Current Forum: Session 3: Ideology	Read 14 times 	
Date: 26-Jan-2001 09:07:22	
Author: WARNER, JENNIE E. <jew3484@garnet.acns.fsu.edu>	
Subject: Truman's Suburban Hell 	
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       One of the most noticeable film techniques in The Truman Show was the use of lighting. 

High-key lighting, which according to John Belton in is article “Classical Hollywood 

Cinema:Style” is usually “associated with upbeat genres, such as comedies and musicals” (45). 

High-key lighting is used on the set of the (show within the movie) The Truman Show, as 

opposed to non-Truman Show shots of the outside “real” world in which Truman’s audience 

(within the movie) exists. Shots of Truman’s true love, Silvia (once she has been removed from 

Truman’s world), while she is in her house, and of The Truman Show creator, Christof, while he 

is in his The Truman Show control room, are often in low-key lighting. The high-key lighting of 

Truman’s world gives it an artificial look compared to shots of the outside world when the film 

cuts to scenes showing Truman’s audience. This difference in lighting sends the message that 

shadows only exist in the outside world. Christof almost succeeded in creating a perfect world, 

but a life without shadows ended up being too boring for Truman.

       The design of The Truman Show is an attempt by Christof to reinforce the white-picket 

fence ideology of American suburbia. This ideology is repeated throughout The Truman Show, 

as Truman is pondering escape. Christof uses various mediums to convince Truman that he 

should be happy where he is and that Truman would be foolish to leave. An example of 

Christof's ideological propaganda is when one of Truman’s coworkers shows Truman the 

headline of the newspaper which names their town one of the best places to live in the country. 

Another example of this propaganda would be when Truman’s wife turns on a TV show that is 

extolling the virtues of small town life. Even Truman's job is subject to ideological sugar-coating. 

Truman’s best friend, who stocks vending machines for a pseudo-living, tells Truman that he 

envies Truman's “desk job.” 

       This film is great for holding up a mirror to our culture and exaggerating some of our 

ingrained values until they seem ridiculous. It helps us to have a different perspective on our 
society's ideology.