Blog Post #6- The Garden State Of Frame

   In film and cinematography, editing is used to portray a theme. A long shot generally signifies sadness, loneliness, or isolation. A medium shot is a relationship shot in which a relationship between two or more people is portrayed. A close up shows a specific character's emotions, thoughts, or feelings.
   In Zach Braff's Garden State, a particular scene comes to mind that does a terrific job of using the long, medium, and close up shots. Sam and Large are burying Sam's pet hamster, and Large is telling her of his mother's recent death.

   The use of a medium shot shows how they bond over a mutual loss, each coping in their own way to the death of a loved one. This shot puts them at the same level, showing how they are in the same state of mind and establishing a relationship of trust between them.
   Then a close up is done on Sam as she begins to cry about the harshness of life and what she refers to as "real life tragedy." This demonstrates the emotional impact Large's story and the loss of her pet have on her.
   As they cover the hamster with dirt, the camera zooms out to show Sam and Large alone in the pet cemetery. This presents the idea that they both are hurt from their personal losses which isolates them from the rest of the world. The shot makes it seem like, at this moment, the only people that understand their pain is themselves. The only other people they have is each other.