Lighting In The Film 'Full Metal Jacket'

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The lighting used in films plays a significant role in shaping the perfect picture when creating a successful film. Lighting and color are used to contribute to the serious tone of the film many different ways. Using light to shine on different characters in a film points the attention of the viewer toward that character and takes attention off of the unnecessary images during the scene. Lighting may also be used to create space in a film.
The film Full Metal Jacket is a good example of the use of light in films. The film uses natural and artificial light in many scenes. The opening scene of the film uses a large amount of natural light. The natural light shining into the room where all the marines are standing. This light was used to focus
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The sunset while the marines are doing their physical training is a good example. The sunset in the background has a very warm color used to show the bright orange sunset. This color is also used to show the grueling days the marines are going through to become soldiers. The small orange fires burning in the background during combat scenes are symbolic of the soldiers as they are both consistent and unnoticeable.
Kubrick’s use of dark bluish colors in the scene where Pyle’s fellow soldiers gang up on him for constantly getting them in trouble can be viewed to set the time frame, as well as the mood of all soldiers involved.
The scene in the film where Private Pyle is in the bathroom alone is a great example of color and lighting. The backlight of the moon shining through the bathroom windows is the only light shining in the room. Also, the scene uses low-key lighting to create many shadows in the background and showing only a reflection of Private Joker’s flashlight shining on Pyle’s face to exaggerate the darkness and evil in Pyle’s face. According to the textbook, “Low-key lighting produces the overall gloomy atmosphere that we see in horror films, mysteries, psychological dramas, crime stories, and film noirs, where its contrast between light and dark often imply ethical judgments” (Barsam 226). The use of low-key lighting is beneficial to the film as it creates a sense of nervousness and draws attention to Pyle’s unstable emotional