Mushishi Zoku Shou: Path of Thorns

Darkness and isolation were the major themes of “Path of Thorns.” Simple usage of different shades of black background, single subject composition (the hut), and slow tilt movement communicated these themes powerfully.

While shots of darkness dominated this double episode, the more interesting part is the use of small light, specifically candle light. If the shots were constantly dark, it could start feeling monotonic and lose that haunting effect. The shots of candle light provide contrast that help exaggerate the darkness. Losing that small amount of light is more haunting than constant darkness.

________________________________________________________________________

The above shots are so simple yet very effective. In the first image, Kumado is staring at the door and waiting for it to slide open. This conveys his feeling of isolation and how he seeks just a brief relief from it. This sets up the second shot, where the audience most likely assumes that he’s again waiting, which makes the cut to his soulless body more unsettling.

_________________________________________________________________________

Again, the above images are just simple but strong composition. By having the characters off center (Rule of Thirds) we get a better sense of space. These shots illustrate the emptiness, seclusion and gloom Kumado is going through.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Hanamonogatari

The Monogatari series offers a variety of abstract composition and Hanamonogatari was no exception. The series’ uses of compositional elements are very much open to interpretation and at times can be a bit enigmatic. The unorthodox style is part of the appeal to many but can be polarizing to a few. Anyway, let’s begin with these shots:

Spinning Objects

The beginning parts of this arc gave us repeated shots of rotating things, such as paper windmills, an umbrella and spintops. They are all colored red, a striking color that strongly draws the viewers’ attention to these objects. A major theme of Hanamonogatari’s story is time and the way it can be used as an escape and how it can pass a person by. These objects seem to symbolize time as they rotate just like the hands of a clock or the earth on its axis.

________________________________________________________________________

Lines, Curves and Shapes

There were plenty of shots dominated by lines, circles and arcs. One way lines, especially vertical and horizontal ones, can be interpreted here is they express rigidity and feel static. Both Kanbaru and Numachi are in a static state, the former is held back by fear and guilt, while the latter by her misery. Circles can be seen as confining. Multiple times we see these characters in the middle of a circle, perhaps symbolizing how they feel trapped by their own struggles.

Lines can also be used as visual guides. Some of the shots in Hanamonogatari have a lot of things going on in the background. Leading lines were used to guide the audience’s attention to the point of interest. Here is an example.

Also, the shots above are either wide shots or extreme wide shots. These types of shots are usually used as establishing shots to give the viewers a sense of time and place. Mid-shots and medium close-ups are then used for dialogues. What Hanamonogatari does differently is have many dialogues extensively shot in wide or extreme wide. Perhaps this was another way to communicate the feeling of standstill and impasse that relates to the struggles of these two characters.

The above shots use receding shapes to create a vanishing point effect that leads the viewers’ eyes to the point of interest. So, despite the dense amount of visual information and the subjects basically being dots on the screen the viewers’ attention is still drawn to them.

Another interesting thing about these images is the contrast between the use of random sized circles in the first one and a checkered pattern in the second. The random sized circles conveys enigma, which was appropriate to the first appearance of the mysterious Devil Lord. After Numachi disclosed her motives and methods, a checkered pattern is used to create a sense of order and clarification.

These shots are another example of the use of contrasting lines or shapes to evoke different feelings. The crossing lines literally form cross roads, which symbolize Kanbaru’s confusion and indecision. As Kanbaru receives counsel from Araragi during the car ride, we see some S-curves which generate a gentle and calming feeling. This reflects Araragi’s role in Kanbaru’s life, that is of a mentor with a stabilizing and guiding presence.

________________________________________________________________________

Lateral Tracking Shot

After finding out that Numachi committed suicide and is in fact a ghost, the magnitude of the situation suddenly dawned on Kanbaru. Confused and under both mental and emotional pressure, all she could do to respond was to run away. The lateral tracking shot, with the camera pulling back from wide shot to really extreme wide shot made for a poignant moment. She’s running away emotionally and this scene is an imagery of the expanse of this escapism and the distance she’s willing to put between herself and her problems.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Space Dandy S2 Episode 8

Almost right from the very beginning the show uses canted framing. This type of unleveled framing is often used in action heavy scenes to create a hectic pace. However, it can also be used to create some visually unnerving shots, which was the case in the beginning of this episode. These canted shots immediately induce a sense of eeriness that is often associated with the world of the dead.

________________________________________________________________________

Cold-Warm Contrast

The above is probably the most striking cold-warm contrast shot in this episode. Notice how most of the shot, the background and mid-ground, have a blue (cold) hue to it while the foreground on the left side is mostly red (warm). This creates a stark contrast that strongly draws the viewers’ attention to the only warm part of the image, which of course makes the sad looking lady clown with a cat protruding off her chest look even creepier.

Warm and cold colors seem to be used as analogues to life and death. Red being life and blue is death. The images above might be evident of that. Dandy with his face still intact has that red color to it but when it was pulled off it turned to a glowing blue.

More cold-warm contrast shots.

_______________________________________________________________________

One way this episode engrossed the audience to this world of the dead was by using two-point perspective to create depth. The first image was a forward tracking shot that put the audience in Dandy’s place as he takes in the view of this drab looking world.

________________________________________________________________________

Another cold-warm contrast shot but what separates this from the others is a little bit of symbolism. The giant red structure obviously resembles the shape of an egg, an image representing life. Dandy in the middle of it demonstrates his stubborn determination to live.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad

Zankyou no Terror Episode 7

The Rule of Thirds is a general guideline to help with balancing a composition and avoiding splitting a picture/shot in half. This episode broke this rule with numerous centered shots to provide more tension and impact to the more significant moments. Perhaps it was bit overdone but I think most of these shots at least had a set-up and reasoning behind breaking the rule.

From left to right:

1. This was the scene where Shibazaki and his colleagues were thinking about the possibility of the authorities orchestrating the bomb threat. This last shot is Shibazaki basically confirming it.
2. A winning shot of Nine after beating Five in chess.
3. A centered shot of Five that expresses her commanding and controlling presence. This also nicely sets up the scene where she loses some control after being outwitted by Nine.
4. POV shot of Nine pointing the gun at Five. I have to admit this was a bit cheesy.
5. Probably the best rule-of-thirds breaking shot of this episode. The first encounter between Shibazaki and Nine.
6. In addition to breaking the rule, there’s shallow focus and foreground framing. Combined they frame Lisa to make her look even more helpless.
7. This sets up the first conversation between Shibazaki and Nine.
8. Five insulting Shibazaki. This and the POV shot were the most unnecessary ones.
9. Being centered accentuates Nine’s triumph and also adds some bravado to his mocking salute towards Shibazaki.

_______________________________________________________________________

This is a great shot. It uses foreground framing and shallow focus to frame Five in her moment of defeat. Also, the forced perspective creates an imagery of a giant gun being pointed at Five. A clever way to illustrate that in this given situation an indirect threat is better than a direct one.

reade more... Résuméabuiyad