The document discusses and analyzes several shots from the film Schindler's List directed by Steven Spielberg. It summarizes the establishing shot at the beginning of the film where Oscar Schindler is shown talking privately to a waiter in a restaurant, establishing Schindler as powerful and methodical. It then analyzes another shot showing Schindler in his office which reveals differences in his and another character's organization and roles. Finally, it discusses a long shot showing Jews in a field as isolated and vulnerable, foreshadowing their potential extinction.

1. At the beginning of ‘Schindler’s List’ which is directed by Steven Spielberg, there was a very
effective shot that revealed a lot about the protagonist, Oscar Schindler.
This shot shows that Oscar is talking to a waiter in a very fashionable restaurant. This shot is
framed from behind a person who is looking at the subject. The waiter occupies 1/3 of the
frame which blocks and blurs the other characters. This shows that the conversation between
Oscar and the waiter is secretive and personal. This shows the audience that, Oscar is a
Methodist and systematical because he is talking to an individual at a time. I compared Oscar
to Inspector Goole from ‘Inspector Calls’ because he was very systematical and organized.
Another essential point for this shot is that, it helps the audience to establish the position of
each person and get the feel of looking at one person from other’s point of view. This shows
that Schindler is someone that society might admire or looks up to. Also, it could show that
that’s what Oscar wants because there is only one person who is kneeling down to him in this
shot, therefore, he is building up his needs/list.
My last interpretation was that, Oscar is sitting down comfortably whereas the waiter is
kneeling down to him, which shows that Oscar will not go down to his level, in bigger scale;
the society/middle class. This builds my preconception of Oscar being a dominant and
powerful character because he is leading others to approach him, rather then himself.

2. Further on in the movie, the audience gets more aware of distinction
and power spectrum. This shot represents a dialogue between two
people. Medium shot shows some part of the subject in more detail,
whilst still showing enough for the audience to feel as if they were
looking at the whole subject. Also, during a dialogue, we wouldn't’t
focus on the lower section of body, therefore this makes the scene
more realistic and understandable. The medium shot represents
intense concentration and delivers enough information to the
audience.
Spielberg created a reflection between two characters but with a
different style of characteristics. Schindler is positioned on the right
hand side which is in the same office with the other character but his
area is more messy and unorganized, whereas, the other characters
area is neat and well-prepared. This portrays the characters roles
insightfully and shows the audience their distinction and differences.
In reference to the opening scene, Schindler’s area has a lot of
photography above his head which again reflects on his role because
he liked to capture memories and moments. This rapidly builds on his
power and him getting his desires into actions.
The proxemics of characters are placed very cleverly because it could
be rule of thirds which shows the exclusion of one of the characters
which emphasizes the character which is in vision. The way Schindler
sits is a complete opposite to the other character which shows that he
is a very laid back and confident person and he can achieve his targets
without worrying.

3. Another interesting shot I found in ‘Schindler’s List’
was the frame within a frame / long shot. A long shot
shows a scene form a distance but not as far as an
establishing shot. This makes the scene more stressing
and to set the scene and the environment. The density
of this picture is quire free-like because the camera
only focuses on the two characters. The less density
shows their relationship being distant and not
enforced. However, the proxemics of the characters
does have a hint of enforcement and inequality. The
female character is positioned lower than the men
which shows the role of women in the 70s. From a
feminine perspective, I find this very unfair and
ridiculous. However, from a German/Nazi’s perspective
in 70s would've been completely different to mine
because they saw women pointless and like an object.
Therefore, this scene wouldn't’t have been as shocking
for the people in Germany at that time.

4. The most significant shot in this movie was the establishing
shot. Establishing shot has been taken from a great distance,
which made the Jews seem more vulnerable and less seem.
This shows that the Nazi’s/Germans didn't’t pay any attention
to them because they were so small in their eyes. This shot
shows that an action is about to occur. This shot informs the
audience that its been shot in a deserted, isolated and
abounded place which shows the meaning of Jews at that
time. Also, this shot foreshadows the extinction it may lead to
of Jews because they will be killed and the field will be more
isolated. The field personifies the loneliness and hopelessness
of Jews. The density of this shot is very compacted and full,
which shows the amount of Jews that lived in Germany and
shows the unity. Compared to the amount of people there
are, they are still less powerful, inferior and unprotected.
Therefore, Spielberg demonstrated the juxtaposition with the
amount of people to their ability and spectrum of power.