Burn After Reading

Basic mise-en-scene notes for the first 4:40 mins of Burn After Reading:

Map zooms from a large span into one small area in America,  this shows how insginificant this place is and also links with the fact that it is an irrelevant secret is found out by two also insignifcant members of the public. There is a link between the narrative and the way the loaction is introduced.

Writing for the opening credits is similar to the type of writing used when telling people in the secret service their missions. This again ties in with the narrative as the film is connected with the CIA.

The long corridor that Ozzy walks down is long and bare, this shows that he is unaware of what he is heading into, however it also creates a sense of something untoward is about to happen, that is not very good.

Wall art in the office is to show what sort of building they are in, the CIA, and it also links with how Ozzy feels about his dismissal from his task, he claims it is political, and on the walls there are images of political figures.

In the office Ozzy is placed so that he is near the door, this is to symbolise the fact that he is being kicked off the job.

There is an image link between the conversation in the office and the next scene in that the excuse for Ozzy's dismissal is that he has a drinking problem. In the next scene there is a shot of an alcohol bottle. This is not just a link but also it is to show that their is truth in the allegation and to give the audience an idea about who he is.

Link to first 9:27m of Burn after reading, up to 4:40m is relevant:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6WncMIahz18&feature=related