SPN 8x10: Dissecting Visual Drama

[bowtrunckle]

I’m sure I’m not the only one who noticed how awesome the Sam-and-Dean-stalk-around-the-warehouse scene was.  It was visually the most memorable of the episode not only because it was Sam and Dean and their badass selves stalking around a warehouse but also because it was *dramatic* looking.  But what does dramatic mean exactly?  How do you define

Comments

[bowtrunckle]

the camera work was fantastic

YES! I'd love to see more dynamic, complex set-ups like this *chants SPN movie*. I don't know how long it took to figure out the staging and to light everything, but it was worth it IMHO.

Do you have thoughts on what he might have been doing there?

I actually laughed when I saw that zoom for the first time. Oops. :( I'd really like to think that it was put there as a visual gag or elbow nudge because I don't like getting second-hand embarrassment from my favorite show, but my knee-jerk reaction is that it was placed there with the full intention of being dramatic and serious. Here's why (unfortunately): Singer uses those zoom/dollys all the time (but they're usually not that fast), mostly if not always (I'd have to go back and look at his episodes to say for sure) for dramatic effect and to underscore emotional reveals. It's part of his style. Also, it's placed within the beats of the very dramatic dialogue, which I think suggests that it's there to augment not detract from the reveal. Also the overall tone of the scene isn't comical or satirical and I feel like Singer is too much of a seasoned professional to slide a camera move in there to just humor himself. But that being said, I don't know anything for sure. It makes me feel better thinking that it was put there as a haha zoom.

If you're interested I wrote a tiny thing up about the zoom in spnematography's 8x10 episode prompt linked at the bottom of this entry.

Thanks for the thinky on this scene.

You're welcome.

[ash48]

I agree with you. Personally I don't think it was a comic nudge. The moment was too crucial. I think we were supposed to feel "OMG! What a reveal!!" Instead I was distracted by how awful that zoom was. It felt like he thought he had to make it extra obvious because he doesn't trust his audience.

If it was a haha zoom I think it was seriously misplaced.

Oh well. I suppose it gets us talking about zooms. :))

[bowtrunckle]

Instead I was distracted by how awful that zoom was.

I hear you. :( *points to the fact I LOL'ed*

It felt like he thought he had to make it extra obvious because he doesn't trust his audience.

I hope that's not the case, but who knows. I feel like the SPN Team has a lot of respect for the audience and Singer likes to use zooms a lot, so maybe it was just him being sincere.

I suppose it gets us talking about zooms. :))

I was reminded of zooms and them introducing this 70's-style comical aspect in Whedon's Firefly DVD commentary because it was the first time I'd heard about zooms vs. dolly shots and I was *intrigued* (plus Joss's commentaries are pretty super awesome as far as cinematography and director-type stuff). And, wow, somebody happened to upload just that bit of the DVD on YouTube!

[ash48]

Oh wow! That vid was great. I love that he mentioned the zoom as being cheesy!

(I might just have to pinch this. I used the word cheesy in my review and this would fit perfectly!).

Thanks!

[ash48]

*chants SPN movie*.

OH GOD! Had to come back to CHEER THAT ON! I think they could definitely pull off a movie. If Kripke came back to write it, they sure have the team to pull it off.

[bowtrunckle]

If Kripke came back to write it

Heh, just think of all the swearing in the script! ;) I'm rooting for a solid "R" rating and a location shoot on the desert roads of Southwest US. They didn't stick a new engine in the Impala to just tool around on a stage and rainy Vancouver city streets, right?