Parsons: Feeling of the 1950's

Good Night and Good Luck is filmed in a way that emulates the way television looked in the 1950’s. Because television was a new medium, usage of cameras and sound systems were in their infancy. All television had to be filmed in studio and close-ups were typical to show people’s facial expressions more clearly. This film creates this atmosphere that puts the audience into the 1950’s, not only by imitating the film techniques, but also by creating a tense, claustrophobic environment that shows the feeling of the time period. Indoor shots, many close ups, and tight framing made the film feel more like its time and affected the way I watched the movie.

Good Night and Good Luck was filmed in the best way for the affect that director George Clooney wanted to achieve. I watched the film with a feeling of unease. The movie itself was stark and beautiful with amazing shots and great visual images. Incorporating actual footage from the 1950’s, and pairing that with modern film done as antique made the movie really powerful because it made the audience feel like we were really experiencing the events surrounding the McCarthy hearings. Not only did the all indoor shooting make the film seem like it revolved in its own world, but it made us feel like their was no escaping the incidents of Murrow taking on McCarthy and we were right there through the pressure with CBS. The close ups and tight framing added to this feeling. The close ups made us feel like we were talking with Ed Murrow himself, and this was like his actual TV show from the 50's because it was usually just close up shots. Overall I liked the way Good Night and Good Luck was filmed because it added so much to the movie that would not have been there if filmed normally.