How to Do a Film Sequence Analysis
Film sequence analysis involves breaking down a scene or sequence of scenes to analyze elements of cinematography, mise-en-scene, editing and sound in order to formulate a deeper understanding of the Director’s vision for the story and the connection that each shot, scene, or sequence has to the overall message. Learning how to do a film sequence analysis is a complex process that can really involve a lot of working parts. In the most simplistic manner, a film sequence analysis may include only examination of a particular element such as cinematography or mise-en-scene. However, when you learn how to do a film sequence analysis that represents a true formal study of the film sequence, a deep understanding of how every element within a sequence impacts the overall message of the story can be found.
Learning how to do a film sequence analysis that will establish all of these core values and opportunities.
While assisting you in understanding what the Director’s vision was not only for the particular scene within a film. But also for each element incorporated into a scene can be quite the challenge.
A film sequence analysis represents the individual analysis of a particular scene.
With emphasis placed on examining the techniques and tactics used to deliver the core message. As well as any underlying message as it relates to the story.
Here’s how it’s done:
STEP 1: CHOOSE THE SCENE THAT YOU WILL ANALYZE & WATCH SEVERAL TIMES
The first step in learning how to do a film sequence analysis is to choose the desired scene that you will analyze. You might choose a scene based on a particular theory or idea you have.
Or because it’s one of your favorites from a film you enjoy. Ideally, you’ll want to choose a scene that is important to the story.
While all scenes have importance, some are certainly more dominant than others.
DIGEST THE SCENE
Regardless of how you choose the scene to analyze, you’ll want to watch the scene several times without interruption in order to fully digest the scene.
Each time you watch, you should have a particular element that you are focused on. For instance, watch the scene with just characters in mind.
Watch it again with the story line in mind. Watch the scene with the camera placement and movement in mind. Etc.
STEP 2: SUMMARIZE THE ACTIONS OF THE SCENE
Next you’re going to summarize the primary actions that occur within the scene. Write down each of the main actions that take place within the scene and how they happen.
Make sure that you also include details regarding the characters and what they’re talking about within the scene.
YOU SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT THE FOLLOWING:
What’s happening in the scene as a “whole” and how does the scene itself relate to the overall plot of the story?
What is the underlying function of this particular scene in regards to the bigger picture story? Is the purpose to foreshadow? To build climax? To transition?
STEP 3: WATCH THE SCENE AGAIN, SUMMARIZE CHARACTER ELEMENTS
Watch the scene again, and this time, make notes of the character elements relative to the scene. How do the characters perform? How are they moving and interacting with one another?
What are they saying? How does their dialogue relate to the plot? Is the dialogue impacting character relationships?
YOU SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT THE FOLLOWING:
What characters are in the scene? What do you already know about each character?
How are camera movements, shots, and other elements impacting the emotions & connections you have to the characters in the scene?
What is this scene teaching you about the characters and their relationships?
STEP 4: ANALYZE CINEMATOGRAPHY WITHIN THE SCENE
Now it’s time to take a look at how the cinematography is impacting the scene. By analyzing camera angles, movements and shots that make up a scene.
We have a powerful understanding of how the cinematographer is building upon the overall message being delivered within the scene.
For example, a cinematographer might give way to the underlying nature of a character by showing a close-up of his devilish smile or in showing the tear filled eyes of a character who’s playing the victim.
YOU SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT THE FOLLOWING:
Camera placement in relation to the action occurring within the scene.
What distance is the camera placed at? What is the camera angle? How does this impact the way the audience views the elements within the story?
How does the composition draw attention to the setting? Does camera composition draw attention to characters within the scene?
How is the camera movement functioning within the sequence?
Is the cinematographer filming at different focal lengths or varied depths of field?
Is mise-en-scene reinforced through cinematography?
STEP 5: ANALYZE THE EDITING WITHIN THE SCENE
As you move past the filming of the scene and onto steps taking by the editors in post-production to deliver value and keep consistent with the core message.
You should be considering how this adds to the complexity of a shot and advances the underlying message of the film. How is the editing of the film furthering the message?
Through editing, not only are shots transitioned in a forward momentum but steps are taken to create rhythmic relations that further drive the story to the next important element.
SCENE MOOD
The editing, from shot to shot, within the scene, is going to convey a particular mood. Naturally, how shots are conveyed affects the mood of the scene.
But how does this affect the audience and their understanding of the message within the story?
YOU SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT THE FOLLOWING:
What types of transitions are used between shots within the scene and how do the transitions impact the core message of the story?
Is there a rhythm or pattern to the film that creates uniform consistency? Does the scene have areas in which the rhythm is interrupted or altered?
Does the scene appear to conform to basic continuity rules or does it feel disjunctive? If so, why?
STEP 6: LISTEN TO THE SOUND OF THE SCENE & ANALYZE
The final step in learning how to do a film sequence analysis is to close your eyes and listen to the scene as it unfolds on the screen. You should be focusing on what you hear:
The music, the sound effects, and the dialogue. Carefully listen to how all of these sound components come together, and then watch the scene again while listening closely.
Examine how the sound elements line up with actions, behaviors, or transitions taking place on the screen.
AS YOU ANALYZE THE SOUND YOU SHOULD BE THINKING ABOUT THE FOLLOWING:
What sounds are present within the scene specifically?
How do the sounds change and drive the story forward?
When does the pitch of the audio adjust and why? What impact does that have on the viewer?
Are there periods of silence incorporated in? In the analysis of a film, silence is actually a sound, too!
Are sounds on-screen, off-screen, diegetic, non-diegetic? Why?
STEP 7: SUMMARIZE IN AN SEQUENCE ANALYSIS
Once the above steps have all been completed and you’ve formed an incredible list of analysis it’s time to summarize.
In forming your analysis, it’s important that you do not waste time reiterating the plot or focusing heavily on the visual description of the scene.
Instead, focus heavily on your analysis of the specific cinematic techniques and elements which drive home the message of the film.
THESIS
This should come together less like a chronological examination of elements and more as a thesis.
Which argues how particular elements of a segment directly impact the core message or deliver fine details of the story.
IN SUMMARY
Make sure that you are precise in your analysis. Don’t include evaluative language. But instead make a point that focuses on the analysis that you have made.
In response to techniques used in producing the film sequence. Your analysis should have a strong argument of sequence.
Which reflects your understanding of elements analyzed and the heavy formal review. Which you have done on the particular scene. That’s how to do a film sequence analysis!
