Blog Post - MIDTERM

This is a scene from Boardwalk Empire Season 1, Episode 10. This show is based in the 1920s Prohibition Era. The visual aesthetic for this show is rather old fashion, low light-which makes colors pop more-, and has a mobster feel to it. Nucky Thompson is the Atlantic County treasurer and resides in Atlantic City, New Jersey; he lives a very lavish lifestyle for someone who is politician. He is now courting Margaret Schroeder, a widow with 2 children. In this scene, Nucky has persuaded Margaret to give a warm hearted, persuasive introduction to the crowd about Republican Bader. Margaret was uneasy about the task to begin with, because she feels like Bader isn’t a good choice for the new mayor position, but decided to do it anyway after Nucky sweet talked her into it. There are several images in this scene that plays a significant role in telling the story of Margaret and Nucky’s relationship, particularly the angel. This scene carries through from an establishing scene where the current mayor is at the podium to Margaret’s introduction of Bader to the beginning of Bader’s speech and closing with Margaret's face.

This first shot is the establishing shot. It is a high extreme wide shot of the crowd and Mayor Bachrach is at the podium. 

Here is more of an eye level, medium wide shot; the camera is panning to the right. 

Here is a different frame where the mayor is dead center of the frame; still medium wide.

Here the camera has panned all the way to its right, now Nucky and Margaret are in the frame. The mayor still seems to be center of the frame and the angel is hovering him. 

Medium close up of Nucky leaning into Margaret.

Here is an over the shoulder close up of Margaret. She looks nervous. 

Over the shoulder close up of Nucky talking to Margaret. 

Another over the shoulder close up Margaret, her eyes are now on the podium.

I screenshot this by accident, but I think it looks cool. It is a blended shot of Margaret and Nucky over the shoulder close ups. They are looking eye to eye.

Over the shoulder close up of Margaret again. 

Medium shot of the two.

Medium shot of the table where they are. Nucky is about to get up.

Medium shot of Margaret and Nucky standing. Margaret is about to make her way to the podium.

Medium shot of Margaret approaching the podium, the crowd is on looking and clapping.

Margaret is nearly half frame now. She is looking almost to the stage.

The camera is moving along with Margaret as she continues her way to the stage. She is sort of in the middle ground of the frame. The people at the table are used for blocking.

Here there are flowers to the left side of the frame, in the fore ground; the camera is continuing its journey following Margaret to the stage. Mayor Bachrach is attempting to help her up the stairs.

Medium shot of Margaret and Bachrach.

Medium close up of Margaret approaching podium.

A close up of the side of Margaret’s face as she’s at the podium. She is center of the frame.

Wide view of the crowd, with Margaret’s back to the camera. The camera has now completed a full continuous following of Margaret from the table to the podium, with no cuts. It was skillfully done and well crafted, using people, flowers, and other things in the room for blocking. It took time to get the camera, people, and movement just right to execute this continuous shot.  This is the ending frame.

Wide shot of Margaret at the podium address Bachrach.

Wide shot of Margaret at the podium.

Close up of Margaret addressing the crowd, she seems more confident now.

Medium wide shot of Nucky and others listening to her. The room is rather gray. I believe because of the mood Margaret is in; dark, cloudy judgement. She seems to be very cloudy about her decision to speak to the crowd about Bader.

Here is a low angle of Margaret and the angel hovering over her.

The camera seems to move a bit closer.

The angel is now more center of the frame than Margaret is. I believe the angel represents a guardian figure. In Nucky’s and Margaret’s relationship, Nucky is the one providing for her and her children and sort of guides her decisions on things. He is a hand that helps her move along, sort of what an angel can represent. Another possible representation is that, their relationship is also rather sinful. The angel could be looking down on her, but yet also protecting her. This shot is powerful because it could symbolize many different things or all at one time. 

This is a medium shot of Nucky and others applauding Margaret. This fellow leans in to tell Nucky she is doing a good job.

Medium shot of Margaret still talking to the crowd; now she seems more in center of frame.

Close up of Nucky standing applauding her. The grayness of the room also makes the colors pop more. 

Wide shot of room. Everyone is applauding. Bader is making his standing. The room seems to be brighter now, making it feel like it’s a happier space.

This is a extreme wide high angle shot of the crowd standing and applauding. Bader is dead center walking up the stairs.

Medium close up of Margaret shaking Bader’s hand. She is dead center of frame, smiling.

The camera cuts to Bader approaching podium.

Medium shot here. Can’t see it very well, but a fellow comes to join Nucky at the table.

Medium close up shot of Margaret sitting, looking out. The room is tan, lighter; she’s smiling feeling happier. The colors still pop out more with this lighting. 

Medium shot of the men sitting chattering; the room is back gray now.

The space around Margaret seems to be a bit darker and the look on her face is indicating why. She a feeling of uneasiness.

Close up of the two men laughing while Bader is giving his speech. 

Close up of Margaret; the area around her is darker. She has a look of uneasiness on her face as the events around her are continuing.

Close up of Margaret with her eyes close. She feels like “oh, what have I done?” This shot is well framed. She is dead center. The director wants the audience to feel what she’s feeling.