Shot by Shot Analysis of The Big Sleep PDF

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Summary

film analysis ...

Description

Shot-by-shot analysis of The Big Sleep (Howard Hawks, 1941) KEY: CU = close up 2S = two shot

MS = medium shot RS = reverse shot

LS = long shot OS = over-the-shoulder shot

Shot No

Description of shot

Soundtrack

Function of shot in narrative

Transition to next shot

1

MS. Camera pans right to follow Marlowe leave the room.

None.

We learn that Marlowe is on his way to go out because he is holding his coat and hat.

Cut. Match on Action.

2

LS. 2S. Interior. Grand Hall. As Marlowe leaves the room, he sees the butler walking towards him.

Dialogue between Marlowe and the Butler.

Establishes the interior of the location.

Dissolve

Sounds of Footsteps Camera pans left to follow the butler and Marlowe walking.

Non-diagetic ‘’mood music’’ plays after the characters finish talking.

3

CU. ‘’Hollywood Public Library’’ sign. Camera slightly tracks forward for an even closer look.

Music Continues.

Establishes place where next scene takes place.

Dissolve.

4

CU. Chapter title page in a book. Camera zooms out to show two hands writing a note on top of the page.

Same.

Makes us curious – Who is writing the note? What does it say? What is the book about?

Cut.

5

MS. Marlowe is the person writing the note.

Music continues in the background. Sound effects of paper rustling, book closing and footsteps.

This shows that Marlowe is returning the book

Cut. Match on Action.

When he gets up and walks to the counter, the camera tracks back into a LS and pans right. 6

MS. 2S. Marlowe returns the book back to the librarian.

Dialogue between Marlowe and the librarian.

As we watch Marlowe and the Librarian have a conversation, we know what book Marlowe is looking for.

Dissolve.

7

LS. Camera slowly tracks backward to follow Marlowe walking down the street and

Music. Footsteps of Marlowe and other people walking around him.

What is the store? Does it have something that Marlowe is looking for?

Cut. Match on Action

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stops by a store. 8

MS. Marlowe stands outside the store to put his sunglasses on. Pans right as he enters the store

Same.

A closer look at the store shows us that it is a book store.

Cut. Match on Action.

9

MS. Marlowe enters the store. Camera pans right when he walks towards Agnes Lowzier. Becomes a 2S.

Music fades as Bell on door chimes. Marlowe’s footsteps. Marlowe asks Agnes if she sells a book he is looking for.

Shows interior of the store and introduces the assistant Agnes. Marlowe seems agitated when he enquires about a book while Agnes seems calm.

Cut.

10

MS. OS. Marlowe to Agnes.

Dialogue between Marlowe & Agnes about the book.

Same.

Cut.

11

MS.RS. OS Agnes to Marlowe.

Same.

Same.

Cut.

12

MS. RS. OS Marlowe to Agnes.

Same.

Same.

Cut.

13

MS. 2S. Marlowe & Agnes.

Same. Doorbell chimes off screen which stops the conversation.

Sarcasm and annoyance from Agnes when Marlowe asks if she sells books. When the doorbell chimes, the characters look to the left off screen, making the audience wonder who has entered the shop.

Cut. Eye line Match.

14

MS. Another customer enters the store.

None.

Shows the person who has entered the shop that the characters were looking at.

Cut.

15

MS. 2S. Marlowe & Agnes. As Marlowe is leaves the store, the camera pans left to follow him.

Sound of Door closes off screen.

Agnes gestures to the old man when Marlowe is not looking. This could assume that Agnes is hiding something from Marlowe. Marlowe is about to leave to find another bookstore.

Cut.

Sounds of Footsteps and buzzer. Dialogue between Marlowe and Agnes continues. When Marlowe opens the door, the bell chimes again.

16

MS. Agnes.

Dialogue

Agnes responds to Marlowe’s question Annoyed with Marlowe.

Cut.

17

MS. Marlowe leaves the store and shuts the door.

Dialogue

Marlowe thanks Agnes.

Cut.

18

MS. Marlowe outside the store.

Music starts as Marlowe closes

We see Marlowe looking worried as he takes

End.

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the door. Sounds of people walking in the street.

his sunglasses off. Leaves the street to find another place.

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