Cars is a 2006 Disney Pixar film. This film is about racing and winning it all. Lightning McQueen is a rookie racer that tied for first place. While traveling to California for the dispute of the final race of the Piston Cup against The King and Chick Hicks, the famous Lightning McQueen accidentally damages the road of the small town Radiator Springs and is sentenced to repair it. He races against time to try to get the road fixed and get to California before the race begins.
In chapter 5 of our text, it talks about cinematic points of view. There is objective, subjective, indirect-subjective, and director's interpretive points of view. Generally, all four points of view can be used in every film to different degrees. The objective point of view is meant for the audience to watch the action taking place at a distance, and not to participate in it. It uses a static camera to give it this window effect. It concentrates on the actors and the action without giving attention to the camera. The subjective point of view gives us visual viewpoint and emotional intensity felt by a character participating in the action. In the film Cars, the subjective view point is present throughout the film, but mostly during the races. The indirect-subjective point of view brings us close to the action so that we feel involved. This time of view are the close ups in the film. The last point of view, the director's interpretive point of view, is where we are forced to react in a certain way to what we see. These are the slow motion close ups. In Cars, the director had a few of these during the race and at the end of the race when all three cars tied in first place.
In all films, there are specialized cinematic techniques used also talked about in chapter 5 of our text. Whether its dealing with handheld cameras, camera angles, the color, diffusion, and soft focus, special lenses, fast motion, or special lighting effects; it all helps in making the film more interesting. There are three different kinds of special lenses; wide-angle, telephoto, and fish-eye lens. A wide-angle lens makes an object in the background seem further away than it actually is. A telephoto lens does the opposite by making an object in the background seem closer than it actually is. A fish-eye lens bends both horizontal and vertical planes and distorts depth relationships. This time of lens is used to create a dream, fantasy, or intoxication. In the film Cars, a fish-eye lens is used while Lightning McQueen is sleeping in this semi on the way to California and dreaming about winning the race.
The film Cars is a great animated film not only for children, but adults too. It has so many special techniques that make the film seem more real than animated. At some points in the film during the races, it seems like you are a part of the action with all the different views the camera shows the audience. It also brings across a good message that life is about the journey, not the finish line.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Friday, June 11, 2010
Walk the Line
Walk the Line is a 2005 chronicle of country music legend Johnny Cash's life, from his early days on an Arkansas cotton farm to his rise to fame with Sun Records in Memphis. While growing up in the Great Depression era, Johnny Cash takes an interest in music and eventually moves out of his Arkansas town to join the air force in Germany. While there, he buys his first guitar and writes his own music.
In chapter 3 of our text, it talks about dramatic structure of a piece of art. The different types of structure are linear, or chronological structures, and nonlinear structures. In the linear or chronological structure, the first of the story is called the exposition which introduces the characters, shows some of their interrelationships, and places them within a believable time and place. In the beginning of Walk the Line, we meet Johnny Cash, his mother and father, his friends who become part of his band later on, Vivian, and later on June. The next section of the film is the complication where a conflict begins to grow. In Walk the Line, the conflict is when Johnny starts using drugs and starts having problems with his wife. The next part of the film is called the climax. The climax in Walk the Line is when Johnny's wife gets fed up with the way he drinks and uses drugs, and leaves him. He gets so bad where he can barely get out of bed in the morning. The ending part of the the film is called the denouement and that is where June helps Johnny with his struggle with drugs.
There are many ways of characterization in films whether it's through appearance, dialogue, external or internal action, reaction of other characters, dramatic foils, caricature and leitmotif, choice of name, or the varieties of characters; each film has unique characters.
There are different kinds of conflicts, external or internal. The external conflict in the film Walk the Line is the way that Johnny's use of drugs get in the way of his family life and causes trouble. The internal conflict in the film is the way Johnny treats the ones he loves when he drinks and uses drugs.
I thought Walk the Line was a excellent movie to portray Johnny Cash's life. The characters chosen for the film fit it very well. Joaquin Phoenix doesn't show much expression, but it was perfect for Cash, a quiet man with a deep voice. I think Joaquin did an great job to act like Cash by copying his mannerisms, his speech patterns, and his way of walking. Reese Witherspoon also did a good job of acting out June's spunky personality.
In chapter 3 of our text, it talks about dramatic structure of a piece of art. The different types of structure are linear, or chronological structures, and nonlinear structures. In the linear or chronological structure, the first of the story is called the exposition which introduces the characters, shows some of their interrelationships, and places them within a believable time and place. In the beginning of Walk the Line, we meet Johnny Cash, his mother and father, his friends who become part of his band later on, Vivian, and later on June. The next section of the film is the complication where a conflict begins to grow. In Walk the Line, the conflict is when Johnny starts using drugs and starts having problems with his wife. The next part of the film is called the climax. The climax in Walk the Line is when Johnny's wife gets fed up with the way he drinks and uses drugs, and leaves him. He gets so bad where he can barely get out of bed in the morning. The ending part of the the film is called the denouement and that is where June helps Johnny with his struggle with drugs.
There are many ways of characterization in films whether it's through appearance, dialogue, external or internal action, reaction of other characters, dramatic foils, caricature and leitmotif, choice of name, or the varieties of characters; each film has unique characters.
There are different kinds of conflicts, external or internal. The external conflict in the film Walk the Line is the way that Johnny's use of drugs get in the way of his family life and causes trouble. The internal conflict in the film is the way Johnny treats the ones he loves when he drinks and uses drugs.
I thought Walk the Line was a excellent movie to portray Johnny Cash's life. The characters chosen for the film fit it very well. Joaquin Phoenix doesn't show much expression, but it was perfect for Cash, a quiet man with a deep voice. I think Joaquin did an great job to act like Cash by copying his mannerisms, his speech patterns, and his way of walking. Reese Witherspoon also did a good job of acting out June's spunky personality.
Good Will Hunting
Good Will Hunting is a 1997 film directed by Gus Van Sant. Will Hunting is a boy genius who was severely abused as a child and has been in trouble with the law ever since. He works as a janitor at MIT and has a gift for maths that can take him far, but to do so he must turn his back on the neighborhood and his best friend.
According to the article Too Smart for Their Own Good? the whiz kids have been moving up in Hollywood with many films casting a genius winning many awards. Brainiacs are even coming out on TV on shows dealing with detectives. The article also states that Hollywood has loved to cast geniuses as detectives or evil masterminds, but a number of recent films and TV shows portray geniuses as emotionally stunted, lonely, asocial prodigies who don't know how to enjoy life. They think that geniuses never really grow up, even if they are adults. The article talked about how Will Hunting can humiliate professors, but he's no more mature than a school-aged kid. I do agree with the article on that geniuses are asocial because my past experiences with smart peers is that they like to keep to themselves. They might think if they say something too smart, their peers won't understand what they are talking about anyway so why even try. I don't think being a genius is a bad thing, I think of it more as a gift.
In our text it talks about the elements of a good story which are: a good story is unified in plot, it is credible, it is interesting, it is both simple and complex, and it handles emotional material with restraint. Good Will Hunting has a lot of these elements. A unified plot focuses on a single thread of continuous action, where one even leads to another. An example of this in Good Will Hunting would be how Will got a job at MIT where he happened to come upon a math equation that he knew how to solve. One day the professor just happened to see him solving an equation and wanted to work with him. One thing just kept leading to another. To be credible, Good Will Hunting has externally observable truths, internal truths of human nature, and artistic semblance of truth. Another element that Good Will Hunting has is it is interesting. It has suspense to capture and maintain our interest. Everyone wants to always know if he will be able to keep on solving equations and to be able to get help from the shrink from his horrible childhood.
I enjoyed watching Good Will Hunting this week. It kept me interested the whole time and wasn't drug out. I loved seeing the relationship Will made with his shrink and how they started seeing eye to eye. I also liked seeing how the shrink and the professor helped Will believe in himself because some people can never believe in themselves until someone believes in them.
According to the article Too Smart for Their Own Good? the whiz kids have been moving up in Hollywood with many films casting a genius winning many awards. Brainiacs are even coming out on TV on shows dealing with detectives. The article also states that Hollywood has loved to cast geniuses as detectives or evil masterminds, but a number of recent films and TV shows portray geniuses as emotionally stunted, lonely, asocial prodigies who don't know how to enjoy life. They think that geniuses never really grow up, even if they are adults. The article talked about how Will Hunting can humiliate professors, but he's no more mature than a school-aged kid. I do agree with the article on that geniuses are asocial because my past experiences with smart peers is that they like to keep to themselves. They might think if they say something too smart, their peers won't understand what they are talking about anyway so why even try. I don't think being a genius is a bad thing, I think of it more as a gift.
In our text it talks about the elements of a good story which are: a good story is unified in plot, it is credible, it is interesting, it is both simple and complex, and it handles emotional material with restraint. Good Will Hunting has a lot of these elements. A unified plot focuses on a single thread of continuous action, where one even leads to another. An example of this in Good Will Hunting would be how Will got a job at MIT where he happened to come upon a math equation that he knew how to solve. One day the professor just happened to see him solving an equation and wanted to work with him. One thing just kept leading to another. To be credible, Good Will Hunting has externally observable truths, internal truths of human nature, and artistic semblance of truth. Another element that Good Will Hunting has is it is interesting. It has suspense to capture and maintain our interest. Everyone wants to always know if he will be able to keep on solving equations and to be able to get help from the shrink from his horrible childhood.
I enjoyed watching Good Will Hunting this week. It kept me interested the whole time and wasn't drug out. I loved seeing the relationship Will made with his shrink and how they started seeing eye to eye. I also liked seeing how the shrink and the professor helped Will believe in himself because some people can never believe in themselves until someone believes in them.
Sunday, June 6, 2010
Findng Nemo
Finding Nemo is a 2003 animated movie. It shows the adventure of a clown fish, living on the Great Barrier Reef, who must venture out into the wider ocean searching for his son who was abducted by deep sea divers.
In chapter 2 of the text book, it talks about theme and focus. It states that the theme of a film refers to the unifying central concern of the film, the special focus that unifies the work. In Finding Nemo, the theme is Marlin the clown fish trying to find his son Nemo. Films focus on many things. One in particular is the plot. In adventure films such as Finding Nemo, the filmmaker focuses on the plot. According to the text this is done to provide escape from the boredom and drabness of everyday life. The plot in Finding Nemo is Marlin venturing out to the wide ocean in search of his son.
In many films, the director creates a mood or emotional effect. The theme of Finding Nemo classifies it as an adventure film. There are many different moods created throughout the film whether its sad when Nemo's mom gets killed by sharks, scared when the deep sea divers take Nemo, anxious throughout the adventure of Marlin trying to find his son with Dora, or happy when the father and son unite; they all come together to make the film quite the adventure.
Each film has a central idea. The central idea might fall into one of the following categories: Moral Implications, The Truth of Human Nature, Social Problems, The Struggle for Human Dignity, The Complexity of Human Relationships, Coming of Age/Loss of Innocence/Growing Awareness, or A Moral or Philosophical Riddle. To me Finding Nemo falls under "The Truth of Human Nature." In the text under this category, it states that characters in such films take on significance beyond themselves in the film they appear in. Marlin took on a significance beyond himself when he left his home for the first time in a long time in search for his son way across the ocean.
In chapter 2 of the text book, it talks about theme and focus. It states that the theme of a film refers to the unifying central concern of the film, the special focus that unifies the work. In Finding Nemo, the theme is Marlin the clown fish trying to find his son Nemo. Films focus on many things. One in particular is the plot. In adventure films such as Finding Nemo, the filmmaker focuses on the plot. According to the text this is done to provide escape from the boredom and drabness of everyday life. The plot in Finding Nemo is Marlin venturing out to the wide ocean in search of his son.
In many films, the director creates a mood or emotional effect. The theme of Finding Nemo classifies it as an adventure film. There are many different moods created throughout the film whether its sad when Nemo's mom gets killed by sharks, scared when the deep sea divers take Nemo, anxious throughout the adventure of Marlin trying to find his son with Dora, or happy when the father and son unite; they all come together to make the film quite the adventure.
Each film has a central idea. The central idea might fall into one of the following categories: Moral Implications, The Truth of Human Nature, Social Problems, The Struggle for Human Dignity, The Complexity of Human Relationships, Coming of Age/Loss of Innocence/Growing Awareness, or A Moral or Philosophical Riddle. To me Finding Nemo falls under "The Truth of Human Nature." In the text under this category, it states that characters in such films take on significance beyond themselves in the film they appear in. Marlin took on a significance beyond himself when he left his home for the first time in a long time in search for his son way across the ocean.
On the Waterfront
On the Waterfront is a 1954 classic, controversial film directed by Elia Kazan. According to the article On the Waterfront the film's story was based on New York Sun newspaper reporter Malcolm Johnson's expose, found in a series of 24 articles called Crime on the Waterfront. The series had record of actual dockside events, labor racketeering in New York's dockyards, and corrupt practices, and won the 1949 Pulitzer Prize for Local Reporting. It revealed bribery, extortions, kickbacks to union officials, payoffs, theft, murder, and the mob's influence on New York's waterfront.
In our text book, it talks about the uniqueness of film. It states that film is both an industry and an art form. Motion picture is similar to other artistic media. Film has the elements of visual arts such as: line, form, mass, volume, and texture. Even though film is so similar to other artistic media, it is set apart by its constant motion. It conveys a sense of reality.
The text also talks about analyzing films. It is challenging to analyze film because it requires us to respond to the continuous interplay of image, sound, and movement on the screen. With the technology these days, film analyzing is a little easier task than it was before.
When watching a film, everyone reacts differently to internal and external forces that have an effect on how we view the film. It is difficult not to let these forces get in the way of your judgement on the film. If someone dislikes war movies, they won't watch those types of movies or even action films. Some people might not go to movies that are worthwhile to see because they don't want to stray away from what is normal.
The book talks about viewing the film. There is a editing process called panning and scanning where wide-screen formats are adapted to the standard television shape. A scanning device determines when the most significant information in each frame is so far to the left or the right of center as to be outside the perimeter of the narrower television picture. After that, producers adjust by centering this information in the transmitted or re-recorded image.
In our text book, it talks about the uniqueness of film. It states that film is both an industry and an art form. Motion picture is similar to other artistic media. Film has the elements of visual arts such as: line, form, mass, volume, and texture. Even though film is so similar to other artistic media, it is set apart by its constant motion. It conveys a sense of reality.
The text also talks about analyzing films. It is challenging to analyze film because it requires us to respond to the continuous interplay of image, sound, and movement on the screen. With the technology these days, film analyzing is a little easier task than it was before.
When watching a film, everyone reacts differently to internal and external forces that have an effect on how we view the film. It is difficult not to let these forces get in the way of your judgement on the film. If someone dislikes war movies, they won't watch those types of movies or even action films. Some people might not go to movies that are worthwhile to see because they don't want to stray away from what is normal.
The book talks about viewing the film. There is a editing process called panning and scanning where wide-screen formats are adapted to the standard television shape. A scanning device determines when the most significant information in each frame is so far to the left or the right of center as to be outside the perimeter of the narrower television picture. After that, producers adjust by centering this information in the transmitted or re-recorded image.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)