In Bruge

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The movies In Bruges and The Station Agent share a technique utilized by many other films known as a medium close-up. The textbook, Looking at Movies: An Introduction to Film, defines a medium close-up as a shot that, “shows a character from approximately the middle of the chest to the top of the head.” This type of shot can often give the audience more information about a character than a traditional close-up shot. The observer is able to see the actor’s posture along with his or her facial expressions. The shot gives the viewer more context within the scene, and it can deepen his or her relationship with the character. Although a cinematographer can use a medium close-up shot for any number of reasons, I believe the two scenes from The Station Agent and In Bruges use this shot to develop their characters. In Bruges employs a medium close-up while the two main characters are being introduced. As they float down a canal in Bruges, the camera executes a shot and a reverse shot between Ken and Ray. This scene is one of the very first interactions the audience sees, and it occurs within the first five minutes of the movie. The exposition period is critical because it …show more content…

This type of shot can be used for a multitude of reasons including introducing characters or dismissing them from the movie. By giving the audience a look into the sentiments of a character, he or she can connect to the character on a deeper level. The scenes lend themselves to showing the audience character development. Without the introductory scene in In Bruges, it may have taken the audience longer to understand the main characters’ personalities and motivations. Without the scene in The Station Agent, the viewer would not get the chance to appreciate how much Fin has grown as a character and as a human being. The shots add to the overall impact of both

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