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Auteur Theory | 5.5

http://www.fadedrequiem.com/zoetrope/?p=884

As we come to a close for the semester, we end with auteur theory and a taste of art cinema. And yes, the journals have been read already (which is why the post is late). because of many individual contributions, i.e. music, writing; the idea of auteur becomes the combining force & the catalysts for the individual parts leaves room for auteur as individual (final determining creative force) & as combining force in “new” Hollywood, defining auteur is difficult if even possible – auteur names are thrown around as labeling for cataloging & marketing (a film by James Cameron) other kinds of auteurs

studios – a particular house style | Warner Bros. in 1930’s producer – certain visions in each work | Jerry Bruckheimer star – takes over film, a “star” signature | Kevin Costner, Johnny Depp spectator – meaning is only created in…

May 6 2010, 11:20am | Comments »

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http://www.fadedrequiem.com/zoetrope/?p=876

This week we began discussing auteur theory and continued our exploration of the mind of Lars von Trier by watching The Boss of It All. Here are the links to our readings on auteur theory. I know, I only said two but I decided to add one more. Andrew Sarris – Notes on the Auteur Theory Peter Wollen – The Auteur Theory François Truffaut – Une Certaine Tendance of Cinema Francaise Auteur Theory auteur – usually always a director one who brings to a film signs of their own individuality (perhaps in way narrative is constructed, way certain themes are explored, or visual style) not all directors are auteurs

able to function as main creative force & controlling presence metteur en scène – director who ‘merely’ brings competence to specialist role of directing within production over which they have no overall artistic control

raise…

April 29 2010, 7:43pm | Comments »

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Film Theory & Europa | 4.21

http://www.fadedrequiem.com/zoetrope/?p=870

This evening we found ourselves overwhelmed by the numerous possibilities of film theory. How can we analyze and think about film itself? What approaches can we take? Sadly there was no chalk mark, so we can’t really be sure which theory is for us. Oh that reminds me, we also watch Lars von Trier’s Europa.Film Theory & Criticism (a rapid overview & listing – you can look up some of the ones that I do not focus on) classic film theory – designate specific value of cinema formalist (creationist) film theory – Rudolf Arnheim, Sergei Eisenstein, Bela Balazs

cinema more than “the feeble mechanical reproduction of real life” transforms and constructs reality the how of artistic expression – editing, cinematography

realist film theory – Andre Bazin, Siegfried Kracauer

reality possesses ambiguous quality Bazin believed filmmakers should develop style that respected ambiguities & that did…

April 23 2010, 8:10am | Comments »

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Postmodernism & Eternal Sunshine | 4.14

http://www.fadedrequiem.com/zoetrope/?p=866

We tackled the daunting task of trying to figure out what postmodernism is in film. One thing we agreed on, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind may just fit the bill.Postmodernism in Film organization of film industry – mass production to flexible independent production exemplify postmodern themes or offer images of pomo society – dystopian sci-fi bricolage - playful mixing of elements (genre for us) – we could also use pastiche for mixing of film elements such as live action and animation nostalgia – reflect on past but w/o real exploration intertextuality / blank parody – Hot Fuzz and homage erasure of boundary between past, present & future self-referential – break down 4th wall no separation between high and low films and techniques We could also possibly add the idea of voyeurism to this list, but let’s discuss that next week. If you have…

April 15 2010, 8:31pm | Comments »

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Genre, Japan & Paco | 4.7

http://www.fadedrequiem.com/zoetrope/?p=853

This evening we continued our discussion of genre and looked at the make-up of modern Japanese film. And then we watch an example of what could be called a postmodern Japanese film about adult issues and a frog prince. We tend to say many genres, but we do need to be careful about saying unlimited or infinite. This helps criticism as much as saying there is only one genre. Frank McConell – 4 character types & 4 genres which correspond to 4 stage historical cycle of culture

King establishes the state – Epic Knight consolidates the state – Adventure Romance Pawn is trapped in the institutionalized state of laws – Melodrama Fool points out craziness of institutionalized state – Satire

a fifth stage he adds Apocalypse – breakdown into anarchy and decadence which requires establishment of new order – new cycle based on archetypes…

April 8 2010, 9:55am | Comments »

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Singin’ in the Rain, Genre & Musical | 3.31

http://www.fadedrequiem.com/zoetrope/?p=849

Our main discussion was on the purpose and definition of genre. We then progressed into a discussion of one genre, the musical. And then we watched a classic example of the musical, Singin’ in the Rain. Genre label or category Genre deals with our mitigation of shared characteristics and expectations. genre world – limited & predictable range of features in which our expectations are more likely to be fulfilled functions like a language genres two essential communicative functions

structures by those making meaning (filmmakers & spectators) discourses for us to talk about response to film (audiences & critics)

conventions of a genre can act like short hand & play into our expectations The Musical

revue musical – string musical numbers together backstage musical – theatrical context operetta musical – stories & numbers in fantasy setting integrated musical – singing & dancing in ordinary setting

…

April 1 2010, 3:03pm | Comments »

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Narrative & Moon | 3.24

http://www.fadedrequiem.com/zoetrope/?p=835

As we moved into our discussion on narrative, we confronted issues involved with where a film comes from and how films can tell a story. We then ventured to space where we confronted Sam in Moon. Narrative cinema begins with the written word

scripts adaptations – issues with adapting

actualities (no narrative form) to documentary and “story” films narrative structure = story +plot plot - sequencing of events story – larger set of events (true chronological sequencing) linear plot – chronological classical narrative structures – viewer is aware of shaping of storyline, move towards resolution

use of flashbacks

formalistic narrative – author is overly manipulative to maximize thematic idea mixed up plot sequences – Pulp Fiction, Run Lola Run narrator & narrative point of view films have multiple authors – real vs. implied narrative POV

1st person – voice over, POV shots 3rd person…

March 25 2010, 2:41pm | Comments »

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Editing & Sound | 3.17

http://www.fadedrequiem.com/zoetrope/?p=807

We spent the evening discussing editing and sound. We even found that using both of these effectively can be vital to a film. One reminder, your first versions of your research paper are due next week, March 24th.Editing work of joining shots to assemble finished film, editor selects best shots nonlinear editing – digital access to any scene or shot, highly dependent on computer linear editing – older, only search for one shot at a time montage – scene composed of rapid series of shots, based on Soviet model, invoke emotions or ideas from seemingly unlinked images Types of Transitions

cut – most commonly used, one shot instantaneously replaced on screen by another, cut is invisible jump cut – editing transition that’s confusing in terms of time & space dissolve – change in place or time, gradual screen transition with distinct optical characteristics, editor…

March 18 2010, 4:08pm | Comments »

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Revised Film Review

http://www.fadedrequiem.com/zoetrope/?p=757

Don’t forget to email me your revised film reviews by midnight on Wednesday, March 17th. If you do not, you will be penalized 10 points.

March 16 2010, 8:24am | Comments »

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Make-up Days

http://www.fadedrequiem.com/zoetrope/?p=714

It has just been announced that due to class cancellations form the the snow. Finals week will be shifted so that we can make-up those missed classes. This means that we will be having class Monday, May 10th. This should not effect our final exam which will still take place Wednesday, May 12th. I will keep you informed of other changes as they come up.

March 1 2010, 10:12am | Comments »

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Mise-en-scene & Review | 2.24

http://www.fadedrequiem.com/zoetrope/?p=703

We went much deeper this evening with our discussion of mise-en-scene and reviewed for the midterm. Yes, the midterm exam which will take place next Wednesday. And a quick reminder, revised copies of your film reviews need to be emailed to me by midnight on Wednesday, March 17th.Aspects of mise-en-scene Setting

can become more than just a setting and influence character action color use of props

prop can become a motif (a reoccurring theme) – shower curtain in PSYCHO

Costume & Make-up

sometimes committed to authenticity of period of film can be stylized language system of costumes

Lighting 4 major features of lighting

quality – relative intensity of illumination (hard & soft light) direction - path of light from source to object lit

frontal lighting, sidelight, backlighting, edge or rim lighting, underlighting, top lighting

source – may use real light or studio lighting

key…

February 25 2010, 3:12pm | Comments »

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Camera + Mise-en-scene = City of God | 2.17

http://www.fadedrequiem.com/zoetrope/?p=692

Due to some (I use that term loosely) snow, we played a bit of catch up tonight and continued our discussion on cinematography. We began looking at mise-en-scene and tried to grasp City of God. mobile framing – possible to move frame with respect to framed material camera movement (basic)

pan – move camera from left to right (vertical axis) tilt – move camera from top to bottom (horizontal axis) roll - rolling camera on side

tracking shot – camera travels in any direction on ground crane shot Steadicam – gimbal balanced camera mount, allows cameraman to walk with camera w/o camera shake hand-held camera – used to create subjective point-of-view, in the action duration of image – the long take – unusually lengthy shot that may incorporate all aspects of mobile framing to create shot without edits After discovering the “how” of what…