In Casablanca, the use of diegetic sound is seen in the restaurant where the woman is performing the guitar and singing and the male is playing the piano for Ilsa. This sound that the actors can hear adds more depth to the film as it can represent the characters and remind us (the audience) of what we connect the song with to the characters.
Non-Diegetic Sound
In Casablanca, non-diegetic sound is used throughout the play with the Classical Casablanca song that is played a few times. It shows the development of the narrative but also the characters as its played in different scenes and each time its played the scene and plot and characters have changed.
The style of edit for Casablanca is continuity editing which produces a straightforward narrative, which emphasises the Hollywood film style.
Give an example of how a specific shot sequence has been constructed and explain the intended effect on the spectator.
This shot here is taken from above to show the amount of people in the scene and to emphasise the importance of who and what is arriving.
This shot shows his point of view of the bar and it is used to emphasise his importance in the overall narrative. It also foregrounds the ending as he seems distant to his bar.
This close up image is used to show the emotions of Ilsa and to showcase her true feelings towards Rick which changes the whole narrative.
How did New Hollywood directors like Penn approach film narratives?
New Hollywood filmmakers rapidly developed the taste for location shooting, resulting in a more naturalistic approach to filmmaking, especially when compared to the mostly stylized approach of classical Hollywood musicals. Arthur Penn was considered an auteur due to the change in style that his films brought from the Classical Hollywood Era.
What is discontinuity editing?
Discontinuity editing (sometimes known as disjunctive editing) is practically visible editing, which is editing that calls attention to itself and violates viewers expectations of continuity. Some discontinuity techniques involve: jump cuts, nondiegetic inserts, repetition of shots or events, freeze frame and any violation of continuity rules.
Why is this time in film production sometimes referred to as “The Rise of the Auteurs” in Hollywood?
The New Hollywood era was also referred to as the rise of the auteurs because it introduced lots of ‘auteur films’ that became widely popular where the solo filmmakers became big stars because of the pivotal role that they had in the process of making their movies.
What is the lasting impact of the New Hollywood style on modern films?
It has greatly influenced contemporary filmmakers who emulate its focus on character depth, narrative complexity, and innovative techniques. Its shaped the movie industries around the world in most cases to fit into its mold.
The town area that Bonnie and Clyde walk through just after the opening of the film has visibility damaged buildings, whether it be graffiti written over walls or large omissions of paint. This suggests that the area is not one that was well looked after, especially since the film takes place during the Great Depression.
The farmhouse that the characters sleep in has very little done to it in order to keep trespassers away besides a sign, showing that in a time of high financial struggle, there was likely so many properties repossessed by banks that they just ended up deserted and left empty.
Interior Sets
The black and white film playing in the cinema scene reinforces the fact that the film, despite being produced and released in the late 60s, takes place in the 1930s.
The inside of the farmhouse is empty, creating the idea of abandonment. The broken windows also suggest a lack of care towards the building after being repossessed by the bank.
Costumes
Clyde is shown to wear a suit for the majority of the film, suggesting that his history of theft has given him the money to dress in more expensive clothing.
Bonnie also dresses in more valuable clothing, her clothes changing throughout the film as her and Clyde continue their country-wide robberies.
Props
The police badge that Frank Hamer wears builds an image of authority and power, therefore when the group take it from him, it signals a moment of weakness.
Newspapers are seen multiple times throughout the film as the way that the characters read about themselves, the most impactful scene being when Clyde angrily reads how he is being portrayed as leaving his brother to die and disagrees with this interpretation of the events.
What is meant by the cinematic term French New Wave?
The French New Wave is a French art film movement that emerged in the late 1950s, characterized by its rejection of traditional filmmaking conventions in favour of experimentation and a spirit of iconoclasm. The term ‘nouvelle vague’ (new wave) first appeared in a 1957 article by Francoise Giroud, journalist for L’Express magazine. To describe the style of the French New Wave cinema, it uses experimental storytelling techniques and distinct aesthetics, this due mainly to budget constraints and/or directors individual styles. Classic French cinema adhered to the principles of strong narrative, creating what Godard described as an oppressive and deterministic aesthetic of plot.
What specific stylistic and structural elements are present in French New Wave Films?
Filming techniques included fragmented, discontinuous editing, and long takes (camera following an action in a continuous shot that allowed actors to explore a scene). The combination of realism, subjectivity, and authorial commentary created a narrative ambiguity in the sense that questions that arise in a film are not answered in the end. They allowed these movies to have ambiguous characters, motives and even endings that were not so clear-cut. They often have unconventional storylines and force audiences to question established cinematic norms.
Which directors and films from the French New Wave influenced Arthur Penn as he was making Bonnie and Clyde? Why do you think this was the case?
The tone of Bonnie and Clyde utilised French New Wave techniques of characterisation of the protagonists, fast cuts, and spontaneous music to shift tone abruptly. The film Bonnie and Clyde echoed one of the most well-known French Wave movies, Jean-Luc Godard’s ‘Breathless’ (1960), in which Penn took style and attitude tips from Godard’s noir-influenced romance, openly citing its debt in a number of scenes, most notably in Clyde’s wearing of sunglasses with one lens missing a la Belmondo. Jean-Luc Godard and Francois Truffaut show Penn’s Film School background and influenced him the most when making Bonnie and Clyde. The way that Bonnie and Clyde’s narrative’s put together is heavily influenced by the New Wave .
The lighting in Bonnie and Clyde is very bright and saturated to create a fun and exiting response from the viewer.
Costumes:
The costumes in Bonnie and Clyde are western themed and characters like Clyde are similar looking to cowboy as he is an outlaw.
Setting:
The film takes place in Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Missouri. They often change locations due to run ins with the police. The western setting adds to the outlaw theme of the movie.
Props:
Gun Props in the movie include guns that were popular at the time such as the Tommy gun and Revolvers. This makes the shootout scenes more accurate and caries the western theme with it
The use of location in Bonnie and Clyde is used as a way to communicate the feelings and atmosphere at any given part of the movie, for example, when Bonny and Clyde are rid of the others they live out their life as they wanted in the beginning: alone, robbing banks together. The bliss they feel in this part of the movie is communicated by the ‘perfect’ and pleasant locations such as this field.
The use of this external shot in this location, being a typical town centre, ensures the verisimilitude of the movie. As the plot is central to how Bonnie and Clyde rob Banks, the audience are aware of what is about to happen, but the surrounding civilians aren’t, therefore creating a sense of dramatic tension in the movie.
Sets (interior)
The use of set design in Bonnie and Clyde translates to the audience how the characters feel in a particular moment in the movie. This scene where Bonnie feels helpless and isolated in her sadness, the set is dimly lit, suggesting her low mood as a result of the dark themes of their crimes.
One of the first scenes Bonny and Clyde share is set in a typical café, the set isn’t fancy or over elegant, showing how they both want a happy life with each over, bot one full of riches etc. The light being dim but shining over them both signifies how they both feel a sense of hope and safety in each over; how Clyde has met a women who interests him, and how Bonnie has found a man who excites her and promises her a better, more fulfilling life.
Costumes
Costumes in Bonny and Clyde tell a story of how characters change over time in a subtle, yet effective way. The first appearance of Bonny depicts her in a simple and plain dress, which she, quite literally, throws on. This shows how she feels her life lacks excitement and how she, before meeting Clyde, is a stereotypical, working class women of good moral and pretty, sensible character. her hair is experimental, including a swirl pattern, Clyde tells her to remove it, showing her attempts of living a more exciting life is nothing in compare to the life he can offer.
Once Bonnie starts to be influenced by Clyde and his radical and dangerous ways, Bonnie wears more designer, expensive clothes. Firstly showing their sudden influx of money and wealth as a result from stealing from banks, but also to show how she feels more herself in the way that she expresses herself. She now takes on a more ‘iconic’ and fancy appearance, aligning with how she is one step closer to living the life she longed for in the beginning of the movie.
Props
The way in which guns are presented in Bonnie and Clyde tell the spectator lots in regard to how Bonnie views violence vs. how Clyde views violence. As seen in the scene with the Sherriff, Bonnie uses Guns as props for photos, hinting towards how she uses this type of life as a statement, rather than a thirst for killing. She holds the gun haphazardly, careless to what they do, this foreshadows her demise in the end of the movie, and how she got carried away in the feeling and fashion that being a runaway brought whilst forgetting the real consequence of her actions.
The use of food as a prop in this scene communicates how Bonnie and Clyde aren’t against normal, working class people, rather the system and how the government exploits normal people (hence the reason they rob banks). They treat there ‘hostages’ in a arguably comedically ‘nice’ way by feeding them, showing how they are nice people deep down, whilst evoking the spectator to sympathize with Bonnie and Clyde.
the women in Bonnie and Clyde were all wearing long dresses and skirts throughout the whole movie, dressed very modestly and listened to their male partners. they were all “wives” or obeying a male in some sort of way. Other from Bonnie they were all married and all very respectful and obedient, as that was the stereotype at the time.
the men in the movie Bonnie and Clyde were all very dressed up, good jobs and would have a wife that they would tell what to do. they would be proper and dominating. unlike the women they would be the automatic “boss” towards their partners.
there was only one person of colour in the movie, a farmer, he was working at the house that got stolen from the bank. he did not say much because he was very low class and had no authority.
there was a lot of working class Americans, a really good example was. C.W Moss, who they picked up along the way of one of their crimes, he was living in a small house with his father. it was a small business that they ran to make a small amount of money.
Made famous by his previous films such as ‘Splendour in the Grass’ (1961) and ‘All fall down’ in 1962, Warren Beatty was already a well known actor for his usual casting as a charmer. Being a producer on Bonnie and Clyde, Beatty set him self the role of Clyde as he wanted to distance himself from his usual roles.
Faye Dunaway –
despite acting in 2 films prior, as well as performing in theatres, ‘Bonnie and Clyde’ was Faye Dunaway’s Breakout role to stardom. Being hired by director, Arthur Penn, he was convinced she was right for the part.
Michael J. pollard –
Similar to Dunaway, he served minor roles in films and TV until his breakout with Bonnie and Clyde. Being a fairly young actor it has been said he was chosen for the role of CW Moss for the naïve nature and unique charm he brought to the character.
Gene Hackman –
Making his first on screen appearance as minor role in the 1964 film, Lilith, Gene Hackman proved to be a great actor in the eyes of Beatty, after this he gained his fame for his role as Clyde’s brother, Buck barrow along side Beatty. He would later go on to star in films such as ‘The French Connection’ and ‘A bridge too far’.
Estelle Parsons –
Before Bonnie and Clyde, Parsons had performed in minor roles in the films ‘The absent-minded professor’ and ‘Ladybug Ladybug’. She wouldn’t receive a role as a main protagonist however until Bonnie and Clyde in which she won an academy award for best supporting actress. This is probably the reason she was chosen for the role as her role as Bucks Wife, Blanche as her performances with other actors stands out.
Denver Pyle –
Staring in a plethora of ‘B’ movies from the 40’s all the way up until the late 50’s, Denver Pyle was most likely selected for his versatility through the numerous roles he played in the numerous amount of his films.
Dub Taylor –
Known previously for being a main role in the film ‘You can’t take it with you’, Taylor like Pyle stared in many ‘B’ films. He was most likely chosen for his old appearance as CW Moss’s father.
Gene Wilder –
Making his debut performance in Bonnie and Clyde, Gene Wilder portrayed good acting skills and demonstrated this on screen playing the frightened undertaker. Due to his unforgettable scenes he would later star as Willy Wonka in 1971.
Bonnie and Clyde was a very realistic movie, as they used actual cars and real shops. there was nothing too over edited to make it seem more realistic, to really get the true story across.
The influence French New Wave storytelling and editing is apparent in this ironic counterpoint. happening in slow motion is created by overlapping the action. For example, Clyde’s fall to the ground is split into three shots
“Editing and Bonnie and Clyde” Immediately in the film Bonnie and Clyde, director Arthur Penn uses editing to l;et the viewer know that the film will be moving at a rapid tempo. As photographs quickly flash across the introduction, it lets the viewer know that the action will be fast paced.
