Research: The Wicker Man

Setting

A desolate setting in the middle of nowhere is used to

suggest a feeling of loneliness and increased desperation to the audience. It is a more unpredictable setting

because the characters lose their sense of

control over the surroundings via things like technology.

Camera Shots and Angles

The camera shots and angles used in the opening minutes of the film are varied, a high angle medium shot is used to represent the fact that the rural surroundings of the plot are in control of the events and to make him seem less powerful in comparison.

Medium and Close up shots are also used on his face to allow the audience to know that he is a police officer, representing authority on the deserted island. The close up shots allow the audience to see his facial expressions and reactions to everything.

The camera shots used are fairly simple, with very little panning and no 360' shots are used, this symbolises the simplicity of life in this rural setting and reflects the surroundings as very peaceful.

Light

Light is used to contrast between the settings of the opening scenes. The city is portrayed as a stressful, urban environment by the lack of lighting, only car lights being shown. The rural is portrayed as a calm place due to the use of natural lighting and shadowing to highlight the character's faces and bodies. The contrasting settings which represent good and innocence, and bad and evil.

Characters

We meet two characters in the opening minutes of the film, they are both policemen in uniform. Their uniform is a physical symbol of authority for modern society. They both have reigonal Scottish accents which suggest that they belong in that area, and are at home where they are comfortable. When they walk together, it is a confident stride, showing that they think they are in control of the area and are very sure of this. We also see one of the policemen out of his uniform and in a church with his family, singing. This creates a whole picture of him as a character, and not just as a caricature of a policeman.

Film Credits

Before the film starts, the audience are told that the movie was filmed off the west coast of Scotland and that it is a real look into the religious practices of the people there, providing the audience with context. The film then starts and the credits tell the audience the director and the name of the film, the plane then lands and we watch one of the policemen get out of it, the credits commence again and list the main actors in the film. The pause is given because it allows the audience to concentrate on the main character landing. The film credits stop again after a few seconds with the police officers and continue about five minutes later when the officer travels to a remote Scottish island.