Scene Analysis assignment

Your assignment is to write a 2-3 page analysis that focuses on mise-en-scène, camera angles and position, and the relevance of the particular scene to the rest of the film. Make a brief but coherent argument about the ways in which the formal elements of the scene shape or intensify the film’s drama or themes. Do not use plot summary.

You will want to view the scene several times, taking as detailed notes as possible. Some shorthand that might help (see your glossary for definitions of the terms):

cu close-up
xcu extreme close-up
ms medium shot
fs full or long shot
ps pan shot
ts tilt shot
s/rs shot/reverse shot
X cut
lt long take
crs crane shot
trs tracking shot (use arrows to indicate the direction that the camera tracks)
la low angle
ha high angle

After you annotate the scene accordingly, describe these annotations in precise, clear prose. Describe the conclusions you draw or interpretations you make about the sequence and their relevance to the film as a whole (be sure to note where the scene occurs in the movie). Then revise into a clear analysis of the scene. Don't forget to use correct character names!

Be sure to pay careful attention to the clarity of your writing.
1. Grammar: Have you eliminated misspellings and punctuation errors?
2. Syntax: Have you eliminated unnecessary passive constructions, using vivid verbs
throughout? Remember: avoid using weak “to be” verbs (am, are, is, was, were, be, being, been) as well as “other” weak verbs such as get and got, go and went. Have you used words clearly and correctly, avoiding: 1) non-descript phrases such as “a lot”; 2) the overuse of “I feel, believe, etc.”; and 3) the use of “you” in your prose? Have you avoided dangling modifier and homonym errors?
3. Format: Be sure to use 12 point Times New Roman Font, make your margins 1” all around, and double space.

Choose one of the following scenes to analyze (if none of these suit you, it is up to you to find a short scene [1-2 minutes long] from any of the movies we have watched/will watch this semester):