Film Viewing Practice Essay

There are visible and audible aspects of camera shots, angles, movement and composition, editing, sound, and mise-en-scène within the film Agent Carter. Each of these components plays a key role in the development of the plot throughout the film.

As a whole, the use of camera shots, angles, movement and composition is prevalent throughout the film. An establishing shot is in place to establish the setting during the shot which shows a wide view of New York City. The city, as we know it, is extremely lively and constantly on the go. Yet, this scene places it as slowed down for just a second, which allows viewers to mentally picture this setting as the “home base” for the movie. A choking shot is used quite literally in the scene where Peggy is being choked by a man in a gas mask. The camera constantly switches back and forth in movement, showing the man choking Peggy and Peggy’s response while fighting back to create suspense and tension for the viewer. The use of angles clearly establishes this movie as very pro-girl power, in a way. When Peggy is talking to the two men, an over the shoulder shot is used which makes the viewer feel as though they are a part of the conversation, themselves. Nonetheless, the use of this shot also shows Peggy’s status amongst these two men. Regardless of their burly demeanor and fancy trench coats, she is every amount just as powerful and strong, even with the uneven numbers.

To advance the plot, Pudovkin’s edits can be found throughout the film. At the very beginning of the film, the camera constantly switches back and forth between Peggy, sitting in her office, and Steve, who is at the moment in a position of danger while flying his aircraft. This use of parallelism establishes a clear comparison as well as contrast between the two protagonists and their situations. Both are clearly on edge and in positions of high stress, but there are clear differences behind their reasons of stress. In Steve’s case, he is in a life-threatening situation, whereas Peggy’s case is much less extreme.

In regards to sound, a sound bridge is used to “bridge” two scenes together. Within Agent Carter, a sound bridge can be found to tie the scene of the aircraft to the establishing shot of New York City. The use of this sound technique easily moves the viewer from a scene of high intensity to a much calmer, less intense scene. In a way, the use of the same music throughout these two scenes creates a clear contrast of energy between the two scenes.

Last but certainly not least, the use of mise-en-scène is extremely prevalent throughout the film. Throughout Agent Carter, instances of sexism and a clear lack of equality between Peggy and her male counterparts is evident. Peggy is dressed very feminine, with curled hair, makeup, and a lower cut shirt. This directly contrasts societal standards in regards to her powerful and dominant personality. In society, it is uncommon for women to dress effeminately, yet act in such a dominant way. Staging is also used as a technique to show Peggy’s stance amongst the male protagonists within the film. In one scene, Peggy is standing across from a group of men during a discussion, displacing her from the rest of the group and insinuating a sense of inequality between the two.

In total, the use of camera shots, angles, movement and composition, editing, sound, and mise-en-scène throughout Agent Carter plays a vital role in the progression of the film, as well as the audience’s reaction to specific situations.