The Truman Show Test Questions – Flashcards
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Plot Summary
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The Truman Show, directed by Peter Weir and written by Andrew Niccol, is set in a futuristic land called Seahaven and revolves around the life of Truman Burbank, a man who has lived his entire life oblivious to the fact that it is being broadcasted to the world as a tv show.
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Techniques used
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Cinematography, Dialogue, Mise en scene, Lighting, Sound
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Theme
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Presentation of reality / self discovery
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Paragraph 1
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Sirius light falling (expository scene)
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What shot shows the light falling?
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High angle wide shot
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What is the light named and why did the director use this name?
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The light is named "Sirius", which Weir would have used specifically as Sirius is the name of the brightest star in the sky, as Truman is the star of the show
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After the light has fallen, what shot does the camera cut to?
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A medium close up of Truman looking confused and bewildered
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What does Truman's confused expression reinforce to the audience?
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That this is the first strange occurrence he has experience
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What sound is made when the light is falling?
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A digetic high pitched 'screaming' sound
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What does this high pitched sound suggest?
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It is often associated with destruction and foreshadows the trouble to come in Truman's life, as his 'set' is not only falling apart physically but metaphorically.
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How Cow Paragraph 1
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Truman is completely unaware of his fake reality, but is curious about the light at it is the first strange thing to happen to him.
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BTT Paragraph 1
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Makes audience question their own acceptance of reality and reaction to unexpected events. Do we stop and think about why it happened, or do we accept the explanation we are given?
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Paragraph 2
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Change of routine
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What shot shows Truman behind the radio?
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Mid shot, with vignette around the corners
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What does the vignette indicate?
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That Truman is being watched
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What sound indicates the frequency change?
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A distorted, high pitched, unsettling digetic sound
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What does this sound foreshadow?
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The changes about to occur in Truman's life
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What shot shows the street sign "Lancaster Sq."?
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Mise en scene mid shot
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What dialogue is said when he passes the street sign?
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"He's coming up to Lancaster now"
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What does this mise en scene and dialogue suggest?
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That Truman is being followed and closely observed
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What shot shows how the extras are only briefly affected by the frequency change, before continuing on with their day?
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Mise en scene high angle wide shot
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What does Truman realize and begin to do?
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He realizes something is wrong, shown by a close up of his anxious expression. He begins to test boundaries, climbing out of his car and doing something he normally wouldn't do
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What sound starts up when he gets out of his car?
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An inspiring, upbeat musical motif
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Why does Weir use this musical motif?
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Weir utilizes the musical motif to portray how Truman is beginning to think for himself and take charge of his own life
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How does Weir use lighting when Truman walks round and round in the revolving door?
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Weir uses lighting as when he is on the inside - where he is meant to be - his face is in the dark (he is "in the dark" about his life.) However, when he is on the outside - out of his normal routine - his face is in the light (he is "enlightened")
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How Cow Paragraph 2
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Truman is becoming more suspicious and paranoid. His eccentric experiments, however, do not get any reaction, and frustrates Truman as he believes everyone is deliberately acting normal. Due to this lack of reaction, he is starting to get scared, but he is also starting to explore
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BTT Paragraph 2
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Truman's exploration makes audience think about human desire for freedom and exploration - these rights most of us are lucky to have, but some don't, and through Truman's story the audience can appreciate how no one deserves to be deprived of these rights. When Truman's reality is presented as perfect and idyllic, he does not have these rights.
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Paragraph 3
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Fight with Meryl
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What shot is used to show Meryl holding up the cocoa tin to use product placement?
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A mid shot
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What shot shows Truman reacting to Meryl's product placement?
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Cuts to a mid shot of Truman walking wildly around
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What does Truman say to Meryl?
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"What the hell are you talking about? Who are you talking to?"
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What do these questions show?
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His desperation to discover the truth
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What does Meryl do then?
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She holds up the kitchen product, claiming Truman is "scaring" her
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What does Truman say when she holds up the knife?
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He mocks her product placement catchphrase and uses the trite lines "Are you going to slice me, dice me, or peel me? There are so many options!"
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How does Meryl react and what shot shows this?
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A mid shot shows her looking scared at the cameras, yelling "Do something!"
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How does Truman react?
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He leads Meryl out of the kitchen as his paranoia heightens
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What does Weir use to make the scene horror like?
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Dark lighting and threnody
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What does the audience realize about Truman at this point?
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He is scared - he is trapped in a nightmare, which is his own world. We understand that he is the victim here, not Meryl
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What shot shows the climax of the scene?
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A mid shot shows Marlon walking in, with the beers coming through the door first (product placement which symbolizes Truman's incarceration)
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How Cow Paragraph 3
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Truman realizes something is not right and is becoming increasingly paranoid and suspicious
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BTT Paragraph 3
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Makes audience think of our responsibility as an audience - when people watched the Truman show, they helped it stay on. Similar to reality TV - should we be watching it? How much of it is 'reality'?
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Paragraph 4
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Discussion with Christof
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What shot shows the clouds and sun?
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Long shot. Christof's voice comes through, like God
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What does Truman ask, and what does Christof reply?
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"Was nothing real?" "You were real" - Was Truman real? He grew up in a fake world - he must be fake too.
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What shot shows Christof looking at tablet screen with affection?
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Mid shot
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Why is Christof so desperate to keep Truman inside?
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Truman was his 'work of art' - but he let himself become too obsessed and created a trap for Truman, who was determined to leave
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What does Christof say to Truman to try and keep him inside Seahaven?
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"There is no more truth out there than there is in the world I created for you. The same lies, the same deceit; but in my world, you have nothing to fear."
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Who was Christof to Truman?
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Essentially, he was like God (Christ of) - but he never gave Truman free will and did not provide him with freedom
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What shot shows Truman bowing and leaving?
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Wide shot
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How Cow Paragraph 4
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Truman is fully aware and is determined to leave. He understands nothing was real despite Christof trying to convince him otherwise - shows audience that the presentation of reality may be real, but it also may be carefully constructed like Truman's
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BTT Paragraph 4
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Makes audience think of their own presentation of reality - do they present themselves differently online etc?
