Finding Visual Techniques - Life is Beautiful

key words/focus:
camera angle (low, high, eye-level), vectors, lighting, composition

(4:20) How are camera angles used when Joshua says 'Thank you' (not in German)? Which angles are used to view each of the characters? What does each of these angle signify?


When the camera focuses on Giosue, they use a low angel shot, and when the camera is focused on the German Waiter, a high angle shot is being used. this is because when a high angle shot is used a it shows the innocence of Giosue and the irony of how he gets in trouble for big polite. A low angle shot is used on the waiter as it shows his power over Giosue.

(4:45) What shot distance and angle is used to show Guido's concern for Joshua when the German waiter leaves the room? Describe the composition)


An eye level shot is being used to show the concern on Guido's face fo rGiosue

(4:46) How is shot of Guido contrasted to the shot of the German waiter walking away to tell someone what has just happened? Describe the composition and compare it to the previous shot of a concerned Guido.


When the Nazi walks down the hallway we see very straight geometry, the strait door frame, the lights are in perfect order, and even the line separating the light green from the dark green is perfectly straight, and when he walks down the hall way he walks right in the center of the hall way. Where as when we see Guido his surroundings are less symmetrical to the hallway, he his much more emotive than the German soldier who stands strait up with no emotion.

(5:02-05) How is the shot of the German's contrasted to that of Guido teaching the children to say 'Thank You'?


The Germans are stiff and rigid with their hands behind their back and no emotion on their faces, where as guido is moving about, moving his hands, with emotion on his face looking more enthusiastic than the soldiers.
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HW: How are visual techniques utilised to evoke empathy from the audience and clearly delineate (indicate) who are the heros, villains, and victims in this scene?