Research Part 3: Opening Structure of Film Analysis, Camerawork and Editing Codes
Analyzing the Opening Titles of the film
Structure of the film opening
Analysis: The opening sequence begins with our main protagonist Arthur Fleck putting on his clown make up for work. The camera slowly dolly ins onto Arthur on a shoulder camera angle with a medium close-up shot and over-the-shoulder framing. This arrangement shows how Arthur usually starts his day at work.
Camerawork: Medium Close-Up, Establishing Shot, over the shoulder shot, 1 shot, dolly in,
Editing: Cut
Analysis: The sequence continues with our main character Arthur Fleck who will later be known as the Joker, is seen putting on a forceful smile while also crying a singular tear under his makeup. This is shown to immediately establish the main character to get a sense of who’s story will be following. This was performed using a close-up shot, and the framing is shallow focus to show he is separated. And for the camera movement a slightly shaking with random movements camera shows that he is slowly suffering.
Camerawork: Establishing Shot, Close-Up Shot, 1 Shot, Random Movement
Editing: J Cut
Analysis: After we switch to a different scene with an l cut this shot presented is to have the logo company of production. We are established to what Gotham City looks like and how big it is with a wide shot. For the background CGI is used to give the set design more of a realistic appearance. We can see Arthur on the sidewalk performing, however due to the camera angle being so high it makes him appear tiny. But this also a choose a director made to make it look like how imposing Gotham is and how little Arthur is and how he is alone.
Camerawork: Wide Shot, High Angle, Crowd Shot, Static
Editing: CGI, continuous editing, jump cut
Analysis: Arthur’s sign was later smacked out of his hands and was taken by a group of kids which Arthur had to chase down. The focus is on the kids who stole the sign. The director uses a wide shot and blocking to grab the audience's attention to the kids and uses a pan to help follow them. Again, using CGI for the background.
Camerawork: Wide shot, 3 shot, Hip Level, Pan
Editing: CGI, continues editing
Analysis: We later cut from the previous scene to Arthur still chasing the kids, however he is led to an alley not knowing what is about to happen to him. This is done with a slight bit of tracking when Arthur is running towards them and a bit of zooming in using cut to switch the angle of where he is running and the camera angle itself is eye level to over the shoulder framing and shoulder level. The shot sizes were also tracked and zoom in from full to medium full shot
Camerawork: Full Shot, Medium Full Shot, eye level, tracking, zoom in, over the shoulder framing, shoulder level
Editing: Cut, continuous editing, shot reverse shot
Analysis: Arthur is now being beaten up by 3 kids. The shot is an wide shot as it shows his location and him being harmed. The perspective is from a Dutch camera angle at a high camera level. This also gives us a clear view of how from the overhead framing
Camerawork: wide shot, Dutch camera angle, High camera level
Editing: Pan up, Static, Zoom Out
Analysis: The joker is doing his job which consists of sign spinning the camera angled used to show what he is doing is a Medium closeup. The camera angle used is a shoulder level shot.
Camera work: Medium close up, Shoulder level shot
Editing: Static, Random Movement, Zoom Out
