Video Essay – 12 Angry Men: A Lesson in Staging

The Royal Ocean Film Society put together this fantastic video essay that looks at the inventive and brilliant staging that Sidney Lumet used in 12 Angry Men.

So, let’s say you’ve got a 90-minute movie that features twelve characters and is all set in one location. How on earth can you shoot it in a way that’s unique and exciting, and not just an endless series of mids and closeups? Let’s dive into Sidney Lumet’s 12 Angry Men, and study what it has to tell us about scenic density.