Period 1: (Lab)
King Kong - Critique
For the film King Kong (1933), critique the film using one of three critical lenses or literary criticism schools of thought: feminism or gender theory, Marxist theory, and/or post-colonial criticism. See the handout for common questions we might answer to create our thesis for the paper.
As we write the critique, include the following parts:
Period 2:
Color tends to be a subconscious element in films. It has an emotional appeal which often suggests the mood of the film or the characters in it. At its most effective, complimentary characters are dressed in complimentary colors--antagonists are dressed in contrasting colors to their protagonists. Characters can match or contrast their settings and a whole host of other useful symbols can be created with color.
Early Color Film (1901)
The first Technicolor film was THE GULF BETWEEN (U.S., 1917), a five-reeler made by Technicolor Motion Picture Corp. in Florida mainly for trade showings in eastern cities, to create interest in color movies among producers and exhibitors. It did not receive a nationwide distribution. A lost film today, only a few frames survive.
Kodachrome sample (1922)
The first two-strip Technicolor feature made in Hollywood, and the first to receive a nationwide distribution, was the costume drama THE TOLL OF THE SEA (1922).
Another silent movie filmed entirely in two-strip Technicolor was the swashbuckler THE BLACK PIRATE (U.S., 1926), produced by and starring Douglas Fairbanks.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (Cecil B. DeMille's epic, 1923) THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925) BEN-HUR (1925) and KING OF KINGS (Cecil B. DeMille, 1926) used color as a gimmick or in parts.
The first all-talking Technicolor feature was the Warner Bros. musical ON WITH THE SHOW (1929). Various other musicals followed, such as Lockstep (1929) and Gold Diggers (1929).
All of the color films up to this point were two-color processes, which could capture only two of the three primary colors of light.
In 1932, Technicolor perfected a three-color motion picture process (also known as three-strip Technicolor, because three negatives were employed in the camera, one for each primary color of light -- red, green, and blue).
3-strip Technicolor
It was introduced with the Walt Disney cartoon FLOWERS AND TREES (1932), which won the first Academy Award for Animation. Walt Disney kept a monopoly on 3-color technicolor from 1932-1935.
The first feature-length movie in three-strip Technicolor was the costume comedy-drama BECKY SHARP (U.S., 1935)
Technicolor used a three-color system: red, blue, green (these colors, therefore, are most vivid)
Early color in film was used as an expression (like expressionism) of the director’s or cinematographer’s story, and so early films with color tend to be ones that are more formalistic, artificial, or exotic. Color was often not used for “realistic” movies and was seen, oddly, as less than realistic. You should note that most early color films were romances, fantasies, musicals, or animated films.
Warm colors: red, yellow, orange (brown)
Cool colors: Blue, green, violet (white)
During the 1930's, Technicolor was still expensive. It was still being used as a movie gimmick as seen here. The Women (1939); here's the trailer for the film.
It was, therefore, Technicolor and the 3 strip technicolor process that rocketed the Walt Disney Studios into a formidable film studio. Please refer to the chapter on Walt Disney to see why he's important in the film industry.
King Kong - Critique
For the film King Kong (1933), critique the film using one of three critical lenses or literary criticism schools of thought: feminism or gender theory, Marxist theory, and/or post-colonial criticism. See the handout for common questions we might answer to create our thesis for the paper.
As we write the critique, include the following parts:
- A hook
- A lead-in to the most important point or thesis (why is this film important?)
- A short summary of the film's story or narrative (what's the film about?)
- A reference to the director, actors, or other key authors of the film (who's in the film and how are they connected to my thesis? What should a viewer be aware of regarding these artists?)
- A comment on the film's relevance (why should I see this film? What place does it hold in film history? How was it received by the public when it was made OR now?)
- Support/examples: What makes the film effective? (which scenes or moments in the film are most important or relevant to my thesis?)
- An evaluation about the quality of the overall viewing experience (should I see this film? If so, why? What am I, as a viewer, going to get out of it?)
- Reflection/conclusion: How might this film affect us as a culture? Where does it fit in our understanding of film history or the artistry and style of film? What is important to remember about this film? Why should I care? (conclude your main points and explain, so...what?)
Period 2:
Color in Film
Color tends to be a subconscious element in films. It has an emotional appeal which often suggests the mood of the film or the characters in it. At its most effective, complimentary characters are dressed in complimentary colors--antagonists are dressed in contrasting colors to their protagonists. Characters can match or contrast their settings and a whole host of other useful symbols can be created with color.
Early Color Film (1901)
The first Technicolor film was THE GULF BETWEEN (U.S., 1917), a five-reeler made by Technicolor Motion Picture Corp. in Florida mainly for trade showings in eastern cities, to create interest in color movies among producers and exhibitors. It did not receive a nationwide distribution. A lost film today, only a few frames survive.
Kodachrome sample (1922)
The first two-strip Technicolor feature made in Hollywood, and the first to receive a nationwide distribution, was the costume drama THE TOLL OF THE SEA (1922).
Another silent movie filmed entirely in two-strip Technicolor was the swashbuckler THE BLACK PIRATE (U.S., 1926), produced by and starring Douglas Fairbanks.
THE TEN COMMANDMENTS (Cecil B. DeMille's epic, 1923) THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (1925) BEN-HUR (1925) and KING OF KINGS (Cecil B. DeMille, 1926) used color as a gimmick or in parts.
The first all-talking Technicolor feature was the Warner Bros. musical ON WITH THE SHOW (1929). Various other musicals followed, such as Lockstep (1929) and Gold Diggers (1929).
All of the color films up to this point were two-color processes, which could capture only two of the three primary colors of light.
In 1932, Technicolor perfected a three-color motion picture process (also known as three-strip Technicolor, because three negatives were employed in the camera, one for each primary color of light -- red, green, and blue).
3-strip Technicolor
It was introduced with the Walt Disney cartoon FLOWERS AND TREES (1932), which won the first Academy Award for Animation. Walt Disney kept a monopoly on 3-color technicolor from 1932-1935.
The first feature-length movie in three-strip Technicolor was the costume comedy-drama BECKY SHARP (U.S., 1935)
Technicolor used a three-color system: red, blue, green (these colors, therefore, are most vivid)
Early color in film was used as an expression (like expressionism) of the director’s or cinematographer’s story, and so early films with color tend to be ones that are more formalistic, artificial, or exotic. Color was often not used for “realistic” movies and was seen, oddly, as less than realistic. You should note that most early color films were romances, fantasies, musicals, or animated films.
Warm colors: red, yellow, orange (brown)
Cool colors: Blue, green, violet (white)
During the 1930's, Technicolor was still expensive. It was still being used as a movie gimmick as seen here. The Women (1939); here's the trailer for the film.
It was, therefore, Technicolor and the 3 strip technicolor process that rocketed the Walt Disney Studios into a formidable film studio. Please refer to the chapter on Walt Disney to see why he's important in the film industry.
- Flowers and Trees (1932) Walt Disney, but starring no one important
- Disney's The Three Little Pigs (1933)
- Mickey and the Polo Match (1936, try to spot and name the famous actor caricatures...)
- About Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (short historical bio)
- Ferdinand, the Bull (1938, Oscar Winner)
- Scene from Pinocchio (1940)
- Scene from Fantasia, The Sorcerer's Apprentice (1940)
- Bambi (1942)
We will screen Walt Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937). Enjoy the singing! Examine the protagonist (Snow White) and the Queen (antagonist) in the plot. Use the handout to complete your notes. Also, as we watch note how color is used to characterize good versus bad characters or settings. Examine the film for its warm and cool colors.
HOMEWORK: Review the following short film documentary (11 min.) How Technicolor Changed Movies. If we missed any links, please view them on your own time. Then, once more unto the breach: design an idea for a short film. Use the handout for help.
Join us May 1 for our Spring Coffeehouse--celebrating the work of the senior class.
HOMEWORK: Review the following short film documentary (11 min.) How Technicolor Changed Movies. If we missed any links, please view them on your own time. Then, once more unto the breach: design an idea for a short film. Use the handout for help.
Join us May 1 for our Spring Coffeehouse--celebrating the work of the senior class.
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