COM 553 Lecture Notes

Citizen Kane

• Citizen Kane is known for its innovative storytelling and visual techniques, significantly impacting filmmakers.
• It explores themes of ambition, isolation, and the role of media, which are still relevant today.
• The film's editing and cinematography serve as creative models for filmmakers.

About Orson Welles

• Orson Welles made his directorial debut with Citizen Kane at 25, revolutionizing filmmaking.
• He pushed boundaries in storytelling, cinematography, and editing.
• Welles co-wrote, directed, and starred in Citizen Kane showcasing his versatility.
• His technical skill, emotional depth, and philosophical insights solidified his legacy.

Narrative and Story Cool Things

• Non-linear storytelling: The film uses flashbacks and multiple perspectives.
• Multiple perspectives: Each character's interpretation of Kane's life reveals subjective truths.
• Rosebud: Symbolizes lost innocence and unfulfilled desires.
• Symbolism and themes: Critiques ambition, power, corruption, and the American Dream and the emptiness of material success.

Why Filmmakers Love Citizen Kane

• Admired for groundbreaking cinematic techniques like deep focus and long takes.
• Non-linear narrative structure and complex character development.
• Critical commentary on power, media, and the American Dream.
• Welles' risk-taking inspires filmmakers to push boundaries.

Apocalypse Now

About Francis Ford Coppola

• Francis Ford Coppola (FCC) directed Apocalypse Now (1979).
• He is a major figure of the American New Wave.
• Coppola's previous award-winning works include The Godfather series and The Conversation.

About Found-Footage

• Found-footage films present the story as discovered film recordings which gives a sense of realism.
• This format gained recognition with films like The Blair Witch Project.

Why Found-Footage is Popular Among Filmmakers

• Authenticity: Creates an immersive experience, mimicking real-life events.
• Cost-Effective: Uses low-budget equipment and settings.
• Creative Freedom: Actors engage in improvisation.

7 Things to Look For in Apocalypse Now

1. Cinematography: Vittorio Storaro captures the surreal nature of the Vietnam War.
2. Editing: Blends various scenes, enhancing the film's dreamlike structure.
3. Character Development: Captain Willard’s transformation during the journey.
4. Music: Integration of rock music from artists like The Doors and Hendrix.
5. Symbolism of Kurtz: Represents the moral ambiguity of war.
6. Cultural References: Biblical and philosophical references on themes of madness and darkness.
7. The Ending: Reflects on violence and morality.

3 Levels of Metaphoric Meaning

1. Personal Journey: Willard confronting his own darkness.
2. War Commentary: Critique of American involvement in Vietnam, illustrating psychological effects of war.
3. Societal Reflection: Reflects societal issues, including loss of innocence and complexities of morality.

Sound Is A Big Deal

• Sound plays a crucial role in Apocalypse Now.
• Walter Murch revolutionized sound design via layered auditory experiences.
• Dolby Stereo surround sound was significant for immersive experience.

The Blair Witch Project

Innovative Marketing

• The Blair Witch Project used the internet for marketing, creating anticipation before release.
• An interactive website mimicked investigative news sites.
• Word-of-mouth marketing leveraged audience curiosity and skepticism.

Purpose of Film Festivals

• Film festivals promote new films and filmmakers and provide a platform for independent cinema.
• They celebrate cinematic achievements and foster networking opportunities.

Activities at Film Festivals

• Screenings of films for industry professionals, critics, and moviegoers.
• Q&A sessions with filmmakers and actors.
• Workshops, panels, and networking events.

Gangster Genre

• The gangster genre gained traction in the early 1930s.

Notable Films

1. Little Caesar (1931)
2. The Public Enemy (1931)
3. Scarface (1932)

Common Elements

• Protagonists rise from nothing to criminal world.
• Ambition, power, violence, and downfall themes.
• Based on real-life mobsters.
• Reflected fears of crime, Prohibition, and the American Dream gone wrong.
• Anti-heroes can be charismatic.

Origin

• Genres emerge from trends, audience interest, and repetition of successful themes.
• The gangster genre emerged as a response to societal changes and fascination with crime.

Goodfellas

Conventions of the Gangster Film Genre

1. Anti-Hero Protagonists: Characters operate outside the law.
2. Violence and Crime: Depicts graphic violence and criminal activities.
3. Ethnicity: Focus on characters from immigrant backgrounds.
4. Moral Ambivalence: Blurring good and evil.
5. Love Interests: Romantic subplots integrated with crime narrative.
6. Gangster Hierarchy: Representation of organized crime structures.
7. Urban Settings: Emphasizing gritty environments.
8. Femme Fatales: Strong female characters who challenge or assist gangsters.
9. Betrayal: Frequent occurrences of treachery.
10. Law Enforcement Conflicts: Tension between gangsters and law enforcement.
11. Tragic Endings: Downfall or death of characters involved in crime.

The Censorship Backlash

• Government and religious groups feared gangster films were glorifying crime.
• Young audiences idolized gangsters.
• There was a demand for morality in storytelling.

Hays Code or Production Code (1934)

• Crime must never be portrayed as successful.
• Criminals must always be punished for wrongdoing.
• No excessive violence, sex, or immorality; mandate moral lessons.
• Law and order had to win in the end.

Booksmart and the Coming-Of-Age Genre

Conventions of the Coming-Of-Age Film Genre

1. Teen Protagonist: Young adult facing transition or personal growth.
2. Loss of Innocence: Significant event marking the end of childhood.
3. Identity Exploration: Character’s search for self.
4. Conflict with Authority: Tension with parents, teachers, or societal expectations.
5. Peer Relationships: Friendships, first love, or social struggles.
6. Life Lessons: Emotional maturity or a new understanding of the world.
7. Emotional Realism: Focus on internal growth rather than external spectacle.

Into the Spider-Verse

Filmmaking Ideas Incorporated into Animated Style

1. Alternative Techniques: Turning off something like motion blur.
2. Animating on the 2s: Used only 12 FPS.
3. Hand-Drawn: Incorporating imperfections.
4. Older Printing Techniques: Used lines, hatching, and Ben-Day dots.
5. Cartoon Word Bubbles: Animated word bubbles with exclamation marks.
6. Multiple Panels in Storytelling: Emphasizing comic genre's storytelling traits.
7. Smashing Moving Images with Still Images: Vibrant 2D stills with flat colored backgrounds.
8. Changing Focus & Color Techniques: Misaligned color layers.
9. Creating Unique Environments: Each of New York City's boroughs is drawn differently.
10. Distinct Spider Heroes: Each hero look different to represent their unique Earths.
11. Film's Final Battle: Artistic inspiration from Abstract Cubism and Psychedelic Surrealism.
12. Freed from the Laws of Physics: Filmmakers could distort reality and manipulate the animation style.

Why Use These Techniques?

1. Capture the Look and Feel of Comic Books: Replicate the aesthetic and visual language of comic books.
2. Embrace Imperfections: Highlight the uniqueness and charm of comic art.
3. Reflecting Miles Morales' Journey: Mirror Miles' experience as a character.
4. Creating a Unique Visual Identity: Blend various artistic styles.
5. Enhance Emotional Engagement: Create an immersive experience.
6. Highlighting Different Realities: Give distinct visual cues emphasizing the differences between various realities.

Filmmaking

4 stages of Filmmaking?

• Pre-Production: Planning and organizing all elements.
• Principal Photography: Actual shooting of the film.
• Post-Production: Editing and finalizing the film.
• Distribution: Connecting the film with audiences.

Key Tasks:

• Casting
• Creating storyboards
• Scouting locations
• Developing shot lists
• Engaging production designer.

Details:

• Director's Role: Oversee artistic and technical aspects.
• Duration: Varies from 30 to 120 days.
• Filming methods: On sound stages, back lots, or on location.
• Need for coverage and attention to special effects.

Important Elements:

• Director's Tasks Include: Overseeing digital effects, editing footage, and sound design.
• Important Elements: Diegetic and non-diegetic sounds and sound integration with visuals.

Key Aspects:

• Distribution companies play a vital role in getting films seen.
• Marketing: Creating extensive marketing campaigns.
• Sales: Securing foreign and ancillary sales.

Filmmaking Roles and Responsibilities

Producer:

• Find Story: Scout compelling stories.
• Hiring Key Crew: Assemble the core crew before casting actors.
• Raise Money: Secure funding from investors.
• Stay on Schedule: Develop and maintain a shooting schedule.
• Balance Cost and Profit: Manage budgets and financial viability.
• Manage Legal Aspects: Negotiate contracts, handle tax issues, and ensure compliance with laws.
• Handle Egos: Navigate complex personalities.
• Find Distribution Companies: Identify suitable distributors.

Executive Producer:

• Creative/CEO Role: Oversees the creative direction.
• Financier Role: Provides financial support.

Director:

• Oversee Artistic Aspects: Direct actors and oversee cinematography.
• Technical Management: Manage various technical aspects.
• Collaborate with Crew: Work with editors, cinematographers, and artists.

Production Designer:

• Physical and Visual Appearance: Responsible for the mise-en-scène and overall visual look.
• Collaborate with Other Artists: Work with costume designers, makeup artists, and property masters.

Cinematographer:

• Capture the Film's Visuals: Responsible for camera work.
• Lighting Setups: Determine lighting strategies.

Editor:

• Edit the Footage: Assemble and arrange the filmed material into a coherent narrative.
• Sound Integration: Layer sound into the edit.

Practical Effects:

• Create Physical Effects: Responsible for creating physical visual effects on set, such as explosions, prosthetics, and animatronics.
• Hands-On Implementation: Work closely with the director and crew to time and integrate effects with filmed sequences.

Special Effects:

• Digital Effects Creation: Focus on creating visual effects using CGI and computer-generated imagery in post-production.
• Editing Coordination: Work alongside editors to ensure effects blend seamlessly with actual footage.

Film Shots and Locations

Shots

• Establishing Shots: Wide shots that set the scene and context.
• Opening Exposition: Initial scenes that provide background information.
• Reaction Shots: Capture a character's emotional response.
• Reference Shots: Visually relate to something shown earlier.
• Insert Shots (aka Cut Away): Interrupt main action to focus on a detail.
• Conversational Sequence (2 shot + Shot-Reverse-Shot): Alternating shots of characters in conversation.
• Parallel Editing Patterns: Alternates between two or more narratives.
• Montages: Condense time or summarize events, often set to music.

Where are films shot today?

• Films today are shot in various locations worldwide.
• Small movies often utilize cheaper locations such as houses, back yards, and rented buildings.
• Film-friendly states include LA, Ohio, Oregon, North Carolina, and Michigan.
• Big productions frequently choose popular metropolitan locations.
• Most films are produced in studios that replicate Hollywood's back lots and available for rent with sufficient funds.

Notable Studios:

• Pinewood Studios (20 miles from London).
• Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden.
• New Rent-a-Studios in the USA, like Pinewood Atlanta.

Editing Patterns and Auteur Theory

Editing Patterns

1. Color Palette
2. Wardrobe/Dress Style
3. Symmetrical Framing
4. Geometric Movement
5. First-Person Overhead Shots
6. Long Tracking Shots
7. Montage Techniques
8. Slow Motion

Auteur Theory

• Auteur Theory views the director as the main creative force behind a movie.
• Directors express their unique style and vision through their films.

Wes Anderson

Introduction

• Wes Anderson is acclaimed for his distinctive directorial style.
• His films often reflect a whimsical yet contemplative approach.
• Collaboration within his films fosters a sense of fun and playfulness.
• Character attire, such as red tracksuits, is a consistent element.
  *Wes Anderson wields significant control over films as an auteur.

Themes of Wes Anderson’s films:

1. Calm and desaturated color palette across all films.
2. Characters wear cool outfits that appeal to children but not necessarily adults.
3. Distinct wardrobe choices that often remain consistent throughout the film.
4. Common accessories include hats, facial marks, and quirky items.
5. Shots are symmetrically framed and balanced.
6. Use of geometric compositions in scenes.
7. Frequent use of overhead shots, often from a main character's perspective.
8. Revelatory long tracking shots that introduce new settings or elements gradually.
9. Montage sequences are prevalent, often used for character introductions or to summarize situations rather than show growth.
10. Utilized to emphasize emotional moments instead of action sequences.
11. Absence of traditional scores; instead, music is cheerful and nostalgic, often from the '60s.
12. Characters are often underdogs, quirky and complex, not fitting into societal norms.
13. Recurring themes of childhood nostalgia and innocent love.
14. Highly detailed and stylized art direction in all films.
15. Non-linear storytelling that unfolds in a unique manner.
16. A distinctive dry humor, often featuring social critique through absurd situations.

Themes and motifs

• Films conclude on an upbeat note.
• Emphasis on friendships and chosen families over traditional biological connections.

Worldview

• Wes Anderson's films convey a whimsical yet introspective worldview.