Wednesday, September 27, 2006

More specifically, the opening of the show uses the dissolve technique to establish setting as one image slowly fades and is replaced by another.

Shaky camera accentuates the documentary aspect.

David/Neal Meeting

Camera starts behind the window and the blinds for David and Neal’s meeting. The angle is over the shoulder of Neal to show the face of David. The shot is medium, and shows Neal getting comfortable. David and Neal appear to be mic’d but the camera is not allowed into the office. As soon as Neal presses David for specifics on the progress of the merger, the camera zooms in to a single shot of David. This highlights that David is not prepared to answer this question and he is obviously uncomfortable. He fidgets with his tie and dances around the question. He uses hand motions to make up for the lack of words he has.

The Birthday Party

Yet another example of the lack of respect the employees have for David. The scene cuts to a 4 shot of office workers celebrating one worker’s birthday. The camera zooms in to show the leather basque she receives as a present. Quickly it goes to a three shot to show the reactions of her co-workers. Gareth is excited and mumbles that she should try it on. The camera goes back to a single mid-shot of the birthday girl as she holds the basque up for size. Again, the camera pans to co-workers to show their giggling reactions. The camera then goes to a short shot of Gareth leaning in, imploring her to “try it on properly without that stuff underneath.” The camera then goes back to a 4shot angle but Gareth is still mumbling about trying it on. The co-workers try to ignore Gareth’s inappropriate request.

2 comments:

sspeicher said...

Kerry,
Don't you just love how the camera makes it feel like you're watching a documentary or "work place" film rather than a t.v. show? I like how you've pointed out how the use of camera angles and editing highlights the lack of respect the employees have for David

sspeicher said...

Kerry,
Your clip was great in class. Isn't Ricky Gervais great??!! We got into the HBO show Extras that he created - it was as hilarious as it was short lived! Did you know the opening song is an old Rod Stewart song, Handbags and Gladrags? It's an awesome song - and really fits the show in that it describes has-been-ishness.