Blog #3

For this blog post I will be analyzing this scene in The Social Network (2010).  I will only be looking at the first minute and a half of the clip.

This movie does a great job editing its shot to maintain continuity but also, breaking continuity with scenes depicting a flash back and then flashing forward to present day. The first minute and a half of this clip is able to effectively show this. The flashback and flash forwards to present day does not take the viewer away from the plot because it is essential in understanding the plot and the scene shows is already a very tense one. The tension in the scenes keeps the viewer engaged even if there is a cut to an entirely different set and time. The clip starts with two characters on the table during a tense meeting with lawyers. The editing choice made in this scene follows the 180 degree rule. Jesse Eisenberg is always to the right and truly shows the tension between them. The scene then uses a jumpcut to flashback as Eduardo (Garfields character) remembers a past event. Using panning, the scene follows continuity rules by showing Eduardo's movement as he first walks in instead of a cut to the front of his body then a cut to the back of his body looking over the office. Eduardo is seen looking from right to left and then there is a cut to the camera panning from right to left of the office. This would be a point of view shot. The film then has another jumpcut to present day (and continually does this a few more times during the clip). The jump cut to present day show an editing choice of eyeline matching. The scene with the lawyers are medium shots of multiple characters all with matching eye levels. The 180 degree rule is always followed in these scenes.
Continuing on with the clip, there is a jumpcut back to the past where Eduardo is being called into an office. The problem here is the office is far away and there needs to be a shot of Eduardo walking to the office but it would look odd if he was walking to the office and the camera was pointed at his back. So in order to change this and keep continuity, there is a quick close up shot of Eduardo's face where he acknowledges be called into the office and then there is a cut to Eduardo walking into the office with the camera facing the front of his body. There is a shot of Sean looking into the distance then seeing Eduardo in the office. This would be another point of view shot and showing that this meeting is being watched by Facebook's employees, especially Sean. In the office with Eduardo and the lawyer, the 180 degree and eye line matching is followed. Eduardo is angry at Mark so he looks out and sees Mark at his desk. This would be a POV shot from Eduardo's perspective. There is a medium tracking shot of Eduardo as he rushes towards Mark. Now, the next scene is when Eduardo breaks Mark's laptop. However, to convey this, a long shot of Andrew is needed. A cut to this would look odd because it is not following the 20degree- 30 rule. The editor made a choice to cut to a close up of Sean's face and then the long shot.

That is what I was able to analyze in this short clip. This clip shows the great editing work done in production. These are things that after practice, someone just becomes so experienced in. The movie's editing choices were great and were able to keep the viewers engaged without breaking continuity. When continuity was broken, such as a jumpcut to a flashback, the continuity rules were followed throughout the scenes in the flashback.