I replied to the following people:
Robb,
Diane,
Heidi,
I found the look at the independent film industry very interesting. It seems like they might not be the cutting edge of special effects, but they definitely lead the way with creative camera techniques and especially drama and controversial topics. The Film sex lies and video tape I though was definitely controversial and even though its topics were racy I found the underlying issue of communication and its effect on a relation ship the “lies” in the movie, really inhibited the ability for the characters to have any thing else be meaningful in their lives. What I take away from this module is a greater appreciation for independent films and the messages that their creators try to send out with them.
Narration / Voice Over
Narration and voiceovers can definitely be considered a nondiegetic sounds. I found this site that has a lot of essays dedicated to the use of narration in film making. I found an article written about the overview of voiceovers and a leading for the articles. It mentions how even though its use has been very successful it is still thought of as “a neglected and often reviled technique”. It is often used to allow the character to say what they are thinking and what they would never dare say out loud.
Diegetic & Nondiegetic sounds
The difference between Diegetic & nondiegetic sound is about perception. I found a site called Film Education in the section about Film Language. The majority of the discussion is to help you get a grasp about how inclusive the Diegetic sounds are. They are any sound on or off screen that are part of the events going on it the world the film makers has created. That means the sound coming from anything in the stories world is Diegetic. Nondiegetic sound are sounds recognized not to come from inside the story. An example given by the site is that Music from an on or off screen stereo is diegetic but that a sound track is nondiegetic.
Film Education.”Film Language.” Film Education. No date of Revision Given. Film Education. 04/13/06
http://www.filmeducation.org/secondary/concept/filmlang/docs/lang6.html>
I found a resource that gives an historical account of the Life of Malcolm X. According to the authors of the article the Movie done by Spike Lee hold very close to the actual historical events of Malcolm X’s life. I am glad to know a little more about Malcolm X. When I was in school I got to learn a lot about Martin Luther King Jr. but not a lot was taught about Malcolm X, looking back perhaps it was because of not only the more violent background that Malcolm had but also he was a lot more controversial that King was.
Jessica C., Emily P., Amber W., and Megan K., Malcom X The Movie, The Man. No date of Revision Given. 4/13/06http://www.cyberlearning-world.com/nhhs/project/malcolm.htm>
I found a site for The Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film. It was a lot of information on new and upcoming independent films. It looks like the show a lot of them at the Theater at Harvard University in Boston. I believe the site is related to the School at least somewhat. It was interesting to read reviews and trailers about films you would never hear about on TV or in the theater, except of course those that Hollywood already snatched up. For example there was a lot of praise for Capote that came out last year and won a lot of Oscars. It is interesting to feel the “we found it first” mentality that I am certain is all over the Independent film industry and its fan groups. Also on a funny note evidently it is ok for an actor to be in a major Hollywood production as long as it is a super hero movie.
Colford, Michael R.. The Chlotrudis Society for Independent Film -News. 04/11/06. The Chlotrudis Society. 04/13/06 http://www.chlotrudis.org/news/>.
I enjoyed the reading; it is interesting to better understand the Independent film industry. I think that independent films are definitely at a huge disadvantage; however it is interesting to see the attention given to them by Hollywood. It seems that many of the “indie” films are successful enough to encourage Hollywood’s money out of mainstream films. I think it would be difficult for me to make a movie the way they do. It has to be hard putting you heart into something like that for everyone to view and critique. I enjoyed the Movie Sex Lies and videotape more than I though I would. Honestly the title was a bit of a turnoff for me, I doubt I would have rented it if it wasn’t for this class. I was very surprised to see the deep issues that it addressed, and how it showed how sad the insincere relationships that people spend their entire lives in. I found some parts a bit weird but on a whole it was eye opening. I also choose the see Malcolm X, mostly because I was curious to know a little more about him. I kept recalling what the book said about Spike Lee, I know I have heard his name a lot and I believe I have seen other films by him. It must be very difficult for other directors wanting to do the kind of work he has done to be constantly measured against him.
I responded to the following:
Denise, http://dbedwell.uniblogs.org/2006/03/31/resource-on-two-film-elements/
Heidi, http://hwilhite.uniblogs.org/2006/04/01/module-5-reflection-on-the-reading-and-viewing/
Kari, http://kvosika.uniblogs.org/2006/03/29/report-onresource-for-reading-and-viewing-module-5/
I really enjoyed the reading, it is always interesting read about the casting process and watching the different actors try and try to be recognized as great actors. It is funny to think that the actors who supposedly suppose to only do what the director says can make or break the film based on their name. Their name if we stop to consider is only recognized for doing a good job obeying the previous director while pretending to be characters in a story. This makes me believe that there are so many actors that are where they are because of good writers and directors (along with their talent of course). And at the same time many equally talented actors who drew the short end of the stick when it came to scripts and direction. And so will never achieve the same status.
Tempo is the rat eat which the scenes or film flows. It can be used to create different feelings in the audience as well as be an important part of how different aspects of the film will be delivered. The resource I found describes it the manipulation of time and space by a director to present the events.
Method for automatic extraction of expressive elements… 2004. IP.com. 03/31/06. tp://
I found a site that explains several film editing techniques. It names the technique referred to a expected continuity. From what I understand about Continuity Editing they are the same type of editing. They utilize techniques to demonstrate the natural flow of the scene to affect the audience in different ways possibly to explain an up coming sequence or build suspense. They also mention Acceleration Editing as a way to speed up events the audience will already assume have happened along with others.
Module 50 Continuity Editing. March 24, 2006. Cyber College Internet Campus. 03/30/06. >
I found a film review of the Aviator that compares it to some of Martin Scorese’s other work. It also mentions how the role played by DiCaprio and how it was a good role for him to grow with. A lot of comparisons to the production company Miramax’s other big films that were being worked on at the same time that The Aviator was in production, the author also applauds the style that Miramax used when introducing the film, which was just letting it come out rather than drowning the public.
Robert Friedman. The Aviator Soars. November 24, 2004. Foxnew.com 03/30/06
http://www.scorsesefilms.com/article16.htm>
I found a resource that gets in to the down and dirty aspects of film casting. I found that its mention of how the “B-List actors” and other non top pay grade actors have agents who would rather have them working dead end roles rather than holding out for the career making role. It also discusses all of the pressure out side of the actor’s salary that makes it difficult for casting directors to get the actors that the production company wants. It also analyzes the importance of the big name actor when signing the rest of the cast and how difficult it can be getting those big names to commit. The legal aspect of the actor’s participation seems to be very important.
Film Making / Production / Casting a Film. 2002 Arthouse Movies. 03/30/06
http://www.arthousemovies.com/arthousemovies_production_castingafilm.htm>
