The conversation between Neil and Van Zant s deliveryman is shot with the characters at a social distance. They are conducting impersonal business, but we still want to see expressions on their faces. Once the action sequence begins, there are many high angle shots with Chris Shiherlis, Neil s gunman, shooting a rifle at Van Zant s henchmen below. The high angle emphasizes that they have nowhere to run they re being shot at from above. The dominant in this scene is usually moving and centered in the frame.
Most shots have little density, making the dominant even more obvious.
The dominants also stand out due to the neutral gray and green pavement that often serves as a background. Color and lighting key play important roles in the telephone conversation. Neil is in a cafe, under high key white lighting. Van Zant is in a dark office with only blue low key lighting from one side and a little light coming through an open door behind him. As soon as Van Zant realizes that his life is in danger, someone closes the door behind him.