Cassimere; Good Night and Good Luck

The use of tight framing, all indoor shots, and black and white photography gives the viewer a sense of anxiety and allows them to identify with the characters. Cinematography aims at making the viewer feel as if they are with the characters in the movie, and in this case, the cinematography causes the viewer to almost experience the same pressure and anxiety that the characters in the movie are experiencing. The makers of Good Night and Good Luck wanted the audience to feel like they were in the same situation as the characters in the movie.

Most of the situations in the movie are very tense, and the tight framing emphasizes this tension. Characters are placed on the edges of the screen and given very little room to move around. This focuses the viewer’s attention to only the person speaking, which, in my opinion, causes the viewer to pay critical attention to what the person is saying. Tight framing also gives the impression that the characters can sense the small amount of space around them, which adds a claustrophobic element to the scene. The use of only indoor shots adds to the claustrophobic element. Outdoor shots offer a sense of relief and openness, which is not found in this movie.

The use of black and white photography gives the movie a vintage look, as if it were made in the same year it is set in. I think it is important that the film was shot in black and white because it adds to the ability of the audience to identify with the characters. It also makes everything a little darker, which I think adds to the anxiety factor of the film as well.