New Media 11: Film and Literature

Due: Monday February 12

Exploring Filmmakers' Techniques: Shot Size, Framing/Composition, Movement and Shot
Angles

Objective: To analyze the narrative intention behind filmmakers' use of shot size,
framing/composition, and shot angles in film scenes.

Instructions:
1. Select two different film scenes from the listed ones available on YouTube. Ensure that each
scene demonstrates a variety of shot sizes, framing/composition, movement, and shot angles.
2. Watch each scene carefully, paying close attention to how the filmmaker utilizes shot size,
framing/composition, and shot angles to convey narrative elements such as character emotions,
relationships, tension, and mood.
3. Write a response for each scene, analyzing the narrative intention behind the filmmaker's use
of shot size, framing/composition, and shot angles. Each response should be 4-8 sentences in
length.
4. Each response should include 1-2 frame captures that are used in your analysis. Instructions
for how to do this and what it should look like will be on page 3.
4. Consider the following questions in your analysis:
- How does the choice of shot size affect the viewer's perception of the characters and the
scene?
- What does the framing/composition communicate about the relationships between characters
or the overall atmosphere of the scene?
- How do shot angles contribute to the viewer's understanding of the scene's dynamics and
perspective?
5. Submit your responses along with the links to the chosen film scenes.

Example Response Format:

Scene 1: [Film Title]
Link: [YouTube Link]

Analysis:
In this scene, the filmmaker employs a combination of medium shots and close-ups to intensify
the emotional interaction between the two main characters. The medium shots are used during
moments of dialogue, allowing the audience to observe the characters' body language and facial
expressions, while the close-ups emphasize the intensity of their emotions. Additionally, the
framing tightly focuses on the characters' faces, enhancing the sense of intimacy and
emphasizing their connection. The low shot angles used in certain instances create a sense of
vulnerability, particularly for the protagonist, as the camera looks up at them, reinforcing their
internal struggles. Overall, these techniques contribute to the scene's emotional depth and
highlight the complex relationship dynamics between the characters.

[Repeat analysis format for Scene 2 and Scene 3]

Scenes listed on page 2.

Here are some suggestions for film scenes available on YouTube that showcase different
filmmaking techniques related to shot size, framing/composition, and shot angles:

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New Media 11: Film and Literature
Due: Monday February 12
You are welcome to choose different scenes available on YouTube – you must include the link in
your analysis.

1. The Shawshank Redemption (1994) - "Andy's Escape Scene"

https://youtu.be/8jRRZPGa3fU?si=Kj1Om71Y6HrKGDii&t=1
Analysis Focus: Use of wide shots, close-ups, and low angles to convey tension and suspense
during the escape sequence.

2. The Social Network (2010) - "The Winklevoss Twins' Rowing Scene"

https://youtu.be/GNtS6KzseN8?si=nri7_RpA5U7a7i6p
Analysis Focus: Framing/composition techniques to emphasize the physical and social distance
between characters, as well as shot angles to depict power dynamics.

3. Inception (2010) - "Paris Dream Sequence"

https://youtu.be/7yshUmxuEjE?si=3f0g_ioRkrKrDFwj
Analysis Focus: Innovative use of various shot sizes, framing/composition, and shot angles to
manipulate the perception of reality and dream within the scene.

4. Birdman (2014) - "The Times Square Scene"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7O8wiwu0elA

Analysis Focus: Utilization of long takes and creative camera movement to enhance the sense of
urgency and chaos within the scene, as well as framing/composition to reflect the protagonist's
inner turmoil.

5. Whiplash (2014) - "Final Drum Solo Scene"

https://youtu.be/ZZY-Ytrw2co?si=8X17CgCtoQ83_rCf

Analysis Focus: Dynamic shot sizes, framing/composition, and shot angles to convey the
intensity and emotional journey of the protagonist's drum solo performance.

To capture frames from a YouTube video and embed them into a Word document, you'll need to
follow these general steps:

1. Capture Frames from YouTube Video:

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New Media 11: Film and Literature
Due: Monday February 12
There are several ways to capture frames from a YouTube video:
- Use a screenshot tool on your computer to capture the frames as you play the video.
- Utilize a dedicated screen recording software to record the video while pausing at the frames
you want to capture.
- Use a browser extension or software specifically designed for capturing frames from online
videos.

2. Save Captured Frames:

Save the captured frames as image files (e.g., JPEG, PNG) on your computer.

3. Embed Frames into Word Document:

Once you have the frames saved as image files, follow these steps to embed them into a Word
document:

- Open your Word document.

- Place the cursor at the location where you want to insert the frame.
- Go to the "Insert" tab in the Word menu.
- Click on the "Pictures" or "Picture" option, depending on your Word version.
- Browse your computer to select the captured frame image file.
- Click "Insert" to embed the image into the document.
- Resize and position the image as needed within the Word document.

4. Repeat for Additional Frames:

If you want to embed multiple frames, repeat the process for each captured frame, placing them
at desired locations within the Word document.

See the example below of a properly embedded screenshot.

Rubric
Criteria Excellent (4) Good (3) Fair (2) Needs Improvement
(1)
Analysis Provides insightful Provides a solid Provides a basic Analysis lacks depth
analysis of shot size, analysis of shot size, analysis of shot size, and insight into shot
framing/composition, framing/composition, framing/composition, size,
and shot angles, and shot angles, and shot angles, framing/composition,

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New Media 11: Film and Literature
Due: Monday February 12
demonstrating a deep demonstrating a good demonstrating a and shot angles, with
understanding of their understanding of their limited understanding minimal understanding
impact on narrative impact on narrative of their impact on of their impact on
intention. Responses intention. Responses narrative intention. narrative intention.
are thorough (4-8 are adequately Responses are Responses are brief
sentences) and developed (3-6 somewhat vague or (less than 3 sentences)
supported with specific sentences) and lack specific examples and lack specific
examples from the supported with from the scenes. examples from the
scenes. examples from the scenes.
scenes.
Screen Grabs Embeds 1-2 high- Embeds 1-2 screen Embeds 1-2 screen Embeds fewer than 1-2
quality screen grabs grabs from the grabs from the screen grabs or the
from the selected selected scenes, selected scenes, but screen grabs provided
scenes, clearly illustrating the they may be low- are of poor quality and
illustrating the discussed shot size, quality or not fully not relevant to the
discussed shot size, framing/composition, relevant to the analysis analysis of shot size,
framing/composition, and shot angles. of shot size, framing/composition,
and shot angles. Screen grabs are framing/composition, and shot angles.
Screen grabs are mostly clear and and shot angles.
relevant and effectively relevant to the analysis.
enhance the analysis.
Clarity of Writing Writing is clear, well- Writing is mostly clear Writing is somewhat Writing is unclear,
organized, and free of and organized, with unclear or disorganized, or
grammatical errors. few grammatical disorganized, with contains numerous
Ideas are presented errors. Ideas are noticeable grammatical grammatical errors
logically and generally presented in errors that occasionally that significantly
cohesively. a coherent manner. impede understanding. impede understanding.