Blow-up :: An Analysis

A number of different components go into the design of the clip in Michelangelo Antonioni’s 1966 film Blowup. Sound plays a key role within the clip in particular that of dialogue, sound effects and non-synchronous sounds such as music. The use of the dialogue and the way in which the actors structure the dialogue tells us a lot about the charcters; for instance the woman is unable to complete a sentence all her lines quick and fragmented indicative of her nerves, particularly in contrast to Hemmings’ character whose dialogue is evenly spaced and fluid.  Sound affects such as that of the footsteps, the jingle of keys in the attempt to unlock the door and the phone ringing all too add to the design of the clip. The use of  background drones add to the tension of the clip design and a soft jazzy type of music in various sections adds a sensual mood to the clip. The camera is very key to the design of the clip. It is almost always moving when the characters are, panning along with them; adding to the fast pace and fluidity of the scene; however, during this time at certain points it tends to suddenly stop on random items creating a sort of fragmentation to the fluidity and thus creating dramatic tension. The use of obscure framing such as when a shot is framed in way that a wooden plank conceals both characters heads, too add to the design and tension building taking place in the scene, creating an uneasiness. The set- design and mise-en-scen is another component that adds to the ‘whole’ of the design of the clip; the placing of art works, sculptures, film lighting, screens all around the abstractly constructed room adds to the artistic flare of the photographer, and clues the audience into the fact the scene is in his ‘studio’ implicitly. The final component I found in this clip was that of acting. For instance the gestures of the girl pacing back and forth are indicative of her nerves and an uncertainty within her.