Analysis-Light and Contrast 2nd Draft

Light and Contrast


Lighting and contrast plays a crucial part in the episode of Angel: Are You Now or Have You Ever Been Here? And throughout the episode you can see that the lighting and contrast shows what time period the scene is going to, what the characters are condescending, and foreshadowing during the episode because of the special effects and shadow enhancements.


At the beginning of the episode we knew the story was going to take place in the past because the photo of the Hyperion Hotel is in black and white. And a great way of taking us back was slowly adding color to the photo like the green trees and movement to the old classic black and blue vehicles. Also, as the doormen opens the door, I felt like he was making direct eye contact with me and welcoming me to the past as the scene started to focus in and the music getting louder.
Another scene when Judy was standing in her room in front of the fireplace, trying to spark a cigarette nervously, this scene shot Judy’s front side dark in contrast implementing Judy has faced and done something wrong. And her back side bright in contrast stating she’s looking for justification in the end. Also, as she started to ramble on impulsively the room lit up brighter telling me she was ready for confession. This scene is followed by the stolen money and Judy clearly ask for forgiveness when she says, “Hey, do you think that if – if somehow-the money ended up on the banks doorstep, and they saw that I didn’t spend any of it, you think they’d call off that detective? Maybe I could be free of this whole thing.” As that is being said a beam of light is shining down on Judy’s face. I think the director is trying to tell the audience that God is looking down on Judy and all sins will be forgiven. Also, at the very end of this scene it closes in on Angel’s face then slowly fading away the shot. This made me think there will be a continuing scene later on. Not only that, the way they captured Angel’s face with his pupil centered to his eyes made me feel Angel was talking to me and there will be reassurance to the question.


In the middle of the episode as Judy is being accused of the situation, the hallway lights on the left and right side acts as a guidance to the beginning climax of the scene while it aluminates down to the center of the crowd. As Angel strolls down the hallway to help Judy out Angel appears blackened in the shadow, not able to see any facial features or clothing color. This indicates to me that he will be the dark evil villain. Also, as tough as Angel is he endured the violent beating from the hotel guest. This was interesting to me because he could have slaughtered them all in less than a second, but I believe Angel did that to save Judy. And I think the scene shows it as well, when Angel’s vision blurs out on Judy it signified Judy’s problem with the hotel guest will fade away and be taken care of by Angel.


In the last scene Judy could not go on because of her guilt. There was no evidence or physical force that kept Judy inside of the Hyperion Hotel safe from harm of her unrighteousness doing. But as Angel laid Judy down, the green walls and ceiling lit up all around Judy even Angel. And as Angel slowly pulls back, this made me think that Judy’s spirit will soon be lifted by Angel. Then when Angel forgave Judy of the cause of his death we knew Judy’s problem was going to be content because of the slow heavenly music being played in the background and high contrast on Judy’s smiling face when she was lying down. Also, when she passes away it was a sign that her sins were forgiven and Judy was able to go on. Judy wasn’t the only who found forgiveness but Angel as well because he was the one giving it to Judy. With tears about to shed from Angel, which meant to me Angel seemed happy to do so like he never done it before and the ability to do such a thing meant he was like any other living soul.


As concluded, foreshadowing through light and contrast is an effective way of letting your audience know what is going on and how things may turn out if there is enough depth and reading into the scene.