Film: The Shining
Link: The Shining- Movie Clip – http://cli.ps/9n3Vp
Genre: Horror
Actors: Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall and Danny Lloyd
Directed by: Stanley Kubrick
In the movie, “The Shining” (1980), the use of mise en scene intertwines with the usage of the setting, lighting and composition. Usually, for Horror films, the lighting that is used the most is low-key lighting. To further enhance what the director wants us to see. The cinematographer is central in the execution of the lighting; whether it is intense or a lack thereof. When trying to identify the lighting that was used in the movie, I feel that high-key lighting, low-key lighting and three point lighting were all utilized at various points in the movie.
From what is perceived it seems that the use of high-key lighting was used more for a sterile look. Basing it on a psychological stance, the brightness that illuminated throughout the hotel and especially in the bathroom can be summed up as “a brilliantly surreal portrait of urban isolation and familial dysfunction” (Peaty, 2012).
High-key lighting can be seen in the “sterile” bathroom scene. It is unusually high-key, it creates an almost sterile, impersonal. Whereas in high-key lighting it is more common for you to get the sense of comfort, safeness , that is not the case with this movie.
Low-key lighting (a horror genre convention) was most prominent in the scene where Jack meets his demise in the maze. Mixed with occasional high key, side lights of the maze; which create silhouettes and shadows of the actor which are also conventions of horror.
Three-point lighting and the rimlight is seen in the scene where Jack is sitting at the bar. The light illuminating his face from below gives him that crazed look. This shows us that he has lost his sanity and links back with the psychological horror genre. The use of the bright lights accentuates the horror of the situation.
For me, the lighting was an important part of the movie. Not only does it manipulate the way we perceive the characters but it shows the audience that you do not need scene to be shot in the dark to get the full effect of the malevolence taking place.
Reference
MovieClips. (1980). The Shining. MovieClips Beta. Retrieved from http://movieclips.com/9n3Vp-the-shining-movie-come-play-with-us/
Peaty, J. (2013, October 12). The Lasting Impact of Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. Den Of Geek! Retrieved from http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/23171/the-lasting-impact-of-stanley-kubrick%25E2%2580%2599s-the-shining#ixzz3UCYJYvfm http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/23171/the-lasting-impact-of-stanley-kubrick%25E2%2580%2599s-the-shining#ixzz3UCXrpSnVthe insanity of Jacks mind.
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