Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Sunday, April 1, 2012
The Help :camera shot and meaning analysis
Close up/ Mid-range- 3 girls talking, 1 walking in
Shows that they are at a social event. Introduces the main character (the one walking in) and the other minor characters (the girls talking)
Shows that they are at a social event. Introduces the main character (the one walking in) and the other minor characters (the girls talking)
Mid-range- 3 girls show excitement
Shows that the girls are all friends. Also gives a glimpse of the time period in which the movie is set (you can guess based on the type of clothing)
Mid-range- 1 girl (face showing) hugs the girl who walked in. 2 girls stand nearby watching.
Shows relationship between the two specific girls that are hugging. The way that the camera is shows the girl, whose face is showing, looking at one of the 2 girls standing nearby, almost in a way that is asking for approval...like the girl that is watching needs to give approval for everything. (foreshadowing)
Shows relationship between the two specific girls that are hugging. The way that the camera is shows the girl, whose face is showing, looking at one of the 2 girls standing nearby, almost in a way that is asking for approval...like the girl that is watching needs to give approval for everything. (foreshadowing)
Close up- circles to show the face of the girl who walked in; they are still hugging. Her face seems to be disapproving of whatever the other girl said
Again, it shows the relationship between the two girls. By making her face the focal point of the shot, it relays her feelings toward whatever they were talking about. It shows her face in a way that makes it seem like she is having to justify her decision (while also disapproving of what the other girl said) In the background is the girl previously mentioned (the one who needs to give approval), she seems anxious yet happy, possibly showing a relationship between the girl who walked in and herself.
Again, it shows the relationship between the two girls. By making her face the focal point of the shot, it relays her feelings toward whatever they were talking about. It shows her face in a way that makes it seem like she is having to justify her decision (while also disapproving of what the other girl said) In the background is the girl previously mentioned (the one who needs to give approval), she seems anxious yet happy, possibly showing a relationship between the girl who walked in and herself.
Mid-range- Power- Point style introduction Purple and Yellow background and words that say that the movie is “based on the sensational bestseller”
Gives the information that this movie is based off of a popular book. Uses contrasting colors to help emphasize the statement being made. The colors are ones that are affiliated with good feelings, bright yellow and purple are both 'happy colors'. The way that the purple strip on the left moves in quickly contrasts the way that the words fade downward on the right. The words move to the exact middle so that your eyes are right where they need to be to focus on the main point for the next shot
Gives the information that this movie is based off of a popular book. Uses contrasting colors to help emphasize the statement being made. The colors are ones that are affiliated with good feelings, bright yellow and purple are both 'happy colors'. The way that the purple strip on the left moves in quickly contrasts the way that the words fade downward on the right. The words move to the exact middle so that your eyes are right where they need to be to focus on the main point for the next shot
Close up- older woman fixing a woman’s curly hair
Curly haired girl seems to be the main point, but the screen intentionally blurs her a bit to show the older woman's reaction. Then focuses back in on the girl. It uses this close up (and the action being done) to show the relationship between the two people. They seem to be a mother-daughter pair and one can infer that by the type of clothing being worn, the setting, and the action being done.
Curly haired girl seems to be the main point, but the screen intentionally blurs her a bit to show the older woman's reaction. Then focuses back in on the girl. It uses this close up (and the action being done) to show the relationship between the two people. They seem to be a mother-daughter pair and one can infer that by the type of clothing being worn, the setting, and the action being done.
Semi mid-range- shows a grand building that seems to be important; almost mimics the White House
The building is shown in this way, probably, for the reason that it almost mimics the White House. This gives it a feel of importance, of authority. It lets the viewer know that whatever happens in the building must have some significance, especially to the movie plot.
The building is shown in this way, probably, for the reason that it almost mimics the White House. This gives it a feel of importance, of authority. It lets the viewer know that whatever happens in the building must have some significance, especially to the movie plot.
Mid-range- shows curly haired woman walking sown stairs in front of previously mentioned building
By showing her walking down the stairs, it gives the viewer a feel that she is as important as the building itself, but it specifically doesn't show the building so that the focus is directly on her. The way the camera portrays her along with her wardrobe makes the statement that she is important.
Close up- introduces curly haired woman as Skeeter. Her picture is on the left with her name in purple on a yellow background on the right half of the screen and a purple block on the bottom.
The way that the camera captures Skeeter is one that makes her look tough in a way, like she can handle anything. The fact that the camera is up close coupled with her action of staring into the audience makes that statement seem true. The way that there is a yellow background with purple words (her name, Skeeter) mimics the introduction of the statement that this movie is based on a book. The purple strip on the bottom zooms in in the exact way that the purple strip zoomed in in the other shot.
The way that the camera captures Skeeter is one that makes her look tough in a way, like she can handle anything. The fact that the camera is up close coupled with her action of staring into the audience makes that statement seem true. The way that there is a yellow background with purple words (her name, Skeeter) mimics the introduction of the statement that this movie is based on a book. The purple strip on the bottom zooms in in the exact way that the purple strip zoomed in in the other shot.
Mid-range- shows Skeeter typing on a typewriter while smoking a cigarette
The way that the camera is showing not only her typing on the typewriter, but also her desk gives the viewer insight into her life. Her desk is cluttered and that could show that she is working on something that is important. Also the fact that you can see the chair that she is sitting in is important. It shows her sitting upright in a chair that has a back (she is not slumped over, nor is her back touching the chair.) This could give another indicator that she is of importance and that she usually follows social norms.
Close up- shows Skeeter and older woman. The older woman appears to be fixing a dress that Skeeter is wearing
The camera is showing the older woman as the main focus because it want the audience to see exactly how she is reacting to a certain problem that has been brought up. It doesn't actually show the woman tugging on Skeeter's dress, but you can tell by the way she moves on the screen that this is what is happening. Again, it reinforces the relationship between the people.
The camera is showing the older woman as the main focus because it want the audience to see exactly how she is reacting to a certain problem that has been brought up. It doesn't actually show the woman tugging on Skeeter's dress, but you can tell by the way she moves on the screen that this is what is happening. Again, it reinforces the relationship between the people.
Close up- older woman looks up and looks Skeeter in the eye
By showing her looking Skeeter in the eye, this shows her true emotion. And that she feels that she should be making the decisions.
Close up- camera has circled around to show Skeeter’s face, which looks disgusted
Circling to show Skeeters face lets the audience know how she feels about the older woman's statement. You can clearly see the emotions running across her face because it is a close up shot.
Circling to show Skeeters face lets the audience know how she feels about the older woman's statement. You can clearly see the emotions running across her face because it is a close up shot.
Close up- introduction of Aibileen. Picture on the left, she is drying a glass and is wearing a maids uniform
Again, this introduction mimics the original introduction that the book is a bestseller. The fact that is shows her cleaning a glass, and lets you see the clothes that she is wearing lets the viewer infer that she is a maid. It is a clear shot adn portrays Aibileen as a sweet woman.
Again, this introduction mimics the original introduction that the book is a bestseller. The fact that is shows her cleaning a glass, and lets you see the clothes that she is wearing lets the viewer infer that she is a maid. It is a clear shot adn portrays Aibileen as a sweet woman.
Mid- range- shows Aibileen dressing a little girl in what appears to be the little girl’s room
This shot shows Aibileen on the floor dressing the little girl. It uses a mid-range shot so that the audience can see the girls room. It uses this shot to make Aibileen seem like the main care giver to the child.
This shot shows Aibileen on the floor dressing the little girl. It uses a mid-range shot so that the audience can see the girls room. It uses this shot to make Aibileen seem like the main care giver to the child.
Mid-range- circles to a woman twirling in a poorly made dress
The camera starts at the womans face (which looks unsure) and as she circles, it moves downward...exposing the flaws in her dress and inviting the viewer to notice them.
The camera starts at the womans face (which looks unsure) and as she circles, it moves downward...exposing the flaws in her dress and inviting the viewer to notice them.
Mid-range- circles back to Aibileen dressing the little girl
It again reinforces the fact that Aibileen is the main care giver in this situation. It uses the same technique that shows her dressing the child and the room can be seen.
It again reinforces the fact that Aibileen is the main care giver in this situation. It uses the same technique that shows her dressing the child and the room can be seen.
Mid-range- circles back to woman who seems delighted
By circling back to the woman, it shows the viewer her reaction to whatever Aibileen said. Keeping the camera still as the woman sort of curtseys lets the character do all of the 'talking'
By circling back to the woman, it shows the viewer her reaction to whatever Aibileen said. Keeping the camera still as the woman sort of curtseys lets the character do all of the 'talking'
Close up- circles back to Aibileen and little girl. Aibileen has a disgusted face on
By using a close up, it kind of signifies that the face was not meant to be seen by the woman in the dress. It reinforces the relationship between the little girl and Aibileen bceause it shows them close together...mimicing Skeeter's encounter with the older woman.
By using a close up, it kind of signifies that the face was not meant to be seen by the woman in the dress. It reinforces the relationship between the little girl and Aibileen bceause it shows them close together...mimicing Skeeter's encounter with the older woman.
Mid-range- moves to Aibileen and another maid in the kitchen. Aibileen is getting something out of the fridge
Shows that they (A and the maid) know each other and are OK working together. She grabs something out of the fridge and you can't see her face, only backside. As she does this, it only reinforces the fact that she is indeed a maid.
Shows that they (A and the maid) know each other and are OK working together. She grabs something out of the fridge and you can't see her face, only backside. As she does this, it only reinforces the fact that she is indeed a maid.
Mid-range- Aibileen turns from the fridge and is laughing
It barely shows the fact that Aibileen is laughing, maybe to show that having the job of a maid can be fun but also that if it is fun, it that emotion can't be shown.
*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVTMkINRChk
It barely shows the fact that Aibileen is laughing, maybe to show that having the job of a maid can be fun but also that if it is fun, it that emotion can't be shown.
*http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UVTMkINRChk
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