Sequence Analysis

There are a variety of sequences in this video with the most distinct beginning at 1:18, with what in this case is a wide shot. It is then followed by a medium shot at 1:23 and a tight shot at 1:27. This sequence shows workers tending to a Coast Guard tribute at the Vietnam War Memorial, which is currently being refurbished. It is particularly interesting that the relatively close-up sequence occurs after a standup interview in which the repairmen, who have no visual prominence or reason to draw one's eye, appear in the background. Then, the sequence brings them to the forefront and shows in an in-depth manner their roles in the project.

The sequence itself provides information with each tightening of perspective. First, the wide shot lets the viewer see the workers at their task. Next, the viewer gets to see the reason peopler are buffering the memorial because scratches and blemishes are clearly apparent on it. Finally, the tightest shot conveys that the piece of the memorial being tended to is a tribute to the United States Coast Guard. The only possible problem with the sequence is that the tightest shot's point of view is rotated around the memorial from where the wide and medium looks were shot. However, it does not completely cross the axis and is done with a purpose, to clearly show the Coast Guard emblem on the memorial. Additionally, it is followed by a second wide shot of the workers at their task that is from the same perspective as the tightest shot, lending balance to the sequence as a whole. Overall, the sequence used in this piece is well done and employed functionally.