Text 2: “Dead Poets Society” By Directed by Peter Weir

Scene 1: (Beg) Angles

Topic Sentence:​ ​In the scene where Mr. Keating helps Todd create a poem to present to the
class; has multiple angle shots and movements.
Context: ​Todd and Mr. Keating is in front of the class. Mr. Keating is guiding Todd to create a
poem that is true to himself​.
Scene 1:​ ​This particular scene is about 1 minute long. In the scene Todd is asked by his teacher
Mr. Keating to present his poem to the class ( knowing that Todd is a shy character entirely) Mr.
Keating connects with Todd guiding him and encouraging him to create a poem in that moment
entirely from scratch. With the tool of this analysis being angles. In this scene the Camera
movement is considered to be a ‘Tracking/Dolly”. The camera stays put in the same spot but its
position alters as the characters begin to spin. The camera spins around along with the characters
providing a close up shot.
Analysis:
- The tool that is being examined in this scene involves angel shots.
- ​The angle of this scene meets eye level with the characters building a sense of
involvement, equality, and connectivity with the audience.​ ​The type of shot of this scene
is a “Close up”. As a viewer of the film we are only allowed to see the characters face
and necks of the scene.
- With the angle of this scene being eye level, as well as a close up this impacts the tone
and mood of the scene. With the angle being a close up this allows for the dialogue of the
scene to be hyphenated. With the dialogue hyphenated it portrays it as louder in order to
emphasize the intensity of the scene. Overall, the tone and angle of the characters in the
scene emphasises the mood. Which is the emotional connection and intensity displayed
between the student and the teachers. These techniques allow the audience to understand
and grasp a feeling of the intensity of this particular scene.
- How does that tool contribute to the theme/meaning ( last question on the cheat sheet,
answer later)
Scene 2: (Med) Angles
Topic Sentence:​ Mr. Keating has his first class session, in which the angle of this scene is
placed
Context:​ ​Mr. Keating holds his first class and he introduces his students to the pictures of
previous classes, generations of students that came before them.
Scene 2:​This scene runs about 1 minute long. Mr. Keating holds his first class session in the hall.
He instructs the​ ​ students to analyze the pictures of previous class generations while briefly
informing them about their history. The angle that this scene is shot with is a “High Angle”​.
Analysis
- The tool that is being examined in this scene are the angel shots.
- The camera angle of this scene is considered as a “High Angle”. The camera is placed far
away above the object being filmed below. ​This allows for an overview of the settling to
be displayed with an “high angle”. The arrangement of the shot provides a “middle
ground view” in which the students are centered in the frame.
- The high placed angle of the camera provides an overview of the setting being displayed
as well as the characters being filmed below. The angle arrangement symbolizes to the
audience a sense of superiority, by being able to clearly analyze the entire setting​.
- How does that tool contribute to the theme/meaning ( last question on the cheat sheet,
answer later)
Scene 3: (End) Angles
Topic Sentence: ​As Mr. Keating gathers his items for his leaving of the school the students
revolt stand up for him. The angle of this scene is the theme that is being analyzed​.
Context:​ ​Mr. Keating gets fired as a teacher from the school because of the Neels incident. The
students revolt and stand up for Mr. Keating
Scene 3: ​This scene is a lengthy scene, which runs for about a minute in a half (1:30).​ In the
scene Todd feels that it wasn’t right for Mr.Keating to lose his job over the neels death because it
didn't involve him. Todd revolts and fights for Mr. Keating right to be there. Along the process
Todd’s classmates join the stance. During this scene the director Weir shoots the angle of this
scene at a low angle.
Analysis
- The tool that is being examined in this scene are the angel shots.
- In this particular scene, the angle of the camera is placed at a low angle, closer to the
ground. The director Weir filmed this scene this way so that the objects being filmed,
which are the revolting students, gain superiority and full attention as they are placed
above us. The shot of the camera is a “medium shot” revealing the uprising students'
entire bodies.
- The angle of this scene symbolizes superiority of the students. The students are rising
together uniting to show a sign or revolting to the school. They are placed at a higher
angle to symbolize/ represent superiority over the school board.
- How does that tool contribute to the theme/meaning ( last question on the cheat sheet,
answer later)