Film

The Big Picture

By: Amity Preston

The rising temperatures are a signal that summer is in full swing. The best way to cool off on a hot day? Sitting in an air conditioned movie theater. While movie watching may seem like mindless entertainment, for the keen observer it can be an adventure into the mind of the director; a look at the "big picture," if you will pardon the pun.

Did you know that the most common camera shot in American filmmaking is called the "Shot Reverse Shot?" This is when the camera takes a shot of one person observing something or someone, then the camera cuts to the someone or something looking back, and finishes where it began. Think of the old Western movies; two Cowboys having a shootout at noon staring each other down as they meet in front of the OK Corral. One glaring at the other only to have the other glaring right back at him.

Have you ever considered how much a director's background affects the way they direct their films? Take the great Steven Spielberg; did you know that he is Jewish? Spielberg's Jewish background seeps into much of his filmmaking. It is in his use of circular story telling which imitates Rabbinic Logic. It is also found in his portrayal of characters who strive to better the future for generations that they will not even meet; try calling to mind Indiana Jones' favorite phrase, "That belongs in a museum!"

Movies are not just mindless entertainment full of special effects, music and actors. Each and every piece within a movie has a specific and meaningful purpose. Would the shark in Jaws have been as scary without his lead in music? So the next time you escape to the air conditioned oasis that is the movie theater, try looking for the big picture.