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short film pitch deck

Influences

In my short film I am taking influences from La Jettee, as I will replicate the still shot types to introduce mise en scene and setting. Another element I enjoyed in La Jettee that I will replicate is its unsolved narrative creating enigma around my films ending. ​

I am also taking inspiration from the short film Bombita, I found the downwards spiral like narrative effective and I would like to incorporate a similar element into my short film.​

Working title and logline​

My short film, just an old friend will follow two best friends and how the trajectory of their friendship is changed through different life choices, capturing how relationships realistically fizzle out without a rekindling through the Lense of one of the friends when they are older with the use of a non-Linear narrative structure and flashbacks to convey this.​

On the last night of their final summer together, two inseparable friends confront the secrets within their bond when one receives unexpected lifechanging news, threatening the friendships future.  ​

Elements of nostalgia will be a key focus in my film to encapsulate the idea of bittersweet memories. It will be filmed with mostly handheld camera work to add a sense of realism and closeness to the film.​

Using the X meets Y formula ​

Aftersun (2022) meets Booksmart (2019)​

​Casting, location and equipment

Casting​

As the film is told through the Lense of one of the friends all grown up, I will use an older woman to tell the story throughout the non-linear narrative, for the flashbacks I will use two teenage girls between the ages of 17-18 as this is a common age for life changing opportunities to arise e.g. University offers etc.​

Location ​

The location for the older characters part of the film will be a simple homely like setting in places like a living room or kitchen. The flashbacks to the younger friends will be in places such as the beach to convey happy memories and in a party like setting to get the image of youth and enjoyment across.​

Equipment ​

As I want to use handheld shots to communicate realism and closeness, I will use a gimble to steady my hand-held shots.​

Bonnie and Clyde New Hollywood

Warren Beatty

He was a star before bonnie and Clyde and has been in many movies, such as dick Tracy, splendour in the grass. i think he was casted for his looks and his previous role experience as he was a rising star he was a asset to the film.

Star vehicle – a film specifically cut out and build around a certain actor and their skillset, promoting their skills.

 For example, Casablanca is a star vehicle for Humphry bogart as he was not usually casted for villainous roles, another example of this would be Warren Beaty in bonnie and Clyde as he was considered attractive and was the producer of the film.  

Faye Dunaway

Her career began in Broadway in the early 1960s, she has been in many movie such as, “mommies dearest” and the “handmaids tail”. I believe she got this role for her previous experience in theatre, her charm and her beauty.

Michal J. pollard

his career began with multiple appearances in programs broadcast during 1959. He has been in other films such as “Hannibal brooks” and “little fauss and little halsey”. i think he got the role as he had previous experience and had the quirky look his character needed.

Gene Hackman

in 1956 he began his acting career on ” Pasadena Playhouse“, a theatre venue. he got his debate Broadway role in children from their games, however bonnie and Clyde was his first movie role. i believe he got the role from his debut Broadway role.

Estelle Parsons

Her career began in Broadway in the 1950s in the play the sign in “Sidney’s burrstones window”, however her breakthrough role was bonnie and Clyde. I believe she got her role in bonnie and Clyde due to her theatre experience and ability to portray vulnerability and strength within the same character.

Denver Pyle

he was an already established actor before bonnie and Clyde, with numerous roles in film and television he was known for his later role in “the dukes of hazard”. He got his role because of his solid reputation as a versatile actor.

Dub Taylor

he was an established actor with a career in westerns, such as “the almo”, “the magnificent” seven etc. he got his role for his ability to play tough imposing characters.

Gene Wilder

His first big role was “the producers”, however his most known role would be willy Wonka. his reasoning for casting would have been his incline in profile within Hollywood.

 

 

Mise en scene-

The film was not filmed on a backlot, they were shot in found places rather than built places. It was filmed in Texas as bonnie and Clyde where from Texas. Arthur pen also particularly chose to shoot in texas as there was less of a chance of the studio sticking their nose into the making of the film. The sets where authentic to the 1930s aesthetics and lifestyle as they represent all characters as being poor due to the great depression. 

Faye Dunaway influenced fashion with bonnie and Clyde, people began cutting bob, wearing berets etc… 

Bonnie and Clyde use of found location added authenticity making their world seem real.  

 Editing-  

The editing in bonnie and Clyde took inspiration from the French new wave. the style of editing makes it obvious to the person watching that there are cuts. this is due to the not continues editing style with uses of things such as jump cuts.

In the starting scene it begins as a close up of her lips and pans up to her eyes, which isn’t a establishing shot it just shows bonnie, camera pans right to see her in the mirror, tracking shot to her bed where it zooms in towards her face, there is a Jump cut to a longshot of Clyde robbing Bonnies mum’s car. the editing was unusual and breaks the conventions of classical editing, however it kept flow and continuity to keep the story.  

Sound- 

In the first part of the movie classical music plays while the credits role and the real bonne and Clyde are spoken about.  

Banjo music plays when bonnie and Clyde fist rob a store 

The blue grass is the genre of music used in bonnie and Clyde, it was evoked by the great depression, circulated around texas, Luisanna ext.  

The music was used for car races and to make things not seem serious and light-hearted, when the camera pans to the sheriff the music stops, this is to show he is a serious character. 

Sound bridge- j-cut: music that covers a scene change and carries the scene over.  

Deedee Allen the editor was one of the first to do it. 

Aesthetics-

In the film

Representation-

women:

in bonnie and Clyde women are represented as a rage of things. Bonnie, the main woman is a objectively attractive female with a strong bold personality. with her being represented this way it is unconventional as she is represented as a person who can protect themselves breaking away from traditional damsel in distress stereotypes. Blanchette burrows is represented as a loud, emotional and distressed woman, fitting the typical stereotypes of woman. By having these two female protagonist in the same film allows contrast and difference between the movie.

men:

In bonnie and Clyde there are 2 main representations of men. Clyde who is the main protagonist is represented a a strong, protective and providing man. The actor being conventionally attractive make him seem as though he is charming making his characters likeable and fun. C.W moss, the side character of bonnie and Clyde’s adventures is a “conventionally unattractive” man and is represented as a clueless clumsy man, this makes him seen as a side for comedic relief and to make it seem as though as because he’s “unattractive” he is also dumb.

authority figures:

in bonnie and Clyde the police officer, who is originally put into a Kanoo on the like is the main authoritive figure, he is represented as grumpy and mean. the fact that his character is masculine links to the idea that blue collar jobs are only for men.

people of colour:

within bonnnie and clyde there is no main cast that is people of color this shows the lack of representation of diffirent cultures in earlier times in film. the ony appearancr of a peron of colour is when bonnie and clyde are both hurt snd they seek refugeee in the camp. this camp is filled with poverty, this liksnto the conventional racict ideals ofnthe 1930as of peo;pe of colour not havng proper jobs.

wild tales analysis

Wild Tales (Szifron, 2014) – Analysis Sheet for Evaluative Commentary

Film 1: Pasternak

What did you like about the film? I liked the plot twist of it, I liked the use of the heavy topic but somehow adding a comedic element to it.  What didn’t you like? I didn’t like the filter that was over the film, I thought it made it look almost like an advert  
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? The use of a plot twist  What ideas won’t you use? Why? I liked the use of real places like airports however I don’t think this would be realistic for the gravity of my project.  

In-Depth Study – Film elements

Film elementExample
CinematographyExample 1: the shot where the camera is in the overhead locker, the camera is at a medium close up on a canted angle.   Example 2: the tracking shot of the lady in the airport that is a worms eye view.      
EditingExample 1:at the end of the film there is an abrupt cut off of the plane crash, I think this adds a comedic undertone to the brutal ending.   Example 2:as the more people admit to knowing the man flying th plane the quicker the cuts become.      
SoundExample 1: the added sound of planes flying in the air in the diegetic world adds to the realism of them being at an airport.   Example 2:the music when the plane      

Inspirations – what ideas did this film give you for your own short film?

Cinematography:  I liked the tracking shot of the female in the airport      Editing:  I like the fast cuts to convey panicked conversation
Sound: I think music was used in the right moments      Other:

Film 2: The Rats/Las Ratas

What did you like about the film?   I liked the style of the movie, I also liked how they conveyed dynamic through small intricate details like the two serving windows.    What didn’t you like? That it was a horror and how sinister and graphic it was.    
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I liked the idea of devil’s advocate I thought it translated well though the acting and the set design.  What ideas won’t you use? Why?   The idea of murder

In-Depth study – Mise-en-scène

FeatureExample – how does it convey meaning or create an effect
Set Design  The two serving mirrors conveyed two sides and options creating meaning and juxtaposition.  
Costume   Main girl is dressed in a green run-down sundress I think this conveys her character to be optimistic through the use of bright colours. The chef is wearing dark monotone colours I think this Is key for her character as she is a murderer.
Space   The spacing of the two main characters are mostly at opposite ends of this screen this helps highlight their opposing views
Lighting The lighting is dim and dingy this adds affect to the run-down café highlighting the poverty that this girl suffers from her father’s death.    
CompositionThe use of cool and warm tone lighting with the two characters draws the attention to their oppositions eg- wants to kill vs doesn’t want to , old vs young  ect…  
Hair and makeup The hair and makeup I this are minimal to match the aesthetic of a woman having to fend for her family that is in poverty.    

Inspirations – what ideas did this film give you for your own short film?

Cinematography/Sound/Editing: I liked the spacing and blocking of the actors depending on their personality to convey the tory though positioning.  I think when the man is stabbed, and the woman Is lying on the floor there is a shot which zooms out and spins at the same time I think is really effective to translate the chaos to the viewer.    Narrative structure: I think the narrative structure was random and a little hard to follow.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:  I liked the establishing shot of the café I think it told you half of the story without It having begun.      Creating enigmas:  I think the enigma code at the end of not knowing who takes the fall is effective to make audience converse and think bout It more

Film 3: Bombita

What did you like about the film?   I liked the use of the main character being a false hero, a unreliable narrator almost.What didn’t you like?   I didn’t like the constant downward negative spiral.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I liked the style of editing used and the filter over it to make colors vibrant.  What ideas won’t you use? Why?   Big stunts and props such as explosive as the editing would be tedious.

In-Depth study: All elements

FeatureExample
Narrative structure       
Establishing characters, setting, plot, themeIt begins with dynamite in the tunnels beneath some sort of power plant and showing an explosion with him in a police uniform establishes him as a main character and some sort of explosives engineer.      
Mise-en-sceneThe mise en scene of this film was urban city like areas. I liked the blue hue put on top of the film      
Cinematography  I liked the worms eye view shots from the drains when he gets his parking tickets    
Editing  The use of the newspaper coverage at the end was an interesting editing technique.    
Sound  I think the use of tense music in moments of distress makes the audience feel more and more anxious building up more emotion until the plot twist.    

Inspirations – what ideas did this film give you for your own short film?

Cinematography/Sound/Editing:   The shot types and how the movie overall appeared.  Narrative structure:   I liked how although the storyline is linear the narrative is all over the place.
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:  I liked the city setting it gave the film a urban feel.  Creating enigmas:                             

Film 4: Till Death do us Part/Hasta que la Muerte nos separe

What did you like about the film? I liked the drama of it I think it made it very interesting to watch. I think the switch of the wife and the grooms character added a sense of comedy to the film.  What didn’t you like? I didn’t like the storyline at the end where they ended up together again.   
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? The use of a drama narrative would be interesting to attempt to base mine off.    What ideas won’t you use? Why?   The romance element would be hard to replicate due to amateur acting.

In-Depth study: All elements

FeatureExample
Narrative structureLiner narrative structure      
Establishing characters, setting, plot, themeAt the beginning of the film the camera goes around the venue of the wedding, the upbeat music and dancing along with seeing a girl in a white dress and a man in the suit allows the audience to know that there is some sort of wedding.      
Mise-en-sceneThe ball room is dimly lit making it romantic and calm at the beginning of the film, as the film goes the light become lighter and lighter taking away this romantic illusion.      
Cinematography  I liked when the groom followed her and the camera follows the door    
Editing       
Sound  The use of music at the beginning immediately establishes the happy conventions of the wedding    

Inspirations – what ideas did this film give you for your own short film?

Cinematography/Sound/Editing: I liked how the camera followed through the party, I also likes how the camera stayed on the door as the groom opened it.      Narrative structure: I likes how there was multiple plot twists
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme:  I likes how the began with showing the party, to establish it was a celebration  Creating enigmas: with showing shots to the lady the groom cheated with allowed there to be a great enigma as to what connection she has to them.

La Jetée Analysis

La Jetée (Marker, Korea, 1962) – Analysis Sheet for Evaluative Commentary 

Part 1: Brief Reference 

What did you like about the film?  I liked its unique use of photos edited together rather than one continuous video.  I also liked the style of shots used focusing on light and dark.  What didn’t you like?  I didn’t like how it was hard to follow, you had to focus on it to understand it. I also didn’t like how the characters had no dialogue.  
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I could use the idea of still black and white shots to create a almost moving image.   What ideas won’t you use? Why?  Maybe not the vague voiceover as I found it difficult to understand what was happening.  

Part 2: In-Depth Study – Narrative 

Narrative Feature Example Your own example 
Establishing protagonist – what information do we find out? How is it conveyed? Introduced only in narration – first in third person as “a man marked by an image”; then in first person -memory of incident at the airport. We don’t see him until the first experiment is shown. This shows how core the act of remembering is to his identity – indeed we find out very little about him (he remains nameless) apart from his ‘remembering’ (even when he is travelling in time).  This man is introduced as a protagonist but not as the most powerful being within the film which is unconventional for films where heroes usually come out on top.  He is represented as a dull and depressed man this is shown through his introduction, his introduction being him as a child watching a man die on the pier, with his characters baseline being a negative traumatic experience it allows the audience to understand that his storyline is going to match that of his introduction and become full circle. He is a depressive and melancholy character, and his experience haunts the narrative.  
Establishing other characters – what information do we find out? How is it conveyed? The Woman is the first person we see (“the only image to survive the war”) – and she is defined only by the fact the narrator remembers her. Feminist critics may comment on the fact she barely seems to exist outside the experiences of the narrator and her growing belief in him.  The woman in this movie is the only woman conveyed through. This could mean not many women being left due to the nucellar destruction or it could relate to the stereotypical ideology that woman cannot do technological things such as time travel and is only represented for love. Her character seems to add a positive twist to the plot, her character seems to lift the narrative’s mood when mentioned or featured. The choice of real rolling footage being her represents and reenforces the idea that she is the key within this story, she is present for his life and death and is a key factor within both those things within both of those things.  
Establishing location (time and place) – what information do we find out? How is it conveyed? We are told immediately that the location is Paris. The bombed out wreckage of the city (real WW2 images) don’t immediately establish that this is the future until the narrator mentions radiation. The underground location beneath the Palais de Chaillot is shown by intercut images of broken cherubs and other sculptures.  We discover that the place this is set is through of establishing shots, an example being the Eiffel tower surrounded by the wreckage and damages, establishing to the audience where it is set and also what is happening in the time of the film 
Creating Enigmas – what are they? How are they created? The image the narrator obsesses over is the central enigma: who is the man he witnesses dying? How does he die? Who is the woman? The still images and voiceover powerfully evoke the nature of memory.  What other questions are posed throughout the narrative?  I think there are many questions throught the narrative, the key ones i have is…when this man comes back from the past does this place freeze in time as it only exists because he has gone to it. Did the man who shopt him send him there to meet that woman purposely or unintentionally. Why kill him at the end, is it because he chose to go back to the past, why kill him? 
Narrative binary oppositions The ‘Living Present’ vs Past/Future. As the film progresses, what constitutes the ‘present’ (for the protagonist) seems to shift from his dystopian subterranean society to the ‘past’ of pre-apocalypse Paris. This is conveyed by the faster rhythm of the montage and the sequence (18:00-18:49) where the images almost become like traditional cinema.  I think a dominate binary opposition ideoligy represented in this film is the idea between peace and war. I think the sheer stark contrast between the effects of war on people and the effects of people due to love is very key. The idea that hate drives some people’s motives and love and peace drives others. It gives off them (scientists) vs me (the main man) vibe.  
Crisis – how was this conveyed? Is it the first experiment? The moment the man spots the woman from the airport? Or is it when the future society offers him the chance to escape to the future?  What do you think is the crisis point? How does this affect the rest of the narrative?  I believe the crisis point is when he realizes that he is the man he saw shot on the pier, the realization that he is the reality of his worst nightmare.  
Resolution – is it closed or open narrative? The narrative is closed – but it is also in a loop: the narrator is both the dying man and the child watching the scene. This ‘time paradox’ has inspired films as diverse as The Terminator and Looper (as well as 12 Monkeys which is almost a remake).  What do you think about the end? Is it closed – or endlessly circular?  I believe visibly the story is closed and ended as the man is dead. However, i believe there is a lot of plot holes as to what characters did certain things for.  

Part 3: Meaning and Effect 

What did you think was the intention of the filmmaker(s)? Intellectual message? Emotional response? Everyone is trapped in their time – they cannot escape it, even through memory. It is also about concept of photography and cinema itself, trying to ‘freeze’ time with images despite time always being in motion. How was this achieved? The use of photomontage separates each frame of the story into a frozen image – even though these are joined together using traditional narrative film techniques such as voiceover, dissolves, fades and music. As the man begins to ‘live’ more and more in the ‘past’ with his lover, the space between these frames speeds up to resemble ‘motion picture’ speed at one point. The stuffed animals in the museum are also ‘frozen’ in a single moment. Your own idea: I think the pint of la Jetée is to highlight our unknowing and how naive we are to what could be happening around us without our knowledge.        
Aesthetic binary oppositions The use of still photo images are combined with traditional narrative cinematic techniques that bring them ‘to life’… until the moment around 18:00 when they flow together. Effect of these oppositions? Shows the intensity of emotion the narrator feels with his lover: like he is finally ‘living’ in moving time rather than a series of frozen, separated moments.  Your example: I think the opposition in this film shows how happy just one person could make you and change yor life.     

Inspirations – what ideas did this film give you for your own short film? 

Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme To establish setting i like the idea of photo like elements.    Creating enigmas  I like the use of a plot this with a unresolved narrative 
Narrative structure (non-/linear? Open/ closed ending?)  I like the use on non liner narrative   Striking use of technical features  

Bonnie and Clyde first response

Rating 8/10

I really enjoyed this film, i think the cinematography is unique to previous stuff i have seen before. I think the love story combined to the gangster aspect was setting a path for a new sub-genre of two partners in crime being lovers. A scene that sticks out to me is the opening scene of the film, I think the way Penn camera moved and follows Bonnie’s actions is seamless and a unique shot.

Casablanca

First response

Rating- 8/10

I think this movie is shot well and uses continuity editing well allowing you to watch the film without being completely aware of cuts. I think the story is timeless allowing it to be watched as entertainment instead of studying or learning from it. An iconic scene from this film for me is the final scene when rick lets Elsa leave Casablanca without him, it is memorable as i think its shot beautifully while capturing the characters felling and emotions towards the bitter sweet ending.

Michael Curtiz-

Hungarian director, made 173 films for warner brothers so he has knowledge of what its like leaving Europe. majority of the extras themselves where immigrants, therefore they where all portraying a experience they have lived. when they play the characters there is a huge amount of empathy and emotion when playing these roles for them.

Michael curtiz use of camera was unique, he broke away from the norm of the “Hollywood style” as the camera was usually kept still whereas he was moving the camera and the actors. the use of camera to actor choreography was key.

The script-

“Everyone comes to ricks” was received the day after the pearl harbour the Japanese bombed the American fleet in Hawaii at Perl harbour, Japan declared war on America. Boats where destroyed and people where killed. It was sent to many film composers however only 2 agreed to make it a movie, warner bros being the one to come out on top.

Mise en scene-

Within Casablanca mise en scene the set is designed to be very theatrical as at this time this was seen as real cinema. within the sets it was filled with plants and dangly lamps. with the use of painting with light the scenes where filled with shadows creating it to almost seem as though the characters are trapped, alluding to them being trapped in Casablanca.

This picture encapsulates Casablanca’s mise en scene with the set, it looks theatrical which was intend at the time of making, as it was seen as “real cinima”. It has got plants and shutters to create shadows and meaning with light.

Editing-

The pacing of this movie is to make it feel as though it is short, however it is just he style of editing used. The toes from each shot are blended well by the editor though this the editor gives glances of movement, an example of this is the “22 scene” where rick is trying to help the woman’s husband gather enough money to leave Casablanca showing moments of emotion through rick.

In this scene the camera cuts quickly to show everyone’s facial expressions.

Sound-

Music in Casablanca was constructed by Max Steiner, his music score was iconic to the film. the sound was dramatic and sometimes patriotic (seen in the singing scene) but the backing track of the film “time goes by” was originally not wanted to be in the film by Steiner however Ingrid refused and believed it should be in there. Within Steiner’s input to Casablanca it would be almost impossible to watch due to how much affect and emotion the score adds.

This scene where Elsa askes Sam to play “time goes by” in the introduction the the films score. This scene is iconic for its way of being shot beautifully paired with the melodic music. Giving a perfect basis for rick and Elsa’s meet cute.

Aesthetics-

The aesthetic through the film was tropical and forest-like, to the way Ingrid dresses and spoke to the set and to the extras the movie was supposed to be seen as exotic. In Ricks Americana there are plants covering the place and steam is produced from the bar to insinuate heat an tropical aspects. The use of lighting in this black and white film was crucial to create meaning and to add to the film noir aesthetic of it. the use of dark an light helps the story string along giving meanings behind the light and dark in some moments.

This scene depicts Casablanca’s aesthetic scene perfectly. Tt shows the elements the use of shadows and light adds to the film, the palm leaves reflecting in the back links to the “tropical” “exotic” theme.

Representation-

There is a surprising amount of different kinds of people in Casablanca due to the nature of the story. the cast and extras where all most likely immigrants from around the world and where essentially playing roles similar to their personal experiences. The representation of women in the film are conventional to the time it was made, there is very little black representation in the film with there being only one black character, Sam. However black representation at all was out of the ordinary for this day and age therefore it is breaking the stereotype.

Political and social contexts-

Casablanca hit a nerve for American audiences as it made them see light, victory. after Casablanca was made there was an invasion of Casablanca therefore this movies timing was vital as that was the talk of the news. there was a clear sense of patriotism through the film for French and American audiences.

The Stars

Humphrey bogart- rick Blaine. his movies before Casablanca where all mostly gangster films. he had worked with warner bros before and they where building him to be a leading man, however he had never played a role like this before.

Ingrid Bergman – in Hollywood it wasn’t common foreign actors staring in movies however they wanted their love interest to be exotic and interesting for the American audience. she was 26 when she was cast, her first American role was a remake of a film she already did which was Swedish.

Paul Heinreid-

Paul Henreid was an Austrian-American actor, director, producer, and writer. He is best remembered for several film roles during the Second World War, including Capt. Karl Marsen in Night Train to Munich, Victor Laszlo in Casablanca and Jerry Durrance in Now, Voyager.

Claude Rains-

 British American film actor, his acting debut was “the invisible man”.

Conrad Veidt-

German- British actor, previously famous from roles like “different from others” and the man who laughs.

 

Sydney Greenstreet-

his acting career began at age 61 his breakthrough role being the maltase falcon (1941).

peter Lorre-

He was a Hungarian-American actor who starred in “The Maltese falcon” , being his acting debut.

S.Z Sakall-

Hungarian actor who’s first big role was Casablanca. Moved from Hungary to America to pursue acting.

Madeleine Lebeau-

American film actress her most notable role was Casablanca

Arthur “Dooley” Wilson-

He was an American singer and actor with his most prominent role in Casablanca as Sam. he toured the world playing music in London and pars.

Joy Page-

She was an American actor her most famous role being Casablanca.

John Qualen-

John Qualen was an American character actor of Norwegian heritage who specialized in Scandinavian roles.

The Birth of Hollywood

1. Why did film makers and producers
move to Hollywood?

Filmmakers moved to Hollywood in the early 1900s to avoid the costs of Edison’s patents

2. Name some of the big stars, directors
and pictures from the Silent Era of
Hollywood? (at least TWO of each)

Charlie Chaplin

Clara bow

3. In what ways were the early Hollywood
studio system like a factory or
production line or even the Premier League (football)?

stars, directors, writers, and crew all worked under long-term contracts. This setup allowed studios to produce films efficiently and consistently, creating a stronghold on the American entertainment landscape.

4. When and what was the first “talking
picture”?

The Jazz Singer1927

5. Why did the end of the silent era cause
problems for some performers working
in the film industry?

Many actors left their film careers due to voice issues

6.What was happening in America
(and around the world) at this time?

The great depression

The Golden Age Of Hollywood

  • 1) What were the Big 5 studios & what type of movies
    was each studio famous for?

Hollywood studio system-

  1. warner bros where known for more cheep low budget movies that where comedies and gangster movie like.

2. RKO was known for things like musicals

3. paramount pictures was known for European films

4. MGM where known for their high budget comedy’s, melodramas

5. Fox was known for bigger more artistic and award winning films.

  • 2) Explain what vertical integration and block-booking
    was?

  • Vertical integration is a business strategy that a company uses by owning many parts of their company to cu back payment to other companies.

  • 3) Why and when did the original studio system
    collapse?

  • The golden age of Hollywood ended for a myriad of reasons; chief among them were the growing popularity of television, the blacklisting  of prominent screenwriters, the rising costs of film production, and the “Big 5” anti-trust legislation.

  • 4) What was happening in America(and around the
    world) at this time?

  • great depression

  • 5) What genres were popular and why did people go
    to the movies in this period?

  • escapism, fictional story’s where popular due to their ability to draw one away from real life.

Classical Hollywood Style

  1. what is meant by the invisible style of storytelling?

Within film the idea of invisible style is keeping the visuals beautiful and enticing but not distracting away from the narrative of the story. This allows the viewers to be more immersed into the narrative rather than the background.

2. what is continuity editing?

The use of editing to correctly string along the narrative of the story keeping it all cohesive.

Film noir

  • film noir:  a type of crime film featuring cynical malevolent characters in a sleazy setting and an ominous atmosphere that is conveyed by shadowy photography and foreboding background music

classical film noir

Director: Otto Preminger

Nio- Noir:

neo-noir, a genre of films that use the visual style and themes of classic film noir (French: “dark film”) but add a modern sensibility. 

Director: Dan Gilroy

Aesthetics

aesthetic is the overall view and representation a person or place gives off due to its or their features such as clothes hair makeup etc.

realism

realism in film is the representation of realistic and authentic use of movement speech and setting, something the view can see and resonate with it being relatable.

verisimilitude: in film means the appearance being true or real.

eg- the realistic life’s of teenagers and their troubles highs and lows etc.

social realism: to give the audience a true sense of what the lives of these characters are like, and the social issues that are happening at the time.

eg- the events surrounding society ant its beliefs when this film was set.

magic realism: portrays fantastical events in an otherwise realistic tone

eg- the fantastical events within this film are shown to be realistic.

hyperreality: a condition in which what is real and what is fiction are seamlessly blended together so that there is no clear distinction between where one ends and the other begins.

eg- the idea that within Truman’s life none is entirely sure what real and what’s fake.

visual style: the visual style of a film is how its visuals evokes a emotional response to convey its mood or theme.

iconography: the use of recurring visual images and symbols in movies that convey specific themes, evoke emotions, and build a film’s narrative identity. 

eg- the reoccurring bunny rabbit though the film while the plot thickens

intertextual referencing: when a piece of art is mentioned, examples being a book, a poem, another film etc..

eg- the mentions of all the literature within this film

visual/ sound motifs: sound or visual elements in film that reoccur to help tell the characters story.

eg-“number one rule about fight club” repetition

colour grading: putting a filter or a certain filter over a film to suit the mood or set a tone.

eg- summery and vibrant to match the contents of the film.

auteur trademarks- a directors following theme of vibe throughout there films

eg- Jordan Peele, reoccurring theme of black representation in horror films, realistic representation of fear.

Aesthetic tone

pathos: an appeal to the audiences emotions. sad moments

Ethos- is a persuasive technique that appeals to an audience by highlighting credibility

bathos- anti-climax, unintentional lapse in mood.

suspense- a film that puts you on edge and unknowing of what’s to come.

dramatic irony- when the audience knows something that the character does not.

distancing effect- something to remind the viewers that it is just a story and to not get too emotionally invested in it.

post-modern humour: when a film has embraced multiple genres and embracing absurdity and breaking conventions.

This is England- micro elements

sound-

In this movie the soundtrack is a very crucial thing, a example of this is the use of the smiths song please, please, please, let me get what i want in the final scene, i think the use of a sad song for this scene makes the viewers feel something for shauns character however it also indicates a new beginning for shaun and shows that things are going to go uphill for him as he is letting go of the racist beliefs he was taught.

cinematography-

The use of cinematography in this film is represented well in this image, this long shot of combos white supremacist group with combo placed in the middle shows how combo has such control on everyones a d their beliefs and how he is the most powerful of the group.

Editing-

The use of editing and montage in this film helps establish to the audience not only the timeframe in which the movie is set but also the conflict in england at the time, and that people in england, like combo are focusing on the wrong problem.

Mise en scene-

In this film the elements of mise en scene are crucial to help viewers understand the context of production, the use of costume in this film establishes to audience that it is set in the 80s with the characters wearing high top doc martin boots and tight jeans with suspenders, the style of clothing also helps the viewers understand that majority of the characters are skinheads. The setting establishes that shaun is brought up in a working class area living in a large estate with small houses and run down corner shops.