Ghostbusters Response

Bad Bad Acting: In the commercial for Ghostbusters, the three Ghostbusters have ridiculously bad acting. The actors exaggerate the lack of acting skills of the zany scientists, making them seem completely unable to do a good commercial. One can only assume that the writers drew their inspiration from real life, as local TV is rife with these examples of horrible acting. From small car dealerships, to local hardware stores, these overly staged commercials are ever present.

Adorable Abomination: Gozer as the Stay-Puft guy is a great example of this trope, which is an example of a visual joke. The idea of the most evil threat to humanity be a giant puffy man is pure comedy. One example that I can think of is Spongebob's DoodleBob, a hand drawn Spongebob who wreaks havoc on Bikini Bottom. He is cute and looks innocent, but he can cause extreme damage. One other example could be the bunny from the animated film Hoodwinked, who turns out to be the mastermind behind everything bad going on.

Funny Background Event: As described by TVTropes, the prisoners passing by get increasingly interested in Egon's description of Gozer and Zuul. This is observable in well-known non-comedies like Star Wars and Lord of the Rings, and gag-filled films like Airplane and Men in Black. A possible source for this could be Hitchcock's North by Northwest, which was created in 1959.

Erotic Dream: There's no need to go into detail on this one, other than Ray is enjoying himself with a ghost girl. This will be my "hidden grown-up gag": Because of the way the scene is shot, this joke will fly right over children's heads. They could simply imagine that Ray is seeing a peaceful ghost, yet the parents in the audience know that something a little dirtier is occurring. As for the Erotic Dream trope as a whole, Fast Times at Ridgemont High has an excellent example (Brad imagines his sister's hot friend). As for origin, The Bitter Tea of General Yen has an erotic dream, and it is from 1933.

When talking to the Mayor, the Ghostbusters interject a funny bit of comedy-
Ray: Everything was fine with our system until the power grid was shut off by Dickless here. 
Peck: They caused an explosion! 
Mayor: Is this true? 
Venkman: Yes, it's true. This man has no dick.

This little dialogue is simple wordplay, so it can't really be traced anywhere. It is representative of the creativity of film writers, and it shows the range of ways they can make a scene funny. While this relies on language, other scenes employ irony or visual gags.

Jurassic Park Response

The technique that immediately comes to mind is the close-up on the victim's face, as they realize the power of the massive animal they will face. For Jaws, this shot is perfectly portrayed in this clip from 2:00-2:04. IN Jurassic Park, this can be observed when the children realize that a T-Rex is after them. This suspense-building technique accomplishes 2 things: it leaves the audience in suspense as they can't see the beast, and it allows the audience to sympathize with the victim through pathos. By showing them wide-eyed in a close-up, Spielberg effectively portrays them as weak and scared. They tremble and are nothing compared to the animal, yet the viewer cannot yet see this terrible creature. The character of 'Cautious Expert' is established by Hooper in Jaws, and is repeated through Alan Grant in Jurassic Park. 

Jurassic Park conveys the fear of rapid development in technological and genetic fields at the time. The 90s is summarized by the .com boom, in which companies expanded and assaulted the public eye with almost-magical technologies. At the same time, people clashed over the role of human involvement in reproduction. 20 years after Roe v. Wade, abortion was still a very heated debate. To add to this, advancements in science and technology allowed modification of genetics to an unimaginable degree. Only a year later, genetically-modified food was introduced to the public. Jurassic Park presents the reality of technology going wrong. Ironically, it was human selfishness that caused the chaos of the film– both the selfishness of Hammond in creating the park, and the selfishness of the embryo thief.

Star Wars Response

Thematic elements of a space opera are: a sympathetic/relatable character (Luke Skywalker), elements of romance, elements of mysticism and mythology (the Force), elements of heroism (Skywalker blowing up the Death Star), an emphasis on drama (or even melodrama), plot elements of war and battle (Sith vs. Jedi), and an optimistic outlook and/or happy ending (Death Star destroyed).

Monomyth: a typical format in which a hero goes on an adventure, fights and wins in a crisis, and returns home to find they have changed. This image shows the stages:

I think Luke's journey is the "monomyth" of the film, as he leaves his home planet, battles for the rebels and Jedi, destroys the Death Star, and returns home very different.

The Force and technology use different means to accomplish a similar goal: control over the galaxy. The technology is highly advanced for the time, and it surpasses anything people in 1977 had seen. It is left unexplained, but people can infer that the development of technology over time could lead to these inventions. The Force differs from technology in essence- it taps into religious belief, and the power of faith, in order to be used. This is reminiscent of worldwide religious belief, in which religions demand that their followers believe without proof. It is heavily stated, through both point of view and dialogue, that the Force is the "right" choice. People who use technology are often evil, with the prime example being the Stormtroopers. People in the US were dealing with the rapid rise of technology, and at the same time, a New Conservatism which revived religious America. The two forces are represented by the Force and technology in the film.

Media Review 34: Naruto Season 1

Naruto is a Japanese anime, based on a manga which was released periodically, about young ninjas who are learning the ninja way of life. They participate in intense battles and are often pawns of greater political struggles. Netflix just ruined my productivity by adding 3 seasons. The first season is the only one I had seen before, so it was nostalgic rewatching the epic story again. Though I'm ambivalent about the animation style, I really enjoy how an emphasis is placed on striking images, and the endless range of effects which can be created. One thing hugely hinders the viewing experience, and that is the pacing. This show never hesitates to give 10 minutes of backstory. It's great, creating a huge Naruto world, but it can ruin intense situations. The show pauses right in the middle of battle to explain old rivalries. Anyway, its interesting character relationships and intense fight scenes make this show a treat to watch.

Media Review 33: Reebok Insta Pump Fury

Reebok has been really stepping up their shoe game (catch that pun?), and I really love this design. From heel to toe, it exudes futuristic style with some 'techwear' themes. The heel and toe separation makes for a unique sillhouette, and I can't help loving it due to my newfound love for Naruto's fashion. These seriously look like modern ninja shoes. As for the main upper, it is a singular pump unit, which can be inflated to fit the wearer perfectly. This high tech design is something I can really admire.

Media Review 32: Terminator 2

This film combines different elements: Fast-paced action, family issues, and an emphasis on teenage individuality. These elements have been seen before: Family issues in ET, fast-paced action in Star Wars, and teenage individuality in Back to the Future. Terminator presents a much darker vision, however, making all of these elements much less family friendly. This violent film makes the earlier films (all with serious content) look like kids movies. In terms of characters, this film relies heavily on modern archetypes (and some stereotypes) like the Badass Biker, the Dirty Cop, and the Teen Rebel. I think these fairly static characters make room for the intense plot. Overall, this film is an excellently crafted sci-fi with some great special effects.

Back To The Future Responses

1. What was the "New New Hollywood?" 

A generation of filmmakers who graduated from USC, and grew up with TV.

1. Which filmmaker came up with the concept for Back To The Future (1985) by visiting his parents' house?

Bob Gale

1. What does "turnaround" mean for a screenplay being considered for production?

Selling the film to another studio for the cost of development up to that point.

1. What was the production cost of Back To The Future (1985), and how much did it make in the first week? Was this a good or bad sign for the production and distribution companies?

It cost 19 million to produce, and made 18.48 million in 7 days. This was considered an ok sign, as a film was supposed to make back its cost of production in the 1st week.

1. What techniques did film production and distribution companies being to employ in the 80s to ensure a "blockbuster?" What were blockbusters expected to achieve in their opening weeks? What was the technique called that intended to accomplish this?

Companies launched huge advertising campaigns, making sure everyone knew about the film, and about who was behind it. Also, filmmakers included popular culture in films (like Power of Love in Back To The Future) to ensure success and notoriety. Blockbusters were supposed to make back production costs in the first week. The technique used was called front-loading.

1. Who chased Marty McFly around the parking lot before his time jump, and what did this character represent in the film? What is the trope, and how does it relate to the time this film was created? 

Libyan terrorists chased Marty around, trying to kill him. This is the "Anti-Anerican Enemy" trope, and it represents the xenophobia of the U.S. at the time, under Ronald Reagan.

1. What is the significance of the new/first television set in the dining room in 1955? Why do you think Zemeckis and Gale wrote that scene into the script?

That generation was the first to grow up with TV, and it was also the generation of the New New Hollywood filmmakers who created Back to the Future and Star Wars. I think the filmmakers wanted to reveal the heavy influence television had on their lives, and their choices in film.

1. What changed among major Hollywood studios in the 1970s that brought about the need for a new production and funding model? What was that new model? In your own words, explain in detail.

First, studios shifted towards creating single films, rather than multi-part productions. Also, many of the entertainment companies were then owned by large corporations without entertainment experience- and they demanded profit. This meant that films could not occasionally flop and make less than they costed. This caused a shift towards tried-and-true methods of making big money. The new model focused on high production value and spectacular events, and generating enough hype to sell enough tickets before the flaws in the film were discovered.

1. What company created the visual effects shots for Back To The Future (1985)?

Industrial Light & Magic

1. How was auteurism created and maintained in the "New New Hollywood," and why was it important to the filmmakers?

Auteurism was truly established by Spielberg in his efforts at his new company named Amblin. This company had its hand in a huge number of films, imprinting them with signature of their directors. In addition, studios began to include the names of the filmmakers in all of the advertising and branding of films.

The End (An Elijah DeVries Film)

Indiana Jones Tropes

1. The helpless assistant: Jones helps his assistant over and over again, saving him easily from death
2. Ally turned Enemy: Despite Jones helping him over and over, he abandons Jones and acts selfishly in Jones' time of need
3. Evil Nazis!: The Nazis can always be blamed as the antagonists.
4. Fear of Snakes: Indiana is scared of snakes like everyone else, even though he is super heroic
5. Evil Monkey: The monkey who secretly plots with the pirate
6. Car flies off cliff: Ever present 
7. Muscular guy fight:
8. Car chase: An epic car chase is a staple in any action movie
9. Bad guy: "We're not so different"
10. Super Villain: The Nazi boss emulates all evil - repeated with Darth Sidius or Darth Vader in Star Wars much later, and the Nazis resemble the evil Stormtroopers
11. Distressed Princess: Marion needs rescuing by Indy, despite her skill most of the time
12. Nazi Screaming: The Nazi boss screams like a girl before his death
13. Rival: Belloq is a rival of Jones despite his similarities
14. Poison Darts: Natives shooting darts at Jones as he runs to the airplane
15. Idol: A precious idol, that has meaning to natives of a country, is stolen by foreigners

Media Review 31: Mr. Nobody

This movie popped up on Netflix a couple months ago and I decided to watch it, but we're watching it in Psychology now. This movie is about the last mortal on Earth, and it progresses through his life story as he recounts it. However, he can't remember any of the choices he made. Instead, he recounts all of his possible lives- unsure of which neighborhood girl he married, or whether he crashed his motorcycle. The film has high production value, yet it lacks cohesion and real substance. Each "life" changes visual style, and they do not fit well together. Also, the film relies heavily on music instead of sound design. It's like a compilation of montages, but the idea is still interesting. 6/10

Media Review 30: Nike Socfly Triple Black

Nike is continuing their current thin sole runner trend with the Socfly, yet this show seems unique as it is geared toward the casual market. Though Nike's Roshe Run was also a casual only shoe, it did not resemble Nike's other runners (like the Free Flyknit 3.0). This shoe seems to be a casual re-envisioning of the free Flyknit 3.0, replacing the laces with a strap and a slightly thicker sole. This shoe has an incredible, futuristic design, yet the color scheme keeps it simple and refined. They will probably be my summer shoe pickup.

Media Review 29: Fight Club

Fight Club is a well known movie from the late 90s, and two actors, Edward Norton and Brad Pitt, star as the mayhem-causing duo. This movie is excellently crafted in a cinematic sense- it uses color casts and interesting camera movement to convey the intensity of the film. Especially interesting were the settings used- the film was shot almost entirely at night and covered grungy, urban landscapes. These accurately conveyed the intense decay of Tyler Durden's mind. 

Another interesting tidbit: Marla seems to be the only female in the entire film. The testosterone is definitely showing through.

ET Analysis

• Describe the frog dissection class scene, and what is inter-cut with it. What does the teacher ask the students to look at to "observe the similarities," and what two things would the students be comparing? What does this tell us about what is being inter-cut? What is the metaphor here?

The students are shown in a lab, preparing for a dissection. The lesson and teaching is very dry, and the kids are disinterested. The teacher compares the frog hearts to human hearts, stating that they will still be beating during dissection. Meanwhile, the scene is intercut with ET watching a classic American romance film, and responding emotionally. I think that the intention is to show that despite the differences in species, ET, the frogs, and humans are all similar. We share similar emotions, and deserve to be treated fairly and equally.

• What allusions exist in E.T. that cause critics to believe that the film is a religious story? This is a common critique. Discuss at least five things (at least two of which are visuals, and two are plot points) in paragraph form, research, and post an article on this topic.

Et very blatantly references religion through imagery and plot. ET embodies a "holy spirit" or savior figure, clearly observable in 3 plot points: His mixed relationship with those on Earth (captivating to the young and threatening to the old), his resurrection after death, and the miracles and mysterious power he possesses. ET is comparable to Jesus; he arrives mysteriously and immediately captures the attention of the people. In this case, children play the role of the common people, while the adults could be the Romans. The adults are immediately threatened when they discover ET, and they disapprove of his influence over children. Visually, the film references aspects of religion very clearly. Two images which immediately come to mind are ET's glowing fingertip (conveying his hidden power) and the glowing lights as the children look upwards toward heaven.

• What allusions exist in E.T. that cause critics to consider this film a critique of America's comfort or discomfort with immigration? Discuss three things in paragraph form.
• An important quote: Scientist: "So Elliott thinks its thoughts?" Michael: "No, Elliott feels his feelings." Why is this quote important, and how does it relate to the contrast between how the children receive E.T. and how the adults do? How does it connect to "otherness," issues surrounding immigration, and foreign relations in the 1980s?

Media Review: OSA Vocal's Caravan

First of all, I want to acknowledge the incredible talent and amount of work put into this show. Hella good performers! I think my favorite performance came from Barbara, a freshman with an amazing voice who stunned the crowd with a Nigerian song. She received a well deserved standing ovation.

The only issues I had with the show were not vocal-related. First, it seemed like the microphones were very unbalanced for the first half, and it took away from the performance. Second, the show had an odd relationship with race. It was amazing to share and perform songs from around the world, but it seemed like the singers were casted because of their physical appearance. Also, during Barbara's Nigerian melody, images of stained glass church windows were used, seemingly celebrating colonialism.

Lastly, Jada Banks-Mace closed out the show with an incredible performance of Into the Moon. In 8th grade, her performance at the vocal show convinced me to stay at OSA rather than leave for Oakland Tech. Tonight she reminded me why I stuck around so long.

Media Review 27: Christopher Ræburn SS15 Video

This film is something straight out of Ingemar's portfolio. The opening sequence of planes parked in the desert, combined with the music, sets up something epic. I think this video is excellent because it shows a concept that would sound ridiculous any other way. Explaining that the clothes are inspired by industrial plane covers would sound like art school bullshit, but shown, it is amazing. The sequence of the clothes forming together is A+. All video parts aside, the clothes are awesome too. 9/10

Media Review 26: Stone Island Shadow Project SS15 Video

This lookbook video showcases Stone Island's design prowess and experimental construction expressed in Shadow Project. And the model/ ninja fits their ideal perfectly, as this brand caters to athletic people who need a full range of motion, despite the fact many wouldn't dare use their $1000 jackets in any extreme situation. However, the music, colors, and close-ups make this video awesome.

Media Review Week 25: Supreme x Stone Island

Two powerhouse companies come together to create a capsule collection- Supreme, whose pieces are literally worshipped by the streetwear community, and Stone Island, a technical designer company from Italy which found a home in English football culture. This collection is simple, and it definitely borrows from both companies. The jackets are very Stone Island, with many technical details and the compass patch, and Supreme, with the paisley print. I really like the bright pastels on the long sleeves, and the back Supreme logo is very typical of Supreme.

Media Review Week 20: Solid Gray

Solid Gray is a backpack company coming out of the Netherlands, based in an old factory, which uses industrial sheets of plastic to fold into backpacks. Futuristic and crazy, I know. This innovative use of these sheets is a first, and they are extremely hard. Most importantly, they look awesome. Most people would probably identify them as Stormtrooper backpacks, am aesthetic I wouldn't be afraid. I might buy one soon.

Media Review Week 23: Nick Frank

I found my new favorite photographer: Nick Frank. He is a German landscape, architectural, and commercial photographer. I really enjoyed his subway project, which originally drew me to his website. It showcases modern and futuristic looking transit systems, and his excellent framing and lighting make these urban centers shine. Another highlight is his "spaces" project, which details the confined living common in China.

Andrew Coimbra Media Review 24

http://fuckingyoung.es/andrew-coimbra-fallwinter-2015-lookbook/

Really liking this collection. I checked out his runway stuff and his silhouettes and patterns are really awesome. One of my favorite pieces is the high neck blue camo thing. His description for the collection talks about a "Canadian confidence"created by blending military with thug. His style of inside jokes through serious designs is really funny. Seems like a cool guy without a big following.

Branding Final Essay.

1. Create a vision statement and explain your reasons for taking on this project?

I aim to create marketing materials which will promote a personal art show that will happen at the end of this school year, exhibiting art across media in a vision of an aesthetically interesting future. I desperately want to show my art in a form that I have control over, and present my vision as a whole instead of just snippets (like those posted on instagram or other social media sites). I am also attempting to recreate my self “brand” and change perceptions around myself, because it feels like I am not often taken very seriously by my peers outside digital media, probably due to my relaxed/ lazy demeanor. I think demonstrating professional skill as an artist will definitely allow people to see that I and the rest of digital media are working hard.

2. What you will do to elevate the current design by recreating it?

I am creating new art.

3. What choices and design elements are you using to tell a story?

I am using mostly monochromatic and tonal coloring, trying to convey simplicity and calm in my designs. This is accompanied by simple line style/text which highlights the content that does exist on the page.

4. What story are you trying to tell?

I want to present a vision of the adolescents of a futuristic society, and many of my designs try to use technical elements which suggest that the world will become more difficult to live in. That said, this promotional material does not reflect most of that. This promotional material draws on skills I know I already have- intricate linework, careful text placement and minimal styling. I want to present simple material which is intriguing without being ridiculously “loud” or visually annoying.

5. What issues prompted you to make changes to or create this project?

A burning desire to display my art on my own terms, and show the world what I am all about.

6. Why should anyone care about our brand?

Hopefully people will care that I have taken the time to plan and design the gallery and work which will be displayed inside. That said I can’t expect this from people who are not my peers, so I hope people will come for my interesting ~aesthetic~.

Rough Branding Project Update.

Final Nilla Rebranding.

Kanye West Media Review 22

Kanye x Adidas Originals FW15 Collection-

Kanye recently released a huge (50+ piece) collection as a collaboration with Adidas Originals. The show included Kanye's mixed aesthetic suede Yeezy 750, and the Nike Roshe run rip off the Yeezy Boost. Kanye really drew a ton of inspiration from his favorite designers in this and made use of his favorite styles- military wear, sportswear and lots of nudity. Mimicking MMM, Kanye dressed most of the women in nude bodysuits. The men wore mostly oversized silhouettes, hinting at Kanye's own size and experiences (Kanye is 5'8"). I think the styling was excellent, but the pieces could've used more originality and focus. 7/10

Nilla Nostalgia: A Rebranding Project

Nilla's branding was generic and outdated in style. It was heavily laden in drop shadows and macro photos of the wafers, but didn't evoke an aesthetic other than "junk food". I will change the branding to a simpler, vintage looking style which uses less flashy graphics and emphasizes Nilla's colors and market. Nilla wafers have been around since 1967, so for most people, they can bring back memories of childhood and summertime fun, and maybe banana pudding. This simple branding will go perfectly with the simplicity and fun of childhood, while capitalizing on Nilla's signature yellow theme.The rebranding will make Nilla wafers stand out amongst the sea of regular flashy branding, and change the company's appeal to that of a classic American snack. "Simple goodness" is true- and the simplicity of the design goes with the simplicity of the wafer, and childhood.Ultimately, the consumer is buying into the nostalgia of these delicious vanilla snacks, and reminding themselves of their childhood.  

Branding Assignment

A) What makes a successful brand in your opinion? Give at least 3 examples.

 1) The brand must create a "world" and invite the consumer into it. Apple's ultra modern and trendy life in which everyone is beautiful is desired by the consumer.

 2) The brand must present something different, whether it is looks or design.

 3) Just outside or normal reach. The fact that a company is desirable and a little difficult to get to is incentive to save up and purchase it.

B) Talk about a brand that stands out to you and answer the following;

Rick Owens

1. Why do you follow this brand over a competitive brand selling the same product or service?
   
   
   Honestly, no one creates things just like Rick. He has created a world through clothing that he applies to everything he designs and does. There are, however, brands of similar quality and price. For me the choice lies in aesthetics. I will pay an incredible amount of money for something just because it looks cool.

2. Explain how the brands logo and marketing materials speak directly to what the company does? In which ways does it work or not work?
   
   
   Rick Owens is mysterious and hard to learn about, which creates an intrigue for the consumer. The marketing materials are mostly the fashion shows, which convey the ideas of the brand visually. These ideas are radical and different, in fact, Rick Owens' most recent show had men walking in full frontal nudity. It often doesn't work because it scares "normal", non-art people away.

3. Explain how the brands philosophy lines up with your values and beliefs?
   The brand aligns with my belief in creating clothing which is both derivative, original and beautiful. As a fashion designer, the aesthetics of the brand agree with my design sensibilities.

C) Give examples of 3 successful and 3 unsuccessful brands.

Successful: Adidas, Nike, Gusting

Unsuccessful: Circuit City, Blockbuster, Kodak

*Due tonight by midnight on your blog!

Independent Project Update

In the place of the past 2 film projects, I have created a bunch of individual work for my portfolio. I have branched out into 3D work and created a fabric piece (the shawl) and 2 plaster sculptures which I decorated with paint and wire. I also remained true to my design roots, but focused my graphic design on clothing and humans. I also began to eliminate color from my designs and focus on shape. Maybe I'm too trend obsessed, but I'm very reluctant to use colors unless they truly accent a piece. Some of my inspiration has come from strange places, as I attempt to branch into my futurist, tech wear dream. Star Wars, Gyakusou, Blade Runner, and Undercoverism have been huge influences on my latest work. Additionally, the boundary between art and life has begun to blur. I am attempting to define my style as I define my aesthetic, and constantly think about the aesthetics of things I do and things I purchase. Money has been extremely preventative in style, so DIY is the direction I am leaning. Hopefully I can create my clothing and hold my own exhibition by the end of the year, which I have envisioned and planned.

https://docs.google.com/folderview?id=0B6_fQBedYwJKfmFPeW5SUEdlRVNFUlh1bzVTMmFHYWFndUtWY21wY2ZVbWVrdml5RzFSMDQ&usp=docslist_api

Media Review 21

Julius FW15- a collection of dystopian looks that one would expect to see in a mega city. The jackets were the highlight of this collection- and included radical cuts with often used materials. My favorite is the huge white down jacket that is cut like a moto leather jacket. Its massive silhouette provides a contrast to Julius' crazy skinny pants. The footwear blends right into the pants seamlessly, similar to uniform of the future. 8/10

Selma Media Review 15

Selma is a beautiful film about the struggle of Martin Luther King Jr against prejudice and racism, and it focuses mainly on a protest March from Selma, Alabama to Montgomery. Everyone will talk about its beautiful plot and scenes, but I want to talk about its formalistic qualities. The lighting and costume choice were topnotch, really placing the viewer in the scene. Overall it was very warmly lit, despite its cold content. The sound design was amazing, emphasizing every blow and making the fight for rights truly painful for the viewer. The editing was amazing, especially the timing of the church bomb and the protest scenes. And of course, the story itself was intensely moving. 9/10

Prada FW15 Media Review 14

Prada's FW15 collection at London Fashion Week is decent, and glamorous. Slim cut pants and sleek tailoring stay true to the trends from recent years, accented with high-sheen fabrics (lots of silk) and on trend lack-of-color. There is definitely a lot of black here, which has started to be phased out by designers– even Rick Owens' show had tons of color– but still looked amazing. Prada's take on all-black is a step away from the more natural, draped silhouettes of designers like Rick Owens and Julius_7. Prada uses blocky shirts and structured short sleeves, paired with somewhat traditional outerwear and pants. The shoes are truly stunning, large soles on dressy uppers are a Prada standard. Still, I wish Prada would push the bar further with exciting designs. 6/10

The Maltese Falcon Analysis

• Compare German Expressionism to Film Noir. What visual elements carried over? 

The gritty contrast in black and white is used in both German Expressionism and Film Noir, which was caused by technology limitations at the time, but exaggerated as a visual element. Oblique and vertical lines were preferred over horizontal in both German Expressionism and Film Noir.

• From where did the hardboiled-detective narrative formula emerge? 

This narrative emerged from the film The Maltese Falcon with Bogart as Sam Spade.

In the hardboiled-detective genre, how is crime generally scripted, and how are crimes generally solved? 

• Describe the relationship between Sam Spade, the private detective, and the police officers in The Maltese Falcon.

 Sam Spade is casual with the police, and jokes around with them despite the fact they are usually at odds with him. He has the tone of an experienced professional, and devises plans to deceive and evade the police constantly. He is very two-faced, but both parties are aware of the deception which happens.


Examine the role of crime in the storylines described in the reading, and in The Maltese Falcon. What relationship does the actual crime have to the plot? What are the central criminal acts in The Maltese Falcon?

 

In what ways is a hardboiled-detective different from a detective like Sherlock Holmes?

The "Sherlock Holmes" detective identifies the criminal who has committed an act against the social and moral boundaries set at the time. By solving the crime the status quo is reestablished, and the social world is no longer in tension. In the hardboiled detective genre, the chaotic world which the private investigator lives in has to be fixed (from his perspective), as he feels morally obligated to improve the world as he works to survive. However, films often end with the world still in chaos.

Into the Woods Media Review 13

Into the Woods is a film based on the eponymous musical by Stephen Sondheim. It incorporates his masterful songwriting and retelling of the Grimm fairytales into a feature film with a slew of A+ actors. This film is absolutely incredible in terms of plot; it is an epic, teaching morals not often found in children's stories. I think adults will enjoy this movie much more than children, but the excellent effects and beautiful colors will probably keep them entertained. The sound design is spot-on, and as a musical, is fairly conventional. The themes, such as placing blame, feminism and chivalry, competition, and suffering, make this film stand out. It is intended to subtly teach us that our dreams will never be as amazing as they seem, and that blame and suffering are parts of life for everyone. My favorite song is at the ending of the film: As the remaining characters return to their lives they sing, "Be careful what stories you tell–children will listen," criticizing both traditional fables (or moral teachings) and the parents who took their kids to see this film. 8/10 for what it is

German Expressionism & Synaesthesia in FW Murnau's Sunrise

A few very famous examples of German Expressionism in film:

Metropolis- Fritz Lang


The Golem (1920)



Phantom- FW Murnau (!)


Describe in detail the use of synaesthesia and "unheard sounds" in Sunrise.
Sunrise employs synaesthesia as a means to convey sound through visual information. As Szaloky writes, "synaesthesia is a routine 'synergic' confluence of senses", or stated more simply, the translation of one sense into another. Though we may only be perceiving visual information (as that is the only information available), the brain performs a strange task of creating other information. Synaesthesia is referenced quite often, and is is observable in literature: "he was red with anger" evokes thoughts of a physically red person, but also the sounds of anger and the motion of an angry person. In Sunrise, synaesthesia is used in amazingly creative ways.
Visuals of car horns and sharp knocks lead to an imagined sound, yet the couple ignores these sounds due to their self-absorption. The heightened tension and suspense of the audience is again increased as these shots are repeated, and the audience begins to assume something horrible will happen. Combined with suspenseful visuals is suspenseful music, dramatizing the situation farther. In the storm scene, the boats rocking back and forth and strikes of lightning across the foreground cause the audience to imagine an intense and overpowering sound of the storm. The dire movements of the man as he attempts to save his wife allow for an imagined tense dialogue between them.

In the reading, which shots are discussed and what are the various impacts of these shots toward making the silent medium rich with "sound?" Use examples from the text.
Szaloky describes the tension and sound created by the shot of the City Woman standing outside, and the wife inside. The man stands caught between the two women, and one can perceive a physical tension and awkwardness between the characters.
Szaloky also describes a shot of a dog barking along the same diagonal line as the Man walking, suggesting that the dog is barking at him. By seeing the dog bark, we imagine the sound everyone is familiar with.