Short Scale Assignment:
1) Select one film from the list of 37 films that appears on the last page of the syllabus.
2) First, write a brief summary (1 page or so) of the film, describing the story and main characters.
3) Choose one sequence of ten consecutive shots, making sure to select a sequence that includes at least three different types of shots. (For instance, a sequence that includes a Long Shot, Medium Shot, and Close-Up, or a sequence that includes a crane shot, a medium shot, and a pan, etc.)
4) Discuss what happens overall in the 10-shot sequence you have selected.
5) Number each of the shots 1-10, and discuss each of the shots using the following criteria.
a. Discuss what happens in each shot of this 10-shot sequence.
b. Give an approximate duration of the shot. (For example, 5 seconds, 28 seconds, 1 minute and 24 seconds, etc.)
c. For each shot, if dialogue is delivered, quote the dialogue.
d. Describe the shot scale of each shot. Is the shot an Extreme Long Shot, Long Shot, Medium Long Shot, Medium Shot, Medium Close-Up, Close-Up, or Extreme Close-Up?
e. If the character moves toward or away from the camera before the next edited shot, identify what type of shot the character is in when the shot starts and where the character ends up when the shot ends. (For instance, if the shot begins with a long shot of the character and the character moves toward the camera until it is a framed as a close-up of the character, describe it.)
f. Discuss whether there is any camera movement. In your opinion, was a pan, tilt, zoom, crane, steadicam, handheld shot, or zoom/dolly combination used in the shot? If there is movement, describe the movement. (For instance, if there is a zoom, does the shot begin in a long shot of the subject and then zoom into a close-up of the subject? If so, describe it.)
g. What angle was used, if any to achieve the shot? Was a canted angle, low-angle shot, high-angle shot, etc. used?
h. Discuss how each type of shot and technique might visually add meaning to the narrative. In your opinion, why did the filmmakers choose this type of shot for that particular moment in the story, or why were these camera techniques chosen to display that particular shot? Was any extra meaning or understanding conveyed by choosing this shot or technique?
The paper should be typed and double-spaced using standard margins and the Times New Roman font, size 12.