10/7: Intro to Camera Study/Orson Welles

Thursday 10/7/10
Zamore: FH3

Aim: Understanding the importance of cinematic composition

HW 1.6: Read and summarize the article regarding Citizen Kane.

Daily Spark: define:
Theme:
Motif:
Universality:

Cinematic composition: What do we need to know as viewers?

Breaking down the meaning of different types of camera work.

In groups of 2, read the section assigned you and be ready to teach the class the following:
1. What does the term (or terms) mean?
2. How and why does a director utilize it?
3. Any other significant information or vocabulary
4. What are some examples of films that use it (site scenes--does not have to be from text)

1. Cinematic film p125
2. POV p126-7
3. Objective p127
4. Subjective p128-130
5. Indirect-subjective 130-132
6. Director's interpretive pov 132-133
7. Elements of cinematic composition 133-134
8. Attention on most significant object 134-138
9.Fixed frame movement and zoom p138-139 and 140-141
10. Pan/tilt 139-140
11. Mobile camera p141-143
12. Creating illusion of depth 1-4 p143-145
13. Creating illusion of depth 5-9 p145- 151
14. Specialized cinematic techniques-Handheld camera/camera angles 151-153

10/12-10/14: Intro Camera/Cit Kane

Tuesday, 10/12/10
Zamore: FH3

Aim: Understanding the complexity of camera choices and the message they convey to the viewer

Daily Spark: What was one thing you learned about Citizen Kane or Orson Wells from your reading that you found most interesting?


We will begin with presentations. If there is enough time, we will discuss Orson Wells and begin Citizen Kane.

1. Cinematic film p125
2. POV p126-7
3. Objective p127
4. Subjective p128-130
5. Indirect-subjective 130-132
6. Director's interpretive pov 132-133
7. Elements of cinematic composition 133-134
8. Attention on most significant object 134-138
9.Fixed frame movement and zoom p138-139 and 140-141
10. Pan/tilt 139-140
11. Mobile camera p141-143
12. Creating illusion of depth 1-4 p143-145
13. Creating illusion of depth 5-9 p145- 151
14. Specialized cinematic techniques-Handheld camera/camera angles 151-153


1. What does the term (or terms) mean?
2. How and why does a director utilize it?
3. Any other significant information or vocabulary
4. What are some examples of films that use it (site scenes--does not have to be from text)



Thursday, 10/14/10
Zamore: FH3

Aim: Understanding the complexity of camera choices and the message they convey to the viewer

Daily Spark: List three things you learned from you classmates from their presentations Tuesday.

Copy the following notes:
“ “I don’t think any word can explain a man’s life”
--Thompson from Citizen Kane

o Orson Welles co-wrote, directed, produced and stared in Citizen Kane
o Welles was 25 when he made this film
o Citizen Kane was revolutionary in terms of camera work, angles, lighting and optical illusions
o Orson Welles was under contract with RKO Studios—one of the only signed to have almost complete creative control


As you watch, take notice (notes) of how the following are used to tell Kane’s story
Ø Deep focus shots
Ø Low camera angles
Ø Optical illusions
Ø Non-linear narrative structure
Ø Repetition (including use of “Rosebud”)

Look at what connects to the themes of:
Ø The difficulty of interpreting a life
Ø The myth of the American Dream
Ø The unreliability of memory


We will finish presentations and then begin the film

10/18-10/22: Chap 5 and intro cit kane

10/18/10
FH3: Zamore

Aim: Understanding the qualities of a cinematic film

Daily Spark: What was one thing that stuck out to you from the first moments of Citizen Kane?


Today, we will look at the qualities that make up a cinematic film and then analyze the beginning of Citizen Kane to better understand these qualities.

In pairs, use your text book to complete page one of the scavenger hunt handout. (10 minutes)

As we watch Citizen Kane, I will ask you to look for good examples of one of these four qualities
1. Continuous motion
Patty, Thomas, Alyssa, Abena, Wasi, Paul, Perry

2. Rhythm
Ilias, Mei Ki, Michael, Tommy, Erin, Ariana, Brandon

3. Freedom and Flexibility
Gabriella, Alexa, Max, Alex, Geffen, Garrett, Anna

4. Illusion of Depth
Danielle, Shay, Zak, Hector, Wesley, Olga, Ashley

After 20 minutes, we will share out what we observed.


10/20/10
Zamore:FH3

Aim: Analyzing Citizen Kane for Contimuous motion, rhythm, flexibility and illusion of depth.

Daily Spark: Explain one of the 4 qualities of a cinematic film. Have you seen a good example yet from Citizen Kane? If so, what?


As we watch the film, you are responsible for finding examples of the following:

As we watch Citizen Kane, I will ask you to look for good examples of one of these four qualities
1. Continuous motion
Patty, Thomas, Alyssa, Abena, Wasi, Paul, Perry

2. Rhythm
Ilias, Mei Ki, Michael, Tommy, Erin, Ariana, Brandon

3. Freedom and Flexibility
Gabriella, Alexa, Max, Alex, Geffen, Garrett, Anna

4. Illusion of Depth
Danielle, Shay, Zak, Hector, Wesley, Olga, Ashley

After 20 minutes, we will share out what we observed.




10/22/10
Zamore:FH3

Aim: Understanding the backstory for Citizen Kane

Daily Spark: What is one thing from this film that you either find interesting or confusing so far?


Before we continue, we will back up and talk about what we are going to watch.

William Randolph Hearst--Yellow Journalist

Review slides regarding the film and read through bullet points

Watch film if time.

10/26-10/28

10/26/10
Zamore: FH3

Aim: Understanding and interpreting "Perspectives" (aka Point of View) in films

HW 2.1: How did William Randolph Hearst respond to the film Citizen Kane? How did that affect the film? What was Wells response to the accusation that Citizen Kane was a fictionalized narrative of Hearst's life? Use the internet (or a book!) but NOT wikipedia to answer these questions. Make sure to cite your source.

Daily Spark: Explain one of the following: Objective Perspective, Subjective perspective, indirect-subjective perspective or director’s interpretive point of view

With a partner, answer pages 2-3 of the packet I gave you last Monday on Point of view. (10 min)

Discuss (10 min)

Watch film looking for these perspectives.


10/28/10
Zamore:FH3

Aim: Understanding POV in Cinema

Daily Spark: How did William Randolph Hearst respond to the film Citizen Kane? How did that affect the film? What was Wells response to the accusation that Citizen Kane was a fictionalized narrative of Hearst's life? Use the internet (or a book!) but NOT wikipedia to answer these questions. Make sure to cite your source.

Remember the different POVs:


Continue Citizen Kane

11/1/10-11/5/10

11/1/10
Zamore: FH3

Aim: Understanding the use of lines in cinematic films

Daily Spark: Think about the part of Citizen Kane we have watched thus far. What is one graphic vector that you noticed? Why did it stand out to you and what did it seem to signify?

Write this into your notes:
Vocabulary word:
MACGUFFIN: coined by Alfred Hitchcock, is a plot device that motivates the characters or advances the story, but is otherwise unimportant.

To discuss later: is "Rosebud" a Macguffin in Citizen Kane?

With a partner, or alone, please use your text to complete page 4 of the Scavenger Hunt. (10 minutes)

We will watch the film, as we do, you are responsible for the following:

Vertical lines
Patty, Tommy, Geffen
Horizontal Lines
Tom, Erin, Garrett
Diagonal Lines
Alyssa, Ariana, Anna
MSO: Size and Closeness
Abena, Brandon, Danielle
MSO: Sharpness of Focus
Wasi, Gabby, Shay
MSO: Movement
Paul, Alexa, Zak
MSO: XCU
Perry, Max, Hector
MSO: Arrangement of people and objects
Ilias, Alex, Tre
MSO: Foreground framing
Mei Ki, Ozzie
MSO: Use of light (and color--but not for this film)
Michael, Ashley

Take note of the use. You will be asked to analyze why they were used in those particular scenes.

Watch film:


11/4/10

HW 2.2: Read the article from Seattle pi and explain 5 reasons that Citizen Kane is considered one of the most innovative films of our times.

Aim: Understanding the use of lines and most significant object with Citizen Kane.

Daily spark: Describe one type of line or one way to show the most significant object and where it has appeared in a film you have watched (can be but doesn't have to be Citizen Kane)

As we watch film:
Vertical lines
Patty, Tommy, Geffen
Horizontal Lines
Tom, Erin, Garrett
Diagonal Lines
Alyssa, Ariana, Anna
MSO: Size and Closeness
Abena, Brandon, Danielle
MSO: Sharpness of Focus
Wasi, Gabby, Shay
MSO: Movement
Paul, Alexa, Zak
MSO: XCU
Perry, Max, Hector
MSO: Arrangement of people and objects
Ilias, Alex, Tre
MSO: Foreground framing
Mei Ki, Ozzie
MSO: Use of light (and color--but not for this film)
Michael, Ashley

Take note of the use. You will be asked to analyze why they were used in those particular scenes.

11/08-11/12

11/8/10
Zamore: FH3

Aim: Understanding the impact of Citizen Kane on the future of filmmaking

Daily Spark: What is one reason the Seattle Pi Discusses as a reason why Citizen Kane is considered one of the most innovative films of our times?

With a partner, please complete the packet--last page: Panning, dramatic purpose and illusion of depth

As we watch today, take note of camera movement and the illusion of depth.


11/10/10
Zamore: FH3

Aim: Understanding the significance of Citizen Kane and its impact on the film industry

Daily Spark: Earlier in the film, Kane expresses the following to Jedediah, "A toast, Jedediah, to love on my terms. Those are the only terms anybody ever knows - his own." What do you think he means by this?

Non Linear Story Line:
The use of non-linear storylines and multiple narrators is common enough in movies now, but it was practically unheard of in 1941.No one was really messing around with the structure of the screenplays themselves. Even flashbacks were fairly rare

Parody and Reference:
(for example: Simpsons)
Simpsons creator Matt Groening has said that Mr. Burns' first name is Charles as a reference to Charles Foster Kane, and Mr. Burns has frequently been portrayed as a Kane-like figure. The episode "Two Cars in Every Garage and Three Eyes on Every Fish," from 1990, has Mr. Burns running for governor, standing in front of a giant campaign sign like Kane. The 1992 episode "Marge Gets a Job" includes a party scene where Smithers performs a song in Burns' honor, the music and lyrics of which are a parody of a similar song in Citizen Kane. The 1993 episode "Rosebud," with Burns searching for his long-lost teddy bear, is an even more direct parody

Deep Focus:
Citizen Kane's greatest achievements are in camera work-- particularly its use of deep focus, pioneered by cinematographer Gregg Toland.
Normally, a filmmaker indicates which parts of the picture are important by keeping them in focus while the rest is blurry. Example: the person in the foreground is sharp, and the background is out of focus.
Our eyes are naturally drawn to the part that's in focus. If the director wants our attention to shift without cutting to a different shot, he'll change the focus -- maybe the person in the foreground goes blurry while the person behind him comes into view. We're accustomed to having our eyes pushed around like this.

With deep focus (achieved with different camera lenses and apertures), everything is in focus -- the objects in the foreground, the middle ground, and the background.
The director and cinematographer, use movement, dialogue, lights, and shadows to draw the viewer's attention to what's important.

In some cases, the idea is that it's ALL important: deep focus allows us to see everything, like a fly on the wall, and freely shift our attention from one part of the image to another.

Camera Movement:
Kane does a lot with camera movement, too, though it may not be as obvious to a modern viewer.
Keep in mind that movie cameras in 1941 were big and bulky, and moving them around was more complicated than it is now. They didn't have CGI to create "impossible" shots, either.
When the camera closes in on a nightclub sign and then moves in between two of the letters, don't take it for granted. That space is too small for a movie camera to have fit through it. To achieve the effect, the sign had to be split in two and put on a hinge;

Angles and Studio Space:
Welles' fondness for shooting the important and mighty characters from low angles, to make them loom larger, means that we see the ceilings above their heads. So what? Well, in those days, almost everything in Hollywood was shot on soundstages. You didn't see the ceilings because there weren't any -- that's where the lights and microphones were. Welles' "ceilings" were thin muslin cloth, with the lights and mikes hidden behind it.

Sound:
Pay attention to the film's sound design, too. Movies had only been using sound for a little more than a decade, and filmmakers hadn't done much tinkering. Welles' technicians did an outstanding job creating key effects like the loud hollowness of vast, empty rooms, or the rowdiness of a party.

As we watch, focus your attention on the area above most interesting to you...

11/15/10--11/19/10

11/15/10
Zamore: FH3

Aim: Understanding the connection between the study of camera work and the film Citizen Kane

Daily Spark: What scene from Citizen Kane has had the biggest impact on you or been the most memorable? Why?


First we will finish the film, then we will work in groups to complete a jigsaw--first in groups--all working together for one aspect then breaking up and giving each other information.



11/17/10
Zamore: FH3

Aim: Understanding the elements of Citizen Kane

Daily Spark: What do you see as a theme of Citizen Kane?

Note about packets: Use these as your study guides--I will not collect them. Also make sure to review themes from Art of Watching Films. These two things will help you study for your midterm!

Quick roundtable discussion regarding the film, symbols and themes

In twos, you will receive a short written piece about an aspect of Citizen Kane. Please read it and answer the questions below:

1. Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not
2. Think of three specific examples that prove or disprove these theories
3. Ultimately, what is the theme of Citizen Kane? How do you know?

In 15 minutes, we will get into groups of four and each group member will discuss his/her blurb.

We will create a chart at the end of class that combines all these aspects together.


11/19/10
FH3: Zamore

Aim: How do we connect film, symbolic and thematic elements?

HW 2.3: Read pg 188-203 in The Art of Watching Films. From this reading, list and EXPLAIN three ways that editing has an emotional effect on a viewer.


Daily Spark: Interpret the following quote and connect to your viewing of Citizen Kane:

““I don’t think any word can explain a man’s life. No, I guess Rosebud is just a piece in a jigsaw puzzle—a missing piece.”

From the list we created on Wednesday, in groups, you will select a theme, a cinematic element and a symbol. With your group, you will explain how your chosen theme is a theme in Citizen Kane using one cinematic element and one symbol

Example:
One theme of Citizen Kane is man's desire for love and acceptance. (explain this) In addition, this theme can be seen through the use of deep focus (give two examples of when the camera used deep focus to show Kane as lonely or search for love/acceptance) and the repeated imagery of the sled (loss of childhood/love taken away from him so young makes him yearn for it more)

You may write this in Paragraph form, draw pictures or create a complete outline/other graphic organizer (Bubble chart etc...)

We will share these out at 2:15.

11/29-12/3

11/29/10
Zamore: FH3

Aim: Understanding the differences between objective, subjective and indirect subjective points of view.

Daily Spark: What camera shots would you use in the following scene? (Write each shot XLS to XCU and what is in frame, angle, etc)

Will sits in his apartment, walls completely bare. A bed, a small night table and an empty basket adorn the room. A stack of twenty or so LIBRARY BOOKS sit by his bed. He is
flipping through a book at about a page a second.

Discuss:
Objective POV
Subjective POV
Indirect Subjective POV
Director's Interpretive POV

I will explain these, you will take notes.

Following this, we will watch three short pieces of film:
1. Casablanca 2. Alice in Wonderland 3. Good Will Hunting

You are to record the POVs.

After we watch, you will answer the following questions for one of the films:
1. Do you feel you were, for the most part, an OBJECTIVE--impersonal observer--of the action on the screen or did you feel more like you were a participant in the action? How so?
2. What specific scenes or shots had an objective POV, meaning that you were an impersonal observer--not part of the action
3. In what specific scenes did you feel like you were part of the action? HOW were you made to feel like a participant (ex: taking on the viewpoint of a character, close enough to the action feel a part of it, given specific visual techniques to give you an emotional reaction??)
4. Were there any shots, sequences or scenes where you felt the director was using a visual technique to comment on or interpret the action FOR you, forcing you to see the information in a special way? If so, what techniques were used and how effective were they?

Share out!

I will collect this from you and will count this towards your midterm grade.