Analysis Of Citizen Kane

Analysis Of CitizenKane

Welles uses the technique of using extreme close ups. This is particualry noticeable when the male subject is whsipering the word " rosebud". This has the effect of zooming in on the extreme detail and shows the important detail on an object. This is a very artifical shot and can be used for a dramatic effect, the audience could then ask why this particular shot has been used for this particular part of the scene. It achieves this effect by zooming in onto a specific part of the males face eg his mouth, it has also got the effect of feeling trapped and confined. Some audience members may feel confused as they do not know who the male subject is talking about.
At the begining of the film there is a shot taken of where the film has been set, within this shot the camera pans in on a fence.This could make the audience think of inprisonment or jail, and could make the audience ask why the there is only a specific part of the fence being shown within the shot. On the gate there is a sign saying " no trespassing" which could lead to suspense and mystery as the audience do not know what is behind it. Within this shot Welles used alot of dark shaddows which helped to create a sense of mystery as the audience could not see any of the characters faces or props clearly and would keep the audience interested. When we watch further into the scene we can see that Welles uses the technique of using a variety of props. We can see that this is particulally noticable when the male subject suddenly drops a snowglobe from his hand. This could have caused some distraction for some audience members as this certain prop had not been explained as well as others. This certain prop could have made some audience members ask what is the snowglobe significance and why is there so much focus on it. After the snow globe had been smashed the camera slowly zooms onto the broken glass from the snowglobe, from the reflection of the glass we can see there is a womanly figure entering the room, this certain effect created a feeling of mystery as the audience could not see the womans face. This effect has been achieved by this certain shot not being explained as well as others.
Welles uses the technique of slow paced non- diegetic music. This technique is particually noticable at the begining of the film when the shot is on the castle. As well as being slow paced the music is also rather low which creates a sense of mystery and suspense for the audience. This makes the audience think of horror and dispair as this music is related to fear. This could make the audience ask why has this particular peice of music been used for this particular shot. This effect has been achieved as it made the audience feel fearful and reluctant.
Welles uses the technique of fade to blacks, this is particually noticable at the begining of the film when the camera is zooming in on the castle. This certain effect is rather disturbing and uneasing as the camera is moving at a slow moving pace and can leave you feeling tense and rigid as you are unware of what could happen next. At the side of the shot there are some monkeys which could make the audience ask if the castle is still being used or whether it had been abandoned. By using this effect it could make the audience ask whether this scene has been set in a tropical country or a colder country.