Breaking Bad analysis essay

 

[This was my first Film Studies essay on a scene from 'Breaking Bad' I analysed in class]

How does the Breaking Bad clip create meaning through the use of camera, mise-en-scene, editing and sound?

Clementine Ruddenklau

In the clip from Breaking Bad, meaning is created through the use of Walter, the chemistry teacher, using the Bunsen burner flame in his class. This use of fire throughout the majority of the scene symbolizes Walter’s passion for chemistry and the way he expresses this, whilst also creating meaning by projecting his emotions in the clip to the audience. In the clip, there’s a shot at the 1 minute 26 second mark, with Walter talking to his class about chemistry. The shot is a low medium close up, clearly there to mimic the point of view of one of his students watching him teach, and features only Walter’s head and shoulders, along with the presence of the fire that is burning right next to him. This use of focus on only these two objects creates meaning by illustrating Walter’s passion for chemistry through the physical appearance of the flame; with the flame getting smaller and less colourful as the shot goes on, because Walter notices a student who isn’t listening to him. Furthermore, in previous shots when Walter is talking about chemistry, the flame gets larger and more colourful as he sprays it with chemicals, further emphasizing his love for chemistry through the flame and the points at which he shows his enthusiasm towards the subject. It gives the idea that chemistry is the only colour in his life, especially with his clothes consisting of beige and neutral colours. The shot clearly shows that the only colour present is the fire, something that decreases as the scene goes on.

After this first shot, there is a 10 second long shot with Walter noticing the student, Chad, in his class who isn’t paying attention and has moved to a different seat. In this shot, Walter’s expression slowly changes after being happy and excited about chemistry, with him standing up a little taller and using hand gestures to emphasize his passion, to him leaning over the desk with a frustrated expression pointed towards Chad. Now, in this shot, the camera is completely focused on only his face and the flame, creating meaning through a slightly unsettling atmosphere created in the room and the lack of dialogue or noise. After this, once Chad has moved his chair back to his table, there is a shot with Walter watching him move, an upset expression on his face. The shot is a medium shot with the focus being on Walter only, Chad’s body being out of focus and closer to the camera, which is just behind him moving. At this point, the fire is no longer in the shot, ultimately showing that the passion Walter has for chemistry is now completely gone in the scene and the biggest focus being on the loud, slow synchronous sound of Chad’s chair being dragged on the floor. Here, meaning is created through the tension between them, with the significant power shift in the scene and Chad being in control. Chad’s shadow almost moves like a darkness over what was a relatively neutral atmosphere beforehand, with Walter never breaking the stare between them. Overall, meaning is created in this scene through the use of the visual representation of passion and power, with the camera focusing on Walter throughout the scene to emphasize his expressions and thoughts to the audience, so they know exactly what is going on in the scene; and the eventual power shift between him and Chad creating a new dynamic in the scene that stays until it is over.

What I needed to improve on from this essay was the use of film terminology. My writing style needed to change and I needed to include a lot more mentions of camera shots and styles as well as general film language. It wasn't a bad first essay but my way of writing needed to be altered to sound more like a film student and less like I was analysing this scene the same way I would analyse a piece of literature.