English Essay

In the scene, The Power of One, directed by John Avildsen, the scene where Jaapie Botha is bullying P.K in the school, these techniques were used to help the audience understand the main ideas that the scene is trying to show. The techniques are low-angle shots, close-up shots, and low key lighting.

To start with, in the scene after Jaapie Botha killed P.K’s chicken, we see the aspect of low angle shot. In this low angle shot, Botha stands straight with his arms up in the air. The director did this to show how Jaapie Botha has the power over the kids in the school and to show how tough and strong he is. This technique helps the audience understand how the Afrikaners treat the English people, hurting them or their loved ones. This scene can be compared to the scene where Jaapie and P.K were having a fist fight. Jaapie had the upper hand at the start but eventually lost at the end.

In addition, John Avildsen also uses close-up shots in some parts of the scene. For example, the director uses a close-up shot after Jaapie orders the students to hang P.K up. The purpose of this was to show P.K emotions after he pushed Jaapie. For instance, he was very angry over Jaapie after he killed the chicken but after that, you could tell that he is frightened because of the fierce look Jaapie gave him. This made the audience feel mixed emotions. One is that this made the audience feel excited because P.K was brave enough to push Jaapie or think that it was just a stupid idea for P.K to push Jaapie. I can relate to this because sometimes I make decisions that can lead to good things or bad things.

Lastly, John Avildsen uses low key lighting all throughout the scene. For instance, he uses this technique when Jaapie Botha gets a tattoo. Along with the music playing in the background, the purpose of this technique is to show that what’s happening around is frightful and unpleasant. This gave the audience thoughts or conclusions about what happens in an Afrikaner School. This is important because this technique helps the audience understand many things that the director is trying to show.

In conclusion, John Avildsen, the director of the Power of One used several techniques in the scene where Jaapie Botha bullies P.K in the school. These techniques include low angle shots, low key lighting and close up shots. These techniques impact the audience and show how people were treated during the Apartheid.