Screening Analysis Post (Ferris Bueller´s Day Off)

Screening Analysis Post

In the film Ferris Bueller´s Day Off there are many cinematic elements used throughout the film that are used for a variety of reasons. Two cinematic elements are very easily spotted throughout the viewing of this film. Those are space as well as contrast and affinity.

This film uses space is many ways. Some strategically show different levels of the foreground and background where two things are going on at once and they both portray something about the character in them. One example of this would be this shot:

I found this shot to be a very effective and revealing use of space. In the foreground you see the still car without a driver displaying just how indecisive Cameron is to even go out on this day, while in the background you actually see the character displaying more frustration with the situation. Another good use of space in this film would be most of the parade sequence. The parade sequence constantly cuts between more and more people enjoying and getting into the parade. There are so many extras in that scene and the cinematic use of space really shows that. This is important to drive home just how cool of a dude Ferris really is. The whole sequence spoke a lot about the title character and the whole time he was literally lip-syncing to other music. These were two effective uses of space throughout the movie, along with many others.

Another well used cinematic element in this film is contrast and affinity. I grouped them together so I could speak about them together. Contrast and affinity come into play during the location of Cameron´s house. In terms of contrast, when the other two characters are at the house at points in the film, the almost universally green and brown background of the forest and the dreary but nice looking brown and gray house makes the characters and their bright and in some cases red costumes and props really pop out from the background.

In the other direction, in the absence of characters on screen at Cameron´s house, as well as the backstory behind Cameron and his family, the house becomes a better example of affinity. There is not much contrast to the set. Everything is either green, brown or gray. This sheds a little more light on maybe why Cameron is sick all the time or maybe even depressed. And this affinity also really makes the ending car catastrophe at the house even more of a big deal for Cameron. He finally decides to break the monotony and really live. No matter the consequences.

Important moments in the film such as the parade scene or the ending car death scene at Cameron´s house are very much highlighted and improved as a result of cinematic elements being used effectively. Space makes the scenes more dynamic and there´s room for multiple things to be happening on screen which can display a character´s feelings without a need for dialogue. Also the use of contrast and affinity in costume pieces, props, and locations provide for a mood and also a more dramatic moment in some instances.