Analysis of Types of Shots

The long shot is used to portray sadness, loneliness, and isolation. The “Social Network” portrays broken friendships, betrayal and obsession. Fincher’s use of the long shot at the beginning of the film following Zuckerberg’s break up is just the beginning of the demonstration of the loneliness and sadness that he faces as a result of his actions while creating Facebook. The long shot as the orientation shot gets the audience situated with not only the setting (Harvard, during the fall) but also sets the mood and tone for the rest of the movie.

In the “Social Network” the medium shot is perhaps the most utilized because it demonstrates the relationship of the characters during the most crucial parts of the movie. For example, during each deposition scene, the medium shot is used to show the tension and sadness between Zuckerberg and his former best friend. These shots give the most information most significant to understanding the complexity of the relationships and social connections between Zuckerberg and his friends/peers.

The close up is one of the most intimate types of shots because it conveys emotion, feelings and the most important details of the movie. In the “Social Network,” during the scene that Zuckerberg betrays Eduardo (his best friend in), the shot goes from a long shot screening the entire room following 1,000,000 users and then goes directly into Zuckerberg’s face. The intensity and emotion portrayed is one of sadness and dismay when he realizes that he has ruined the most important connection that he has. Essentially, the close up is the most personal interaction between the character and the audience because it demands attention to the actual humanness and problems/joys that a character faces.