Point of View Paper - Essay Example

An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” The first and last scene of “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” would be shot on a railway bridge in a rural area, with a stream deep enough for a man to be submerged and carried down stream under the bridge. I would want to shoot Peyton Farquhar in Civil War planter’s clothes, with his hands tied behind his back and a noose around his neck. Two Union soldiers would be on the bridge beside him. In the thick foliage by the bridge a cannon should be placed.

Farquhar should be shown in a thoughtful manner. The scene would fade into a discussion with a Confederate soldier. The Confederate soldier would tell Farquhar that the Owl Creek Bridge had been taken, but if someone lit old driftwood on fire it would burn like tow. However, the Confederate soldier would warn Farquhar of the Union decree of death by hanging for anyone tampering with the railroad or bridges. Farquhar would not reply, but give a smug smile at the news. Then I would film Farquhar sliding off a plank and the rope snapping, with him plunging in the water.

This scene should have a watch ticking in the background right before Farquhar slides off, and then snap back to actual sound when he hits the water. Shock should be filmed on the Union soldiers faces, with their fumbling for their guns. The next scenes shot would be Farquhar underwater. Lethargic at first, Farquhar would sink, and then come alive. He would slip out the ropes binding his arms, flinging off his noose, and come out of the water with a piercing shriek. The two soldiers on the bridge would be aiming and shooting at him.

Since it takes a moment to reload, Farquhar would reach the sanding bank as the cannon fires a volley into the ground before him. Farquhar would reach the woods and flee. Then a couple of scenes of Farquhar running in the woods at night should be shot. One should show him running in fright, the next walking tiredly. Finally in the morning light, Farquhar should be shot walking with his eyes shut up a long driveway towards a two story home with six columns on the porch. He opens his eyes to run toward a woman dressed in a brown hoopskirt.

As soon as he reaches her, the whole scene fades.The final shot should be of Farquhar’s swinging body on the bridge. It should not be of him falling, this would already been seen when the rope broke. Just his swinging body should be shot. A close up taken of the actor’s face might show a slight smile at the thought of being home. This would represent Farquhar’s peace at going home through death. To truly capture this story’s meaning through film, the actor portraying Farquhar must have a very expressive face.

Despair, pride, arrogance, pain, and other emotions must be readily read on this actor’s face. The only direct dialogue would be when the Confederate soldier is talking and the Union soldiers giving orders. This would make the audience draw their own conclusions, but also still have a shock value, which is what this author wanted to achieve. I would shoot this film focusing on the actor’s face and posture. “An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge” could be filmed many ways. I would choose to film it with an expressive male actor.

The male actor expressing emotions would make this depict the written story.