Taxi Driver

Taxi Driver is a film about many things, but overall it is about the theme of isolation and focuses on one particular loner in a big city who can be construed as an anti-hero. It is a film that draws from many genres: the Western, horror, film noir, and was also influenced by the films of the Italians (DeSica, Rosselini, Fellini).

Discuss cinematically, in at least two paragraphs, the themes of isolation and/or the anti-hero and how Scorsese's film is influenced by the different genres and by the Italians. You might find Ebert's original review and his Great Movies essay on the film helpful.

The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Re-read Ebert's piece on The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly. He claims:

"A vast empty Western landscape. The camera pans across it. Then the shot slides onto a sunburned, desperate face. The long shot has become a closeup without a cut, revealing that the landscape was not empty but occupied by a desperado very close to us.

In these opening frames, Sergio Leone established a rule that he follows throughout "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly." The rule is that the ability to see is limited by the sides of the frame. At important moments in the film, what the camera cannot see, the characters cannot see, and that gives Leone the freedom to surprise us with entrances that cannot be explained by the practical geography of his shots."

Discuss this idea of the frame and how it is used in this film (paragraph 1); choose one other film and discuss the idea of the frame in that film as well (paragraph 2). 

The Searchers

Think about the portrayal of the American Indian and the portrayal of the whites in The Searchers. Discuss in a hearty paragraph how John Ford cinematically portrays each group. Then think specifically about Ethan and Scar and use your second paragraph to discuss how Ford cinematically portrays each of them specifically. In your last paragraph (number 3), discuss how the American Indian has been portrayed in films after watching Reel Injun on Netflix. Feel free to write as much as you want--this is a huge subject. Extra credit goes to those who comment on a classmate's comment or comments.

Stagecoach

In your textbook, Looking at Movies, by Richard Barsam, Barsam goes into a detailed analysis of the construction of Stagecoach's narrative. In your response, pick TWO aspects of narrative that Barsam talks about that you think were particularly effective in the film and discuss cinematically how they worked to make Stagecoach such a successful film. Don't forget to use examples from the film to support your response!!!

Mean Streets

Choose a five-minute scene and discuss the themes of redemption and religion in Mean Streets.

Due: Monday, 11/10

Amarcord

This should be easy. Choose a scene in the film (any scene!) and analyze it in depth. Be sure to discuss its sociocultural influences, why you chose the scene, and how the scene relates to the film as a whole. Your response should be thoughtful and along the lines of what you'll do in January. Be thorough--at least 3 paragraphs. Here is an interesting article on Fellini and Amarcord that you can use in your response. In addition, Roger Ebert has an excellent essay on the film. Be sure to include a quote from either article in your response.

Due: Friday, November 7

La Strada

Roger Ebert, in his Great Films essay on La Strada, states:

"It is Quinn's performance that holds up best, because it is the simplest. Zampano is not much more intelligent than Gelsomina. Life has made him a brute and an outcast, with one dumb trick (breaking a chain by expanding his chest muscles), and a memorized line of patter that was perhaps supplied to him by a circus owner years before. His tragedy is that he loves Gelsomina and does not know it, and that is the central tragedy for many of Fellini's characters: They are always turning away from the warmth and safety of those who understand them, to seek restlessly in the barren world."

Fellini has given us a film about outcasts. How do the roles of these outcasts reflect on each other? Do you see any signs of redemption? Choose a character and examine how that character redeems him or herself and how that character is cinematically presented as an outcast by society. Be mindful of all of Fellini's symbolism! Do this in at least 3 paragraphs.

Due Wednesday, November 5

Perfect article for IB Film...

http://www.vox.com/a/best-horror-movies-scary-scenes

Cat People

Be sure to read Roger Ebert's Great Films essay on Cat People and especially this quote:

"Tourneur and his cinematographer, Nicholas Musuraca, who also worked together on the great film noir "Out of the Past," are masters of light and shadow. They often place Irena in darkness, cast the silhouettes of other characters on the wall behind her, enclose her with shadows that work like a cage."

Choose one scene that exemplifies Irena being presented in darkness and describe the entire scene cinematically. Analyze the implied meaning Tourneur and Musuraca present through the cinematic presentation of Irena in this scene.

Due: Friday, October 24.

La Strada

Roger Ebert, in his Great Films essay on La Strada, states:

"It is Quinn's performance that holds up best, because it is the simplest. Zampano is not much more intelligent than Gelsomina. Life has made him a brute and an outcast, with one dumb trick (breaking a chain by expanding his chest muscles), and a memorized line of patter that was perhaps supplied to him by a circus owner years before. His tragedy is that he loves Gelsomina and does not know it, and that is the central tragedy for many of Fellini's characters: They are always turning away from the warmth and safety of those who understand them, to seek restlessly in the barren world."

Fellini has given us a film about outcasts. How do the roles of these outcasts reflect on each other? Do you see any signs of redemption? Choose a character and examine how that character redeems him or herself and how that character is cinematically presented as an outcast by society. Be mindful of all of Fellini's symbolism! Do this in at least 3 paragraphs. Read this excellent essay as well to help formulate your response. 

Due: Thursday, October 30

Tying It All Together

Think about the three films we've watched so far in this unit--Let the Right One In, Ringu, and The Shining--and choose 2 to use in your essay. Choose one of these two prompts:

• Examine all aspects of mise-en-scene (lighting, composition, set design, properties, etc.). This would include colors as well. Discuss the concept of "monster" through the mise-en-scene in each film. This exercise will help to prepare you for your Independent Study and your Oral Presentation. Examine CLOSELY and offer many details and examples. Think about what the director is trying to say IMPLICITLY. Tie both films in with each other. Discuss similarities and differences in the mise-en-scene in both films. Please do this in 4 well-developed paragraphs.

OR

• Choose a five-minute scene in both films and examine the role of women and how they are portrayed in your selected scenes and in the films as a whole. Be sure to discuss this topic CINEMATICALLY. How does the director show us? Do this in 4 well-developed paragraphs.

Due: Monday, October 13

Let the Right One In

I want you to think about the mise-en-scene in Let the Right One In. Examine all aspects of mise-en-scene: lighting, composition, set, properties, etc. This would include color as well. Discuss the concept of "monster" through the mise-en-scene of the film. This exercise will help prepare you for your Independent Study. Examine CLOSELY and offer me many details and examples. Think about what the director is trying to say IMPLICITLY. Please do this in at least 2 well-developed paragraphs.

Use whatever scenes you can find on YouTube or come into the Library and use my copy.

Due: Friday, 10/3

Ringu

Remember how to look at a film through a feminist lens? Choose a five-minute scene in Ringu and examine the role of women and how they are portrayed in your selected scene and in the film as a whole. How does the director show us? Be sure to discuss this topic CINEMATICALLY. Back up all of your statements with evidence from the film. Your response should be 3 well-developed paragraphs. You must reference one of the big names (from feminist film criticism) such as Tania Modleski, Laura Mulvey, and Molly Haskell. You must state the title of the essay and use at least one quote. I have plenty of books in the library to help you with this.

Ringu in various parts can be found on YouTube here.

Due: Wednesday, 10/1.

The Passion of Joan of Arc

Renee Maria Falconetti 

(http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=pv&GRid=10692290&PIpi=36409838)

Full movie can be found here. It is also on Hulu Plus.

Roger Ebert's essay is here.

Please choose one essay prompt and write at least 2-3 well-developed paragraphs.

Essay #1 From Roger Ebert's essay on The Passion of Joan of Arc:

"There is not one single establishing shot in all of 'The Passion of Joan of Arc,' which is filmed entirely in closeups and medium shots, creating fearful intimacy between Joan and her tormentors. Nor are there easily read visual links between shots. In his brilliant shot-by-shot analysis of the film, David Bordwell of the University of Wisconsin concludes: 'Of the film's over 1,500 cuts, fewer than 30 carry a figure or object over from one shot to another, and fewer than 15 constitute genuine matches on action.'"

Many avant garde films also do not have matches on action or carryover shots. Compare The Passion of Joan of Arc to one of the avant garde films we watched in regards to editing and mise-en-scene. Use cinematic evidence to back up whatever you state.

Essay #2 From the Ib Monty article I gave you:

"When the film was released, the close-up technique was regarded as shocking. Dreyer defended his method by stating: 'The records give a shattering impression on the ways in which the trial was a conspiracy of the judges against the solitary Jeanne, bravely defending herself against men who displayed a devilish cunning to trap her in their net. This conspiracy could be conveyed on the screen only through the huge close-ups, that exposed, with merciless realism, the callous cynicism of the judges hidden behind hypocritical compassion--and on the other hand there had to be equally huge close-ups of Jeanne, whose pure features would reveal that she alone found strength in her faith in God.' As in all of Dreyer's major films the style grew out of the theme of the film. In La passion de Jeanne d'Arc Dreyer wanted 'to move the audience so that they would themselves feel the suffering that Jeanne endured.' It was by using close-ups that Dreyer could 'lead the audience all the way into the hearts and guts of Jeanne and the judges.'"

Agree or disagree with this quote. Use cinematic evidence to back up whatever you state.

Avant Garde Cinema

Choose 3 of the films we watched in class and answer the following questions. Answer all questions for each film to create at least 3 hearty paragraphs.

Le Retour a la Raison
Entr'acte
Le Ballet Mecanique
Un Chien Andalou
Meshes of the Afternoon (this is the one with the Maya Deren interview)

What do you notice about the film's presentation of cinematic space? What do you see on screen? For example, lots of landscapes or closeups? Moving or statics camera?

How does the director's use of lighting help to create meaning?

Do you identify with the camera's lens? What does the director compel you to see? What is left to your imagination? What does the director leave out altogether? Describe the mise-en-scene and how it helps to create meaning in the film.

What implicit meaning do you find in the film?

If you can't get enough of the avante garde cinema, check out this site: http://www.ubu.com/film/.

If you want to look more into Jonas Mekas, go here: http://jonasmekas.com/diary/

Seven Samurai

Take a look at this quote from the article I handed out on Wednesday and discuss it using solid, cinematic evidence from the film:

...Kurosawa in The Seven Samurai emphasizes the unbridgeable differences between the villagers and their hired defenders. Though the townspeople and the samurai can fight in temporary alliance, they can never fight for the same goals: the villagers fight for home and family, the samurai for professional honor. The only society allowed to the samurai is their own; if civilization has no place for them, they must make a place of their own. The formation of the samurai's separate, self-enclosed society--the professional group--is the subject of some of the finest passages in Kurosawa's film...

Here is a link to the article.

If you have Hulu Plus, you can re-watch scenes on there. You can also find scenes online via YouTube, etc. It is helpful to choose a five-minute scene on which to base your response.

All blog responses are due by next Friday, June 20, as I have to get grades in!

Jules and Jim

Choose one of the following clips and do a full analyzation of the scene, just as you would do for the final oral presentation. Be sure to discuss the scene cinematically and include discussion of the scene and its relation to the film as a whole, a quote from a review or critique, the sociocultural context in which the film was made. Here is the direct wording from the top markband on the rubric:

"There is a coherent, incisive, insightful and detailed evaluative interpretation of
the extract, displaying an excellent understanding of how meaning is constructed
through the use of film language, with an excellent awareness of the extract’s
relationship to the film as a whole. There is a persuasive explanation for the selection
of the extract. The critique shows an excellent awareness of the film’s genre and/
or its place in a broader sociocultural context. There is an insightful analysis of
the director’s intention. Simple description is negligible and analysis is clear and
thorough."

Clip 1
http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/245569/Jules-and-Jim-Movie-Clip-The-French-Girl.html

Clip 2
http://www.tcm.com/mediaroom/video/245567/Jules-and-Jim-Movie-Clip-Our-Friend-Thomas.html

Breathless

Read the article I handed out in class. Choose a 5 minute scene in Breathless and respond to the following quote. Be sure to write at least 2 paragraphs. Respond to each others' posts. Here's the quote:

"This basic sequence of events is the minimal thread of continuity that holds the filmic narrative together. However, causal development and character motivation in the traditional sense are relatively loose. While the film does not reject narrative conventions as a whole, it goes a long way towards weakening the tight-knit structure and explanatory mechanisms affiliated with dominant narrative. The film's visual construction works even more aggressively against conventional film style. It systematically departs from the aesthetic guidelines and rules defined by continuity editing, relying variously on long-take sequences (often shot with hand-held camera) and jump cutting."

The 400 Blows

Watch this video of Truffaut talking about Rossellini and Hitchcock. Wouldn't you want him (and perhaps his translator) at dinner with you one evening?

Read this essay and think about what it says in terms of mise-en-scene and The 400 Blows. Utilize at least one quote from this essay to back up any discussion of an aspect of mise-en-scene that you want to include in your analysis of one of the following scenes. Analysis should be at least 3 solid paragraphs and mimic what you will do next year for your assessment. Remember to analyze the meaning of the scene as well as its relationship to the film as a whole. Discuss cinematic elements!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uP2eWHdZLDE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9I-gsap0po

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ERAGjXnXQwk

White Heat

In at least 3 hearty paragraphs, discuss White Heat, as well as the characteristics of the gangster genre and its role as an art form. In your discussion, bring in another gangster film if you've seen one on your own (The Godfather, Goodfellas, etc.). Your discussion should be in relation to this Robert Warshow article about the gangster as an individual. I want to see 2 quotes from the article in your discussion. Use your film textbook for more information on the gangster genre.

Bicycle Thieves

Analyze a scene from Bicycle Thieves. Be sure to read the handouts I've given you. 

Choose a 5 minute scene and analyze it completely. Remember that you need to mention why you chose the scene and this scene's relation to the film as a whole. In addition, pay close attention to: mise-en-scene, lighting, camera angles, shot types, etc. Here is a list of items to pay attention to when you write your 750 words (minimum) (and when you do your oral presentation):

• How well do I understand how meaning is constructed through the use of film language in this extract?
• How well do I understand the extract's relationship to the film as a whole?
• How well do I understand the influences of the film's genre?
• How well can I place the film and this extract in a broader socio-cultural context?
• How insightful is my analysis of the director's intention?
• How coherent, incisive, insightful, and detailed is my evaluative interpretation of this extract?

Here is a list of "vocab" you should use:

• narrative
• direction
• cinematography
• mise-en-scene
• lighting (which is often, but not always, considered part of mise-en-scene)
• camera movement
• editing
• sound (diegetic and non-diegetic)

Be sure your paper is AT LEAST 750 words. Watch the clip a number of times. Let your ideas flow. Spend time with this. If you don't, your presentation next year will suffer. It will be difficult if you don't practice. If you do what I ask, that will be an easy assessment for you!

Rome Open City

Analyze a scene from Rome Open City. Be sure to read the handouts I've given you.

Choose a 5 minute scene and analyze it completely. Remember that you need to mention why you chose the scene and this scene's relation to the film as a whole. In addition, pay close attention to: mise-en-scene, lighting, camera angles, shot types, etc. Here is a list of items to pay attention to when you write your 750 words (minimum) (and when you do your oral presentation):

• How well do I understand how meaning is constructed through the use of film language in this extract?
• How well do I understand the extract's relationship to the film as a whole?
• How well do I understand the influences of the film's genre?
• How well can I place the film and this extract in a broader socio-cultural context?
• How insightful is my analysis of the director's intention?
• How coherent, incisive, insightful, and detailed is my evaluative interpretation of this extract?

Here is a list of "vocab" you should use:

• narrative
• direction
• cinematography
• mise-en-scene
• lighting (which is often, but not always, considered part of mise-en-scene)
• camera movement
• editing
• sound (diegetic and non-diegetic)

Be sure your paper is AT LEAST 750 words. Watch the clip a number of times. Let your ideas flow. Spend time with this. If you don't, your presentation next year will suffer. It will be difficult if you don't practice. If you do what I ask, that will be an easy assessment for you!

Bringing Up Baby

Think about the film's mise-en-scene. Choose a scene in the film and discuss the mise-en-scene (costumes, set, lighting, props, etc.) and its relation to the scene and the film as a whole. Use at least 2 hearty paragraphs for your discussion.

And please post your favorite line from the film.

Jean Renoir

Robin Wood wrote that there are many similarities between Renoir's The Rules of the Game (La regle du jeu) and Grand Illusion (La grande illusion). Wood states that in both films Renoir discusses the differences between people and what keeps them apart. "'How to belong, how to meet'--another way of putting it is to say that Renoir's perennial concern is with the boundaries; that keep people apart and the possibility of transcending them. The four-part structure [of both films] enables him to develop this theme through a network of shifting, interlocking relationships presented consistently in terms of difference and the overcoming of difference." He says of Grand Illusion: "The film's basic assumption--that 'difference' is socially constructed but so thoroughly internalized and so strongly institutionalized as to be very difficult to overcome..."

Think about the characters in each film and their relationships, and in 3-4 well-developed paragraphs discuss how they overcome or don't overcome their differences. Think cinematically, as well as narratively.

Bonus points (10): Add one well-developed paragraph that discusses a film you've seen (either in class or on your own) that examines differences and boundaries between people and how the director presents this theme.

Independent Study Rationale

Please post your 100-word rationale here. Include the titles of your two films and your overarching theme.

If you would like some ideas for thematic overviews, check out Strictly Film School. Click on the Themes tab. Each theme gives suggestions for directors whose work may encompass the theme.

Due: Monday, March 8. Remember: You get a free 100 in my grade book if you get this done on time.

Rififi

Examine Rififi through a feminist lens. Use at least one quote from a feminist film theory essay (either the Laura Mulvey essay or Anneke Smelik's essay.) Read the film by analyzing one five-minute scene. Be sure to discuss the film's meaning as a whole (through the feminist lens) and the scene's relation to that meaning. Why did you choose the scene? I also want you to mention your favorite part of the movie and what cinematic techniques you learned you could use in your own productions. Minimum of 2 paragraphs.

And, check out these cool production design pictures from the movie!

Due: Monday, January 27

Screenwriting

Sit down and read some scripts...

Go Into the Story--85 free, legal scripts for download

The Daily Script--a collection of movie scripts and screenplays to serve as a resource for writers and actors and those who simply enjoy reading movie scripts.

The more scripts/screenplays you read, the better you will be at writing them.

Everyone in class is required to write a 5-7 page screenplay. You have a choice of topics. Be sure to keep your screenplay simple so that your group can film it.

Main Character finds a magical object. What happens?

Main Character missed his/her curfew again and it's final exam time. What happens?

Main Character runs into his/her best friend and he/she is doing something very uncharacteristic. What is he/she doing and why? What happens?

Main Character is obsessed with orange soda. For whatever reason, orange soda is temporarily unavailable in Buffalo. To what lengths does the MC go in order to satisfy this obsession? What happens?

Main Character's best friend has just revealed an earth-shattering secret to him/her that changes everything about their friendship and may be pertinent to others as well. What is the secret? Does MC tell anyone? What happens?

Have fun. Be sure to write your script in script format with 12 pt. courier font.

Film Noir--Double Indemnity

Having read Paul Schrader's Notes on Film Noir, please discuss Double Indemnity and your choice of another film noir that Schrader talks about (check Netflix, Internet Archive, Amazon Prime, YouTube). Discuss, in at least 4 well-developed paragraphs, the films' implicit meanings and how the directors portray these meanings cinematically. Be sure to use a lot of visual examples (camera angles, shot composition, movement, editing, sequencing, lighting, mise-en-scene, etc.). Look at the representations of the characters and issues. Ask yourself, Why? For example, Why did the director choose to light a scene a certain way? Why is a particular character dressed the way he/she is? What is the purpose of the setting? Etc. Include one quote from Schrader's essay.

In order to make this a manageable task, choose a 5-minute scene from each film and focus on that scene and how it relates to the film as a whole. Also, find a review written at the time of the film's release and include one quote.

Remember, this exercise is preparing you for the Presentation assessment (only one year away!).

In case you don't have the Schrader essay, you can find it here:  http://ubuntuone.com/0eij9pdtWkxT2y7P7xpASD

Due: Monday, January 13