http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cvfACij6ezQ
This sequence is one of my favorites, in part because it drags on for
so long that the tension is stretched to a ridiculous, absurdly comical
degree. But I think it deftly illustrates how the sequencing techniques we discussed can really grab the viewer and build excitement while
providing a clear and fluid sense of action.
Specifically, I think we can learn from this series of shots:
2:44:58 - A super-wide shot of the three gunfighters taking their
positions.
2:45:34 - Another super-wide, this time from a different angle. The
audience now has an excellent feel for the spatial relations between
the characters.
2:45:39 - A medium shot, from the waist up, of Tucco (Eli Wallach),
nervously sizing up the situation
2:45:43 - A nearly identical medium shot of Angel Eyes (Lee Van
Cleef), looking uncertain.
2:45:47 - The same medium shot of Blondie (Clint Eastwood), looking cool and steady.
2:45:52 - A wide shot from over Blondie's shoulder of Tucco.
2:45:54 - A wide shot from over Tucco's shoulder of Angel Eyes.
2:45:57 - A wide shot from over Angel Eyes' shoulder of Blondie. The audience now knows what each character sees.
2:46:01 - A detail shot of Angel Eyes' gun, still in his belt.
2:46:04 - A detail shot of Blondie's gun, still in his belt.
2:46:07 - A detail shot of Tucco's gun, still at his side.
2:46:10 - A medium close-up of Tucco, looking nervously between his two opponents.
2:46:13 - A medium close-up of Blondie, looking from Tucco to Angel Eyes, still confident.
2:46:16 - A medium close-up of Angel Eyes, looking back and forth as well.
The sequence continues for several minutes, just cutting back and
forth between the mediums, details, and wides without much actually
happening, but it builds a tension in the viewer that resonates with the
situation the characters are in.
Note: This post was formatting in an odd way on in my web browser. Hope it looks okay to everyone else.
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