|
Created by KatRichardson
almost 11 years ago
|
|
How were camera shots used? Camera shots were used effectively throughout the entire movie. Camera shots were taken from all angles and all levels. There would be a camera in a mirror, which focused directly on the face of Truman. There would be a button camera, which focused from someone’s button up to Truman. We would get camera shots from above, we would get camera shots from below, and we would get camera shots from straight on. These camera shots were used to increase the feeling of Truman’s confinement within the show. At certain parts the audience is eye-level with Truman; we could see his emotions, and we would feel connected to him. At other times, we would be looking up at him, seeing his character from an entirely different angle. We would sometimes be down on him, showing his weakness and his lack of knowledge. At times, the director would have a close up of Truman, only to quickly pull away. The TV audience gets caught up in Truman’s story, only to have it artificially refocused.
How was lighting used?Lighting is used very effectively through this movie. The sunlight was perfect for setting a happy atmosphere. In Truman’s world, almost everything was very well lit. The sun lit his days, and at night there were lights in his house. In other parts, however, emotional parts, there was little light. For instance, when he was reminiscing about when his father drowned, it was dark, only a little light from the moon and the lighthouse were illuminating him. Another example is when he was struggling with Meryl, when he finally grabbed the shears from her and pulled her into another room. Through this part it was dark, making Truman appear shadowy, seeming as though he was very angry and depressed. Another good example is the lighting used when Truman and his friend were looking at the sunset. They were staring out, being “inspired”; dreaming of better things - and the light was beautiful. At all times, however, the lighting was strong, whether it was suggesting brightness or darkness, adding an unreal, cartoon-like “wash” to the movie. And, of course, Truman’s life was like living in a cartoon – everyone was stereotyped, and, “on a loop”.
How was music used? For the most part, the music within the Truman Show was classical and instrumental. By using classical music, more than one emotion could be conveyed at once. In the mornings, there would be a lively upbeat tune which signified the “beginning of the morning”. In emotional parts, the music would be deep, sad, and thoughtful. The music was used very effectively to create mood and reflect Truman’s emotions. It could be sorrowful and melancholy, or light-hearted and cartoonish. It could even suggest tension.
How can we tell that Truman is in a contrived reality? There are many blatant clues that Truman’s reality is contrived – the twins who speak to him every morning push him closer to a camera and a print ad, in order to get the best camera angle. A heavy camera light falls from the sky, his radio malfunctions and we hear about “extras”. During a rain “storm”, the rain is localized only on Truman, and not very effectively at first. Frames within frames are used to suggest entrapment. The many reflected images and use of mirrors might suggest illusion. The obvious manipulation of Truman for product placement in advertising hints that this is not reality but a television show. The images shown by the hidden cameras suggest surveillance. The eyes of the characters give away when they are acting and when they are experiencing real emotions.
How is conflict introduced? The first clue that Truman is experiencing a conflict is when we see him ripping eyes out of an advertisement in a magazine. He is hiding the fact that he is doing this from his co-workers. This makes the audience wonder why someone would hide such actions – what is so wrong with tearing an ad out of a magazine? Almost immediately after this, Truman is sent out on a short business trip, where he has to leave Seahaven Island on a ferry. He is deathly afraid of water, and we learn that his father drowned while boating in a storm with Truman, when Truman was only eight years old. Truman is later positive that he sees this “dead” father, who is, of course, briskly whisked away from him. We also learn that the eyes form a composite of Sylvia, the girl he longs for. He thinks if he could only go to Fiji he could find her. These incidents set up the fact that Truman is unhappy with his job and the island. He wants to leave, but his wife pressures him about mortgage payments and starting a family
What did Truman begin to do to manipulate his “world”? Truman does many things to manipulate his “world” in order to discover his real situation. He upsets his regular work routine and stops cars that are moving on the street. He tries entering another building and sees people behind an elevator – how is it possible to be behind an elevator? He tries to delay his wife from going to work, and then follows her there, to see if she really is a nurse. He watches the people around him, and notices that those outside in his neighbourhood are on a “loop”. When he makes up his mind to leave the island, he is told by a travel agent that there are no flights available for a month! He then tries a bus, but the driver grinds the gears so badly that everyone is forced to get off. When he drives, a “traffic jam” is instantly created, cutting off his escape route. When he does manage to get out of his neighbourhood, he first has to navigate the bridge, only to face a “fire” at the other end of it, followed by a road block, due to a convenient leak at the nuclear plant. Truman realizes that there just aren’t that many coincidences in the world.
What does Truman’s name represent? When examined, we see the name Truman Burbank has a deep meaning. His first name, Truman, is basically a play on words, meaning True Man. This represents that he is not an actor, but really just a “regular guy”. His last name, Burbank, is the name of the studio/corporation which legally adopted him. Burbank, California, suggests Hollywood, plastic, fake, movies, etc. So his last name is signifying that this is just another television name. He is a “true man” in a fake surrounding
What do bridges with no end suggest? The bridges with no end suggest that Truman is trapped, in his world or his own reality. He has many dead end roads, and he is often searching beyond the end of the bridge. They suggest to Truman that there is no escape from the island; they confine him to his tiny world. How is Truman trapped? Truman is trapped physically by the confines of his world. He is trapped mentally and emotionally, as no one in his world is real. He cannot trust anyone – not his wife, his mother, or his best friend. He feels like everyone is “in on it”. He is being manipulated in his world and he knows it. And every avenue of escape bangs shut with a loud clang. How are we trapped? We are trapped in situations of our own design. Perhaps we are living for our job, or to please a significant other. We may be trapped into conforming to meet the standards of society. We may be trapped by marketing and the media. Perhaps we are unable to see past the routines of our own reality and realize that there is something else out there for us.
When does Truman decide to break free, and how does he begin to do this? Truman decides to break free from his contrived reality once he looks at the photo album with a magnifying glass and sees his wife’s fingers crossed. From that moment on, he decides to find a way out, although at first he doesn’t know exactly what he is getting out of. He realizes that Meryl has been lying to him, and he then realizes all the strangeness happening around him. After unsuccessfully using mass transit, and even his car, to leave, Truman knows he has to devise some other means of escape. We soon see him in his bathroom, drawing a spacesuit helmet in soap around his reflection, playing at being an astronaut, landing on some-far off planet. He dubs the planet, “Trumania” and tells his “reflection” – “that one’s for free”. In hindsight, this is Truman’s good-bye to his audience, and to this “world” that he has inhabited his entire life. Meryl moves out of their house, he moves to the basement, and then orchestrates his escape by digging out – disguised as gardening!
What does the producer of the show, Christof, suggest about our situation with what he says? Christof’s words “If he was determined to find the truth, there is no way we could prevent it,” suggests that if we really want to find out everything that is going on and if we really want to take control of our own lives, it is possible. If we are really determined, we can stop people from trying to take control of us. We can stop listening to others and following others and we can stop being lead by others. But, like Truman, do we prefer our safe, perfect, “known” cells?
What are the contrived and real obstacles that have prevented Truman from escaping? There have been many obstacles which try to prevent Truman from escaping. First, he has been set on an island, surrounded by water, of which he has been made terribly afraid. The actors and extras on The Truman Show are paid to keep him there – in fact, their jobs depend on it!! When he decides to physically leave the island, this becomes impossible, whether by plane, bus, or car. He also has to conquer his own fear of leaving his safe, perfect world, for the great unknown. This is a fear which paralyzes many of us!
Film Features
Truman Unaware
Truman Becoming Aware
Truman Breaking Free
Want to create your own Notes for free with GoConqr? Learn more.