Shot Evaluations - The Statue Shot

This shot we came up with on the day as we thought it could add a very interesting dynamic to the scene. It is essentially just a cutaway, but I think that it is a very important cutaway

This seems a very strange shot to include in our opening two minutes as it is completely contrasting to the shots directly before and after. The reason we included this shot was because we thought that the statue looked like it was shocked about something, reflecting the emotions felt by the audience at the time. It almost seems like even the statues are shocked at what they have just witnessed. I particularly like the water droplets down their arm and on their back, as it gives them a more weathered, beaten look, which works in making the scene as a whole look more rugged. I also like the white spot on their head which looks as if they have been struck by a bullet as well. The statue has caught a fish, and I think that this symbolism works well, showing Davidson caught in a trap and he'll have difficulty getting out.
In the shot we can see that the statue is in focus, and the background slightly out of focus. For example, compare the quality of the statue to the quality of the woman in the background on the balcony. It is clear to see that the statue is the main centre of attention. It covers the left and middle thirds and the bottom of the right third, which are the most powerful places in the shot, so again, we leave the audience with no doubt that the statue is the most important feature of the shot. This is very important, as this shot, as I said, seems a bit out of place and random, so we made sure they knew they were supposed to be looking at the statue so that they could search for symbolism instead of wondering if it was supposed to be there or not.
There is not that much to talk about with this shot, but I decided to analyse it so that there was no doubt whatsoever about it's significance in the film. I feel that it is a very important shot, and it definitely adds a new dimension to the scene. As well as reflecting the emotions it also gives the audience a momentary break away from the constant action that had governed the scene up till then. It also leaves the audience in suspense for a brief second. They have just seen one of the major characters in the scene get shot, and then they are taken away from the action wondering what is going to happen next. It allows them to take in what they have just witnessed and wonder what they are about to witness. Overall a very important shot for the pacing and emotion of the film!