Monday, October 29, 2012

Femme Fatal


The role of the femme fatal in film noir is a very important one. She is always a beautiful woman who is able to manipulate men easily. The power is beyond just sexual because they are able to make the men do thing for them. For example, when Phyllis first tells Walter about the accident coverage he wants nothing to do with it. However, she then is able to seduce him and convince him to follow along with her plan. Other female characters we have seen such as Lynn Bracken have the same beauty as a femme fatal does, but she does not manipulate Bud. Lola is a beautiful girl but she is not a femme fatal. She is not trying to manipulate anyone for her own gain. The concept of lighting is very important in film noir. Throughout Double Indemnity Phyllis is always illuminated. She is usually wearing light clothes and the lighting is put on her to make her stand out. Lola does not have this same effect. She is never surrounded in light like Phyllis is, and she is usually dressed in darker clothes.
(I couldn't get the pictures into the file)

Wednesday, September 26, 2012

Intersecting Shots

The foreground frames the figure the background also frames the cookies
The foreground frames the figure and the background frames the gatorade
The foreground frames the figure in less focus that frames the shells which are in focus
The figure in the foreground is framed and slightly out of focus the background focuses and frames the soap
The upper portion of the figure is framed and out of focus and the background frames the onions in focus
The foreground frames the figure in focus and also frames the mail in the background in focus
The figure is framed out of focus in the foreground the figure cuts the background and the cookies are partially framed 

Scripting Oedipus


INT. Church

TWO LARGE DOORS OPEN ONTO PLATFORM WHICH RUNS THE LENGTH OF THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING. THERE ARE TWO LARGE ALTERS ON EITHER SIDE OF THE PLATFORM. THREE STAIRS LEAD DOWN FROM THE PLATFORM INTO THE ORCHESTRA. THESE STEPS ARE LITTERED WITH PEOPLE OF THEBES. THEY ARE ALL IN DESPAIR AND SICK FROM THE PLAGUE. CITIZENS HAVE BROUGHT OLIVE BRANCHES TO THE CHURCH.
Starts with depth of field shot down long platform and focuses on the two large doors. they are both swung open and a sunlight rushes into the church. Oedipus enters and begins to speak.
OEDIPUS
(enters through the large doors. Sheech shot from low angle to show his power. sunlight peeks through church windows illuminating him)
(speak very loudly and authoritatively) My Children, generations of the living in the line of Kadmos, nursed at his ancient hearth:Why have you strewn yourself before these altars. Children, I would not have you speak through messengers and therefore I have come myself to hear you- I, Oedipus, who bear famous name. (He points to a priest) You, there, since you are the eldest in the company, speak for them all, tell me what preys upon you. Never doubt that I will help you in every way that I can.
PRIEST
(Priest is on the steps with all the suffering people. he stands and begins to speak. he is and old frail man. he speaks slowly and softly.) 
Great Oedipus, O powerful king of Thebes! You see how all the ages of our people cling to your altar steps:here are boys who can barely stand alone. Your own eyes must tell you:Thebes is tossed on a murdering sea and can not lift her head from the death surge.You are not one of the immortal gods, we know; yet we have come to you to make our prayer.You saved us from the sphinx, Therefore, o mighty king, we turn to you: find us safety, find us a remedy, whether by counsel of the gods or men.
OEDIPUS
(Low angle shot. sunlight illuminates him as he speaks. speaks very powerfully. very sympathetic for the suffering of his people)
Poor Children! You may be sure I know all that you longed for in your coming here. I know that you are deathly sick; and yet, sick as you are, not as sick as I. I was not sleeping, you are not waking me. No, i have been in tears for a long while and in my restless thought walked walked many ways. In all my search i have found one helpful course, and that i have taken: I have sent Creon, to Delphi, Apollo's place of revelation, to learn there, what act or pledge of mine may save the city. 

Different Shots

Establishing Shot
Depth of Field
Extra Close
Close up
Medium Shot
Long Shot
Low Angle Shot
High Angle Shot

Fate or lack there of


 I personally do not believe that fate controls everything we do. I have 
never had someone tell me something was going to happen to me, and then 
the next day the same thing they told me about happens. However, there 
are weird instances of deja vu. There is one instance that comes to 
mind that is similar to John Anderton's experience in minority report. 
Rather than having a precog tell me about the event I saw it myself. We 
were in the locker room before the game and our coach told us to 
envision ourselves making big plays. I imaged myself coming into the 
offensive zone going through a defensemen and scoring. During the game 
I scored a similar goal. I don't see this instance as fate though. I 
think it is more of a coincidence that this happened. Instances of deja 
vu like this do not make me believe in fate or some cosmic force. I 
just believe that these are coincidences or lucky right place right 
time situations.