Now that you understand the patterns you are looking for, go back through these videos and notice the difference between when they follow the pattern and when they don’t and how that changes how believable and engaging the scene is.
I will give you some hints of things you might notice or try to look for or listen to but each of these videos could be discussed as a lesson in itself.
Manon with Anna Netrebko and Roberto Alagna
What to look and listen for
Look for MMC and LNOS.
Look for how their eyes lead the action and the music.
Notice how fluid their movements are. There is a constant ebb and flow of tension that matches what the text and music is calling for.
Something There from Disney’s Animated Beauty and the Beast
What to look and listen for
The opening scene doesn’t work as well as when we get to the song. What is it that changes?
Notice when we get to the actual song how her eyes shift on the LNOS and how the action makes the music a consequence.
Notice that when here eyes aren’t the focus point they still shift the audiences focal point on the LNOS by changing camera angles, shots, and focal points.
Rewrite the Stars from The Greatest Showman
What to look and listen for
Look for MMC and LNOS
Notice how even though their actions are VERY choreographed it still feels naturalistic because their eyes or the viewers focal point is always shifting on the LNOS. So this principle even applies to dance!
Look for action music and how even though the actions apex land on the beat they are starting their action well ahead of time and always leading with their eyes!
Star Wars Episode I – Lightsaber Battle
What to look and listen for
LNOS & MMC
Notice how when they add more than one focal shift per musical phrase it actually weakens the moment and makes it less effective. If I had to guess this was a probably a result of someone wanting more shots because they looked cool rather than really focusing on the story telling and what made for a stronger statement.
Justin Timberlake – Say Something – In one take.
What to look and listen for
LNOS, MMC, & The Big 3.
The consistency of the focal point changing on the LNOS is breathtaking. To realize it was done in one take is unbelievable. Really one of the most exciting movie videos from a technical standpoint that I have seen. It is also a really excellent song and lovely to watch in terms of believability, variety, and clarity.
