ENGL 1118 WA - FINAL EXAM

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ENGL 1118 WA – INTRODUCTION TO FILM CLASS FINAL EXAMINATION SHALLEY SINGH 1130765 SECTION A. DEFINITION / EXAMPLE 1. What is a POV shot? Give an example. A point of view shot is when the framing of a scene shows the viewer what a specific character sees and hears at that moment in time. The lens of the camera works as the viewers eyes, so the scene seems to be in first person of the character. A good example of a POV shot is in Kitbull , when viewers assume the kitten’s perspective and see the dog through the little slit in the box. 2. What is masking? Give an example. Masking is when portions of a frame are blocked off. This method is used for a multitude of reasons, to build suspense, suggest mise-en-scene that is not visible and sometimes draw focus to one part of the scene in particular. An example of this is in Rhymes for Young Ghouls, in the scene which Aila wears a gas mask at the party. As the camera focuses on Joseph and Burner talking on the couch, parts of the frame are cut off by curtains. 3. What is high-key lighting? Give an example. High-key lighting is a type of lighting in which there is barely any contrast between lights and darks in a scene. The lighting is sharp and creates very little shadows. An example of this type of lighting is in the final scene of Psycho. Norman bates is shot in high-key lighting as the camera closes in on his face. There is not much depth to the shadows on his face, dramatically revealing his insanity. 4. What is meant by the Oppositional Gaze? Give an example. The Oppositional Gaze is a theoretical concept presented firstly by bell hooks. The theory argues that race and ethnicity of Black women are molded to fit the purposes of entertainment. Black women who view these films often resist to identifying with these depictions, which is referred to as the Oppositional Gaze. The ability to separate oneself from these standards and view what is being put on screen critically. The film Beyond the Lights emphasizes the ‘gaze’ as Noni feels trapped and adapts to practices, such as wearing a wig, to fit the image that is put into society. Viewers see her switch to the Oppositional Gaze when she stops wearing her wig, sings what she wants and decides to embrace herself and her roots. 5. What is a high-angle shot? Give an example. A high-angle shot is a camera angle in which the camera is set above the action, or above eye-level. Depending on the context of the scene, it can imply the superiority of the observer/viewer. This shot provides a view in which the observer is looking down at the subject. This type of shot is seen in Pan’s Labyrinth when Ofelia first runs into the forest and Mercedes walks her out. The crane moves to a higher point, to where the mantis-like insect sits and looks down at the pair walking away. 6. What is voyeurism? Give an example. Voyeurism refers to the act of watching individuals perform activities without their knowledge. It is seen in a negative light and is inappropriate. The film Psycho, has many instances of voyeurism. The first is
right in the opening scene, when the camera shifts to a window and then enters, where viewers see the character Marion half-naked. Another instance is when Norman looks through a hidden peephole and watched Marion undress herself. 7. What is Kino-Pravda? Give an example. Kino-Pravda specifically means “film truth”, and the goal of such films was to film and capture reality and everyday activity. The film was then put together in a way, such as a montage, to send a deeper message to the audience. This style of film is seen in Dziga Vertov’s Man with a Movie Camera in which random segments of film are organized in a manner to manipulate the observers understanding of the content. There is a large variation of experimentation in this film, slow-motion, freeze frames, fast motion, tracking shots, split screens and much more. 8. What is ambient sound? Give an example. Ambient sound refers to background sounds that are present in the environment being filmed. These sounds can be recorded during the filming or added at a later time. In Badlands, viewers see Kit approach Holly for their first interaction. As the two talk, the sound of traffic, birds, children, a train and light wind can be heard. These sounds can be referred to as ambient sounds. 9. What is a montage? Give an example. A montage is to organize segmented footage with the intent of manipulating an observer’s understanding of the meaning. In different periods and places of the world, the art of montage differs slightly but all include the art of reassembling segmented footage to convey a particular message. The film Meshes of the Afternoon uses montage style to create a story of the main character, the women. The montage stirs feelings of confusion, uncertainty and a dream-like state. There is various footage used and reassembles in multiples ways to invoke these feelings. 10. What is a closed frame? Give an example. Closed frames are often used to portray the restriction put on the characters in the shot. The dramatic effect is to invoke the feeling of constraint and stuck in that frame. In Snowpiercer, the shots in the back of the train are all closed-frame. The characters must remain in their small spaces, promoting a claustrophobic and hierarchical space. 11. What is verisimilitude? Give an example. Verisimilitude is the appearance of truth or realness. In films, verisimilitude is when the characters, events, places and more elements seem to be real. In Near Dark, Kathryn Bigelow mixes elements of reality and fantasy to create a degree of verisimilitude. She depicts a typical small-town, heroin use and the stereotypical characters. By creating a relatable situation, such as having to cope to change in a very short period of time, viewers are able to fall into a fantasy world for a short period of time. 12. What is an establishing shot? Give an example. An establishing shot is a long shot used in the beginning of a scene to provide information to viewers regarding the time and location of the scene or film. A great example of this is in the opening scene of Pan’s Labyrinth, when the castle Ofelia dreams of is shown. There are wide shots of her running up the staircase, then arches of a building are shown, slowly fading to a long-distance shot of the castle-like building.
13. What is a match cut? Give an example. A match cut is an editing technique in which a shot is cut and moves to the next one, however it promotes continuity rather than a change. In Psycho, after Marion is murdered in the shower scene, viewers see blood flowing down the drain of the tub, there is then a match cut, with a cut to Marion’s eye. This continues the scene rather than finishes it, by further dramatizing Marion’s death. SECTION B. PICK A DIRECTOR Bong Joon-Ho is a South Korean writer and director. He always had a passion for film while growing up and had decided that he wanted to be a film director at a very young age. He graduated with a Sociology degree and later attended the Korean Academy of Film Arts for a two-year program. He draws major inspiration from Alfred Hitchcock and aspires to create film and make an impact in a comparable way. Bong Joon-Ho uses humour as well as intense action to create tonal shifts and keep the interest of a viewer. It is notable that although his films contain lots of action, his preference of weapon is a knife. He claims that a knife/blade is much more sinister. He also enjoys creating movies for his own community as he can add more “spice” to them, similar to food. He believes his community is better at handling and watching more gore and darkness. Bong Joon-Ho does not try to create a hit international film, instead he draws inspiration from his community and childhood. He has stated that many of the films he has created are “very Korean” but by following a specific genre he can make a film easier to understand. What is interesting about Joon-Ho’s work is that many of his action scenes are highly active. As one event takes place, there will be another in the back, captivating the audience’s attention and never losing it. He finds a way to spark political thoughts, without taking a biased side to it, leaving the audience pondering their own thoughts. What makes his work special is that he is able to take many components of filmmaking and put them together in a way that is exhilarating, experimental, yet easy for the audience to follow along. What stands out to me in Snowpiercer is that the film is one that is very relatable. When put under the conditions that the characters were, a lot of people would have followed similar routes. I am normally not a fan of action films, however Bong Joon-Ho was able to create such an incredible balance of events and invoked the right emotions at the perfect times, I could not help but follow along with all my attention. SECTION C. DEFINE, EXPLAIN, EXAMPLE (Q2) Define ‘the abject’ and provide an example from a film. The abject refers to what is disturbing and sickening. The abject is often used in horror films to depict monstrosity and repulsion. The imagery of the abject can be summarized in three areas: depictions of the body’s gross physicality, construction of borders (crossing or threatening to cross such borders is abject), and the construction of the maternal figure as abject. Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho seems to fit in all categories quite well. Throughout the film viewers see Norman Bates jump through the three areas. When he murders Marion and observers see her blood circling down the drain, then a match cut to her eye, which is still and lifeless. The lifelessness of her unmoving eye sets an eerie and disturbing tone as the camera slowly zooms out and only the sound of the shower can be heard. Next, viewers see Norman Bates, who seems to be a regular and kind man turn out to be a monster. The idea of a regular person that one would never think could have crossed the border to become a sick and disgusted individual is frightening. The last area, concerning viewing a maternal figure as abject, is heavily represented in this film. Norman keeps the corpse of his dead mother at home, where she has decomposed and is nothing more than a skeleton. It is disgusting and frightening to see the image of the body putrefying overtime, and the knowledge that it is Norman’s mother is all the more horrifying.
(Q3) Define intertextuality and provide an example from a film. Intertextuality is the intersection of two works of art. Films often use the representation of another work of art, this may include another film, however other mediums can be included; such as paintings, music, or even literature. An example of this is the music video Noni is featured in, in Beyond the Lights. The song is called “Masterpiece” and throughout the video there is a renaissance style painting of Noni hanging in the back. Kid Culprit then refers back to the painting in his lyrics and refers to Noni in comparison to Mona Lisa. There are many edits throughout the video which cut back to the painting itself, to emphasize that Noni is a masterpiece, just as the Mona Lisa is known to be. (Q4) Define light and lighting and provide an example of each from one film. Lighting is the intentional use of light to achieve a certain effect. Light can be both natural and artificial. Lighting in a film can be altered with the use of back light, fill light and key light. For example, in Badlands, when Kit and Holly have their first interaction, natural lighting is used as it is daytime. However, in the scene where Holly and Kit dance in front of the stolen car, artificial lighting is made use of. The camera slowly spans from the vehicle to the couple while the headlights work to cast low-key lighting on the couple from the left. The contrast from the lighting and the angle of the camera provide depth to the feelings that Holly shares with the viewers. The song being played, A Blossom Fell by Nat King Cole, in the scene also strengthens the emotion, creating a sad and pensive atmosphere. SECTION D. SHORT ANSWER ANALYSIS (Q1) Discuss the opening or closing scene of a film on our syllabus. In many horror movies, the story line is often a monstrous being or event introduced in an unprecedented way. This usually leads to a disruption in social order, which must be corrected by removing the horrifying being. The film Psycho (1960), by Alfred Hitchcock, uses its end scene to instead defy the satisfaction of society resuming its former peace. In the final scenes of Psycho, viewers see Norman Bates in a lock up room. One would believe that this is the end to Norman’s grotesque murders, however instead the sound of his mother narrating his inner thoughts are shown. Although Norman is in the hands of the law, one is haunted by the act that he is possessed by his mother. Observers hear her comments of convincing people she is innocent, however she is dead. As her narration continues over the sound of eerie and sharp violin music, the camera closes in on Norman’s face, where he looks up with a frightening smile, depicting that this is not the end of Norman Bates. Right as the shot is about to cut, viewers see the skeletal features of Mrs. Bates appear on Norman’s face. The shot then cuts to Marion’s car being pulled out of the swamp with louder more dramatic music. One assumes that the car will be fully pulled out, however viewers do not see this, ending the film on cliff-hanger. The ending does not satisfy the completeness of social order returning to normal. (Q2) Discuss the representation of masculinity in Near Dark. The film Near Dark begins with the love story of Mae and Caleb, however throughout the film, the subject of masculinity becomes more evident. To begin, the concept of aggression is one used to create lust and romance. For example, Mae slits her wrist open to feed Caleb, demonstrating that she is willing to give up even her life for him. However, his second time going back in, he hungrily and greedily sucks her blood, not caring for Mae’s life. This scene exemplifies the typical idea of a woman sacrificing herself to sustain the masculine presence.
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