Cinema Obscure

I am obsessed with coverage in scenes; always breaking them down and seeing how they were put together.  

Fatal Attraction is a contemporary thriller I have always loved. It touches on one of the more scary aspects of infidelity. Before looking at the scene breakdown, read the transcript (I could not find the screenplay online) and imagine how you would shoot this.

How many set ups would you do ?

How many cuts in the editing room would you apply?

How would you block this ?

How would you change the axis line, if at all ?

And most surprisingly, look for the LINE CROSS. Most filmmakers at this level just don’t understand this rule. Here, you will see not only where the line is crossed, but why it works.

*** Here, we not only see the talent change our line, which is typical, but we see a deliberate camera cross with a CUT. ***

Don’t think it is lazy or ignorant filmmaking. You can be positive the filmmaker did it on purpose.

Another fun element is the use of the DUTCH ANGLE. You don’t see too much in films these days, but the DUTCH ANGLE is typically used to show a disorientation during the scene. — De Palma and Scorsese tend to use the DUTCH more than anyone.

READ FIRST !

Alex
So, what can I get you?
I’ve got scotch, vodka.
- I’ve got a nice chablis…

 

Dan
- Cut the shi*, will you?
Just cut it!
I don’t know what you’re up to…
but I’m gonna tell you
it’s gonna stop right now.

 

Alex
No, it’s not gonna stop.
It’s gonna go on and on…
until you face up
to your responsibilities.

 

Dan
What responsibilities?

Alex
I’m pregnant.
I’m going to have our child.

Dan
That’s your choice, honey.
That has nothing to do with me.

Alex
I just wanna be
a part of your life.

 

 Dan
This is the way you do it, huh?
Showing up at my apartment?

Alex
What am I supposed to do?
You won’t answer my calls.
You change your number.
I’m not going to be ignored, Dan!

Dan
You don’t get it.
You just… You don’t get it.

Alex
Don’t you remember our weekend?
I mean, wasn’t that wonderful?
Why can’t we just
be like that again?
I know you feel it too.
I mean, what are you so afraid of?

Dan
Hey, don’t flatter yourself.

Alex
Go ahead, hit me.
If you can’t poo poo me, just hit me.

Dan
You’re so sad. Do you know that?
You’re lonely and very sad.

Alex
Don’t you ever pity me,
you smug bastard.

Dan
I’ll pity you,
because you’re sick.

Alex
Why? Because I won’t allow you
to treat me like some slut…
you can just bang a couple times
and throw in the garbage?
I’m gonna be
the mother of your child.
I want a little respect.

Dan
You want respect?

Alex
- Respect.
- What are you doing?
Please don’t go.
I didn’t mean it. I’m sorry.
I’ll tell your wife.

Dan
You tell my wife, I’ll kill you.

Alex
It only takes a phone call!

SETUPS: 11
CUTS: 31