Technical Shot Analysis

I carried out my analysis on the opening sequence of Hostage. There were a large number of different shots used in this film to convey different meanings, or tell the narrative to the audience. It was interesting to learn what type of camera sizes, movement and angles were used and then see if my group thought of using any of the same techniques. It was noticeable to see that Medium shot was used frequently this may be because this type of shot tells the audience more about the expressions on the characters face, whilst maintaining enough of the background to still be familiar with the surroundings.
Hostage, Florent Emilio Siri, 2005
The following shows just a few of the technical shots I recorded:
-MS of antagonist on phone with gun in hand ZOOM OUT TO
-ESTABLISHING SHOT showing surroundings, high angle CUTS TO
-BIRDS EYE SHOT of protagonist’s body still on the phone CUTS TO
-MCS of protagonist compromising on phone, canted angle CUTS TO
-180۫ PAN around protagonists face going to CU, CUTS TO
-CU of gun hidden in shoe, pans up his leg, PANS TO
-MCS still on the phone CUTS TO
-LS of 3 policeman listening in on the phone call, eye level, CUTS TO
-CU of protagonists face, as if he is thinking hard CUTS TO
-LS of policeman getting the guns ready CUTS TO
-PANNING following on armed officer aiming gun at antagonist CUTS TO
-POV through the sniper scope CUTS TO
-MS showing policeman has a clear shot to shoot CUTS TO
This is just a view of the shots that were shown in the opening sequence; it is obvious to see from the transitions used, that there were rather a lot of shots which cut to other shots, rather than dissolve and fade this is because of the type of genre the film hostage falls under. It is important for them to keep it quick and jumpy as this keeps the audience on the edge, because it is a Horror/ thriller they will use more cutting shots, this will create a better atmosphere for the overall appearance of the film.
The shots used in the opening sequence, allowed the audience to take in the key features and recognise the most important pieces of information in the film. It also helped the viewer spot the lead characters and what the narrative it trying to tell us. In the opening of Hostage the audience was allowed to see of the pieces of information, there wasn’t much for them to work out themselves.