Camera work and Editing

Camera work and editing:

Saving Private Ryan opening scene:

In the opening scene of 'Saving Private Ryan' many different camera angles and shots are used to show the brutality of the Second World War. In the opening frames of the film we see an establishing shot which shows around 6 boats carrying soldiers across the sea with a strong current. A tracking shot is used so we move with the speed boats. This allows us to experience what the soldiers are experiencing as the camera moves with the strong current and shows how the soldiers are soaked with water on their journey. When the action begins we see an over the shoulder shot from the point of view of the German soldiers waiting on the hill for the British/American soldiers to attack. This allows us to view the spacial surroundings of the action as we see that the soldiers getting out of the speedboats are at a disadvantage. When the film then cuts to the wounded soldiers falling under water the sound drops and goes almost silent. This slows the action down and allows us to see the suffering of the soldiers. The medium close up shots add to the brutality of the film as we see some of the soldiers with missing limbs during the action scene. This shocks us as spectators as the brutal violence has left innocent army members fighting for survival when the odds are against them. The films rhythmic considerations allow us to view the pain if the soldiers. When the soldiers make it onto the beach the film goes into slow motion for a couple of seconds. This allows us to view the emotions of Private Ryan as their is a close up of his face. At this point it is also all silent. There is no music or special effect sounds over the top of the clip which shows the brutality as many of the soldiers have been wounded or have died. 

Dunkirk opening scene:

In the opening scene of 'Dunkirk' we see 6 English soldiers running away from the German army in order to get back to the beaches of Dunkirk where the army was trapped. The hand help camera follows the six men as they run from the gun shots. This allows us as an audience member to feel like we are there with them as the camera movement allows us to feel like we are running with them. We then see a long shot of the youngest soldier, who manages to survive, climbing over the fence to escape. This allows us to see his struggle as he climbs over walls and fences to save his life. When he safely gets to the beach and the chase scene ends we see an over the shoulder establishing shot. This shows the point of view of the young soldier and allows us to see the spacial considerations in the editing. The wide angle shot allows us to see the large beach filled with thousands of soldiers. This creates an emotional response for the audience as the soldiers all wait to see their fate. This therefore makes us sympathetic as they are suffering whilst trying to save their own country. 

Captain Fantastic opening scene:

In the opening scene of 'Captain Fantastic we see the family brutally kill its prey. The use of a close up shot when Bo slaughters the animal allows us to experience the death as if we are there with them. This contributes to some spectators feeling of shock as the brutal death is unexpected of such young children. Before the brutal death there is also an establishing shot which allows us to view the surroundings of the family. It also contributes to the spacial considerations as we can see where each member of the family is stood and the distance they are away from the prey as they approach it closer ready to attack. This scene is juxtaposed with the scene it cuts to straight after it. The graphic considerations made whilst editing leads us to view the brutality of young children in the opening scene which leaves us shocked. This is then contrasted with the scene that follows straight after as we see them wiping away the camouflage and enjoying life playing with their older siblings. This then reassures the audience that the children also live a good and decent life so it takes away some of the shock from the opening scene. During the opening of the film the establishing shots allow us to view where the film is set. However there is no indication of the time period so the killings may not seem as brutal if the audience believe the film is set in previous generations.