Blog Assignment #5

ESSAY

            In the first scene the director stays true to the 180 rule because the camera is dolling right to left. This doesn’t break the rule because Denzel is moving in the same direction and the camera never switches sides. It does not break the rule of thirds either because it is on a dolly so therefore even though Denzel may be in the center of the frame; he is in motion so the background changes and the image as well. As for the Rule of 30, it is one shot so there are no jump cuts. In the second scene the camera is in motion so the 180 rule does not apply and either way it never comes full circle around the actors.  The rule of thirds is untouched because it is in motion and neither Denzel, the car, or Ethan Hawke are in the center of the frame even when the camera ceases to move. Finally, the rule of 30 again does not apply because it is a single shot.  The third scene also stays true to the 180 rule because it stays on one side of Denzel and although the camera appears to be in-between Denzel and Ethan, Ethan’s location in relation to Denzel has already been established so there is no confusion. The rule of 30 is not broken because it is again a single shot, and the rule of thirds works because Denzel is not centered in the shot. The fourth scene does not break the 18 rule as it keeps both actors in the shot without moving or switching sides. The other two rules are not broken because of how abstract the shot is, nothing is centered and the steering wheel and the two actors each make up a third of the frame. The final shot also does not break the 180 rule because both actors are in frame so it is aesthetically pleasing to the eye and does not switch sides or rotate. The rule of thirds is not broken although Denzel is centered because Ethan Hawke’s position in the shot counters it. And finally the rule of 30 is once again untouched because it is a single shot and there are no jump cuts as a result. The director, Antoine Fuqua is very talented. This is one of my favorite movies. The acting definitely drives the film and is the main reason it is so good, but credit has to be given to Fuqua for his shot selection and use of close ups to convey the emotion of the actors.