Oral Presentation Part 5

V. Film Language and Representation

In the last five minutes of The Graduate, we are already knowing of what the conflict is. We see how the notification of Elain's location fuels Benjamin to rush to the wedding chapel and stop the wedding. We see Benjamin as this desperate person who must now reach his destination in time or else. We see these long takes of shots to portray the realism of the situation, which allows the actor to portray his natural feelings with no breaks in continuity. 

The use of this shot was to explain the need for Benjamin to get his destination. This shot makes the situation seem like its being dragged on and that Benjamin is not going to make it in time. This shot also portray realism as the objects around Benjamin are in its natural setting and there is no alteration to the shot or the setting.  We also see how shots like this one allow the audience to feel a bit disgruntled as they want Benjamin to reach his destination in time rather than not make it. 

The lighting in this shots allows the visual of Benjamin's emotions. The fill light was used to soften up the shadows caused by the key light on Benjamin's face, allowing his left side to be somewhat illuminated while the other is a bit darker. This use of lighting allows us to see what is being portrayed by Benjamin and what we are to expect. The use of bland colors gives the situation this gloomy mood, as it relates to the dissatisfaction and sadness that Benjamin is feeling.

In this shot, the use of music gives away this sense of success. As both Benjamin and Elaine smile at each other and look away, the music fades in that matches what they are feeling. The music is somewhat slow and soothing, which also matches what is happening in the shot. The absence of dialogue is appropriate as the audience already knows what is happening in the shot simple by what both the characters are just doing.

In many of these shots, the audience's attention is first directed to Benjamin, as he is the main object in motion in these shots. Many of the shots used are loose, as we see the whole scenery around Benjamin as he is running to the chapel. Many of the shots are naturally lit, allowing the sequence to give it a sense of realism. There isn't much "eye catchers" throughout the extract, as mostly everything in the shots are darkish colors, expect the times where we see the red car or the yellow bus. Throughout this extract, there are very powerful emotions of love and commitment. Benjamin is fully committed to reaching Elaine and saving her for himself. The re-occurring theme of love allows the audience to feel what Benjamin feels for Elaine and how he'll do anything just for her. 

Short Film Treatment

Logline: Young teenager tries to overcome accidentally killing his girl friend, and forever lives in the shadow of her death.

Bottles of wine scattered on the table. Teenager looks at his girlfriend as they tip off their shot glasses. Couple shots lead into few more as both teenagers continue drinking. Glasses begin falling off the table as teenagers begin to get really drunk. Baseball bat sits near the table as the teenagers grabs it. Girl friend pretends to throw ball at teenagers. Teenager eventually swings the bat, hitting girlfriend in the head, killing her.

Teenager wakes up from nightmare. Looking at the picture of his girlfriend, gets up and takes anxiety pills. After taking shower and washing up, teenagers gets ready for school. Teenager doesn't concentrate in class and is distraught throughout the day. 

As he returns home, he watches T.V. and does homework. Teenager eventually begins to think about his girlfriend and all their happy moments. Teenager steals on off parents bottle of wine and runs to the room. Drinking the wine in desperation, teenager begins to cry himself to sleep.

Teenager wakes up in the middle of the night. Hearing footsteps outside his room, teenager walks out to see it. He sees a ghost figure of his girl friend. Teenager rushes in joy towards girl friend, but image disappears.

Hearing something upstairs, teenager rushes up the stairs. Teenager sees the ghost of his girl friend on the couch. Again, teenager rushes to ghost, but vanishes. Teenager sits down on couch and begins to sob. As teenager is sobbing, ghost of girl friend begins patting teenagers back. Teenager looks up at ghost, seeing her smile at him. Ghost smiles at teenager and kisses him on fore head. Ghost then vanishes away for good.

Teenager wakes up from dream and looks at the empty side of the bed. Looking at her picture, teenager smiles and looks out the window.

Oral Research Part 1- Genre and Audience

The Graduate (1967) is an American comedy/drama directed by Mike Nichols.  It is based on the 1963 novel The Graduate by Charles Webb, who wrote it shortly after graduating from Williams College. The film was produced by Joseph E. Levine & Lawrence Turman, cinematography by Robert Surtees, and edited by Sam O'Steen. In 1967, Bonnie and Clyde (1967) was an American crime film directed by Arthur Penn was also created in the same time as The Graduate and shares similar themes: romantic complications affect the outcome of a certain individuals life. Nichols created this movie to be the first in its time to display works of "one's desire to find true love through any obstacle" along with a story line that exhibits its unique display of formalism. The Graduate took place in a time of social-rebellion, as time of war and rest began to take its toll on people. The common theme shown in this film is that both the younger and older generation have different perspectives and do not understand each other; Mrs. Robinson represents this older generation while Benjamin represents the new generation. Since colleges were being created in this era of time, these students avoided participating in war by attending these colleges, thus making them the target audience of the film. 

Sample Oral Assessment

Sample Oral #1

This presentation offers a detailed analysis in the movie Frankenstein that includes background information of the movie, details of the cast, reference to film terms, its editing techniques, etc. Although the student seems to drag on with the presentation in simply applying his understanding of the summary in his presentation, it provides key analysis into how it applies to the directors intent in the film along with a better understanding to what is being depicted. Throughout the presentation, the student hits mainly all the key points while offering additional information on them. The examiner believed that the "sociocultural context of the film" was limited in analysis, however, it does seem to cover what is to be expected. 22 out of 25 marks seems to be fair for this student, but the student should have receive at most 24 marks due to the fact the all the points were discussed with adequate understanding of the topic with very little limitations on some topics.

Sample Oral #3

This presentation, by far, shows the best understanding of their film and all other concepts associated, thus giving it one of the highest marks. The student exceptionally depicts the film's summary with in detail analysis, the camera techniques along with it's movements, editing styles, music, directors intent, etc. Although the students spends about the minimum time on each topic, their is an exceptional amount of detailed analysis that gives a clear understanding of the topic along with a good transition from topic to topic. Also, the student provides clear use of film terms that add to the student's knowledge of the film of its aspects. Unlike other orals, the sociocultural context of the film is clear explained with good reference to the film which gave it the marks it deserved. 23 out of 25 marks is well deserving of the oral because every aspect of what was to be expected was covered to the highest degree, with some lack in a specific topic that didn't really affect the student's overall marks grade.

Blog: Genre Study Chart

Genre: Post-Apocalyptic

Typical Plots: Characters are forced to survive the new elements that affect their chances of survival. These characters have to do whatever is necessary to ensure that they survive. This road to survival is extremely hard as the new environment they are placed in will change their lives forever.

Typical Situations: Characters are faced with abominations of nature. The world they live in is no longer the same and not only is that a problem, but resources are now extremely limited. With family and friends gone as well, anything left that is precious to you is literally all that is going for you.

Typical Characters: Usually male characters are present in these type of films as they are more likely to survive these new bound elements. Women may be present, but rarely are they usually the main characters of the film.

Typical Body Language: The characters are usually somewhat vicious as their want to survive in life. This new environment contributes to this type of person as they usually are more focused on surviving and ensuring that they don't fall victim to everyone else's fate.

Typical Dress: Characters usually have worn out, faded clothes. This is usually because their is a very limited amount of supplies, which means whatever is available is available. These clothes would usually be used very often as it may be the only source of clothing.

Genre: Stoner Comedies

Typical Plots: Characters usually face one problem: not enough drugs. Drugs add on to the comedic tone of the movie, as the characters venture on a journey to enjoying life. Life however, is not that enjoyable, as their is always some kind of conflict in the way of it.

Typical Situations: Characters usually face some sort of conflict; usually there is someone that they owe for the drugs or are constantly being harassed by this person. The only way out of this conflict is to literally fight them off while being stoned.

Typical Characters: Characters are usually always acting stupid and inappropriate in many situations. They will usually do whatever seems necessary in ensuring that the audience gets a good laugh. 

Typical Body Language: Character is usually sluggish and wants to just be lazy. This is mainly due to the fact that these drugs affect their senses and the way they act. This adds onto the comedic tone of the film.

Typical Dress: Goofy, sloppy looking characters. They dress like how they literally portray their character like. This adds on to how they will be presumed as, and gives the audience the sense that this person is just a complete idiot.

Blog: Ideology In Film

What is ideology and how can it be implicit vs. explicit?

"Ideology was a term used in political and economic debate to describe a set of beliefs or principles e.g. socialism or capitalism."  This means that ideology is used to describe ones beliefs into a particular subject. This relates to film because film uses these beliefs/principles in media text to communicate to the viewer. Ideology can be implicit because it's  "debatable meanings of a film, possibly beyond the conscious intentions of the filmmaker, that require analysis and a reasoned argument." This means that some films require deeper analysis than what the film maker intended to better understand the film's underlying meaning.

Ideology and Expectations

Actors like Sam Worthington  exemplify this character that has leadership qualities while maintaining this strong, dedicated to justice type of person. This is shown in movies like Avatar, Terminator Salvation, and Clash of the Titans. In all of these movies, Worthington is able to embody all of these qualities. In Avatar, he is able to live two lives; one of a human and one of the Navi. He eventually rises to be the one who leads the Navi to war against the invading humans and brings them to victory. In Terminator Salvation, although he his part of the terminator side, his main intentions are finding out what his true intentions are in his rebirth. He eventually figures out that his main reason for his rebirth was to aid the resistance in fighting against the robots, while ultimately finding Kyle Reese, the key to their victory. He ends up saving John Connor from death by giving him his heart to live. Lastly, in Clash of the Titans, Worthington embodies this warrior who must face all of these obstacles in order to defy the gods. He kills all of these monstrosities while still being able to live, ultimately finding out that his father is a God and that he is to join them. He denies the invitation in order to stay back and defend his fellow people from future threats. All of these movies show how Worthington ideology lies within the heroic type character, one that he has chosen in many movies and has successfully pulled off.  

Personal Ideologies and the Enjoyment of Film

Marshal Mathers, also known as Eminem, is a famous rapper who took on a difficult role in 8 Mile. What I like about Eminem is that he was able to take on this role of a struggling rapper trying to make it out of Detroit. This movie was a basic story of Eminem's upbringing to become a rapper, and how he had to go through all of these obstacles in order to make his name known. What I mainly like is that he was able to seem naturally emotional in this movie and truly act as if it were real life. Curtis Hanson made the movie to simply analyze the main characters struggles in life, and displayed it magnificently by showing how he had to go through all of these struggles and hardships to get his name out there.  This makes the audience not only sympathize for what he is going through, but also get them emotionally attached to the movie. Hanson intentially did this to ensure that the audience not only understand what it's like to go through all these struggles, but to also feel the main character's pain. By doing this, this leaves the audience in admiration for the main character's determination to reach success, which was Hanson's overall success in the end.

Changing Ideologies

Simple, as time passes, so does our beliefs in a certain thing. When a film is created in a specific time period, it embodies everything around it, such as certain trends, styles, etc. Every decade or so, movies begin to ultimately change. In this era of film, it mainly focuses on special effects and entering the "unknown", rather than simply focusing on the story of a film as once done back in the 1900's. This is mainly due to our growing in new technologies, which help enhance the overall image of a story and make it seem even more realistic.

Ideology and the "Effects" Debate

In this era of film, many films do affect the way I am as a person. With all of these new movies that display such things that we would never see in real life simply amaze me. Transformers, for example, was one of those movies that simply amazed me. Vehicles transforming in giant robots, buildings being destroyed, advanced weaponry and tanks used in combat, all of these things that never are seen in real life are shown in this movie, and makes my imagination just run wild. This film doesn't really affect my behavior, as do others, simply because I understand that things like this may not ever happen, and that a movie is just a movie used to entertain people.

Ideology and Realism

"Some of the ideological assumptions which we make about film are related to whether we believe that the fictional world of a film is real." This is what is know as suspension of disbelief. What this means is that we do not judge whether some is real or not in films, rather we just enjoy it. In movies like Predator, although we know that this film displays things would never happen in the real world, we the audience just simply enjoy it and look at it in awe. This movie shows an alien that entered Earth and kills human. Although we the audience know that things like this may not happen, we admire how the idea of fighting against aliens may look like.

Ideology & ownership

Finances do affect the ideology of a film. A director may have an idea of how a movie may look like, but finances needed to produce a movie like that may restrict it's overall idea. Not only that, it may not come out as intended and sufficiently display it's overall message. When a movie is published in movie theaters, the overall income and satisfaction of the viewer determine whether the movie is a success or not.

Blog- Writing About Film

What are the 5 kinds of film writing described in the article and what are the key details of each.

The first kind of film writing is Formal Analysis. This requires that the viewer breaks the film down into its component parts and discusses how those parts contribute to the whole. This means that each part of a film is broken down into smaller components in order to better understand each component better. By doing this, you not only acquire a better understanding of each component, but you being to understand the overall idea of what the film is conveying. The second kind of film writing is Film History. This concept refers to how films reflect history, influence it, and have it. It also reflects the values and ideas of the culture that produce it.  War films, for example, greatly reflect what film history is. Pearl Harbor is a good example of what film history is, as this movie portrays what events took place during this time period. This movie reflects history as it depicts what actually happened in the best way possible. Ideological Papers is the third kind of film writing. This refers to how a movie promotes certain values to manipulate our feelings about a set of values. This means that a movie attempts to make the audience feel a certain way to what the movie is trying to show. This may make the audience feel more patriotic for their country, as shown in the movie Independence Day. The fourth term is Cultural Studies/National Cinemas. This refers to how films reflect the cultures and nations in which they are produced. For example, other countries produce films that may seem different to us; a french person may find a french comedy to be funny, while we see it as normal. The last term of film writing is the Discussion of the Auteur. This refers to a film as the product of a single person and his vision. In many cases, that person may be the director. This refers to how we see a certain film to be a "well known" film. This is widely practiced as it helps us understand the common themes and aesthetic decisions in films by the same direct

What does "Annotating a Film Sequence" involve and what are it's benefits?

This refers to how one takes a particular shot and takes notes on it, which may also be know as to annotate a shot sequence or scene. To annotate a scene is to label each shot in a sequence. For example, when you see a film, there are various shot techniques used to make the film more interesting. One may look at these different shots and annotate them as a better way to learn of what the shot as created and what it has captured.  This makes us understand how the director crafted his/her film and why the film has a certain effect on the audience.

What does the author imply when she says to "Think Beyond the Frame?"

To think beyond a frame is to think about the what the background of it is. This includes questions such as who made the film, what is the production history of the film, etc. By doing this, you not only get a better understanding of the film, but you also see the directors intent in his film as a whole. Also, when you think beyond the frame, you also get a better understanding as  to what deeper meaning a frame has rather than what it merely shows.