Scene Analysis

The purpose of analyzing a scene is to expand your understanding of how film constructs meaning by looking at both its traditional narrative structure as well as its technical aspects, such as sound and cinematography. We have a small overview (with an example) that can be found in the Writing Process's Finding the Evidence.

Video Analysis

While they are not constructed to be thesis-driven, these videos demonstrate the technical aspects (e.g. mise-en-scene, cinematography, music, etc.) as they analyze the meaning inherent in the presented scene(s).

Cinematography Analysis Zodiac

How Edgar Wright Sets Up Baby Driver - First Scene Breakdown

Whiplash - Scene Breakdown, Analysis & Comparison

How the Music Spoils Sweeney Todd

Scene Dissection

Kairo | Anatomy of the Scariest Scene Ever

The building of suspense and tension within the horror genre through lighting, music, and blocking.

The Dark Knight - How does a Camera tell a story?

An exploration of the technical construction of a scene (i.e. camera shots).

The Silence of the Lambs — Dissecting a Scene

Demonstration of how the three-act structure can be effectively utilized in a single scene to establish the overall tone for the film's characters and plot.

General Film Analysis

The Cinematography of Parasite

Planting and Payoff - Mad Max: Fury Road

Born Sexy Yesterday

The Art of Overanalyzing Movies

The Power of VHS

Weighing the Value of Director's Cuts

Mulan: A Case of Failed Empowerment

The Last Unicorn: Death and the Legacy of Fantasy