Thursday, September 19, 2013

Minority Report Still

In dividing this still into a grid of thirds, it is possible to analyze what the director intends the viewer to have their eyes drawn to. The two paths lie on the two vertical lines of thirds. Additionally, the two men's heads are placed at the two bottom cross-sections. Immediately, my eye was drawn towards the mens heads. From there I was able to trace where they are looking down towards the paths. Then my eyes followed the paths till the edge of the screen. The director most likely set up this arrangement so that the viewer can clearly see from the perspective of the police. Because the first thing you notice is the police, and then you notice what they are looking at, and how they are unsuccessfully scanning for John.

Additionally, this scene is set up to be very symmetric. I think that the symmetry has a strategic purpose. Because of how symmetric the still is, the viewer gets the feeling that everything looks the same. You can't distinguish one side from the other, let alone recognize John Anderton. The viewer can then determine how the guards are at a loss at this point, so John and Agatha were able to get away.

Movies I've Seen This Summer

Mud
The Purge
Insidious 2
Minority Report
Safe Haven
Notebook
Despicable Me 2
Silver Lining Playbook
Mean Girls
The Graduate
Exorcist