Techniques and Their Effects- the Truman Show
The Truman Show
In the film “The Truman Show”, directed by Peter Weir, many techniques are strategically used to position the audience to respond emotionally to Truman Burbank. Techniques such as lighting, music, camera shots and angles are used in three specific scenes throughout the film co-ordinated by the shows director Christof. He uses these techniques to encourage the show’s audience to believe that what they are watching is unscripted and real.
The first scene “Introducing Truman- Day 10,909” is an example of one of these scenes as it uses techniques to introduce to the audience Truman’s world as one that is cheerful, happy and bright. As Truman gets ready for his day at work the scene has bright lighting and the costumes are made of light colours positioning the audience to believe that the atmosphere in Truman’s world mirrors that of the costumes, colours and lighting. Making his way to his car, Truman is met with cheerful neighbours and forced humour. The repetitive humour used by the actors or “neighbours” is fake and clichéd, bordering the line of patronising Truman. This along with the chirping of birds and happy upbeat music suggest that this everyday routine is the life all viewers should wish to have. As a mistake is made on the set and a “part of an aeroplane” falls onto the ground a high angle shot is used when Truman looks up into the sky. This shot focuses on the confusion on his face and makes Truman look vulnerable. The techniques used position the audience to feel happy and encourage the show’s audience to continue watching and lose themselves in this “perfect” world.
Truman is starting to form “Suspicions” in scene two when realisation of this set up dawns on him and techniques used create a dramatic and suspenseful response in the audience. Walking towards his office Truman’s body language is tense and cautious, reflecting that of his thoughts. This suspicion can also be heard in the background music which is climatic and exciting and
In the film “The Truman Show”, directed by Peter Weir, many techniques are strategically used to position the audience to respond emotionally to Truman Burbank. Techniques such as lighting, music, camera shots and angles are used in three specific scenes throughout the film co-ordinated by the shows director Christof. He uses these techniques to encourage the show’s audience to believe that what they are watching is unscripted and real.
The first scene “Introducing Truman- Day 10,909” is an example of one of these scenes as it uses techniques to introduce to the audience Truman’s world as one that is cheerful, happy and bright. As Truman gets ready for his day at work the scene has bright lighting and the costumes are made of light colours positioning the audience to believe that the atmosphere in Truman’s world mirrors that of the costumes, colours and lighting. Making his way to his car, Truman is met with cheerful neighbours and forced humour. The repetitive humour used by the actors or “neighbours” is fake and clichéd, bordering the line of patronising Truman. This along with the chirping of birds and happy upbeat music suggest that this everyday routine is the life all viewers should wish to have. As a mistake is made on the set and a “part of an aeroplane” falls onto the ground a high angle shot is used when Truman looks up into the sky. This shot focuses on the confusion on his face and makes Truman look vulnerable. The techniques used position the audience to feel happy and encourage the show’s audience to continue watching and lose themselves in this “perfect” world.
Truman is starting to form “Suspicions” in scene two when realisation of this set up dawns on him and techniques used create a dramatic and suspenseful response in the audience. Walking towards his office Truman’s body language is tense and cautious, reflecting that of his thoughts. This suspicion can also be heard in the background music which is climatic and exciting and