What did you like about the film? I liked the way the music added extra dimension to the still images, it clearly showed the different moods.
What didn’t you like? I didn’t like the tone of voice used in the voice over. The images were black and white, and the tone of voice and delivery was deep and mysterious creating the energy to drop.
What ideas could you use? Narrative or style? I like the idea of the still images and voice overs; I think it’s different. However, I won’t use a still image for over 4-5 seconds as that is when the audience’s attention gets lost.
What ideas won’t you use? Why? I won’t incorporate the narrative storyline because it didn’t interest me.
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).
When establishing the protagonist, we are told he is not the first Guinea pig and others have gone “mad” when selecting their next victim, they chose a prisoner with a very memorable and clear imagination helping them when trying to time travel. It says “he was frightened” as he had heard past stories about what it does to people. The whole scene when first addressing the protagonist is used with a close-up which really catches his emotions.
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 scientists are first established at the 4:00-4:45 mark, the voice over is describing what they do (taking prisoners and taking them for experimental reasons with time travelling) it clearly describes that their experiments have not worked yet and made people “mad”.
Establishing location (time and place) – what information do we find out? How is it conveyed?
We were told immediately that the location was Paris. The bombed-out wreckage of the city (real WW2 images) doesn’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.
When establishing the location, when introducing the film production and directors and other people who were involved with the process there is a wide and long shot image of an airport however, when establishing the key location (the jetty) it shows us around three still images of it, the children watching the planes departing, the air hostess walking to the planes. This is when we see the main location of where the plot happens.
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? Do the women know he is going to die? Does he know that if he picks the past he will die? How did his younger self see him die?
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.
This starts off with the women breaking the still images and seen moving. However, this happens in the past (his time travelling) and completely jumps to a worm’s view shot of the scientist quickly adjust the audience mind between past and present day.
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 think the first experiment is when he is when he spots the women from the airport. His memory recognizes her and now his realisation that he can pick the future or past and he picks the past shows a true reflection into the first obstacle he faced was seeing her and wanting to stay.
Resolution – is it a 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 think the ending the ending is closed as you can easily gather that the man getting shot at the end was him meaning that when he was younger, he watched himself being shot. I think if you follow the story line and know that the reason he was killed is because picked the wrong time travel (picked the past not future).
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 though memory. It is also about the 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 film makers intentions was that their love was never to be (not meant to be together) no matter how hard he tried, even when picking the past to stay with her he died. I think this was meant to happen for a reason, did the women manipulate him and did she know he was going to die.
Aesthetic binary oppositions The use of still photo images is 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: The past vs feature. The past is the place that is calling him, his loved one is there, and he is enjoying it more. The feature shows new technology and different ways of presenting themselves.
Inspirations – what ideas did this film give you for your own short film?
Establishing characters, setting, plot, theme: The way the characters are seen/shot after the location. It gives the audience a tension of who the characters are.
Creating enigmas: Establishing the location, before any key characters. Talking about why they are at the jetty.
Narrative structure (non-linear? Open/ closed ending?) The ending was closed in this short film, it gave an easy understanding from the audience’s point of view of what happened at the end. I think I would incorporate this in my short film as it rounded off the needing neatly.
Striking use of technical features: This short film uses still images instead of live acting, this is a striking technical feature. It has given me a new feature to work with but getting my narrative across could be difficult.
Previous films Beatty has been in include Dick Tracy and Heaven Can Wait. He was a star before being in Bonnie and Clyde as he starred in Splendor In the Grass which was made in 1961. I think he was casted as Clyde as he has been the leading male in other previous films. it is also because of his strong presence to be a rising star as well as his connection with producers.
Faye Dunaway:
Dunaway started her carrier in the 1960s on Broadway and then it swiftly moved over to movies. Bonnie and Clyde was her first movie meaning she was not a film star before. previous films she was in before include The Handmaid’s Tale (film) and Mommie Dearest. I think Dunaway was casted for Bonnie and she is youthful and pretty but also from past experience of being in theatre.
Michael j pollard:
Before Bonnie and Clyde was released Pollard featured in The Wild Angels and Summer Magic, he wasn’t a lead in these films, named part. He was a star before Bonnie and Clyde as he was on television series and also on Broadway. he got casted for his distinct looks and strong acting ability.
Gene Hackman:
Hackman started off his carrier by performing on off-Broadway plays such as The Saintliness of Margery Kempe in 1959 however, he made his Broadway debut in Children From Their Games. He soon moved on to a television series called the invaders, before Bonnie and Clyde. Bonnie and Clyde was he very first film. I think he was casted in this role because of his background (having experience).
Estelle Parsons:
worked as a writer, producer and commentator for The Today Show. She made her Broadway debut in 1956 in the ensemble of the Ethel Merman musical Happy Hunting. Her Off-Broadway debut was in 1961, and she received a Theatre World Award in 1963 for her performance in Whisper into My Good Ear/Mrs. Dally Has a Lover (1962). She featured in one film before Bonnie and Clyde called Ladybug Ladybug.
Denver Pyle:
Pyle was not a major star before Bonnie and Clyde, but he is notable in are in a tv show called “Briscoe Darling, Sr”. I think Pyle was casted for this because in previous shows his in he has played rugged, grizzled characters so he has experience.
Dub Taylor:
Taylor was not a major role before Bonnie and Clyde however was featured in lots of tv shows and films especially westerns and B-movie roles. His early carrier include roles in “The Wild West”, he usually seen to be the humorous side kick. He was casted because of his extensive experience of being in western films which made him perfectly fit the role of Ivan Moss.
Gene Wilder:
Wilder was not a star before Bonnie and Clyde. His breakthrough role happed afterwards however, the movie was released in the same year (1967), the film was ‘The Producers’. Previous films Wilder was in before Bonnie and Clyde is “The Little Prince” (1966) but he did have a small role. Wilder was cast for the role of Eugene because of him excellent versatility skills, he could easily perform the comedic parts and also the dramatic.
Mise-en-scene:
Sets/Locations:
Bonnie and Clyde are from Texas, on location filming was always used (real locations). Verisimilitude heavily used, very realistic at all times: streets, houses, fields. Great Depression happening at these times of the movie of which it is set in (1930s), and Bonnie and Clyde helps show what life was like then, era is vividly shown throughout the entirety of the movie.
Costume/Props:
Bonnie’s fashion was very 1960s Gangsters costuming was very authentic, realistic with costume, sets and props. Props used are guns and cars however, with having real locations when filming various different props can be seen in the backgrounds.
Editing:
Bonnie and Clyde use discontinuity editing, meaning the audience/viewers are always aware that cuts are happening. this ruins the flow of the film and it can also help support the story line/plot.
first sequence of Bonnie and Clyde description:
Extreme close up (her lips filling the whole camera), Close up (camera focuses on her face /shoulders upwards, suggests to the audience she is naked), close-up (between her bed bars is her head is amplifies she is trapped).medium (she starts getting changed behind a stand you see from her hips upwards), establishing (when the camera jumps the Clyde outside then changes to her it establishes where she is/seeing her from her window). This does not follow the Classical Hollywood style as it does not start with an establishing shoot, instead of pronouncing where, who is being shoot it went straight to an extreme close of her face then panning to a closeup of her in the mirror. The editing is continuous in my opinion until it jumps to Clyde outside. The extreme close-up suggests she cares about her looks. It uses both French new wave and classical Hollywood, at the beginning its French new wave/ unconventional however when Clyde is established it uses classical editing, such as shot reverse shot, and it is important of the telling of the story.
Bonnie and Clyde both reinforces and changes the sequence of Classical Hollywood. However it uses some attributes to help storyline.
Sound:
Music has a period feel to it, Blue Grass “foggy mountain breakdown” (sound motif) evokes the period of the great depression. Deep souths feel to it (Louisiana, Mississippi) it is played on a banjo. In tone that it is upbeat and lively, enhances the period and location.
Dialogue takes up majority of the film, (most scenes have speaking)
Music is used for car chases however; music stops when a bad person is on shot as is dramatically changes the mood completely indicating to the audience the upbeat fun music does not represent them as a character.
Gun shots that are used effect on the viewer. Foley sound is deliberate (the volume level).
Aesthetics:
The tone in Bonnie and Clyde varied throughout the film. You could go from watching a comedic car driving with upbeat music over the top to suddenly seeing a shooting scene with bombastic gun shots.
Overall Bonnie and Clyde is realistic, from the costumes, music, setting all attributes make it believable to the audience that it is set in the 1930s and there is no scenes that use anything cartoon based.
The visual French New Wave style is reinforced within Bonnie and Clyde as it is set on real locations which is a feature in the FNW style and also has 360 degree shots.
Representation:
Women: By only having two female protagonist, the characteristics of them are very different. Bonnie is a powerful, independent, dominating character who creates a countertype for women and is a clear representation of New Hollywood. However Blanche is a weak, vulnerable character who stereotypically relies on a man, she represents Classic Hollywood. These two characters have totally different ways of being viewed.
Men: In Bonnie and Clyde are the ‘dominant characters. however they are not always the countertype gangsters people might see them to be. Clyde, who is the main gangster is easily dominated by Bonnie making him seem more vulnerable. Judging the men on their actions they are stereotyped to be the people who rob banks, kill and hurt people.
People of colour: Very few people of colour, two. shows that white men/people are dominant. No lines are given to any people of colour. Unfairness is shown and discrimination, no equality.
Working Class Americans: Clyde giving to poor, house taken from bank. The working class people in Bonnie and Clyde truly represent how their lives really were in the Great Depression. They are seen struggling with poverty and struggling with economic challenges. Characters are seen working in farms. A lot of the working class admire Bonnie and Clyde, they are seen to align themselves with Bonnie and Clyde as they are rebellious and are also seen as outlaws. In the film Clyde is giving to the poor, people are effected financially as one scene consists of one family re-visiting their house that got taken by the bank.
Political and Social Context:
The Great Depression (1930s), displayed a mass of poverty throughout America. It lead to people jobless and having to find work in farms. The 1960s were marked by civil rights movement, anti- Vietnam War protests, and a general distrust of authority.
What is meant by the term New Hollywood? (Consider how this links to the decline of the Hollywood Studio System of the Golden Age)
After the decline within Hollywood studio system because of tv, new Hollywood was introduced. when the golden age of Hollywood was around it was all about the gangster films, however they became out dated and that’s why tv became more popular. New Hollywood was introduced, it is all about new and young movie producers creating new movements.
Name some of the films, directors and stars from this period.
Stars:
Shelley Duvall
Al Pacino
Films:
Taxi Driver-1967
The Graduate-1967
Directors:
Billy Wilder
Alfred Hitchcock
What events were taking place in America around the period identified as the New Hollywood era of cinema?
The Cold War
Arms race
Vietnam War
Civil rights movement
The influence Of French New Wave
•What is meant by the cinematic term French New Wave?
French new wave is a film movement that started in 1950s-1960s. reject the traditional style of old Hollywood film making/mainstream cinema. It is a youthful movement with young people who are passionate about film. Truffaut and Godard were film critics and decided to act on their own critiques themselves. French new wave focuses on the auteur (author in French) to get credits instead of the studio (e.g. warner brothers). working with low budgets as there are financial restrains of post ww2 France.
•What specific stylistic and structural elements are present in French New Wave Films?
Dialogue was often improvised.
Jump cuts (jump in time) camera does not move, rather than continuity editing (forgetting edits are happening because they flow).
Location shooting, not using built set, this allows to get 360 shots and not having to move around sets.
Handheld cameras (will have a feeling of a documentary eques style)
Breaking 4th wall (actively engaging with the audience, actor looking down the camera)
Fast paced music
Natural lighting
Deemphasised plot (not particular plot is being followed, does not tell story in chronological order, beginning, middle, end. could start with the end first).
Use armature actors or people who have never acted before to get a sense of realism (they would improvise dialogue)
•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?
Jean-Luc Godard and Francois Truffaut influenced Arthur Penn when he was making Bonnie and Clyde. Mood changes very quickly. Blue grass music, banjo it is fast paced.
•Identify at least 2 scenes from Bonnie and Clyde where stylistic links are created with French New Wave cinema and say why this was the case.
This scene helps to show an attribute of French new wave, it includes natural lighting and natural weather (you can see the wind blowing in Bonnies Hair.
This happen sat the beginning of the film and vividly represents the unique jump cuts of the French new waves.
New Hollywood Style
How did New Hollywood directors like Penn approach film narratives. New Hollywood director were heavily influenced by the French New Wave directors such as Truffaut and Godard, they both came up with an interesting new way of editing and presenting a film. Penn was influenced by the feature of having a de-emphasised plot, Bonnie and Clyde represent this very well.
What is discontinuity editing? Discontinuity editing is when the audience visually notices a cut, because something about the cut calls attention to itself and it does not feel natural and seamless.
Why is this time in film production sometimes referred to as “The Rise of the Auteurs” in Hollywood? At this time in the film production it can be referred as “The Rise of the Auteurs” because this is when directors started to have their own distinct, original features. The word ‘Auteur/s’ translates author, Truffaut was one of the first people to be called this. He was a film critic and stated that films weren’t creative enough and they all started to look the same. This started a wave of new directors and discovering New Hollywood.
4.What is the lasting impact of the New Hollywood style on modern films? The impact of New Hollywood has stuck closely with modern day films. Still to these days some directors are very individual so they stand out E.g Wes Anderson who is Ian own for is unique colour grading, bright colours.
CRITICAL SCORE: 7/10, I would rate Casablanca this because I thought the story line was clearly thought out and the way the character portrayed themselves to the audience created an emotional view. I enjoyed the black and white film as it created a contrast between other films i have seen. The love story was also easy to connect with.
Memorable Scene: I think the most memorable scene was when Ilsa Lund was seen intruding into Rick’s room, this happened near to the beginning. The reason I think this is the most memorable scene is because this to me is where you see her love really come out. The was they talk to each other, but both know they can’t be together.
Key Actors:
Humphrey bogart:
From America. Bogart was seen in gangster movies, “tough without a gun”. Warner Brothers built him up to be seen as a romantic leading man. Bogart was on a contract with warner brother, he was a rising star but he has never played leading men before. Producer knew he wanted Bogart since day 1 of writing and didn’t want anyone else. Bogart was seen to be the most vulnerable character in the film as he has lost his love, differentiates this character to all the rest he has played. previous films he has been in include the Maltese Falcon.
Ingrid Bregman:
From Sweden. Didn’t originally want a foreign actress. she wasn’t just beautiful and a good actress but she has an exotic view about her. she was 26 when she was cast. had experience in Sweden (where she’s from) Casablanca happened early within her carer. One other American film she was starred in was one that was ordinally filmed in swedish.
Michael Curtiz: Was the director. Has filmed 173 films for Warner brothers. Ronald Reagan was thought to be Rick but Curtiz knew he wanted Bogart. He has knowledge about her it is to be a refugee. majority of the extras are actually immigrants themselves/refugee, have experienced real life events themselves. Huge amount of empathy was used to create big crowd scenes. He is from Hungary.
Paul Henried: Originally from Trieste, Italy, but moved to America in 1940 (when he was 32 years old). previous films he had been in was Now, Voyager and Dead Ringer. Paul Henreid, perhaps most famous for his roles in Casablanca and Now, Voyager became a star at Warner Brothers during World War II, as the exotic lead with the European accent.
Claude Rains: Originally from Clapham town, London. He was to America in 1912 (when he was 23 years old). Previous films he has been in were The Invisible Man and Phantom Of the Opera.
Conrad Veidt: Originally from Berlin, Germany, but moved to America in 1941 (when he was 48 years old). Previous films he had been in were The Man Who Laughs and The Cabinet Of Dr Caligari.
Sydney Greenstreet: Originally from England, he became an American citizen in 1925 (when he was 36 years old). Previous films he has been in is Passage to Marseille and The Maltese Falcon. Passage to Marseille. Greenstreet actually becoming screen team with Peter Lorre and ended up being in nine movies together.
Peter Lorre: Originally from, Ružomberok Town in Slovakia and moved to America in 1940 (when he was 36 years old). Precious films he has been in include M and Passage to Marseille which aslo featured Greenstreet. Lorre actually became a screen team with Greenstreet and were in nine movies together.
S.Z Sakall: Originally from Budapest, Hungary and moved to America in 1940 (when he was 57 years old). previous films he has been in include Lullaby Of Broadway and Christmas in Connecticut.
Madelaine Lebeau: Originally from Antony, France and moved to America around the 1930s-40s. Previous films she has been in include The Country I Come From and The Parisian.
Dooley Wilson: Originally from Tyler, Texas United States and stayed in America. Previous films he has been in include Cabin In The Sky and Stormy weather. His real name is Arthur and Dooley was just a nickname.
Joy Page: Originally from Los Angeles, California, United States and she stayed in America. previous films she has been in include Bullfighter and the lady and Kismet.
John Qualen: Originally from Vancouver, Canada. Previous films he has been in include Angel Over Broadway and Our daily Bread.
They didn’t know what the ending was going to be till the day of filming.
Hal Wallis was the producer of Casablanca (come up with story ideas and hire writers or choose and secure rights to scripts). He made changes like casting Ingrid Bergman as he knew the American audience could sympathise more with it.
Mise-en-scene:
Costume: Every character in the film has their own colour pallet, pale colours represented hero’s. Bergman’s hat became iconic. The costumes are simple especially Ilsa to create innocence and youth.
This picture of Ilsa shows her white costume, this really signifies to the audience her innocence and purity.
Location: Casablanca was not filmed in morocco, it was filmed in the Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California, with the exception of one sequence at Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles which was the end scene (airport).
This the the one scene that filmed in Van Nuys Airport in Los Angeles, this happens right at the end of the film. Only scene shot that wasn’t in a back lot.
Set: Carl Jules Weyl was the set designer for Casablanca, he didn’t want the set to be ‘natural’, wanted it to be theatrical. As it wasn’t filmed in actual morocco the set had to be over the top with exoticness, however people have noticed that it wasn’t a correct view of how Casablanca really is.
This shot is taken in Ricks Café, It shows the heightened view of the Moroccan style (exotic) with the plants and the stylised lamp shades to match the culture.
Props: Minimalistic props were used, in Ricks Café there were chairs, tables and Moroccan lampshades to keep reminding to the audience where it’s set.
Editing:
Owen Marks, the editing shows there is a constant entry (always someone knew entering cameras view). Cuts suggest to the audience who the character truly is, e.g. Rick helping out the husband and wife who need money.
This sequence is taken place in Ricks Café when he is helping the wife and husband win the game to get money. Owen Marks has used many cuts during this scene to capture everyone’s emotions and reactions.
Sound:
Max Steiner composed the music. All music was noble and patriotic, every time the Germans enter heavy music is used in the background to represent there character. The song ‘time goes by’ wasn’t written for Casablanca, throughout the film this song is used a classical motif and is a backing track/overture in many scenes.
Ascetics:
Tropical features are used to create an exotic feel to the set. they wanted it to feel theatrical.
Lighting: during movie lots of elements for light and shadow are used. during scenes between Rick and Ilsa the lighting goes darker to create a different atmosphere and also symbolise love.
Themes and Issues:
isolationism: National policy of avoiding political or economic entanglements with other countries.
what was America’s view on ww2?
At the start of ww2 in 1939 96% of Americans do not want to fight and stay neutral (they see it as a phony war). Roosevelt declared that while the United States would remain neutral in law, he could “not ask that every American remain neutral in thought as well. ”The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941, ended the debate over American intervention in both the Pacific and European theatres of World War II.
Rick relates to this as he is not willing to fight at the beginning of the film, he is in Casablanca to make money (he owns Rick’s café and is making money off the refugees). However at the end of the film he shoots a German general. He is a cynic at the start of the film (a person who’s only interested in themselves) a stern business man, but at the end he is also patriotic (showing love for your country and being proud of it), a sentimental.
Representation:
In this film the Germans can be seen as threatening as there is heavy drumming sounds as they enter in every scene, this shows they are dangerous. Women in this film are seen to have less power, always have to be by their husbands sides, can be seen as fragile and dependent. People of colour aren’t associated in this movie apart from Dooley Wilson. It is obvious men take higher authority in this film as they are the most dominant/popular characters.
This is a German plane landing who can be seen to the audience as a negative representation. There is deep ringing music over the top that can also suggest this.
Script:
Script lands at Warner Brothers studios the day after pearl harbour happened. also Casablanca was one of 50 films being made At Warner Brothers, due to these circumstances this film could have flopped. Allies land in Casablanca just after the film is released.
Political and Social contexts:
Allies- Great Britain, USA, USSR (Russia
Axis- Germany, Italy, Japan
France:
At the start of WW2 they started off as the Free French (allies). French soldiers (airman’s and generals) fighting for the allies.
-Free France: (Vichy France) are working for the Germans
at the start of the war Vichy France is in control of Casablanca.
Casablanca which is in Morocco is part of the French empire.
Dates:
1939-ww2 starts
America joins the war after pearl harbour bombing (by japan) on December 7th 1941.
1941-usa joins war
Operation Torch– Invasion of North Africa by the allies (essentially the Americans and the British), transporting 35,000 U.S. Army troops and 250 tanks in complete secrecy 4,000 miles through U-boat–infested waters and landing them, at night, on a hostile shore. This happened November 8, 1942.
Opening World Premier Of Casablanca: Released in New York November 26, 1942. In the cinema they have movie reels (short news) before the film you’d go to watch. Americans learn about the war from newspaper radio and film. Movie theatres at the time Casablanca was coming out would have to show it getting invaded. January 23rd, 1943.
Casablanca Conference– The Casablanca Conference was a meeting between U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill in the city of Casablanca, Morocco that took place from January 14–24, 1943. They used this conference to plan the next stages of the war against the Axis.
“capturing the zeitgeist”– The defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time.
Serendipity: luck
Extra info:
Warner Brothers studio, they have a house still that have the gritty stories and are known as the gangster studios.
In Casablanca 34 different nationalities are in the film.
Studio film, contacted actors.
Bergman wasn’t first choice of Ilsa Wallis had control of casting because he is the producer.
Film is like a piece of propaganda should side with Rick and it is all about Americans in ww2.
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
1.Why did film makers and producers move to Hollywood?
They moved to Hollywood for a more consistent climate for year round film shooting/ they could take advantage of the year-round sunshine and diverse landscapes for filming.
2.Name some of the big stars, directors and pictures from the Silent Era of Hollywood? (at least TWO of each)
Charlie Chaplin was one of the biggest stars of the silent era and D.W Griffith director, producer and screenwriter. He is regarded as one of cinema’s most influential filmmakers for his work in the silent era.
D.W Griffith-Director
Charlie Chaplin-Actor
3.In what ways were the early Hollywood studio system like a factory or production line or even the Premier League (football)?
Hollywood studio systems could be related to factories or production line or even the Premier League because everything had to work in specific way/system. they had writers, actors, directors, all working in long-term contacts.
4.When and what was the first “talking picture”?
October 6th, 1927, The Jazz Singer was the first talking picture. It is a Warner Brothers’ film that starred Al Jolson.
5.Why did the end of the silent era cause problems for some performers working in the film industry?
Due to the unsuitability of their voice and/or acting abilities with the new medium.
6.What was happening in America(and around the world) at this time?
1914-1918: World War One. Great Depression, Wall Street Crash, 1929
The Golden Age Of Hollywood:
What were the Big 5 studios & what type of movies was each studio famous for?
RKO, Paramount, Fox Film Corporation, Warner Brothers, MGM
Why and when did the original studio system collapse?
the major studios’ control over production, distribution, and exhibition constituted a monopoly and ordered the studios to divest their theatre chains.
What was happening in America(and around the world) at this time?
The Great Depression
Explain what vertical integration and block-booking was?
is a business strategy that a company uses by owning many parts of there own business
What genres were popular and why did people go to the movies in this period?
Westerns, musicals, screwball comedies, and film noir. The increased financial prosperity of the 1920s gave many Americans more disposable income to spend on entertaining themselves.
Classical Hollywood Style:
what is it meant by he invisible style of storytelling?
the classical Hollywood filmmaking technique that aims to conceal artistic choices and present a natural story to audiences. invisible storytelling also suggests that the audience shouldn’t notice when the cuts are happening.
what is continuity editing?
A system of cutting used to maintain continuous and clear narrative action by following a set of rules.
This “reframing” of the central character” has a potentially cathartic effect on the spectator.
“The deliberate and stylised use of”
Diegetic: anything that originates from the world of a film. e.g. sound, characters (dialogue).
Cathartic Effect: Refers to the emotional experience audiences feel after watching a movie. (releasing emotions)
Reframing: A change in camera angle without a cut and can include changing the focus of the scene. making the audience see the character in a different way (different mindset) can be negative or positive.
Synonyms for Connote: Imply, suggest, indicate, signify.
PEEL paragraph: POINT, EVIDENCE, EXPLAIN, LINK
Throughout Joker, cinematography is used effectively to create a sense of chaos within the film’s diegetic world. This is particularly evident in the scene towards the end of the film where Arthur is shown in a low- angle, close-up looking out of the police car window and reacting with glee at the riots taking place around him.. Here, the camera is used to position the spectator as not only connecting with Arthur, but now looking up to him. This suggests to the spectator that the tables have turned and Arthur, who was earlier depicted as pathetic and sad, is now depicted as powerful and heroic This “reframing” of the central character” has a potentially cathartic effect on the spectator who has, up until this point, been encouraged to sympathise with Arthur’s point of view as a victim of circumstance. The deliberate and stylised use of this slow-motion reaction shot, enables the spectator to get a sense of poetic justice being served: Arthur is now on his way to prison.
CRITICAL SCORE: 6/10 My first initial thought of the movie was that the acting and story line were very good and interesting. However, personally I thought it was too graphic (the needles).
Memorable Scene: The most memorable scene for me would be when Renton was hallucinating and seen the baby crawling on the ceiling. I thought it was strange yet clever the different ways the director made them be under the influence of drugs. I also thought the editing was unique and that’s why it was memorable.
Trainspotting Micro Elements:
Sound:
This is taken at the beginning of the film as it introduces the different characters. Music is played that is upbeat and quick which sets the mood/tone of how the film will be like. There is also narration over the top saying the characters names which clearly shows to the audience who is who.
Mise-en-scene:
In this scene there is very minimal mise-en-scene in the scene. The basic furniture around him, with dull colours helps the audience focus on Renton. Also the high angle camera view helps show he is the main focus as the audience is looking down on him.
Editing:
In this scene Renton is under the influence of heroine and is under a trans. When the baby is crawling on the ceiling there is obvious editing as they have to edit the baby the other way round to which it was originally filmed.
Cinematography:
In this scene the cinematography creates a chaotic shot. As this is an eye-level shot it makes us feel like we are sitting across the table from Renton and Spud. Also the eye-level shot helps us the people in the background and where they are (a bar).
Consider the ways in which the following groups are represented in the film :
Young People: young people are the dominant age in the film. Renton and his friends are all young adults aged 20-25. I think they are viewed negatively as they are seen taking drugs and having bad behaviour.
•older people (parents/authority figures): In this film the older generation are the parents of the main men. They show they have authority over the younger generation as they are sensible and clearly show more respect and concern over their sons taking drugs.
•working class people: In this film working class people are highly stereotyped into merging with low class people. As most main characters are part of the working class this means that they are seen taking drugs and having no self respect and no morals.
•Scottish people: In the film the main characters are Scottish. However, not a lot of attention is drawn to this and doesn’t remain a key feature of the film. This just makes them seem like regular people and you are seeing their storey.
•Addicts: In this film there main supplier of heroine is ‘Mother Superior’ who is heavily addicted to heroine. They can be viewed as bad people because when under the influence of drugs they turn into different people that hallucinate and become naïve. In the film you can see them see things that aren’t actually there giving the audience a negative insight to drugs.
•Men: Men are the dominant gender in this film. All main characters are men.
•Women: There are not a lot of main women in this film apart from the girlfriends of Renton and his friends. You see a women getting injected with heroine and she screaming and getting told it’s ‘better then sex’. This can give the impression to the audience that women are dependent on men and are scared of taking risks.
All aspects of film form including narrative contribute to the representations of cultures and societies (gender, ethnicity and age) including the ideological nature of those representations.
Ideology: set of ideas, beliefs of someone holds (group of individuals having them same ideas).
PERFORMANCE:
age ethnicity, costume, facial expression, body language.
Stereotype: A fixed general image or set of characteristics that a lot of people believe represent a particular type of person or thing.
Countertype: A representation that actively seeks to subvert and challenge negative stereotypes usually of a person, group or place. e.g black president in America rather then white.
Terminator 1: Sarah Connor is seen a stereotyped American waitress. she’s in pink which is viewed as a very ‘feminine colour’. she is around 20, in a scene she is seen being late for work this can provide us with information letting us know she is a hopeless 20 year old who’s always in a rush.
Terminator 2: Sarah Connor is seen as a countertype now. She is seen to have a muscular build which is the opposite to the first film where you seen her in a feminine pink dress. she is also seen wearing black which is seen as a ‘masculine colour’. in this photo she is seen holding a gun and she seems very comfortable around it, indicating to viewers she’s been training and is preparing for war/battle.
Why do you think the director change her character in the second film?
It wasn’t the director who chose her character to be more of a countertype it was Sarah herself. She said she wants the charter to be crazy. She still fights how she did in the first film.
TRAINSPOTTING REPRESENTATION
1.WHO IS DOING THE REPRESENTATION? (DIRECTOR’S VIEWPOINT)
The director is doing the representation. They are creating what will be viewed by audience/viewer.
2.WHO IS BEING REPRESENTED ? (Identify specific social groups)
The working class, all character are to be seen in the lower or working class status.
3.WHAT SOCIAL GROUPS ARE OMITTED FROM THE REPRESENTATIONS?
Social groups that are getting omitted is children. Apart from the baby that is the only child you see. People aged 20-25 are the Minority age.
4.WHAT MESSAGES ABOUT PARTICULAR SOCIAL GROUPS ARE BEING CONVEYED?
The messages that are being conveyed is that this particular group of people are bad. It indicates to us that they are taking drugs everyday, have a lose of humanity.
5.WHICH CHARACTERS OR SOCIAL GROUPS HAVE POWER WITHIN THE REPRESENTATIONS?
The social group with the most power is the 20-25 year olds as that is how old majority of the characters are. One child is seen and you rarely see anyone older then around 50-60.
6.DO THE CHARACTERS ADHERE TO OR CHALLENGE STEREOTYPES?
These group of people adhere to the stereotypes of working/lower class people. It shows that these people throw their life’s and away and over take the use of drugs.
7.ARE THE CHARACTERS TYPICAL OF FILMS IN THAT GENRE?
As the genre is black comedy I would say it relates to it. The characters being open to drugs but also being comic really relates to the genre.
8.WHAT DO REPRESENTATIONS TELL AUDIENCES ABOUT SOCIETY AT THE TIME THE FILM WAS MADE AND/OR SET?
The representations tell the audience that this society at the time was over drug users. It shows us that in Edinburgh used to be a run down place which was a bit sketchy. It enables us to see that most people were in the working class.
•Young people: In this film the main protagonist is Shaun who is seen to be around 12 years old. He is the youngest main character in this film and all the others in the skin-head group are around 13-20. Within how Shaun is represented as a young person is negative and positive. It can be negative because his characteristics change and he becomes severely racists due to Combos actions however you see his character development as you see him having a sense of realisation that everything Combo said wasn’t true and his actions were bad.
•Older people (parents/authority figures/ politicians): There are two different types of older people viewed in this film, Shaun’s mum and Combo. Shaun’s mum is a loving mother grieving over her husband who had past away who wants nothing but the best for Shaun as he’s the only person she seems to have left. However then you have Combo the “original skin-head”, when he appears in the film everything changes. The mood shifts and the characteristics of some characters change. Combo is a very negative character who’s personality evolves around politics. He gains authority over Shaun however, he makes Shaun realise he is a bad person.
•Class (working class and other classes): Most people in this film are part of the working class no one is seen to be part of the high class status.
•English people: All characters are English and all are seen as equal however as Milky is still English but black Combo look down on him and discriminates him. I think there is a positive and negative view on English people as they can been see to be caring and gentle but Combo really changes up everyone’s characterises and makes the audiences view change to negative.
•Asian/Black people: Throughout the film I think black people where seen as equal to everyone else however, when Combo appears in the film everything seems to change. In the scene where Milky and Combo are having a conversation about Milky’s family you can see the jealousy and the anger on Combos face. Combo talks about the way unity was created when black people taught him the way of music. But I think throughout the film you could tell Milky always got looked down on by Combo.
•Men / masculinity: Most characters are men who are very opinionated. they all are part of the skin-head group. I think Combo is very stereotyped as he is your usual masculine male.
•Women: The main women in this film is Shaun’s mum and Lol. Shaun’s mum can be seen as a vulnerable character as she is still grieving over her husbands death. Lol is Woodys girlfriend and seem to have gotten manipulated by Combo. Both these women are head strong and don’t put up with the wrong answers. Overall I don’t think women are taken over control as they are very independent.
•Place (the Midlands where it is set): The setting (Midlands) is set where the true story happened. It is quite a run down area full off houses and flats with one or two corner shops.
