HEAT - Heist scene analysis

The Cinematography in 'Heat'

This is a mid close up shot, panning from the focused security guard to the robber behind. We know that he got past the security with ease by the smooth panning of the camera and the oblivious stance of the guard. Also, by capturing the guard in this shot, the scene is trying to convey that the robber is quite skillful, being to pass by unnoticed.

This shot was taken at a high angled point of view. This allows us to see the whole scope of the bank and it's setting outlines and how the people attending their businesses were completely unaware of the upcoming robbery like a circling hawk over-watching it's prey. It also indicates the arrival of the robber and his presence like the calmness before a storm.

This extreme close up of the robber shows his eyes darting around at the details in the setting. We know this because of the subsequent eye-line matches. While the others were completely oblivious, the close up indicates that the robber was trying to find weaknesses and a right time to start the attack, and he's the only one doing the thinking which, involves the whole setting.

This medium shot shows the security guard being knocked down and tied up. However, instead of shooting it from a more open and clearer angle, the shot was taken with the table bars in the foreground, which acted as a blocking (slit framing ) instead. This implies that the guard was hopelessly on the floor, under the tables, hard to get up and fight, and was trapped. The bars resemble prison bars which trap prisoners inside and forcing them harmless.

This is another medium shot that display the art of shallow depth and field. The camera focuses on the main character who walked towards the camera. The other two robbers were seen subsequently behind the main one, allowing the viewers to see the whole situation controlled by the robbers.

This extreme close up of the robber's hand shows the viewers that the person HAS (GOT) the key (That he robbed from an accountant), and has the superior ability to break into the storage room.

This close up of the police's head is at eye level. The camera wants the viewers to see exactly what the man was seeing beyond the wall but at the same time, wanted the wall to represent the opaque hardship blocking justice's way of success. This shot also allows the viewers to feel as though they are the ones in the scene. With the block wall, the camera work helps create tension, for people only hide behind walls if they are scared of something or does not want to be seen.

The robber's nervous expression in this reaction shot is further emphasized by a big close up upon the face. It allows viewers to share the knowledge of his concerns through the actual acting rather than script. We know for sure that by this point, the robber has expressed some concerns for their well being after the shooting incident with the police force.