Analysis of Camerawork, Editing & Sound/Music In Scrubs

This excerpt begins with a zoomed tracking of JD’s feet as he walks though the hospital corridor. At this point we can hear the diegetic sound of the footsteps. The camera then jumps cuts to a medium two shot as JD and another doctor has a conversation. Dr. Cox then appears behind the characters and the camera zooms into an over-the-shoulder shot of Dr. Cox. We then see shot reverse shot used to show the point of view of Dr. Cox and JD. Dr. Cox’s expression is showing the how he has power over the other doctors, especially JD, whereas JD’s expression is showing his boredom of what he is being told by his superior colleague.

A long shot is then used of Dr. Cox as he reveals the choir behind the curtain. This shot shows the number of choir members and emphasises how unusual having the choir is in the hospital. A medium two shot is then used to show JD and the other doctor. This is used to show the shocked expression of JD and the enjoyment that the other doctor is getting from the choir. It the again jump cuts to a long shot of Dr. Cox and the choir, this is showing his over enthusiastic dancing towards the choir. The camera then finally jumps back to a close-up of JD, as he’s not impressed. The voice of the choir continues, as all this is happening and slowly fades as the image black fades out.

The next scene begins with shallow depth of focus as Turk is in the background and another doctor in the foreground. The conversation is only short and as the one line conversation is exchanged, one guitar chord is played; this is used to show the emotion of Turk as he gets up and leaves. The music then starts and is very up-tempo to match the pace of action. A medium shot, zoomed tilt is used as Turk begins dancing along to the music. Over-the-shoulder shot is then used from behind Turk, to show the amazed expression from the three doctors present. The camera then cuts back to a long shot of Turk to show his dancing and singing. A medium two shot is the used to show two of the doctors as they do a hand gesture to each other to show their appreciation of Turks performance. The music is continuously heard and then it fades out black.

The next scene starts with a medium close-up as Turk is leaving the hospital with an excited expression on his face of finding someone’s briefcase. It then jump cuts to the point of view of Turk looking outside to show the kung fu doctors. The kung fu fighting music starts and the action is slightly slow mo. The camera then jumps back to Turk in shallow depth of focus. This emphasise Turks shocked yet confused expression on his face. A medium close-up is used as another doctor joins Turk to help with his kung fu fight. As all this is happening the kung fu music is still heard to keep the atmosphere the same. The camera then cuts back and forth from a medium shot of Turk and the doctor to a long shot of the kung fu doctors. A point of view shot is then used as Turks foot is ‘flying’ towards a kung fu doctor. It is like the camera is placed on Turks foot. It then cuts to Turk landing on the ground. This is match on action. Sound effects, like punching noise, are added onto the scene as the fight is going on. It is edited so the punches match the action. The camera then zooms to show the angry expression that is on Turks face. During this fighting scene, lots of ariel shots are used as this shows the number of kung fu doctors and the fighting moves that are used my Turk. The camera then jumps to a long shot of the other doctor. At this point, lots of match on action is used. An over the shoulder side shot of the doctor is used in shallow depth of focus, this is also showing the number of kung fu doctor that are approaching him. The doctor then jumps and swings on a bar, there is a close-up of his hands which shows the smoothness of his move. All throughout this kung fu scene, there are multiple ariel and medium shots used so show the action which is taking place, all through this time the kung fu music is continuously played, which is synchronous by matching the pace of action. As the scene comes to the end, the diegetic noises of people in pain are heard and the sound effect of punching is also added.