"The Pursuit of Happyness"

"The Pursuit of Happyness"

The "Pursuit of Happyness" is one of my all-time favorite movies! The film director of the movie is Gabriele Muccino and the starring role, Chris Gardner, is played by Will Smith. I am guilty of having watched this movie countless times, but watching it after having learned about camera angles and movements made it seem as if I was watching it for the first time. I was watching the movie with a new lens which opened my eyes to new perspectives and ideas I had never even considered. My newfound knowledge helped me realize how certain emotions were created and why, as a viewer, I felt the way I felt? I discovered the key to the movie is camera angles and movements! Here are some significant camera angles and movements that caught my eye...

Establishing shot:

Within the very beginning of the movie, typically where you find establishing shots, the viewer can see a series of wide shots used to establish the setting. The use of wide shots tells the viewer that the movie takes place in San Francisco. Various short clips of the city are used to tell the viewer where the movie is going to take place and most significantly the Golden Gate bridge is featured which allows the viewer to differentiate San Francisco from other cities. 

Close-up:

Close-up shots are used throughout the movie for various different reasons, most notably to allow the viewer to understand the emotions of the subject and sympathize with him, but in this case, the close-up is used entirely differently. Close-ups are most commonly used to emphasize a subject's emotion and magnify the intensity of such emotion but, can be also used to highlight certain people or even objects. At the beginning of the movie, the filmmaker showcases the crowd in the city through a series of mid-shots. Then uses a close-up shot to suggests to the viewer that these two characters (later found to be Chris Gardner and his son, Christopher) are significant. The close-up places emphasis on these two characters which tells the viewer that these characters are more significant than the others in the crowd. Due to the close up the viewer now knows that these characters are important to the plot and movie.

Trucking Shot: 

The Trucking shot is used to follow Chris Gardner and his son to daycare. This shot allows the audience to feel like they are moving with the characters to this destination. The trucking shot allows the viewer to keep up with the characters and maintain the same pace as the subjects. In this case, the trucking shot indicates that the characters seem to be in a rush considering the fast pace, urgency, and speed of the camera movement. The trucking shot builds this idea of the characters needing to get to the destination quickly since the camera follows them as they maneuver throughout the city swiftly as the little boy struggles to keep up.

Dolly in:

The dolly-in allows the viewer to understand the depth of the scene and in this case the significance of Chris's attempt to solve the Rubix cube. With the use of a dolly-in the filmmaker is able to isolate this moment between Chris and the Rubix cube and is emphasizing that Chris is thinking hard on solving the puzzle. Later we find that the Rubix cube plays a crucial role in Chris's success and allowed him to show others how intelligent and determined he is. The Dolly-in gave the viewer a hint of the later importance of the Rubix cube.

Close-up:

Once again a close-up is used, and in this case, it is used to highlight that Chris is close to solving the Rubix cube, which is supposed to be a quite challenging feat. The close-up makes sure that the audience is able to see and understand this crucial point in the plot. 

Midshot:

In this scene, the filmmaker utilizes mid-shots of various random people on the steps of a successful and wealthy company. The mid-shots allow the viewer to see that each subject is substantially happy. This clear indication of the subject's emotion through the mid-shot allows the concept to be conveyed that this is the pivotal moment in the movie where Chris Garden realizes he wants to be happy just like the assumed employees of the wealthy company. This focus on the happy people indicates that this is what Chris is focused on in that scene and is what attracts him to this company. The use of the mid-shots allows for enough of the subjects to be seen for the audience to assume they are collectively happy.

Over the Shoulder Shot:

The over-the-shoulder shot during the argument between Chris and his wife allows the viewer to feel the intensity of the argument as if they are right there experiencing it. The over-the-shoulder shot gives the viewer a perspective in which they feel like they are right there in the conflict. Therefore, the angle allows the viewer to feel the intense and angry dynamic between the two. As a viewer the over-the-shoulder shot allowed me to feel this heated argument and the frustration shared by both Chris and his wife, Linda.

Handheld/Trucking Shot:

A handheld shot is used when Chris is chasing this unnamed hippie girl that stole his property. The handheld shot is perfect to showcase the uncontrolled nature of the scene considering that Chris is trying to catch a woman as she chaotically runs through the city. The handheld shot also creates intensity and suspense as the audience anxiously awaits to see if Chris is able to get a hold of this woman. The uneven movement makes the scene feel more natural and creates adrenaline as the viewer feels they are in the action of the scene. In this very same scene, the method of trucking is used as the camera follows Chris as he frantically and desperately chases this woman. The use of trucking adds to the feeling of urgency and builds adrenaline since the camera is following the same intense speed as Chris as he is running.

Trucking Shot:

Once again the filmmaker uses the trucking shot to his advantage as Chris runs away from the taxi driver. This creates intensity and makes the viewer feel excited as if they are right there in the scene moving quickly and at an intense speed. At this point in the movie, it is clear that trucking is a key component of the movie. Without this shot, the movie wouldn't be as exciting or thrilling. The use of trucking allows me, as a viewer, to feel like I am in the movie running with Chris as he purses people such as. the hippie, or as he runs away from people such as the taxi driver. The trucking shot is a vital aspect of the movie production as it makes me feel I am part of the action, keeps me engaged, and builds adrenaline.

Extreme close-up:

This extreme close-up on the nickel shows the significant moment in which Chris began to think about Thomas Jefferson and connects this moment with the title “the pursuit of happiness”. The extreme close-up focuses on the picture of Thomas Jefferson plastered on the coin which prompts Chris to start thinking about the concept of pursuing happiness. The extreme close-up allows the reader to understand that the nickel is what prompted Chris to begin thinking about such a phrase. This shows how extreme close-ups are vital tools in placing emphasis on significant objects.

Mid-shot/ Static shot:

A mid-shot and static shot are used when Chris is at the police station and this mid-shot, in particular, is significant because it is used appropriately and is important to the context of the movie. A mid shot is used to allow the viewer to see a character's body language in relation to their background. Chris is in a police station which is important to understand his frustration and stress, which are emotions being conveyed through his body language. The mid-shot allows us to see that Chris's forehead is pressed against the barrier which indicates he is frustrated. Due to the midshot, the audience can understand that Chris's body language, which indicates he is frustrated, is related to where is, the police station. This static shot allows the viewer to focus on the subject and his appearance in relation to the background. The use of the mid-shot along with the static shot, emphasizes that Chris's predicament is extremely devastating to him and his frustration is directly related to his background, the police station.

Tilt:

The tilt is used to move the viewer's focus from Chris to the lack of his shoe. The tilt showcases that his missing shoe is significant and mimics a person's eye line traveling from the subject to Chris's sock. This is a high-energy scene considering that Chris was just hit by a car but the tilt slows down the speed of the scene to the point that the reader can settle and turn their focus not to Chris’ well-being but instead to his lack of a shoe. This shows that Chris was putting aside his health in order to focus on his success in the program and that out of all things his shoe is the most important thing which is symbolic of his determination to get the job to make a better life for himself.

Pan:

A pan (whip pan) movement is used in the scene where Chris is trying to move his boss's car. The camera pans from Chris to an empty parking stop rather quickly which conveys to the viewer a sense of urgency which correlates with the context of the story since Chris is in a rush and needs to be able to open the car so that he can drive it to that parking spot. Panning the camera allows the reader to learn new information such as the empty parking space and panning the camera transfers the viewer's attention to this spot. In this case, the use of the pan allows the viewer to see what Chris is looking at, the empty parking space, and to establish that he frantically is trying to obtain the spot.

Wide shot:

Wide shot allows the viewers to capture the whole scene which shows Chris and his son arriving at their room in the motel and seeing their stuff outside indicating that they have been kicked out of the motel. The wide shot allows the viewers to also see their body language in relation to the scene. Overall the use of this camera angle allows the viewer to understand what is happening and how the subjects feel about their circumstance. Notable through the body language both subjects are clearly down in spirits and frustrated since the little boy throws a tantrum and then kicks a box and the dad aggressively attempts to make the boy stop acting out. These components of the scene are important and wouldn't be notable without the use of a wide shot. Since the viewer is able to understand Chris and his son's circumstances through the wide shot, the viewer feels sympathetic for the two and is just as frustrated by their circumstances.

Static Wide shot:

 The static shot of Chris and his son in the train station(homeless) is powerful since the viewer can clearly see the physical and emotional distance between the two characters. The lack of movement allows the viewer to be able to take in the scene/setting and understand the dire and awful circumstance the two are in. As the scene goes on the static shot allows the viewer to see that the two subjects have come together and are managing to stay in high spirits despite their unfortunate circumstances. The static shot also allows the viewer to see the background and understand they are homeless.

Over the headshot:

The overhead shot used when Chris and his son are in the subway bathroom allows the viewer to be able to take in the scene from a high perspective. This angle creates a sense of isolation and sadness which correlates to the heartbreaking situation being showcased in the scene. The angle allows the audience to see the entirety of the living conditions that the two were forced into, creating empathy from the viewer. The angle also makes the subjects look isolated, small, and inferior which perfectly aligns with what Chris is feeling in this devastating predicament. The over the headshot is taken from a high advantage point looking down on the subjects which is symbolic of Chris feeling down and low at this point in his life.

Close up:

The close-up used in the subway bathroom scene allows for the audience to gain a deeper understanding of the character’s emotions conveyed through their facial expression. Chris is in fear of his and his son’s safety while also emotional due to his living and life circumstances. Overall the close-up allows the viewer to know what Chris’s state of mind is which is sad, scared, and overwhelmed which translates to his facial expressions. The close-up also allows for the devastating and heartbreaking mood/atmosphere to be created. 

High Angle:

A high angle is used in the scene in which Chris and his son ask a woman if they can stay in their homeless shelter. This angle is used appropriately since it is used to show powerlessness, vulnerability, and feeling small/inferior which are all things that Chris felt in that moment as he begged for help and safety. As a viewer the high angle caused me to sympathize with Chris since I was able to understand he was feeling lost, helpless, and desperate.

Wide Shot:

The wide shot of the office floor in this wealthy company building allows the viewer to understand the chaotic, demanding and competitive nature of Chris’ work environment. This conveys to the viewer that Chris has to fight hard in order to become a stock broker.

Close-up:

The close-up of Chris at the moment where he is offered a job as a stockbroker is very powerful since it allows the viewer to see the emotion in his eyes and the depth of how he is feeling. After so many obstacles and hardships, he finally met his goal and the look in his eyes was conveyed to the reader as emotional after all he had been through. The viewer can see the tears in Chris Garner's eyes and can see that it is an emotional and life-changing moment for him. The close-up also leads the viewer to believe that Chris may be in disbelief as he has reached a goal that at many points seemed unattainable.

Overall, many different camera angles and movements were used, and each one aided and made the movie better in its own way. Although, the mid-shot, close-up shot, and trucking/tracking shot were the most crucial and significant components of the movie. The mid-shot is notable since it is one of the most used shots throughout the entirety of the movie. The mid-shot is used in various different dialogue scenes in the movies ranging from conversions between Chris and his son to conversations between Chris and stockbrokers. The mid-shots create a natural feel to the scene and provide enough information for the viewer to understand context, body language, and surroundings while also focusing on any dialogue happening. Considering a majority of the movie requires dialogue, mid-shots are perfectly appropriate. Moreover, trucking is used quite a lot in "The pursuit of Happiness". Notably, there is a pattern associated with the storyline and the camera movements. Trucking is used in crucial times in the story like, for example, when the hippie girl stole his property and he had to chase her in order to try and retrieve it or when Chris finally got the opportunity to speak to a Jay Twistle but, then shortly had to run away from a taxi driver. Each of these moments is important to Chris Gardner's story which wouldn't be conveyed the most effectively or engagingly without the use of trucking. Lastly, close-ups are used to signify the most emotional yet most important times in Chris's life in such a manner that the viewer is able to clearly see the pattern. Some of the filmmaker's most important use of close-ups is when it was used to focus on Chris's face as he was homeless seeking safety in the subway bathroom, the lowest point in his life, and at the end of the story when Chris was offered a job as a stockbroker, the highest point in Chris's life thus far. These close-up allows the reader to feel the different emotions of the very different scenes and compare the different points in Chris's life, which shows the progression he has made in the story. Clearly, when used with proper intent, the use of camera angles and movements can be very powerful, impactful, and crucial to the proper conveyal of a story.