New Hollywood was a movement in the 60s to the 80s where a new generation of film makers took a different approach to filmmaking in which the film director took over the key role. financial setbacks and a decline in theater attendance created this urge for a change in the industry.
Al Pacino, Robert De Niro, Jack Nicholson, all acted.
Bonny and Clyde is a film from this era.
The studio system that thrived during Hollywood’s Golden Age died in the 1960s. Challenges in the form of TV, antitrust legislation, low admissions, and censorship had worn down the studios in the previous decade. But the 1960s brought a new challenge that proved too difficult to overcome. Cinemas then would make high budget productions just to get viewers back and win over from tv. This would then also create more trouble as a lot of money was lost in making the set.
Overall I found the mise en scene absolutely beautiful within Casablanca, from the luxuries of silk and table runners sold on Morocco’s streets to the outfits for the actors and light and shadows illuminating Ingrid’s beautiful facial features. This produces diegsis for the world back in 1941 in Morocco during WW2.
Interior Set& props
The atmosphere of Ricks club comes to life through the interior set, designed so the balance and composition of the screen fills up to show how popular and loved this site is by the people of Morocco. This also works well to enhance a contrast for when Rick is alone in his club, sometimes with Ilsa. This works so well that even though the film is in black and white, you can imagine the variance of bright colours of Ricks club. Understandable props such as maps of Morocco and older telephones help bring the authentic feel of the 40’s to the viewers, however this only applies to the more modern days as this was considered normal to those who watched this when it first came out. Viewers feel as is Ricks club feels like this is the café they go to every evening with the same crowd of people enjoying their time there.
Lighting and Shadows
Black and white film heavily relies on lighting to produce a contrast that is most pleasant to the spectators, but also produce anticipation, and especially in the following picture, seclusiveness as we can see Rick’s shadow take valuables out of a safe that we cannot see, but the other character can representing their relationship with one another, as well as the spectators relationship with Rick- a man who is unreadable and unpredictable. This brings more excitement to viewers as there is a slight feel of exclusivity to see ricks actions, but also a pull away from who he really is as a character, subconsciously letting doubt of mind take over.
Costumes
Costumes really bring together the feel of Morocco’s heat and era of time which explains the particular dress code that is seen. Spectators may also also notice the variance of costumes due to travellers and natives who seek refuge in Morocco.
Exterior Location
This also brings together the feel of Morocco, even though it was filmed in California. Verisimilitude is created as the spectators are reminded of the busyness and bustle of the streets, taking away the sad idea of having to seek refuge in America due to Nazi’s invading.
Humphrey Bogart, Ingrid Bergman, William Claude Rains, Hans Walter Conrad Veidt and Sydney Hughes Greenstreet all had acting experience before Casablanca, and these were the main actors.
The Maltese Falcon, Gaslight and Intermezzo were some films that some stars had previewed in before.
Warner Bros. convinced the Director of Casablanca, Hal. B Wallis to purchase film rights. some actors, such as Claude Rains, signed a long term contract to Warner Bros.
Ingrid Bergman was casted for her well known beauty, and Humphrey Bogart was well known as playing gangster roles. Paul Henreid was anti nazi as he was half jewish. Both men were also casted for their attractiveness. Conrad Veidt was anti fascist and was casted for his authentic accent.
The Eyeline match was great, and the love between rick and ilsa was very distinct. mise en scene including costume (i absolutely loved ilsas costumes!) and composition of pictures were okay however i think camera work couldve been more extravagant to enhance emotions. storyline was good however confusing at times.
The ‘invisible style’ is the idea that each shot doesn’t seem edited or constructed therefore allowing the story to seem more natural. Continuity is the key to this to create ‘seamless’ shots. also known as causality. Events are linear and in sequential order. The audience are immersed instead of feeling as they are watching a film.
Continuity editing is editing sticking to rules of film such as the 180 degree rule and the 30 degree rule. this links time and place.
for a climate that advantages film makers (consistency). fees were cheaper
Charlie Chaplin, Wallace Reid (actors) Louis and Auguste Lumiere (filmmakers) Battleship Potemkin, The passion of Joan of arc (pictures)
Because a small selection of big companies such as Warner Bros. and Paramount controlled all aspects of filmmaking. known as vertical intergration. all revenue went to them.
The Jazz Singer (1927)
Directors had to rely on the actors to know what they were doing as directors couldn’t direct as actors were performing. Accents may also not fit the persona of the character the actor was playing too.
The great depression causing mass of unemployment, debt and business failure.
Danny Boyle using sound: Danny Boyle uses Iggy Pop’s track ‘Lust for Life’ and many other British pop songs from 70’s to the 90’s to immerse the viewer into the culture of Scotland and England during the 90’s. ‘Lust for Life’ is used for the opening scene of the film where Renton is running away from the police. This immediately introduces us to the characters in the scene and the chaos of the movie as the upbeat song perfectly fits with the drama. Narration is used for the protagonist Renton which occur in episodes, also known as ‘episodic narrative’. Boyle chose this to make his film unique and rebel against mainstream cinema expectations.
Editing: Cross cutting is used during Tommy’s and Renton’s individual scenes’. This creates a comedic effect bringing amusement to the spectators
Mise en scene: set design is thought of carefully such as showing the trap houses with drugs all over the grotty floor.
Cinematography: scenes are amplified with emotion by using cinematography techniques such as scene composition and distances.
Young people: are seen to party and go clubbing often in rave culture, be social and lively, enjoy in partaking in many sexual activities as well as taking many drugs, drinking and smoking. They are truly depicted as enjoying their youth whilst they can.
Older people: are seen usually as working class people, much more laidback than the youth, the ultimate baby boomers who look down on the next generation.
Working class people: seen where chavvy behaviour is carried out such as hanging around grotty places and taking drugs. A mostly depressing life in council flats etc.
Scottish people: seen to be proud of scottish culture, disclosed when renton goes into the scottish wilderness with his pals
Addicts: are seen to desperately push their limits just for a hit, which really tells us the severity of each addictions and its effects.
Men: usually seen to look down on homosexuality showing the culture of toxic masculinity however the severity of drug addictions alter this in the men so that their more vunerable sides are shown and how unbothered one is with homosexuality.
Women: seen as powerful, especially diana, who arent afraid to break gender roles.
