DJ SPOOKY [alternate video: Inception Trailer]

^ Photo for Q1 & Q2

1. Does the video maintain continuity by editing for graphical and rhythmical relationships to create successful transitions among different image frames? Give examples of this using a minimum of 5 screen shots [ctr+shft+3] that move us from frame to frame. Provide a written description. In the beginning of the trailer, verticality is emphasized and allows for continuity and successful transitions. Thefirstframe shows Leonardo DiCaprio [as the focus]; he is positioned vertically while also gazing upward. The second frame continues the verticality through the tall buildings and the city in the background lifting upward, mirroringthemovement of DiCaprio’s head in the first frame. The third frame becomes overwhelmingly vertical as all you can see are the lines of the building, with no horizontals. The fourth frame shifts to another scene yet carries the vertical theme; DiCaprio, again, is portrayed vertically [on the left as in the first frame], looking out a vertical window. The clip quickly transitions to the fifth frame, which has the same exact vertical line as the window in the previous frame, therefore, connecting the two together perfectly.

1. Does the video include non-linear structures (i.e. structures other than linear narrative)? These might include acausal structure, list structure, and cyclical/circular structure? Please describe in detail.

This movie trailer contains non-linear structures including circular structure. The trailer starts with an emphasis on vertical lines such as in the buildings. The trailer ends with the same emphasis with DiCaprio standing vertically, directly in the center, then the title appearing from a familiar building structure. Between the beginning and the end, there is a shift in directional emphasis that begins with a shaking glass of water to suggest instability; it begins to emphasize diagonal movement instead through various frames including a train moving diagonally toward the camera, two people mimicking the same movement, DiCaprio falling over in a chair, and the addition of diagonal text; but then finally returns back to verticality creating a circular structure.

1. Does the video modulate in pace so that it has sections of slow and fast time? Please describe this in terms of constancy and variation over the course of the entire work.

The entire work has a successful balance between constancy & variation, not only though directional movement [as mentioned in question 2], but also in pace. The beginning is slow and quiet, but as it gets more intense and the music gets faster, so does the pace of the clips; they start to move by much quicker to create a sense of energy and power. However, it circles back to the initial pace at the end with a slowing of time in the last clip [Leonardo DiCaprio standing in front of the blasting water], and then the title slowly morphs out of the buildings, and then finally halts.

1. Can you see the artist paid careful attention to changes in graphical layouts and rhythmic repetitions in relation to the audio patterns that occur in the sound track? Give an example of how patterns of sound and image work together.

As the music in the trailer heightens and becomes more intense, the rhythm of the graphics also gets faster, proving that the artist paid careful attention to the changes in layout and repetitions in relation to audio patterns.

1. How does the artist break patterns to avoid monotony? Give an example.

The artist breaks patterns to avoid monotony in almost every aspect of graphical and rhythmic editing to keep the viewer completely engaged. He changes up the speed of the graphics as the music intensifies and switches between emphasizing directional movements [either vertical or diagonal], which is also connected to the change in speed. Diagonal movement creates more energy and is incorporated with heightened speed, and vice versa.

1. Did the artist try abstracting at least some of the images beyond recognition a.k.a. wreck the images? Give examples.

The artist abstracts images in the beginning and the end when he morphs the buildings from and into a digital image. So, initially we do not know what the image is, but then it turns into something recognizable.

1. What additional formal aspects are emphasized in this video? Analyze the following:

1. Color temperature(s) or degrees of black and white contrast
1. Almost every frame emphasizes darkness and contrast so when the artist changes it up and uses light [mainly when water is incorporated in the frame], it is clearly emphasized and shows variation.
2. Graphical layout and composition of frames (the 2D layout of the picture)
1. The layout of the frames mainly focuses on the center of the image, but occassionally shifts from left to right to create variation.
3. Proximity (closeness of camera to subject)
1. Proximity is also emphasized as the subjects in the frames often move diagonally forward across the screen to create movement & energy.
4. Pacing
5. Repetition - Diagonal movements are repeated as well as vertical panning upward.
6. Sensitivity to lighting and shadows as graphical elements - The frames are mainly dark and in shadow, yet there are instances of bold, contrasting light to keep the viewer interested.