Stanley Kubrick : The Shining

For this assignment I chose to watch the Shining; mainly because I had never watched it before and from watching the clips from it in class really peaked my interest in seeing the whole movie. Also, my group and I decided to shoot our most recent project to attempt to mimic the style of shooting that Stanley Kubrick used in directing this film. The Shining uses many shots directly in front or behind the actor, with the actor moving directly toward or away from the camera. Symmetry is a big element when it comes to the setting and character placement with this film. The rule of thirds is broken many times placing points of interest in the center of the shot. Even when using shot-reverse-shot the character of interest in placed in the center with the rear-facing character almost out of the shot on the side. Long halls and large rooms are elongated by the symmetrical settings (sometimes moving inward and outward). Shots are setup almost like a photograph. This draws in the audience into the center. These elements, along with beautiful lighting, really accent the grim and stomach-sinking feeling of the film.