Relationships Between Shots

Scene Clip

The scene that I will be examining is a scene from my all time favorite movie – Mrs. Doubtfire. The scene that I examined is the part of the film where Robin Williams character gets transformed into a woman; this scene is hilarious! I believe the editing techniques that the film makers used helped to make this scene funny for audiences. This scene is broken up into different shots; each shot shows the progression of Robins transformation into a woman. The first few shots are close ups of Robin's face where we can see the different looks he tries out. Using close ups through out the process is great because the audience gets to see the transformation clearly.

Also, there isn't a whole lot of sound effects and Foley used in this scene so the background music that was used helped to create a different mood in each of Robin's transformation looks. Each look matched the music being played. For example, in Robins first look he plays a spicy Latin woman so the there is lively calypso music being played in that shot. In Robin's next look he plays an old Jewish looking woman, during this shot the audience can hear old Yiddish music playing. Next, in one of Robins last looks he plays a woman who looks strikingly similar to Barbra Streisand so in this shot we hear music that can be heard in a Broadway orchestra which matches perfectly with the Streisand song Robin breaks out and sings while he is in this look. In the last shots Robin transforms into his final look; while this transformation is being made we hear the Frank Sinatra song Luck be a Lady, adding this song in the scene is perfect because Robin is being transformed into a “Lady” as the song is being played. It's also important to point out that at the start of each shot where Robin is being transformed the camera pans up to a close up of Robins face or Robin turns to the camera to reveal his look. Making a reveal like this adds some suspense to what crazy look Robin is going to appear in next and adds to the shock and entertainment value that this scene gives to the audience.

Mrs. Doubtfire is one of the funniest movies of all time and this scene is indicative of how funny the rest of the movie is; and it's all thanks to the editing.