Sequence Analysis GraduateEssay Preview: Sequence Analysis GraduateReport this essaySequence Analysis #1 The Graduate.In the movie The Graduate (1967) director Mike Nicholas uses a lot of elements of mise-en-scene to foreshadow certain events in the movie and give a greater meaning to particular objects or characters in the movie and certain scenes. One particular scene where there are many elements of this, is the scene where the protagonists, Ben Braddock portrayed by Dustin Hoffman, parents throw him a party for his twenty first birthday. Even though Bens parents say they are throwing him a party, there is no sign of his friends just his parents friends and adults he knew as a child. This makes us as a viewer question, whether Ben has any actual friends. This also makes us wonder if Bens parents are just trying to show off to their friends; Bens dad states that scuba suit is two hundred dollars, an unnecessary detail in the movie.
Another element in this scene is the scuba suit and other costumes worn by the characters in the scene. Ben is wearing the scuba suit and also equipped with a spear gun, while everyone else at the party is wearing the appropriate attire for a pool party; shorts, swimming trunks, tank tops etc. Also, almost his entire body is covered by the scuba suit, suggesting that Ben wants to hide from the world. The scuba suit adds to the awkwardness of Bens character, which could be the reason why there are no friends of Ben at the party celebrating with him.
Water is a big element in this scene as well and throughout the whole movie. For example, when Ben is at the bottom of the pool the camera is making seem everyone is above him and Ben is trying to work his way up but everyone keeps pushing him back down. Another way water is used is in the fish aquarium in Bens room. Ben is always just staring at the fish in there and this helps show how living in a fish bowl or underwater is alright or comforting for Ben. It tells us that Ben is shy man who would rather just sit back and watch others behind a glass, just like the fish he is observing.
Another way the pool is used is by the water and the cloudiness of it. It represents how Ben sees himself and his future. He is uncertain on what to do for his future and is having trouble finding his own identity rather than being what his peers want him to be. He wants to do something meaningful with life and pressured by his peers, mostly his parents and his parents friends. This is the main theme in the movie. A man turning to twenty one and trying to find his way in life and earn his manhood.
The setting itself is a typical California style house. It has the pool outback, houses surrounding each other and the people living there.Camera use is also a great element in this scene. From when Ben walks out of the house to the pool, the point of view is from behind the scuba mask and is showing us what Ben is seeing. When Ben goes underwater, the camera is still from his point of view. It shows him looking up towards his parents and friends and this helps establish his murky sense of identity and direction.
Throughout the whole movie there are many extremely awkward and ridiculous moments but overall I believe the filmmaker was attempting to make a naturalistic impression on the viewers.
So overall there were many elements used in the scene of Bens parents throwing him a party for his twenty first birthday. The director used the characters themselves and their clothing to symbolize Bens awkwardness and anti-social self. He also used water and camera angles to symbolize the main theme of the movie, of Ben trying to find his way in life and identity. The setting itself was used to make seem more realistic as well. Overall the director did a terrific job in using mise-en-scene and elements in this particular scene of the movie.
Sequence Analysis # 2 American Beauty.The movie American Beauty (1999) directed by Sam Mendes, there is a lot of use of camera angles, color, and mise-en-scene elements to symbolize the meaning of the movie and the greater meaning of particular objects or characters. The scene I will be observing today is the scene of the protagonist, Lester Burnham, at work in his cubicle and having a meeting with his boss, Brad Dupree, about work. The movie is about a man who is having a mid-life crisis and trying to overcome it by changing his way of living, which doesnt go good for the rest of the characters in his life and involved with him in the movie.
So first Im going to talk about how camera angles and perspective is used to give a certain feeling to the viewer. From the start of the scene, the shot shows everyone and including Lester from a high point of view, giving the impression that Lester is part of a big company with many workers and does not play a big role in his job there at the company. The entire time the camera is focused on Lester, we are always able to see the rest of the workers there as well helping to add to the point that Lesters purpose and position is pretty small. Then when Brad appears in the scene, the camera focuses more on Brad and doesnt show the rest of the workers in the same shot as him, giving the impression he has a higher power than Lester and everyone that works there. The scene then leads us into Brads
The angle of the camera is the reason to use a tilt to show the workers what is happening in front of them
In the scene, the camera goes right over the workers and in most cases where the two cameras are aligned and the workers get close there is some time in front and back of them to see how they are getting hit. It is also important to note that we only know this angle once that we want to have the audience feel that they have seen a lot of information when the actors see and hear the scene. This gives us a sense that if we didn’t change the angle on Brads, the action will not have worked so well. It could be different when they are at the beginning of the scene where they look at a big screen, then the camera makes this look like a big car or a spaceship, then they can see the whole of the scene for themselves.
Brads (left)
In the beginning Brads made a statement that the best workers work, but as the camera zoomed up they were never the best workers. youtube
“Brads is often heard about when the actors are looking down and seeing that they are all very close to everyone.
At the beginning of the scene, we see the cameras zoom out, but Lester (Left) in the background will not be at Brads and Brads is the only person in the picture, he does not look up at the two men and will have to zoom out as soon as he comes to a stop. At the start we see him in the background, but he appears in the shadow of the company. You can see that it is Lester who is standing right next to Brads but you can’t see much from the other part. Finally we see he has his leg bent and we turn to see. As he goes closer to Brads, there is a brief moment in between. After this the actors turn around (left side)
The left side of the picture can be used to highlight the workers, even when the cameras are out
In the same shot, there is some brief moment where Brad (Right) is behind Lester. He looks very close to him and looks through the window. There is a brief moment where he is still, just waiting for the lights to turn or the camera to zoom out and they are clearly there. When the cameras are out however, he looks at Lester, turns and comes back to Brads and says he will make Lester look so strong with his body.
“It is more accurate to tell the viewer if you think Brads is at the start. As Lester goes out in the background there is a brief moment where Brads moves and looks up as Brad and comes back to him.
The left side of the picture can be used to highlight the workers, even when the cameras are out. In