Thursday, January 16, 2014

Framing in "Eightball"

In this image from the comic "Eightball" by Daniel Clowes, framing plays a very specific role in the narration. While the majority of the comic is told in regular rectangular frames, indicating a very fluid and sequential action sequence, this particular scene breaks just a little from the usual. 

As seen in panels one, two, and three, the frame is no longer made of straight lines. At first glance, one may not even notice the subtle change and that is purposeful. The first three panels on this page are actually a depiction of a film that the character (seen in panel four) is watching. The fact that the frame is not radically different from a regular straight-lined frame shows how the film the character is watching is not very different from the reality of the comic (either stylistically - i.e. it is a live-action film, or emotionally, i.e. this scene means something more to the character than is meant by the film producer, etc.). The subtle change in framing also indicates the mood of the movie. It appears to be strained, if a little romantic, and it causes the character in panel four some discomfort or, at the very least, confusion. As seen in the final two panels, he asks about the movie and is unable to get an answer. 


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