Witness assessment

1. Witness
Juane Pretorius

2. The Sequence
The sequence that I am going to analyse is
when Samuel witnesses the murder. At this
scene the two different worlds, that of the
Amish and the modern world begin to
collide.

3. The purpose
Analyse the purpose of this extract:
The purpose of this extract is to show the audience the theme
of the Amish versus the English worlds. The director is aiming
to show the audience the two different worlds starting to
collide in this extract. The director shows the audience that
Samuel is a witness by using a close up shot of Samuel’s eyes in
between the the bathroom doors, as the shot is concentrating
on Samuel’s large eyes. The director used this shot because it is
showing the audience that Samuel is capturing everything that
is happening with his eyes in this extract. It highlights his
innocence and the idea that he is an outsider.

4. The lighting
Analysis the lighting of this extract:
The lighting that is being used in this extract is very bright on the murder
scene. Artificial lighting is being used throughout this extract shining on the
murder and the victim. Shadow effects was being used on Samuel in the stall
as he is looking in between the doors at the murder scene. The lighting was
very bright and artificial in this extract because it highlights the brutal
murder of this extract and it reminds us that we are in the modern world
away from the Amish world. The lighting is bright because the extract needs
to be clear for Samuel takes in everything that happen within this scene.
Samuel is use to very dim lighting from the oil lamps in the Amish world.
The theme that is being introduced in this extract is the Amish versus the
English world and how different it is. Amish do not believe in violence and
here Samuel is in a murder scene. Samuel is quick thinking and hides
himself in the dark because he knows he is in a serious situation.

5. Music
The music that was being used throughout the extract was very
mysterious and intense dark music. Sound effects that were
being used in this extract was the sounds of the cubicle doors
opening as a sign of the murderer coming towards Samuel. The
mood that is being introduced is seriousness due to the
mysterious and intense music in this extract. Suspense grows
as the sound of the doors slam because the audience waits for
Samuel to be discovered. The directer is showing the audience
that Samuel is very resourceful in this extract and has a strong
understanding of what is happening in this s extract. The music
intensifies the mood of this scene and which has developed

6. Mise-en-scene

7. The costume that Samuel is wearing in the movie Witness is a
very traditional way of dressing in the Amish world. The
Amish are known for simple lifestyle. Amish women do not
wear jewellery and they do not have any buttons or zips on any
of their clothing. Samuel wears the same sort of clothing styles
when he is in the English world which shows the connection
between the two different world colliding. The directors aim to
the audience through out the film that Samuel does not obey
the Amish rules and follows the tradition by wearing what
Amish people would wear. Samuel wears a black hat and black
suit that perfectly does not obey the way amish dress.
Mise-en-scene

8. Film Technique - One

9. Film Technique - One
This film technique that is being used in this shot is a extreme
close up shot. The director’s aim to show that Samuel is
capturing everything that is happening with his eyes in this
extract. The director shows the audience that Samuel is a
witness by using a close up shot of Samuel’s eyes in between the
the bathroom doors, as the shot is concentrating on Samuels
large eyes. As Samuel is capturing everything in this violent
scene he's becoming a witness as he saw the murder with his
own eyes. As Samuel becomes a witness of the murder scene,
this is where the English world and Amish world stat to cloud
as Samuel will be part of another world due to being a witness.

10. Film Technique - Two

11. Film Technique - Two
The film technique that is being used in this shot is
a closed frame shot. This reinforces that Samuel
feels trapped in this situation and scared. This is
important shot in this extract because it is including
the murder and the victim in this shot. The purpose
of this shot is to show Samuels view of what he is
viewing. Low angle point of view shot from
Samuels view, this makes the murder appear larger
in shot. Samuel feels very trapped, scared and very
unsure what to do in this extract.

12. Dialogue
“Just checking again”
In this extract the dialogue is “Just checking again” said by McFee. The
directer used of this dialogue in this extract explains that McFee is worried
that someone may have witness him murdering another police officer. As
he is the murder he does not want anyone to witness this as he is a police
officer himself
“Just washing my hands man”
In this extract the dialogue is “Just washing my hands” said my McFee.
The directer use of this dialogue in this extract explains that McFee is
acting like nothing happened and he's acting very straight faced towards
he actions he just faced. McFee is very aware of what could possibly
happen if someone witnessed this.