Feature Films in the 1940s to 1970s
Anthony Medina
09/18/16
The Birds (1963)
The feature film that I chose to watch was The Birds (1963), directed by Alfred Hitchcock and starring Tippi Hedren. Overall, this film was a great piece, as expected. Alfred Hitchcock was one of the greatest directors of his time. He specialized in Murder/Mystery and Horror films, that set the bar higher than ever for directors in those genres. The Birds specifically, was a great piece, and still to this day is viewed in drama and art history works everywhere. The cinematography in The Birds was great, especially for a film that traveled from one “city” to another. If the cinematography were to be compared to todays’s films in the same genre, I do not think that
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His ability to not only create a masterpiece for years to come was very apparent across all of the films he put out. On top of creating masterpieces, he found a way to wedge himself into the film in one way or another, while only as a background character, it was something that you didn’t see then. In the film The Birds, Alfred took something as simple as a bird, and etched it into everyone’s mind as a creature that can, and will according to the film, fight back when taken advantage of. While I can’t speak enough on his incredible ability to form masterpieces on the screen, I think the greatest part of this film was the preview. In the preview for the film Alfred Hitchcock talks about how birds and humans have worked together forever. It is a hilarious piece when the context of what he is saying is heard over the tone at which he is saying …show more content…
(2) An excellent film will always use editing and filming techniques that display a broader picture than just the subject at hand (setting is crucial to building up the knowledge of a time/place)
(3) An excellent film will manage its sounds evenly throughout the film. Music, effects, and talking should all be normal to more mellow in loudness. If they are beyond that it should not be harsh and should fit the tone of the scene.
(4) An excellent film will build up it’s characters, this usually means a preconceived notion of the characters may be hard to overcome. (Choose original actors/actresses)
(5) A good movie will always be easy to follow, smooth transitions from one section to the next is an easy way to scale
Hitchcock has characteristics as an auteur that is apparent in most of his films, as well as this one.
...ormation of novel to film, sees Hitchcock’s responsibility as auteur. Suggesting Hitchcock as ‘creator’, attributes to Vertigo’s “perfection” (Wood, p.129) as Wood argues. Stylistic features known classically to Alfred Hitchcock movies is also what defines Hitchcock as a classic auteur, his style generates a cinematic effect which mixes effectively with his use of suspense. In returning to Cook’s discussion, she references Andrew Sarris, who argues that the “history of American cinema could be written in terms of its great directors,” (Cook, p. 411) showing the legitimacy of authorship in popular American cinema. Ultimately Cook goes on to address the changes in authorship from the 1950’s until today, featuring developments in authorship within Cinema. Overall, both Cook and Wood presented a balanced discussion on the legitimacy of Alfred Hitchcock’s auteur status.
consider to be more modern film techniques. Montage plays a key role in this film, as
For example, in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005) many scenes cut back and forth during conversation. Long shots are used during important scenes. High angle shots and low angle shots are used to portray inferiority and superiority. Also, truck is used to follow the contestants in the factory. Similarly, in Edward Scissorhands (1990) black and white images during the opening scenes, and long shots are used to emphasize important conversations. Also, movement is very transitioned in the beginning, but gets choppier as the end nears. Zoom is also used to emphasize expressions and truck is used when Edward walks or runs. In addition, in Big Eyes (2014) the camera focuses on characters and their expressions. Also, Truck is used when Margaret walks down the streets of San Francisco. When artwork is being shown, the eyes are emphasized, then the reactions are depicted. High angle shots are used to depict Margaret's inferiority to Walter ,whereas, low angle shots are used to to depict Walter’s superiority to Margaret. In all these films, camera movements and shots are used to distance the audience or bring them closer to the characters of the film. Also, camera movements and shots can be used to emphasize a character’s position, status, rank, etc…This helps the audience understand the character and their role
One scene that really stands out is the scene where Bruno strangles to death Guy’s wife. David Spoto describes as, “the most unexpected, aesthetically justified moments in the film”. We see Hitchcock’s talent in place as we see part of the strangling the dead collapse of the body from the reflection of the glasses on the floor. Giving the audience a grislier scene. Also, the use of the shadows was used well. Especially when Bruno calls for Guy from the other side of the street underneath a blanket of shadows only being able to see half of his face. This gives the audience suspicion, worry, and an unsettling vibe, making the film suspenseful.
The film, Vertigo (1958) directed by Alfred Hitchcock, is classified as a genre combination of mystery, romance, suspense and thriller about psychological obsession and murder. Filmed on location in San Francisco and on the Paramount lot in Hollywood, California in 1957, the cultural features of the late 1950’s America were depicted in the films mise en scène by costume and set designs current for that time period. The film was produced at the end of the golden age of Hollywood when the studio system was still in place. At the time Vertigo was produced, Hollywood studios were still very much in control of film production and of actor’s contracts. Hitchcock’s groundbreaking cinematic language and camera techniques has had great impact on film and American popular culture and created a cult following of his films to this day.
Everybody knows Alfred Hitchcock is the master of suspense and is known for inciting fear in the hearts of his audience. His multiple, fast cuts directs his audience to what he wants them to see and feel. Close-ups of the actors faces clearly shows what the characters are feeling and forces the audience to feel the same emotions. With all his expert directing skills, is there any meaning behind what he chooses to portray in his films or is it all for show? Could there be a deeper meaning to his films? The answer to these questions is a firm yes. Hitchcock’s past experiences guided him to be the director he was. The inadequateness of the police, control of all details in his films, and long stretches of no dialogue all portrayed in his films are all directly correlated to Hitchcock’s early life and early professional life.
...and changed the horror genre forever. Alfred Hitchcock's use of actor, lighting, sound, scripting and mise-en-scène kept the audience on the edge of their seats and second guessing themselves. Hitchcock's idea of Norman cconnected with the audience and, even today, his character continues to deceive many. From Norman's nervous ticks to his murderous side 'Mother', it was planned flawlessly. Norman Bates was a combination of an author, director and actor, perfectly adapted to screen and perfectly portrayed.
What do you think about when watching a film? Do you focus on the characters' good looks or the dialogue? Or do you go behind the scenes and think about what made the film? Maybe, it's even a combination of all three. No matter what comes to mind first, an important part of any good movie will be what you see. A camera and good director or cinematographer is needed to make that possible. Different directors and cinematographers will use different camera techniques to make you focus on what you see. Camera techniques show emphasis in films, because they make you focus more on situations and people. They are especially important in Darren Aronofsky’s Requiem for a Dream.
Alfred Hitchcock’s films not only permanently scar the brains of his viewers but also addict them to his suspense. Hitchcock’s films lure you in like a trap, he tells the audience what the characters don’t know and tortures them with the anticipation of what’s going to happen.
It was concluded that in Classical Hollywood Cinema the narrative followed a clear and discernable structure with a distinct beginning, middle and end. Although this type of narrative did have some restrictions it still encompassed the psychology of characters and their objectives, and the inevitable conflict meant to hold the attention of the audience. Continuity editing added to the audiences’ enjoyment of the film and coupled with the attraction of the Hollywood star system they formed a type of cinema that would astonish and capture the rest of the world.
Cinematography, if used properly, adds immensely to the action and effects of a film. Thelma and Louise greatly benefited from panning shots, reactions shots, and dissolve. To the untrained eye these effects go completely unnoticed and unappreciated but to those who do appreciate them know that because of cinematography Thelma and Louise is a masterpiece.
the point why sound can make or break a scene, he added the right kind of background music
Alejandro Gonzalez Iñárritu utilises various literary techniques in order to convey the themes of greatness, power, and reality/madness in Birdman. Iñárritu achieves this through examining the actions of his characters, whose pursuit of their goals occur in direct correlation with these themes.
The movie Psycho, is one of the most influential movie in Cinema history to date. The director Alfred Hitchcock, wanted to test many of the conventions of movie making that was common at that time. Alfred Hitchcock movie broke many cultural taboos and challenged the censors. Alfred Hitchcock showed a whole bunch of at the time absurd scene, for example: Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) dying naked while taking a shower, Norman Bates with split personality disorder, and the first ever flushing toilet shown in a movie. Because from the late 1920's to the late 1950's, movies were made usually go around the story, and usually with a lot dialogue. This movie gives the audience an experience that was much more emotional and intuitive. The viewers were caught up in a roller coaster of shock, surprise and suspense based on image, editing and sound.