Essay, Research Paper: Simon Birch

The overall effectiveness of the film Simon Birch is enhanced by technical details such as, sound, lighting, colour and symbolic representation. Sound is an effective means of creating atmosphere and hence creating audience appeal. Similarly, lighting also brings emotion and mood to a film. Colour influences the appeal and aura a film may have upon an audience. The inclusion of symbols within a film emphasises meaning and adds worth to the script.
In the film Simon Birch sound is used to create atmosphere. A particularly effective use of sound within this film is the actual exclusion of sound during the scene when the baseball hits and kills Mrs Wentworth. During this scene there is no music or sound, this creates a sense of suspense and awkwardness. Furthermore, lighting is of equal importance in creating atmosphere.
Lighting is used in the film Simon Birch to create ambience. The light shining on Simon as he is lying on his bed is one use of lighting, which stands out within the film. During this scene everything in Simon’s room is in the shadows but the light coming through the skylight shines on Simon. This suggests to the viewer that Simon is blessed by God and is saintlike.
“The overriding consideration of a visual medium is that the audience can see what is happening and because of this lighting is important in revealing the scene.”
(Evans, pg 35, 1998)
Thus it can be clear that lighting is an important way of creating ambience. Similarly, colour is of equal importance.
The appeal a film may have upon an audience is influenced by colour. In the film Simon Birch colour is used to give aura and purpose. Simon’s house is depicted as grey because the audience is meant to see it as a cold and depressing place. The director wanted it to be seen this way because Mr and Mrs Birch are dark and gloomy people.
“Colour, is highly symbolic and suggests much meaning.”
(Evans, pg 39, 1998)
The above quote may explain why the director depicted Simon’s house and parents as grey. Symbols are clearly as important as colour in creating atmosphere.
The incorporation of symbols into films is used to emphasise meaning and add worth to the script. In the film Simon Birch Simon himself is an important symbol. Simon’s physical features may suggest to the audience that he is freakish. But Simon is really a very inspirational and faithful person. When the bus crashed into the lake, it is because of his small stature that the children listened to him. If he were normal size the children would not have survived the freezing water.
The overall effectiveness of the film Simon Birch is enhanced by technical details such as, sound, lighting, colour and symbolic representation. Sound is an effective means of creating atmosphere and hence creating audience appeal. Lighting also brings emotion and mood to a film. Colour influences the appeal and aura a film may have upon an audience. The inclusion of symbols within a film emphasises meaning and adds worth


Word Count: 509