Defintion: Movement or change from one to another. A passage from one scene to another by sound effects, music etc. A period of time during which something changes from one state or stage to another. A changeover, or conversion.
The length of the takes in the introduction are short and fast to go with strobe lights. The sudden change of the picture on the screen went with the music and the beats in the song. I think the transition between takes connected the lights and music really well. The camera shots would be of some people dancing in the club then it would change abruptly to some different people dancing in the club. I think the quick change of what you see on the screen, as the viewer, makes you look harder so you can see what are looking at.
The transition with what we see on the screen doesnt directly resemble the characters but the quick movement, fast change of shot and frantic intro relates to the characters when their lives are no longer carefree after the drug deal towards the end of the movie. The camera shots ill jolt from one to another which I think looks quite cool.
I think the director has used this film technique to make the introduction seem frantic and hyper which is a lot like later in the movie when the characters are anxious, worried and troubled. The characters live carefree lives until they decide on a drug deal when things become eventful and crazy. Their lives are turned upside down. The transition and length of shots is used in this film to resemble the characters hectic lives after the drug deal.
The fast camera shots in the opening scene are unique to Doug Liman's movie, compared to others he has directed because the transition is to represent and make the night club scene and the camera shots in the opening move with the music that you hear. The transitions in the opening are not alike to those throughout the film because the opening isn't focusing on a character it is focusing on the scene as a whole. At the time this film was produced the film would have been aimed at an R16 to AO audience and the quick camera shots, to set the night club scene, are appropriate for that audience.
Good description of the technique and the example. You have identified how it makes the audience feel and how the pace created reflects on the lifestyle of the main characters. Now, consider how these transitions compare to those throughout the film or maybe at the end? How do they compare to other films by the same director? How are they meant to appeal to the audience of the time this film was produced?
ReplyDelete