(What it is about and how it is conveyed)

As the language and logic of media imperialism have increasingly been subjected to critical investigation, Weir's film, the Truman Show has come to mark an important moment in an imagery tradition defined by both its visual communication and adherence to current world issues. In decoding his film, visual techniques such as casting, symbolism, setting, lighting, parallel development etc have been discovered to be the integral components which shape the responders understanding of the complex concepts it is conveying. The film thus contours on the current patronizing power of the media on our world.

Through choice of setting, Weir is implying that the media, from their high-tech control centers, script and stage-manage, a seamless landscape that we mistake for the world. The ersatz paradise (the setting) in which Truman lives is metaphoric of the media landscape where it fosters news, politics, ads, etc as theatrical illusions. The images of the setting are descriptive of this focus. For example, the events are occurring in a supposed different time frame from the universal time of Chritof's.

The similarity of the suburban estates are a metaphor for society's conformity to lack of individuality, as well as a statement to show a uniform social status to which a pool of potential responders can relate. The utopia is also the model of a giant sitcom or cartoon (the hyphened intensity of colors), obvious through its use of flat and idealized lighting, which is strangely accepted by responders. The image of the realm of illusion where even the natural forces are courtesy of the special effects department, is a contrived world created by the media "that's the big guy. What a paintbrush he's got". In this context, the Truman Show is condemned for ascribing to popular notions of media supremacy and control and thus, the images of the setting generate strong messages to stray responders away from the falsehood of the media landscape.

The mention of Truman's world being a phony idyllic stage that makes a system of surveillance and social order, isn't a new notion, but worthy of consideration in examining the film. Once Truman starts to break through the seameless environment of Chrisof's illusions, he realizes he's a prisoner, and so the process of recognition reveals a cell. This is depicted by the common reference to a specific photo of Truman in his clown outfit. Initially we are shown the photo when Truman is oblivious to being under any control. The next mention of this exact photo is at the premature stage of the discovery process, when the controlling creator is attempting to imprison him further with nostalgic manipulation. The last apparition of the photo is on a poster on Sylvia's wall, where it portrays Truman as a prisoner. The use of symbolism aids the responders in recognizing the prisoner element of the movie in translating our own relationship status with the media.

Some common words found in the essay are:
Adam Christ, , Weir Christof, Truman Catalogue, Simultaneously Weir, Santa Maria, Burbank Weir, Identically Truman, Christopher Columbus, photo truman, media machine hollywood, courtesy special effects, special effects, parallel development, media imperialism, film truman, media machine, media landscape, special effects department, effects department, images setting, strong messages,
Approximate Word count = 1251
Approximate Pages = 5 (250 words per page double spaced)