to smoke, there is a cross cut to the birds. The camera focusing on the birds for a long extent of time builds tension for the audience. A cutaway is used at this moment as she is running away, this is suggesting to the audience that the birds are a type of threat. The use of cross-cutting between the birds and the woman running successfully depicts the suspense within the scene.


Task Two: City of God (2002), directed by Fernando Meirelles.

In the opening of this clip, cross cuts are used in abundance to make the pace quite fast. Fast camera movements and shaky camera work are also used to enhance this. This is used to portray the chaotic atmosphere amongst the characters. In the section of the clip when the children are talking amongst themselves, the camera movements look similar to ones that would be a key aspect of the found footage genre. This puts the audience in a position to identify with the children. It is noticed that when the camera is centred on the children, the pace is quite fast. However, when it is focused on the adults, the pace is much slower and the movements are more controlled. This could be used to mirror the children's hyperactive nature. 


Task Three: Psycho (1960), directed by Alfred Hitchcock.

In the opening of this clip, a cutaway is used to build tension between the female and male character. A cutaway is also used later on in the clip when the woman approaches the corpse, this creates suspense for the audience. CLIP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWHYmNrAFlI

In the opening of this clip, the pace is slow as she enters the bathroom. Soon after the antagonist appears, the pace increases dramatically. Crosscuts are used to increase the pace. A match cut is used to highlight the resemblance between the drain and her eye. The match cut could be used to suggest to the audience that her life is running out, similar to how the water is running down the drain. CLIP: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s22lNU5jXM4


Task Four: The Wire (2002), created by David Simon.

This clip uses montage editing to convey to the audience that this is the end of this season. The montage includes different characters engaging in different activities that happen in their lives. It also includes certain characters achievements such as becoming a police officer or closing a case. Incorporating these clips into a montage scene provides audiences with a satisfying conclusion to the ending of season 1. The use of Folk music in the background adds to the audiences satisfaction 


Boogie Nights (1997), directed by Paul Thomas Anderson.

This sequence is used to convey the characters rise to popularity. A range of cuts are used to suggest a passing of time. In each clip after the cuts, the main character is seen to be more confident. This successfully depicts the characters rise to popularity. Fast camera movements and editing reflect the characters fast progression to popularity. 


The Godfather (1972), directed by Francis Ford Coppola.

Within the video, a voice over is implemented to aid the narrative to the audience. It also gives audiences an insight on how the movie was made/produced and the thought behind it. Without the narration, you can hear the audio of the christening and the church organ playing over the entirety of the clip. The rhythm that the church organ plays acts as parallel sound for the violence that appears on the screen. The sombre music matches the dark action that takes place. This links the two narratives together successfully. 


Goodfellas (1990), directed by Martin Scorsese.

Within this scene, no editing is present. The directer has used one continuous tracking shot to make this scene more authentic and realistic. It makes the audience feel as if they are present at that particular moment and places the audience in a position where they identify with the two main characters. It gives the audience a vicarious pleasure as they are able to embrace the atmosphere through these two characters. 




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