Current Forum: Session 3: Ideology	Read 7 times 	
Date: 29-Jan-2001 19:31:52	
Author: DAVIS, SHERYL Y. <syd8438@garnet.acns.fsu.edu>	
Subject: Truth and Hollywood in The Truman Show 	
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       Louis Althusser exlains that ideological apparatuses "teaches 'know-how', but in forms which ensure subjection to the ruling ideology or the mastery of its 'practice' (69). In Peter Weir's
film, The Truman Show, Christof creates the "ideal" life, which he deems to be a most meaningful world for Truman to live in. Christof attempts to take overall control of Truman's life, as Christof has "directed" Truman's life since the birth of Truman. This "ideal" life that Christof creates is on display while the entire world is viewing what they have come to be obsessed with,
Truman. The major problem that encompasses Christof's notion is "truth". E.H. Gombrich's article on "Truth and the Stereotype: An Illusion Theory of Representation" discusses artistic
excellence and photographic accuracy. Truman's life could not be potentially "perfect", according to Christof, unless it was exactly the way in which he designed it. Unfortunately, as Truman learns the truth about the camera's existence, Christof's creation results in a fiasco. 
       An example of Truman approaching the truth is the close-up of Truman when he is brushing his teeth and gazes into the mirror and feels that he is being watched. Another scene that disrupts Christof's intentions is when Truman hears the confused frequency between the radio station and Christof's camera crew as they follow him to work. Of course, the final scene and close-up of Christof, as he addresses Truman and insists that "he knows Truman better than Truman knows himself" brings the entire world to arousal as Truman responds and in the eyes of the world --"He makes it!": "In case I don't see you, Good Afternoon, Good Evening, and Good Night!" 
       The magical camera allows the viewer to become an onlooker along with Christof's camera experts and the rest of the world. The shape of the camera or iris allows us to carefully follow Truman in his daily routine. Throughout the movie, we see Truman driving to work from a low-angle shot of the dashboard through the numbers revealing the radio station leading up to a medium close-up of Truman.
       Hollywood definitely succeeds in its efforts to create on screen what it wants the viewer to grasp. A perfect example of this is the Super Bowl. Imagine paying 2.5 million dollars for a
thirty second spot for a commercial. That in itself tells us how Ideological State Apparatuses have power. I think this is definitely "political" but genius. Can you think of a better way to promote or market an idea or product during a commercial break, while the entire world is watching? I can't! Christof, in his efforts to control Truman's world, ideologically felt the same.