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1332709
Zhuoyan Liu
DRAMM0009_2013
How films and Television programmes
work
Assignment 1
Sequence analysis
–
Godfather
Word account:2871
Time
00.01.17
00.01.20
Picture action
Black scene.
Shot
description
Performance
Lighting
Design
Edit
point
Picture
begins
at
second
sentence
instead
of
“
I
believe
in
America
”
.
↓
Anoften-used
opening
method.
Has
a
subtle
ironic
effect
under
this situation.
Sound 1- Dialogue
A
man
?
s low and slow
voice:
I
believe
in
America.
↓
He
Presents
his
age,
non-American(accent),
and
his
mood(negative)
Brief
and
strong
opening sentence.
Music
Silent background.
↓
The
man
is
talking
about
serious
topics
with a heavy heart.
Dramatic function
Establishing
a
heavy and brooding
mood,
a
sense
of
painful
deception
and self-mockery.
Comments
The
Black
scene
indicates
Bonasera's
complex
emotion
of
America.
The
tone
of
his
lines
and the black scene
hints
a
negative
tone
while
the
content
of
the
line
saying
'I
believe
in
America',
shows
a
more
positive
aspect.
Therefore
a
dramatic
contrast
exists
and
the
character's
inner
conflicts are built.
Apart from the end,
Bonasera
is
the
emphasis
of
this
shot
and
his
monologue
dominates
the
pace
of
the
shot.
But
audiences
can
continuously
feel
the
vibe
from
the
back
figure
sitting
in
the
shadow
because
of
the
subtle
but
effective
movements
from
him.
This
is
most
apparent
in the end
of
the
shot;
Don
Corleone
easily
robs
the
dominating
role
of
the
talk
with
even
tones
and
movements as soon
as he decides to.
The
long
monologue
is
splendid in both its
form,
whichimitates
the
brilliant
opening
speech
shot
in
the
film
?
Patton
’
,
and
00.01.20
Bonasera
talking.
is
ZOOM-OUT
FROM
①
Bonasera
?
s
close-up
(point-of-
view shot)
Narrow
eye-line
to
the
camera
giving
a
full
impact
of
Bonasera
?
s
emotion,
including
a
strong
empathy.
Big
talking
head
in
the
centre
of
picture,
so
Bonaseraoccupies
absolute
emphasis
of
the
picture.
Many
details
on
facial
expression
could
be
witnessed:
slightly
frowning,
tensed
up
muscles,
he
seems
to speak
with
his
teeth.
Hegives
the
impression
of
trying
hard
to
suppress
his
strong
painful
feelings.
Sort
of
hard
light
comes
from
the
up-front of
Bonasera
?
s
head
so
that
gives
Bonasera
?
s
face
a
low-key,
strong
contrast
tone.
Shadow
on
eyes
and
chin
creates
a
texture
that
strengthenshishaggard,
depressed, even a little
scary face.
And
two
streams
oflights
reflecting
from
his
eyes
indicate
imperceptible
tears
in
them.
His
suit
merges
with
the
black
background,
which
is
too
dark
to
see any detail. Flat set
of light builds a
dull
，
depressiveatmosphere.
Lack
of
exposure,
a
broad
grayscale
without
subtle
gradations
all
along,
gives
an
unpleasant
sense to viewers.
Bonaserawears
a
dark-coloured
suit
with
a
white
collar, he
has
a
gold
tooth
is
in
his
month.
He
has
a
strong
accent.
These
traits
describe
his
identity:
a
rich
immigrant
trying
hard
to
integrate
into
the
American
way of life and
becoming
an
American.
A
smooth
cut
after
Bonasera
ends
his
whispering,
which
is
the
point
audience
feeling
willing
to look the face
of
the
shadow
because
their
curiosity
has
accumulated
for along time.
This shot keeps
zooming
(enlarge)
for
nearly
3mins
without
introducing
any
main
characters.
This
however
contributes
to
the sense that a
complicated
story
is
slowly
unfolding. This
accompanied
with
the
zooming
in,
gives
audiences
a
growing
(Monologue)
America has made my
fortune.
And
I
raised
my daughter in the
American
fashion.
I
gave
her
freedom,
but
-- I taught her never to
dishonour
her
family.
She found a
boyfriend;
not
an
Italian.
She
went
to
the
movies
with
him;
she
stayed
out
late.
I
didn't
protest.
Two
months
ago,
he
took
her
for
a
drive,
with
another
male
friend.
They
made
her
drink
whiskey.
And
then
they
tried
to
take
advantage of her.
Self
statement
about
his
identity
(Italian
immigrant)
and
social
status
(rich,
observance of law)
No music, no sound
effect,
no
background sound.
Sound
and
music
are
effective
elements
to
exaggerateemotions.
In
this
shot
the
director
chooses
mute
to
conform
to
the
sober
narrating
style
of
this
film,
and
also
makes
a
strong
contrast
to
the
lively
grand
wedding
ceremony
outside
the
dark
office.
Dark
tone
indicates
that
things
happened
in
this
room,
that there are
skeletons in closets,
and it also creates a
heavy
and
serious
atmosphere.
Lack
of
depth
of
field,
low-key
lighting
confines
the
performance
of
actors
to
a
small
movement,
which
require
them
focusing
on
inner
world
of
characters
and
give
a
preciseperformance.
Close-up
and
medium
scene,
which
keeps
audiences
in
arms,
highlights
the
notion
of
performance, too.
The
strong
contrast
lighting
imitates
Rembrandt
?
s
paintings,
bringing
a
sense
of
the
theatrical,
nameless
00.02.45
Bonasera keeps
talking,
gradually
becoming more
emotional
during
the
talk
and
ends
with
him sobbing.
ENLARGE
TO
②
Medium
shot(point-of-view
shot)
Eye-line
becomes
wider
so
that
audiences
?perspective
tends
to
be
more
observational
and
objective.
Bonasera
is
composed
on
the
right-centre
of
the
screen.
Figure
is
semi-
profile,
not
particularly
close.
Emphasis
on
Bonasera
is
decreasing.
Expression
on
face
becomes
more
agitated
and
use
of
body
language
increases:
Slightly
turning
his
head
aside,
his
frown deepens,
his
lips
and
throat
tightens
up,
hisnose
slightly
sniffs
once.
When
going
through
some
difficult
parts,
he
hides
his
face
in
the
dark.
Indicating
that
he is trying his
best
to
control
his rage.
Same above
Same above
feeling
of
Godfather
?
s
world,
which
has
different
rules
and
orders from the
world
Bonasera
(and
also our) lives.
Moreover,
the
slow
camera
movement
establishes
a
slow
pace,
which indicates
the
dignified,
stately,
calm
and
patient
character
of
Don
Corleone.
despair
and
also
religious
majesty
and mystery.
(Monologue)
She
resisted.
She
kept
her
honour.
So
they
beat
her,
like
an
animal.
When
I
went
to
the
hospital,
her
nose was broken.
Her jaw was
shattered,
held
together
by
wire.
She
couldn't
even
weep
because
of
the
pain.
But I
wept. Why did I
weep?
She
was
the
light
of
my
life
--
beautiful girl. Now she
will never be beautiful
again.
Telling
the
tragedy
of
his
daughter.
An
offended
and
helpless
Italian immigrant.
Same above
Same
above
its
content,
which
introduces
collisions
last
in
the
whole
piece
of
film,
such as justice
and
rules,
?
old
world
?
connection
and
American
dream, etc.
The
Director
spends
a
long
time
telling
how
Bonasera
?
sdaughte
r
gets
assaulted
and
how
the
criminals
get
off
the
punishment
because
they
are
from
good
family.
Along
with
a
close-up
of
Bonasera
?
s
sadness
and
a
narrow
eye-line,
the
director
deliberately
builds
a
strong
empathy
with her. Therefore
three
goals
are
achieved:
①
tell
audiences
that the gangster
in
this
film
is
not
something
we
could
some
extent,
they
play
a
part
in
theAmerican
justice system.
②
Break
the
stereotypeof
theruthless
Italian
killer of the Mafia.
③
Build
abundant
Don
Corleone
slightly
protrudes
a
hand
and
another
man
brings
Bonasera
a
glass of wine.
Bonasera
drinks
the
wine,
narration
continues,
and
asks
Don
Corleone
for
help.
ENLARGE
TO
③
Over-shoulder Shot
Bonasera
moves
more
to
the
right
of
the
screen.
Don
Corlenoe
becomes
seen
in
the
foreground,
larger
and
larger
till
heoccupies half of the
screen.
Therefore
Don Corlenoe instead
of
Bonasera
becomes
relatively
emphasized.
Eye-line
between
Bonasera
and
Don
Corlenoe
is
horizontal.
The
eye-line to lens is
narrow so that we
can
only
see
the
back
of
Don
Corleone.
Focus
is on Bonasera and he
is
stillthe
one
who
keeps talking.
Bonasera:
In
emotional
instability,
rigid
gestures
and
movement.
①
Recovers
himself
from
sadness
②
Getting
irritated
when
a
suspended
sentence
is
mentioned
③
When
mentioning
his
purpose
to
be
here:
business
negotiation
gesture:
back
straight,
and
holding
his
head erect.
Don
Corleone:
elegant
and
relaxed
gesture,
subtle
but
effective
movement:
①
His
right
hand
rests
on
his chin
②
Elegantly
protruding
his
hand
to
his
right
side,
signalling
over
his
assistant
without
words,
these
gently
move
levelled
actions
point
to
Bonasera
?s
.
Polite,
modest
nature
but also
demonstrates
his
authority
and power.
③
Casually
and
calmly
tickles
himself
while
Bonasera
is
getting
irritated.
No
sympathy
or
The sort of yellow and
orange
light
drops
on
the
brown
wide
desk,
giving
the
room
a
feeling of
warmth and
safety.
Still in the dark tone.
Don
Corlenoe
is
a
vague
black
silhouette
with
a
slim
bright
fringe, giving a
mixed
sense
of
mysterious,
secretiveness,
and
of
being
asaviour.
A
wealthy
man
?
s
elegant
den:
neat
brown
wide
desk,
only with
pens,
a
telephone
and
a
box on it.
Sophisticated
den
indicates
that
the
owner
is
an
elegant
gentleman.
Neatness:
the
owner
is
organized.
The
wide
desk
hints
the
magnificent
and
stable
character of the
owner.
(Monologue)
Sorry...
I--I went to the
police,
like
a
good
American.
These
two
boys
were
brought
to
trial.
The
judge
sentenced
them
to
three years in prison
--
suspended sentence.
Suspended sentence!
They
went
free
that
very
day!
I
stood
in
the
courtroom
like
a
fool.
And
those
two
bastards,
they
smiled
at
me.
Then
I
said
to
my
wife,
justice,
we
must
go
to
Don
Corleone.
Through
the
monologue,
it
foreshadows
the
culture
of
Italian
and
some
fundamental
information
about
characters,
for
example,
Italian
?
s
family
honour
and
attachment,
and
Don
Corleone
?
s
role
–
a
judger/ a policy maker
outside the law.
Same above
In
this
scene,
it
offers
a
first
time
glimpse
at
the
Corleone
?
s
seductive
and
secretive
world:
the
set is designed in an
elegant
and
elaborate way; light
is
still
sombre,
but
constructs
a
cosy
room
complemented
with
orange
and
brown
color.
The
contrast
between
these
elements produces a
feeling
that
you
carry
an
initial
trepidation
of
entering
the
gangster?s
world
but
discover
that
your
fears
are
unfounded,
therefore
surprised
(Lewis, 2010).
Horizontal
eye-
line
contributes
to
an
objective
and
sober
visual
style,
which
is
the
fundamental
of
the
language
in
this film.
A
growing
vibe
from
the
back
figure
is
passed
through
several
small
movements
that
successfully
attracts
the
audi
ences
?attention
and
establish
several
characters
of
Don
Corleone:
powerful,
but
also
accommodating.
and
dimensional
characters
of
godfather:
an
American
businessman,
a
murderer,
and
also
a
notable
and
accommodating
gentleman.