Although they are becoming less frequent because audience's visual skills are more attuned than previous generations, it is still traditional to have an "establishing scene" at the opening of a scene. This is a quick image of the exterior of a building, a cityscape or other identifiable scenery to set the stage.

In the film Ghostbusters we leave a scene where Peter Venkman (Bill Murray) attempts to woo Dana Barrett (Sigourney Weaver) and are taken to the Ghostbusters office. To help the transition between the two unrelated scenes, director Ivan Reitman inserts the following image:


This cues the audience that the subject is changing. They may as well have John Cleese drop in and say "...and now for something completely different." Following this shot the next scene in the basement of the office begins.


When watching a film it is important to understand that every shot has a purpose (or at least they should.)

Labels: movie watching tip