This week we were introduced to the art of video. By engaging with the video content critically, I began to notice how lighting choices, background music, and even silence serve as tools for building mood and character development. It taught me that storytelling isn’t just about what is said or shown, but how it’s arranged; timing, tone, and perspective matter. Most importantly, I realized that every shot is intentional, every frame a narrative choice.
We were first assigned to read “How to Read a Movie” by Robert Ebert. Ebert advocates for active viewing techniques, such as:
- Using stop-action like sports footage to pause and analyze scenes.
- Cinema Interruptus, which invites open discussion at any moment during a film.
- Creating a communal learning experience that values shared interpretation.
Then, we were asked to apply these concepts when analyzing two videos about Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining:
- One-Point Perspective: Kubrick’s centered compositions create symmetry, focus, and unease — as seen in scenes like Danny riding through hallways.
- Zooms: Instead of tracking shots, Kubrick uses zooms to generate tension and distance, making the viewer feel like a helpless observer of madness.
For the Part III, I analyzed a scene without having seen the film, The Dark Knight, starting with the visuals only. The dim, shadowy lighting sets a tense mood. The camera uses tight close-up shots. Listening to the audio without visuals, I observed how Batman’s voice is steady and cold, while The Joker’s is raspy and unsettling. Pauses, sound effects, and the absence of music heighten the tension, until an eerie hum underscores the climax. Watching the scene fully revealed how framing and character placement reinforce power dynamics. The Joker often appears on the dominant (right) side of the frame, while Batman is shown on the weaker (left) side. The camera’s intimacy and timing reflect the psychological struggle, aligning with Roger Ebert’s theories on visual storytelling.
This has been my favorite unit so far. I invested a lot of time into creating these videos, but I enjoyed it!
- Video Assignment #1: Tell Your Character’s Story (3 stars)
- Video Assignment #2: Where Do You Want To Go? (4 stars)
- Video Assignment #3: Period Piece Mashup (4 stars)
I learned how camera angles, lighting, framing, and sound design all contribute to the mood and meaning of a scene. I also learned how subtle cues, like where a character is placed in the frame, can reveal power dynamics. Analyzing the camera work without any audio was harder than expected. It forced me to focus entirely on visual elements, and I had to look more deeply at how movement, lighting, and composition guide the viewer’s understanding. Listening to the audio without watching the video was easier than I thought. It allowed me to pick up on specific vocal tones, silences, and sound effects that I might have missed otherwise. I found it surprisingly immersive, like listening to a radio play. What drove me crazy was honestly searching all the images and clips to compile in each video. It’s super time-consuming, especially when the images I want aren’t clear or the right dimensions. I liked the actual editing so much more than the “preparation” aspect of each project. It was satisfying to see everything come together in the end.
This unit on video deepened my appreciation for the complexity of visual media and has changed the way I now watch films. I will no longer be a passive viewer! (Thanks Ebert)
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