Still frame analysis revised

 Minority Report Still Frame Analysis

Alex PIgott

Speilberg set up this scene with the intention of illustrating the intensity of Anderton and Witwers rivalry throughout the movie.  Anderton and Witwer are the most illuminated objects in the frame.  They both stare directly at each other, both with a little bit of a smirk showing that they both hold the confidence that they will get their way over the other. 

The framing of this scene is interesting, as there is no clear focal point.  Anderton occupies the left side, and Witwer occupies the right.  There is nothing distinctive on either side to grab the viewer's eye, leaving each side competing for the viewers attention. It's almost as if Anderton and Witwer are the ones competing for the eye of the viewer.

Witwer and Anderton, although they are not the same height, are pictured at exactly the same level.  This is done to show that at this point neither Anderton, nor Witwer has an advantage over the other--- a fair fight.  In addition, the similarity in height gives the photo a sort of symmetry, possibly showing that the two are more similar than previously thought.  At this point in the film the viewer is aware that Anderton is an incredibly smart man, but we don't know much about Witwer.  This shot could have been intended to show that Witwer shares the same skills as Anderton, adding to the competition between the two. 

The camera only captures Anderton and Witwers profiles, which emphasizes that both of their attention is completely focused on each other, as if in a staring contest. This idea is emphasized by the lighting.  The background is darkest around anderston and witwers heads.  It extends between the two to form a sort of tunnel that connects their eyes. A wavy pattern distorts the background, and there is very little light.  This shows that to both Anderton and Witwer, nothing matters besides this moment. With no props, characters, or anything distinguishable in the background, the focus is completely on Anderton and Witwer. Whatever is actually in the background doesn't matter to either of them because they are completely focused on each other, trying to win the afformentioned  “staring contest”. 

 In the center of the frame is one of andertons agents, observing the interaction.  His head slightly angled towards anderton.  He looks at his boss as if in awe at the power of these two men.  He stands far away from the two, as if scared to interfere in this moment.  There is almost no light on him, as if to emphasize how unimportant he is compared to the other two.

All of these details add to the idea that anderton and witer are both experts in their field, equal in skill and intelligence, but are on different sides.  Using lighting, height, and distortion, the still frame sets up the “staring contest”, or rivalry between the two, and also emphasizes the intensity of it.