The Descendants: Realism, Classicism, Formalism

Realism

  
 To edit in a realist fashion is to create one long, continuous shot without any cuts or edits, therefore giving off a sense of dramatic intent and importance to the scene. Here we see the camera slowly, continuously pan over to a woman lying on a hospital bed unconscious; this here is the director's way of incorporating backstory within the plot, bringing out its main internal conflict which also can arise many questions as to why and how she got there. The shot is held on the woman for a while, creating an intimate and dramatic mood as she is slowly zoomed in on. This concept has an intention of making viewers focus and concentrate in order to fully grasp the effect this scene is attempting to create. All these elements within this one, crucial excerpt compose an effective foundation to the films beginning. 


Classicism

 Classicism is an editing concept in which keeps audience members interested due to the way all action is condensed in a way that gets the scene right to the point without leaving out any crucial information that is significant to the plot. This scene is edited in a in which keep the cuts not very noticeable based on the fact that all dialogue is quick and straight to the point rather than attempting to lead the main conflict in. We hear the girl say “Mom was cheating on you” at the start of the scene; that way the main external conflict becomes evident because of how concise everything is, grabbing attention and keeping it throughout this important scene which forms a sense of back story. The quick cuts and brief, yet effective, dialogue builds tension and glorifies all emotion.


Formalism

Formalism is a way for directors to develop a tone within the movie that is juxtaposed from the linear narrative that is mainly established throughout the plot. Although captured in only approximately under a minute, this excerpt from the film demonstrates this editing concept by creating context, further forming a sense of back story. Disregarding real time, the director cuts this scene to establish a new conflict, possibly creating more questions for the audience. This scene takes away from the linear narrative in this film due to the way the scene sort of gets off topic by Matt King (George Clooney) running randomly but, evidently, with purpose.    

Step Outline

Step Outline
                             

Scene	Dramatic Intent
1. Victim, Simon, (innocent boy) sleeping on couch in living room	1. Establishing shot of what will happen to Simon
2. Friend, Gerald, (notorious prankster) creeps into room with suspicious look on his face	2. Introduces antagonist and shows who and what his character is
3. Gerald carefully tiptoes over to sleeping boy with a rope in his hand and mischievous look in his eye	3. Reveals Gerald’s intentions, and what he prank he is planning. Also showing backstory on what he will do and how it will happen
4. Gerald goes to the foot of the couch where Simon’s shoes are and ties his shoes together in a triple knot	4. Reveals Gerald’s first execution of his prank and the audience realizes his level of maturity
5. Gerald goes to Simon’s hands and carefully handcuffs them together behind his back	5. Reveals Gerald’s second execution of his prank. Also shows that Gerald is executing his prank making sure Simon can’t escape unless helped
6. Gerald goes to the head of the couch, carefully brings out an airhorn and blows it in Simon’s ear	6. Gerald’s plan comes into action
7. Simon wakes up startled and turns to Gerald confused. Realizes his hands are cuffed behind his back	7. Demonstrates what obstacle Simon encounters as he must figure out a way to get out of Gerald’s prank
8. Simon, trying to squirm free, begs Gerald for the key back as he mocks him by dangling the key in front of Simon’s face barely within reach	8. Further characterizes Gerald. He is devious and and childish
9. Simon attempts to get up and go after Gerald but falls off the couch and onto the ground, realizing his shoes are tied together but unable to untie them due to the handcuffs	9. Brings out main conflict in story on what Simon must deal with and try to get out of to overcome
10. Simon struggles on the floor trying will ever will in his body attempting to break free while Gerald is outside the door mocking him	10. Audience sees Simon is truly angered and no longer thinks the prank is funny while Gerald has a different perspective
11. Gerald puts the handcuff key on the porch steps and walks away with an accomplished smile on his face without regret or remorse	11. Shows that Gerald is truly relentless when it comes to pranking and proves he doesn’t stop at any extent
12. Cuts to Simon’s dog in the kitchen knocking down a lit candle off the table which lands near a curtain, causing it the enflame	12. Introduces big turning point within story foreshadowing Simon’s fate and Gerald’s life changing mistake
13. Fire grows bigger while Simon remains in the house still trapped unable to make it out alive	13. Shows big conflict and second turning point of story. Also brings out major backstory to antagonist’s mistakes
14. Gerald sees fire from a block away with a worried look on his face realizing Simon hasn’t made it out	14. Gerald realizes what an enormous mistake he has made as he considers everything he has done: kills someone and forever looks at himself as a murderer