THE TRUMAN SHOW BY PETER WEIR FILM STUDY THE TRUMAN SHOW BY PETER WEIR

STUDYING FILM AS TEXT IN TWO ASSESSMENT TASKS 1. Oral Presentation - Due 6.3.12 2. Essay – Due 23.312 + Viewing Notes – Due 3.3.12 STUDYING FILM AS TEXT IN TWO ASSESSMENT TASKS

EXAMINING How to view a film How to take notes on a film What narrative influence is What filmic style is EXAMINING

1st Screening – Just watching for first impressions and general reaction 2nd Screening - Several sittings, stopping after each chapter to note the filmic devices and narrative influence on characters and themes. VIEWING THE FILM

VIEWING WITH FILM-NOTES CHAPTER INCIDENTS CHARACTERS Quotes THEMES/SYMBOLS FILMIC DEVICES Opening scene (0.00-2.40) Meet Truman talking to himself in the mirror Cuts to other characters and their descriptions of the Truman Show Truman Burbank as himself (TRUE-MAN) Christof – “creator’ OF CHRIST CHRISTOF: “We’ve become bored with watching actors give us phony emotions… while the world he inhabits is, in some respect, counterfeit, there’s nothing fake about Truman himself, no scripts, no cue cards, it isn’t always Shakespeare, but it’s genuine, it’s a life.”   MERYL: “there is no difference between my public life and my private life… it is a truly blessed life” MARLON: “It’s all true, it’s all real, nothing here is fake, nothing you see on this show is fake. It’s merely controlled.” God Motif – Christof talking about life Loneliness - Truman in front of mirror, telling an adventure story. Truman feels alone, wants some adventure in his life, but is scared. Reality – Marlon says that it’s ‘all real’, just ‘merely controlled’ – the screen writer Andrew Niccol is trying to challenge the way we look at the world. Do we ever challenged the rules presented? Close up shots of characters to reveal something about their character Music-

Character Dialogue Setting Symbols Plot Themes NARRATIVE INFLUENCE

Truman Burbank The security guards CHARACTERS Major Minor Truman Burbank The security guards NARRATIVE INFLUENCE

NARRATIVE INFLUENCE SETTING Seahaven, USA (Symbolism or name?) Early 1950s NARRATIVE INFLUENCE

NARRATIVE INFLUENCE SYMBOLS A symbol is something that has come to take on additional meaning to what we know it to be or do. While some have come about through history and religious teachings, some have developed over time and with specific cultural references. NARRATIVE INFLUENCE

SYMBOLS USED TO MAKE MEANING The light crashing down from the sky ? The library where Truman & Sylvia meet ? The unfinished bridge ? The boat? The Eagle’s head on the boat ? The bathroom mirror ? The sea ? The door ? A symbol ADDS to the text and add to our understanding of CHARACTER AND THEME. The visual image or symbol adds to what we know about the text’s key themes and makes our appreciation of the film’s message greater/more powerful.

NARRATIVE INFLUENCE THEMES Reality Freedom/Control Creation (God) Ignorance/Self-discovery Utopia Fear Loneliness NARRATIVE INFLUENCE

Reality – Are our lives what we think they are Reality – Are our lives what we think they are? Are we who we think we are? Are we living with self-awareness or dillusion? Freedom/Control – Do we really live free lives? Do we control our own destiny? What things control and influence our lives and our identities? Religion? Advertising? Creation (God) – Christof has created a mini universe where he is god-like, controlling everyone’s lives. In some ways he is like a father to Truman but he wants to keep Truman under his control. Is this fatherly love? Ignorance/Self-discovery – Truman’s personal journey is one that starts in ignorance and ends in self-discovery. What does he learn? Is it worthwhile or would he have been better off kept in ignorance his whole life? Utopia – Truman lives in what the tv creators present as an ideal world but is it really? What makes it a Utopia and what makes it a Distopia? Fear – Truman has to conquer his fears in order to risk finding out the truth about his life and the real world. Is it worth it? What are the rewards? What are the costs? Loneliness – How does Truman/How do we deal with being alone in the world?

FILM STYLE - Visual Elements of a Film FILMIC DEVICES Angles Focus Lighting Colour Sequence of Film Point of View Camera movement FILM STYLE - Visual Elements of a Film

FILM STYLE - Visual elements of a film Mise-en-scene = all the visual elements in a frame Setting Lighting Costumes Acting style FILM STYLE - Visual elements of a film

FILM STYLE - Visual elements of a film Cinematography = the art of capturing images on moving film Camera position Camera movement FILM STYLE - Visual elements of a film

Angles High angle Low angle Straight on Canted angle I remember what angles are…they are the position of the camera…here are some different types of angles… Angles ©2010 Thinkstock

Focus Close-up Extreme Close-up Medium Shot Long Shot Extreme Long Shot Next is the focus. This is what the camera centers on…here are some different types of focus… Focus ©2010 Thinkstock

Lighting Natural Artificial Bright Soft Top lighting Back lighting Side lighting Under lighting Lighting can have a big impact on the mood and setting of a film. It can emphasise a character and highlight his or her characteristics. Here are some lighting examples… Lighting ©2010 Thinkstock

Colour Black: elegance, sophistication, evil, darkness, mourning White: purity, snow, cold, angels Red: passion, aggression, fire, blood, strength Blue: water, life, depression Yellow: cheerfulness, optimism, confidence Colour also makes an impression in a film. The colours of the set, location, and actors’ wardrobes impact the viewers’ consciousness. Colours might offer subtle suggestions or bold symbolism. Here some colours to consider. What mood might be created…dark and foreboding or bright and cheerful? Did you notice that the colours in photos impacted your impressions, made you feel a certain way, or symbolized characteristics? For example, the red hearts symbolized romantic love. When you watch a film, notice the colours used in the set or in the wardrobe choices for the actors. Colour ©2010 Thinkstock

Sequencing Shot: all the action filmed in one take without disruption Cut: the conclusion of a shot Take: an attempt to shoot a scene in its entirety A film sequence can be divided into three things….shot, cut, and take. Here’s the definitions… Sequencing ©2010 Thinkstock

We can’t forget about the point of view within a film either We can’t forget about the point of view within a film either. That’s the perspective of the camera or actors. Point of view ©2010 Thinkstock

Camera movement Framing: what elements surround the actor Blocking: how the actor is positioned for the shot Tracking: following an actor Panning: camera movement horizontally Booming: camera movement up or down Plus, there’s all the camera movement too. That’s how the camera follows or frames the actors. Here are some terms you should know… Camera movement ©2010 Thinkstock

CLASSWORK & HOMEWORK FOR WEEK 5 BEGIN 2ND SCREENING OF THE TRUMAN SHOW COMPLETE THE VIEWING NOTES FROM CLASS WHILE WATCHING AND AT HOME YOUR NOTES ARE DUE NEXT FRIDAY, MARCH 2