Interesting NPR Series

Ever wonder how they gather all of the props they need for a film?

http://www.npr.org/2011/02/24/134001280/objectively-speaking-its-all-about-the-prop-master?sc=fb&cc=fp

You Go, John!

Here is a story for which our own John Guinane was nominated for an Emmy. Watch and comment...

http://www.wgrz.com/news/local/story.aspx?storyid=78266&catid=13

Congratulations, John! Great piece!

Homework Assignment for Bicycle Thieves

This is basically the same assignment I gave you for Rififi, but I want you to analyze a scene from The Bicycle Thieves. Remember to use the Internet sparingly--don't get caught up in what you read online about the film--the IB (and I) want to hear what you have to say!

OK. Remember, this assignment is MORE practice for the Presentation assessment next year. Choose a 5 minute scene in The Bicycle Thieves to analyze. Use the dubbed DVD I've made for you (sorry for the cheesy dubbing).

After you have your 5 minute scene chosen, analyze it completely. Remember that you need to mention why you chose the scene and this scene's relation to the film as a whole. In addition, pay close attention to: mise en scene, lighting, camera angles, shot types, etc. Here is a list of items to pay attention to when you are writing your 750 words (at least) and when you are doing your oral presentation:

• How well do I understand how meaning is constructed through the use of film language in this extract?
• How well do I understand the extract’s relationship to the film as a whole?
• How well do I understand the influences of the film’s genre?
• How well can I place the film and this extract in a broader socio-cultural context?
• How insightful is my analysis of the director’s intention?
• How coherent, incisive, insightful, and detailed is my evaluative interpretation of this contract?

Here is a list of "vocab" you can use:
narrative
direction
cinematography
mise-en-scene
lighting (which is often, but not always, considered part of mise-en-scene)
camera movement
editing
sound (diagetic and non-diagetic)

Be sure your paper is AT LEAST 750 words. Let your ideas flow. Don't keep counting words and they will come. I promise you. As you start talking about what you see and hear in the film, you won't want to stop!

Please see me/email me with questions if needed.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO DISCUSS IMPLICIT MEANING AS YOU ANALYZE THE SCENE!!!

This is due on Monday, February 28. Feel free to email me your completed essay when done. I will print it in the Library.

AFI Top 100 Films

I just added a link on the right for the American Film Institute's Top 100 films of all time. Check it out and check off what you've seen...

International Women's Film Fest at UB

You might be interested in this film festival coming up soon through UB...

http://genderin.buffalo.edu/filmfest.php

Rififi Assignment

I hope you liked Rififi more than you thought you would!

OK. Remember, this assignment is MORE practice for the Presentation assessment next year. Choose a 5 minute scene in Rififi to analyze. There may be clips on YouTube, but you can also come into the library to re-watch scenes.

After you have your 5 minute scene chosen, analyze it completely. Remember that you need to mention why you chose the scene and this scene's relation to the film as a whole. In addition, pay close attention to: mise en scene, lighting, camera angles, shot types, etc. Here is a list of items to pay attention to when you are writing your 750 words (at least) and when you are doing your oral presentation:

• How well do I understand how meaning is constructed through the use of film language in this extract?
• How well do I understand the extract’s relationship to the film as a whole?
• How well do I understand the influences of the film’s genre?
• How well can I place the film and this extract in a broader socio-cultural context?
• How insightful is my analysis of the director’s intention?
• How coherent, incisive, insightful, and detailed is my evaluative interpretation of this contract?

Here is a list of "vocab" you can use:
narrative
direction
cinematography
mise-en-scene
lighting (which is often, but not always, considered part of mise-en-scene)
camera movement
editing
sound (diagetic and non-diagetic)

Be sure your paper is AT LEAST 750 words. Let your ideas flow. Don't keep counting words and they will come. I promise you. As you start talking about what you see and hear in the film, you won't want to stop!

Please see me/email me with questions if needed.

Blog Response #10

Having read Eisenstein's, Pudovkin's, and Alexandrov's Statement on Sound, and using an example of a film we have screened in class, agree or disagree with the following, in 2-3 well-developed paragraphs:

We who work in the USSR recognise that, given our technical capabilities, the practical implementation of sound cinema is not feasible in the near future. At the same time we consider it opportune to make a statement on a number of prerequisite theoretical principles, particularly as according to reports reaching us, attempts are being made to use this new improvement in cinema for the wrong purposes. In addition, an incorrect understanding of the potential of the new technical invention might not only hinder the development and improvement of cinema as an art form but might also threaten to destroy all its formal achievements to date.

If you choose to use a sound film to disagree with the statement, your essay will be stronger if you include an example from a silent film we've viewed (or one you've viewed on your own). Vice versa, if you choose to agree with the statement and use a silent film as your choice, be sure to include examples from a sound film to make your point.

If you have any questions, please see me.

Due: Friday, February 4, 2011.