In my absence you will be watching a movie and writing a 5 paragraph paper analyzing the movie in regards to camera work and mass media. The paper will be due at the BEGINNING of class on MONDAY OCTOBER 8th. Here is the movie and questions to help guide your paper.
“The Truman
Show”
3
Academy Award Nominations:
Best Supporting Actor: Ed Harris (Christof)
Best Director: Peter Weir (Dead Poets Society)
Best Screenplay: Andrew Niccol
Winner
of 3 Golden Globes:
Best Actor: Jim Carrey
Best Supporting Actor: Ed Harris
Best Original Score
Objective:
You will write a five
paragraph paper analyzing “The Truman Show” by writing on any of the following
topics (Due Monday October 8th). Pick
one or three of the following topics to write about.
1. How do camera angles and camera movements affect the movie? What unique shots are used in the film and
how do they impact the audience? How is
framing used to remind the viewer of the cameras themselves? What impact do cameras have on you as a viewer? Pick a particular scene when you think
cameras play an important role in the mood of the film.
2. What impact does music have on the movie? Why is particular music used for certain
scenes? Why does the music stop when
Truman sails into the wall? How does
Christof display the importance of music in his television show? How are other sound effects used to add to a
particular feeling? Is this movie
deserving of a golden globe award for best original score?
3. What does “The Truman Show” say about the impact of mass media on our
society? How does the movie use product placement in a
sarcastic way? Is this movie realistic
when thinking of current trends in web broadcasting? Would you watch this show? Would you be an actor in the show? What is the irony of a movie about the making
of a live television show? Compare this
movie to “Bullworth”, “Wag the Dog” or another movie about mass media.
4. Does the movie have a deeper symbolic or philosophical meaning? Do the names of characters like Truman (true
man) or Christof (Christ of) have deeper meaning? In what ways is Christof like a deity (“I’m
the creator”)? What is the meaning of
Sylvia’s (Lauren’s) picture that Truman carries? How is the symbol of water used? How is repetition used in this movie (much
like “Groundhog’s Day”)? Why doesn’t
Weir use the symbol of the Truman’s ring that Niccol wrote into the script?
5. Analyze the writing/script choices and how they affect the story? Do you like the opening of the movie? How does the rolling of credits for the
television show impact the audience? How
are flashbacks and foreshadowing used?
Is the dialogue and character interaction natural? Which characters are developed in the
story? What is the climax? What conflicts are resolved? Does the story make sense to the viewer?
6. Do you agree or disagree with philosophical statements made in the
movie? “We accept the reality of the world with
which we are presented”-Christof.
“Truman’s world is normal. The
world where you live is the sick place.
Seahaven is the way the world should be”-Christof. “There’s no more truth out there than there
is in the world I created for you. The
same lies, the same deceit. But in my world,
you have nothing to fear”-Christof. “I
know you better than you know yourself”-Christof to Truman. Truman replies, “You don’t have a camera in
my head.” “There is nothing fake about
Truman. It isn’t always Shakespeare but
it’s genuine. It’s life”-Christof. “Nothing is fake. It’s merely controlled”-Marlon. “What right do you have?” Sylvia to Christof. “The whole world revolves around
me”-Truman.
7. Is “The Truman Show” realistic? Are there
any flaws in the story? How realistic is
the set with its 5,000 cameras? Are the
actors realistic? Is it possible for
something like “The Truman Show” to occur in the future? What technology would be needed?
8. How does Weir juxtapose the two worlds happening simultaneously? What importance does the man in the tub, the mother
and daugther in the restaurant, the two old ladies on the couch and the two men
working the security lot have? How does
Weir weave the two worlds (Christof’s studio and Truman’s world) together?
9. Do you like how the movie ends? What do you
make of Truman’s last words: “In case I
don’t see you, good afternoon, good evening and good night”? What happens to Christof? What happens to Truman and Sylvia? What happens to the viewers of the Truman
show? What do you think would happen in
a sequel?
10. Did you like this movie? Why or
why not? Comment on the cinematography, sound,
lighting, special effects or any other technical aspects. Comment on the characters or the actors
themselves. Comment on the script or the
story used in the movie.
