At the beginning of ‘Schindler’s List’ which is directed by Steven Spielberg, there was a very effective shot that revealed a lot about the protagonist, Oscar Schindler.

This shot shows that Oscar is talking to a waiter in a very fashionable restaurant. This shot is framed from behind a person who is looking at the subject. The waiter occupies 1/3 of the frame which blocks and blurs the other characters. This shows that the conversation between Oscar and the waiter is secretive and personal. This shows the audience that, Oscar is a Methodist and systematical because he is talking to an individual at a time. I compared Oscar to Inspector Goole from ‘Inspector Calls’ because he was very systematical and organized.

Another essential point for this shot is that, it helps the audience to establish the position of each person and get the feel of looking at one person from other’s point of view. This shows that Schindler is someone that society might admire or looks up to. Also, it could show that that’s what Oscar wants because there is only one person who is kneeling down to him in this shot, therefore, he is building up his needs/list.

My last interpretation was that, Oscar is sitting down comfortably whereas the waiter is kneeling down to him, which shows that Oscar will not go down to his level, in bigger scale; the society/middle class. This builds my preconception of Oscar being a dominant and powerful character because he is leading others to approach him, rather then himself.

Further on in the movie, the audience gets more aware of distinction and power spectrum. This shot represents a dialogue between two people. Medium shot shows some part of the subject in more detail, whilst still showing enough for the audience to feel as if they were looking at the whole subject. Also, during a dialogue, we wouldn't’t focus on the lower section of body, therefore this makes the scene more realistic and understandable. The medium shot represents intense concentration and delivers enough information to the audience.

Spielberg created a reflection between two characters but with a different style of characteristics. Schindler is positioned on the right hand side which is in the same office with the other character but his area is more messy and unorganized, whereas, the other characters area is neat and well-prepared. This portrays the characters roles insightfully and shows the audience their distinction and differences. In reference to the opening scene, Schindler’s area has a lot of photography above his head which again reflects on his role because he liked to capture memories and moments. This rapidly builds on his power and him getting his desires into actions.

The proxemics of characters are placed very cleverly because it could be rule of thirds which shows the exclusion of one of the characters which emphasizes the character which is in vision. The way Schindler sits is a complete opposite to the other character which shows that he is a very laid back and confident person and he can achieve his targets without worrying.

Another interesting shot I found in ‘Schindler’s List’ was the frame within a frame / long shot. A long shot shows a scene form a distance but not as far as an establishing shot. This makes the scene more stressing and to set the scene and the environment. The density of this picture is quire free-like because the camera only focuses on the two characters. The less density shows their relationship being distant and not enforced. However, the proxemics of the characters does have a hint of enforcement and inequality. The female character is positioned lower than the men which shows the role of women in the 70s. From a feminine perspective, I find this very unfair and ridiculous. However, from a German/Nazi’s perspective in 70s would've been completely different to mine because they saw women pointless and like an object. Therefore, this scene wouldn't’t have been as shocking for the people in Germany at that time.

The most significant shot in this movie was the establishing shot. Establishing shot has been taken from a great distance, which made the Jews seem more vulnerable and less seem. This shows that the Nazi’s/Germans didn't’t pay any attention to them because they were so small in their eyes. This shot shows that an action is about to occur. This shot informs the audience that its been shot in a deserted, isolated and abounded place which shows the meaning of Jews at that time. Also, this shot foreshadows the extinction it may lead to of Jews because they will be killed and the field will be more isolated. The field personifies the loneliness and hopelessness of Jews. The density of this shot is very compacted and full, which shows the amount of Jews that lived in Germany and shows the unity. Compared to the amount of people there are, they are still less powerful, inferior and unprotected. Therefore, Spielberg demonstrated the juxtaposition with the amount of people to their ability and spectrum of power.