Andrew Nieman Film Techniques

Introduction

This film revolves around a young college student studying music and the sacrifices he makes to become great. The director of the film uses techniques such as camera angles, costume and language. These techniques effectively portray how the protagonist’s sacrifices affect his mental and physical health, close relationships and personality negatively. This essay will demonstrate how the protagonist’s choices make all his sacrifices worth it.

Synopsis

Andrew Nieman is an aspiring jazz drummer, studying at the best music academy in the United States. Nieman hungers to be one of the greats, possibly comparable to his idol Buddy Rich. In order to accomplish his dreams he practices countless hours every day, until he is discovered by Terence Fletcher, the school’s notorious professor. Contrasting to their less than positive first meeting, Nieman is surprised when Fletcher offers him a position in his ‘Studio Band’. Impressed with his success, Nieman confronts a girl whom he’s been eyeing for a while, subsequently

During his long hours of practice, willing to impress Fletcher, the intensity of his practice causes his hands to bleed. Following up on this, he would place his injured hands in a bucket of ice, just so he could keep on practicing. The director shows his pain by utilising close-up camera shots on his face, drenched in sweat with a discomforting look of pain on his face, and also the drum kit itself, also drenched in sweat and blood. Symbolic images are also used in the film such as when Nieman moves his mattress out of his room to make way for his drums. This displays to the audience that he has given up sleeping to practice more. Another symbolic shot is one of his un-touched toothbrush. This symbolises Nieman giving up his personal hygiene. All of these representations further indicate that Nieman will sacrifice anything, even his own health, in order to be