The Blind Side Film Techniques Essay

How are film techniques used to explore the themes in The Blind Side?

The Blind Side, is an inspiring movie directed by John Lee Hancock. With the combination of film techniques and themes, the director explores what is important in life. Lighting and camera shots are both used to show that success can be achieved, despite disadvantages caused by the past. The addition of flashbacks is used to explore the theme of importance of family and costume is used to effectively show that stereotyping holds people back.

The first, and probably most inspiring theme, is that people can still achieve success despite a disadvantaged background. The director uses costumes and lighting that really suits Michael’s disadvantaged status. A scene that really explores this is when Big Mike is sitting in a laundromat at the start of the movie. It shows that even though Michael has received almost no education and is currently homeless, he still takes the time to take out a book and study for school. The film techniques used in this scene are a medium long shot and dim and dull lighting. The director sets up the camera to see the whole of Michael and him studying as he uses …show more content…
Hancock succeeded to show this many times throughout The Blind Side. One of the many scenes that explores this is when the school board are going through admissions to the school and come across Michael’s. The expression on all of the characters faces are very doubtful, as soon as they look at him and his profile. The techniques used in this scene is a medium close up. The director chooses this as it captures every one of the board’s faces, and the expression that they give. It grabs a small amount of the background, including furniture, which give a feel of wealth and advantage. The lighting is also very warm, with a touch of warm colours from the background as well. This scene gives a good impression of what stereotyping is, and can be responsible