WHO'S THERE

Who's There? from Nafi Shabnam on Vimeo.

Relationships between Shots

I chose to examine the opening scene of Minority Report (2002), which introduces the film and sets up its audience in a very subliminal way for what to expect. The scene starts off with what appears distant headlight. The shot was framed in flickering dark curvy shadows that almost seemed as if what is projected on the screen is what someone is seeing. Instantaneously, we feel as if we are entering a war zone. From there, all the images are in tones of blue accompanied by a mundane instrumental that again emphases the feeling of being in a place you don't belong. The layering of the changing images and the changing computerized texts dwells upon a notion of silence before the storm; its like an organized chaos that is intriguing but at the same time the relationships between the multiple shots aren't as apparent. The blues and blacks really work on an emotional level as it foreshadows the dark reality of the story.

 The placing of the two shots of the minority subject especially impressed me. First, it is a linear medium close up of her heaving breathing and then a diffused transition to a high angle-rotating zoom in shot into her eyes. The thought process behind that was phenomenal. It evoked emotions of curiosity as to who she is and why she's there as well as a strange sympathy because she's hooked up to wires. Also the rows of brightly lit background lights in the room Tom Cruise is watching what appears to be holographic images, doesn't provide any substantial lighting. Again, this works to foreshadow story in the movie where he was under the impression that he is aware of what's happening but in reality he isn't.

 These series of shots were put together in such a way in that it tells the entire story without saying anything. This scene is a 2-minute sum up of the entire movie but if one hasn't watched the whole, they wouldn't know what happening. Genius; one word says it all.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sfeY2pL7vnU