Viewing Notes 1 - Wonder | English

Structure:

Narrators change the perspective of the viewer

1. Auggie (August)
2. Via
3. Jack-Will
4. Miranda
5. Auggie

Opening Scene: 0:36 - 1:46

Camera Shots/Angles:

Eye Level, close up (to make us think us think Auggie is in space, we later zoom out to see we are in his bedroom.

Special Effects:

Slow-motion of Auggie jumping because it makes more realistic as, in space, there is no gravity in space so people move slower.

Music/Sound:

  

Diagetic - ground control talking over radio, gives us the idea we are in space.

Music tempo starts slow with quiet dynamic to match the slow-mo of outer space. Tempo picks up when we zoom out to see Auggie in his room.

Symbols:

Astronaut helmet. Represents the physical barrier Auggie puts between himself and others; even when its off people don't really see him.

August's Dad - Nate

'It's like leading a lamb to the slaughter'

Science Classroom Scene - 7:30 - 9:28

Camera Angle/Shot

Open high angle wide shot, makes the room look big & scary & the students look weak & vulnerable.

Body Language

Auggie walks with shoulders hunched, slouched posture, head down. This makes him look smaller & weaker. Trying not to be noticed.

Auggie's First Class - 14:31

Camera Angle/Shot

Over the shoulder, eye-level - between Julian & Auggie. Cuts between close-ups of Auggie to show emotions & mid shots of Julian & the rest of the class. Makes it feel like Auggie is alone.

Summer - 'When given the choice between being right & being kind. Choose kind.'

StarWars Symbols:

• Julien references Dark Sideous
• Auggie has a padewon braid (apprentice Jedi)

StarWars Moments:

Chewbacca → 32:40 → Shows us Auggie, understands why people, but how he wishes they'd deal with it.

Everyone in the Star Wars universe looks strange, weird & deformed so no one treats them differently. This would be a safe place for Auggie because no one would stare.

Auggie - 'I'm sorry if my starring made you uncomfortable'

Julian & Jack Fight Scene - 1:06:06 - 1:07:40

Camera Shots/Angles:

Over the shoulder - as Jack punches Julian, makes us feel part of the event.

Low Angle - during the fight - makes the person on the top look stronger.

Dutch Tilt - lockers on angle, used to show something isn't right in the world. 

Special Effects:

Slow-motion - makes easier to see, especially emotions, also makes it feel more intense.

Music/Sound:

Tempo-slow, minor = sad, dynamics = quiet = intense

Music comes in with voice over - makes it feel reflective



Fight at the Nature Reserve Scene - 1:29:40 - 1:32:35

Camera Shots/Angles:

High Angle Shot - down onto the bully, makes him look weak & vulnerable while Auggie, Jack, Amos & the others look strong. 

Music:

Used to build tension or suspense.

Tempo - very quick rhythm

Dynamics - starts quiet but gets louder as boys start running - builds anxiety

Chords - minor - looked at with tempo makes it feel anxious.

Themes:

Importance of friendship & family
Kindness


Conclusion/Ending - 1:40:26

Camera Shots/Angles:

Tilt Shot - as Auggie bows

We are shown a similar scene to the opening, only this time the background is actual space rather than a painting on Auggies bedroom wall.

Finishes with a repeat of the astronaut jump arms up into the shot.

Music:

Major key - happy

Tempo - fast - gives energy

Dynamics - loud - gives energy

It makes the viewer feel happy about the ending!


Whereas the start Auggie was imagining himself as happy, at the end he actually is happy which is why the background of the scene is now realistic.