Screening Checklist

Overall Look:
     The film "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" has a very unique overall look than other films. Most of the movie is shot from the view of Jean, the paralyzed main actor. Many camera and lighting effects are used to try and give us a feeling of what the main character is actually going through, and what he sees.

Images:
     In the film, there are several cases were the picture will suddenly change to what appears to be memories of the main character. Some of them also seem to be nightmares. These images in the film help to paint a bigger picture for the viewer. They show you what is going on in the main characters mind. This is something that we cannot see otherwise.

Shot Lengths:
     The shot lengths vary in the movie. Most of the shots that are showing you the view of the main character are very long shots. They pan around the room and show you what he is seeing. Then there are the other shots that allow you to see what the main character looks like. These shots are a little shorter and give you a few more angles.

Shot Types:
     The film uses many ECU's. The use of extreme close-ups in this film are to show the viewer what the main character sees. The nurses and doctors usually get really close to Jean in order to try and communicate with him and we get to see what these other characters look like from his perspective.

Camera Angles:
     Camera Angles are used a lot in this film. As I have mentioned several times. The film is mainly shot from the view of Jean's left eye. The camera movies in various ways to try and mimic the movement of an eye. This camera movement gives a very unique feel to the movie.

Composition:
     I think that the composition of this film is a little less painterly simply because the film is trying to give you the view of the main character. The shots are arranged around what Jean would be seeing.

Camera Movement:
     Camera movement goes hand in hand with the camera angles in this movie. Both are used to accomplish the overall feel.

Cinematography Style:
     I think the film was really good at accomplishing what it was trying to do. The cinematography does not call too much attention to itself other than what was intended.