For this assignment, I analyzed the Domino Sequence in the movie "V for Vendetta".
This sequence starts off brightly lit with a slow and deliberate pace, a close up of the first domino being set by the protagonist, "V".
Keeping the same pace, various long helicopter shots mixed with medium dolly shots of packages being loaded onto trains and delivered to peoples houses. Another close up of more dominoes being placed. I believe these close ups of the dominoes are shot this way to give the viewers a sense that the dominoes are being laid out very carefully with a lot of attention to detail, as the are a metaphor for "V"'s ultimate plan for overthrowing the British government.
The pace of the film is starting to increase now, and the lighting is getting dimmer. Alternating shots of rioters, police, and the antagonist "High Chancellor, Adam Sutler" shot with various close up and medium dolly shots and establishing shots.
Now with little light and fast paced, more dominoes are being set (close up dolly shots) and more alternating medium dolly shots of past and future events, as described to the audience by another protagonist, "Inspector Finch".
The pace stops dead as the first domino is flicked.
Now at a very fast pace with very little light, alternating medium helicopter and close up dolly shots of the dominoes falling and medium hand-held camera shots of riots until all the dominoes have fallen except for one that gets wedged between all the others.
The pace stops again as close up shots of "V" goes over and picks up the remaining domino and inspects it.
My overall impression with this film is that it didn't take many risks as far as camera work is concerned, but it still was aesthetically pleasing, and any lack of visual cinematics was made up for by brilliant script-writing and an excellent musical score.
-Steve Karr
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