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.