Single Camera Clip Analysis

Analysis of Single Camera Sequences

Silence of the Lambs

In this classic 1991 film, Silence of the Lambs uses a range of different technical editing and camera techniques in order to add to the scene. In this clip, the FBI cadet, Clarice has been tasked to find information about a serial killer from the incarcerated, manipulative killer, Hannibal Lecter.

(WARNING: This clip from the film contains scenes and Language which viewers may find disturbing)

When we first meet Lecter, he and Clarise are both represented equally through the use of the eyeline match, equal camera positioning and the characters both looking directly at the camera. The camera slowly zooms in on both of the characters as they introduce themselves. Once Lector gains the upper hand the scenes camera angles change.
Lecter is given authority and power over Clarice by directing the camera down on Clarice as she sits on the chair and looks up towards Lector as if he has authority and the upper hand through his manipulative personality.
When Lector is talking, he also looks directly at the audience as if to imply his power on not only Clarise, but the audience as well. In contrast, when Clarise is talking, we see directly what she is looking at in order to place the audience in her position.
The sequence flips this dynamic when Clarise begins to get what she wans from Lecter, for example Clarise begins to look directly at the camera as well as Lector in order to reinforce that she is getting what she wants from him.
Again, this then flips when Lector begins to manipulate Clarise further. He then attempts to manipulate her further.
The lighting is fairly neutral and there is minimal music in order make the scene feel awkward and tense for the audience. The scene uses fairly slow cuts, again in order to make the scene feel drawn out and awkward for audiences.

In this clip from Insidious, Low-Key lighting is used in order to suggest that there is something hidden in the darkness. This is reiterated throughout the mise-en-scene by the camera panning up to the ceiling and leaving half of the frame in darkness. This keeps the scene feeling tense for the audience as it makes them think something is going to come out from the darkness.
The scene also uses high camera angles in order to look down on the characters almost as if we are looking from the eyes of the hidden creature, this again helps to keep a tense atmosphere in suggesting that something will emerge from the darkness.
The cuts used in this sequence seem fairly slow at first, however as the scene intensifies the cuts become more frequent, this is reinforced with the diegetic violin music in again makes the scene more intense and build up to its climax.

Insidious

Full Scene: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QU8jKn7sMwU

Liar Liar is a film comedy film about a dishonest attorney named Fletcher’s wife has leaves him and his son then wishes that his father, Fletcher would stop lying for a day.

In this sequence of the film, the camera quickly moves along the scene while the character walks directly towards the audience. This makes the scene seem fast paced as he hurries down the hall to his office.
The scene mostly uses a range of different camera angles and distances to the character, this helps keep the audience interested and focused in the sequence and the character’s comedy value rather than distracting them with extreme camera angles.
The sequence uses bright, high-key lighting in order to keep the upbeat, positive and funny tone to the scene.
The music for this sequence becomes more dramatic as the sequence continues to its climax. This helps make the scene dramatic despite what’s happening.