Since learning about the many techniques used in film from the PowerPoint, I have seen movies in a different light. I see past the obvious and dive into the subtleties of the film. This past weekend I watched "The Professional", a French movie that is dubbed English. I got more out of the movie because I though about the different techniques being used.
The main character (Leon) is a hit man that lives by himself in an apartment. Usually, he is shot with a low-angle shot, creating an aura of power about him. One striking example from the movie was when his neighbor, a little girl (Matilda), is knocking on his door to let her in (her family was murdered and the murderers were still outside her house). The camera cut back and forth from the girl to the hit man, always showing the hit man from a low-angle and the girl from a high-angle. Although I didn't notice it at first, these angle changes made me feel the roles the two characters took even stronger than a normal viewer would (anybody could tell the balance of power). The music of the movie plays to the mood. In the beginning, it is serious (just as our main character is). Later, it becomes softer and more mellow (as he "adopts" the girl and teaches her to be a hit man).
The end of the movie (I won't reveal it) came as somewhat of a surprise. The director worked hard to make the cuts unclear and confusing. This editing work creates a feeling of suspense because you feel like something is going to happen, but you don't know for sure. Overall, my new knowledge of film techniques made viewing "The Professional" much more enjoyable and satisfying. Just knowing that the director did what he did on purpose gives a whole new light to this movie and many others
4 comments:
I Might just have to go see that Movie .
So this movie has a surprise at the end? I've always been a fan of being surprised, except now if I was to see this movie, I guess the ending wouldn't have quite the surprising effect since I know something's coming... Oh well... Other than that it sounds like the director did a pretty good job of character development using different angles and shots with the camera, which is something I always like to see in a movie.
I agree with you Bryan, after learning about all of the different aspects of cinematography I find myself noticing details that I wouldn't have noticed before. Like the diegetic sound in Pan's Labyrinth, where we think it is a drum beat at first, but then we realize it is actually explosions.
Uh, the movie wasnt that good, but you wrote a very well thought out and constrocted essay.
Kanye East
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