Option # 3 Answer:
Typecasting, in the film industry, refers to when a star is only cast into roles that are similiar to the types of character roles that he/she has played in the past. This happens because actors start to develop a star persona after playing the same type of role a few times, and if they do not escape from that, then they might never be able to really be seen in any other types of roles. This will make them not likely to be cast for different types of roles, or if they are cast for them, they may not be believable because their star persona does not match the character. Many actors try to resist this because most actors want to remain flexible and want to challenge themselves as actors to try to play all different types of roles (Belton 98).
I personally think that typecasting can be harmful AND beneficial to an actor. There are good and bad aspects to it. If an actor is typecast to a certain type of role, they are almost always guaranteed to make money and get roles all the time. Another benefit of typecasting is that the actor being typecasting will be a master at that role, because that is the only role that they will ever have to learn how to do. Another positive of typecasting would be the way that the public remembers an actor. If an actor plays only one type of role forever, then they will be remembered constantly for as long as those type of roles are available. This can basically make them more of a star just because they are being remembered for the typical type that they play, for example: Sylvester Stallone will always be a star, because he will always be Rocky. Arnold Swartzenegger is always going to be a star as the terminator, but he will never really be able to be taken seriously in bigger and better roles.
Although i believe that all of those things are good about typecasting, i really believe an actor who is not typecast will have a more fulfilling career as an actor. I believe that most true actors do not want to take the easy way out and only take whatever roles are thrown at them, and never want to try anything new. I think that most actors want to grow in their profession and challenge their acting abilities to become more respected actors. Although this is a harder challenge, I believe that most people who are not typecasted will last longer and also be more respected as actors. They will get the opportunity to do any type of movie they want. Also, they will probably be known more for their versatility and great acting than just for a typical persona. They will be able to show their true selves instead of just being seen and remembered not as their real self, but as the type of character persona that people have invisoned them as. Some stars that have done very well not using typecasting and always staying flexible are Dustin Hoffman, Julia Roberts, Jack Nicholson, etc. These actors have been able to try all different types of roles, and have obviously been ultimately more respected as masters of the art over people who have been typecast, like Schwartzenegger.
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Journal 4
Option #3 Answer:
- M-G-M- This studio's personality was very glamorous. They claimed to have the most stars. They had a very polished image. Although they had this image, there were a few exceptions to that rule, but for the most part that is how they were thought of. Later on they were known for American middle-class family values. They seem to be the studio that was more conservation and clean-cut. Their comedies were more restrained than some other studio's comedies. Some of this studios main stars were: Greta Garbo, Joan Crawford, Norma Shearer, Greer Garson, Mickey Rooney, Judy Garland. Some movies created were: A Night at the Opera, Room Service. A Director associated with M-G-M is the Marx Brothers. The Golden Age of this studio seems to be between the 1920's threw the 1940's. (Belton, 77).
- Paramount- This studio was known for being less restrained than M-G-M. It was also known for its european style. The comedies that this studio made were less sober and restrained than that of M-G-M. This studio was known for its actresses and actors to be very sexy, and also witty. The main stars that were affiliated with Paramount are: Clara Bow, Marlene Dietrich, Mae West, Claudette Colbert, Carole Lombard, Jeanette MacDonald. Some movies created were: The love Parade, Monte Carlo, Trouble in Paradise. A director associated with Paramount is Ernst Lubitsch. The golden age of this studio was probably around 1940 (Belton 78).
- Warner Brothers- This studio was known as the working mans studio. The photographic style of this studio was very rough and real looking. Warner Brothers was also known for their gangster films. The actors usually portrayed tough guy characters. They used alot of ethnic characters. This studio represented the people from lower-class society. The women were usually depicted as girl-next-door types who were also shown as down to earth. Some of the top stars of Warner Brothers were: Errol Flynn, Ruby Keeler, Joan Blondell, Bette Davis, Lauren Bacall, Ann Sheridan, James Cagney, Edward G. Robinson, Humphrey Bogart. Some movies created are: Little Caesar, The Public Enemy, Captain Blood, The Adventures of Robin Hood. The Golden Age of this studio was probably mid 1930's (Belton, 79).
- 20th Century Fox-This studio was known for its period and costume pictures. They were also known for targeting a rural audience. This studio represented the need for a preindustrial, grassroot value focus. All of the stars associated with this studio had no traits of urban ethnicity. They represented all-american people. This studio was known as the "Goy" studio because it was the only studio at the time that was not owned or operated by Jews. It was run by an Irish Catholic former cop. This appealed even more to the south. It was one of the first studios that condemned anti-semitism. This studio was also known for its films about social conciousness. Some of the top stars associated with Fox were: Will Rogers, Shirley Temple, Henry Fonda, Betty Grable, etc. Some movies created were: The Grapes of Wrath, Tabacco Road, Boomerang, The Snake Pit. A director associated with this studio is Darryl Zanuck. The Golden Age of this studio was in between the 1940s-50s (Belton 80).
- RKO- This studio was known for its unlikely combination of films. It made action films, musicals, etc. This studio ended up failing because it did not have the thematic consistancy of all of the other studios. Some of the top stars associated with this studio were:Fred Astaire, Merian C. Cooper, George Schafer, Katherine Hepburn, Cary Grant, Charles Koerner. This studio had many different random directors work for it for a short time, some including: John Ford, George Stevens. Some movies created were: Citizen Kane, The Cat People, King Kong. The golden Age of this studio was between the 1930-40's (Belton 81).
Journal 3
Option #2 Answer:
- Three point lighting is the standard lighting setup for Hollywood films. The three points are the main dominant sources of lighting on the set. In three point lighting, many different lights are used, but they are set up in a way that it seems as though there are three main areas where light is coming from. These areas of light are catagoried into terms called the key light, the fill light, and the back light. The key light is the key light source on set. This light is in front of the actor. The fill light is the weaker light that basically is used to fill in the shadows that are made by the key lighting. The fill light is on the side of the actor. This is used so that there are little areas of darkness on the set. the last part of three-point lighting is the back light, which is the minor light that is used to light the space between the characters and the back of the set to seperate the characters from the background. This light is placed behind the actor. The whole three-point lighting scheme is set up in an almost triangular shape, with the actor in the middle. This lighting technique is used to make sure that everything that is necessary to have lit up on the set is lit, and to make sure that the actor is in clear vision. In this lighting, sometimes extra lights are also placed around the area as well to add the illusion of depth to the set. The end result of this lighting technique is a perfectly light area to perform the scene in, and with this lighting we are sure that nothing will be left out of the view of the viewer.
- High Key and Low Key lighting techniques are basically manipulations of the three-point lighting. These terms describe the ratio of fill light to key light. With high key lighting, the ratio of fill light to key light is high. This means that there is a large amount of fill light, which gets rid of all of the shadows. The end result of this is a completely well lit set, without many shadows. This is done by simply increasing the amount of fill light used. The end result of this sets the mood usually for more upbeat films, such as comedies. Low key lighting is basically the opposite. This is done by making the ratio of fill to key light low. This means that the set will not be fully lit. The end result of this makes a shadowy effect on the set. This sets the mood for a darker movie, such as a horror.
- Star Lighting is the lighting that is placed on top of all of the other necessary lightings. This lighting is used to make certain features more noticable on the stars. It is also used to make the expressions on their face easier to see. Star lighting is used to make the viewer's eyes gravitate to the actor on the screen which is most important to be watching at the time. The outcome of this is making the viewers focus on the most important person so as not to miss anything, and it is also used to make it seem like the actor is radiating light from themselves. This gives them a more glorious appeal. (Belton 55)
Monday, September 3, 2007
Journal 2
Option #1 Answer:
Chapter two in the textbook discusses Classic Hollywood Cinema, and all of its styles and techniques. Classic Hollywood cinema is the mode of production that Hollywood movies were made from. They all involved a specific narrative approach. The narratives were structured around characters who have specific goals. These goals are made clear to the viewer. The narrative also consists of the characters beating the obstacles that stand in the way of their goals. All of the original Classical Hollywood Cinema style presented these narratives in the most cost efficient way. Another aspect of Classic Hollywood style was the way in which the film was presented so that the cuts were basically "invisible", meaning that the film was filmed so that the viewer did not really notice that it was actually a film assembled together, but rather a story that flowed with no cuts or editing. Although everyone subconsciencly knew that the movies were put together, the stylist approach was to make the movie flow so well that people were able to forget it and just view the movie as one whole piece. The Classic Hollywood Cinema seemed to convey "the temper of a nation". This meaning that all of the movies displayed how the nation was at the time. (American Cinema, 23).
The Narrative Machine is one style that was used in Classic Hollywood Cinema. This basically just covers how the style is invisible. It was a means of telling stories in the smoothest way possible. Because it is presented so smoothly, the viewers feel as though the story has no source. The Narrative processes follow any orderly pattern which basically plays out like this: the story is introduced, then something disturbs it, then there is an attempt to restore what was disturbed, and at the end everything is fine. Most movies were filmed in this model at that time. Classic Hollywood Cinema is character centered. (American Cinema, 25).
There are different ways that Classical Hollywood Style is organized. in a Journey type of Film-Sometimes the style is based on a specific deadline to be met by the end of the film, with the characters moving towards destinations. (American Cinema, 27). Classical Hollywood Style is also known for the way that it shapes the audiences responses. Classical Hollywood style subjected the audience to classic principles, for example economy and order. (American Cinema, 28).
Classica Hollywood Cinema is able to be broken down into basic narrative units, which is called segmentation. The units are based on dramatic unities, which are action, time, and/or space. It can be structured in a circular pattern, a flight and pursuit pattern, narrative incoherence, and so on. All of these concepts are trademarks of the Classic Hollywood Style. (American Cinema, 30).
Films that present the concepts of classic hollywood style is The Wizard of Oz, The Gold Rush, etc. These movies display the act of invisible filming, and they are structured in the most basic way, from beginning of the story to the end. They all start out presenting the story, there is a conflict, and at the end it ends good. The stories are centered around the characters, and the characters have their clear goals.
Actors that were in movies that displayed Classic Hollywood Style are Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin, etc. They both played characters where the stories were somewhat centered around them, and they played the same type of person in most of their films.
Directors that draw on the basic principles of Classic Hollywood Style are D.W. Griffith, Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Welles, etc. Although they may have pushed the envelope with new techniques, they all stayed true in some way or another. Orson Welles did not present his movie Citizen Kane in order, but the focus was on the main characters and there was a clear goal to be attained. Alfred Hitchcock centered his movies on characters and the disruption of the characters life is what the story focuses on. (Belton, 30).
Chapter two in the textbook discusses Classic Hollywood Cinema, and all of its styles and techniques. Classic Hollywood cinema is the mode of production that Hollywood movies were made from. They all involved a specific narrative approach. The narratives were structured around characters who have specific goals. These goals are made clear to the viewer. The narrative also consists of the characters beating the obstacles that stand in the way of their goals. All of the original Classical Hollywood Cinema style presented these narratives in the most cost efficient way. Another aspect of Classic Hollywood style was the way in which the film was presented so that the cuts were basically "invisible", meaning that the film was filmed so that the viewer did not really notice that it was actually a film assembled together, but rather a story that flowed with no cuts or editing. Although everyone subconsciencly knew that the movies were put together, the stylist approach was to make the movie flow so well that people were able to forget it and just view the movie as one whole piece. The Classic Hollywood Cinema seemed to convey "the temper of a nation". This meaning that all of the movies displayed how the nation was at the time. (American Cinema, 23).
The Narrative Machine is one style that was used in Classic Hollywood Cinema. This basically just covers how the style is invisible. It was a means of telling stories in the smoothest way possible. Because it is presented so smoothly, the viewers feel as though the story has no source. The Narrative processes follow any orderly pattern which basically plays out like this: the story is introduced, then something disturbs it, then there is an attempt to restore what was disturbed, and at the end everything is fine. Most movies were filmed in this model at that time. Classic Hollywood Cinema is character centered. (American Cinema, 25).
There are different ways that Classical Hollywood Style is organized. in a Journey type of Film-Sometimes the style is based on a specific deadline to be met by the end of the film, with the characters moving towards destinations. (American Cinema, 27). Classical Hollywood Style is also known for the way that it shapes the audiences responses. Classical Hollywood style subjected the audience to classic principles, for example economy and order. (American Cinema, 28).
Classica Hollywood Cinema is able to be broken down into basic narrative units, which is called segmentation. The units are based on dramatic unities, which are action, time, and/or space. It can be structured in a circular pattern, a flight and pursuit pattern, narrative incoherence, and so on. All of these concepts are trademarks of the Classic Hollywood Style. (American Cinema, 30).
Films that present the concepts of classic hollywood style is The Wizard of Oz, The Gold Rush, etc. These movies display the act of invisible filming, and they are structured in the most basic way, from beginning of the story to the end. They all start out presenting the story, there is a conflict, and at the end it ends good. The stories are centered around the characters, and the characters have their clear goals.
Actors that were in movies that displayed Classic Hollywood Style are Marilyn Monroe, Charlie Chaplin, etc. They both played characters where the stories were somewhat centered around them, and they played the same type of person in most of their films.
Directors that draw on the basic principles of Classic Hollywood Style are D.W. Griffith, Alfred Hitchcock, Orson Welles, etc. Although they may have pushed the envelope with new techniques, they all stayed true in some way or another. Orson Welles did not present his movie Citizen Kane in order, but the focus was on the main characters and there was a clear goal to be attained. Alfred Hitchcock centered his movies on characters and the disruption of the characters life is what the story focuses on. (Belton, 30).
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Journal 1
Option 1 Answer:
I have decided to analyze the film "The Great Train Robbery" for my first journal entry. The film is a silent film, which i noticed immediately. It was the first film that was a narrative. It starts out showing a man being attacked by robbers and they tie him up. The main shot is a panning shot, just showing the main area of the room. The robbers then go to the top of the train, and I noticed that the scene was a little shaky because at that time, in 1903, they did not have all of the high tech camera techniques that they have today. After that the plot basically continues with the robbers getting everyone out of the train. At this time, I noticed a couple of the trademark concepts that justify this as a Western. First of all, the villians are all wearing black, and they have hankerchiefs on. This is what most villians wear in typical Westerns. Another huge action that i noticed that signified that this film was a Western was the fact that the villian shot an innocent person from the back. When this happened, it makes the viewer feel upset, and these concepts are both seen in Westerns. Then the villians take the bags and run to the forest. At this point we are moved to a different scene; the scene where the daughter saves her father. This idea of innocense saving was typical of old Westerns and of that time period. We are then shown parallel editing when we are shown the people dancing, and at the same time showed the villians with the money. The final scene is with the good guys killing the bad guys, with good prevailing. This is another common theme found in Westerns.
There were really no main characters, just the common folk representing "good", and the villians representing "evil". The people on the train act surprised to see the villians, and they act very innocent. The villians act mean and determined. The narrative of the story is told in a very clear way. There is no condensing of time and not much cutting, the whole story is told in alot of panning and long shots. Since it is a silent film, the story has to be told by visuals and by facial expressions, and this film does a very good job of displaying these tactics. For example, when the man gets shot in the back, the camera makes sure that the viewer clearly sees the pain in his face. The conflict within the film is basically good versus evil, in the form of the passengers vs the villians. the conflict, in more literal terms, is the passengers trying to not get harmed from the villians. The film ends with the good guys winning. It definitely has a happy ending, because in most Westerns, the good people prevail, and that is exactly what happened. An impression that I had about this film while I watched it was that i definitely thought it odd that there was no sheriff. Sheriffs are usually present in most Westerns. A huge factor that i thought was a bit strange was the lack of a central character. I thought that made the movie a little bit confusing, but for the most part the film makers did a great job at using what they had at the time to make a good silent movie. (Belton).
I have decided to analyze the film "The Great Train Robbery" for my first journal entry. The film is a silent film, which i noticed immediately. It was the first film that was a narrative. It starts out showing a man being attacked by robbers and they tie him up. The main shot is a panning shot, just showing the main area of the room. The robbers then go to the top of the train, and I noticed that the scene was a little shaky because at that time, in 1903, they did not have all of the high tech camera techniques that they have today. After that the plot basically continues with the robbers getting everyone out of the train. At this time, I noticed a couple of the trademark concepts that justify this as a Western. First of all, the villians are all wearing black, and they have hankerchiefs on. This is what most villians wear in typical Westerns. Another huge action that i noticed that signified that this film was a Western was the fact that the villian shot an innocent person from the back. When this happened, it makes the viewer feel upset, and these concepts are both seen in Westerns. Then the villians take the bags and run to the forest. At this point we are moved to a different scene; the scene where the daughter saves her father. This idea of innocense saving was typical of old Westerns and of that time period. We are then shown parallel editing when we are shown the people dancing, and at the same time showed the villians with the money. The final scene is with the good guys killing the bad guys, with good prevailing. This is another common theme found in Westerns.
There were really no main characters, just the common folk representing "good", and the villians representing "evil". The people on the train act surprised to see the villians, and they act very innocent. The villians act mean and determined. The narrative of the story is told in a very clear way. There is no condensing of time and not much cutting, the whole story is told in alot of panning and long shots. Since it is a silent film, the story has to be told by visuals and by facial expressions, and this film does a very good job of displaying these tactics. For example, when the man gets shot in the back, the camera makes sure that the viewer clearly sees the pain in his face. The conflict within the film is basically good versus evil, in the form of the passengers vs the villians. the conflict, in more literal terms, is the passengers trying to not get harmed from the villians. The film ends with the good guys winning. It definitely has a happy ending, because in most Westerns, the good people prevail, and that is exactly what happened. An impression that I had about this film while I watched it was that i definitely thought it odd that there was no sheriff. Sheriffs are usually present in most Westerns. A huge factor that i thought was a bit strange was the lack of a central character. I thought that made the movie a little bit confusing, but for the most part the film makers did a great job at using what they had at the time to make a good silent movie. (Belton).
Sunday, August 26, 2007
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