When I was little, my parents showed me the infamous scene in "Singin' In The Rain" where Gene Kelly, in a moment of genuine happiness, dances and sings on the side of a street in the pouring rain. Although I can't remember what age I was when I first witnessed this classic moment in cinema, I do know that I was young enough to not understand what exactly was happening in the movie, who the person was on screen, or the impact the film would eventually have on me. However, I was aware of one thing and perhaps the thing that matters the most. I was able to recognize that for whatever reason, this moment did not only show the simple joys of life but also was extremely important to the subject that I would later have passion for and devote my studies to.

             After watching this film in high school and then again in this class, I've decided to analyze this particular scene for no other reason than that I love it so much. I know it's the cliche scene to love and is the most recognizable and famous scene in the film but I think that this is the case for a reason. After studying what goes into making a film, I really want to figure out what exactly it was that the filmmakers were trying to do with this scene. While analyzing these technical aspects I hope to discover what it is that makes the scene so memorable and inspirational for so many people including myself.

             The camera work in the scene is both simplistic and formulaic. Because there is such a close tie between camera speed, movement, angle and the music, the scene flows fluidly and flawlessly. The shots that the filmmakers used are relatively simple yet carefully chosen and composed. The scene follows a relatively easy-to-follow formula. Throughout the entire scene, the camera remains fluid, never stationary, as it continues to follow the action. We begin with wide shots (often long and medium) that track the subject. These shots later dolly in and form close-ups.