The Shining: Scene One

The scene I have chosen is that of Jack and Wendy conversing about what should be done about Danny

This scene predominantly uses high-key lighting which usually gives a sense of safety, but here it is simply used to show Wendy’s revelation that Jack has in fact finally cracked and gone mad. The scene uses mid-shots to show both Wendy and Jack conversing, the camera cuts between the two, showing what the other can see. This allows us to see the change in moods between the two characters, as Jack gets more annoyed and twisted, whilst Wendy becomes more and more terrified of her husband. During the conversation of Jack and Wendy, we hear a constant high pitch non-diegetic noise in the background, this is can be quite atypical convention of the horror genre as is seen in many other scenes of the film too, the main effect of this is that it builds up tension as it reflects jack’s mood as he becomes more and more annoyed. This sounds tops as soon as we are asked to focus on Wendy and she suggests that Danny be taken to a doctor, this is important because we can clearly hear what she says and this aggravates Jack even more. When Jack starts to talk again, the noise has changed from high pitched to a very low one and this again reflects jack mood this time more anger and frustration, and also leaves the viewer wondering what Jack is actually going to do about it.

Throughout the scene, red is the predominant colour used and is seen on many of the doors, Jack’s clothing, the books in the background, even the carpets shown are red, this could symbolise danger and also is a common convention of the horror genre showing fear and also the likelihood of blood. I think the most interesting thing about these reds is that they are all the same apart from Jacks jacket which appears a much darker red, even closer to the colour of blood, showing that Jack is in fact the most dangerous and is very essence implies death. In the background, crosses are also scene continuously; both Wendy and Jack are wearing chequered shirts and the curtains are also chequered, as the light shines through the curtains even more crosses are on show, this shows the idea that something supernatural is in the hotel and is taking part in the horror that is occurring.

The first time Wendy and Jack are seen in the same shot together, we are looking from behind Jack which causes Jacks figure to be silhouetted, this gives him a very dark appearance and suggests that perhaps he is going to crack a little more and start to become a lot more dangerous. The scene then cuts to a shot from behind Wendy, but here Wendy can still be seen, this shows that Kubrick intentionally silhouettes Jack. As Jack and Wendy are walking up the stairs, the camera is at a high angle, looking down on Jack as if he is lesser than Wendy, even though he has more dominance over her, Wendy is the favoured character and so this camera angle simply reflects my view that Jack is now insane and that he has never been particularly worthy of either Danny or Wendy. As we climb the stairs with Wendy and Jack we realise how high they are actually going up and as Wendy is at the top of the stairs she has the advantage over Jack, the fact that she has a bat and is still terrified emphasises just how scary the situation actually is.