Screening Checklist

The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

1.         Determine whether or not the cinematographic aspects of the film—the qualities of the film stock, lighting, lenses, framing, angles, camera movement, and use of long takes—add up to an overall look. If so, try to describe its qualities.                                                                                                                                                             -The film does seem to achieve an overall look. There are lots of long takes, and because of the extensive use of the POV shots, and the individual whose view it is, many of the scenes are slightly out of focus and framed in a way that makes it so that you can’t see every thing that is going on. For example, much of a person’s face may be out of the frame.

 2.        Take note of moments in the film in which the images are conveying information that is not reflected in characters’ action and dialogue. How do these images develop the film’s themes, narrative, and meaning?                                                                                                                                                                               – There are a couple of scenes that do this very well. The first is a scene in which Mr. Bauby is shown suspended underwater encased in a diving suit. This image is actually shown several times throughout the film. The second is a scene that shows Mr. Bauby in his wheelchair, sitting on a small square platform in the ocean, surrounded by waves. Both of these scenes serve to illustrate his feeling of being trapped, unable to move.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

3.         Pay close attention to the length of shots in the film. Is there a recognizable pattern? Are long takes used? To what extent? For what purpose?                                                                                                                                    – There are quite a few long shots and long takes in this film. In fact most of the scenes with Mr. Bauby use these techniques, which is fitting given that he is completely paralyzed (except for his left eye) and thus spends a lot of time sitting in one place, and the camera reflects that. There are also entire scenes that are shot exclusively from his point of view. So for minutes at a time you see everything from one camera angle that never changes.

3.           Keep track of instances in which the film uses shots other than the medium shot (MS)—for instance, extreme close-ups (ECUs) or extreme long shots (ELSs). What role are these shots playing in the film?                                                                                                                                                                                                       –There are several extreme close-up shots in the film, and most of them focus on Mr. Bauby’s left eye. These shots focus on the only part of his body that that he has any control over, and which he uses to communicate. These shots emphasize the fact that his eye is perhaps the most important part of his body. 

4.         Are high- or low-angle shots used in the film? Are they POV shots, meant to represent a character’s point of view? If so, what does the angle convey about that character’s state of mind? If not, what does it convey about the person or thing in the frame?                                                                                                                                   – The majority of the low and high angle shots in the film are used during the scenes that take place before Mr. Bauby was paralyzed. These shots convey more of a sense of movement and freedom, than the shots that take place after his stroke.

5.         Are the compositions of shots balanced in a way that conforms to the rule of thirds, or are the elements within the frame arranged in a less “painterly” composition? In either case, try to describe how the composition contributes to the scene overall.                                                                                                                                    – There are of course shots in the film that do adhere to the rule of thirds. But the shots that stand out are the many POV shots. These are definitely much less “painterly” as they are composed of whatever happens to be within the view of his left eye. These shots serve to give the viewer an idea of what his life is like.                                                                                                                                                                                                               

6.         Describe the extent of camera movement in the film. Is the camera moving solely to produce visual excitement? To demonstrate technological virtuosity on the part of the filmmaker? Does it play an important role in developing the film’s narrative?                                                                                                                                        – The camera movement plays a large role in developing the narrative of this film. During the POV scenes it helps to communicate what Mr. Bauby is feeling. For instance if he rolls his eye or looks away from someone, the camera moves accordingly.

7.         Note when the cinematography calls attention to itself. Is this a mistake or misjudgment on the filmmakers’ parts, or is it intentional? If intentional, what purpose is served by making the cinematography so noticeable?                                                                                                                                                                           – The cinematography calls attention to it’s self whenever it changes to Mr. Bauby’s POV. This is obviously intentional, as it let’s the viewer know that once again they are seeing things from his point of view. When this happens, the framing changes, things become more out of focus, and the camera moves around a lot more.