GW- Shot by Shot analysis of Donnie Darko sequence

The clip from Donnie Darko is very useful, as we want to create a slightly surreal conversation between the two characters, the use of shots helped to build up a certain atmosphere that would be interesting to capture

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Camera	Duration	Mise-en-scene	Camera Effect	Soundtrack
Pedding down, Establishing Shot	0.00-0.08 (8 Seconds)	The old fashioned cinema showing only horror films, creates a timelessness to the situation, whilst maintaining a sense of foreboding, because of the scary movies.	It creates a fluid scene change, demonstrating the change in time.	Creepy music creates a sense of foreboding.
(Same shot) à long shot	0.08-0.14 (6 Seconds)	The male takes charge, leading the girl by the hand, purchasing the tickets- which agrees with the hegemonic ideology that men are providers. They are dressed casually, as is typical of youth.	It establishes the scenario- a date at the cinema, without showing specifics of their situation as expression is not shown, making it relatable.	The sound becomes purely diegetic, with normality restored, as Donnie requests two tickets.
Arc Shot	0.15-0.32 (17 Seconds)	The change to low key lighting emphasises the change of location, but could also create a greater sense of mystery, as creatures loom in the dark. It shows that the cinema is empty, creating a sense of unease.	Demonstrates location, and highlights the couple as being a key part of the scene.	At first only diegetic sound of the film is heard, then the sound of heavy footsteps or banging is amplified to build up tension.
Close up	0.33-0.36 (3 Seconds)	The character blocking in the close up highlights the unimportance of the girl, as she is asleep. The non-verbal language of the protagonist suggests that he is a little on edge.	The girl is kept in the edge of the shot, centralising the protagonist, to highlight that he is prevalent.	The sounds continue, with the added sound of a long being pulled back, which could represent the opening of Donnie’s twisted mind. Creepy music becomes more prominent, it almost seems choral, or religious.
Cutaway/POV?	0.37-0.42 (5 seconds)	The film is shown on the screen, it is low budget and special effects are bad, suggesting an earlier time period of filmmaking. The emptiness of the theatre is once again shown.	The angle of the shot is slightly canted, either to reduce the normality or symmetry of the shot, or because it is a POV from the protagonist’s perspective.	Sound continues
Close up	0.43-0.52 (9 seconds)	The character’s non-verbal language shows that something out of shot has changed, a sardonic smirk makes it seem discomfiting.	It highlights the expression of the boy, as he is centre shot.	The protagonist speaks, calling the ‘buuny suit’ stupid. Questioning Frank. His voice is not normal.
Midshot 3shot	0.53-1.00 (7 seconds)	Frank is shown. His costume looks demonic and creepy, forcing a sense of foreboding. Character blocking suggests that he is sneaky, as he is positioned slightly behind.		The response is whispered in low, husky tones, ‘why are you wearing that stupid man suit?’, creating unease and making the creature seem absurd.
Alternates between: Two shot (close up) of protagonist Close up of Frank	1.01-1.26 15 secs 10secs	This is a conversation. The fact that the woman is asleep suggests that it may not be real, as nobody else can confirm that it is. The mask is shown in greater detail, and is more terrifying	The approximate eyeline match on these shots gives the sense of a conversation. The length of these shots overall highlights this as a key part of the scene.	Very little is said, it is mainly reactions- music still continues. Donnie tells the rabbit to ‘take it off’ in hushed, sinister voice. This creates yet more unease.
Midshot	1.27-1.30 (3 seconds)	Shows the screen again.	Re-establishes the vague normality and continuing time within the location.
Alternates between: Two shot (close up) of protagonist Close up of Frank	1.31-2.34 35secs 28secs	In these shots Frank removes his head, and is revealed to be a young man with long hair. This gives him a more human, realistic quality. Long hair is often linked to a disenfranchised youth. The characters both stare at the cinema screen, suggesting a coldness between them or poor social skills or malevolence (as underground deals are often shown in this manner). The protagonist seems worried in expression. The makeup, with the bloody eye, suggests problems in Frank’s being.	The shots are static, could be pov or eyeline matches, if the characters were not staring in a different direction, it cements the conversation and applies the 180 degree rule.	The dialogue is ambiguous, with Donnie seeming very innocent and confused, gaining him sympathy. Franks speaks in a more matter of fact, yet mysterious way, never fully explaining anything. Vocal music continues- reminiscent of a séance.
Cutaway Long Shot	2.35-2.42 (7 seconds)	The cinema screen becomes a portal, which makes the audience understand that it is not real- it is psychologically disturbed.
Two Shot	2.43-2.46 (3 seconds)	The protagonist is still the only character with expression or change in this shot. He looks up mesmerised by what he is shown- he looks happier.	The shot allows the change in expression to be clearly shown.
Close Up	2.47-2.48(1 second)	The character also looks intrigued, but his focus shows that he is more in control.		‘Have you ever seen a portal?’ is whispered, allowing the audience to understand what is going on.
Cutaway Long Shot	2.49-2.54 (5 seconds)	The screen is shown with the portal. The movie on the cinema screen has a pendulum obscuring the shot, suggesting that Donnie’s time is running out.	The shot matches previous shots, but the portal now present demonstrates a shift in the lead’s perception of reality.	The sound of a pendulum swinging is amplified to build up suspense.
Two Shot	2.55-2.58 (3 seconds)	The character is still intrigued, his breathing is heaver, highlighting the fact he is filled with anticipation- it makes the audience more curious, as they are encouraged to relate to him.
Cutaway	2.59-3.06 (7 seconds)	The portal dissolves the cinema screen, to show Donnie’s house. This is a foreshadowing, but the image itself seems to be in realtime. This represents the plans that the characters have. It suspends reality.		A bell rings and non-diagetic sound is added in to show the portal dissolving. It suggests that time is up, the hour of reckoning has come.
Close Up	3.07-3.08 (1 second)	This brief shot concludes the psychotic episode, with a tense expression.		‘Burn it to the Ground’ is said harshly by Frank, it is an order, and finalises the sense that Donnie is going to do something bad.
Midshot	3.09-3.16 (7 seconds)	The cinema is shown with the two original characters alone again.	The slight pan shows a change from static shots used in conversation.-contrast between mental instability and reality.	Music and choral voices slow down a little, almost seeming to show pity for the boy. They are melancholy.
Two Shot	3.17-3.28 (11 seconds)	He puts his hood up, suggesting that he is about to go out. The black hood could be linked to the grim reaper. For the first time since before the conversation, he looks at his date, with a slightly worried expression- perhaps he may lose her? There is conflict.		“  ”
Midshot followed by ped up	3.29-3.45 (16 seconds)	Back outside the cinema as in the first shot, but on the other side of the ticket booth. The character walks out slowly, looking focused, towards the camera. He seems a little shifty, making the audience question his actions. Donnie zips us the hoodie further, which could suggest that it is cold, or he feels vulnerable. He smiles at the end of the shot, creating a perverse sense of joy within the criminal behaviour- the character is less relatable and less likeable. The title of the film ‘The last temptation of christ’ suggests that frank may have been the devil, trying to tempt a well behaved person into darkness	The shot is a reversal of the first shot- opposite side of the booth, watching the character walk away from the cinema, before a ped up ( as opposed to down as before) to re-establish location.	The sound fades as Donnie leaves the shot, it is calmer- suggesting that Donnie has reasoned with himself to quell the offbeat anticipation- could suggest that he is more dangerous.