EPIC FILM
Characterized through
panoramic shots
epic music
“free” shots (think Open Range)
etc.
example: opening shot from Open Range (cows in a huge valley)
FILM NOIR
ambiguous characters
dark, shady
underbelly of society
crime, deceit, betrayal
backlit, poorly lit, etc.
a style, not a genre
example: out of the past
MASKING TECHNIQUES
vertical, horizontal, diagonal, iris
the first three create tightly framed shots
lack of freedom, opposite of “epic” shots, loss of hope
iris makes for a gun or sniper type shot
SHOWER SCENE
Hitchcock uses many different shots, seems chaotic
water running down is life running down the drain
shot of girl's eye also signifies loss of life
extremely chaotic and we see many metaphors for death
SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION
major theme: hope, freedom, “redemption” of course
The old guy becomes “redeemed” when he gets out of jail, but he is institutionalized and “redeems” himself truly by killing himself
Dufresne is redeemed when he escapes, and also when he finds out that someone actually confesses to the crime that he supposedly commited
Red is redeemed when he analyzes Dufresne and his “holier than thou” attitude, although he is also redeemed when he gets out and meets Dufresne. His experience with Dufresne helps him become non-institutionalized, it gives him hope that he can be normal
THE BRONX TALE
C's actual father is the better father figure
He aims for his son to be clean and innocent, even though he may or may not be successful
Doesn't want him to be caught up in the dirty world of the mob even though it can yield tons of money
Seems to be more concerned with his son's values and hard work ethic rather than how much money he brings in
PROXEMIC PATTERNS
Intimate, Personal, Social, Public
Intimate – Less than or equal to 18”
Personal – 18” to 4'
Social – 4' to 12'
Public – 12' +
Intimate can show the closeness of characters while, as they get farther apart, they can be shown as growing farther apart not only physically but emotionally, e.g. The table scene in Citizen Kane
PAY IT FORWARD
Uplifting even though Trevor died because
Though he died, his idea lives on and will continue to change people
His death brought attention to his idea which will help it move more and more
His idea still worked, and that's what he wanted; to change the world
PAY IT FORWARD PYRAMID
Trevor helps
Jerry (druggie, gives him money and he gets a job)
Lady about to jump off bridge
Adam (kid, gets bullies off of him)
Mr Simonet (teacher, gets him a date with the mom)
Mom (date with Simonet among other things)
Her mom, drunkard homeless, just wants to visit
Black guy, helps guy get his daughter into emergency room
Attorney, gives random car
IN AMERICA
The father changed from being close to being very far from the family, and when he finally recognized Frankie's death he became closer
Daughters also seemed to drift, as did wife
Mateo became closer as father became further
V FOR VENDETTA
Both the real and the movie story include anti government and anti oppression ideals, and demolition of buildings
Revolution against the government
Harder to act with a mask on since you have to compensate for the lack of facial expressions by overemphasizing in voice and body language
THE DEPARTED
Costigan was going to meet and arrest Sullivan at the building where Cueenan died, and Costigan had proof of Sullivan's rat-ness
Black cop shows up, confused, doesn't shoot either of them
When Costigan and Sullivan reach the ground, other rat for mob reveals self and kills Costigan
Other rat kills the black cop who thinks it's all OK
While cleaning up, Sullivan kills the other rat
Later, after funerals, Sullivan enters his apartment and Dignam shoots him (seems to be vigilante since he's trying to cover up his tracks)
THE DEPARTED ACTORS
Leonardo DiCaprio as Costigan
Scene when talking to Costello about who the rat is
Nervousness abounds
Tense and yet steadily tough
Scene near end on the building
Anger was very convincing, and the “you know who I am” was a good deterrent to shootin
Ruthless and unforgiving towards Sullivan