Sixth Sense Scene Analysis - MEDIA … · Sixth Sense Scene Analysis...
Transcript of Sixth Sense Scene Analysis - MEDIA … · Sixth Sense Scene Analysis...
Sixth Sense Scene Analysis
In the film text, “The Sixth Sense” directed by M. Night Shyamalan acting, mise en scene and sound play a crucial role in the funeral scene. In this scene we see Bruce Willis (Malcom Crowe) attend a funeral reception with his patient Cole Sear (Haley Joel Osment) and assists Cole to help out one of the ghosts he meets. M. Night Shyamalan employs many production elements in this scene to help the meaning of the whole part of it.
The first thing he employs is mise en scene to the affect the audience feels. Adding in the red costume that the mother wears in the scene is significant as it keeps the audience guessing as to what the colour red symbolizes. The audience also notices that everyone else in the scene wears black, whilst Mischa Barton’s (Kira Collins) mother (Angelica Page) stands out in red. The audience sees this colour a fair bit throughout the film and Director Night has put it in for a specific reason.
In this scene, the lighting is fair and has some shade throughout. The lighting behind Haley Joel as he is swinging on a swing with the Mischa’s little sister, displays their shadows vividly although the audience barely sees Bruce Willis’ shadow. This is another massive clue to the audience to show that Bruce is actually dead. The lighting in the ghost’s bedroom is dark and gives an eerie feel to the scene. This adds to the effect of the jump scare on the audience. Director Night may have intended this although the low intensity lighting was perhaps used to convey a sadder, deeper message.
In this scene, there is very little space. The Director has crammed everyone into one space. This adds to the feeling of a funeral scene for the audience. If the characters were spread apart and smiling it would not add to the dark overhanging reason as to why the actors were actually there. The set design of the Mischa’s room is quite scary as it displays little puppets with grim looks on their faces and a large hospital design bed in the middle. The dolls are the true force that push the emotion of the audience though, as the grim looks on their faces mirror the look on Mischa’s.
Director Night employs sound in this scene and uses it to add to the eerie effect the whole scene gives off. Firstly, the Director uses non-‐diegetic music to build up a moment when Haley Joel is about to be shown the VCR tape. The music starts to become more and more suspenseful, preparing the audience for a tense moment. He used an orchestra for this and it was added in post-‐production.
When the VCR is playing, the Director used diegetic sound. This is used because it reveals part of the whole story line in this scene. It also gives the actor in the scene permission to use more emotion and it builds up the emotion in the audience, as it is sad and horrific. This is why the Director used this suspenseful and sorrowing sound in this scene.
Acting is largely employed in this scene, as there is a lot of emotional moments and build-‐ups. The body language of the actors is sorrowful and there is a lot of slow walking throughout the scene. Facial expression is a big thing for the audience, as they can recognize how the actors are feeling. After, and while watching the VCR tape, the Mischa’s father (Greg Wood) goes from happy to horrified and that was a big part in the scene. Haley Joel’s facial expressions throughout this scene make it seem as if he is deep in thought. His expression changes though after being grabbed by the Mischa and he goes from thoughtful to horrified. When he hands the tape to the Greg Wood, his tone of voice goes chilling and shaky, showing that the next part of the scene is going to be emotional. Even when Greg Wood speaks with Angelica Page his voice is, emotional and bordering on agitated. When Haley Joel reaches for the door handle of the room, his movement is slow and contained, showing the audience again that the next part of the scene is worrying for him.
Director Night employs many different camera shots to add to the effect of the scene. At the beginning, the camera pans around the room showing all the people and a couple of photos. It also allows us to hear dialogue, which eludes to the rest of the scene. Once again, when Haley reaches for the handle the camera angle is shot so you can see his face in the handle and his hand slowly edging towards it. Another shot is an over the shoulder shot during the part when Haley gives Greg the box containing the VCR tape.
The time this scene takes place is throughout the development as it plays a key part in the storyline. It is teaching Haley to interact with the ghosts and help them, which leads to fixing of his condition and Bruce Willis being able to leave.