Use of Aesthetic Choices

Think about how you watch film and how the aesthetic elements work together to create meaning for the viewer audience. Some of the important elements to consider are: editing, cinematography, and lighting. Analyze each of these aesthetic choices by following the instructions below.

Editing – visual transitions between shots that work to move the story forward

Watch the following clips. Each demonstrates the effective use of editing.

The Baptism Murders – The Godfather (8/9) Movie Clip (1972) HD

A Beautiful Mind (4/11) Movie Clip – Nash Cracks the Code (2011) HD

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The Shower – Psycho (5/12) Movie Clip (1960) HD

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Choose one of the clips and analyze the effective use of editing in one short paragraph. In your analysis, describe the transitions between specific shots and the overall effect this has on the scene.

Cinematography – camera angles, types of shots, framing, and color all working to set a particular mood

Watch the following clips. Each demonstrates the effective use of cinematography.

The Long Take: Goodfellas

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Manhattan – The Bridge Scene

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Miriam’s Last Breath – Strangers on a Train (4/10) Movie Clip (1951)

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Choose one of the clips and analyze the effective use of cinematography in one short paragraph. In your analysis, describe the way specific shots are composed, paying particular attention to the camera angles, types of shots, framing, color, and the overall effect this has on the scene.

Lighting – light and shadow used to affect the mood, the way we view characters, and set the overall tone of the film

Watch the following clips. Each demonstrates the effective use of lighting.

Jurassic Park (10/10) Movie Clip – Raptors in the Kitchen (1993) HD

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Lost in Translation (7/10) Movie Clip – Bob and Charlotte Meet (2003) HD

The Stuff that Dreams Are Made of – The Maltese Falcon (10/10) movie clip (1941) HD

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Choose one of the clips and analyze the effective use of lighting in one short paragraph. In your analysis, describe the way the light looks in specific shots, how it affects the mood and the way we view characters, and how it sets the overall tone of the film.

Your initial post should be at least 200 words in length. Support your claims with examples from the required material(s) and/or other scholarly sources, and properly cite any references.