Oral Presenation Part 1: Genre and Audience

I. Genre and Audience-

Consider the historical context of the style and genre as well as that shaped the directors decisions. Other films, novels, or artistic genres that were referenced in the film should be considered.

1. What tradition or genre is it in?

The Night of the Hunter by Charles Laughton is a drama thriller that follows some film noir traditions.

2. What are the features determining genre or elements that tell us what type of film this is?

For it to fit in a film-noir aspect, one can look at the expressionist lighting used in the film and also its criminality. But it is not fully that. It uses techniques used in film-noir, yet does not fully meld itself within the genre. It fits into more of a drama thriller, with some dramatic irony, which is when the audience knows what is happening, but characters in the film don’t know what’s happening. The usage of this technique allows for the thriller genre to become more pronounced and did crete for very uneasy and thrilling moments.

3. Who made this? Why?

The credited director is Charles Laughton and the opportunity almost came by accident. When Laughton’s partner gained the rights for The Night of the Hunter, Laughton thought he would be the one playing the preacher. But doing the film this way did not allow for the movie to be budgeted and Laughton was encouraged to become the director for the film.

4. What can we tell about its’ creators?

The creators, Charles Laughton and Robert Mitchum were both experienced actors and were both experienced on the genre that The Night of the Hunter achieved.

5. How does it fit within the director’s other work?

This is Charles Laughton’s only directorial piece as he was purely disappointed with the poor reception of the film in the box office and the critics. Charles Laughton although has acted in many other films and that allows us to see some influence into the making of The Night of the Hunter. Charles Laughton took part in many thriller and drama movies which could have influenced his directorial approach in The Night of the Hunter.

6. What is the film’s theme?

The film approaches the theme of good vs. evil. Throughout the film, the characters battle the perceived idea of bad and good. For example, the preacher, played by Robert Mitchum, was a shining example of the ambiguity of people’s natures. He was seen as a great preacher and a gentleman, but as soon as they were married, he became controlling and brought out his true colors. This theme can also be seen with John’s father and how he tried to help his family, by killing two people and stealing money. The struggles between good vs. evil and the ambiguity of people’s natures are the two very prominent themes in his film.

7. What is the target audience? How does it address its audience?

The target audience is people who like films that offer more of a psychological thrill because of its many usages of dramatic irony; it can produce frustration and a sort of edge of your seat feeling. It captivates that kind of audience, who will most likely want to look away from the thrill, but does not want to miss anything.

Film Documentary: Usage of Realism in Gravity and Les Invasions Barbares

INFOGRAPH FOR CONCEPTS OF CONTINUITY

REALISM/CLASSICISM/FORMALISM

Realism/Classical/Formalism

For each film explain:

1. How would describe the characteristics of the camera camera work: composition, angle, movement

2. How would describe the difference in the edit?

3. How would describe the quality of the story being told/narrative?

GRAVITY-REALISM

 

A recent movie, Gravity, showed its emotional prowess through extremely long shots and the thoroughly engaging storyline.

Gravity uses A LOT of extebnded shots. I don't know how many edits there actually in the movie but the movie did a very good job at hiding these edits. Many close up shots that exposed true emotions and a plethora of extremely long shots that showed us the scale of space that the main characters had to face. The movie invoked great emotion as it gave us a sense of a known mystery. We know how space is like, we know what can happen, we think of what can happen, and we an astronauts worst nightmare unfold before our eyes. The story was well told and the acting was phenomenal. The streotypical characters were displayed in a much more different "space". Clooney played the experienced veteran, while Bullock played the "new guy". The environment of space, while being silent and calm, became more of a field of fear and death. It showed the worst case scenario that could happen in space: speeding shrapnel, no communication, empty space, no oxygen. The movie starts with an extremely long shot that introduces each of the characters and manages to start the intensity quick and keep the audience on the edge of ther seat for most of the rest of the movie.

RHYTHMUS 93- FORMALISM

Rhythmus 93, a film made in 1991, was one of the films in the series of 'Rhythmus' by Hans Richter. This version although is a manipulated version because it uses color and sounds were added into the film.

Rhythmus, from my perspective, had no discernible camera work. There were certain angles that were seen, only flat images. The edit is what makes this an abstract Formalist film. The edit seems to be random without any discernible pattern. A sense of rhythm is there, through the straight lines and the similar movements by the shapes and EYEBALLS. At first glance, there seems to be no certain story within this film, if there is one, tell me because I just do not understand.

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION-CLASSICISM

The Shawshank Redemption has very nice camera as it takes advantage of the many angles a prison can provide. It provides shots of low angle, showing the superior guards on the roof with their guns, it also uses pipes to block the certain beating that Andy Dufresne is getting. The film, being intense, uses a good amount of close ups in order to get the full effect of their emotion and also uses long shots to capture the emptiness of life within a prison.

The edit in this film seems to manipulate space and time as we see the main character, Andy Dufresne, become older as the film progresses. It condenses years of prison time in 142 minutes of film. The edit is much more tame compared to that of Formalism and much to that of Realism. It finds its balance within the middle of those two extremes.

The story told about a prison is only enhanced by the edit. The shots were not too long so that things would not get awkward between the characters, but long enough in order to get reactions from those same characters. Andy Dufresne's escape brings upon the downfall of the hierarchy of Shawshank. The story was very well told, as the plot was easy to follow while throwing some curveballs at the audience along the way. A good film that doesn't reveal the full story before it happens.

Contemporary Media Analysis: Presentations

IN A WORLD, WHERE MEDIA RULES ENTERTAINMENT, IT DOES.

1. What does the media say about the world we live in?

The media is a vital part of our society and it mirrors the many events and social problems and normalities in our time. We’re not talking about women’s suffrage in America right now. Right now, we’re talking the legalization of gay marriage, the Syria conflict, and the many leaks of information that has happened.
We are also in a society with contrasting view points of different subjects, mostly showing the black and white of these subjects.

The media glorifies bad things ( Several rap stuff )

Glorification of drugs (Molly)

The media parodies the bad things ( parodies of popular culture )

(bieber song parodies)

2. Do you notice any one trend that keeps resurfacing through multiple media forms?

 "#BLURREDDDDLINEEEEESSS!!!!" - Nathan Villavicencio

I mean come on, almost every presentation mentioned blurred lines between anything, mostly the hero/villain archetype. There has been more anti-hero types in the media represented in the shows such as, Breaking Bad and Dexter.

The anti-hero archetype has been showing in media more lately as it allows for more of a connection between the character and the audience  The anti-hero normally does bad things for the better. There are consequences to the anti-hero's actions and whether it is good or bad, there are benefits and repercussions. A more troubled character is easier to understand compared to a person who must do this because that's his job, instead of doing things for the good or bad of an event.

I OWN ALL THE PRESENTATIONS

3. What do you see as the best and worst of what media portrays?

Although media portrays easily relatable characters, these stereotypes overshadow characters who develop.

Examples - Reality TV

It exaggerates the wackiness or troubles that these people go through, allowing us to laugh at their misfortunes.  

For example, Jersey Shore. Many watch this mostly for the troubles and the fights that they go through. These over exaggerated events allow the show to grab the audience’s attention and keep them reeled in with the characters’ nonsensical babbling about how some is a “douche” (I am pretty sure this word was used many times in the show and to describe it)

The Best: There are some shows that spawn different ideas and such as this scene from the show, The Newsroom. This character negates all of the nationalism that the crowd felt with the facts that he has gained about America. It shows how ignorance sways opinion, but his knowledge gives him different opinions. It allows for the audience to think about what was presented upon them, what they could do with that new knowledge.

4. Where do you see yourself contributing to the conversation?

I view media as a platform, for entertainment and news. My job in this this discussion to not be fooled and not mistake the one for another. One could say there are "blurred lines" between news and entertainment within the media. I will contribute entertainment for all and allow it to have a deeper meaning, for the others who choose to delve deeper. 

(A scene from Courage the Cowardly Dog

where Muriel and Eustace are turned into puppets in the 

end of the first season. The theory is that Courage is mad

for the rest of the show's existence.)

TOP 5 FILMS!!! (OR HOW MANY I COULD THINK OF)

1. The Green Mile

This movie is one of my personal favorites. Fantastic performances by the cast and especially, the late Michael Clarke Duncan. Great visuals and an engaging story that breaks a part of realism allows it to be one of my favourite films of all time. A great film overall.



2. My Neighbor Totoro

A classic Ghibli/Miyazaki film. Whimsical visuals and the charisma of an oversized and fluffy monster give this movie its character. An internationally known animated film, its garnered a lot of attention. One of the studio Ghibli materpieces, this is one of my favorites out of all of them.

3. Shaun of the Dead

A play on the zombie genre, it pays homage to the Romero films and parodies it with a trip to the pub. A good comedy film with great gags that will make you laugh. The premise was great and it was executed nicely, showing the zombies as more of a nuisance than a problem.

4. Old Boy

A convuluted story of a man and his revenge ha never been so intriguiging. There are so many twists and turns enough to even make you question what is going on. A definite must watch and enough to keep you wondering what's going to happen until the end. A fun movie to watch and wrap your head around.












5. Matilda

I don't know, I just like this film. Matilda the story of a magical kid who is ignored by her parents. Why won't you like this? There's kids that fly, and not how you think. Just watch it.