Interpretation/Meaning
In the embedded Toy Story scene, the main protagonists Buzz and Woody are chasing the moving truck to catch up with the other toys they've been separated from. Within the same scene, the producer includes Scud, the dog, chasing the two protagonists. To begin, the tempo that is created in this particular scene utilizes shot length, camera movements, and camera angles. According to our film textbook, shorter scenes create a rapid emotion and force the audience to comprehend and adjust their understanding of the events quicker than a scene with longer shots; longer shots are used to slow down the pace of a scene. Because the chase scene is so intense and action-packed, the cut transitions help make the audience feel like they are on the edge of their seat, waiting and watching in suspense in addition to the short lengths of each clip. The cut transitions can quicken the pulse of the audience and represents an "instantaneous" change in emotion or direction of the film. There are no other types of transitions within this scene. For the most part, the film uses eye level or point of view shots of either the toys or the dog.
Selection
I chose Toy Story's chase scene because it includes a variety of shot lengths in addition to the many camera movements and angles that my class studied. The scene is built up beginning with longer shots showing how peaceful the setting was before Woody and Buzz needed to chase the truck and be chased by Scud. The shots shorten as the action is quickly changing and increasing the intensity and urgency to get to the truck and escape the dog. On the other hand, the film especially allows the audience to experience the plot from a perspective they are not familiar with: the point of view and through the eye level of the toys. Occasionally, the camera moves towards a bird's eye view shot to show the chaos that is taking place in that specific moment. For example, when the toys on the truck were hoisting up Woody to overthrow him from the truck, the shot shows how the toys are working together to successfully lift Woody. Meanwhile, Scud is also chasing Buzz who is circling in the same manner Woody is. Between these two moments within the chase scene develops the conflict and the challenges Buzz and Woody go through to reunite themselves with their friends and ultimately affecting the tempo of the scene.
Genre
Disney Pixar's Toy Story is fictional. The film is in the toys' point of view. The audience rarely sees the face of the humans and when seen is usually in worm's eye view. Their point of view helps the audience understand the plot occurring in the plot, especially since the audience could not possibly know how toys deal with conflict because toys are inanimate. Additionally, the world through a toy's perspective is enlarged and exaggerated. Even the speed of which the road is moving beneath Woody and the truck when it drives away is faster. This complements and helps the tempo of the scene. Buzz and Woody struggle with catching up with the truck and use the assistance of a toy car. Also, because this is an animated film directed to an audience of all ages but especially appealing to the younger viewers, the tempo of the film and the scene is important for their attention span. The rapidness of the shot length and the cut transitions help to keep the audience inclined and interested in the events.
Director's Intentions/Audience's Responses
The director's intentions for this film was to utilize new technology and create a storyline different than previous Disney films which were dependent on fairytale plots. With the help of the new technology, the director was able to create such intense scenes being the first film to be fully animated on a computer. In result, Toy Story was recognized as one of the best Pixar films to be made. It revolutionized film animation and story development. The director used toys to create demonstrate human values of friendship and acceptance.
Analysis
Overall, the tempo of this chase scene in Toy Story is created by the camera angles and movements, but also the length of each clip and the cut transition the producers use. The new technology of its time helped to create such an intense scene of constantly changing actions and emotions. The tempo helps express how important it is for Buzz and Woody to catch up to the truck: Their friends are inside the truck and they don't want Andy to be upset if they are not there for him as he moves to a new house. Not only that, but they are trying to escape the psychopathic dog, Scud, that is associated with the crazy boy who lived next door to Andy. In that case, the tempo also helps to express the anxiety and fear Buzz and Woody endure with trying to complete two tasks: escape a dog and catch up with the moving truck. In different parts of the scene, the shots do slow down to create suspense for the next tempo increase and to give the audience an emotional break. For example, the moving truck is stopped at a traffic light and the scene is slowed down. Woody has made it to the truck to reconcile a toy to help Buzz escape Scud. The intensity of the scene increases when the shots shorten as the truck accelerates again and the toys attack Woody, having known what he had done earlier in the film to try and sabotage Buzz. Throughout this scene, two themes are at work within its tempo: the act of friendship and teamwork.
Continuity Editing - Tempo (Presentation)
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