Wednesday, May 14, 2014

Top 10 Uses of Split-Screen

The concept of split-screen is simple, but no less dangerous. Typically, a line cuts through the middle of the screen to convey simultaneous action. But like all gimmicky narrative devices, split-screen is frequently abused and over stylized. At its most lazy, the technique is used as a fallback for sports or music montages. At its most effective, filmmakers implore the device to tell various stories at the same time, create tension from multiple points of view, show the effect the past has on the present, and so on. Perhaps what’s most interesting about the split-screen technique is that it forces the viewer to become the editor. We choose which story we watch, and for how long. That level of interactivity can be dangerous (by taking the viewer out of the film), but, as the examples below prove, it can also be thrilling.

Honorable Mention
The X-Files – Triangle (1998)

“Triangle” is a standalone episode of The X-Files in which present day Mulder (David Duchovny) is stuck on a ship, the Queen Anne, in 1939. Present day Scully (Gillian Anderson) boards the abandon Queen Anne in 1998 in an attempt to find Mulder, who has run into a past version of Scully in 1939.

The episode is memorable for several reasons: its unique plot structure, its hidden editing cuts, but, most notably, “Triangle” is worth mention for the extended split-screen sequences near the end of the episode. At one point, as a screen follows present day Scully in 1998 down a hallway, and the other screen follows present day Mulder and past life Scully in 1939 down the same hallway, the two Scullys cross paths, and the respective split-screens jump to the other side of the frame. A wondrous example of television becoming pure filmmaking.

10. The Thomas Crown Affair (1968)
I’ll be the first to admit that Norman Jewison has a little too much fun with split-screens in The Thomas Crown Affair. Like a kid playing with a toy for the first time, Jewison occasionally doesn’t know when enough is enough. However, there’s a manic overtness to the split-screens in this film that I do find appealing. They fit so well within the fuckitall anti-establishment mentality of the late ‘60s. I’m not sure all of them are necessary (believe me, you’ve never seen a polo match covered so thoroughly), but by and large, I dig what Jewison was doing.

9. Requiem for a Dream (2000)
The use of split-screen is an essential component to the unique energy of Requiem for a Dream. Most people recall the film imploring the technique during its many frenzied drug sequences, but the one I love most is far more subtle. There’s something so oddly sensual about watching Jennifer Connelly and Jared Leto gently caress each other in extreme close-up split-screens. No one would fault Darren Aronofsky for shooting the scene with both of them in the frame. But by splitting them apart, he heightened the distinct tension within the film. Basically, this scene is another reminder that you never knew what the hell Requiem for a Dream was going to do.

8. Sisters (1973)
Split-screen is Brian De Palma’s thing. He’s used it effectively in many of his films, my favorite example of which is the brutal murder early in Sisters. It isn’t as extended a split-screen as De Palma typically goes for, but it remains wholly effective. As a man with mere seconds to live struggles to get the attention of anyone who might be looking, our hearts sink knowing that, ultimately, the knife will get the better of him.

7. (500) Days of Summer (2009)
Within (500) Days of Summer’s gimmicky narrative is an ingenious sequence that measures a young man’s expectations about being invited to a party, with the reality of what actually happens. When Summer (Zooey Deschanel) invites her ex, Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), to her house party, Tom sees it as a final chance. The left side of the screen displays how Tom expects the evening to go: hugs, chats, smiles and hookups. But on the right side, we watch as Tom’s evening unfolds into a few torturous hours of forced smiles, awkward laughs, slight insults, and, of course, shattered expectations.

6. The Rules of Attraction (2002)
Initially, the extended split-screen in Roger Avary’s kind-of brilliant, The Rules of Attraction, succeeds because of plainness. Very few movies take the time to show the mundane, but here, Avary shows how two would-be lovers spend a boring Saturday morning apart, before their lives intersect. They smoke, use the bathroom, pick their nose – plain, ordinary, simple. It isn’t until they meet by chance in a hallway that Avary changes the game. As Sean (James Van Der Beek) and Lauren (Shannyn Sossamon) end their conversation, the cameras pan away from their individual faces and seamlessly form into one cohesive shot. Trust me, even with the advent of digital filmmaking and motion control, this shot would be insanely difficult to pull off.

5. Timecode (2000)
Timecode is a film experiment like no other. Maddening to some, certainly, but for the purposes of this list, it cannot be overlooked. The concept: the screen is split into four separate screens, each displaying different stories. The audio occasionally highlights one box in particular, but for the most part, you decide which story you want to watch at any given time. To push it further: every screen was shot simultaneously, with its own camera crew, all in one 90 minute-long take. Director Mike Figgis and his team shot a total of 15 takes over two weeks, ultimately settling on the take that best represents his story. Again, Timecode is nothing if not infuriating, but I promise you’ve never seen anything like it.

4. Napoléon (1927)
At four hours long and 90 years old, Abel Gance’s Napoléon remains an iconic staple of the cinematic art form. Gance used several revelatory techniques to implement his vision, including widescreen, color, super imposed images, and extensive split-screen. For the split-screen sequences, Gance filmed using three different cameras, and projected the footage side by side in the theater. Now, of course a filmmaker can achieve split-screen with a few clicks of their mouse, but back in the day, Gance literally had to build a giant, wide screen for audiences so they could experience the film the way he intended. A visionary if there ever was one.

3. Indiscreet (1958)
In 1958, per the Motion Picture Production Code, it was illegal to show a man and woman resting sensually in bed together. To work around this, director Stanley Donen shot Cary Grant and Ingrid Bergman with separate cameras, and split their footage together to make it look like they were lying right next to one another. It’s a marvelous little cheat that numerous films –Pillow Talk (in which Rock Hudson and Doris Day appear to be taking a bath together), Annie Hall, and When Harry Met Sally chief among them – owe credit to.

2. Jackie Brown (1997)
Taking a lesson from the Brian De Palma school of filmmaking, Quentin Tarantino often uses split-screen to propel the narrative of his films, as opposed to relying on it as a gimmick. The finest example of which appears midway through Jackie Brown. On one side of the screen, we watch as bail bondsman Max Cherry (Robert Forster) goes about his night, still slightly enchanted from his chance date with Jackie Brown (Pam Grier). On the other side of the screen, Jackie’s boss, Ordell (Samuel L. Jackson), gently attempts to strangle Jackie in her own apartment. And at the exact moment Max discovers that his pistol is missing from his glove box, we hear Jackie pull the hammer back on the gun she has pressed against Ordell’s balls.

One side of the screen is unbearably tense, while the other is mysteriously out of place. It isn’t until everything clicks into place that we are privy to the genius behind Tarantino’s madness.

1. Conversations with Other Women (2005)
Much like Timecode, the full duration of Hans Canosa’s Conversations with Other Women takes place in split-screen, but instead of just using single long takes, Canosa’s film utilizes rapid editing, flashbacks and even reverse motion to achieve his desired effect. The film is about former lovers (Aaron Eckhart and Helena Bonham Carter) who run into each other at a wedding they each attended without their current partners. Each actor always has a camera on them, letting the audience choose which actor to watch from scene to scene. To heighten the material, Conversations with Other Women routinely cuts to flashback, showing the lovers at the peak of their teenage romance. Many will disagree with me concerning the film’s overall greatness, but Conversations with Other Women is a consistently fascinating experiment in action vs. reaction. Now and then. What was, and what could be.

41 comments:

  1. Another great list! I've only seen half of these. I guess my favourite is the one from (500) Days because shit, that's literally what life is like.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Nik! The entirety of 500 Days kind of gets to me after a while, but that sequence really is masterful filmmaking. It's so funny, until you realize how fuckin' truthful it is.

      Delete
  2. Great list! I haven't seen any of these movies apart from Requiem, (500) Days of Summer and Jackie Brown, but I'll try to check these out as soon as possible.

    Also, the two character posters for Macbeth are just so brilliant!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Aditya! The Rules of Attraction is messed up in that brilliant kind of way, so I definitely recommend that one!

      Oh god, those Macbeth one-sheets are killer. He looks so insane and she looks so damn menacing. I can't wait.

      Delete
  3. Good stuff, I really dig the use of split screen in The Thomas Crown Affair. I would agree with you that Jewison when overboard but hey, live a little, split a couple screens. I'm sure you're familiar with The Tracey Fragments but if not, it's a Canadian film starring native Canuck and everyone's favorite tomboy, Ellen Page. What sets it apart from many is that the majority of the film is done in split screen varying from 2 to 100 splits. It's not much of a flick but it is a great experiment, some interesting storytelling at work.

    Also, being the Soderbergh fan that you are, Ocean's Thirteen has a fucking masterful split screen sequence during the climax. That movie is spotty but that sequence is GOAT in this cinema snob's eyes. Great post as usual Alex, talk about Chelsea Girls next time haha

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Chelsea Girls - yes! Haha.

      Live a little, exactly. Hey, I'm always game for filmmakers trying something new, so have at it. I remember the rad little trailer for The Tracey Fragments, but the film barely got a release here. I'm definitely interested in it now though. I do love that Ocean's 13 sequence as well. They're all winning and completely screwing over Pacino. Priceless.

      Delete
  4. Great list. Lots of good movies. I can't think of any other movies that has done this that i really like right now other than the ones you listed, but i do remember they did it on an episode of Malcolm in the Middle. It was one of the best episodes of the show and it showed what would happen if Hal (the dad) took the kids bowling and what would happen if Louis (the mom) would take the kids bowling. It's one of the funniest episodes i have seen of any sitcom and something you rarely see on shows like that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks man! That Malcolm ep is a really interesting concept. Kind of a play-up of the 500 Days one, but obviously more paternal. I'm going to have to hunt that one down now. Thanks for the reco!

      Delete
    2. It's episode 20 of season 2. I had to look it up on Netflix and watch it again myself as well. It still holds up.

      Delete
    3. I'll watch it tonight and report back. Thanks for tracking it down!

      Delete
  5. Awesome list! I enjoy this technique, I think the only time I didn't was during The Tracey Fragments, and that's because it was overkill.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Brittani! So, a different take on The Tracey Fragments. Interesting. Too much split-screen definitely isn't a good thing, so I'll be curious to sit down and watch it.

      Delete
  6. Great post! Glad you mentioned Requiem because even though Aronofsky uses a lot of techniques in the film, they all work and serve a purpose just like the scene you mentioned!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks! That's the risk of the way Aronofsky used split-screen - they were all so different that he could've really alienated the audience. But they all worked, every one of 'em. So damn cool.

      Delete
  7. So happy with #7 and #6. I always think back to that split-screen shot in Attraction, because it was probably the most gentle, poignant moment of that whole movie. Yet, felt so honest and heartfelt, that it somehow made total sense to be thrown right in the middle of the movie. As for (500) Days of Summer, that scene just hurts so much. Not because it sucks to see Tom get his hopes thrown into the ground and crapped on, but because every guy's had this happened to them at least one time in their lives! Awesome list, bud.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Dan! I fully agree with you on both. That scene in Attraction shouldn't work, but boy does it ever. And yeah, who hasn't lived out that moment in 500 Days? Brutal, man.

      Delete
  8. The films in that list I haven't seen are Napoleon, Indiscreet, The Thomas Crown Affair, and Timecode. The rest I have seen as they're very effective and how they're supposed to be done.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hell yeah man, definitely. Glad to hear you like the picks.

      Delete
  9. Amazing list, man. And so many great films together! My personal favorite is the one from "(500) Days of Summer". I couldn't agree more with what Nikhat said: "That's literally what life is like". It's almost painfully honest and such an inventive piece of filmmaking. I adore the film as a whole, but this scene especially just kills me, man. I have lived something similar, by the way. And it hurts so much. You know, the way you expect things to go after meeting with an ex-girlfriend and this goddamn awkward and sad situtation you're suddenly into. It just felt so relatable.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks buddy! I think most every guy (and gal...) has experienced that crushing moment in 500 Days of Summer. It's just the worse, to expect something so nice then have it thrown right in your face. That shit was real. And it made for a very, very special scene.

      Delete
  10. Mean Girls immediately came to mind--I adore the usage of split screen there, so clever and fitting. But this is a killer list!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Allen! I love the phone calls in Mean Girls. Hilarious shit. That's really a solid movie.

      Delete
  11. Pleased Conversations was no. 1, such a good film. The split screen doesn't feel gimmicky, it adds to the film, especially with the flashbacks. Terrific chemistry between the 2 leads.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I'm just pleased someone else has actually seen it! Eckhart and Carter were perfect together, weren't they? I absolutely love that film. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!

      Delete
  12. How much I regret haven't seen Conversations with Other Women yet! It's been years since a friend recommended it to me.

    Great list as always. My favorites from your selection: Requiem for a Dream, The Rules of Attraction and 500 Days of Summer. Saldy I haven't seen Indiscreet, Napoleón, Timecode, nor Sisters. But when I've seen the title of your post de Palma has come to mind immediately. In his latest film, Passion, my favorite sequence was the split-screen one. And the latest great use I've seen it was on Nymphoniac vol. I with the three parts with Bach's three voices.

    I've just seen your comment on my "sorrow" post. Honestly, I feel the same as you do about being drawn to dark, raw and emotional films, music, literature, etc. I don't usually feel like I do lately either, but even when I'm in a good mood I'm still drawn to that. Doing the Campion post I found a video where Whishaw explained he felt the same and that was one of the reasons why he wanted to be in Keats' story. Well, I thin this photo I have on Facebook from Nymphomaniac, pretty much explains it: https://scontent-a-cdg.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-frc1/t31.0-8/10010523_10203162432395960_108510380280972131_o.jpg

    Thanks a lot for your nice and thoughtful comment, and that photo from Lupe Jelena was my favorite too. I found it on tumblr and it fascinated me.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. *sadly and *I think. Sorry, I'm a mess writing with the iPhone's keyboard.

      Delete
    2. My pleasure for the comment. I actually get a little afraid when I post those, because I would never want to come off as “too much,” you know? But I thought you’d be interested to hear that little story of mine.

      The split-screen in Passion was my favorite scene as well. And in my opinion, the movie should’ve ended really soon after that. It felt like it just kept going and going!

      Love that Nymphomaniac still. One of my favorite lines from the film.

      Delete
  13. I haven't seen most of the films here, but the 500 Days one truly resonates with me. It was done in such a beautiful way and is definitely one of the most memorable scenes in a very memorable film. Such a great post, I want to see the films here now!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much for the nice comment! I love that scene as well, really resonates with me too. Truly an ingenious little sequence.

      Delete
  14. I wrote in my post on Draft Day, that I hadn't seen so much split screen since The Thomas Crown affair. IO was going to mention Pillow Talk also but I see that you had it included in the piece about Indiscreet. Nice work.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks man. Oh my god, the split screen in Draft Day was insane. And they had characters walking OUT OF their own split screens! Mind = blown. Ha.

      Delete
  15. I love split screens when done right, because they test you intellectually (it's always appreciated when a movie forces you to use your brain!) while requiring the director to use their framing to correctly emphasise where your attention should be. Great piece.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! Exactly, such a spot-on comment. When used right, a split screen really can enhance a film into an overall more intellectual experience, which is definitely a very good thing!

      Delete
  16. Great stuff man! So glad you included Sisters. I really must watch Napoleon, and Conversations with Other Women, The Rules of Attraction and Timecode, for that matter.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks buddy! All those films are very solid exercises in the extended use of split screen. Timecode and Conversations will definitely test your patience though.

      Delete
  17. I actually love the using of split screens, when it fits the situation. I love how 500 days of summer use it for comparison on hope and reality, sad and hilarious at the same time. Split screens are also great just for fashion. I remember the movie Alfie (2004) also use it. Great list!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh that's right, Alfie did make good use of it. Good call! I'm glad you appreciate a good split screen. They can be so effective when used well.

      Delete
  18. Great list, great choices, Alex. It would have been hard for me to leave out something from De Palma's Dressed To Kill but then a list like this could find itself overcome by De Palma if you're not careful. You side-stepped that really well with some excellent films.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks buddy. Yeah, this could've turned into a De Palma-dominated list, so I thought it best to just stick with one. Still, no one consistently uses split-screen better than him.

      Delete
  19. Awesome list. I particularly love the (500) Days of Summer one.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks man. (500) Days really knew what it was doing with that sequence.

      Delete