Film Genres - Borrowing vs Stealing

For your first blog post please reflect on the first two reading assignments and assigned documentary. These can be informal, I am interested in your thoughts on the points that each writer makes, but would like you to be sure to reflect on the specific questions below. The readings and film are on our Haiku page, and are linked below. Blog post is due by noon on Wednesday, Jan 28th.

Good Copy Bad Copy documentary

Something Borrowed

Copywrong

Do you agree that many artists borrow as a fundamental part of the artistic/creative process? Should artists have the freedom to do so?

The authors make a distinction between borrowing that is derivative versus borrowing that is transformative. Is one wrong and the other right? How can we tell the difference and who ultimately determines that?

What other examples of appropriation can you think of?

How would you feel if another artist appropriated your work?

In what ways have you been influenced or appropriated another work?

In the current remix culture, when anyone can create something using digital technology, how is authorship being redefined? Consider the ideas of the "instrument" (piano vs turntable or computer, paintbrush vs camera) as well as the "process."

Film History - You Name The Era

We've looked at several "Eras" in American cinema:

The Silent Era (thus dubbed because of films being with synchronized sound)
The Hollywood Studio Years - 1930-1965
The Hollywood Renaissance - 1965-1975
Hollywood's Return to Myth - 1975-1990

Some argue that the 90s brought a new era with the rise of Independent filmmaking and festivals such as Sundance. Some argue that we've never really gotten out of the Hollywood's Era of the Blockbuster and Return to Myth (and point to the most recent blockbusters and franchises as proof).

But where are we today in American Cinema?

According to the authors, Mast and Kawin, of A Short History Of the Movies “three criteria have traditionally marked the transition from one…film era to another, although the three may not operate with equal force or absolute congruence in every period of film history.”  These three are:

1)    Structure of the film business – some kind of shift in the business of making (and distributing) movies

2)    Film technology – a major advance (or advances) in the way movies are made, which has effect on the majority of films made (becomes a norm)

3)    Content reflects cultural values – a shift in the dominant cultural value of the country which is then mirrored in the films being made

After completing our final readings and considering our film screening - you decide: what new era is American cinema in today? Feel free to come up with your own name, and also please explain what defines this era. How is it different from previous eras (or perhaps how is it the same?)? What are those changes in criteria (biz, technology, culture) and how have they affected the art form? Are we in the middle of a transition, and if so what might be in store for the future?

Please post up your thoughts in no less than 300 words, and be ready to discuss on Friday, Dec 19th.

"I STEAL FROM EVERY SINGLE MOVIE EVER MADE. I love it - if my work has anything it's that I'm taking this from this and that from that and mixing them together. If people don't like that, then tough titty, don't go and see it, alright? I steal from everything. Great artists steal; they don't do homages.”          -Quentin Tarantino 

Film History - French New Wave in Breathless - Extra Credit

Write a blog post exploring how Breathless exemplifies the stylistic aspects of the French New Wave. If you need a reminder about the formal elements seen in French New Wave check out the prezi here or read this resource or this one.

Make sure that you are specific with your points and fully explain any examples from the film. You are not required to do any further research but certainly can - if you do, again be sure to cite accordingly and list your sources at the bottom of your post. You may also want to include a brief synopsis to the film as part of your introduction. Visual images or any kind of extra media that will help to illustrate your points and make your blog post more visually interesting are welcome but not required, though you certainly should be sure to make your blog visually easy to read and understand.

This is an extra credit blog post.

Film History - Italian Neorealism in Bicycle Thieves - Extra Credit

Write a blog post exploring how The Bicycle Thief (aka Bicycle Thieves) exemplifies Italian Neorealism in its content and aesthetic (cinematic style). If you need a reminder about the principles of Neorealism you can find the Prezi Here, or check out this resource.

Make sure that you are specific with your points and fully explain any examples from the film. You are not required to do any further research but certainly can - if you do, again be sure to cite accordingly and list your sources at the bottom of your post. You may also want to include a brief synopsis to the film as part of your introduction. Visual images or any kind of extra media that will help to illustrate your points and make your blog post more visually interesting are welcome but not required, though you certainly should be sure to make your blog visually easy to read and understand.

This is an extra credit blog post.

Film History: Hollywood Studio Years - Domination and Transition

After reading the two handouts about this period in Hollywood reflect on these two questions in your own blog post:

1) Why did the American movie audience change so much over this era,

and what effects did that have on the artform?  The business?

2) How was America’s cultural identity reflected or affected by Hollywood?

Blog post is DUE BEFORE CLASSTIME on Tuesday, October 28th!

Film Aesthetics - Mise-En-Scene in The Queen

Please read the linked pieces first, this one on costume designer Consolata Boyle, and this one from the visual effects house Framestore which worked on the film.

After you have read both pick at least one element of mise-en-scene (setting, costume and make-up, lighting or staging/acting) and write a brief post exploring how that element is functioning in relation to story, character and/or theme. Please be sure to have some specific examples from the film, and as always it's helpful to have a specific thesis to prove. You can also use these two resources to help your argument - be sure to cite appropriately. Your post is due Wed, Oct 22 - no responses on others posts required.

The real Tony Blair vs Michael Sheen

The Queen vs Hellen Mirren

The Queen giving the real address about Princess Diana

Film History - Inspired by Silent Film!

Here are some examples of modern creative works that showcase inspiration from silent film:

This is Smashing Pumpkins Video - do you see some influence from the Birth of Cinema?

 

What about her in this clip from Futurama? (click on the link to open) Here's a still shot:

Here's a scene inspired by Odessa Steps sequence from The Untouchables:

(and here's a parody of that scene, just for fun, from Naked Gun 2 1/2):

Look, the Odessa Steps shows up again in the film Brazil by Terry Gilliam (but the baby carriage is now a floor cleaner):

And finally, here is an short film by Guy Maddin, which is inspired by and uses techniques from silent film:

For your Research Assignment - don't forget to do your research and watch your film FIRST. Let the cinematic techniques or storyline and the information you find out about the film/filmmaker/film movement then lead into your inspiration. Remember you need to post up your Creative Project and a written explanation onto your blog, and then be ready to present them in class. You can also do a live performance of your piece in class, just talk to me first so that we can record it and you can put it on your blog afterwards. Or you can do a live performance and post the piece on your blog separately. Be creative! Have fun! Make sure you don't just recreate something, though - be inspired and doing something new with your inspiration!

One more, here's Madonna's take on German Expressionism and Metropolis: