Text Analysis: Up in the Air

Trailer

IMDB Page

Cast and Crew

Directed by Jason Reitman

Writing Credits  Walter Kirn (novel) Jason Reitman (screenplay) and Sheldon Turner (screenplay)

Music by  Rolfe Kent

Cinematography by Eric Steelberg director of photography

Film Editing by Dana E. Glauberman

Notes

Why (What did the commentary reveal)

How(What did the commentary reveal)

Scene #1: In order to prepare for the firing scenes and to understand the actual process. The director had gotten people who had recently lost their jobs in real life to see how those people would have behaved

Why? This commentary revealed how

Scene #2: In the first scene at the airport, this scene had to be taken in order to allow the audience to understand that the airport wasn’t stressful for the character.

Why?

Scene #3: Storyboarded the TSA scenes

Scene #4: Backpack speech, the inspiration for this was a real-life experience from the director. “Write from your life”.

Scene #5: To change and differentiate Jason Beers from other movies, they gave him a beard.

Scene #6: The scene where Alex and —- meet. After shooting this scene, the director wanted to reshoot because it did not look right and changed the seating location.

Scene #7: The scene where Alex and —– meet, this scene was made to demonstrate the idea of flirting of that time. Two cameras were rolling at the time, the scene was personal and not scripted.

Scene #8: In the scene, where the characters are sitting face to face in the hotel room. The lighting was lower in this room to add more definition to their faces.

Scene #9: The director has put purchased memorabilia in the boss’ office to reveal how he is artificial. His memories are bought.

Scene #10: In the scene where —- walked into his boss’ office, he is standing while the boss is sitting. Next, the lady walked in and —- sits down. Then all of the characters sit down and because of all of this, the camera has to follow a new eye line (meaning not bouncing everywhere in the screen b/c that does not make sense)

Scene #11: The writers use the music by Ralph who creates music that borders the line of drama and comedic effect.