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https://studentshare.org/visual-arts-film-studies/1662839-camera-shots-in-the-great-gatsby.
Camera Shots in the Great GatsbyThe film’s adaptation of Scott Fitzgerald book, the Great Gastby, transports an audience from the sullen pages of the literary masterpiece into a colorful world of Gatsby and Tom Buchanan. The film does an outstanding job of displaying the distasteful combination of opulence and hopelessness. In the particular clip, a wide variety of camera shots and film techniques help the audience relive the experience of the book. Such shots, especially, are helpful in creating the drama that is necessary for viewing rather than conscientious reading and are essential in warning about the looming doom of the characters.
The clip begins with an extreme long shot that brings Buchanan’s house into view. This shot is helpful in according a general impression of Buchanan’s opulence as the shot turns into a medium one. For instance, the long shot gives the audience a view of the green lawns and exquisite architecture that characterizes Tom’s house. It is notable that just before the scene, Carraway’s scene manifests as less dramatic since it is characterized by quick shots showing his dour residence and lush vegetation.
The camera rapidly pans across the lake and it ushers the audience into Tom’s compound. The camera uses an eye-level position as Buchanan greets and hugs Carraway. The eye-level position accords the audience the immense figure of Buchanan. In addition, it introduces the audience into the brute nature and overconfident persona of Buchanan. Thereafter, a high-angle shot shows the audience into the splendor of Buchanan’s house and manifests the child-like nature of Daisy Buchanan and Jordan Baker.
This shot precedes a close-up shot of Daisy’ hands. It is notable that Daisy is interested in letting Caraway observe the diamond ring in her index finger. Daisy manifests as a vain and superficial character whose beauty is the primary obsession in life. The camera tilts to remove an up-close shot of Daisy’s face. A properly lighted background that demonstrates her beautified face enables this shot. Thereafter, the camera pans into Carraway’s bewildered face and compliments with a medium shot that ushers his response to Daisy’s narcissistic questions.
A slightly high angle shot gives the audience the view of Baker’s face and tilts along her tall frame as she stands up. It is notable that she is enacting impressions on Carraway’s. These camera movements manifest Baker’s attempts at appearing sophisticated more than she could be. The scene ends with an up-close shot of Daisy’s drooping face when she hears of Gastby’s name. The film is noteworthy for the aesthetics it infuses with the camera shots. It creates an extraordinary feeling that is unimaginable normal life.
There are intense colors and a wide range of camera angles that create the exquisiteness of the film. Up-close shots were essential for manifesting the emotions of characters. This, especially, is helpful in demonstrating different emotions in the face of Daisy Buchanan. The long shots helped demonstrate the color in the characters and the house. These shots compliment the shallowness and opulence of the Buchanans and Jordan Baker. Works citedThe Great Gatsby film. http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=i_WONtJ3GVQ.
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