Analyzing Film Techniques: Broken English (feb. 4, 2009)
The opening scene of the movie "Broken English" follows our anti-heroine, Norah Wilder, as she prepares for an evening party. Each shot is usually followed by a credit, making shot transitions rather straight forward. In an essence, then, each shot is like an intimate still-life. We see several close-ups: Norah smoking a cigarette, Norah drinking wine, Norah putting in earrings, Norah playing with her hair.
The more interesting shots in regards to form seem to be motivated by important content details. For instance, a close-up of Norah looking in the mirror then pans to the inside of the medicine cabinet as she opens the mirror. The shot then zooms in to focus on a prescription bottle. As Norah places the bottle back on the shelf, the camera zooms out and pans back to Norah. At this point, the audience (or the camera) suddenly takes the perspective the mirror. By mimicking Norah's panic, I think this rapid camera movement alerts the audience to Norah's anxiety.
This opening scene is narration free as slow but pulsing music plays. To me, the music sounds digitally composed, perhaps creating a sense of modern, urban life. The lighting in the scene is rather warm, except for the shot in the medicine cabinet mirror. There, the light is intense...allowing the audience to see Norah's facial flaws. Again, I think that the lightening represents the public vs private self.
As an audience member, I feel the opening scene positions me from a place of insight. I see that Norah is beautiful, but also complicated and clearly has anxiety problems (the camera highlights the cigarette, the wine glasses and bottles, and her interest in using medications). I also note her artistic bent thanks to the long shots and frames of her hallway and bedroom. She clearly has good taste and has access to wealth.
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Teaching Film in the Classroom: An assortment of ideas
Personally, I love films...especially films that aren't black and white in what they are trying to say. I despise films that tell me what to think (aka Crash). I mean I get Crash and I can appreciate it...but I think it kind of hits the nail over the head (and over the head). Magnolia on the other hand...Synecdoche New York on the other hand...Adaptation (yes, I do love Charlie Kaufman)...well...as an English teacher, there is a lot more to discuss here.
Since my background is in literature, I tend to teach films from this standpoint. I like to ask the big idea questions: What is this movie about? What do these characters desire? Who are these characters? What brought them to this point in the movie? What is their role in this film, and are they unique? Is the writer trying to make an argument? Is the director making the same argument, or is her interpretation different? Does this movie speak to you, why or why not?
However, this activity (analyzing a scene in movie) helped me to consider several aspects of film as a piece of visual art rather than a verbal story. The beauty and meaning in film can be contained within each shot. Further, it's possible to discover deeper relationships and ideas as you study the visual and oral choices that the directors made. In this way, film study need to focus on the details, just as students sometimes need to examine one sentence at a time in a novel.
The more interesting shots in regards to form seem to be motivated by important content details. For instance, a close-up of Norah looking in the mirror then pans to the inside of the medicine cabinet as she opens the mirror. The shot then zooms in to focus on a prescription bottle. As Norah places the bottle back on the shelf, the camera zooms out and pans back to Norah. At this point, the audience (or the camera) suddenly takes the perspective the mirror. By mimicking Norah's panic, I think this rapid camera movement alerts the audience to Norah's anxiety.
This opening scene is narration free as slow but pulsing music plays. To me, the music sounds digitally composed, perhaps creating a sense of modern, urban life. The lighting in the scene is rather warm, except for the shot in the medicine cabinet mirror. There, the light is intense...allowing the audience to see Norah's facial flaws. Again, I think that the lightening represents the public vs private self.
As an audience member, I feel the opening scene positions me from a place of insight. I see that Norah is beautiful, but also complicated and clearly has anxiety problems (the camera highlights the cigarette, the wine glasses and bottles, and her interest in using medications). I also note her artistic bent thanks to the long shots and frames of her hallway and bedroom. She clearly has good taste and has access to wealth.
***
Teaching Film in the Classroom: An assortment of ideas
Personally, I love films...especially films that aren't black and white in what they are trying to say. I despise films that tell me what to think (aka Crash). I mean I get Crash and I can appreciate it...but I think it kind of hits the nail over the head (and over the head). Magnolia on the other hand...Synecdoche New York on the other hand...Adaptation (yes, I do love Charlie Kaufman)...well...as an English teacher, there is a lot more to discuss here.
Since my background is in literature, I tend to teach films from this standpoint. I like to ask the big idea questions: What is this movie about? What do these characters desire? Who are these characters? What brought them to this point in the movie? What is their role in this film, and are they unique? Is the writer trying to make an argument? Is the director making the same argument, or is her interpretation different? Does this movie speak to you, why or why not?
However, this activity (analyzing a scene in movie) helped me to consider several aspects of film as a piece of visual art rather than a verbal story. The beauty and meaning in film can be contained within each shot. Further, it's possible to discover deeper relationships and ideas as you study the visual and oral choices that the directors made. In this way, film study need to focus on the details, just as students sometimes need to examine one sentence at a time in a novel.
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