Shot for Shot: Analysis

Kent Thalman

Shot for Shot: Part 1: Analysis (The photos couldn't upload to the blog unfortunately)

Shot #: 1

Set Up: 1A

1a) Who/What is the subject of the shot? Graham.

1b) What is the basic action of the shot? Graham enters the room and looks at the pantry door.

1c) What does the audience come to understand because of this shot?

Graham is in the house, and is going towards where the alien might be.

2a) Shot size: W

2b) Angle: Low

2c) Focal Length: 50mm

2d) Camera Mount: Tripod

2e) Composition, framing, camera movement, etc.: Static

3) Describe the use of lighting: There are two lights from windows, and a fill. Used to create a major diagonal line in BG and highlights on MG objects.

4) Describe the use of the visual elements – This is mostly flat space (reduced to shapes bc of lens). It is slightly canted and full of sharp diagonal lines from the chairs and lighting. It's tonally low key, or high contrast (not extreme, but there are spots of near black and white). Only Graham moves to enter frame and walk slowly. It's fairly rhythmic because of the chairs and door frame.

5) Why do you believe the director chose to create this image in this way? What is the image's purpose in the larger story? What else do you notice (performance, sound, editing, etc.)? – This is an unsettling image, both narratively and conceptually. Everything feels off or crooked. The actor moves slowly and cautiously. It's very quiet overall, and feels like something frightening just happened and still lingers in the air.

Shot #: 2

Set Up: 1B

1a) Who/What is the subject of the shot? The shadow under the door.

1b) What is the basic action of the shot? POV of Graham approaches door, looking at the moving shadow beneath it.

1c) What does the audience come to understand because of this shot?

Something is in the pantry.

2a) Shot size: W

2b) Angle: High

2c) Focal Length: 50mm

2d) Camera Mount: Dolly

2e) Composition, framing, camera movement, etc.: Dolly-in/tilt down.

3) Describe the use of lighting: There is one light from window, and a fill.

4) Describe the use of the visual elements – This shot is less intense other than the camera move. Similar use of all the visual elements, but less of it (less diagonals). There is a little bit more depth because of the counter fixture on frame right, and the dolly-in. The open space is super subtle, but there for just a few frames. That peaks the interest as well.

5) Why do you believe the director chose to create this image in this way? What is the image's purpose in the larger story? What else do you notice (performance, sound, editing, etc.)? – This is a great second shot. The subtle camera move makes us pay very close attention, but it is otherwise a visually simple shot. Once again, “nothing” is happening, but the tension is building. The sound of the rustling behind the door is eerie, and makes it clearer that someone is inside.

Shot #: 3

Set Up: 1A

1a) Who/What is the subject of the shot? Graham

1b) What is the basic action of the shot? Graham approaches the pantry.

1c) What does the audience come to understand because of this shot? – Same as #1 (1A)

2a) Shot size: W-M-C

2b) Angle: Low

2c) Focal Length: 50mm

2d) Camera Mount: Dolly/Slider

2e) Composition, framing, camera movement, etc.: Dolly-in/tilt up.

3) Describe the use of lighting: Same as 1-1A

4) Describe the use of the visual elements – Same as 1-1A. Also, the camera move is really dramatic, even though the scene feels quiet. Once again, there is almost a sense of open space while moving past the chair on the ground.

The final composition is insane. The wallpaper, the ceiling, the chair, the angle. Everything is diagonal. It's so intense. Creates a little more depth too.

5) Why do you believe the director chose to create this image in this way? What is the image's purpose in the larger story? What else do you notice (performance, sound, editing, etc.)? – This move makes the approach to the door dreadful for Graham and us. It makes us feel like we've closed the gap too fast. And the actor stays totally fixed on the door. The footsteps make us feel too noisy.

Shot #: 4

Set Up: 1B

1a) Who/What is the subject of the shot? The light behind the door.

1b) What is the basic action of the shot? Whatever's behind the door stops moving.

1c) What does the audience come to understand because of this shot? – Whoever is behind the door, they've heard Graham and have stopped.

2a) Shot size: CU

2b) Angle: High

2c) Focal Length: 50mm

2d) Camera Mount: Dolly/Slider

2e) Composition, framing, camera movement, etc.: Dolly-in/tilt down.

3) Describe the use of lighting: Same as 2-1B The light is much more about what's under the door, than in the room at this point. That is the brightest part of the frame.

4) Describe the use of the visual elements – Same as 2-1B. The shapes have changed. There's a major oval in the frame, and there are some subtle diagonals and vertical lines. Color is dark warms and desaturated blues.

5) Why do you believe the director chose to create this image in this way? What is the image's purpose in the larger story? What else do you notice (performance, sound, editing, etc.)? – See notes on 1B

Shot #: 5

Set Up: 1A

1a) Who/What is the subject of the shot? Graham

1b) What is the basic action of the shot? Graham addresses “it.”

1c) What does the audience come to understand because of this shot? – Graham is very nervous/afraid.

2a) Shot size: CU

2b) Angle: Low

2c) Focal Length: 50mm

2d) Camera Mount: Dolly/Slider (But looks like sticks)

2e) Composition, framing, camera movement, etc.: Stasis

3) Describe the use of lighting: At this point, the lighting leaves his center face dark. His face is brightest on frame right, and eyes are lit. His face is the brightest object in frame. His figure is rim-lit from off screen right for separation from BG.

4) Describe the use of the visual elements – The background is a desaturated yellow, and Graham wears a dark, desaturated blue. The dark brown chair points right at Graham's face.

5) Why do you believe the director chose to create this image in this way? What is the image's purpose in the larger story? What else do you notice (performance, sound, editing, etc.)? – This angle comes back often, and we stay there. It is very intense, and all the diagonals I think make us feel how Graham does: totally uncomfortable and scared.

Shot #: 6

Set Up: 1B

1a) Who/What is the subject of the shot? Whoever is behind the door.

1b) What is the basic action of the shot? “It” stops.

1c) What does the audience come to understand because of this shot? – It's heard Graham.

2a) Shot size: CU

2b) Angle: High

2c) Focal Length: 50mm

2d) Camera Mount: Dolly/Slider (But looks like sticks)

2e) Composition, framing, camera movement, etc.: Stasis

3) Describe the use of lighting: See Shot 4 (1B)

4) Describe the use of the visual elements – Same as Shot 4 (1B)

5) Why do you believe the director chose to create this image in this way? What is the image's purpose in the larger story? What else do you notice (performance, sound, editing, etc.)? – This angle comes back often. I feel that this less intensely composed image resets our perception of normal, which makes it more intense when we cut back to Graham.

Shot #: 7

Set Up: 1A

1a) Who/What is the subject of the shot? Graham

1b) What is the basic action of the shot? Graham impersonates a police officer.

1c) What does the audience come to understand because of this shot? – Graham is still hopes the whole thing is a hoax. He doesn't want to believe that the aliens are real.

2a) Shot size: CU

2b) Angle: Low

2c) Focal Length: 50mm

2d) Camera Mount: Dolly/Slider (But looks like sticks)

2e) Composition, framing, camera movement, etc.: Stasis

3) Describe the use of lighting: 5-1A

4) Describe the use of the visual elements – 5-1A

5) Why do you believe the director chose to create this image in this way? What is the image's purpose in the larger story? What else do you notice (performance, sound, editing, etc.)? – 5-1A

Shot #: 8

Set Up: 1B

1a) Who/What is the subject of the shot? See shot 4 (1B)

1b) What is the basic action of the shot? “It” does not respond.

1c) What does the audience come to understand because of this shot? – Either “it” doesn't speak english, or is staying quiet for ulterior reason.

2a) Shot size: CU

2b) Angle: High

2c) Focal Length: 50mm

2d) Camera Mount: Dolly/Slider (But looks like sticks)

2e) Composition, framing, camera movement, etc.: Stasis

3) Describe the use of lighting: See shot 4 (1B)

4) Describe the use of the visual elements – See shot 4 (1B)

5) Why do you believe the director chose to create this image in this way? What is the image's purpose in the larger story? What else do you notice (performance, sound, editing, etc.)? – See shot 4 (1B)

Shot #: 9

Set Up: 1A

1a) Who/What is the subject of the shot? Graham

1b) What is the basic action of the shot? Graham impersonates a police officer, then kneels down to peak under the door.

1c) What does the audience come to understand because of this shot? – He is going to look under the door.

2a) Shot size: CU

2b) Angle: Low

2c) Focal Length: 50mm

2d) Camera Mount: Dolly/Slider (But looks like sticks)

2e) Composition, framing, camera movement, etc.: tilt down.

3) Describe the use of lighting: 5-1A

4) Describe the use of the visual elements – 5-1A

5) Why do you believe the director chose to create this image in this way? What is the image's purpose in the larger story? What else do you notice (performance, sound, editing, etc.)? – 5-1A

Shot #: 10

Set Up: 1C

1a) Who/What is the subject of the shot? Graham

1b) What is the basic action of the shot? Graham leans down and peaks under the door, then gets back up.

1c) What does the audience come to understand because of this shot? – He didn't see anything.

2a) Shot size: CU

2b) Angle: Level

2c) Focal Length: 50mm

2d) Camera Mount: Tripod/Sticks

2e) Composition, framing, camera movement, etc.: Stasis

3) Describe the use of lighting: Similar to 1A. His face is nearly the brightest thing in frame. A lot of dark shadows and blacks. Some out of focus FG glass is lit enough to see.

4) Describe the use of the visual elements – There is very little depth, from the textural diffusion, but the depth of field keeps even that pretty flat. Mostly warm as far as color, but it's all pretty desaturated except Graham's face. Horizontal lines.

5) Why do you believe the director chose to create this image in this way? What is the image's purpose in the larger story? What else do you notice (performance, sound, editing, etc.)? – I feel that this is actually a very smart camera placement. It's just where the Witness should be in this moment, but doesn't actually let us see what's in the pantry. I totally would have forgotten this shot if I had directed this scene, which would have made it far less clear. The nothingness of his looking under then getting back up clearly communicate to us that what he saw was nothing.

Shot #: 11

Set Up: 1D

1a) Who/What is the subject of the shot? Graham - Knife

1b) What is the basic action of the shot? Graham sees, then grabs a knife.

1c) What does the audience come to understand because of this shot? – He is going to use a knife for something.

2a) Shot size: M

2b) Angle: High

2c) Focal Length: 35mm

2d) Camera Mount: Dolly/Slider

2e) Composition, framing, camera movement, etc.: Tracking

3) Describe the use of lighting: This shot is mostly lower contrast compared to the other shots, until the knife comes into frame. Then the knife is by far the brightest object in the frame.

4) Describe the use of the visual elements – This shot once again makes things look pretty diagonal. It’s not canted, but angled so that the edge of the counter is a sharp diagonal. Then the knife is also a prominent FG diagonal. The vegitables are the most colorful objects in the whole scene, but I think they’re there to foreshadow the knife (the veggies are chopped). The table is another diagonal. When Graham grabs the knife, that creates a sharp z-axis movement via his arm, which makes us feel very nervous.

5) Why do you believe the director chose to create this image in this way? What is the image's purpose in the larger story? What else do you notice (performance, sound, editing, etc.)? – This is a cool way to foreshadow something just before revealing it (with the veggies). I keeps the scene interesting, and intoduces a new beat to the scene. A new tactic for the actor to try, which is very interesting narratively and performatively. The acting and sound make you feel really nervous. Gibson just grabs it in a way to make us feel so tight and nervous. Also, the sound of the knife adds to that same feeling of nervousness, accentuating Gibson’s performance.

Shot #: 12

Set Up: 1E

1a) Who/What is the subject of the shot? Graham

1b) What is the basic action of the shot? Graham grabs the knife, looks at the door, then the knife.

1c) What does the audience come to understand because of this shot? – He is going to use a knife for something.

2a) Shot size: MW

2b) Angle: Low

2c) Focal Length: 24mm

2d) Camera Mount: Sticks

2e) Composition, framing, camera movement, etc.: Static.

3) Describe the use of lighting: Same lighting scheme as 1A, but we see the brightness of the counter in this shot and darkness of the table due to the wider lens.

4) Describe the use of the visual elements – This is a major deep space spike. The wider lens gives a far wider field of view. There are dramatic converging lines and high color contrast. Without the deep frame left, it would be limited or flat space. This creates contrast of space within the shot. The flat table works in a way to essentially change the aspect ration to something akin to 4:3. All lines lead to the knife (which is the next shot), including Graham’s eye line at the end.

5) Why do you believe the director chose to create this image in this way? What is the image's purpose in the larger story? What else do you notice (performance, sound, editing, etc.)? – The composition makes us look towards the knife. It prepares us for the knife close up, which reveals the mirror-like quality thereof. The wideness of the shot also increases the intensity of the scene, providing an appropriate bump to match the narrative beat.

Shot #: 13

Set Up: 1F

1a) Who/What is the subject of the shot? Graham - Knife

1b) What is the basic action of the shot? Graham looks at the knife’s reflective quality, then at the door.

1c) What does the audience come to understand because of this shot? – The knife acts like a mirror.

2a) Shot size: CU

2b) Angle: High

2c) Focal Length: 50mm

2d) Camera Mount: Sticks

2e) Composition, framing, camera movement, etc.: Static

3) Describe the use of lighting: This is tonally pretty low contrast, but Graham is backlit so that his ear rims a little. He has eye lights as well.

4) Describe the use of the visual elements – Focus makes this shot really flat. It also directs our attention to the knife’s reflection which is Graham. The knife is a diagonal against the rectangular tile pattern on the floor. These colors are all warm, a little on the red side. Graham is the most saturated color in frame.

5) Why do you believe the director chose to create this image in this way? What is the image's purpose in the larger story? What else do you notice (performance, sound, editing, etc.)? – This is a two-in-one. We understand something about the knife as well as about Graham’s intentions. I love mirror shots for this reason. We’re maintaining the diagonal look to keep things intense.

Shot #: 13

Set Up: 1E

1a) Who/What is the subject of the shot? Graham

1b) What is the basic action of the shot? Graham leans down and places knife to foot of door.

1c) What does the audience come to understand because of this shot? – He is going to use a knife to look under the door.

2a) Shot size: W

2b) Angle: Low

2c) Focal Length: 24mm

2d) Camera Mount: Sticks

2e) Composition, framing, camera movement, etc.: Subject blocks from W to CU

3) Describe the use of lighting: Same as 12 - 1E

4) Describe the use of the visual elements – Same as 12-1E

5) Why do you believe the director chose to create this image in this way? What is the image's purpose in the larger story? What else do you notice (performance, sound, editing, etc.)? – Same as 12 – 1E

Shot #: 14

Set Up: 1G

1a) Who/What is the subject of the shot? Knife/Inside of Pantry

1b) What is the basic action of the shot? Graham looks into the pantry

1c) What does the audience come to understand because of this shot? – The pantry is empty.

2a) Shot size: CU

2b) Angle: High

2c) Focal Length: 50mm

2d) Camera Mount: Sticks

2e) Composition, framing, camera movement, etc.: Static

3) Describe the use of lighting: This shot is higher contrast. All dark except for the slit under the door.

4) Describe the use of the visual elements – Tonally high contrast, which accentuates the diagonal line of the door base. The knife is also a diagonal, and the knife points to the inside of the pantry. All warm colors (even the bottles inside!).Pretty flat to maintain focus.

5) Why do you believe the director chose to create this image in this way? What is the image's purpose in the larger story? What else do you notice (performance, sound, editing, etc.)? – This keeps us out of the pantry, with all our attention on the inside of it. We only see what Graham sees, keeping the scene’s POV from his perspective in a really dramatic way.

Shot #: 15

Set Up: 1E

1a) Who/What is the subject of the shot? Graham

1b) What is the basic action of the shot? Graham ties peeking under the door again. He can’t see anything, so he puts the knife away and leaves. He is panged by curiousity, turns around and walks back to the pantry, grabbing the knife, about to try the same thing again.

1c) What does the audience come to understand because of this shot? – He is too curious to leave.

2a) Shot size: W-CU

2b) Angle: Low

2c) Focal Length: 24mm

2d) Camera Mount: Sticks

2e) Composition, framing, camera movement, etc.: Static with a few subtle pans and tilts.

3) Describe the use of lighting: Same as 1E

4) Describe the use of the visual elements – Same as 1E, but his movement is a super huge z axis movement!

5) Why do you believe the director chose to create this image in this way? What is the image's purpose in the larger story? What else do you notice (performance, sound, editing, etc.)? This character movement on the wider lens really spikes the visuals right before the scary part. It sucks our attnetion back in.

Shot #: 16

Set Up: 1H

1a) Who/What is the subject of the shot? Alien hand!!!

1b) What is the basic action of the shot? The alien’s hand reaches out for Graham

1c) What does the audience come to understand because of this shot? – The alien is hostile!

2a) Shot size: CU

2b) Angle: Canted

2c) Focal Length: 35mm or 50mm

2d) Camera Mount: Sticks

2e) Composition, framing, camera movement, etc.: As canted as you can get!

3) Describe the use of lighting: This shot is pretty high contrast, but not tonally deep. But the brights are closer to grey than white, but look bright compared to the black.

4) Describe the use of the visual elements – DIAGONAL. It splits the frame right in half on the two opposite corners. And the hand moves on the z-axis right at the camera. It’s dark and sinister tonally. Warm colors, and red blood on the hand give us the feeling that the alien is very hostile.

5) Why do you believe the director chose to create this image in this way? What is the image's purpose in the larger story? What else do you notice (performance, sound, editing, etc.)? – We need to know at this point that this is not Close Encounters. The aliens aren’t coming to make human contact, but to anihilate us.

Shot #: 17

Set Up: 1E

1a) Who/What is the subject of the shot? Graham

1b) What is the basic action of the shot? Graham sees the hand and hits his head on table. Reaches for knife.

1c) What does the audience come to understand because of this shot? – He is frightened

2a) Shot size: CU

2b) Angle: Level

2c) Focal Length: 24mm

2d) Camera Mount: Sticks

2e) Composition, framing, camera movement, etc.: CU

3) Describe the use of lighting: Same as 12 - 1E: This is really really dark except some details on Grahams face, particularly his eye. This lets us only see and feel Graham.

4) Describe the use of the visual elements – Same as 12-1E

5) Why do you believe the director chose to create this image in this way? What is the image's purpose in the larger story? What else do you notice (performance, sound, editing, etc.)? – Same as 12 – 1E: This lighting distorts and almost damages Graham’s face. It also hyper focuses us on Graham’s eyes and emotion, so that we feel as scared as he does. The POV of this shot is very strong, and is a CU just through seemless character blocking!

Shot #: 18

Set Up: 1J

1a) Who/What is the subject of the shot? Graham

1b) What is the basic action of the shot? Graham frantically grabs the knife.

1c) What does the audience come to understand because of this shot? – Graham is defending himself.

2a) Shot size: CU

2b) Angle: Level

2c) Focal Length: 35mm or 50mm

2d) Camera Mount: Sticks

2e) Composition, framing, camera movement, etc.: Static

3) Describe the use of lighting: Dark except on hand and the light catches in the knife at random moments. This increases the franticness with which Graham is grabbing the knife, and feels chaotic. The light flashing in the knife adds tonal contrast in the shot from moment to moment.

4) Describe the use of the visual elements – This shot is very simple to me, but smart. The only thing we need to think with this shot is “GRAB THE KNIFE!” And that’s exactly how it works. It’s like in Notorious when the whole scene you see the cup and think “poison.” It’s a word shot. This is accomplished by lighting only the hand and knife. All else fades to black. Flat and clear.

5) Why do you believe the director chose to create this image in this way? What is the image's purpose in the larger story? What else do you notice (performance, sound, editing, etc.)? – We don’t want to distract the audience here with anything complex. In a fight or flight situation, we can only think of the most important thing. The motion however charges that thing we are thinking of with intense emotion. It’s not just, “oh, pick up that knife if you please.”

Shot #: 19

Set Up: 1H

1a) Who/What is the subject of the shot? Alien hand

1b) What is the basic action of the shot? Graham chops off the alien’s fingers!

1c) What does the audience come to understand because of this shot? – When I first saw this, I was thinking “AHHHH!”

2a) Shot size: CU

2b) Angle: Canted

2c) Focal Length: 50mm

2d) Camera Mount: Sticks

2e) Composition, framing, camera movement, etc.: Static

3) Describe the use of lighting: Same as 1H

4) Describe the use of the visual elements – Same as 1H

5) Why do you believe the director chose to create this image in this way? What is the image's purpose in the larger story? What else do you notice (performance, sound, editing, etc.)? – Same as 1H, but sound here is really shocking as the alien screams and the knife comes down.

Shot #: 20

Set Up: 1E

1a) Who/What is the subject of the shot? Graham

1b) What is the basic action of the shot? Graham screams.

1c) What does the audience come to understand because of this shot? – Graham is terrified.

2a) Shot size: CU

2b) Angle: Level

2c) Focal Length: 24mm

2d) Camera Mount: Sticks

2e) Composition, framing, camera movement, etc.: Static

3) Describe the use of lighting: Same as 17 - 1E

4) Describe the use of the visual elements – Same as 17-1E

5) Why do you believe the director chose to create this image in this way? What is the image's purpose in the larger story? What else do you notice (performance, sound, editing, etc.)? – Same as 17 – 1E: Just want to reiterate how important that eye light is here. Totally critical, and effective.

Note: this scene becomes prgressively darker by the end tonally (as in, the visual component). Expose for the skin of the face, and control blacks in camera, but crush them out in post.