Summer Task One

Easy Rider - Cemetery Acid Trip {1969}

During the first minute opening of the sequence; the editing is very slow paced complimenting the drowsy characters within the frame, that are drowning in spirits and drugs. This whole sequence shows the rejection of the American dream and how the use of drugs is their own escapism. Throughout the opening scene the characters are framed within a wide shot; this is a continuous shot until the camera focuses on the ruined building featured in the background which appears to be a church; this is introduced through jump cuts and the camera tilting upwards. Throughout this scene, there is a continuous use of natural lighting to highlight the characters faces. I personally think that the use of natural lighting is down to the era Easy Rider was filmed in due to Easy Rider exploring the issues and tensions within the United States during the 1960s. During this time there wouldn’t be the technology and lighting techniques that we are fortunate to have in modern film.

Within this sequence the phrase “Mary Mother of God,” is repeated, this is a phrase that is often associated with the Catholic faith. This phrase starts off as non-diegetic sound due to the lady reciting the phrase not being within the frame and being played in the background. The camera tilts up for one last time revealing the run down church within the background before tilting and zooming into the sun creating an angelic feeling. Then it cuts and the lady is revealed, this is when the non-diegetic sound turns into diegetic sound due to the lady finally being in the frame; the lady is captured within the centre of the frame using a close-up shot that has a slight tilt upwards which could indicate she has more power than the other characters within this scene. There is a strong white light in the background which could suggest that she is an angel from God with compliments the Catholic words she is repeating.

During the reading a religious statement, there is a religious montage featuring various accosted figures to religion however none of these images link to one exact thing making it easier for different people are going to have different interpretations of what these images mean. Although Easy Rider present religious themes to the audience, it is up to the audience to decide on the actual belief and meaning of these things, giving religious freedom to the audience, in order for them to interpret their own ideas.

Throughout the duration of this sequence, there are lots of well thought out shots that are natural framed; a shot that is very effective is the shot framed within the doors of the run down church, when a lady getting undressed; the character is positioned in the middle of two opening doors creating a natural frame. The editing and shot types vary throughout this whole clip, in such a little amount of time which compliments what the director is trying to create, an acid trip can be different for anyone but this clip highlights a variety of things that are a possibility. The editing starts of very slow paced and lethargic up until the characters place the pills in their mouth then the editing begins to quicken, being more fast past and trippy. The use of zoom is continuous, from close up shot into an extreme close up of the sun, to Jesus on the cross, to Wyatt embracing one of the marble statues, the zoom allows us to get more of an insight into what must be going through their minds.