Director Research

Stanley Kubrick - Compose frames symmetrically

Stanley Kubrick is an American filmmaker and photographer who is known widely for his use of symmetry and geometric patterns. I was influenced by how Kubrick set up the mise-en-scene, framing patterns, and composition of his shots. Stanley Kubrick's work with The Shining (1980) fully represents his use of symmetry through different scenes and I find it very interesting. Therefore, I tried to recreate the symmetrical look through my 2-minute film opening sequence, especially during shots that are set in the hallway.

The Shining (1980)

I tried to make the shot have a symmetrical composition but since I decided to frame the protagonist to the left, to hide the other character standing on the same side, the symmetrical view is not fully achieved. However, I still have other attempts at creating a symmetry of composition and I think that I successfully did it in the scene where the protagonist ran away, out of the hallway. 

First attempt (Left) and second attempt (Right) of a symmetrical composition

Edgar Wright - Fast-paced editing

Edgar Wright is an English director, screenwriter, producer, and actor. He is mostly known for his use of fast-paced editing techniques, which include match cuts, quick cuts, fast-paced action montages, creative transitions, zooms, whip pans, and wipes. One of Wight's works, Hot Fuzz (2007) presents all his specific techniques in its opening sequence and I was heavily influenced by it, therefore there was also a few fast-paced editing in my opening sequence. Moreover, I also attempted a few of the whip pans and match cuts.  

In the first few scenes, I have a series of footage (0:00 to 0:02) that I have attempted to edit in a fast-paced, shortening every single footage to less than a second long and I think that it turned out successfully. After that, I also attempted to use match cut to match between 2 footage (0:20 - 0:26) and I'm not fully satisfied with how it turned out since it is not very smooth.

Director Research by Anna Nguyễn Thụy An