Beginning to Write About Film

Emergence and Impact: Photojournalism gained prominence during the American Civil War (1861-65). Photographs depicting the brutal realities and aftermaths of battles, which resulted in an estimated loss of 620,000 to 750,000 lives, profoundly altered public perception of warfare.
Jacob Riis and Social Reform: Jacob Riis documented the harsh living conditions in New York City's tenements. His work was initially presented in churches and later published in his influential book, How the Other Half Lives: Studies among the Tenements of New York (1890).
- Key Images: Examples include Death Gallery (1866) by Tim O’Sullivan, and Riis's own Tenement (1890) and Street Children (1890).
- Consequences: Riis's photographs spurred significant social reforms, most notably the New York Tenement House Act of 1901. This act introduced new building codes requiring proper ventilation, limitations on occupancy, access to natural light, and enhanced fire safety standards.

Understanding Production Roles: The lecture examined Spike Jonze’s body of work to illustrate the distinct roles and functions within a production team.
Spike Jonze's Works Discussed:
- Welcome Home – Apple HomePod (2018).
- Kenzo World (2016), which prompted a question about recognizing the featured dancer.
- The Fatboy Slim music video Weapon of Choice (2001).
Aesthetic Consistency and Signature Style: Discussion centered on the consistency of Jonze’s aesthetic choices across these diverse works, noting his signature style makes his videos instantly recognizable.
Comparison to Wes Anderson: Jonze’s work was compared to that of Wes Anderson, specifically referencing the H&M “Come Together” advertisement, to discern what makes each director’s aesthetic distinct.
Resource for Emulation: For those interested in replicating Anderson's visual style, How to Take Accidentally Wes Anderson Photos was suggested as a resource.
Extra Credit Opportunity: Students could earn three (3) extra points on a quiz by providing a definition of “planimetric staging.”

Three Primary Approaches to Filmmaking:
- Narrative: This mode focuses on telling stories structured around characters, conflicts, and resolutions. Its primary goal is to immerse audiences in fictional or dramatized worlds.
- Documentary: These are non-fiction films that aim to record, interpret, or comment on reality. Documentaries often employ techniques such as interviews, archival material, and observational footage to present factual information or persuasive arguments.
- Experimental: This approach challenges conventional storytelling and traditional film forms. Experimental films utilize abstraction, visual innovation, and unconventional sound or editing techniques to explore film as a unique artistic medium. Maya Deren’s Meshes of the Afternoon (1943) was presented as a significant example of experimental filmmaking.

Implied Contract: Filmmakers operate under an implicit contract with their audience, meaning there are unspoken agreements about what viewers anticipate from a film.
Factors Shaping Expectations: Audience expectations are influenced by several elements:
- Genre conventions: Established tropes and stylistic elements associated with particular genres.
- Casting: The actors chosen for roles often set expectations for character portrayal and film tone.
- Director’s previous work: A director’s established style and themes from past films can influence audience anticipation.
- Historical and societal context: The prevalent cultural and historical environment can shape how audiences interpret and expect films.
- Shared cultural values: Common beliefs and values within a society can inform audience's reception of cinematic narratives.

Meaning in Subtext: A significant portion of meaning in film often resides in subtext, which refers to the underlying intentions, emotions, or themes that are not explicitly stated through action or dialogue.
Case Study: Vicky and Sam: The short film Vicky and Sam (2010) was screened, with particular focus on its diner scene, to demonstrate how subtext operates.
Indicators of Subtext: Subtext can be conveyed through various creative choices:
- Dialogue: The unsaid meanings or implications within character conversations.
- Framing choices: As illustrated by the psychiatrist scene in the pilot of Mr. Robot (specifically at 5:34), camera framing can reveal significant unspoken dynamics.
Discussion Point: The lecture prompted a discussion on how creative choices, such as editing and framing (including the use of close-ups), reveal subtext. For instance, what unspoken dynamics are present between the blonde woman and her co-writer in the leather jacket in the example provided?

Subtext through References: Intertextual references—where one work alludes to another—can deeply enrich subtextual meaning.
Van Gogh and Da Vinci: The lecture explored Vincent van Gogh’s Terrace at Night (1888) and its potential reference to Leonardo da Vinci’s Last Supper (1495).
Van Gogh's Context and Evolution: In a letter to his brother Theo (Letter #543, September 1888), written in the same year as Terrace at Night, Van Gogh expressed a “terrible need to express— shall I say the word, “belief”—then I go out at night to paint the stars.”
- Personal Crisis: On December 23, 1888, Van Gogh experienced a mental breakdown, leading to him cutting off his left ear during an argument with Gauguin. He was subsequently committed to a psychiatric hospital.
- The Starry Night: The following summer, he painted one of his most iconic works, The Starry Night (1889).
Discussion on Starry Night and Terrace at Night: The discussion encouraged observation of how Starry Night references Terrace at Night, but critically noted the significant changes in Van Gogh’s brushwork. The sky in Starry Night becomes animated, subjects more abstract, use of color more expressionistic, and perspective and depth are transformed. These artistic shifts prompt questions about what personal or psychological shifts were