Analysis Of Orson Welles Citizen Kane

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Orson Welles’ Citizen Kane is one of the first modern sound films. However, it was innovative in more than just sound, it introduced various cinematography techniques and structural ideas. With the help of Barry Fesler and Jamos D. Stewart, Welles introduced subjects such as deep focus sound, the use of voice texture, and the “lighting mix.” Moreover, he explored different camera angles, deep focus photography, elaborated on fluid continuity, and experimented with structure. Citizen Kane was produced during a rather unusual time as many studios were having financial troubles due to war in Europe. France was being invaded by the Nazis, which caused a shift from movies being shot in sound stages. Nevertheless, this politically intense period, gave rise to America’s press lord, William Randolph Hearst, who build an immense newspaper chain and published over the top stories. His ruthless behavior and troubled personal life inspired Welles to write Citizen Kane.
Having only done few short-films and never being on a soundstage, Orson Welles was relatively new to the world of features. Nonetheless, his vast experience in theatre and radio were large factors in the production of Citizen Kane. He had directed and acted in various Broadway and off-Broadway …show more content…

As a result, Kane often appears as a giant on the screen, leaving only the middlegound and background to other characters in order to represent his alienation and even arrogance. Through these techniques, Welles was able to not only include psychological aspects of the characters, but foreshadow what was to come, done in the first scene where Kane’s mother is signing him off to Mr. Tatcher and Kane can be seen in the

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