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.
