How to structure a film still analysis
- Introduction:
a. Introductory sentence: The given film still is taken from the film To Kill a Mockingbird directed by Robert Mulligan in 1962. It illustrates the conflicting attitudes of Atticus and the men towards Tom Robinson’s trial.
b. Short plot summary
- Main part:
a. Description of the film still:
• Setting
• characters
• clothes, props
• body language, posture, and facial expression • lighting
• camera perspective/point of view
b. Description of the scene the film still is taken from:
• setting: The scene the film still is taken form takes place in ...
• summary of scene and contextualization
• atmosphere: What is the atmosphere like? How is the atmosphere created?
c. Analysis:
- Conclusion
• How can the cinematic devices applied in the film still (setting, lighting, camera angle/perspective, point of view, clothes/props, body language, posture, facial expressions ...) be interpreted with respect to (a) certain character(s), the plot/background or a specific topic?
• Example:
First of all, the farmers are shown in the dark and from behind, which underlines the problem of deindividuation, which is a common phenomenon in lynch mobs. Second, the gestures of the one man in the left leaning forward and of the other man in the right holding a rifle suggest that they display an aggressive attitude towards Atticus. It thus becomes obvious that they have not come with good intentions. They represent the dark, racist side of Maycomb.
In contrast to them, Atticus is positioned in the light, almost in the center of the picture in a slightly elevated place (on the porch), which implies that he – unlike the farmers – is “enlightened,” i.e. he is morally and intellectually superior to them. This idea is supported by him wearing glasses and holding a book in his hands, which are symbols of intelligence and wisdom. In addition, the determined look on face combined with his upright posture and elevated position convince the viewer that he will fight the mob. Taking these points into consideration, Atticus represents the hope that racial prejudice and discrimination will be overcome and that justice will be served in Tom Robinson’s trial.