Analysis

While watching four different films i took down notes whenever i came across different type of shots for example, match on action and reverse shots.  In this post i will be giving examples of the different types of techniques and explaining what they are and what they are used for. I will give specific examples from different movies i watched during my lessons.

Perfume

First opening scene that i watched was from the movie 'Perfume'. This was a very strong movie which was full of match on action. Soon as the movie started you see a lady standing at a stall, she falls down and the camera changes so the lady can be seen on the ground which is match on action. Match on action is when a action is carried on in a different camera angle but it is down with extremely good continuity editing. An example of this is above, the picture shows the boy opening the door and the camera angle changes when the boy has opened the door, that is match on action. Then straight away match on action carries on when the lady gives birth she pushes the baby away which is seen from a different angle landing on the ground. Moving on, this movie opening scene also contains various reverse shot scenes. One example of this is when the lady is talking to the customer, the camera keeps changing as they talk from shoulder to shoulder. Reverse shots are used allot in movies mostly in conversations. A few master shots are also in the opening scene, this includes the scene when the main character is walking through the markets the camera zooms out revealing the environment. It gives the audience a hint about where the scene is set. Also another single camera technique i found interesting was the handheld shot. This scene the camera handheld with natural shake moves through the crowds to give it a nice affect. It makes the audience feel like they are there and gets them more involved in the film.

The Others

Second film i watched was 'The Others'. This movie was full of Reverse shots and match on action. First match on action i seen straight away was when the three servants are seen walking towards the house and then the camera changes when they are closer to the house. The match on action also continues is when the door is opened and the three servants walk inside following the lady. Match on action also continues when the three servants are leaded into the kitchen, when they are walking into the kitchen door the camera changes so the individuals can be seen from the inside. While in the kitchen the owner of the house talks to the servants which includes reverse shots. Reverse shots are mostly used in conversations. Moving on, 180 camera rule is used in the kitchen scene when the children are eating, the camera never crosses the line. Also, Master shots are also used in this film, which is when the children are in the kitchen, the camera pans out to show the whole kitchen and the kids inside.

Gangs of New York

First one i will talk about is Match on Action, Match on action is when a action is started in one camera angle and its finished in another, for example, if someone lifts a football. The first camera angle may be from the side and when the balls nearly up they may change the camera angle from front.

Moving on, The next opening scene we watched was from the film 'Gangs of New York'. First of all when the movie starts match on action is showed when the priest puts on the collar. Then when they are walking along in the tunnels. The priest feeds something to his son and the camera changes angles to show the action. Moving on, a reverse shot is used when the priest reaches a individual who is named 'Monk' when they talk the camera changes from one individual to another. A master shot is used when the camera zooms out to show the whole building where the works and miners are fighting. Another master shot is used when they reach outside the camera shows the whole environment to show where the movie is set. A camera technique is used known as the dolly shot when the gang walks outside walking forward. Dolly shots are mostly used to follow a individual or a group and follow each of their steps. Another great technique is used known as eye-line match, this is when the actor turns his head and the camera angle changes looking at what the actor is looking at. This was used in this movie when the child looks at his friends in the mines and the camera changes to show his friends.