FILM AS LITERATURE

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Today’s Targets

Apply knowledge of formal techniques to full film Identify editing and other formal

techniques in full film Analyze the use and meaning of these

techniques Evaluate the use of these techniques in

communicating meaning

Today’s Activities

1. Finish watching North by Northwest (1959)

2. Review requirements for written response

3. Review scenes from N by NW

Written Response Requirements

Written Response Requirements1. Make an argument to start2. Support with specific, relevant evidence

(2 pieces=standard, 3 pieces=above standard)

3. Explain connection between evidence and argument

4. Single sentence opening and closing

http://www.modismonet.com/2010/09/top-11-cartoons-estilosos/http://www.thestudiotour.com/ush/frontlot/edithheadoffices.html

Written Response Example: Rear Window

http://dailyviolets.blogspot.com/2010/07/edith.html

ExampleTruly good films are works or art that blend form and rich images with

intriguing content.  Director Alfred Hitchcock is such an artist and Rear Window is one of the masterpieces in his collection. In Hitchcock's Rear Window, the most round or dynamic character is Lisa, whose transformation from a socialite to detective is masterfully shown not only through her actions but also through the costume designs of Edith Head.   For example, when Lisa first floats in to Jeff's apartment, she is twirls in her outrageously expensive black and white gown that doesn't entirely fit through the doorway. Not only is the outrageous price of the gown a reflection of Lisa's high status, the design itself reflects the idea that its only practical purpose could be dancing through crowds or schmoozing the elite over sips of champagne.  This is a stark contrast to the adventurous life led by Jeff.  Jeff even explicitly states that Lisa, as she is in such a dress, wouldn't last tromping across Africa or crawling through mud. However, by the end of the movie, Lisa and her clothes are a drastic contrast to this first image of her.  In the final shot of Lisa sprawled along Jeff's window seat, Lisa, for the first time no longer wears heels.  Instead, she is dressed in simple loafers, a button-up cotton shirt, and jeans.  This shift in garb reflects the change that Lisa has undergone.  Gone are the flowing and frilled dresses, the heals, and the crinoline shawls.  The pants and shoes become a symbol for Lisa's more relaxed style and more adventurous spirit, the type of personality that could fit in well with Jeff's traveling life. It is with these visual cues that Hitchcock, assisted by the costume designs of Edith Head, clues audiences in to the implicit message that Lisa is a changed woman.  At least somewhat.

Process: Step 1-argument

Argument: In Hitchock's Rear Window, the most round or dynamic character is Lisa, whose transformation from a socialite to detective is masterfully shown not only through her actions but also through the costume designs of Edith Head.  

Process: Step 2-select evidence Evidence: Dress 1 Evidence: final outfit

(pants/shirt/loafers)

Add specificity Dress 1: When Lisa first floats in to Jeff's apartment, she is twirls

in her outrageously expensive black and white gown that doesn't entirely fit through the doorway.

Final outfit: Pant/shirt ensemble at the end:  In the final shot of Lisa sprawled along Jeff's window seat, Lisa, for the first time no longer wears heels.  Instead, she is dressed in simple loafers, a button-up cotton shirt, and jeans.  

Process: Step 3-analyze

Dress 1: When Lisa first floats in to Jeff's apartment, she is twirls in her outrageously expensive black and white gown that doesn't entirely fit through the doorway.

Analysis: Not only is the outrageous price of the gown a reflection of Lisa's high status, the design itself reflects the idea that its only practical purpose could be dancing through crowds or schmoozing the elite over sips of champagne.  This is a stark contrast to the adventurous life led by Jeff.  Jeff even explicitly states that Lisa, as she is in such a dress, wouldn't last tromping across Africa or crawling through mud.

Transition:  However, by the end of the movie, Lisa and her clothes are a drastic contrast to this first image of her.

Final outfit: In the final shot of Lisa sprawled along Jeff's window seat, Lisa, for the first time no longer wears heels.  Instead, she is dressed in simple loafers, a button-up cotton shirt, and jeans.  

Analysis: This shift in garb reflects the change that Lisa has undergone.  Gone are the flowing and frilled dresses, the heals, and the crinoline shawls.  The pants and shoes become a symbol for Lisa's more relaxed style and more adventurous spirit, the type of personality that could fit in well with Jeff's traveling life.

Process: Step 4-opening and closing

Opening:  Truly good films are works or art that blend form and rich images with intriguing content.  Director Alfred Hitchcock is such an artist and Rear Window is one of the masterpieces in his collection.

Closing:  It is with these visual cues that Hitchcock, assisted by the costume designs of Edith Head, clues audiences in to the implicit message that Lisa is a changed woman.  At least somewhat.

Reminder

Use vocabulary of the class

A closer look

North by Northwest

Review scenes

1. Take notes with help from small groups2. Focus on specificity

Work on N by NW written response Start with argument Example: In Rear Window, Hitchcock

masterfully creates suspense through the formal technique of editing.

Select Specific Evidence

General Specific