5 Analysed Still shots of 'The Sixth Sense'

1. This is a medium close up shot and a two shot. It is also filmed at eye level which gives an impression that you are in the room or opposite the two people. The body language between the two characters is important because it shows their relationship. The scene looks as though the two people are being threatened because the man has his body slightly in front of the woman behind him which shows protection. Their position in the room is also against a wall which is a common position for someone who is threatened by something. The shot follows the rule of thirds with the man and woman being the key points of interest and the background is very plain which confirms that the two characters are what should be focused on in the shot. The lighting is very dim which suggests an eerie atmosphere and the medium close shot allows you to see the concerned look and terror on their faces.

 2. This still shot is a two shot and a mid shot. The lighting is pink with a hint of orange colouring which suggests a fire and this could symbolize love or intimacy. This is confirmed by their body language; they are very close together and are looking at each other fondly. This shows that they have a very close and romantic relationship. The wine glass on the table suggests that they are celebrating an occasion and the fact that the man is seated higher than the woman suggests that the occasion is about him. The mid shot allows a close look at the characters expressions and they are shown to be content and due to this, the impression is given that the occasion is something important to them. The background of the shot is in focus and allows us to see some of their furnishings. They are dark wood and have an antique feel which suggests the couples wealth and comfortable family home setting.

3. This scene shows a birds-eye view of the two characters. The lighting is much darker and sinister than before which suits what is happening. The man is laying of the bed because he has just been shot and this is shown by the way he is clutching his stomach. The woman is leaning over him in shock, also with her hands to the wound. Her body language shows that she cares for the man and is trying to help him. The birds eye view aids in showing there is nothing she can do to help the man; if she was helping the man, the still shot might be an extreme close up of her hands to show what she is doing. The view also reveals the whole room which has shattered glass, debris of furniture and scattered clothes which shows sign of a struggle between people or that someone has broken into their home. The new spatial context allows the viewer to soak in the scene and what‘s occurred. The birds eye view is also an unnatural perspective for a person and suggests the mans death is unnatural and adds dramatic effect as the camera rises up revealing the whole distressing scene.

4. This is a close up shot, showing the boys face only in clarity and the foreground and background are blurred which shows the boy as the only key point of interest. The close up shot allows you to see the boys sullen expression and shows that he is wearing glasses without lenses. This could suggest that the glasses aren't his and he is wearing them as child’s ‘dress-up’. On the pew in front are two play figures and these (as well as the glasses) could be shown to suggest the child’s youth and innocence. The pews in the image suggest he is in a church which also links to the idea of innocence or purity and the clear lighting also reflects this. The close up allows you to see into the mind or the boy as he is shown to be the only important thing in the shot. His expression shows him looking down which could be in prayer but his face does not look at peace, it looks upset. 

5. This shot is a mid shot. The shot allows you to see the man’s surrounding as well as his own body language and expression. He is stood in an area of light but the edges of the screen are tinged with darkness and this darker lighting suggests that the man also has a dark side too. We see him looking vulnerable in only his underwear and at first glance his body language may suggest nervousness because he is touching his right arm but at closer glance the tip of a gun is visible below his armpit; he is clutching his right arm so that the hidden gun does not fall. This makes us assume he will use it on someone else if he’s hiding it. The rule of thirds is used as he is to the right of the image and we can see that he is in a bathroom which is very bright and clean with pink lighting. This warm lighting contradicts the room outside and is also oxymoronic to the man’s emotions which are tormented and show despair.