Preliminary Task 1: Research

The first tv clip I researched was an action scene from Friday Night Lights Season 2; Episode 1. This episode was directed by Jefferey Reiner, focusing on the love connection between two friends, when suddenly a stranger approaches Tyra when she’s alone. The close up shot shows the expression on Tyra’s face of fear, because she has been attacked by this man before, and she remembers his voice. Tyra is shown to be looking back and forth searching for Landry to return from the gas station. Wide shot is used when Landry exits the gas station, while Tyra and her attacker struggle in the back of the shot. This shot shows the sudden switch in mood as Landry acts innocent and cluless at first, and then he starts to realize his friend is in danger. High angle is used when Landry is thrown onto the bag on garbage, and then this angle is used after he kills the attacker to show the result of the fight. Tyra hovers over the dead man to add effect to the power she holds and the weakness of the man on the floor. Close up is used again when Landry hurries to grab the metal pipe for a weapon, emphasizes the importance of that weapon for the scene. The last angle, over the shoulder, after the attacker throws down Landry he realizes he’s outnumbered and would prefer to leave as soon as possible. Tyra’s expression isn’t shown here since we are looking over her shoulder, but we feel as though we are in her shoes in this moment. The attacker threatens Tyra that he’ll return to get her, preferably when Tyra’s alone. This scene really grabbed my attention the first time I saw it because of it’s intensity and emotions shown through the different shots and angles.

The second tv clip I researched was Prison Break season 1 episode 21; directed by Dean White. In this scene Michael and his crew are breaking out of prison, and they are pulling themselves across a rope to escape from prison. Wide shot can be seen as the prisoners are sliding across the rope, vulnerability and loneliness is what you feel when watching these characters. Close up is seen on Lincoln’s face when his nerves kick in as he is waiting on his fellow inmates. Over-the-shoulder is used to show Michael and Charles’ reaction to the five million they just learned about. Low angle is used when Michael is sliding across the wire as the alarm is sounded and he doesn’t have much time to get across.

In my project, I will make sure to include techniques such as low and high angle to depict the two contrasting sides of a confrontation. The same theme will be used (action).