Point 15: Key Shots of "Juno"

This photo from the film “Juno” is an example of a low shot. This allows the audience to see what is going on in the bottom half of the scene. It is a good establishing shot so the audience can get an understanding of the surrounding. For independent film it’s a great way of showing the realistic surrounding of the place like it does here with an empty box and an old chair on the street.

This is a worm eye view that is used as an establishing shot to allow the audience to further understand the setting and surrounding of the film. It could represent how the town is close knit and well connected. It also shows how the place isn’t perfect and how this could possibly be reflected in the story with the focus on the tangle of wires. Like the low angle shot this is allowing the audience to see what is above and below their level of eyesight.

This is an establishing long shot used in the introduction of the film and allows the target audience, which are teenagers, relate to the protagonist. She isn’t doing anything out of the ordinary and appears to be walking past a park. This allows the audience to gain a clearer understanding on how normal the town is that the movie is set in.

This is a low angle, wide shot which allows the audience to see the protagonist as a whole. As the title text comes up ‘Juno’, this is fitting as the actor is playing Juno and she is the central focus in this shot. The character is wearing normal clothes and seems to not care much about her appearance. This could reflect the characters personality later on in the film.

This is a medium close-up shot that shows the character opening what appears to be a pint of milk before she drinks it. This reminds me that is important to vary camera angles and shots in order to make the film more interesting.

Over the shoulder mid shot is used within this scene and since the opening is the protagonists journey to the shop this is fitting as it allows the audience to feels as though they are going to the shop with her.

The use of a medium close up for this shot allows the audience to have a clear view of the characters facial expression. She seems to be carefree much like a stereotypical teenager, which is the target audience. Due to the fact that the text on the screen being the actresses name it creates a clear focus on the person so the audience match the two together.

A birds-eye view is used for this shot and shows how within independent films you are able to experiment with your camera shots. It shows the character from a completely different angle and allows the text to be seen on the pavement. 

A birds-eye view is used for this shot and shows how within independent films you are able to experiment with your camera shots. It shows the character from a completely different angle and allows the text to be seen on the pavement. 

Point 14: Textual Analysis of 'Napoleon Dynamite' Opening Sequence

Napoleon Dynamite is an independent film made in 2004 about an awkward teenager living in a small town called Preston where him and his friend Pedro decide to run for class president. The opening title sequence very much so falls into the category of independent film with what seems to be a purposeful rough edge to the editing and filming techniques used.

The editing of the title sequence has the clips cutting from one to another sharply and clearly with the floor that the camera is focused on changing every time the clip changes. However once or twice they use the filming technique of focusing onto a certain part of the screen to focus the audience. The filming technique throughout is a birds-eye view with a close up of a small section of carpet. The film is shot with a consistent point of view with the camera not moving position throughout the sequence.

The sound starts off as birds chirping as though it is morning in a quiet area of town or a rural area. Then twenty seconds into the title sequence “We’re Going to be Friends” by The White Stripes begins to play. Throughout the sequence plates of food are placed on the table and the clunking of them being put down by the visible hands at the start of every shot is clear over the song. The choice of “We’re Going to be Friends” foreshadows the fact that the main character Preston is going to make a new friend called Pedro.

The lighting within the opening sequence is natural and reflects the reality that comes along with independent films. The colours used throughout the sequence are bold and bright. This could represent the fashion over the early 00’s and the lightness of the film due to it being a comedy. The different coloured carpets.

It is easy to conclude that the genre is comedy through the title sequence as the title props food and other random objects. This makes the film come across as lighthearted and definitely not serious. This also makes it easier to see that the target audience is teenagers as the opening isn’t very mature. The opening title sequence doesn’t give you a clear depiction of the story but does introduce you too the main character and the overall mood of the film.