Sequence Analysis

              

     The Great Gatsby film sequence analysis

The sequence starts off with a medium close up of the character Nick, disheveled and looking through a window longingly. This camera angle used shows Nick's character, in the start of the sequence, to look rugged and unkept in an attempt to make the audience question what has put him in this situation, as well as to highlight that he is the sole narrator of the montage that is about to begin, as he is the only character presented at the start of the scene.

The sequence then moves on to focus on the city of New York where it features an extreme long shot of the city and its skyscrapers to show the audience one of the main settings of the film and to get them familiarised with the environment that is going to be featured. As well as this, the high angle view of the shot also indicates that perhaps although this is going to be a main setting in the film, its perhaps not the most important or superior location as it is almost being looked down upon from a higher audience. The brighter lighting used however, does contrast that previously used to introduce Nick, showing that this is a time before perhaps upset and sorrow, and that this presented a hopeful future for the character at the time.

The multiple bits of old footage used within the scene of New York and the stock market profession allows for the audience to understand the time period that the film is based in, as well as to enhance that the views and issues, as well as plot, follow an older view and setting as other films. It makes sure that the audience are prepared for the lively and fast paced energy that New York had to offer in this time and helps build their imagination of the location they're being introduced to.

The high angle shot of Nick used in the scene connotes to the audience that Nick is only a small piece in an extremely huge puzzle that is New York, and makes him look inferior to the entire environment around him. This is only justified further by the mise-en-scene; Nick's costume resembles that of everyone else's in the scene, showing him to be just like every other person who's gained a job in New York, drowning out his individuality in the shot, further making him seem irrelevant and inferior.

An establishing shot is also used in the sequence to show Nick's new neighbourhood, depicting a lake with lots of greenery. This not only introduces the audience to a new location but also highlights a contrast of environment to New York City and this new location. This is seen further by the sound used to accompany this shot; it has a slower pace as well as being a lot quieter in the background, adding to the idyllic effect this location has compared to the big city.

Further into the sequence, multiple close ups are used on the books in Nicks possessions, showing the audience that books are important to his character; whether that be to show he was using them in order to better himself as a businessman and his character's plans, or to show that the story he's currently narrating is one of importance and quality as he knows a good story, or wants to tell one to the audience anyway.

The close up of the hand used towards the end of the sequence shows a ring that is worn by the character Gatsby in the film. Although we don't meet Gatsby in the sequence, the close up of his ring indicates that it is important to his character, and becomes an object that represents Gatsby, meaning the audience knows who the character is before even seeing his face or hearing his voice. This builds a sense of enigma surrounding his character and continually leaves the audience with a sense of mystery around him as you will never truly get to know the real Gatsby, only identify him. The point of view shot as well, enforces this idea as you never see him when he's first introduced, leaving the mystery with the audience. The high angle of the shot as well directed towards Nick also tells the audience that Nicks character is not as superior as that of Gatsby's, showing the statuses of the two characters from the start.

The sequence ends with another medium close up of Nick looking through the window again, showing the audience that the information he's just told is important in the story that is yet to follow as it brings him back to where we first meet him. The camera angle used also shows the audience Nicks emotions at the end of the scene, telling the audience that Gatsby was important to Nick, in what way they have yet to learn, but the shot itself indicates that Gatsby's character has an important impact on the story and Nicks character.