Notes On Continuity Techniques Used In The Pursuit Of Happiness

I have decided to analyse a clip from 'The Pursuit of Happiness' (interview scene) in order to demonstrate continuity techniques.
[I am analysing from 0:23]

The clip begins with a tracking shot of Will Smith (Chris Gardner) running very quickly. It is a medium close-up and profile shot. He is running down a busy street and this is shown effectively as objects wipe the foreground of the frame, which gives a sense of speed. Despite the fact that it is a busy scene, the camera always keeps the focus on the main character.

There is a good transition into the second shot, which also uses a tracking shot but changes to a long shot. The viewer’s eye is not disturbed as he is still running at the same pace and the area is still busy. This shows good continuity as the audience does not notice a change.

Towards the end of the second shot, it becomes less busy and therefore making it easier on the eye as it cuts to a medium long shot. This shot does not involve as many objects or people but due to a good cut, this goes unnoticed. This shot contrasts to the previous two shots as it is handheld and from behind the character, giving it a sense of urgency and realism. It places the audience in his situation. The framing in this shot is also done effectively, as the camera uses the wall and road to create a feeling of perspective, meaning he is going somewhere and there is a focus point. The lighting has also stayed the same throughout the three different shots, as the sunlight is in front of Chris Gardner.

All throughout these three shots, the feeling of importance and desperation is never lost. This is down to the timing of each cut and the continuity of the shots’ composition and contents. The use of cuts and match on action also add to the pace.

The next shot is a medium shot and despite the fact that he has a different pace, the frantic feeling is not lost. The people in the foreground and background walking at a normal pace emphasises his hurry. The use of a pan and tilt effectively follows his path up the stairs, leading to the building. This emphasises his destination and establishes a change of location.

The next shot is handheld and a medium shot. This is the first time the character and camera come to a stop, as well as the fast paced music. However, similar to the previous shots, this sense of urgency continues to be present. In the build up to this shot, the audience believes that the character has not stopped running. This flow and camera movement shows good continuity. Also the use of shot order throughout this part of the clip takes the audience smoothly through the narrative.

The sixth shot is a huge contrast to the previous shots as it is a big change. There are no props, different lighting, different camera movement and no sound. However, even though these have all changed, that sense of urgency is still conveyed through the use of a close-up shot, the camera tilt and zoom, and the character’s expression. The tilt up and slight zoom of the camera resembles the feeling in a lift. Also the tilt up shows he is still going somewhere and the close-up creates the feeling of pressure and stress. Despite this big change in mise-en-scene, the continuity is still successful from the previous shots.

The next shot is a long shot and contains no camera movement. This represents the passing of time. This contrasts to the other shots where there was the sense of speed and movement; however it still shows stress as he is waiting. This shows that it is still continuous but we have hit a point where he has done all he can and now must wait.

The shot at 1:05 is a close-up profile of the character and shows his expression and hand gesture clearly. The audience concentrate on him mainly, however when the door opens, the attention is diverted to the door which is framed in the centre of the shot and Will Smith goes out of focus.

1:14 uses a tilt up of Chris Gardner, emphasising the fact that he is rising to challenge and is on the move again. He walks towards the camera as a medium shot and exits the frame to the camera’s left. This matched cut changes the shot to an over the shoulder shot as the camera moves behind him; however the timing of the shot causes the cut to go unnoticed by the audience. This change in shot means the audience can see from his perspective as we enter with him and therefore the audience has the same feeling of apprehensiveness. This feeling has been built up by the previous shots which didn’t include much movement or action but have led up to this point and always kept the audience’s attention on the room.

The shot continuing from 1:16 uses a steady-cam. It is 15 seconds of camera movement, following the character as a medium shot. However he is slightly out of focus to draw our attention to the busy and hectic surroundings. Towards the end of this shot, the music becomes noticeable and creates a sense of achievement.

The next shot is a close-up, to show the expression of the character and his reaction to the previous shot. Now he is in focus and the background is out of focus, in order to divert our attention to him. The cut works well as it is a continuation of his movement through the busy place, using a steady-cam but in a reverse direction.

The next shot is a point of view shot, therefore the audience can see what he sees and are placed in his position. The cut is timed well as he looks to the left, this POV matches his view. 1:35 uses another point of view shot. It is still the use of a steady cam but pans right matching his head movement which leads on well to the next shot which uses a steady cam and close up of the character.

There is another POV shot at 1:52 but this time is tracking to the right, which creates the effect of physical movement. This shot is different as there is a change in the setting. The continuation of the previous six shots, which used POV’s and steady cam, lead on well to this new setting.

As he enters the interviewing room, the shots show a conversation between Will Smith and four men. This part of the clip includes shot-reverse-shots, placing the audience in the action. It is also a conversation which is shot over the shoulder to allow both characters to remain in the shot. The 180 degree rule is also considered in this part and it matches on action, allowing the dialogue to flow consistently.

Continuity is good down to well timed cuts and the use of a combination of effective shots. These all create the ‘invisible’ editing which allows the audience to see the narrative clearly and establishes a plausible, professional scene.