Using your viewing(s) of Citizen Kane, discuss the following quote from your Bazin article in at least two well-developed paragraphs:
"Citizen Kane can never be too highly praised. Thanks to the depth of field, whole scenes are covered in one take, the camera remaining motionless. Dramatic effects for which we had formerly relied on montage were created out of the movements of the actors within a fixed framework. Of course Welles did not invent the in-depth shot any more than Griffith invented the close-up. All the pioneers used it and for a very good reason."
In his article, Andrew Bazin commented on the use of depth of field, or deep focus, which was used, most notably in Citizen Kane, to create meaning in each shot. The use of deep focus allows the viewer to experience two events occurring simultaneously, without having to view two different scenes. These helps to create a definite sense of time and space in movies, as well as creating a more interesting picture. Seeing two actions occurring side by side make movies more believable, and help the viewer to appreciate the scene.
ReplyDeleteAlthough Orsen Welles did not invent this cinematographic technique, it is used prominently in Citizen Kane. One notable scene in which this occurs takes place at the time of Kane's childhood. The young Kane is playing outside in blissful ignorance as his parents, in the foreground, are preparing to send him away. Having Kane in the background of this shot, as opposed to cutting away to him, increases the viewers awareness of the magnitude of the situation. We realize then that the happiness Kane is experiencing will never be duplicated as he will soon be ripped away from his home. In this scene, and many others throughout the movie, Welles uses deep focus and the movement of different actors within a scene to tell a story without edited interruption. Although this technique went on to become a common part of films, Citizen Kane was the groundbreaking and influential pioneer.
To be a master of a technique does not require that person to have invented said technique. Orson Welles use of deep focus allowed two different events to occur in the same scene, and with different amounts of overtness. A conversation may be occurring in the foreground but, a more important event may be taking place in the background.
ReplyDeleteStill, despite his not inventing the technique, it is used frequently in Orson Welles "piece de resistance" Citizen Kane. One notable scene involved a highly choreographed dance scene occurring in front of a group of investors. While the audience is immediately drawn to Kane dancing about with attractive young women, it's important to note the men sitting in the foreground displaying their feelings about Kane and his paper.
Citizen Kane should be praised, and it deserves every ounce it gets. While it was a pioneering work, it was also a film in which many existing techniques were perfected by the director.
Whether or not Welles was the first to use the depth of field to cover an entire scene in one take doesn’t really matter, since it’s not as if Welles was the first successful filmmaker. However, Welles did utilize the technique to its fullest extent so that even the most casual moviegoer could get an understanding of the mood and themes trying to be conveyed by it – although it was not abrasive either. And Welles was able to show the attitude of different characters at the same time, which is much more effective than cutting back to two different characters, one after the other, since they experience their respective emotions simultaneously.
ReplyDeleteThe technique can also be used to surprise the audience, in a good way. One shot revisiting Kane’s childhood shows Kane’s mother looking out at him with the shot focused on her as she tells her husband (and Kane’s father) that she is sending him away. With the focus directly on the mother the viewer is led to believe that she is powerful and is doing this for her own benefit, but then we find out that she is sending Kane away to protect him from his own fathers’ abuse. So it doesn’t really matter whether or not Welles was the first one to employ these techniques because he took them and advanced them to the point where they were much more accessible to other filmmakers and more beneficial for audiences
I am no longer surprised that Citizen Kane is one of the most famous and highly rated fresh, sophisticated, and classic masterpieces of our time. The innovative use of depth of field allows the viewer to have a much deeper understanding of the film and can more readily connect, or disconnect to the characters. By being shown two actions taking place simultaneously, it is much easier to comprehend the meaning of the scene emotionally and mentally. It is a great tool to further the plot in a movie, and thats exactly what Welles did.
ReplyDeleteIn one instance, towards the beginning of the movie, you see the reporters speaking about Charles Kane's death while his ex wife Susan Alexander Kane is in the background. With the camera motionless and focused on the men, if you look closely enough she is not at all difficult to see. You get both of their reactions in a single shot, and is actually quite powerful. You see the look of horror and sadness on her face, and the look of confusion on the reporters. These techniques later went on to be a standard for many movies, and it will be known that Welles was one of the first to explore with them and really make them work. Although he did not invent them, he used them to his utmost advantage and made a whole lot of magic.
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ReplyDeleteThe fact that Welles did not invent the in-depth shot is rather irrelevant considering the obvious talent he possessed in executing the technique. Throughout Citizen Kane, Welles employs the in-depth shot during multiple memorable moments. In-depth shots are crucial to the development of a movie because through them the viewer is able to distinguish both implicit and explicit meanings. The front to back range of focus consequently means that the foreground, middle ground and background of a shot are all in focus.
ReplyDeleteA prime example of deep focus in Citizen Kane (and one of my favorite scenes) occurs as Mr. Thompson, the reporter seeking the true meaning of “Rosebud”, is in a phone booth speaking in a frustrated manner to his editor in the foreground. This exchange is all we hear in the scene, however, there is more to discover visually because of Welles’ use of deep focus. Positioned in the middle ground, politely outside of the phone booth is the head waiter of La Rancha nightclub who stands with his back turned looking (the viewer assumes) toward Susan Alexander. In the background, Ms. Alexander sits slumped over a table looking woeful and distraught. While all three characters are united in one shot, all are in different places both physically and emotionally. Welles consistently displayed excellent and thought-provoking use of the in-depth shot and deep focus throughout Citizen Kane.
Although he may have not invented depth of field, there is no doubt that Orsen Welles in fact had it mastered. It is safe to say that Welles took this technique and created not only a revolutionary film, but a masterpiece. Andrew Basin, in this quote, clearly recognizes the magnificence in Welles’ work and praises both the concept of a scene within a scene and the way Citizen Kane makes use of it.
ReplyDeleteExamples of depth focus can be identified within several scenes throughout the film. The significance of these scenes is relatively great, on account of the underlying themes and implied meanings of each pair of events that are portrayed as occurring at the same time. Such examples include an occurrence of Charles Kane’s childhood, or rather the end of his childhood implicitly, as his mother decidedly sends him away in hopes of a better life with his newly acquired fortune. While the foreground of this scene displays obviously the conflict between his two parents, young Charles can be seen out the window towards the left of the frame playing in the snow with what is later to be recognized as a common motif within the story, “Rosebud”. Later, as his friend, Leland, discusses personal worries about Kane, these concerns are made true by the notable view of a carefree Kane dancing with various women serving as entertainment. What is interesting and unique about this in-depth shot is that it is not only seen in the shot facing Charles and the dancers but also in the reflecting window in the background of the shot where the camera is angled away from them.
As Basin said, this technique was used with good reason as it connects the audience in a way single, unattached instances are not capable of. The fact that Orsen Welles did not himself invent the in-depth shot has no reflection on the artisticly beautiful way he applies it to Citizen Kane, a movie to be marveled.
As stated in the passage (more subtly) Oren Welles was the best. He knew what he was doing when it came to filmmaking and he knew how to make it look so smooth that it looked effortless. Welles knew how to apply all cinematic techniques, especially depth, and create a master piece. Orsen may not have been the first, but he definitely an expert on how to take one technique, as he did in Citizen Kane with depth, and create something extraordinary.
ReplyDeleteBasically Orsen Welles took the idea of depth and scene lengths to create the film and give it dramatic effect.There were many instances thruogout the film that used depth and these differences in depth created the idea of space in the eyes of the audience. There were many scenes that had multiple actions happening, but one was farther back and one was cloer to the camera which created importance and to remind the audience about both topics or actions that were occuring.
ReplyDeleteI think you guys get the whole depth of field thing and that Welles didn't necessarily "invent" it, but he certainly perfected it and made it a more widely used technique in filmmaking. A technique that adds much meaning to films.
ReplyDeleteI want you all to remember to use specific details from the films to back up what you state about them. I know you have it in you. You all have very excellent, critical eyes. Keep up the good work. I look forward to reading your responses to all of the films we watch.
I agree that Welles did not create these techniques, but I believe that he possibly was the first to actually master them. Every technique used in the Production, Citizen Kane, was used at such a high level of mastery. Welles worked extremely well with in-depth shots, giving most of the movie a dramatic feel and omniscient presence.
ReplyDeleteThe pioneers of these cinematic techniques were not masters of them. In fact, they may not have used them correctly at all. But Welles can be argued to be the Pioneer of these techniques because of his mastery.