A Point of View shot is used to show Frodo’s point of view when the hobbits are on top of Weather Top being surrounded by the Ringwraiths. The camera acts as Frodo’s eyes moving sharply looking for the Ringwraiths as if Frodo is anxious. This shot is used to create a sense of realism as the camera nods up and down as if Frodo is breathing heavily also to see the situation for Frodo’s point of view therefore creating empathy for Frodo and the hobbits.
An Aerial shot is used to show the hobbits on top of Weather Top being surrounded by the Ringwraiths. This is telling us that the hobbits have nowhere to run and are helpless thus creating empathy for the hobbits. Also it shows the isolation of Weather Top.
The Close up shot is used to show the Ringwraiths grasping their sword handles ready to draw their swords before advancing on the hobbits, on top of Weather Top. This tells us that the Ringwraiths are ready to attack therefore it builds up tension and suspense as we don’t know when they will attack.
In this scene the ‘Over shoulder shot’ is used to show Aragorn and the background just like the medium shot but instead of a clear view of Aragorn and the background it is shot from behind the hobbits shoulder.
As the hobbits are small they are looking up to Aragorn, this shows us that the hobbits respect Aragorn and see him as their leader.
Another technique used in ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’ is the use of non-diegetic music and diegetic dialogue. Non-diegetic music is music that only the audience can hear. This technique is used to make the audience feel a certain way or reveal a characters mood, for example in the introduction to Weather Top the director uses mysterious music to tell the audience that it is a mysterious place. Another example is when the hobbits are being chased by the Ringwraiths the director uses fast tempo music to create a sense of fear therefore making the audience emphasise with the hobbits.
Diegetic dialogue occurs in the world of the film. Both the audience and characters can hear it. These are sounds such as characters speeches or weather noise. In the scene where the hobbits and Aragorn make camp at Weather Top Aragorn tells the hobbits what to do; this shows authority so both the hobbits and the audience know that Aragorn is an important person.
Sound effects are there to add a sense of realism such as when Frodo wakes up in the cave on Weather Top he can hear the fire crackling. Sound effects can also tell us certain things such as when the Ringwraiths are fighting the hobbits on top of Weather Top you can hear the swords hitting each other a couple of times before seeing the hobbits swept effortlessly aside; this tells us that the hobbits are not skilled with a sword. In Aragorns’ case you can hear the swords clanging and hitting each other quite a few times before he defeats the Ringwraiths so this tells us that Aragorn is skilled with a sword.
To add a sense of realism and to make the movie more interesting the director uses special effects such as: computer generated effects, pyrotechnics and stunt fighting:
Computer generated effects are used to make the movie more interesting to watch; these are effects that you could not do without the use of a computer. When Frodo puts on the ring the Ringwraiths’ appearance changes from black-cloaked figures to white ghostly men this makes the scene more interesting to watch as it goes beyond the boundaries of reality. Other effects are used to make the scene more realistic such as the hobbits size compared to Aragorn and the Ringwraiths; using computer-generated effects can only complete this.
The stunt fighting in the scene on Weather Top is used to create realism and, in the hobbits’ case, empathy. Instead of using actors for fight scenes the director uses stunt doubles, who look like the characters, this is to ensure that the actor doesn’t get hurt. The hobbits’ fight scene with the Ringwraiths isn’t a fair fight as the Ringwraiths overpower the hobbits and hurl them aside while advancing on Frodo. Aragorn’s fight scene has more action in it, as Aragorn is a skilled warrior therefore more adept with a sword: he defeats the Ringwraiths without much difficulty.
Pyrotechnics refers to any film effect that requires explosions or fireworks. Effects can range from massive explosions to people being set alight. Pyrotechnics is the most dangerous film effect so stunt doubles may be used instead of the actors unless it is for a close up. In the scene on top of Weather Top where Aragorn is fighting the Ringwraiths Aragorn uses his flaming torch to set the Ringwraiths alight. Using this effect makes the movie more interesting to watch as it makes the movie seem more realistic, also it adds to the build up of suspense and tension.
The director also has to think about how to use the setting, the set, the costumes and the lighting to create emotion, create tension or build a sense of danger. This is called the mise en scene (a French term meaning what is put into the scene or frame).
The location of Weather Top is an isolated place surrounded by hills and a few trees, but as the hobbits are being chased they have no choice but to set up camp at Weather Top, as it is the safest place for miles. This creates a sense of danger as Weather Top is in the middle of nowhere and as a result the Ringwraiths will know that the hobbits have set up camp there, as it is the safest place for miles.
The setting of Weather Top is an old abandoned, ruined watchtower in the middle of nowhere. This setting creates a sense of loneliness and also tells the audience that Weather Top is a mysterious place. Also as Weather Top is prominent in the scene, it expresses its importance in that scene to the audience.
Another technique the director has used to create mood or create a sense of danger is the clothing that the characters wear. The Ringwraiths wear jet-black hooded cloaks so you can’t see their faces. Also they wear dark evil looking armour, this tells the audience that the Ringwraiths are powerful and evil who have come prepared to fight to get the ring off Frodo. Aragorn and the hobbits wear cloaks and travelling clothes as they are travelling to Rivendell to seek help. The clothes that the characters wear also tells us what era the movie is set in, from the clothes that they are wearing we can tell it is not set in modern times but set in an sort of medieval fantasy land.
Last but not least is the way the director uses lighting to create tension and certain moods. When the Ringwraiths surround Weather top the lighting is dark and gloomy to represent that the hobbits are surrounded by these evil creatures and that they are in danger. Therefore this creates empathy for the hobbits, as we feel scared for them.
Peter Jackson portrays everything how he wants us to see it. He uses every single one of these techniques in a unique way to influence us into empathising with the hobbits or to create other emotions. In the Weather Top scene he portrays the Ringwraiths as being powerful evil characters and in contrast he portrays the hobbits as good characters overpowered and outnumbered by the terrifying Ringwraiths. Peter Jackson portrays the characters like this so we empathise with the hobbits as we are on their side. So I think that Peter Jackson is successful in making the audience empathise with the hobbits.
