Film Project; Citizen Kane: Day 1

LAB: This morning, please complete the following tasks:

1. View the video hints for film projects:

• Director: How to Direct
• Director/Producer: How to Schedule a Film
• Director/Producer: How to Plan a Movie (pre-production)
• Director/Cinematographer: How to Shoot a Short Film
• Cinematographer: Shooting Tips
• Cinematographer: Tips for Cinematography
• Cinematographer: Tips for Angles & Locations
• Cinematographers/Editors: Cuts and Transitions 101
• Editors & Cinematographer: Continuity Editing
• Writers: Story Telling Tips
• Actors: Acting in Film #1 (a variety of resources--check the film clips in the group)
• Actors: Acting in Film #2 (acting tips from Michael Caine)

2. Work on your film project.

• Producers: get with your director and discuss time and schedule for the film project. The film project is due next class--will your company be ready to submit your work? Set up a schedule that works within this boundary. Producers! It is your job to see that the project is completed by the deadline.
• Directors: work with your actors, editor, technicians, cinematographer, etc. Find out people's schedules. When can you shoot the scenes you need to? Make a schedule and hand this to your crew. You may use class time to plan, shoot, edit, or trouble-shoot with your crew.
• Actors: get a copy of the script you are working on and read it. Prepare your scenes by reading and reading and reading the script. Memorize, if possible. Work with your director on scheduling scenes you are in, run lines with other actors, ask questions of the director for anything unclear in the script or with your character. Help out the crew or the director where needed.
• Writers: You are the first step in the process, but you may not need to be completed before you hand your script to your director or producer. If you haven't completed your short script (remember a short script is like a short story--start close to the climax of the "film"!) After writing, be available to the director to change anything needing changing in the script. Yes, you may want your site locations to blow-up at the end of the film, but is this possible? (the answer is no, by the way.) As the writer, help out your editor and director by preparing a cast and crew list. You may also easily double as an actor, cinematographer, producer, director, crew, or editor. Complete jobs where needed.
• Cinematographer: Your job is to plan HOW the script is shot. Will you use a long shot or close up? Will you use high-key lighting or low-key? Will you shoot a scene with an oblique angle or a high angle or low angle? Go through the script and make some decisions. Create storyboards to help you visualize a scene. Take into account the writer's wishes, but feel free to change anything that will make your film project more visually interesting.
• Editor: Start working on the credits. You will need both opening and closing credits. You can do this even if you haven't started shooting your film yet. Use iMovie to create opening and closing credits. You can also help out by finding sound cues or stock footage. Prepare all sound cues as needed. If an actor has a VO (voice over) sequence, use class time to record the voice over (even if you haven't finished shooting the scene it is attached to). Once you have film shot, you may begin editing. I suggest the editor is NOT the director, although this may be unavoidable.
• Crew: Help out. If something needs to be completed, help your team get the film done on time. Like actors, be available to fill in and help where needed at any time. If the editor needs help, help. If the writer needs help, help. If the director needs help, help. You get the idea.

2nd period:

Before viewing Citizen Kane today, we will read part of the opening of the film script. As we read, note how a film script is written differently from a play script.

As we view Citizen Kane, there are a series of important elements that can enrich our understanding of this film. See the handout & today's homework below for more details.

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:

Note: The handout given to you on Citizen Kane will be helpful to you, as will the script. Please read and refer to these articles.

Here is some information about who is responsible for this film.

Director: Orson Welles
Writers: Herman J. Mankiewicz and Orson Welles (screenplay)
Cinematography by Gregg Toland

Orson Welles ... Charles Foster Kane
Joseph Cotten ... Jedediah Leland
Dorothy Comingore ... Susan Alexander Kane
Agnes Moorehead ... Mary Kane
Ruth Warrick ... Emily Monroe Norton Kane
Ray Collins ... James W. Gettys
Erskine Sanford ... Herbert Carter
Everett Sloane ... Mr. Bernstein
William Alland ... Jerry Thompson
Paul Stewart ... Raymond
George Coulouris ... Walter Parks Thatcher
Fortunio Bonanova ... Signor Matiste
Gus Schilling ... The Headwaiter
Philip Van Zandt ... Mr. Rawlston
Georgia Backus ... Bertha Anderson
Harry Shannon ... Kane's Father

Produced by Orson Welles and George Schaefer .... executive producer
Original Music by Bernard Herrmann
Film Editing by Robert Wise
Casting by Rufus Le Maire & Robert Palmer
Art Direction by Van Nest Polglase
Set Decoration by Darrell Silvera
Costume Design by Edward Stevenson
Makeup by Maurice Seiderman

Other important films by Orson Welles:

• The Magnificent Ambersons (1942)
• The Magnificent Ambersons (snowride scene)
• Macbeth (1948)
• The Third Man (1949), Ferris Wheel Scene...remember Baltimore Waltz?
• Othello (1952)
• Mr. Arkadin (1955)
• Touch of Evil (1958)

HOMEWORK: Complete your screwball comedy film script drafts. Please read the article on "Mr. Welles Comes to Town" -- answer the question (due Friday, April 29) & the script for Citizen Kane (complete by Friday, May 10).