Orson Welles, Auteur

Citizen Kane is considered the world's #1 film. It is typically included in film studies curriculum. Because we are far behind schedule in our course, we will be skimming over the film, examining a few scenes.

Today, please watch these scenes from Citizen Kane (1941):

• Opening sequence: "Rosebud"
• Citizen Kane: Library scene: Chiaroscuro lighting
  
• Citizen Kane: Deep Focus Shot
  
• Citizen Kane: How to Run a Newspaper 
• Citizen Kane: There is a Man...
  
• Citizen Kane: Effective Transitioning
  
• Citizen Kane: Lighting
• Citizen Kane: Multiple Perspective  
• Citizen Kane: Low Angle shot
  
• Citizen Kane: Famous Icon: Speech
• Citizen Kane: Dissolve Montage & Deep Focus shot example
  
• Hall of Mirrors Sequence
  

Orson Welles as Auteur:
Welles directed, wrote (partial), and starred in this film (even though it was thought he wasn't old enough to portray Kane). While Welles had direct control over the film and its look, there were other people who contributed artistically. Some of the invention and creativity of film making includes:

The Deep Focus shot!
Low angle shots revealing ceilings!
Moving shots used as wipes!
Overlapping dialogue! (not original to Welles, but a trend in Screwball Comedies)
Long uninterrupted shots!
Expressionist lighting and photography!

Multiple perspective! (adds complexity to a plot...)

Orson Welles, Other Films from the 1940's & 1950's:

• The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)
• The Magnificent Ambersons (snowride scene)
• The Stranger (1946)
• The Lady from Shanghai (1947)
• Macbeth (1948)
• The Third Man (1949)
• Othello (1952)
• Mr. Arkadin (1955)
• Touch of Evil (1958)

Film project consideration: You will be expected to make a short film as part of your requirement this marking period. You may choose to work alone, with a partner, or in a group of up to four or five people. This morning, decide who you may wish to work with on this project. Working alone IS an option.

Once you have decided who you would like to work with, brainstorm a few ideas for your film. You may choose the short film you wrote a script for (for those of you who actually DID write a script), or a new idea. If you need to, use the graphic organizers to plan what kind of film you'd like to create. Make sure everyone has a voice in the project, as it is easier to enjoy a project if you are invested in its creation. You should have a clear idea who you want to work with by next class period.

HOMEWORK: If you missed any of these clips today, please watch them for homework. Take notes on what you see, with names of titles and years. Complete the reading on "Writing".