Shot-Reverse-Shot with Split Diopters in GUNPOWDER MILKSHAKE
Split diopters are often used in ‘one-off’ shots, even if there are several uses within a scene, but Gunpowder Milkshake uses the technique for a shot-reverse shot, several times in this showdown.
Setup
0:00-0:15 The start of the showdown is one unbroken camera move, establishing how where and how close Jim (Handlebar Moustache) and his Henchmen are in relation to Sam (Karen Gillan).
Split!
Once we know where everyone is, the scene gets straight into the split diopter shots, each keeping Sam in the ‘centre’ between the two threats. In both these shots we can see Sam’s face as she talks to Jim (or the Henchmen), and also see the Henchmen (or Jim) standing behind her, clearly.
Other Shots
Those split-diopter shots are interspersed with singles of Sam and the Cartoonish Threats (band name up for grabs), keeping Sam in the centre and Jim and the Henchmen to their respective frame-sides.
Takeaways
Why use a split here instead of letting the threats be out of focus?
One, it’s cool.
Two, it lets us know Sam is absolutely still thinking about the danger she’s in, even when she’s not looking at. Keeping the bad guys in focus screams SAM IS AWARE OF HER SURROUNDINGS without Karen Gillan having to verbalise it or over-act the awareness.
Three, it’s cool.