Friday, October 25, 2013

Realism, Classicism, and Formalism

Realism


As odd as it might sound, The Wizard of Oz is edited with the style of realism. As shown within this clip from the film, there are not many cuts transitioning from different shots. For the most part, the camera simply follows the movement of the actors, such as when the scarecrow rolls over and then proceeds to dance around the set. Where the director could have chosen to cut these shots and follow up different angles and perspectives, they run singular, long tapes of recording and follow the action. In the second half of the clip, the scarecrow and Dorthy converse over the topic of traveling to the wizard, and instead of cutting between close ups of each character, we remain in one view, as if standing there and watching the two speak with one another, and gives the piece a more realistic feel in the sense of that there really are not that many different angles used while cutting the scenes.

Classicism


Tim Burton's take on the classic of Alice in Wonderland really does utilize the editing style of classicism. As we watch the clip of Haymitch's proposal to Alice and her running off to chase the White Rabbit, if we pay close attention to the shots, it becomes clear that this editing style was used. There are many cuts in between dialogue as the two speak to one another, utilizing close ups on the characters. This style also enforces the reactions of the crowd as they watch the two, and follow up actions, such as when Alice looks away, we we the picture of the crowd to look through her own eyes. This sequence uses very short shots, but the meaning behind each is clear cut, and adds to the effect of the mood and enhances the story. But even when there is no dialogue being exchanged, when Alice bolts from the gazebo to chase the white rabbit, the cuts are very sharp and short, yet add a fluid movement to the clip. We see Alice, where she's running, who she's chasing, etc. It all adds to our understanding to the event that is occurring and is able to keep our interest with continuously changing angles and shot types, utilizing many different aspects that can be captured within camera work.

Formalism


This clip from the Hunger Games clearly shows through the use of formalism while creating this scene. Adrenaline is supposed to be rushing, blood is supposed to be pumping, and death is supposed to be coming. Therefore, smooth, clear cut shots and cuts just aren't going to "cut" it as our main character is about to rush into, very possibly, her death. Therefore the picture itself is very shaky and sporadic, and the cuts have to match. As the timer counts down, we get images of the area around the characters, the cornucopia, the characters themselves, supplies, weapons, etc. This style of cutting sporadically between objects and close ups and random yet logically important objects flash across the screen all add to the anxious, adrenaline-pulsing mood of the scene.



Tuesday, September 17, 2013

Media's Vision of Reality

Media is one of the best ways in which our portrayals of the world we live in get out to the general population. It utilizes our senses of sight and sound and deals with our emotions in a way that it can captivatingly get a point across without much effort on our part. The artistry that goes into creating each and every shot to a film or any aspect in which film is utilized (ie. tv, internet, etc.) creates effects that cause us to react in a certain way in which the director intended. Through the director vision, we experience their "shared vision of reality", delving into topics and genres in which they feel will best get their point across on thematic subjects, or just humanity and morals in general.

One topic I would like to delve into is that of gender roles and how each of the sexes is portrayed within the media. Women, specifically, have a variety of stereotypes branded upon them (as do men and a every type of person in general, but just focusing on women for the moment). Women typically are seen as the house keepers, the mothers, the caregivers of the family. They stay home and cook and clean and have a very old fashioned ideals. While the other end of this spectrum is the very revealing, skinny, showy sexy side of women that is portrayed in the media, always showing that we are not skinny enough, your "this" isn't like "that", you aren't pretty enough, you'll never be enough, etc. It sets a very set and impossible "Barbie Doll" image that is virtually impossible to duplicate and sets standards to a ridiculous level. One example that shows this side of media and the impossible figure in which society has created for women, and how we should just learn to accept and be ourselves is the movie 200 Pounds Beauty, where a girl, in hopes of impressing the guy she likes but doesn't feel like she do that because she is over weight (even though he felt for her to begin with), got a surgery to remake her body until she was petite and socially "gorgeous", but turned into an ugly person inside, and the guy ended up liking the old her better. This movie is trying to convey to us that we shouldn't let society shape us, but that we should shape ourselves and accept who we are, because when you try to be something you're not, nothing ever goes right.



The next topic I want to discuss are simply resurfacing themes that I've noticed throughout a variety of media types. Topics such as acceptance in general (a main example being that of homosexuals, such as in Glee), our fascination with the upper class (mostly in watching them flip out on each other and their overall dramatic lives), along with our appeal to heroism, but not only that, but also seeing the side of the antagonist in a way that the villain is the main character. Violence is also another aspect of media that we have become extremely desensitized to.

Going into one of media's favorite themes, the search for acceptance, there are multitudes of examples of films and shows where the main character is driven by the need to only feel accepted by their peers or their family or just by the world in general. They want to feel important, like they have purpose, like they are wanted. The television show Glee is a popular example in which a bunch of outcast misfits and people from basically all different areas and groups/cliques within the school join together to make something beautiful and find acceptance from each other.



As stated above, the deep characterization within both heroes and villains is an intriguing topic to explore from all angles. We've all seen the stereotypical hero movie, where the good guy beats the villain and gets the girl, but what is fascinating is when films take us into the stories of each and every character, good and bad, and explains their stories and situations and experiences so that the lines between who is truly good and who is truly evil is blurred. For in reality, is anything ever so black and white? One great example for such blurred lines of characterization is the show Once Upon a Time (which i highly recommend), tat delves into each and every story book character you can think of and intertwines all of their stories so beautifully that you can't get enough and you need to know what happens next.


As a last note, violence is something that media has been dishing out to us ever sense we were children. Cartoons such as Tom and Jerry along with the Looney Toons were especially violent, and even children shows today, even Pokemon, show sides of violence to solve our problems. The amount of blood and gore relayed within most modern film footage today can be utterly revolting. The fact that we have been desensitized to such utter savagery to the point where we seek out blood and gore within films is sickening to an extent, and it is embedded within us at a young age. Most people find any sort of violence within film to be extremely entertaining, along within real life, but this has been programmed within us be society sense we were children and if you think about it, is rather disgusting.

As a total, media portrays to us society's norms and expectations, along with a directors outcry against these certain ideals. It is a mesh of calls to action along with messages hidden within deeper plots and and themes and ideas that we can all relate to and sympathize with. Media is our societies way of connecting us all together, but the question remains, are each of these connections a good influence upon us?

Sunday, August 25, 2013

Top 5 Films of All Time

Ah, we all have those movies that whenever they come on, we are drawn in and absolutely MUST watch. You can’t resist, they are just THAT good. A guilty pleasure, really (like chocolate and sushi for mwah). Films such as these are a true success, and here are a few that I deem as truly irresistible.

#5: It’s a Wonderful Life


A Christmas-time classic and overall a beautifully woven tale of a man who sacrifices everything for the people he loves and cares about. His selflessness and sacrifices shown throughout his lifetime are truly heart wrenching, and as you watch George grow and develop as a person, you too develop a deep connecting with the man and his ideals on helping the community and his friends, and in all, just doing what’s right. The way the film starts out with us being told that George is suicidal due to him feeling that his life never amounted to anything, we have this lingering doubt and fear throughout the movie that George will actually go through with his plan. But the Angel has a clever way in solving this issue, for he grants George’s wish that he’d never been born and he is able to see what an effect he had upon everyone in the community’s life, and how even though he hadn’t gone through with all his plans for life, George had still led a generous and selfless life, creating a better life for all those he loved. The message in this movie i find to be absolutely beautiful and i couldn’t help but put it on my list.



#4: Wizard of Oz


Another classic of epic proportion, the Wizard of Oz is one of my all time favorites. The magical aspects incorporated with the lessons tied in with the personalities of each character, and i love the overall idea that makes up the plot. The number of references toward this movie and the spin offs that have been made, such as one of my favorites, “Tin Man”, just add to it’s overall appeal. Not to mention the music and songs incorporated within the movie such as “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” and “We’re Off to See the Wizard” add another level to the story, and the parallel attributes to the citizens of Oz to those in Dorothy's life was quite intriguing, especially at the conclusion of the movie, when she finally wakes up from passing out during the tornado, and you see that the entire adventure was really all a dream.

 

#3: Lord of the Rings


Moving on from some of the older classics, the Lord of the Rings falls into my love of the times of kingdoms and realms and fantastical adventures. With a complex plot line that reels you into the magic of this completely new world, with languages and creatures never seen before, and the beautiful settings and overall effects used to relay the type of world these characters live in, and I just find this all amazing. The action sequences and fight scenes, along with the extremely realistic costumes and overall design of the sets, and the effects in the creations of characters such as Gollem, the regal beauty of the elves, the humble beginnings of the hobbits, and the righteous bravery of the knights tie together with a complex plot of the struggle between these realms to create a series that I can watch time and time again.



#2: Pirates of the Caribbean


My list wouldn’t be complete without this series of movies. From the snarky, sarcastic and manipulative Jack (who adds most of the humor and comic relief throughout the entire series), to the strong-hearted and courageous Will, to the strong-willed, stubborn and loyal Elizabeth, these characters drive the films through the main trilogy and storyline, building our relationships with them and our overall want for them to succeed in each of their goals, no matter how contradictory they may seem. The soundtrack to these film as well is as compelling as the story and characters, creating familiar atmospheres as the series progresses. The plain insanity of Jack and his plans, and the sheer luck that everything works out for him in his manipulations of all of these pawns he collects, no matter how dim witted and insane he might seem, his insanity is genius and is honestly one of the best parts of these movies. On another note, the sets and the costume designs of the authentic 18th century clothing just pulls the entire series together into an epic phenomena worldwide.

 


#1: Catch Me If You Can

This may seem like an odd conclusion and number one to my list, but i have to say, this is one of my all time favorite movies. My father and I watch this whenever it’s on, no matter what, and frankly, I just absolutely love every aspect of it. Pluuuuus, having Leonardo DiCaprio as the lead character doesn’t hurt, haha. And the fact that this is based off true events makes it even more captivating story. When Frank Jr, runs away after his parents get a divorce, he relies on constant financial scams to gain money n order to survive, and the longer this goes on, the better and more ambitious he becomes. Starting as a substitute teacher, and eventually boldens into conning as an airplane pilot, doctor, and lawyer. The one thing that does get in his way at one point, is that he falls in love with the nurse Brenda as he impersonates a doctor, tying him down to one place for too long where he is almost caught by Agent Carl Hanratty, who becomes in essence his only real friend sense his life turned upside down. The way we watch Frank’s life unfold and the decisions he makes and just how he manipulates all these people in such an intelligent way, this is honestly one of my favorite characters and movies of all time.

 


Thursday, August 15, 2013

What Makes A Great Film

I feel that aspects that truly contribute to the overall success of a movie are the the emotional connections to the characters, costume design, and special/digital effects. An example of an endearing emotional connection toward a film's characters is displayed in The Titanic with the development of Jack and Rose's relationship, such as during the festive dance in the belly of the ship and Jack's sacrifice. As for costume designs, Pirates of the Caribbean utilizes 18th century apparel to further bring the audience into the actual story and make them feel as if they are watching recaps from the actual time period, such as the scene where Jack Sparrow is being prepared to be hanged. Transformers uses digital animation and special effects in the creation of many of it's characters and the action sequences in an authentic looking manor, and the realism in the way the Autobots mechanically transform, such as when Bumblebee first transforms to protects Sam from the hostile Decepticons. Overall, these aspects shown in these array of movies help to capture the audience's attention by appealing their senses and emotions.