The clip being analyzed is from Agent Carter, directed by
Louis D’Esposito, captures many of the elements of film that we have been
studying recently. As the scene opens and the marvel intro cinematic is
playing, we hear Peggy’s voice. This is an example of a sound bridge: when
sound carries over a visual transition in film. After this, we get a flashback
between Peggy and Captain America, the scene is full of close ups to convey the
emotions these characters feel and to clearly show the audience the tone of the
scene. Right before the flashback ends we get a behind the back shot of captain
America sitting in his pilot seat heading straight down towards the ground,
this shot shows the setting but does not show what he is feeling in these
supposedly last moments. On the other line Peggy hears silence/radio static
then a fade to black.
After this, the next scene opens with an establishing shot
of a city with the words “one year later” to set up the scene and provide
detail to what is now happening. In the background, melancholy music plays,
helping to inflict emotion in the audience. This use of music is an example of
a non-diegetic sound or any sound that the characters on screen cannot hear but
the audience can. The scene changes to a lowkey lit office filled with men and
Peggy, with an alarm blaring showing something important is going to happen.
The boss gets a call that two agents are needed to be sent to go after a man
called the zodiac and the music amps up and changes to a faster, more frantic
pace, adding much needed drama and intensity to the scene. After Peggy is not
picked to go on the mission her boss comes and talks to her and in this
confrontation there is a heavy use of over the shoulder shots and eye level
shots to make you feel like you are the person who is listening in their place.
The eye level shots also help to show details into the faces of the characters
demonstrating their personalities.
In the next scene, Peggy is walking to the establishment. During
this walk, the mise-en-scene use of costume is exemplified, demonstrating the
time period by showing the men wearing clothing from a period like the 50’s,
this helps to make the setting more believable. As the men approach Peggy, the
setting is dark and is lowkey lit, helping to emphasize the mise-en-scene and
make the scene that much more suspenseful. Peggy beats up the men and there is
one left. As he goes for his gun, he looks up and she is gone, the whole time
an old, classic, song is playing in the back. This is an example of a diegetic
sound because the characters on screen can hear it. After, she gets the man at
gunpoint and says drop it.
The final scene utilizes the film elements extremely well, convincing
the audience of the setting and with the use of music. Overall, the clear use
of the film elements really strengthen this clip and (most likely) the show as
a whole.
