The Graduate vs. Dead Poets Society The Graduate and Dead Poets Society are both coming of age films that convey a story about growing up. The directors of these movies had different approaches to their use of camera work. The Graduate used camera work as an obvious element in the movie, whereas Dead Poets Society had more muted shots. The Graduate used different camera shots frequently to express the emotion of the scene, while Dead Poets Society used the shots sparingly, mostly to enhance the impact of the dramatic scenes.
Dead Poets Society uses subtle camera shots throughout the movie, except during dramatic scenes that are crucial to the plot. An example of one of these scenes is when there is a montage of close ups of the boys’ faces during the speech Mr. Keating gave about seizing the day. The close up on the faces gives an exaggerated look into the emotions that they are feeling during the scene. Seeing their face up close on the screen, allows the viewer to easily decipher their facial expressions and emotions. This gives the scene a sense of great importance to the growth of the characters. Another example of obvious camera work was when Neil’s …show more content…
Many close-up shots are used to show the reactions that characters give during different scenes. Long shots are used to set the scene, and to create a sense of distance from the characters. Long shots are used in scenes such as where Ben is driving away to catch Elaine before she gets married. The zoom out is used several times to show Ben from afar. Whenever Ben is with Mrs. Robinson, there tends to be angled camera shots with dark lighting. This seems to indicate that Ben is ashamed by what he is doing and cannot face Mrs. Robinson unless it is dark. The combination of all of these different shots is used to create an extra element in the movie, and to emphasise the actions of the
Dead Poets Society uses subtle camera shots throughout the movie, except during dramatic scenes that are crucial to the plot. An example of one of these scenes is when there is a montage of close ups of the boys’ faces during the speech Mr. Keating gave about seizing the day. The close up on the faces gives an exaggerated look into the emotions that they are feeling during the scene. Seeing their face up close on the screen, allows the viewer to easily decipher their facial expressions and emotions. This gives the scene a sense of great importance to the growth of the characters. Another example of obvious camera work was when Neil’s …show more content…
Many close-up shots are used to show the reactions that characters give during different scenes. Long shots are used to set the scene, and to create a sense of distance from the characters. Long shots are used in scenes such as where Ben is driving away to catch Elaine before she gets married. The zoom out is used several times to show Ben from afar. Whenever Ben is with Mrs. Robinson, there tends to be angled camera shots with dark lighting. This seems to indicate that Ben is ashamed by what he is doing and cannot face Mrs. Robinson unless it is dark. The combination of all of these different shots is used to create an extra element in the movie, and to emphasise the actions of the