Holiday gift

I'm not posting a blog response for Mildred Pierce until after break. Focus on reading the feminist article I gave you and enjoy the rest of your vacation. I'll see you Tuesday.

Blog Response--The Bride of Frankenstein

Joseph Lanza, in his essay, states:

"While demystifying the horror, Whale does, however, manage to weave more subversion into this Hays-era production than in any of his other films. The slant on sacrilege (already present in Frankenstein) is here augmented ad absurdum."

Think cinematically about this quote and discuss in at least 2 well-developed paragraphs. I'd like you to use at least one quote from the essays I gave you (your choice), mention any sociocultural influences, and  discuss CINEMATICALLY. This means using your vocabulary and telling me what is on the screen and what the director is trying to imply to the viewer.

Take your time and have fun with this one.

Blog Response--Project Production

In at least 2 articulate, detailed paragraphs, please reflect on your work in your team for the production of your project. What did you do? What worked? What didn't? What was easiest for you? What was most difficult? What did you learn? Remember, this is the place to document and reflect upon your contributions to your project and get ideas from others. Feel free to respond to others and to ask questions.

Due: Monday, December 12

Scorsese's Hugo

This is a terrible interview, but I just wanted to note that you all won't be among the "young" who don't know the origins of film...

http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7389111n&tag=strip

...for this you should be proud.

Oh, and if you haven't read the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret, you should. It will take you about an hour.

Blog Response--Nosferatu

Watch F.W. Murnau's Nosferatu and compare and contrast it with The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. Read Roger Ebert's essay on Murnau's masterpiece as well as his essay on Caligari and use at least one quote from each. Your response should be at least 2 well-developed paragraphs.

If you want to re-watch Caligari, go here. Nosferatu can be found here. This is due by next Wednesay, 11/22.

Blog Response--Man With a Movie Camera

First, be sure you finish watching the film...

http://www.archive.org/details/ChelovekskinoapparatomManWithAMovieCamera

We ended at 29:00 in class.

Your Looking at Movies textbook has a nice quote about Vertov and his film on page 428.

Vertov shows us how to frame reality and movement: through the human eye and the camera eye, or through windows and shutters. But to confound us, he also shows us--through such devices as the freeze-frame, split screen, stop-action, slow motion, and fast motion--how the cinematographer and editor can transform the movements of life into something that is unpredictable. He not only proves that the camera has a life of its own, but also reminds us of the editor, who is putting all of this footage together. Reality may be in the control of the artist, his camera, and its tricks, but it also finds definition within the editor's presentation and, ultimately, the viewer's perception.

In your first well-developed paragraph, please discuss this quote in relation to a five minute piece ofMan With a Movie Camera. Be sure to describe shots cinematically, as if I've never seen the film before. Discuss elements of editing, such as the juxtaposition of shots, rhythm, montage, etc.

In your second well-developed paragraph, discuss this quote in relation to Run Lola Run. Try to be as specific as possible in your descriptions and speak cinematically when you discuss the film.

Director of Photography

Please post the Director of Photography you have chosen to study, as well as at least one film they worked on.

Great movie alert

TCM is playing Ball of Fire (starring the amazing Barbara Stanwyk, one of the greatest Hollywood actresses of all time) this Saturday at 8pm. It is definitely worth your time to watch. Great writing.

Blog Response #4--Early Hollywood

I would like you to watch portions of Birth of a Nation (if you'd like, watch the whole thing!) and compare it with Falling Leaves. Look at both films and write two well-developed paragraphs that discuss mise en scene. As you watch the film or clip, be alert to the overall design plan and mise-en-scene and to your emotional response to them. Are you comforted or made anxious by them? Describe and compare the framing/composition of individual shots in both films. Do the shots employ a lot of movement or not? Does the design in the movie or clip create the correct times, spaces, and moods? Does it go beyond surfaces and relate to developing themes? Identify the elements of the mise-en-scene that seem to be contributing the most to your emotional response. All statements should include examples from the films or clips.

You can find Birth of a Nation here. Watch from 9:00-14:00, 36:00-41:00, 50:00-60:00, and 2:07-2:15. You should note certain techniques Griffith uses such as the 180-degree rule (right around 13:00) and his use of establishing shots and close ups. Feel free to watch the rest of the movie and comment on other clips as well.

If you want to re-watch Falling Leaves, go here.

Blog Response #3

Using your viewing(s) of Citizen Kane, discuss the following quote from your Bazin article in at least two well-developed paragraphs:

"Citizen Kane can never be too highly praised. Thanks to the depth of field, whole scenes are covered in one take, the camera remaining motionless. Dramatic effects for which we had formerly relied on montage were created out of the movements of the actors within a fixed framework. Of course Welles did not invent the in-depth shot any more than Griffith invented the close-up. All the pioneers used it and for a very good reason."

Turner Classic Movies

Here is a link to the TCM monthly schedule. It is a good idea to check it regularly and watch movies that pique your interest.

Edison Films

As I promised, here's the link to the Library of Congress and the Edison films they have digitized. Have a little fun with this, guys. I'll also make it a permanent link on the right hand side of the blog in case you want to go back to the early cinema later in the course...

Here's the link.

Blog Response #2

Read about Edison, Lumiere Brothers, Melies, and Porter at EarlyCinema.com.

Watch at least 3 films from Edison, Lumiere Brothers, and Melies on your own. Go to the Internet Archive, select "Moving Images" from the drop down menu and search for each director. Be sure to use your screening sheets for each film you watch.

Blog Response #1--A little about you

What are your expectations for this class and for yourself in this class? What do you think of when you hear the word movie? What is your favorite movie? Why? Required: 2 full, well-developed paragraphs.