These techniques immediately catch the audience’s attention, as they’re unique to its own environment. The techniques are unique because they make the film look different to other films, which makes the film look interesting. It suddenly makes the audience aware and prepares them to watch the film.
In the film `Of Mice and Men` (1992), Sinise uses light in the construction of his story. This technique is important because it makes something realistic but also dramatic. For example, in frame one, low-key lighting is used a lot to make it appear as if shadows are coming from between the gaps in the train carriage. Low-key lighting is used because it makes the scene look more dramatic and darker. The effect makes the audience apprehensive because the scene shows Georges worried face, which makes it seem like something is going to happen.
The lighting in frame two comes from low key to high key, because George has a flash back in the train about the lady in the red dress. The effect in this is that the lighting is dark to show that he is focusing back to what happened and then realistic to show that it has come back to reality.
Also, the lady’s dress is a contrasting colour to the surroundings, which make her stand out. This is symbolic to the audience. The red dress could be interpreted as danger or sexiness. This shows the audience an insight into the film. The audience will be engaged, as they will know this figure symbolizes a key event later in the film. This relates to Curley’s wife, who also represents danger and sexiness.
In frame four the lighting is high key, as the scene looks more realistic. The lighting is also high key in frame six as it also makes the scene look more realistic. Frame fourteen however, shows us a low-key lighting as its intention is to get dramatically darker, to frighten the audience.
The use of sound is very important because it brings the film to life because the audience can hear as well as see what is going on. There are two different types of sound techniques; diagetic-what you would normally hear in the scene (on screen) and non diagetic- the sound track music, the sound of someone’s thoughts voice over, sound effects (off screen). For instance, in frame one the sound is diagetic in the train because it is what you would normally hear on real train. Also the effect in this is that it makes the audience more aware as the sound of the train is coming nearer. The sound is also non-diagetic because while George is has a bad flash back memory about the lady in the red dress the track of the music is changing. The effect in this is that it makes the audience want to watch the film a bit more. The sound in frame two is diagetic and non-diagetic because you can hear the background music and her voice too. Sinise uses this technique in frame two to capture the audiences interest by making them aware that something is wrong. The sound in frame four slowly turns in to a diagetic sound, as it shows the lady in red running whilst the sound changes as she stops and the scene comes to an end. In frame six the sound is non-diagetic as there are lots of different sound effects on top of each other, because you can hear the dogs barking, the farmers shouting, the horses galloping and George and Lennie running. In frame fourteen the sound is diagetic as you can hear the train approaching.
To capture the audience’s interest the cameras movement is very important. For example, in frame one the camera is slowly zooming in to the scene so the audience can see the full view of the scene. The camera in frame two is a tracking shot as it follows the action of the lady in the red dress running. The effect in this is that the audience can see that the lady in the red dress is running away from something or someone. In frame four the camera is panning to the left showing the view of the farmers. The effect in this is that it shows the audience that she was running towards the farmers for help. In frame six the camera movement is a tracking shot as it follows George and Lennie to show the effect of being chased. However, the camera in frame fourteen is zooming in to show that the train is approaching.
The final important technique we come across is the camera framing. This is important because you need to get the full picture in the frame from all angles. For instance, frame one shows the close up of George’s worried face. Frame two is a long shot as it includes the surroundings around the lady in the red dress, then towards the end of the frame it becomes a medium shot as it gives the impression that she has run a long way. Frame four is along shot as it shows her running towards the farmers. Again frame six is a long shot. Frame fourteen is a long shot/medium shot.
I have analysed that the cinematic techniques used certainly catches the audience’s interest. The cinematic techniques used by a film producer, and by Sinise in `Of Mice and Men`, certainly capture the viewer’s interest. All the four techniques have been effective in producing realistic and dramatic effects and also keep you in suspense. Therefore keeping you glued to the screen.
