Inside Job by Charles Ferguson Free Essay Example, 750 words

Inside Job Inside Job is a film directed by Charles Ferguson that considers the financial crisis through a highly engaging five-part structure. While the documentary’s overall narrative and investigative reporting are thought provoking, the film’s construction and the articulation of these concepts are perhaps the film’s most notable elements. This essay considers the filmmaking elements of Inside Job, analyzing them for their meaning making capacity. A great number of filmmaking techniques are implemented throughout Inside Job to convey the film’s thematic concerns. From the opening scenes it’s evident that the general structure of the film is such that it implements interview, voice over narration, and compelling videos and photographs in explicating messages. In terms of visual imagery, the effect is highly powerful as the filmmakers implement images of pollution and industrialized zones to dynamically demonstrate the force of deregulation. The environmental shots also are juxtaposed with interview footage to convey a sense of urgency and movement in the film. For instance, one scene contains a countryside shot with slow moving clouds. This shot is edited against an interview with a static background. We will write a custom essay sample on Inside Job by Charles Ferguson or any topic specifically for you Only $17.96 $11.86/pageorder now The next shot is of fast-paced inward moving helicopter footage. While the scenes all contribute to the film’s overall narrative understanding, they also increase and engage viewer interest through pacing methods that gradually draw the viewer into the film’s narrative. Montage techniques are also implemented to great effect. For instance, when the film switches from the opening segment to New York, there is a very powerful montage piece that contains snippets of conversations with important figures in the economic meltdown accompanied by on-screen text that also showed their complicity or conflict of interest. Another power montage is put together towards the middle of the film as images of the Hamptons are placed on the screen. In these regards, the film makes great use of visual imagery and music to create a sense of on screen irony that cleverly demonstrates the devious absurdity of the situation and financial crisis. As the film progresses, it explores a number of experimental visual and narrative techniques. One such narrative technique is the split screen format. This allow the filmmakers to implement an almost cubist like articulation of a protest rally, giving the viewer a more complex picture of the actual occurrence. There is a continued understanding that the verbal narrative can only be fully grasped through adequate visual components. For instance, after Matt Damon discusses the drastic unemployment rate, the film cuts to empty buildings with a slower and more somber editing pace. While the buildings may not even be located in the region that is being talked about, they have a sophisticated and visually appealing architecture that adds to the film’s overall narrative appeal. The film’s actual narrative is told in a highly engaging and effect way. The filmmakers implement the narrative star power of Matt Damon to relay the story in-between interviews with witnesses and field experts. Indeed, it’s been noted that, â€Å"This film is as gripping as any thriller. Aided by some fascinating interviews, Ferguson lays out an awful story† (Bradshaw). Indeed, at times one wonders if the narrative fits together just too well, but as it is bolstered by interviews and frequent textual evidence the overriding plot is understood as highly powerful. Another powerful aspect of the film is its ability to convey highly complex financial information processes in an easy to understand way. In these regards, voice over narration is coupled with on-screen graphics that are easily digestible for the viewer. This allows the film to engage the viewer on a much deeper and intellectual level than other documentaries that fail to convey this essential informat ion. In addition to these techniques, filmmaker Charles Ferguson makes profound use of rhetorical techniques. Towards the film’s conclusion there is a powerful indictment of the Obama administration’s handling of financial reform. The film also indicates that the same individuals that started the crisis are still in power. In concludes with a voice-over narration that speaks calls for Americans to fight against these influences while an image of the Statue of Liberty is shown on the screen. The image is powerful the statue has such resonance to many Americans. In conclusion, Charles Ferguson’s Inside Job makes use of a number of filmmaking techniques in relaying its overriding message. This essay has considered both structural and narrative elements in considering the variety of ways the film presents it message. In these regards, it’s argued that the film implements traditional filmmaking techniques of montage and juxtaposition editing, coupled with the narrative techniques of interviews and voice over narration in achieving its meaning making system. References Bradshaw, Peter. (2011) ‘Inside job review. ’ the Guardian. http: //www. guardian. co. uk/film/2011/feb/17/inside-job-review