A Few of My Favourite Things - Part One

[ash48]

To keep me and my fandom brain occupied over the next few days, I will be posting some of my favourite (and not so favourite) things about my show from the past 6 seasons (with sneak appearances from S7).

They will mostly take a "Top Five" format. Except for this one. I want to start with my favourite shots and there are far too many to restrict myself to only five. (I also want to stretch my picspamming skills...;) )



This one is at the top because it's my absolute favourite. It's the establishing shot of the hospital in After School Special (4.13). I adore the extreme low angle and the way the windows reflect the outside world. It sets up a foreboding, oppressive tone for the episode. It's also fairly obscure and detached. Wonderfully symbolic and beautiful.





Show uses overhead shots to great effect. They usually spiral in or out of the subject and create a sense of chaos. They often use circles as a motif. (Much meta to be had here on circles and the re-occuring themes - death, resurrection, abandonment, revenge etc. To be tackled at a later date).





This scene really struck me. Look at that huge oppressive bridge on top of our boys. So much symbolism. This is from All Dogs go to Heaven (6.08). Sam has no soul and the boys have this heavy weight over them. I love how professional and confident they look as they walk. It's a wonderful juxtaposition between the might of the Winchesters and the weight of the world. Brilliant.





Car porn! SO much love for this sequence in Two and a Half Men (6.02). The camera adores the Impala. (*sniff* I am missing her).





I remember being blown away by Castiel's introduction. From the doors opening, to the sparks of exploding light to the wing shot. Probably the best entrance for any actor on the show!





Use of Light. This is an embarrassingly small example of how awesome Show (well, Serge Ladouceur) uses light. But these two are amongst my favourites. The pools of light with the encroaching water in Hello Cruel World (7.02) and Sam bathed in (angelic) light in When the Levee Breaks (4.21).





I've put these scenes together because I feel there's a theme here. We often have shots where the Impala is in the foreground - as if watching over the boys. She's part of their family.

It's curious to me that when soulless!Sam is watching Dean and Lisa it's a similar shot. Only he's "excluded" from that family.

The star gazing shot from Swan Song (5.22) is one of my absolute favourites. The car is underneath them. Supporting them. With them. Part of the family. Part of their fate.




This is a rather random selection of my favourite scenes. It's mostly about the composition. It's what's in the background or foreground. The way the surroundings speak volumes without words.






I think the cinematography on Supernatural is amongst the best. I'm probably biased but for the little show that could they do remarkably well. :D

Comments

[meesasometimes.livejournal.com]

I don't usually pay that much attention to things that aren't a part of Dean's face, I definately take the rest for granted...which I may say is better than adoring the scenery and taking Dean for granted...but I love what you pointed out here...and am particularly drawn to that clothesline shot, I'm a fan of the clothesline WTF? I really am.

[greyowl88.livejournal.com]

Wonderful observations! ♥ :)
I remember hearing that Misha had to wet his hair to "survive" his angelic entrance. It sure looks like he is about to catch on fire in those caps. :S

[risenshine22.livejournal.com]

I love the clothesline in 6.01 maybe even more.
Supernatural is the first show I ever wanted to stop the VCR and just ogle at the lighting and setting.
My favorite scene? 4.22 - everyone sitting around that map at Bobby's. Another fav is this tree with the blue light from behind in Route 666 with the Impala rushing in the foreground - and of course the huge moon from Dark Side of the Moon.

[sothcweden.livejournal.com]

Thanks for pointing out some things. I'll confess that I'm not a very visual person, so the niceties of cinematography usually don't jump out at me until I'm re-watching Show on DVD. I'm too busy with the angst and the narrative on first viewing. But, wow, Supernatural really does look classy when viewed through these images.

Misha's entrance is the only thing I've been spoiled about that I'm really sorry I didn't get to see without prior knowledge. I watched S1-3 on DVD in Spring 2009, then saw the season finale of S4 before ever seeing any other eps from that season. I should have taken the fangirls' advice and skipped the season finale until the S4 DVDs had arrived, since that's the one season where there was some doubt about how things would play out. Live and learn.

[no-ones-sleep.livejournal.com]

The Impala is a being indeed. And like Chuck said, it is their home. Plus it is a symbol of Deans will to overcome- the Impala has been destroyed so many times, just like Dean was broken, and by repairing her he also restored himself. So if SPN ends, it has to be in the Impala.

Besides, great idea what you are planning and posting here :-). I feel pretty much while watching a scene, but I can seldom put my fingers on what it is that touches me so deeply (besides Dean beauty). But you help me realize what it is, so your entries are often a much needed explanation for me.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Oooh yes. I love one too. I think I love how domestic the clothes line is - so far away from their lives. (Hmmmm...I wonder how many clothes lines shots there are in the show all together?)

I spend a lot of time ogling the beauty in this show. ;)

Thanks for sharing yours. :DD

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

Hee... I imagine there would be some danger there. I wonder how many times they had to shoot that scene....

<33

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I suppose I notice them because of the vidding. It's usually when I'm clipping the scenes that I notice the way the imagine is composed. I think directors go to a lot of trouble to think about the way they set up a show. It's never random so every detail has been considered.

Ah yes. Being spoiled for that would have been a pain. It was such an amazing entrance.

xx

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I am having utter comment reply fail here. I've tried a few times to respond but it just won't let me. /o\ (not sure this one will either).

Chances are you've seen this comment a few times now... ;/

Hee... well, Dean's face is rather distracting..;)

I suppose I take notice of this stuff because I make vids, so I am often looking for symbolism in scenes.

And I love that clothes line shot. The colours and the movement in that scene are beautiful.

Thanks for dropping by. :)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

just like Dean was broken, and by repairing her he also restored himself.

So true. I wonder how symbolic it is that she's out of action at the moment. I'm really missing her. It's been a while now. :(

I'm glad I can help with the explanations. :) I really just wanted to have a play with picspamming and this seemed like a fun way to go about it.

xx

[galwithglasses.livejournal.com]

These are great. Your observations about the Impala shots and the ones under the bridge are spot on. I love the shot of the boys walking by the wheat field.

I never really paid a lot of attention to lighting and filming before I started watching SPN. The lighting crew and the people who dress the sets are really talented. They've been really fortunate to work with some great directors too.

Geeky me loves this stuff. Can I have my photo op with Serge or Guy Bee?

[afattribble.livejournal.com]

Oooh, what a lovely selection! SPN definitely has gorgeous cinematography, and I love that you mentioned the lighting because from the gritty dark filter of season one to the way the Smith/Wesson episode was handled I LOVE it!

Right now the only fav that comes to mind for me is in Heart, the shot that starts up in the sky with the pretty full moon and slowly comes down to reveal Dean leaning against that wall (dumpster? Wall, I think) waiting; I remember thinking that was a lovely shot :)

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Can I have my photo op with Serge or Guy Bee?

Yes please!! The thing I'd love to do most (short of actually watching them film a whole episode) is sit in the editing suite and watch. My geek would certainly be satisfied.

<3

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

And yes... that transition is wonderful. There's one that transitions from the bridge to the moon and then to Dean sitting by a window. It's stunning.

The show does amazingly well on (what I imagine to be ) a small budget.

Thanks for dropping by.
xx

[elsewhere91.livejournal.com]

I love the cinematography on supernatural - it's really the only show i notice it in. I don't know why - maybe because they don't really have a specific location and set (apart from Bobby's which is gone now )

I love the bridge scene in All dogs go to heaven - love it. And i really love that scene in everybody loves a clown with them walking and talking down that road.

[callistosh65.livejournal.com]

Beautiful. Such an interesting perspective on the episodes and shots. I'm with you, the cinematography was one of the first things that made me sit up and take notice when I started mainlining the episodes to catch up way back when. I remember being blown away by the way the season 1 finalé was filmed - that amazing scene, shot from below, when sam shoots his dad in the leg.

[cupidsbow.livejournal.com]

I agree with you that the show is gorgeous. I'm always amazed at the colours and compositions I find when I take out all the black they add. I have been known to coo at wallpaper in the background... "Why did they hide you, lovely thing?"

I like your choices here, especially the bridge.

Also, sorry for not replying to your email yet -- I'm trying to get a lot of jobs done. But in short: yes to everything you said!

[jennk528.livejournal.com]

Lovely choices! Thank you for pointing these out - some are ones I've never noticed, e.g. the bridge scene. Very symbolic, indeed. And I agree with you about the brilliant use of Show's overhead shots - they are always amazing.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I think you're right. They have to move around a lot so it probably allows them to be more creative. I love the way they use exteriors.

xx

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :)

Oh yes.... that scene in the cabin is quite amazing. They really utilise camera angles so well on this show.

xx

[ash48.livejournal.com]

I love the wall papers!!! :) I think someone did a wall paper picspam once (if not... it's a must do *g*) The hotel rooms are a thing to behold on this show. I love 'em.

And don't worry at all about the email. I was just blathering on. As I do. :DD

xx

[cupidsbow.livejournal.com]

A wallpaper picspam is an awesome idea! I don't remember seeing one before.

I has to have the brothel wallpaper, and the Changing Channels wallpaper, just for starters.

Also, blithering about vids is one of my favourite things to do; it's nice to meet someone else with a similar interest. :)

[fryttu.livejournal.com]

I had to nod to every single shot from the "random selection of favorite scenes". YES, all of them. And I like you talking about metaphors. Now I'm intrigued what else you'll post about!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Glad you liked the shots. The bridge scene is so wonderful. They could have filmed that anywhere but made a great choice in using under a bridge.

Thanks for dropping by.
xx

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Yes yes... it's so wonderfully viddable. And they seem to make a real effort to make the shots interesting.

<333

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Hi,

I'm glad you like the shot selection. :)

My other posts won't be quite as thinky as this one. ;) It's mostly to practice my picspam skills and have a bit of fun trying to thing of all my favourites. Though it's been tricky. Show has too many wonderful things.

Thanks for dropping by.
xx

[sandymg.livejournal.com]

Thank you thank you thank you. You explain what I sometimes get on a gut level. And I love being more educated and having someone point out technical and artistic choices. It's like *knowing* something is super special and having someone tell you *why*. I like to figure out similar things in the scripts. But visually I don't work that way. This way. Anyway, thanks much for this.

[secret-zephyr.livejournal.com]

I think I've watched and rewatched every episode of spn at least three times, and I've never noticed it the way you do. It's amazing! I'm sort of blown away by all this beauty. Thank you for showing me this!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

You're very welcome! :D

I think I certainly work from a more visual level. I will often think "what a great shot" before I think about other things. Then I like to think what a shot might represent because directors have got to make choices. They usually have reasons more doing it that way. Well, I gotta hope. :D

Thanks so much for your feedback. :)
xx

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Thanks so much. I'm so glad you've been able to see things a little differently. Show does an amazing job of with its visuals. I kinda get all geeky about this stuff.

Thanks so much for dropping by.
xx

[counteragent.livejournal.com]

Gorgeous! I always say the cinematography is superlative on our little show, and posts like this Prove it!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Thanks. :) Show blows me away when it comes to the way they film it. They really work it.

[lavishsqualor.livejournal.com]

looove this.

I have got to agree with you about the cinematography being amazing on Show. I absolutely adore it. The lighting, the shots and angles, the colors. It's all excellent.

And you've brought out some new beauties to me eye! So TY v much for that! :D

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Thanks. And you're welcome. Show makes it easy to come up with the pretty when they provide so much of it. (hee... and not just the boys. *g*)

<33

[borgmama1of5.livejournal.com]

I love when someone can show me how the visuals tell the story, as I rarely realize the message they are sending!

Looking forward to more posts like this!

[ash48.livejournal.com]

Thank you. :)

I love looking at this side of the show. Maybe this year I'll try and focus more on the visual messages the show is sending us. That could be fun. ;D

Thanks for dropping by.
xx

[fufaraw]

This is outside your requested seasons parameter, but it was a life-affecting moment for me, and got me focused on the camera work in SPN. In Shadow, when John and Sam finally embrace, there's a closeup of Sam's face over John's shoulder, a closeup of Sam's back and John's face over his shoulder with Dean out of focus to the side of them, straight in front of the camera. And then without moving either camera or the actors, the *camera* racks focus and sharpens on Dean's face, on his reaction shot seeing the two of them reconcile, leaving them out of focus. It's such a simple technique it's often overlooked in a director's or cinematographer's bag o' tricks. But Manners used it to wonderful effect here--exposing the emotional moment of the scene for all three characters, plus some family history as well. Manners was so very good at getting the camera to pull out those character moments, having the camera lend an assist to the acting, not just recording it.

I'm sure there are such moments in later seasons, but this one actually got me started on noting camera placement, angles, movements, lighting--what's emphasized, what's shadowed that the viewer may not see unless they're looking specifically for it. What's the lighting director and the director aiming to emphasize, and what's being subtly introduced into the edges of awareness and possibly developed later on.

So much more than point and shoot. Thanks for this post, I love reading about this stuff.

[ash48.livejournal.com]

HI,

This is an excellent example of how a director can use the camera to "speak". Some directors are certainly better at it than others. It's such a shame we lost Manners. I think Guy Bee is also pretty good at this type of work with the camera and shot composition also.

The lighting on the show is always excellent too. This "thing" I'm doing will (hopefully!) allow me to ask Serge Ladouceur some questions about certain shots so I'm trying to gather some really "cool" shots so he can comment on them.

Thanks so much for your input. If I can find a latter episode example as the one you've described above I will definitely use it. :))