Anything that does not follow this balance will be disorientating and this is a technique deliberately employed by Schnabel. The frames within the opening scene, like much of the later frames from Jean-Do's POV, are unbalanced. One clear example of this is when the doctor comes close to the camera to address Jean-Do, his face dominates the left side of the frame whilst leaving the right side empty. As the doctor moves around, there are shots where his ear, chin and nose are in the center of the frame, shots which do not provide the viewer with any new information but rather disrupt the traditional filming conventions which results in discomfort. This unbalanced framing of the face in the shot and the angle of the camera creates a disorientating effect which makes the viewer uneasy. This is because of both the uncomfortably close proximity of the doctor, but also to the unbalanced frame, an unexpected technique.

             Interestingly in contrast however, the first image of the opening narrative is fairly well balanced in comparison to those which follow. Through a large amount of slow 'blinking', we are presented with the image of two figures at the foot of the bed and a vase of roses on the right. Whilst not being totally balanced and symmetrical, this frame has a certain balance that the later images do not. This could be argued to be the establishing shot as it introduces the space however this also leaves the viewer uncomfortable as there are very obvious limitations to what can be seen. Whilst the figures are slightly off center, their heads, however, occupy the middle horizontal section of the frame where a viewer would naturally expect the main action to be. Moreover, the actors stand at an equal distance from the camera in clear view. I believe that this somewhat balanced frame is important as it allows the viewer to read the action and gain important information, a difficult task after the out of focus shots and disorientating pink and black flash frames which have dominated the first several seconds of the opening.