Camera Techniques

Visual shot analysis of Schindler’s list 

This film is directed by Steven Spielberg and it was released worldwide in late 1993. 

Shot 1  

This establishing birds eye shot, shows the audience that a lot of chaos is taking place in the street. This shot is also in black and white, the director has done this as he wants the audience to understand that these colours reflect the history during the holocaust and represents darkness and horror innocent people faced during this time.

Shot 2 

A close up shot shows Oscar Schindler looking horrified of the fighting and  killing of innocent and helpless people in the street. This shot helps the audience understand to understand his character so far during the story. In addition, he stares on at a innocent girl wearing a red coat who plays a huge role in this scene.

 

Shot 3 

This medium shot reveals the girl wearing a bright red coat. The director carefully choose this important shot and wanted it  to stand out to the audience because the young girl represents the innocent men,women and children being killed. Moreover, a Jewish song is playing in the background and the song represents many Jews being strong and brave during this time period.

Shot 4 

The birds eye view shot presents the Nazis taking innocent people to the ghettos and death chambers. Moreover, a Nazi soldier is shown to be killing  a group of Jewish men. This shot tells the audience how disgusting and inhumane the Nazi soldiers are as they are causing a bloodbath.

 

 

Shot 5 

 

 

 

 

It then cuts to a long shot. This shot helps show the emotions of Jewish people and how badly they have been treated. Also, the girl in the red coat looks lost and upset. The director choose this as he wants this powerful shot to make the audiences remember and understand how Jewish people were treated during the holocaust.

 

 

 

Shot 6

 

 

Next, it cuts to a extreme close shot and shows Oscar Schindler with an angry, upset and shocked face. This shot is important for the audience as it helps foreshadow how Oscar’s character will develop during the film and the story.

 

 

 

Shot 7 

 

 

A big close up shot shows the young girl with the red coat hiding underneath a bed from all the horror that is going on outside. This last shot is very important as it shows that not only Jewish men and women, children are suffering too. The director wants to make this last scene shot memorable and powerful as it paints an image for each audience members mind, it helps to show this was time in history where a lot of innocent people had suffered. Furthermore, the audience is feeling sympathetic towards the girl and want her to survive.