AVATAR+Character

Corporal Jake Sully. Sully is a disabled former Marine. He becomes part of the Avatar Program after his twin brother is killed. Although part of the Avatar programme Jake initially has loyalties to General Quaritch, head of security at the RDA base. His military background allows him to relate to the soldiers rather than the scientists he is surrounded by and does not understand. Jake has a need to feel accepted and feels a sense of belonging with Quaritch and his men - in fact he is almost a father figure to Jake at the start of the film. As Jake becomes more ingrained in the world of the Navi he begins to have further appreciation for the beauty of the environment and life in general. His acceptance by the Navi tribe and a Navi woman named Neytiri also provides him with the sense of family he has been lacking in the human world. As the film progresses it becomes appartant that Quaritch and Jake have vastly different values and perceptions of right and wrong. Jake embraces the Navi world becoming "one of the people" and later abandons his human body completely chosing to remain on Pandora after the humans are defeated.

__**CAMERA ANGLES: **__ On arrival to Pandora long-shots are used to show how small and vulnerable Jake is compared to the machines that surround him. Low angle over the shoulder shots are also used when Jake is looking up at the machinery. This portrays the lack of control Jake has over his life and environment.

__**DIALOGUE:** __ When Jake arrives on Pandora, he says they can fix a spinal injury, but //“Not on vet benefits.”// He also says of the other soldiers, “//out here they’re just hired guns.”//These examples help convey his purpose for being on Pandora. He is not there for glory or honour but purely to make money - largely in order to help restore the use of his legs. His reasons for being on Pandora are purely selfish. He also has no ties on Earth as his brother was killed //"for the paper in his wallet".// We do gain some insight into the moral potenital of Jake in this instance. He seems disgusted at the senseless death of his brother and gives the impression that he places value in life above money. Unlike the other soldiers on Pandora he has the potential for change.

Quaritch: //“You walk like one of her science pukes, you quack like one, but you report to me. Can you do that for me?”//

Jake: //“Hell yeah, sir.”//

The dialogue between Quaritch and Jake reveals much about Jake’s views about the Avatar programme and his role on Pandora. __**COSTUME: **__ On arrival on Pandora Jake wears traditional army clothing. It is clear that he identifies himself as a marine and feels a sense of belonging with this group. He appears out of place when put in situations where he is surrounded by Grace and the other scientists and also with the Navi. Jake's costume later changes in the film when he becomes part of the Omaticaya tribe. He adopts the traditional dress of the Omaticaya which is made from all natural fibres. He discards his old clothing almost as though he is shedding his old life and beleifs.

__**LIGHTING: **__ Jake’s face is often shadowed, particularly when he is speaking to Quaritch and Selfridge about his encounters with the Na’vi. The low key lighting implies the internal conflict Jake experiences as he starts to develop serious doubts as to his loyalties to Quaritch and the RDA. Later in the film high-key lighting is used on Jake as he addresses the Omaticaya people as their leader. He is shown almost as a messiah or saviour. __**VOICEOVER: **__ Throughout the film Jake's voiceover's and video logs are important in conveying his views and development of character. //“The language is a pain. But you know I figure it’s like field stripping a weapon, just repetition, repetition.” //

//“She’s always going on about the flow of energy, the spirits of animals. I really hope this tree hugger crap isn’t on the final.” //