film analysis

I am going to being this week’s assignment on Film Analysis by looking at a clip of the popular TV series “The Office.” This show is filmed almost like a documentary and is known for its unique camera styles, film angles, and for the ways in which the characters interact with the camera, alternately ignoring its presence and then looking directly at it or speaking to it like in an interview or confession. Throughout the show the camera functions almost as a character unto itself.

In this scene Jim and Pam are talking at Pam’s reception desk about the possibility of her moving in with him. The cameral angle alternates from a medium shot of the front of the desk, allowing the viewer to see Pam’s head and Jim’s back (in focus) with a wall obscuring part of the view (out of focus), and a longer shot from the other side of the desk, giving a closer view of Jim’s face and the back of Pam’s head (with file folders out of focus obscuring the view). All of this leads viewers to believe that the cameras are eavesdropping on the conversation from two different locations.

Throughout the scene the cameras (at both locations) move quickly from medium shots to close ups, and viewers can “see” the panning of the motion, again making us very aware of the presence of the cameras. The cameras are not steady but rather move as if held—all of this contributes to the aforementioned feel of the show as documentary. There is no music or soundtrack, which leaves the drama of the scene completely up to the actors’ dialogue and facial expressions. The Office is also known for using silent moments to comment on both characters and situations.

When Jim walks away from Pam’s desk, the camera doesn’t pan out to capture his face and whole body—instead we have a shot of his torso walking towards the camera (as if the person holding the camera couldn’t move out of the way in time.) The scene ends with a typical “break room confession” shot of Jim talking directly to the camera, saying “I am not kidding, (as if in answer to a question posed by the cameraman). “I got it a week after we started dating.” End scene.

As I mentioned, the techniques of camera, sound, and lighting of “The Office” are all intentional to create the feeling that this is a simple documentary of a real office situation. The lights aren’t fancy, there is no music, and viewers can “see” the movement of the cameras. It is typical for more “intimate” scenes like this one between Jim and Pam to be shot as if the cameraman is eavesdropping, from behind a corner or with file folders in the way. It all contributes to the feel of the show.

When teaching Film/Editing Techniques in my classroom, I would begin by having students look at still frames and then move onto clips and full-length films to compare and contrast different techniques and styles. I think it would important to expose them to different techniques, to develop vocabulary, and to talk about the different ways of analysis. I like the idea of having different groups focus on different elements—camera, audience, sound, lighting, sequencing, etc.—to see what each has to say about the film.

I agree with Beach (2007) when he says that: “students are most likely to learn to understand and critique use of film techniques through engaging in their own digital video productions” (p. 21). Of course different schools have different resources, but even if students are only able to map out stories using storyboards, I think doing is the most useful way to learn this area of media literacy. I also like the idea of creating comics using Comic Life or other software—the way that each frame allows the viewer to see the action and how the creator has to really think about each scene, the action, lighting, angles, and characters. Overall, even though this is not my area of expertise, I think film has a lot of potential for student creativity and ingenuity.

Shot-by-Shot Analysis of Martin Scorsese AmEx Commercial



Shot 1: Establishing/Extreme Long Shot, shows One-Hour photo and Martin (from the back) standing at counter, talking to employee. “What was I thinking? What was I thinking?”

Shot 2: Close-up, Martin’s face, presumably looking at employee.

Shot 3: Medium shot, from the side, showing both Martin and employee. Martin’s still talking rapidly.

Shot 4: Close-up, employee. Looks bewildered and turns to look at another drug store employee who is standing in the distance behind him.

Shot 5: Close-up of photographs in Martin’s hands.

Shot 6: Medium shot, over Martin’s shoulder, focusing on employee silent but looking stunned at Martin’s incessant ranting.

Shot 7: Close-up of photographs and Martin’s hands, going through photos one by one and talking about their faults.

Shot 9: Medium shot, Martin (right of frame with store behind him).

Shot 10: Medium shot, employee (left of frame with counter and stock area behind him). Employee blinks rapidly.

Shot 11: Medium shot, Martin holds up photograph to camera (presumably to employee). “What do you think?”

Shot 12: Medium shot, employee. Martin’s hand and photograph partially obscure employee’s face. “It’s pretty,” he replies, hesitantly and a bit unsure.

Shot 13: Medium shot, Martin. Nods as if disappointed.

(a skip, I think the YouTube commercial was edited)

Shot 14: Medium shot from the side, Martin with his back to the employee saying: “I’ve lost the narrative thread.”
Shot 15: Medium shot, Martin at counter again. “Unavoidable, I’ve gotta re-shoot.”

Shot 16: Close-up, Martin’s hand putting an American Express on the counter and employee sliding over four new film cartons.

Shot 17: Close-up of employee sliding American Express through register with the words across the screen: “The Official Card of Perfectionists.”

Shot 18: Extreme Long Shot, same view as beginning of commercial but with Martin leaving the store on his cell phone, asking his 5-year old nephew if he’d like to turn 5 again. Words across the screen: “The Official Card of the Tribeca Film Festival.”

The whole commercial is very fast, with shots lasting only seconds, mimicking Martin’s rapid speech. The employee speaks only a few words but his emotions are registered on his face and by his actions.