Pulp Fiction - Tarantino Flashcards
opening shot pf
the ‘pulp’ definition states to mean: ‘shapeless mass of matter’. this defines the entire film and its lack of symbolic/metaphoric meanings
the sound at beginning is j-cut
sounding like a car or an engine functioning. however the next scene is Hunny Bunny and Pumpkin at the diner - its misleading and irrelevant (experimental film) misdirecting us
no establishing shot
typical of Tarantino films like resivoir dogs
media res
we enter mid conversation (media res) and the first thing we hear is ‘forget it, too risky’ creating an enigma straight away but also caution
long take of insignificant talking
its a long take of insignificant talking. suddenly the first cut of the film is of an insignificant woman (one of the producers) and its a close up of her face. its invasive and unexpected as we usually associate close ups with importance
unconventional shots
single shot of HB > an over the shoulder shot of Pumpkin > single shot of HB > two shot > single shot of HB > single shot of Pumpkin. the point is that a type conversation series of shots would typically be shot reverse shot, however Tarantino subverts this norm in cinema and shows an unequal power balance
Tim roth
Tim Roth would typically be recognised from ‘Resivoir Dogs’ and would bring character expectations as a mole (working for police) who also has a British accent. However, this subconscious attachment the viewer will make does not abide to the truth of his character.
Vincent
We then see Vincent behind HB going to the toilet - this creates a cyclical nature and a sense of order in these episodic events. however, Vincent is arguably the main character in Pulp Fiction and so by Tarantino dismissing him (keeping him out of focus and any indication its him) he is subverting the typical conventions of positioning of main characters/roles
close up timings
as pumpkin places his gun onto the table, this is a quick cut of it in a close-up only lasting 1-2 seconds. however the waitress was given a longer close-up but she holds less significance than for a prop that’s central to each episodic segment in the film.
as they continue talking
as they continue talking, the camera shots slowly/gradually move closer and closer to the both of them, painting the viewers interest in the conversation and a sense that they are going somewhere with their subject matter. However, the more they talk about robbing the cafe, the quieter their voices become, leaving the viewer feeling invasive and as a ‘fly on the wall’ listening to their plan
plot construction and distortion of time
todorov and syd field
hunny bunny
complex; child like, aroused, just as violent as Vincent
