How is lighting and colour used for effect in the extract of dead again
- 1. Jake Elton “How is lighting and colour used for effect in the extract of dead again”` In the Extract of Dead again light and Colour are both used in a variety of ways to add tension and effect.One way the Use of lighting added effect is the use of high key lighting, the lighting in this extract is high key from above at the start of the extract the audience only sees the criminal’s face as the entire background is black, this causes the audience to have no idea where they are or who this is, this adds effect as it makes the audience nervous not knowing where they are. But on the other hand, the reporter is light by low key lighting, this allows the audience see the background and gives them a feeling of security and safety by knowing where they are. Another Use of lighting in this extract is the use of black and white film stock. This creates a murky world which could be being used to create a representation of a dream sequence or a flashback. Film noire is used in this extract; this is clear when looking at the lighting of the characters faces. In the extract the criminals face is extremely covered up, this effect is created by the use of strong overhead lighting which creates strong shadows on the face of the criminal; this creates a mysterious affect and makes the audience suspect and question the criminal. In contrast to this the reporter is mostly lit up, this can be a direct comparison between the “Good guy” reporter and the “Bad guy” Criminal. It can also be interpreted that the reporter may have a darker side to him as some of his face is not lit up. By doing this, the audience becomes nervous of the two characters and may start to doubt how “good” the reporter really is. Furthermore, lighting and colour is also used to create more tension when the criminal is walking down death row, By using the reporters cameras flashing to create a strong backlight, the woman who he is walking towards is completely hidden and the audience can only see the silhouette of the women, this creates tension as the audience now knows that the women is important in some way. Finally, the lighting helps to create an overall mood of mystery and tension throughout the entire extract; this is because of the way that certain lighting techniques have been used to make the audience feel certain things. Light and dark have been used symbolically in the way that Darkness represents the Villain and light has been used to symbolise the Good guy.