Sunset Boulevard Shots Analysis

Question 1

HOLLYWOOD/FAME/STARDOM:
1) Opening Shot

Answer 1

• The opening high-angle shot of the Sunset Boulevard signs emphasises that the images of grandeur often associated with Hollywood are a facade, and that the true Hollywood is dark and grim.
• We are positioned to literally ‘look down’ on the film industry, as this scene symbolises how members become unjustly abandoned and ‘kicked to the curb’, left to fade out and forgotten. This contrasts with the typical connotations of Sunset Boulevard with the notion of stardom, grandeur, wealth in Hollywood
• Moreover, opening scenes tend to set the tone of the movie, and leave lasting impressions on the audience that carry through the entirety of watching
• Concurrently, the urgent and foreboding non-diegetic sound accompanying the credits, further intensifies the atmosphere, foreshadowing the true depiction of Hollywood and its stars.

Question 2

HOLLYWOOD/FAME/STARDOM

2) Sheldrake’s office contrast

Answer 2

• Billy Wilder’s long two-shot of Joe at Sheldrake’s office helps to demonstrate the different sides of the Hollywood life by contrasting their living conditions
• Sheldrake is depicted lying back in his chair smoking a cigar, while Joe is in the foreground leaning forwards in his chair in desperation. In this scene, Wilder puts together an accomplished producer and a failing script writer.
• Through this, Wilder picks apart the delusion of everyone being rich and accomplished in Hollywood with the reality being that most people are unable to make a living and will never hop on the “gravy train.”

Question 3

HOLLYWOOD/FAME/STARDOM

3) Joe and His agent

Answer 3

• The composition of this medium two-shot is symmetrical, highlighting the transactional nature of their relationship.
• Joe, on the left, leans slightly forward, indicating his desperation, while, on the right, his agent stands firm and unyielding, embodying the dismissive authority of the Hollywood studio system, wearing a casual sweater and cap, contrasting with Joe’s more formal suit, suggesting a man who is comfortable with his position, while Joe’s attire hints at his attempts to maintain a professional facade despite his financial struggles.

Question 4

DELUSION:
1) Mise-en-scene of the portraits in her room facing her

Answer 4

This delusional fantasy world she has ensconced herself in is symbolised by self-portraits that are always directed towards Norma. These both demonstrate how Norma’s world continually revolves around her continuing to be the same young, well-known actress she was and how she feeds into this delusion by avoiding interaction with the outside world

Question 5

DELUSION:

2) Panning shot of pictures in her mansion

Answer 5

Through this wide shot, Wilder seeks to highlight Norma’s self-obsession she has with her youthful self, who is unable to move on and accept her aging body which does not help with all her photographs of her youth installed around the house. Wilder further higlights the photographs by placing them near the lights and thereby appear as the focal points.

Question 6

DELUSION:

3) Closing scene “Cameras?”

Answer 6

The horror is escalated by Franz Waxman’s score (the background music), boasting the horrifying image of Norma Desmond having undergone a total break from reality, as Norma’s delusions ultimately lead to her end, she believes shes filming a scene for her movie Salome but is walking into police custody.

Question 7

DESPERATION

1) Joe’s Apartment

Answer 7

The mise-en-scene before this of the palm trees and the bustling roads can be juxtaposed with the harsh reality of Gillis’ life, as the camera zooms into his apartment, as he uses makeshift furniture to do work on and his unkept appearance, highlighting his utter desperation and living conditions, highlighting His tendency to settle for something inconvenient despite its inauthenticity

Question 8

DESPERATION

2)