Camera Shots
The camera shots are a vital element to expressing the storyline and emotions throughout the scene.
In the opening of the scene, several wide shots are presented. This is to help the viewers understand and visualise the atmosphere of the party, and to help them feel as though they are physically involved in the scene. Evidence of this can be seen from 0:00 to 0:10 in our YouTube clip.
Following on from this, at 0:10 the shots begin to move rapidly between each other from different viewpoints. This creates a sense of chaos and confinement. It also creates suspense because the viewer is unsure of what is going to happen next.
Shortly after the series of these rapid movements, an extreme close up is used. The focus is on Nick and a ‘mysterious’ man who cannot be seen or identified. The use of this shot is effective as it draws the attention of viewers to the conversation, rather than what is going on in the background. This highlights the importance of the mysterious man, who we later discover to be Gatsby.
The next shot follows Nick as he approaches the mysterious man from behind. Once again, we are unable to see the face of this man, which exaggerates the mystery of his identity.
The camera then moves to a shot where the man slowly turns around to face Nick. The shot gradually zooms towards his face. This makes the viewer feel as though they are about to be introduced to a character who plays a principal role in the storyline, and someone who is superior and important. The silence before the character introduces himself as “Gatsby” creates a sense of uncertainty and makes the viewer impatient. This zoom shot is followed by a wide shot of a scene with fireworks and a grand orchestra, and the music becomes dramatic and overpowers background noise. The crowd cheers as we see Gatsby raise his glass towards Nick and the camera as the firework display continues, demonstrating the extravagance of the party.
Camera Angles
The start of our scene focuses the camera on the crowd looking down from the staircase where Gatsby is found. This allows the viewer to see the party from Nick’s perspective. It highlights Nick’s confusion and how he feels uncomfortable at the party, and how he doesn't quite belong. It shows how chaotic the atmosphere is and the overcrowding of people at Gatsby’s house. The camera rotates in a 360 degree motion, and this shows the different types of people in attendance at the party. We see swimmers, dancers, a conductor, orchestra and musicians as well as general guests at the party.
As Nick climbs the staircase at 0:11, the camera looks down on him before looking up at the couple he is following. The woman is dressed elaborately and her partner is dressed in a dinner suit. This implies that they are rich and may have connections to Gatsby. This camera angle is designed to demonstrate how Nick feels inferior to the wealthy guests at the party, because it is looking up at them from Nick’s eye level. He may also feel intimidated by the rich.
Nick then has an uncomfortable encounter with one of the waiters at the party. The hand that possesses the ring passes the plate to the waiter, and Nick looks confused as he tries to see if the new waiter also has this ring. His eyes look down towards the ground, which implies that he is looking for something. The two characters then part.
The focus then moves towards the pool. Two swimmers dive apart in opposite directions, as the orchestra is exposed. The conductor lifts his hands as the orchestra rises, and he signals for them to perform. The camera angle then returns to focus on another hand with the same ring. Nick then follows this hand through the crowd of people.
The camera shots are a vital element to expressing the storyline and emotions throughout the scene.
In the opening of the scene, several wide shots are presented. This is to help the viewers understand and visualise the atmosphere of the party, and to help them feel as though they are physically involved in the scene. Evidence of this can be seen from 0:00 to 0:10 in our YouTube clip.
Following on from this, at 0:10 the shots begin to move rapidly between each other from different viewpoints. This creates a sense of chaos and confinement. It also creates suspense because the viewer is unsure of what is going to happen next.
Shortly after the series of these rapid movements, an extreme close up is used. The focus is on Nick and a ‘mysterious’ man who cannot be seen or identified. The use of this shot is effective as it draws the attention of viewers to the conversation, rather than what is going on in the background. This highlights the importance of the mysterious man, who we later discover to be Gatsby.
The next shot follows Nick as he approaches the mysterious man from behind. Once again, we are unable to see the face of this man, which exaggerates the mystery of his identity.
The camera then moves to a shot where the man slowly turns around to face Nick. The shot gradually zooms towards his face. This makes the viewer feel as though they are about to be introduced to a character who plays a principal role in the storyline, and someone who is superior and important. The silence before the character introduces himself as “Gatsby” creates a sense of uncertainty and makes the viewer impatient. This zoom shot is followed by a wide shot of a scene with fireworks and a grand orchestra, and the music becomes dramatic and overpowers background noise. The crowd cheers as we see Gatsby raise his glass towards Nick and the camera as the firework display continues, demonstrating the extravagance of the party.
Camera Angles
The start of our scene focuses the camera on the crowd looking down from the staircase where Gatsby is found. This allows the viewer to see the party from Nick’s perspective. It highlights Nick’s confusion and how he feels uncomfortable at the party, and how he doesn't quite belong. It shows how chaotic the atmosphere is and the overcrowding of people at Gatsby’s house. The camera rotates in a 360 degree motion, and this shows the different types of people in attendance at the party. We see swimmers, dancers, a conductor, orchestra and musicians as well as general guests at the party.
As Nick climbs the staircase at 0:11, the camera looks down on him before looking up at the couple he is following. The woman is dressed elaborately and her partner is dressed in a dinner suit. This implies that they are rich and may have connections to Gatsby. This camera angle is designed to demonstrate how Nick feels inferior to the wealthy guests at the party, because it is looking up at them from Nick’s eye level. He may also feel intimidated by the rich.
Nick then has an uncomfortable encounter with one of the waiters at the party. The hand that possesses the ring passes the plate to the waiter, and Nick looks confused as he tries to see if the new waiter also has this ring. His eyes look down towards the ground, which implies that he is looking for something. The two characters then part.
The focus then moves towards the pool. Two swimmers dive apart in opposite directions, as the orchestra is exposed. The conductor lifts his hands as the orchestra rises, and he signals for them to perform. The camera angle then returns to focus on another hand with the same ring. Nick then follows this hand through the crowd of people.