Look Both Ways, Animations and Photomontages Essay Example
Discuss how the hand painted animated sequences in Look Both Ways provide insight into the characters of Nick and Meryl, more so than the other characters in the film. These animations have their origin in this particular movie.
Despite the distinct animations found in Meryl and Nick's photomontages, various film techniques including en scene construction, flashbacks, dialogue, camera placement, music, and recurring motifs provide insight into other characters as well as Nick and Meryl. The animation style for Meryl highlights her prior painterly approach and her neurotic character who is fixated on death due to her recent loss of her father. Nick's animation emphasizes the visual memories accumulated throughout a person's life, as he has just experienced a memorable weekend that will surely be remembered in hindsight. The context in which each character is filmed is an essentia
...l component in depicting their unique traits and how much we can learn about them.
Her fear of stepping out of her comfort zone is accompanied by an overwhelming sense of paranoia that is reflected in her inner thoughts, preventing her from living a normal life. The result is a disabling inability to take action. She feels lost and lacks direction, feeling as though she is sinking into mediocrity.
Through her animations, Meryl conveys her self-deprecating and fearful nature, which helps us understand her better. Meanwhile, Nick's psychological complexity and life are portrayed through internal photomontages. As a photographer, he sees the world through photographs, using them to reflect his inner emotions due to his inability to articulate his thoughts effectively.
The subconscious flickering of Nick's light in the photomontage indicates his reflection
on mortality, while the animation of cancer cells growing into tumours reveals the unhealthy fear he is currently experiencing. A 30-second flashback to danger signs and power lines from Nick's past exposure increases his anxiety. The use of photos effectively highlights Nick's character, emphasizing his dilemma and reclusive nature.
The way in which Nicks leads a controlled, restrained and compartmentalised life is evident in his apartment as he works in a methodical manner on the kitchen table. On the other hand, Meryl's studio apartment is chaotic, reflecting her way of living without a strong frame of reference, despite working with disorder and confusion. Meanwhile, Anna's apartment reveals a rather youthful essence and is also chaotic, with a skeleton playing a guitar in the background. It is true that our surroundings sculpt and reveal our true selves.
During the film, one character tries to comfort Nick by suggesting it's best to stay positive despite the tragedy. However, he is not successful in empathizing with Nick. The train driver and Julia mostly remain quiet throughout the movie, except for a moment of reconciliation. This indicates that words may not always be adequate to express grief. The lyrics "if I slipped into the quiet" coincide with Julia's emotional state in the second segment, as Rob's death has left her devastated and silenced by her personal heartache and turmoil.
The lack of communication renders her voiceless and unable to connect with others, as communication provides a means for people to share their sensitive emotions and experiences through broad messages. The intricacies of the characters' consciousness are revealed through the camera's positioning, which captures all of them within a frame
at some point in the movie. Meryl depicts her anxious disposition when she envisions Nick as an armed assailant as her fearful persona is displayed within her window frame.
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