Blog 3

Moneyball is a 2011 film about the unexpected success of the 2002 Oakland Athletics baseball team. The specific scene I chose depicts catcher turned first baseman Scott Hatteberg hitting a walk off home run during a pivotal moment in the film. The scene starts off with the Athletics manager (played by Phillip Seymour Hoffman) calling Hatteberg out of the dugout to pinch hit. This is shown through a series of medium shots cutting between Hatteberg and the manager to show Hatteberg’s hesitance. The shots are dirty, with multiple people walking past the camera in order to show the chaos of the dugout in that moment. The camera then cuts to a shot of Hatteberg grabbing a bat and walking out of the dugout, establishing a clear continuity. Then it cuts to a wide of Hatteberg walking up to the plate with the stands full of cheering fans and bright stadium lights shining down on him. The next sequence builds suspense by going in slow mo for a little. Dramatic music starts playing and the announcers can be heard faintly announcing the at bat. It cuts to several reactions in the crowd and field, including the pitcher, Athletic’s dugout, and Billy Beane listening from inside the stadium. Then the video slows down and the music reaches a climax as the pitch comes. Hatteberg swings and the only sound that can be heard is the crack of the bat. All the sound fades out as we watch everyone’s reactions. Since this scene is the climax of a mainstream narrative film, it uses continuity editing to establish a clear narrative. The shots are organized to build suspense and ultimately lead to Hatteberg’s homerun.