REAR WINDOW Opening (Cinematography) - for student response before class & class discussion

Here's the opening of Rear Window.  How is Hitchcock using the camera here?  What types of shots, angles, and movement do you see here?  How would you describe the editing -- continuity, montage, a little bit of each?



These are the elements of the language of cinema.  Now also consider the language of literature (word, paragraph, description, dialogue, character, mood)  How does Hitchcock use his camera to "translate" Woolwrich's story to the screen?

ALFRED HITCHCOCK ON 3 THEORIES OF FILM EDITING - for student response before class

Here is a 7 minute interview with Alfred Hitchcock in which he talks about three types of editing.  He applies the first two to his very famous film, Psycho.  What type of editing techniques do you feel he uses in Rear Window, and why?

A Closer Look At Cinematography

Just sharing this video on filmmaking and cinematography because it explains a lot of things we've looked at in our ENG 345 class as well as in the book Literature into Film: Theory and Practical Approaches. The video is almost a half an hour but they cover opening credits, shot types, angles, lenses, movement, conversation, color, lighting, and other advanced techniques that are useful when making films or understanding the approach of it. Although they add in many things we did not cover in class I feel that's totally okay because it gave me more knowledge on cinematography and how to describes shots when doing a decoupage.

Feedback For: The Making of Citizen Kane by, Robert L. Carringer

I must admit, I have been so intrigued by all that we have been learning about the evolution and master craft of film.  Learning the key words then observing them produced onto a film, ignite such inspiration for writing. As a viewing participant in film/movies, especially one of the 21st century, I am more aware that it is easy to overlook all of the key cinematic elements that bring many of the movies I love together.

Now knowing the prestigious  importance of Citizen Kane to film & film art, along with a more advanced film vocabulary, It was compelling to view it through a mature lens.

In the 'The Making of Citizen Kane', Carringer notes that although Orson Wells was a true maverick in regards to his vision for the film Citizen Cane, it was only with the aide of the cinematographers that allowed Wells to so maidenly push film forward in history. Carringer begins his excerpt detailing the initial way Wells and Gregg Toland began working with one another. The element of reality depicted in the excerpt is what stuck out the most. These two guys made this major film that would eventually be known as the most riveting example of film and cinematography and they were not even on traditional Hollywood schedule, the script wasn't even complete when Toland began working, and Wells underhandedly began filming without true permission from the studio. Freakin' genius!

Carringer reveals many of the behind the scene exclusives for filming Citizen Kane. Using a few of the key scenes from Citizen Kane he introduces new vocabulary for tools that work together for making a scene powerful.

" High contrast lighting is used in the nightclub background to enhance the sense of depth", writes Carringer. Many of the techniques used by Toland are what pushed Citizen Kane forward. Caringer also notes other examples of Tolands work in the 1930's.

The Long Voyage Home, which was mentioned by Carringer was filmed by Toland and another key player in the film game, John Ford. Carringer notes that both Ford and Toland were known for 'breaking the rules', which landed them a nice comfy spot as cinematography historians.

Here's a clip from John Ford's The Long Voyage Home that is said to be a good example of the use of lighting and camera placement for plot progression.

-Ci :)

Point of View

https://youtu.be/dYZm7jB9YA4



I couldn't upload this video for whatever reason. But I picked this because it give a very real account of someones everyday habits and invites you into their life. The scenes change to show the different things that the person is doing, eating breakfast, getting dress, taking the dog for a walk. Something we can all relate to.

"Nuovo Cinema Paradiso" Final Scene

On the exam we took I'm still trying to understand the concept of emotional montage. Last night I had the leisure of watching a very old school movie Cinema Paradiso it was a movie I watch in my film class back in high school and this was a specific scene that I remember. The love montage of all love films that help the main character understand love and wanting to be with his true love. The reason why I choose this film was to show a montage in a film in a film. The Montage help brings out the emotion to show the excitement on movie goers who love romantic films that love is shown through the eyes of the viewer but it also means you

Matilda: camera angles/pov

Because of our conversations on angle and point of view, I thought this was a great example from a film that we all grew up with. You see a lot of angles being used. When the Principal is above the girl you can truly feel the intensity and see her looking up scared. You also see the principal looking down on the girl and that conveys the emotion of her having a higher power from the angle we see.



Another great part about this scene is that you see close up shots of all of the school kids emotions from their facial expressions. Aside from the entertainment aspect, this short clip shows several camera techniques that I picked up on from viewing this weekend and thought I'd share!