HW 3b - Existing film continuity sequence analysis (BLK)

Casablanca (1942) "Are my eyes brown" Scene

This infamous scene from the timeless classic, Casablanca, shows nightclub owner Rick Blaine speaking with Lazlo in a bar, discussing his mysterious past.

In total there are 19 shots:

1: Establishing shot of the club/bar.

2: LS to show main character Rick and other important characters

3: MCU on character

4: MLS on the characters talking
5: Over the shoulder shot of the four characters speaking
6: Over the shoulder shot of Rick being spoken to.

7: Over the shoulder shot of the four characters speaking

8: Over the shoulder shot of Rick being spoken to.

9:Over the shoulder shot of Rick speaking to a character

10: MCU of Rick's reaction

11: MCU up of character speaking

12: MCU of Rick's reaction

13: Over the shoulder shot of the four characters speaking

14: Over the shoulder shot of Rick being spoken to
15: Over the shoulder shot of the characters

16: MCU of Rick's reaction

17: MCU of character speaking

18: Over the shoulder shot of Rick's reaction and dialogue

19: MCU of characters reaction.

This sequence is a great example of how continuity techniques help create a smooth narrative flow. For example:

• Shot-reverse-shot is used when Rick is speaking with the other characters, we get the other the shoulder shot as we see a character speaking and then a reversed version of this when we see the other characters response, this helps to create narrative flow as it makes the dialogue appear much smoother, also it emphasizes the character response.

• Shot 2 & 3 use eyeline match between the characters sitting down and Rick standing up, this improves the narrative flow as it makes it seem like even though a character is not in the shot, and may not have even been there when the scene was shot, the character seems to be there.

• The shot-reverse-shot technique plays a vital role in improving the narrative flow of the sequence as it creates a sense of fluidity as the shots bounce back and forward, shots 5-19 all take advantage of the technique.

• The 30 degree rule is used as although shot 2 & shot 4 are similar, it still flows smoothly due to the change in angle, this also highlights Rick's importance to the film as he remains the center of both shots.