Sequence Analysis

This clip taken from The Bourne Identity a movie directed by Doug Liman and released in 2002. With the movie being released within the past ten years the movie is consequently within the action genre which involves a lot of fighting running and jumping out of buildings, in this case action conventions are used to increase the box-office audience and appeal to the audience who like action films.

In this clip numerous cinematic and dramatic choices are made to ensure a successful platform for the film, in this particular case the focus of this analysis is solely on both cinematography and sound. The clip is taken from the climax of the film therefore there is a wide variety of shots for the viewer to assess accordingly.

At the beginning of the clip an extreme long shot/ establishing shot from a high angle is used to set the scene as the shot has just cut from one scene to another; this ensures the viewer is aware of what is going on at all times during the film. The camera then pans slowly from left to right and then a descending crane shot is used to allow the viewers focus to be on Jason Bourne as he exits the building, in my opinion it makes Jason Bourne look small and also vulnerable. A mid-shot is then used on Jason Bourne while he is on the phone, i think this was used to make him look more vulnerable as he looks very nervous. This could also suggest that the phone call he is having is important and/or could have key information relevant to the scene and/or movie. The shot shows the character holding a red bag, the mise-en-scene of the bag is to show danger because the red bag is the prop that the scene is based upon as they want to take it from him, also the red phone in my opinion shows a sense of alert and that he is always looking out for danger.

During these shots both diegetic and non-diegetic sound is used to also set the scene and to create pathetic fallacy by altering the viewers emotions with sound techniques. Diegetic sound is used by the background music being played from the beginning of the scene, this track has a fast tempo which causes the viewer to feel tense and suspense is built which suggests that something is about to happen and the scene is going to be quite fast paced. Non-diegetic sound is also, for example when the car horns sound and also during the characters phone call.

Next a point of view shot is used when the male character looks at the law enforcement official standing on the opposite side of the road, i think that this could suggest that he is in some kind of danger or has conflict with the authorities and is trying to avoid them. This could hint at the cause behind the use of the fast-tempo diegetic sound and the multiple point of view shots used and could also infer what is going to happen next in the clip.

Next a long shot is used, then a backward tracking shot on Jason Bourne is used which switches to a forward tracking shot after about 5 seconds. Most of clip is fast paced and is a hand held camera which adds a sense of realism to the clip and draws you into the film more.

The camera then pans from left to right and then back as the ambulances speed past with a mid-shot focused on the vehicles during which non-diegetic sound is used and the volume is increased which drowns out the background music to ensure the viewers attention is focused solely on the scene and to keep them intrigued.

In the next shot Jason Bourne is shown crossing the street after the camera is focused on a mid-shot of a group of police officers/security guards, within this shot a train is approaching as he crosses the road but he pays no attention to the oncoming danger and narrowly misses being hit by the train, in my opinion this shows that he's a professional and know exactly what he's doing. Non-diegetic sound is also used within the shot of the sound of the train which is also elevated in volume to engage the viewer and also to ensure they are fully aware of the danger the character is in. Furthermore, as Jason ignores the train this could suggest at the potentially life-threatening danger he is already in or suggests he has heightened senses which allowed him to be able to time it perfectly without being hit and/or gives the impression that he is so distracted by whatever he is currently doing or thinking about that he doesn’t even notice the train which therefore indicates at perilous circumstances.

It then tracks him off the screen as the train passes and you can see 2 police officers following him talking on the radios, this enforces to me that he is in danger or is wanted by the police. Then a backward tracking shot is used again and then a point of view shot of approaching police cars which switches back to a backward tracking shot almost immediately during this non-diegetic sound is used for example by his footsteps being heard and also the police sirens, these techniques could be used to give the scene a more realistic atmosphere and to make the viewer feel like they are actually with the character which influences their emotions and how engaged they are with the movie.

A close-up shot on his passport is then used which could indicate that this particular shot plays a large role within the clip and also could suggest the danger he is currently in is so intense that he is forced to attempt to leave the country he is in to escape it. 

We then see a reputation of point of view shots that give a sense of unease and makes me feel more tension. It keeps showing the same woman that he is looking at, this could mean that she is going to take a big part in the film. 

When a mid-shot is used on the female character and the long duration of the shot suggests that what she is saying is key information to the movie and/or she will playa large role either within the scene or the film as a whole. Furthermore, as this is the first time she is being shown in this clip this intrigues the audience and they are now aware that a unknown character has entered the scene therefore this ensures they pay attentionto what the character is doing or saying. 

A reaction shot is then used when a mid-shot of the passing security guards is shown to show the viewer the characters reaction to the guards. Next, a close-up shot on the handcuffs the guard is holding is used with the background music coming to a halt which encourages the viewer to keep their concentration on the oncoming scene as it suggests something big is going to happen.

During the action scene which then occurs numerous cinematic choices are made which all attribute to the fast pace of the shot, these include diegetic sound being used again with fast-tempo backing track being played at a high volume which coincides with the sudden fight outbreak. Also, a birds-eye view shot is used to show the viewer everything that’s going on and this is a shot which is often used during fight scenes. Next, various cuts from shot to shot are made at a fast speed to coincide with the fast pace of the scene and also numerous point of view shots of Jason Bourne are used when he points the gun at various people who attempt to stop him. The lingering pov of Jason pointing the gun at the guards outside of the door could give meaning to the shot as the door could give meaning of an exit which Jason is attempting to find which could therefore lead onto the idea that he wants an escape route/plan out of the situation, life or danger he is currently in. Also it could suggest that he is now going to lead into a different life, or make different lifestyle choices in accordance to the quote from  Alexander Graham Bell  ‘as one door closes another opens’

A point of view shot on the map he is holding is then used to make the viewer aware of the character’s intentions and to again contribute a realistic element to the shot which also keeps the audience engaged.

During this scene I felt tense and the atmosphere was suspenseful as I wasn’t sure what was going to happen next and also I was aware of the danger his life was now in, when the close-up shot of the soldiers collecting the machine guns was shown this caused a dramatic atmosphere which allowed me to feel like I was there in the scene with the characters and therefore when the next diegetic sound used it had more of an impact on me.

Next,  the long shot which is used to show the audience how high up the character is and then a close-up shot of his boots while he attempts to scale the roof shows the viewer the instability of the railing and therefore the danger his life is now in. This could also link to the idea of the instability of his life currently and the other threat which is being projected by the oncoming group of soldiers wielding machine guns.

The lingering point of shot which is then used to show his bag falling to the ground into the snow causes an emotional impact on the viewer as it makes them aware of the sheer drop that could have been Jason Bourne’s body falling from instead of his bag. Non-diegetic sound is also used during this shot when the bag hits the ground which also emphasizes the narrowly missed danger.

A low-angle long shot is then used to show Jason Bourne reacting to how high up he is from the ground, this could angle could also have been used to assert dominance and to make him appear more powerful and/or in control of the situation.

Non-diegetic sound is used when the soldiers slam the door to emphasize the ending of the danger, although in this case it’s perhaps the ending of only one of the dangers he is facing and then an extreme long shot from a low angle facing from the left is used to display Jason attempting to scale across the side of the building.

In the final shot a pan from the right to left is used to shown Jason Bourne picking up his bag and then walking away from the building with a long-shot camera technique.

Overall, the scene is action-packed and allows the viewer to constantly feel included therefore it gives a realistic projection onto the audience and furthermore this would lead to an increase in box-office sales allowing encouragement to a wider audience to view the movie as the increase in box-office would generate media attention namely in the most influential media platform, social media.