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.