Analyse how the audience response is manipulated throughout
the opening sequence of Spielberg’s ‘Saving Private Ryan’.
HOW TO WRITE A MICRO ANALYSIS…
Analysis of how mise-en-scene / cinematography / editing / sound create
meaning and generate viewer response in a sequence from ‘Saving Private
Ryan’.
REMEMBER: never simply describe what you see without commenting on its
effect on meaning
INTRODUCTION
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Tell us a little about the kind of meaning/response you think the director is
trying to create with this film. Does it create a particular emotion /
adrenalin rush etc in the viewer?
Explain that the essay will be looking at the way the film makes meaning
using your chosen elements and also that you will be thinking about your
reaction to it as a viewer
IN THE ESSAY THERE ARE TWO THINGS YOU MUST DO REALLY WELL
1. DESCRIBE SCENE ACCURATELY USING CORRECT TERMINOLOGY
2. ANALYSE EFFECT ON SPECTATOR
The important thing to remember all the way through the essay is that it is not
enough to simply describe the shots. Every time you draw attention to an aspect
of mise-en-scene, editing etc you should follow it up with making an observation
about how this kind of shot (or whatever) creates a certain meaning / atmosphere
/ emotion.
If you are struggling to think of what to say about how a shot is creating meaning
or effect. Try asking yourself some of these questions:
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Do we make sense of it because it has a physical effect on us?
Do we make sense of something because we recognise it from another
film? Is it an intertextual reference?
Do we make sense of it because of the associations a particular thing has
in the outside world – e.g. with certain actors?
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Do we make sense of it because it is a strange combination that the
director has put together? Is the meaning created by unusual
juxtaposition?
Do we make sense of it because we don’t understand immediately and so
have to think about it more?
Do you think your interpretation of the shot/scene is what the director
wanted it to be? Why?
Do you think everyone understands this shot/scene in the same way that
you do?
What ideologies are being introduced/ established? Why?
Who is being represented by whom and why?
What drives the narrative? What devices draw viewer into progress of
story? How do we know what’s going to happen? What do signifiers mean?
What do we predict and why?
How does it meet the audience needs of social interaction, entertainment,
personal identity, integration, information?
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STRUCTURE
Your essay should basically consist of about 10 paragraphs. You should organize it
by going through the sequence shot-by-shot. Try not to repeat yourself. Use a
plain font, size 12 or 14. Put essay title at top of first page together with your
name.
CONCLUSION
You should have a short conclusion where you sum up how effective you think the
director’s techniques have been in creating meaning and generating a response
from you.
DEADLINE: ________________________________
Use this basic analysis template to record your notes – you could do one for:
cinematography; editing; and mise-en-scenè.
SCENE
1. The
transition from
present to past
2. The instant
chaos
3. Captain
Miller's
confusion
4. The end of
the battle
DETAIL
(denotation or sign/ signifier)
EFFECT
(connotation or signified)