How mobile is the camera? Does it move toward the characters within a scene, or does it remain relatively static, allowing the actors to move instead within a steady frame?
Compared to the many movies I’ve seen in the past, I think this movie has relatively slow mobile camera frames. It may be because of the technology back then or to show the beautiful broad scenery that generates throughout the entire movie. Other then the scenes where they were running or walking, the scenes were all pretty steady just following the characters but it wasn’t too jumpy like some movies can be.
How does the camera treat the different characters? Does the camera view the character from below (low-angle shot) or from above (high-angle shot)?
There were many different angle shots of the camera. I think that the camera shots were mostly from straight a head. For example when the characters were talking or walking. There was never a problem with the camera being too high or too low, the camera always focused on the characters, looking at them like I would if I were actually to be standing in front of them. There were some scenes where it seemed like the camera may have been placed closely on the ground. Not necessarily looking up at the characters themselves, but showing their feet movements, showing someone walking over or down a hill and etc. There were also other scenes when the camera would slowly make its way higher and higher, for example when the wagons and horses were about to travel down a hill. The frame of the camera slowly starts to rise to show where the horse carriages are headed and to show the beautiful scenery of where the movie was filmed.
What purpose does the camera angle serve? For example, what cue might a camera angle offer you about how the director wants you to view a particular character?
In my opinion, particularly in this movie, there are lots of scenes where it’s just looking at the character straight ahead. It makes it seem like you’re actually talking or standing with the person. It seems as though the audience can look right in to the characters eyes and make their own choice on rather or not this character is good or bad. You’re basically seeing everything in that character’s view and I think that’s what the director was trying to show. This angle type is so simple yet the audience can see so much emotion and just pay attention to the monologue of that certain scene.
There are also many long shot camera angles in the movie. With the beautiful setting of this movie, who wouldn’t want to show every little detail of the scenery!
What do the camera angles tell you about the relationships between characters?
I think that depending on the spacing of the people during a movie says a lot about the relationships between the characters. If there’s a large distance between two people of a scene and the camera, there could be a sense of awkwardness or tension that the audience may see or feel. But if the characters are very up close and personal as well as the camera, it could show comfort and intimacy.
They are far apart showing that they may be having some sort of disagreement or awkward tension between the two characters.
They are close together not only because of the low temperature but it shows that they're comfortable with each other and close.
Do the angles from which characters are shot change over the course of a scene, or a sequence, or the film as a whole? How does such a change influence your view of a character?
I don’t think there are that many changes in angles over the course of the movie. There are some scenes where they may show one character head on and then to a camera angle couple feet further away but that’s about it. As for the main character, Bill, they shoot him in lots of angles looking from straight ahead. This may be to show his entire emotions, to fill up time slots, etc. But that part of the angle shot doesn’t really change only for a couple scenes where he’s running or fighting and etc.
How frequently are close-ups used? Why? What is the effect of the close-up?
Close ups are used a lot in this movie, like I’ve mentioned before. It shows all the emotions of the character and its almost as if your actually talking to the character themselves. You cant tell that its an actor that’s reading a script, it may be because of the amazing acting but I think it also has a lot to do with how the camera is portraying the person. The audience members are able to judge for themselves rather or not a certain character is good, bad or evil.
This video shows the different angles and lighting that was used in the movie to portray certain scenes in the way the director wanted the audience to see.
Mise en Scène
What does the location (in time and space) tell you about the type of plot you might expect?
The movie is set in Texas
What do the costumes tell you about the characters?
As for the main characters of the movie, Bill and Abby, they are farmers who during that time were not very wealthy. So the clothes basically showed that they were very poor. Bill was dressed in clothes that looked simple and comfortable for working out on the farm. Not too many layers but enough to keep warm while it was cold, and to stay cool when it was hot. Same goes for Abby, before her marriage, she wore long sleeved dresses that looked very uncomfortable and cheap but affordable for her and kept her warm and cool during certain seasons. With the long sleeves it kept her from getting sun burnt or getting cuts and sores from the hay and bugs. Her marriage is when everything changed. She was seen in nicer more expensive clothing that wasn’t to work in but to show off her rank in wealth. Her husband also wore well-made suits and attire and with them together they just looked like loyalty. Back then and even a little bit now, clothes say a lot about a person’s ranking.
This is basically what they wore on a daily basis during the movie.
Music & Sound
What cues does the music give you about what to expect?
During the climax scene of the movie where Bill is seen by the police and is on the run, it starts off very slow. There are few instruments and it seems too quiet to the point where you know something bad is about to happen. Suddenly more instruments come in with an instrumental heartbeat sound, which make the viewer know that something bad is about to happen. When the men in horses see Bill, he starts to run and that’s when the overwhelming, random, eerie kind of music is put in place. It makes you feel scared and puts you on the edge of your seat. Who knew music could do so much!
This video shows the eerie music that occurs during the chase scene.
What kind of mood does the soundtrack create?
Depending on the scene and what the kind of mood that is trying to be set the soundtrack is very versatile. When a scene shows intimacy between two people, the soundtrack is very soothing and soft. It sets the mood of romance and a comfortable feeling between the two characters. If there was a chase or fight scene going on, the soundtrack would be much more rough and loud. This makes the viewer know something bad is about to happen and shows the enthusiasm and harshness about what’s about to occur in the next scene.
Editing
How does the director choose to tell her/his story? Does s/he cut quickly from shot to shot, or let shots run longer and compose them into more leisurely sequences?
In the beginning of the movie the director lets the shots run longer making the scene much more soothing and relaxing for the audience. There are no sudden cuts that happen that gets the viewer excited and put on the edge of your seat. It’s slow, almost like you want to fall asleep (not in a bad way). During the intense scene it does cut fast. From the antagonist to the protagonist to the scenery. But that shows the intenseness of that scene. The director uses fast and slow shots to his advantage while editing this film.
What purpose do point-of-view shots serve? How do point-of-view shots affect our experience as spectators?
As spectators we can see what the character is really about. We can look in their eyes almost as though its real life and listen to what they have to say. We can see their hand gestures, body movement, and facial expressions. All these little things put together make for great evidence for the viewer to judge for himself or herself, which characters that they love and trust. As a spectator you begin to know everything about the characters as though you’ve known them their whole life. There’s no need for long introductions.
Identification
What techniques does the director deploy to guarantee that identification?
As soon as the movie starts, the director starts off by showing Bill kill someone. That right away makes the audience think that this guy is a terrible bad guy. Who kills someone? What is he all about? It makes the viewer wanting to know what really happened and why he did it. It makes the viewer want to see more but also sets the personality of Bill as maybe the “bad guy”. Later on during the movie they show Abby working very hard and being yelled at by a grumpy old much wealthier man. This may show that she’s kind of a push over and feels like she cant say much. These little scenes of the movie can make a viewer feel so strongly about a certain character.
Is this experience of identification thought provoking (i.e. one that makes us think critically about sexism or racism) or does it simply reinforce the status quo?
I think it just reinforces the status quo. No matter how much people try and talk to people about sexism and racism, there always will be people out there that act a certain way and feel a certain way for people. Depending on, how they grew up, what they’ve been taught everyone has different opinions. And while we think certain opinions are right or wrong the sexist and racist people out there don’t feel that way. Some people may see the movie and think about it, but doesn’t change who they are and what their opinions may be.
Closure
Does the film reach a satisfying end?
I personally think it does. There was lots of action, surprise, sorrow everything that’s needed for a perfect ending. Even though there were murders and fights that happened at the end that I personally don’t really love in a movie, it ended in a way that’s kind of different from other movies.
Does the film reach an ending you have anticipated/wanted?
I think the surprise, twist and turns started to occur not necessarily in the end of the movie but around the middle. Once I found out the farmer was going to live, everything was all a surprise for me from there. When Bill left Abby and returned after so long and the killing, murder and such. It wasn’t really what I anticipated but I love movies with surprises. I was pleased with the shocking bits of the ending. I think overall this movie is great not only the ending but the script, plot, scenery, lighting, angles and acting. This is a movie that probably will be treasured for many years to come.
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