Cinematography technique · used in 3 films
Showing ghosts through design and staging, such as visible wounds or blocking that places them among the living unseen. The look explains their death and their isolation.
Examples
John Carpenter · 1980
The ghosts arrive inside a glowing fog, as dark figures on a ghostly ship. The fog hides them until they are on top of their victims. The look ties them to the sea and tells you they have waited a long time.
Where to see it: The trawler: a glowing fog envelops a fishing boat. The ghosts of Blake and his crew kill the 3 fishermen aboard.
Steven Spielberg · 1989
Pete stands in scenes with the living while they can't see him. The camera keeps the living characters in view and lets you share Pete's helplessness. The staging does the work that effects would do in another film.
Where to see it: The scenes where Pete coaches Ted. Pete guides him while Ted doesn't know he is there.
Guillermo del Toro · 2001
Santi is a pale boy with a wounded head, and his temple looks like cracked, aged porcelain. DDT Studios in Barcelona created the final look. His injury is the story of how he died, so you understand him before anyone explains.
Where to see it: Outside: Carlos sees a pale, wounded boy outside and later finds a drawing labeled Santi.
Questions