Film Viewing Practice Essay "Agent Carter"
The different camera shots, angles, movements, editing, sound, and mise-en-scene used in this short clip of the film Agent Carter aided producers in grabbing viewers' attention. Without the use of these filming techniques, the clip would not be as captivating nor would it create a connection between the viewers and Peggy Carter (Agent Carter).
The film begins with a voiceover of Peggy speaking to Steve while the Marvel logo is displayed across the screen. Their conversation continues as the characters are shown at eye level. We can tell that there is some sort of issue when we hear how Peggy and her partner speak as if they are saying goodbye forever. When the camera shows their faces at eye level it can be seen that Agent Carter is clearly upset by Steve's stubbornness in going through with whatever it may be that causes their separation, but when the film jump cuts to a close-up of Steve placing a picture of Peggy in front of him, it becomes evident that he fears what's to come. In the close shot of Steve looking at Peggy's photo, the audience is able to see his pain, not only because he will not see her again, but because of the hurt he knows he is causing the woman whom he seems to have a deep connection to. As Steve starts heading downwards in his aircraft we hear a loud air sound that signifies he is moving very fast and possibly crashing, a form of post-synchronization.
After a break of silence from Steve, the scene fades out to a black screen while sad elongated music is played in the back (non-diegetic sound) to show he is gone. Following the fade-out, an establishing shot of New York City appeared on screen to let the viewers know the next scene will take place at a different time, most likely without Steve. Taking place in what appears to be the mid-1900s, the office workers are clothed in plain suits (mostly men) and Agent Carter wears an updo from the period as part of her costume to further indicate the date of which the scene takes place (setting). In such a dull and poorly lit workspace far in the back, the actress's blocking emphasizes the extremely sexist environment that is the mid-1900s. Peggy is portrayed as a loner who minds her own business, completes her tasks, and does not complain even though she seems to be annoyed by her boss, who finds her incapable of conducting any fieldwork as she is not a man.
Left to look over some project her boss assigned, Peggy is in the building when the phone rings. Since she does not usually answer the phone and no one is around, the author closes in on the phone and then on Agent Carter to build suspense. Will she stand up and answer the phone or will she leave the building knowing she could handle the situation herself. The choker shots of Carter from different angles creates tension as the viewers wait to hear what the man on the phone said as well as for what the character was to do with this newfound information. The close-up of Agent Carter crossing out the recommended amount of agents creates happiness and excitement for the viewers who, at this point, are probably rooting for her.
Upon arrival to the Zodiac's hideout, sound mixing of songs that are obviously from the mid-1900s is played to further establish the time period. Once the men noticed Peggy had arrived, Zodiac asks his men to handle what he believes to be a harmless woman. In a close shot we see Peggy has knocked down the glass window and is standing tall and confident, a new side of her that has not been seen before. The camera cuts away to a reaction shot of the man who once doubted Peggy's ability to fend for herself, now stunned and quite afraid of what she might do to him. A follow shot is then taken as the scared man looks for Agent Carter (she disappeared) to create suspense: the viewers are waiting to see how the scene will play out, if Carter will succeed. After pausing for a moment we see Peggy's hand holding a pistol to the man's head in a close-up shot. This shot helps viewers feel a sense of relief for their protagonist. Reaching her goal with great triumph, the clip stops, leaving the audience hoping all turns out well for Peggy and yearning to know what awaits her.
The film begins with a voiceover of Peggy speaking to Steve while the Marvel logo is displayed across the screen. Their conversation continues as the characters are shown at eye level. We can tell that there is some sort of issue when we hear how Peggy and her partner speak as if they are saying goodbye forever. When the camera shows their faces at eye level it can be seen that Agent Carter is clearly upset by Steve's stubbornness in going through with whatever it may be that causes their separation, but when the film jump cuts to a close-up of Steve placing a picture of Peggy in front of him, it becomes evident that he fears what's to come. In the close shot of Steve looking at Peggy's photo, the audience is able to see his pain, not only because he will not see her again, but because of the hurt he knows he is causing the woman whom he seems to have a deep connection to. As Steve starts heading downwards in his aircraft we hear a loud air sound that signifies he is moving very fast and possibly crashing, a form of post-synchronization.
After a break of silence from Steve, the scene fades out to a black screen while sad elongated music is played in the back (non-diegetic sound) to show he is gone. Following the fade-out, an establishing shot of New York City appeared on screen to let the viewers know the next scene will take place at a different time, most likely without Steve. Taking place in what appears to be the mid-1900s, the office workers are clothed in plain suits (mostly men) and Agent Carter wears an updo from the period as part of her costume to further indicate the date of which the scene takes place (setting). In such a dull and poorly lit workspace far in the back, the actress's blocking emphasizes the extremely sexist environment that is the mid-1900s. Peggy is portrayed as a loner who minds her own business, completes her tasks, and does not complain even though she seems to be annoyed by her boss, who finds her incapable of conducting any fieldwork as she is not a man.
Left to look over some project her boss assigned, Peggy is in the building when the phone rings. Since she does not usually answer the phone and no one is around, the author closes in on the phone and then on Agent Carter to build suspense. Will she stand up and answer the phone or will she leave the building knowing she could handle the situation herself. The choker shots of Carter from different angles creates tension as the viewers wait to hear what the man on the phone said as well as for what the character was to do with this newfound information. The close-up of Agent Carter crossing out the recommended amount of agents creates happiness and excitement for the viewers who, at this point, are probably rooting for her.
Upon arrival to the Zodiac's hideout, sound mixing of songs that are obviously from the mid-1900s is played to further establish the time period. Once the men noticed Peggy had arrived, Zodiac asks his men to handle what he believes to be a harmless woman. In a close shot we see Peggy has knocked down the glass window and is standing tall and confident, a new side of her that has not been seen before. The camera cuts away to a reaction shot of the man who once doubted Peggy's ability to fend for herself, now stunned and quite afraid of what she might do to him. A follow shot is then taken as the scared man looks for Agent Carter (she disappeared) to create suspense: the viewers are waiting to see how the scene will play out, if Carter will succeed. After pausing for a moment we see Peggy's hand holding a pistol to the man's head in a close-up shot. This shot helps viewers feel a sense of relief for their protagonist. Reaching her goal with great triumph, the clip stops, leaving the audience hoping all turns out well for Peggy and yearning to know what awaits her.
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