Fahrenheit 451 is a movie based on an oppressive future in which no one is allowed to read books. Throughout the movie, there are moments with color, tone, line, and shape that help tell the story of what is going on and who some people are. Color was the biggest contributor to this film.
The firemen in the film are made out to be the bad guys. Every time you saw a fireman he was wearing black and they were driving a bright red fire truck. That, to me, make them seem scary and that everywhere that they went, danger followed. I found it interesting though that on the fire trucks, there was a small blue, flashing light on the front. That made it seem like they were supposed to be good guys, but the red overwhelmed that.
When we first see the teacher with Montag, everyone is wearing earth tone colors, including her, which shows the affinity tone. However, when she and Montag step off of the train you can see that she is wearing a bright blue skirt. That shows that she is a rebel and she’s different from everyone else.
When Montag walks into his house, there is a lot of yellow and red throughout. It makes me feel like at some point he is going to be in danger and that he should be careful. Also, when Montag and his wife first watch TV, the background behind the woman is blue and green. But as they zoom in for close-up for whomever is on the television, there is much more of the color green. The people on the TV are evil and cannot be trusted.
When we see Montag pick up a book for the first time, it is red. Books are dangerous in the world he lives in. Anyone who picks up one is putting themselves in danger.
In the school where Montag and another fireman were teaching, there were a lot of squares. The school seemed to be made of squares. It made me think that once you are there get taught these rules, that it is very hard to escape them. Also, the salute the firemen do. It is a diagonal line across their chest. Another indication that firemen aren’t who someone from that time wants to be around.
In any movie, there are a lot of indicators that can help tell a story. Whether it be color, tone, lines, or even shapes. These factors can really change the meaning of a story that is being told.
Fahrenheit 451 has editing that was above average for its time. Everytime i think about the movie though the scene where the firemen are using jet packs to find Montag is hilarious even with all intensive purposes it wasn't supposed to be. They seemed like they were experimenting with the first likes of green screen. They seemed to use a stage with the guys suspended by lines and then tried to green screen in the background of the river and countryside. The green screen was a great idea and helped develop techniques for filming and use of special effects. The book itself was great and they managed to recreate the book well due to superb editing. The story is def. Different and wild concept.
ReplyDeleteUpon Viewing “Fahrenheit 451”, a film based on the novel written by Ray Bradbury one comes to understand strong film technique that transcends the viewers emotions to almost conjoin them with what they are watching. Noticing the film takes on a very dull color scheme that gives a flat sense of appeal which adds character to how the actors act by reflecting off there personality's. While observing the overall setting color the firemen 451 squad car was very red so it stood out. Red gives emotion by being such a strong color. Boldness in character it shows; authority with pride. The posture of the troops and stern personality's only added to this bright red squad car/truck along with there straight black uniforms that contrasted with the squad car. Black with a dark yet vibrant red highlights itself from the general setting color. From jump start you knew what kind of business these men were up to without even seeing what exactly they were going to do.
ReplyDeleteWith color already being a strong point early on in this film there was also very strong symbolism placed within the shots themselves. As strategic angles and cuts compliment each scene with connectivity, the viewer becomes immerse in the layout of the scenes. For example, you notice from the start how submerged each fireman is within his work. Giving very serious attitudes along with very neat uniforms and strapped helmets. As Montag unveils his curiosity in books another siren is called. The fireman approach an elderly womans home only to find one of the biggest hidden library's they have found. What stood out abnormally yet so brilliantly was that Montags helmet wasn't strapped under his jaw like his fellow firemen. His attitude seems distant and curios to what was happening. Representing his newly found path the helmet strapless indicates his fall from the fireman's skewed views. As all the books are thrown on the floor underneath the woman they give the order to burn the house down. The woman stands unwilling to move, ignoring the threats the firemen layed out for her. As her books are drenched in flammable fluid the music gets quiet; the camera moves closer to her unveiling a match she has lit. As she drops the match she is engulfed in flames. As one of the strongest scenes in the movie the lighting gets dark, the cameras cut in and out of a zoom. The music gets louder and more dramatic wrapping the the viewer within the power of the scene. Fire then overwhelms the elderly woman as main character Montag seems even more distant after witnessing suicide for the sake of her books. These elements gave the movie a much more impacting feel as it went on. Showing technique and style in plain site while storing symbolic meaning within the scenes.
Debris of Titan is Winston Dunlop
Delete