Robyn’s Blog

I must admit, I was at first skeptical of Dr. Campbell’s graphs of film shots.  The correlation seemed to be minuscule, at best.  But after really exploring the possibility of the pattern in class, and after watching the actual shots in a scene, I think I understand better what he is talking about.  Though a director probably doesn’t meticulously graph out the cuts of each scene before making a movie, I think there is definitely something to be said about an innate, even instinctual pattern of the cuts of a scene that correspond with the directors intentions for the scene.  There is a definite rhythm to the cuts of each scene.  Each scene has aspects that need to be emphasized and brought out, with longer cuts; whereas quicker shots leave less of an impression on our brain; or give us the feeling of anxiousness or uncertainty.

The idea was brought up in class by Carmen that the rhythm of the shots of a scene was similar to that of a human heartbeat.  I included one here so you can determine the possible correlation for yourselves.  Not to be too hippyish (I’m cringing as I’m saying this because it’s so corny but I’m going to grit my teeth and just put this out there) but maybe our human heartbeat is a microcosm for a deeper rhythm that transcends into other aspects of our lives, such as film shots?  Feel free to mock me as necessary.