Compare/Contrast Fargo notes & response

Practice Candidate's write up response:

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My write up response:

- Camerawork: The camerawork in this video is very specific. The opening of the film features a medium shot as the camera follows the subject closely while zooming i and out to reference her surroundings. The basement scene portrays over-the-shoulder shots, two or three shots, point of view shots, and close ups. The use of this camerawork gives the film a clearer meaning and puts everything in the film into perspective for the viewer. Throughout the rest of the film, the camera closely follows the main character from various angles on the set, using eye level shots, high angle shots, close ups, and point of view shots.

- Sound: Throughout the video, the use of certain sounds adds more elements to the meaning. The sound of a screwdriver gives hints as to what is going on in the background of the current setting. The voices increase in depth as the camera follows the two subjects. As things happen throughout the video, the sounds are focused on the main subject to provide a clearer understanding of what is going on. For example, the laundry machine in the beginning or the loading of the gun in the end. These sounds were purposely distinct and bold compared to those of the rest of the video, which also creates a more meaningful understanding. Finally, the suspenseful music toward the end of the video creates curiosity and fear in the audience, also contributing to the audience's overall understanding of the film.

- Mise-En-Scene: The use of mise-en-scene in this video has a huge contribution to the overall effect of the video on the viewers. First, the use of dull colors sets the scenery in an older time period. I can also tell this about the time period because of the designs of the washing machine, lamps, telephone, and furniture around the house. The costumes reveal a working lifestyle for the two characters. The placing of characters on set puts them and their surroundings into perspective and makes it seem like the audience is in the area of the film. Without considering these elements in the making of the video, the meaning and overall intellect of the audience would be less broad.

- Editing: The storyline of this video is completed as the editing is carried through the whole video. In the beginning, the editing of the wife being killed by the hammer and the blood splattering on the wall makes a significant change to the storyline. The editing of certain sounds and other elements throughout the rest of the video also contribute to making the video easier for the audience to comprehend and implies a deeper meaning of the circumstances on the set of the video.

Write ups Compare/Contrast:

My write up is very similar to this candidate's write up. In similarity, both responses include similar ideas and observations of low lighting, a dull atmosphere, multiple camera shots throughout the film, main characters, sharp sounds, and contributing elements in the washing machine scene. In addition, both mention the use of music at the end of the film and the details of the opening scene. They have similar observations of the set, characters, and elements that are part of the film that contribute to the overall takeaway or the audience from the film. However, the candidate response has minor differences from mine. In contrast, the candidate organized their response in the form of multiple paragraphs, as I divided mine into bullet points with a description for each element in the making of the film. The example candidate's format allows for information to be spread out, specific, and detailed. However, My bullet pointed format makes it easier to navigate and understand. Things are easily noticed in the bullet pointed format. Overall, the write ups are very similar in the sense of the elements and attention to detail that were considered and described within the responses.

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Practice Candidate's Notes:

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My notes:

> Camerawork Notes:

- close ups in beginning

- focus on washer, slight zoom

- over the shoulder shot in basement scene

- long shot, medium shot, low angle, two or three shots mid - film

- point of view/close up when talking

- extreme close up/extreme long shot while following character on phone

- high angle when grabbing gun

- Dutch angle?? ^^

Compare/contrast: In similarity to the example candidate response, I took note about the multiple examples of camera shots that were featured in the film. For example, high angle shots, extreme long shots, medium shots, and low angle shots were mentioned in both my notes and the candidate's response notes. On the other hand, the candidate took note of a shot-reverse shot as the husband and wife were chatting. However, I noted that as being point of view and close up shots. In conclusion, both responses mentioned a variety of camera shots, angles, views, and highlights.

> Sound Notes:

-screwdriver in beginning coming from basement

- voices get clearer as camera follows- characters conversations

- laundry machine sounds clear & focused

- hammer on metal clinging

- voices over phone

-sighs and grunts from husband while on phone contribute high meaning

- loading of gun- very clear

- opening (creaks/squeaking) of door

Compare/Contrast: Both my response and the candidate's response showed how the sound of the washer machine in the beginning of the film emphasized the situation in the film. In contrast, my response mentioned the sound of the hammer, voices over the phone, sighs, grunts, loading of the gun, and screwdriver. Meanwhile, the example candidate's response focused on non-diegetic and diegetic sounds throughout the film, as well as chattering coming from the characters.

> Mise-en-scene Notes:

-costumes- lack color, work attire

- old furniture (couches, lamps, off-colored)

- old fashioned washing machine

- lighting was dim- only using lamps

- old fashioned phone, use of phonebook

- filmed in earlier time period

Compare/Contrast: My responses and the candidate's responses for Mise-en-scene notes are very alike. In similarity, we both mentioned low lighting, the lack if color in outfits, and discolored furniture. In contrast, my notes included observations of an old fashioned phone and phonebook, as the candidate's response did not. In both responses, significant things were observed that contribute to the making and understanding of this film.

> Editing Notes:

- splattering of blood on the wall when wife was killed

- killing of the wife with the hammer

- sounds added in to the killing scene

Compare/Contrast: The practice candidate's response mentions fading in the switch of scenes, and the slow pace of the film. On the other hand, I did not mention these elements in my notes. I noted how the killing scene's editing featured blood splattering on the wall contributed to the effect of the scene on the audience. The example candidate's response had more information, observations, and examples of editing throughout the film than mine. However, both responses noticed examples of editing that helped bring clarity to the meaning of the film.