Analyzing Technical Elements of Film

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Review from a couple of Camera elements in 

Dexter (2013)

By: James Manos Jr.

After many instances of seeing this clips of this series called "Dexter," a crime drama, on Youtube, I decided to finally watch the first episode on Netflix. It takes place in Miami and is about a forensics expert named Dexter Morgan who leads a secret life as a serial killer who punishes unconvicted criminals. The show utilizes multiple camera angles, shots, dialogue, and lighting to fully envelope the watcher. These are just a few of the shots within the first episode.

First Camera Shot: Focus Pull
This focus pull is done really well and pulls the attention of the watcher from the brightly colored streets of Miami to our serious, almost sinister looking protagonist. The lighting combined with the focus pull creates this feeling that Dexter is not like the outside world. The blackness that surrounds him displays the mystery surrounding the character.

Second Camera shot: Two-shot & Mid-shot
Just two minutes after the previous shot, we witness Dexter kidnap a man. Here he is confronting the man telling him to "look at what" he's "done." What Dexter is referring too is out of frame, but this combination of a two-shot and mid-shot is the perfect way of depicting the dominance he has over his victim at this moment. The main character is completely in control, having his victim pinned to the wall and in a visibly panicked state. I believe the lighting is used to demonstrate that both the protagonist and this man are similar, yet Dexter is still 'better' than him, morally.

Third Camera Shot/angle: Close-up shot & Point of view shot 
The close-up shot of the victim is used to show how helpless Dexter leaves his victims as he ties them up and binds them to a table uses duct tape. Then, the shot switches to the victim's Point of View, depicting the fear that the man must feel as he is left helpless and forced to watch whatever the protagonist does to him.


Fourth Camera shot: Shallow focus & close-up shot
In this clip, Dexter is on a date with a woman he considers to be just as broken as he is. First, the camera does a close up shot in combination with a shallow focus of the hammer breaking up food to insinuate this chaotic and unusual act. As the clip goes on, his infatuation with the girl is shown in his inner dialogue as well as the shallow focus that blurs out the surroundings and focuses on just her face. She is one of the only people he genuinely cares for, although he can't process the feelings very well just yet.

Last Camera shot: Zoom-in


The zoom-in shot along with the visual red color puts Dexter's inner feelings on the outside for the viewer to see. The red color is a representation of his readiness and want to kill while the zoom-in on his face further shows his excitement in preparing for his new victim. The watcher should be feeling unsettled by the character's expressions.

Overall, just the first episode has a lot to show for their creativity in the camera work and plot. I will be watching the show further. FYI, the show does contain heavy topics that may trigger some people.

 

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