When Jake (performed by Robert De Niro)
walks into the ring, a long tracking shot is used from filming in front of him.
It is in eye level and medium shot is used. This conveys the continuity and
pace he walks to the ring, which suggests his confidence as we can tell by his
facial expressions. Also, this scene is shot in selective focus to put the
audience’s attention on Jake. It suggests that he is the ‘star of the show’ and
everyone besides him is not important. By blurring the faces of his supporters
behind him, a sense of ignorant is shown and it suggests that Jake doesn’t pay
any attention to them as he wants to concentrate on the competition; however,
it could perhaps show how snobbish he is as he sees them as unimportant.
Moreover, the camera changes from shooting in front of him to following behind
him. This is significant as it could imply that the audience is one of his
supporters and it reinforces the pace he walks to the ring, which is fast and
hard to catch up with.
Telephoto lens is used when Jake enters the
ring, as the movements would seem to be faster and sharper. This helps to
create the tense and exciting atmosphere of the competition. It also allows the
audience to feel the movement more vibrantly. Furthermore, panning is used when
the judge points at Jake in order to show the connection between the two as the
judge is the one who decides the outcome of the competition. It also conveys
the attention of the audience, which is from the judge to Jake. Moreover, the
close-up shot both on the judge and Jake emphasises the concentration of the
audience as they are all focused onto those people. The close-up suggests
tension as we only see their faces but not their surroundings. On the other hand,
the medium close-up used to shoot Jake’s wife shows that he only pays attention
to her out of all the audiences. This could convey their close relationship and
also could be a hint of his jealousy over her, as he is always observing her
and who she’s with.
During the fight, the vibrant movements of
the boxers are emphasised by the use of medium long shot, which shows most
parts of their bodies. Some shots are done in eye level but worm’s eye is also
implemented to show their facial expressions and slightly distorted faces. This
shows their exhaustion and intensity of the fight. Moreover, medium close-up is
used to shoot Jake as the fight pauses. This creates tension and emphasises how
tired he is as we see him breathing deeply and sweating heavily. The ring is
presented as a very intense and tight space by a high angle shot. This again
reinforces the intensity of the fight and the nervousness of not only the
boxers, the judge but the audience as well.
Through the canted angle used after the
fight, extreme exhaustion of Jake is emphasised as well as the sweat on his
body. It shows that he took this fight seriously and how hard he fought. Slow
motion is used afterwards, when the judge is walking towards him to tell him
the result of the fight. The slow motion helps to build up tension and trick
the audience’s curiosity as we all want to know the outcome. Moreover, the
moment when Jake knows he wins is presented in a more dramatic way by slow
motion.
Lastly, in the celebration scene, the
camera tilts from shooting Jake’s belt to him raising his hands above him,
showing his victory. This is used to emphasise the massive belt he wins which
is seem as bigger than him in this shot and this conveys how important this
victory is to him. Nonetheless, extreme close-up is used as well to show Jake’s
facial expression which is rather overwhelmed. Also, this method is used to
shoot the cameras flashing light on Jake too. The flash lights are so bright
and somehow irritating but it suggests Jake’s glorious victory as well as
letting the audience empathise with Jake when facing all the ‘fame’. The angle
used is mostly eye level but also there are some low angle shots, they convey
that Jake is ‘taller’ than us and probably suggest a higher in status as he
wins the fight. The light shines on him is also emphasised which reminds us of
the fame he has and also his happiness.
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