Today: please turn in your Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? reviews. Look at the various Blaxploitation clips (there's an option for extra credit at the end of the post). Our final exam on Thursday will cover all marking period material (1950's/1960's/1970's, Hitchcock, film review basics, and the handout-chapter materials/history). In addition you should know the basic vocabulary of film: montage, editing, continuity editing, different types of shots, diegetic sound, styles of film, mise-en-shot, mise-en-scene, auteur, film history from origin to 1980.
By the way, film studies will continue next year, taking a look at more popular cultural films, exploitation films, and world cinema. So don't be sad that the course is ending. Go see some films!
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Monday, June 8, 2009
Blaxsploitation Films
Blaxploitation is a film genre that emerged in the early 1970s when many exploitation films were made that targeted the urban black audience; the word itself is a portmanteau of the words "black" and "exploitation."
Characteristics of Blaxploitation films:
1. Story uses the urban ghetto as a locale for its setting
2. Often includes such characters as: pimps, hit men, drug dealers, the ho, etc.
3. White characters are often antagonists: corrupt cops, evil politicians, easily fooled organized crime goons, etc.
4. Characters are often stereotypes
5. Black music (hip hop, rap, jazz, R&B, funk, blues, etc.) is used as a score
6. Black actors play primary and protagonist roles
Popular genres of film include:
Crime (Foxy Brown), action (Three the Hard Way), horror (Abby, Blacula), comedy (Uptown Saturday Night), nostalgia (Five on the Black Hand Side), coming-of-age/courtroom drama (Cornbread, Earl and Me), and musical (Sparkle).
Here is a list of clips for your viewing pleasure:
They Call Me MISTER Tibbs (1970) (Sidney Poitier) - sequel to In the Heat of the Night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zklu9zyFlv4
Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970) directed by Ossie Davis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKmSwcFkxCc
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1971) starring Melvin Van Peebles - considered (with Shaft) to have created the Blaxploitation cycle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rD1OzJVoWY
Shaft (1971) Directed by Gordon Parks; starring Richard Roundtree
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiCB2isZcRM
The popularity of this film spawned these sequels:
Shaft's Big Score (1972)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXFzFYt12-g
Shaft in Africa (1973)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p_VY7qBKhM
Remake in 2000, Shaft 2000
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trOuMvapW8E
Also by Gordon Parks:
Superfly (1972)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmZjD2UWoso
Blacula (1972) directed by William Crain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd5giV-9Ncs
And its sequel: Scream, Blacula, Scream (1973)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxqE50c2x_0
And because Dracula was lonely:
Blackenstein (1973)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJGkgDJXQV0
Cleopatra Jones (1973) starring Tamara Dobson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYVX8JBjbMw
and its sequel for all the sistahs:
Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold (1975)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opmM0iY3G90&feature=PlayList&p=9786C2F4BDBE473F&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=50
Coffy (1974) starring Pam Grier
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jVAIitIP-4
These exploitation films were influenced by lesbian exploitation films (also prison exploitation films):
Black Mama, White Mama (1972)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK8I1eEQ_tU
Abby (influenced by the Exorcist - 1974)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLX6BnmtWS4
Sugar Hill (1974)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtEMUuFR62w
Dolemite (1975)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkjExJqf34o
Ralph Bakshi's Coonskin (1975) Bakshi is not black, but many white filmmakers took advantage of reaching a black audience in their films.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEozkBGHPgU&feature=related
Sparkle (1976) Musicals like this also included such popular titles as the Wiz (1978)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YmVj7vgsqE&feature=PlayList&p=0D49159FD388DEA0&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=44
The Wiz (1978)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9VdzxmgL_w&feature=PlayList&p=6A57B44E547E7713&index=0&playnext=1
Later in the 1980's until present, blaxploitation film style has been parodied:
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka! (1988)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7M8q4ABq98
Jackie Brown (directed by Quentin Tarantino) 1997
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5pfU3Sd3Aw
Pootie Tang (2000)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpV2ULCb6WU
Black filmmakers like Spike Lee would go back to blaxploitation films to influence a whole new host of black directors and redirect African American cinema. Fundamentally, Spike Lee's films are also blaxploitation films, although they have a wider audience.
Feel free to look up some of these films by Spike Lee:
She's Gotta Have It (1986)
School Daze (1987)
Do the Right Thing (1988)
Mo' Better Blues (1990)
Jungle Love (1991)
Malcolm X (1992) This award winning film established Spike Lee as an important African American auteur.
For extra credit this marking period, write a very short blaxploitation film script (3-7 pages): due at end of next week (June 19 at the latest). We will pick up Blaxploitation as popular culture next year in Writing Across Cultures. Stay tuned next season!
Characteristics of Blaxploitation films:
1. Story uses the urban ghetto as a locale for its setting
2. Often includes such characters as: pimps, hit men, drug dealers, the ho, etc.
3. White characters are often antagonists: corrupt cops, evil politicians, easily fooled organized crime goons, etc.
4. Characters are often stereotypes
5. Black music (hip hop, rap, jazz, R&B, funk, blues, etc.) is used as a score
6. Black actors play primary and protagonist roles
Popular genres of film include:
Crime (Foxy Brown), action (Three the Hard Way), horror (Abby, Blacula), comedy (Uptown Saturday Night), nostalgia (Five on the Black Hand Side), coming-of-age/courtroom drama (Cornbread, Earl and Me), and musical (Sparkle).
Here is a list of clips for your viewing pleasure:
They Call Me MISTER Tibbs (1970) (Sidney Poitier) - sequel to In the Heat of the Night
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zklu9zyFlv4
Cotton Comes to Harlem (1970) directed by Ossie Davis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NKmSwcFkxCc
Sweet Sweetback's Baadasssss Song (1971) starring Melvin Van Peebles - considered (with Shaft) to have created the Blaxploitation cycle.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0rD1OzJVoWY
Shaft (1971) Directed by Gordon Parks; starring Richard Roundtree
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiCB2isZcRM
The popularity of this film spawned these sequels:
Shaft's Big Score (1972)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xXFzFYt12-g
Shaft in Africa (1973)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-p_VY7qBKhM
Remake in 2000, Shaft 2000
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=trOuMvapW8E
Also by Gordon Parks:
Superfly (1972)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AmZjD2UWoso
Blacula (1972) directed by William Crain
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gd5giV-9Ncs
And its sequel: Scream, Blacula, Scream (1973)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxqE50c2x_0
And because Dracula was lonely:
Blackenstein (1973)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJGkgDJXQV0
Cleopatra Jones (1973) starring Tamara Dobson
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NYVX8JBjbMw
and its sequel for all the sistahs:
Cleopatra Jones and the Casino of Gold (1975)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opmM0iY3G90&feature=PlayList&p=9786C2F4BDBE473F&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=50
Coffy (1974) starring Pam Grier
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jVAIitIP-4
These exploitation films were influenced by lesbian exploitation films (also prison exploitation films):
Black Mama, White Mama (1972)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK8I1eEQ_tU
Abby (influenced by the Exorcist - 1974)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aLX6BnmtWS4
Sugar Hill (1974)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xtEMUuFR62w
Dolemite (1975)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkjExJqf34o
Ralph Bakshi's Coonskin (1975) Bakshi is not black, but many white filmmakers took advantage of reaching a black audience in their films.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zEozkBGHPgU&feature=related
Sparkle (1976) Musicals like this also included such popular titles as the Wiz (1978)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YmVj7vgsqE&feature=PlayList&p=0D49159FD388DEA0&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=44
The Wiz (1978)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9VdzxmgL_w&feature=PlayList&p=6A57B44E547E7713&index=0&playnext=1
Later in the 1980's until present, blaxploitation film style has been parodied:
I'm Gonna Git You Sucka! (1988)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7M8q4ABq98
Jackie Brown (directed by Quentin Tarantino) 1997
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5pfU3Sd3Aw
Pootie Tang (2000)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpV2ULCb6WU
Black filmmakers like Spike Lee would go back to blaxploitation films to influence a whole new host of black directors and redirect African American cinema. Fundamentally, Spike Lee's films are also blaxploitation films, although they have a wider audience.
Feel free to look up some of these films by Spike Lee:
She's Gotta Have It (1986)
School Daze (1987)
Do the Right Thing (1988)
Mo' Better Blues (1990)
Jungle Love (1991)
Malcolm X (1992) This award winning film established Spike Lee as an important African American auteur.
For extra credit this marking period, write a very short blaxploitation film script (3-7 pages): due at end of next week (June 19 at the latest). We will pick up Blaxploitation as popular culture next year in Writing Across Cultures. Stay tuned next season!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Review Due/Final Exam
After completing the film Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, please use time remaining to begin writing your review. See the handout, sample reviews, and the blog for assistance. The review is due next class, June 9.
Your final exam in Film Studies is the 11th of June. A review sheet will be provided to you next class.
Your final exam in Film Studies is the 11th of June. A review sheet will be provided to you next class.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Film Reviews
Film reviews attempt to do the following:
A. Act as journalism - either the opinion of "experts" or scholarly "criticism" or simply used to give an opinion of the film
B. Act as advertising - publicizes a film; encourages sales
C. Act as criticism - includes a description, analysis, and evaluation of a film
D. Act as rhetoric - yes, there are books written about films. Film buffs like this sort of writing. It is similar to literary criticism or any topic written for the enjoyment of the reader (popular mechanics, animals or nature writing, sports, etc.)
A film review includes the following components:
1. A condensed plot synopsis (summary of the plot, naming director, producer, etc.)
2. Background information about the production/director/auteur/etc.
3. A set of abbreviated arguments about the film (what others have said/or problems, weaknesses/strengths/artistry of the film)This is usually tied into the value of the film.
4. An evaluation (thumbs up or down, five stars or one, or three rotten tomatoes, etc.)
After watching Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, write a 2-3 page review of the film. Due: June 9
A. Act as journalism - either the opinion of "experts" or scholarly "criticism" or simply used to give an opinion of the film
B. Act as advertising - publicizes a film; encourages sales
C. Act as criticism - includes a description, analysis, and evaluation of a film
D. Act as rhetoric - yes, there are books written about films. Film buffs like this sort of writing. It is similar to literary criticism or any topic written for the enjoyment of the reader (popular mechanics, animals or nature writing, sports, etc.)
A film review includes the following components:
1. A condensed plot synopsis (summary of the plot, naming director, producer, etc.)
2. Background information about the production/director/auteur/etc.
3. A set of abbreviated arguments about the film (what others have said/or problems, weaknesses/strengths/artistry of the film)This is usually tied into the value of the film.
4. An evaluation (thumbs up or down, five stars or one, or three rotten tomatoes, etc.)
After watching Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf, write a 2-3 page review of the film. Due: June 9
Sunday, May 31, 2009
1960's Milestones in Film (clips)
The 1960's saw a lot of change in films (story, content, subject matter) and what viewers were likely to see on the big screen. The first X-rated films occurred in this decade, along with the first overtly gay/lesbian films (most from Britain), the first major African American releases, as well as many other finely directed films from a new wave of young directors. Below are some highlights:
Stanley Kubrick (director) Tribute:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqvQXlpFyG4
Spartacus (1960)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA8WKduGUyc
Lolita (1962)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he7tn9Dm8r8
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gXY3kuDvSU
2001, A Space Odyssey (1968)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU4TQ1NTo50
Billy Wilder (director)
The Seven Year Itch (1955)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHhfqU_Br1c
Some Like it Hot (1959)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9In3apq_SSY
The Apartment (1960)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvGOWZ5Uop8
Avanti! (1972)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHML8pMfPGA
African American films:
Sidney Poitier (first African American actor to receive "Best Actor" Academy Award)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oynTA_m0co
Lilies of the Field (1963)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn6w255CGkk&feature=PlayList&p=E2DC6C2AB97A4FFF&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=75
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tss1OqeKyY
To Sir, With Love (1967) (vocals by Brit superstar Lulu!)
http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3364036565596372109&postID=1205672095781663421
The Cool World (1963) (director Shirley Clarke) Retrospective
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ7CMi6TnJE
Black Girl (1966) (No clip)
Gordon Parks (director/photographer) The Learning Tree (1969) media article
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd96NIT5osA
Shaft (1970)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-8w4GR4UiY
Gay/Lesbian Films:
Victim (1961)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPXjIySzzC8
The Children's Hour (1961)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmLW-d8YRRo&feature=PlayList&p=3C8C61B265EFC89E&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=8
Robert Aldrich (director) The Killing of Sister George (1968)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIAdNmMtv9k
Myra Breckenridge (1970)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX6BM-myPqY
Boys in the Band (1970)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zw4639Ztjs
Decade of the Musical Mega-Hits!
West Side Story (1961)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GP9gwMqFhE
A Hard Days Night (1964)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0eJEX5c1sM
Mary Poppins (1964)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuWf9fP-A-U
The Sound of Music (1965)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw-Om-t8iiM
Yellow Submarine (1968)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avfGUEDMWZY
Great Actresses:
Marilyn Monroe (the screen legend died in 1962 - here's a tribute to her life)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99KvIQEyZsM
Audrey Hepburn Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urQVzgEO_w8
Elizabeth Taylor's epic flop: Cleopatra (1963)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGDyZHlHklo
Jayne Mansfield (eat your heart out Paris Hilton!)
Dog Eat Dog (1965)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYZAjyKtbl8
Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVTyqLQUpdg&feature=related
The Wild, Wild World of Jayne Mansfield (1968)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLgHocCN3iQ&feature=PlayList&p=887451151D711394&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=28
X-Rated & Controversial New Wave films:
Georgie Girl (1966)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXxnYdsYiiQ
Blow Up (1966) Michelangelo Antonioni (director)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu0-keZ4KKY
The Graduate (1967)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-3PP7hfIm4
The Wild Bunch (1969) Sam Peckinpah (director)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIwH96iZI7E
Easy Rider (1969)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in5uA5YXHIg
Midnight Cowboy (1969)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnFoaj8utio
Popular Culture Films (film subjects with staying power)
The following films have spewed various sequels, remakes, and have influenced American popular culture since the 1960's.
James Bond
Dr. No (1960)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFSCuia2K5E
Goldfinger (1964)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj-vmGlAt2Y
Other Pop Culture Influencing films:
The Pink Panther (1963)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnwQrU_1w1Y&feature=PlayList&p=BD36A8E8981A177C&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=3
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gUKvmOEGCU
Planet of the Apes (1968)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvR2mCx-Jnc
Star Trek (television series) 1966
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdjL8WXjlGI
Stanley Kubrick (director) Tribute:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FqvQXlpFyG4
Spartacus (1960)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA8WKduGUyc
Lolita (1962)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=he7tn9Dm8r8
Dr. Strangelove (1964)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1gXY3kuDvSU
2001, A Space Odyssey (1968)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU4TQ1NTo50
Billy Wilder (director)
The Seven Year Itch (1955)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RHhfqU_Br1c
Some Like it Hot (1959)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9In3apq_SSY
The Apartment (1960)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvGOWZ5Uop8
Avanti! (1972)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kHML8pMfPGA
African American films:
Sidney Poitier (first African American actor to receive "Best Actor" Academy Award)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oynTA_m0co
Lilies of the Field (1963)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rn6w255CGkk&feature=PlayList&p=E2DC6C2AB97A4FFF&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=75
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner (1967)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Tss1OqeKyY
To Sir, With Love (1967) (vocals by Brit superstar Lulu!)
http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=3364036565596372109&postID=1205672095781663421
The Cool World (1963) (director Shirley Clarke) Retrospective
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQ7CMi6TnJE
Black Girl (1966) (No clip)
Gordon Parks (director/photographer) The Learning Tree (1969) media article
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qd96NIT5osA
Shaft (1970)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A-8w4GR4UiY
Gay/Lesbian Films:
Victim (1961)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NPXjIySzzC8
The Children's Hour (1961)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmLW-d8YRRo&feature=PlayList&p=3C8C61B265EFC89E&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=8
Robert Aldrich (director) The Killing of Sister George (1968)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gIAdNmMtv9k
Myra Breckenridge (1970)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pX6BM-myPqY
Boys in the Band (1970)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Zw4639Ztjs
Decade of the Musical Mega-Hits!
West Side Story (1961)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4GP9gwMqFhE
A Hard Days Night (1964)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q0eJEX5c1sM
Mary Poppins (1964)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuWf9fP-A-U
The Sound of Music (1965)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aw-Om-t8iiM
Yellow Submarine (1968)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=avfGUEDMWZY
Great Actresses:
Marilyn Monroe (the screen legend died in 1962 - here's a tribute to her life)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99KvIQEyZsM
Audrey Hepburn Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=urQVzgEO_w8
Elizabeth Taylor's epic flop: Cleopatra (1963)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NGDyZHlHklo
Jayne Mansfield (eat your heart out Paris Hilton!)
Dog Eat Dog (1965)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kYZAjyKtbl8
Will Success Spoil Rock Hunter? (1957)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gVTyqLQUpdg&feature=related
The Wild, Wild World of Jayne Mansfield (1968)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MLgHocCN3iQ&feature=PlayList&p=887451151D711394&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=28
X-Rated & Controversial New Wave films:
Georgie Girl (1966)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MXxnYdsYiiQ
Blow Up (1966) Michelangelo Antonioni (director)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu0-keZ4KKY
The Graduate (1967)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X-3PP7hfIm4
The Wild Bunch (1969) Sam Peckinpah (director)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIwH96iZI7E
Easy Rider (1969)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=in5uA5YXHIg
Midnight Cowboy (1969)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnFoaj8utio
Popular Culture Films (film subjects with staying power)
The following films have spewed various sequels, remakes, and have influenced American popular culture since the 1960's.
James Bond
Dr. No (1960)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFSCuia2K5E
Goldfinger (1964)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qj-vmGlAt2Y
Other Pop Culture Influencing films:
The Pink Panther (1963)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnwQrU_1w1Y&feature=PlayList&p=BD36A8E8981A177C&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=3
Night of the Living Dead (1968)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gUKvmOEGCU
Planet of the Apes (1968)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CvR2mCx-Jnc
Star Trek (television series) 1966
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdjL8WXjlGI
Thursday, May 28, 2009
1960's film
The 1960's were a turbulent social/political and tough time for filmmakers. Adversity, though, brings new innovation. Research the 1960's and complete the note/handout sheet. Turn in at end of class.
By the way, please turn in your horror/sci-fi (1950's) treatment this is past due.
By the way, please turn in your horror/sci-fi (1950's) treatment this is past due.
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Narrative Technique in Psycho
One way to appreciate film is by examining its narrative structure. As young writers, this is a great exercise. You can learn a lot about writing by paying attention to narrative.
Narrative can be:
• Omniscient
• Limited (over the shoulder)/Restricted
• Multiple Perspective
Narrative largely depends on how time works in the story.
Chronology: (how time works in a story)
• Chronological/linear time
• Non-chronological/non-linear
• Flashback
• Frame
When we examine time and narrative in film, we should ask:
Who does the camera favor?
This is your clue as to who you need to be concerned with/about.
Hitchcock applies several effective narrative techniques to keep his audience on its toes. The most famous of these is:
The MacGuffin: an object of importance to the characters but of little interest to the director (and consequently to the viewer).
As you watch Psycho, pay attention to:
1. The MacGuffin (what is it for which character?)
2. Set-up
3. 1st Turning point
4. Development
5. Other turning points (there can be several of these)
6. Climax
7. Resolution
Narrative can be:
• Omniscient
• Limited (over the shoulder)/Restricted
• Multiple Perspective
Narrative largely depends on how time works in the story.
Chronology: (how time works in a story)
• Chronological/linear time
• Non-chronological/non-linear
• Flashback
• Frame
When we examine time and narrative in film, we should ask:
Who does the camera favor?
This is your clue as to who you need to be concerned with/about.
Hitchcock applies several effective narrative techniques to keep his audience on its toes. The most famous of these is:
The MacGuffin: an object of importance to the characters but of little interest to the director (and consequently to the viewer).
As you watch Psycho, pay attention to:
1. The MacGuffin (what is it for which character?)
2. Set-up
3. 1st Turning point
4. Development
5. Other turning points (there can be several of these)
6. Climax
7. Resolution
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The Murky Middle (Even More Advice)
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