Frame by Frame

Composition produces meaning thousands of times per film. But what can we say about the patterns of composition that go across films? How can we describe the effects of compositional style? Let's just think about the Coen Brothers...

Check out a much more comprehensive selection here. Think about these questions:

What stands out about the composition in these films?

Can you tell which compositions are meant to be comedic, and if so, how? 

Look at the very different ways the Coens can portray similar settings in different ways.

How do they use long shots of characters?

What about extreme long shots? Close ups? Extreme close ups?

In short, how would you describe the visual style of this famous duo?

Look around the site! Does looking at your favorite films broken into compositions like this help you re-read them in a productive way?