Look, Listen, Analyze

The scene that stood out to me the most this week was the ending scene in Episode 8 where Avon and Stringer fight.


 

1. Analyze the camera work

When the volume is off and you are just watching, the camera work such as the angles become so much more apparent.

Here the focus is on Avon, showing he has the power of the converstation.Screen Shot 2014-10-31 at 6.34.23 PM

Then, the focus shifts to Stringer Bell, showing the crew respects him as well.

Screen Shot 2014-10-31 at 6.34.38 PM

 

Then it shifts back and forth showing the struggle of power between them right now.

Screen Shot 2014-10-31 at 6.41.49 PM Screen Shot 2014-10-31 at 6.41.40 PM Screen Shot 2014-10-31 at 6.41.16 PM

Now the angle of the camera show Stringer in control and Avon in submission

Screen Shot 2014-10-31 at 6.44.30 PM

 

The upward angle on Stringer’s face tells a whole story within itself. Screen Shot 2014-10-31 at 6.44.59 PM

I love the downward angle on Avon and how zoomed in it is! It really shows how submissive he is and all his emotions.Screen Shot 2014-10-31 at 6.45.44 PM

2. Analyze the audio

You can tell as soon as the door slams, someone is angry. You can hear the anger and frustration in Stringer’s voice. Avon is clearly not too worried about what Stringer is talking about until it is about D’Angelo because he sounded like he got a drink. The silent pause after Stringer said D’Angelo’s life had to be got really drew up some suspense and anticipation before they started to fight. You can hear their breaths become heavier and heavier making the scene more intense feeling than I remember. Then at the end no words were being said, you can still just hear their breath, making the scene prolong and get the feeling they both are just upset and angry.

3. Put it all together

After analyzing the camera work and the audio, the scene felt much more intense than when I originally watched it. All the elements I noticed before, became much more apparent after I watched it again. The camera angles and facial expression of Avon and Stringer really worked for this scene. It showed the power of struggle and the tension between Stringer and Avon is just increasing.. then they fight. The ending scene where no words were said got much more dramatized after just listening to it without watching. The anticipation grew and you can tell Avon is just devastated.