The Omen trailer:
The Omen montage:
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Spiderwalks
Spiderwalk cut from our version of The Exorcist:
link
The original that was not included in final cut:
link
The original that was not included in final cut:
Sunday, October 28, 2007
The Exorcist screening questions
1. Pay close attention to the film's introductory scene and location. Why is it significant?
2. Note the liminal settings of the film--list as many as you see.
3. Note the geographical location of the opening scene. Why is it significant?
4. Describe Regan's family and her mother's job. What is significant about it?
5. How does cinematic language depict "evil"?
2. Note the liminal settings of the film--list as many as you see.
3. Note the geographical location of the opening scene. Why is it significant?
4. Describe Regan's family and her mother's job. What is significant about it?
5. How does cinematic language depict "evil"?
Exam 2 Review
1. Post your answers by noon on. Friday (November 2, 2007). This includes taking care of any problems with blogger.com before then.
2. Document your answers (cite page numbers from textbook [Prince 14], date of class lectures, webpages consulted, etc.). Use your own words, and do not plagiarize.
3. Be concise and accurate. If you are wrong, then the whole class could get the answers wrong.
4. Sign your name at the beginning of the assignment. I don't know the nicknames you used to join the blog.
5. This exercise is worth 10 participation points. You will be evaluated in accuracy, timeliness, and your ability to follow directions. I will consider awarding 1-3 extra participation points for those who go above and beyond your assignment and/or complete the assignments of absent classmates.
6. It is wise to be a cooperative member of the classroom community for this review. However, if your classmates fail you, you are still responsible for reviewing all of these assignments.
7. Your exam will consist of providing definitions, multiple-choice, and short-answer (lists are preferable to sentences, which take longer to construct).
8. Hyper-linking to other classmates’ answers that relate to yours will enhance this study guide. To hyperlink, you right-click on the time of your classmates’ post and select “copy link.” In your own blog post, highlight the term you are hyperlinking, (e.g., Westerns, wikipedia, etc.), click on the hyperlink icon (it will have a tiny chain—not available in safari), and when the field comes up, enter the html address you have copied.
9. You may need to revisit certain scenes in the films to answer these questions.
10. You will do better on the exam if you cross-check your classmates’ answers with your own notes from your film notebook.
Films covered: The Conversation, The Searchers, O Brother, Dr. Strangelove, and The Exorcist.
Will Angel
Define frontier mythology and point to 2-3 scenes in The Searchers that depict it.
Eric Anthony
Define “convention” and describe the conventions of the Western. Explain how they function in specific scenes of The Searchers.
Stephen Battise
Define the three fundamentals of film sound and the three types of film sound. Give examples from each film.
Hillary Bauer
Define the captivity narrative. Be sure to include its racial and gendered characteristics.
Elisa Bizzotto
Define the three functions of film sound and explain how they function in each film.
Maxwell Brooke
Explain how production design creates meaning in 3 separate films.
Courtney Burbick
Define the dimensions of film sound. Give examples from each film.
Andrew Chandler
Describe the basics of sound engineering. Briefly explain how The Conversation depicts sound engineering.
Meredith Clough
Give examples of ambient sound, leitmotif, direct sound, sound bridge, realistic sound, and synthetic sound from each film covered in this exam.
Michael Combs
Describe the functions of movie music. Give examples from each film covered in this exam.
Scott Councilman
Define the basic elements of narrative structure. As you define them, give examples from each of the films covered in this exam.
Alan Crews
Define the conventions of the classical Hollywood narrative. Point to examples in each film covered in this exam.
Chelsea deMonch
Describe the basic conventions of the musical and explain what “typically American” values it celebrates. Briefly explain if O Brother conforms to these conventions and celebrates these values—and if so, how?
Lallie Jones
Explain how O Brother is concerned with authenticity in terms of music. How does the film play with the concept? Use specifics
Ellen Kalbaugh
Explain how O Brother plays with authenticity in terms of adaptation. Be specific.
William Linton
Explain how O Brother plays with authenticity in terms of theme. Be specific.
Tina Mackenzie
Describe the relationship between faith and reason in The Exorcist
Brandon Mathis
According to the article we read, why are horror movies in the seventies so concerned with the demonic child? Give examples from The Exorcist.
John McHone
Describe the tone that the opening sounds and setting sets for The Exorcist. In other words, explain the significance of the foreign location at the film’s beginning and the contrast it sets with the setting of the rest of the film.
Daniel McLamb
Explain how The Exorcist develops the theme of liminality in the film.
Jeremy Menzel
Describe the conventions of the horror film as defined by the book and point to at least three specific scenes/characters in both The Conversation and The Exorcist that exhibit these conventions.
Erinn Navarro
Describe the mise-en-scene of three separate scenes in three separate films and explain what meaning it adds to each film.
Katie Neubeiser
Define and identify 3 specific film angles that Dr. Strangelove uses to emphasize or satirize something about the character within the shot.
Derek O’Bryan
Describe Peter Sellers’ three characters in Dr. Strangelove and explain what each brings to the film.
Crystal Packard
Describe the production design of The Exorcist and explain the meaning it brings to the film.
Chris Pitts
Briefly analyze one scene/image from The Conversation and describe the greater theme from the movie that it dramatizes.
Mary Kirk Pollard
Explain the implicit or explicit references to the Vietnam war that The Exorcist and Dr. Strangelove make.
Daniel Reutzel
Is The Conversation an example of Classical Hollywood narrative? Point to all of the conventions in your response.
Will Russ
Explain what social issues The Exorcist examines and how.
Carter Thompson
Explain what social issues Dr. Strangelove examines and how.
Xue Vang
Explain what the beginning and end of Dr. Strangelove achieve.
Sara Veale
Explain what how Dr. Strangelove satirizes contemporary attitudes about sexuality.
Nate Watson
Briefly analyze one scene/image from The Searchers and describe the greater theme from the movie that it dramatizes.
Jessica Wynn
Briefly analyze one scene/image from The Conversation and describe the greater theme from the movie that it dramatizes.
2. Document your answers (cite page numbers from textbook [Prince 14], date of class lectures, webpages consulted, etc.). Use your own words, and do not plagiarize.
3. Be concise and accurate. If you are wrong, then the whole class could get the answers wrong.
4. Sign your name at the beginning of the assignment. I don't know the nicknames you used to join the blog.
5. This exercise is worth 10 participation points. You will be evaluated in accuracy, timeliness, and your ability to follow directions. I will consider awarding 1-3 extra participation points for those who go above and beyond your assignment and/or complete the assignments of absent classmates.
6. It is wise to be a cooperative member of the classroom community for this review. However, if your classmates fail you, you are still responsible for reviewing all of these assignments.
7. Your exam will consist of providing definitions, multiple-choice, and short-answer (lists are preferable to sentences, which take longer to construct).
8. Hyper-linking to other classmates’ answers that relate to yours will enhance this study guide. To hyperlink, you right-click on the time of your classmates’ post and select “copy link.” In your own blog post, highlight the term you are hyperlinking, (e.g., Westerns, wikipedia, etc.), click on the hyperlink icon (it will have a tiny chain—not available in safari), and when the field comes up, enter the html address you have copied.
9. You may need to revisit certain scenes in the films to answer these questions.
10. You will do better on the exam if you cross-check your classmates’ answers with your own notes from your film notebook.
Films covered: The Conversation, The Searchers, O Brother, Dr. Strangelove, and The Exorcist.
Will Angel
Define frontier mythology and point to 2-3 scenes in The Searchers that depict it.
Eric Anthony
Define “convention” and describe the conventions of the Western. Explain how they function in specific scenes of The Searchers.
Stephen Battise
Define the three fundamentals of film sound and the three types of film sound. Give examples from each film.
Hillary Bauer
Define the captivity narrative. Be sure to include its racial and gendered characteristics.
Elisa Bizzotto
Define the three functions of film sound and explain how they function in each film.
Maxwell Brooke
Explain how production design creates meaning in 3 separate films.
Courtney Burbick
Define the dimensions of film sound. Give examples from each film.
Andrew Chandler
Describe the basics of sound engineering. Briefly explain how The Conversation depicts sound engineering.
Meredith Clough
Give examples of ambient sound, leitmotif, direct sound, sound bridge, realistic sound, and synthetic sound from each film covered in this exam.
Michael Combs
Describe the functions of movie music. Give examples from each film covered in this exam.
Scott Councilman
Define the basic elements of narrative structure. As you define them, give examples from each of the films covered in this exam.
Alan Crews
Define the conventions of the classical Hollywood narrative. Point to examples in each film covered in this exam.
Chelsea deMonch
Describe the basic conventions of the musical and explain what “typically American” values it celebrates. Briefly explain if O Brother conforms to these conventions and celebrates these values—and if so, how?
Lallie Jones
Explain how O Brother is concerned with authenticity in terms of music. How does the film play with the concept? Use specifics
Ellen Kalbaugh
Explain how O Brother plays with authenticity in terms of adaptation. Be specific.
William Linton
Explain how O Brother plays with authenticity in terms of theme. Be specific.
Tina Mackenzie
Describe the relationship between faith and reason in The Exorcist
Brandon Mathis
According to the article we read, why are horror movies in the seventies so concerned with the demonic child? Give examples from The Exorcist.
John McHone
Describe the tone that the opening sounds and setting sets for The Exorcist. In other words, explain the significance of the foreign location at the film’s beginning and the contrast it sets with the setting of the rest of the film.
Daniel McLamb
Explain how The Exorcist develops the theme of liminality in the film.
Jeremy Menzel
Describe the conventions of the horror film as defined by the book and point to at least three specific scenes/characters in both The Conversation and The Exorcist that exhibit these conventions.
Erinn Navarro
Describe the mise-en-scene of three separate scenes in three separate films and explain what meaning it adds to each film.
Katie Neubeiser
Define and identify 3 specific film angles that Dr. Strangelove uses to emphasize or satirize something about the character within the shot.
Derek O’Bryan
Describe Peter Sellers’ three characters in Dr. Strangelove and explain what each brings to the film.
Crystal Packard
Describe the production design of The Exorcist and explain the meaning it brings to the film.
Chris Pitts
Briefly analyze one scene/image from The Conversation and describe the greater theme from the movie that it dramatizes.
Mary Kirk Pollard
Explain the implicit or explicit references to the Vietnam war that The Exorcist and Dr. Strangelove make.
Daniel Reutzel
Is The Conversation an example of Classical Hollywood narrative? Point to all of the conventions in your response.
Will Russ
Explain what social issues The Exorcist examines and how.
Carter Thompson
Explain what social issues Dr. Strangelove examines and how.
Xue Vang
Explain what the beginning and end of Dr. Strangelove achieve.
Sara Veale
Explain what how Dr. Strangelove satirizes contemporary attitudes about sexuality.
Nate Watson
Briefly analyze one scene/image from The Searchers and describe the greater theme from the movie that it dramatizes.
Jessica Wynn
Briefly analyze one scene/image from The Conversation and describe the greater theme from the movie that it dramatizes.
Extra Credit
Though I have never offered extra credit before, I am going to offer a few opportunities to earn a few extra points. There will be a written component, and you will need to be able to post to the blog to earn the points. You may specify whether you would like the points to be added to your exam grade or participation assignment grade.
--attend the film panel of the ECU Humorfest on Nov. 1 from 1-3. You will need to write a clear summary of each panel presentation and post it to the blog within 1 week (0-8 available points).
--attend a viewing of the Russian-German Collaborative Film Series, the Hispanic Film Series, the Medieval and Renaissance Studies Film Series, or the "Breakdowns and Breakthroughs" Honors Film Series. You will need to analyze the mise-en-scene of a specific scene and describe how it creates meaning within the film or choose a dominant theme within the film and describe in detail how it operates in the film. Each analysis will be due within one week of the screening (0-5 available points).
--attend the theater performance of Catch-22 (cost: $10) and compare its depiction of war to Dr. Strangelove. The analysis will be due one week after the performance (0-10 available points).
--attend the film panel of the ECU Humorfest on Nov. 1 from 1-3. You will need to write a clear summary of each panel presentation and post it to the blog within 1 week (0-8 available points).
--attend a viewing of the Russian-German Collaborative Film Series, the Hispanic Film Series, the Medieval and Renaissance Studies Film Series, or the "Breakdowns and Breakthroughs" Honors Film Series. You will need to analyze the mise-en-scene of a specific scene and describe how it creates meaning within the film or choose a dominant theme within the film and describe in detail how it operates in the film. Each analysis will be due within one week of the screening (0-5 available points).
--attend the theater performance of Catch-22 (cost: $10) and compare its depiction of war to Dr. Strangelove. The analysis will be due one week after the performance (0-10 available points).
Friday, October 26, 2007
Thursday, October 25, 2007
"7,714 Movies and Counting"
Here's an interesting study of one man's movie history. What is your movie history, and what does it say about you?
Monday, October 22, 2007
Dr. Strangelove, or How I Learned to Love the Atomic Bomb
Viewing questions for DR. STRANGELOVE:
1. Look at the timeline and consider how this film depicts race? How do you interpret the film's depiction of race during this period of racial strife?
2. Briefly describe the production design of the major locations for the scenes.
3. This film makes distinctive use of camera position. Make note of at least 3 different angles and what meaning each conveys.
4. Chater 4 dicusses unique body language that acting can convey. Make note of Peter Sellers' 3 characters and what each's body language conveys.
5. How do fears of Communism manifest themselves in this film? What forms do they take?
6. What kind of character is Lionel Mandrake? Is President Merkin Muffley? Is Dr. Strangelove?
7. What kind of character is Brig. Gen. Jack D. Ripper? Is Maj. T.J. "King" Kong? Is. Gen. 'Buck" Turgidson? Is Miss Scott?
8. How do you interpret the role of the only female in the film?
1. Look at the timeline and consider how this film depicts race? How do you interpret the film's depiction of race during this period of racial strife?
2. Briefly describe the production design of the major locations for the scenes.
3. This film makes distinctive use of camera position. Make note of at least 3 different angles and what meaning each conveys.
4. Chater 4 dicusses unique body language that acting can convey. Make note of Peter Sellers' 3 characters and what each's body language conveys.
5. How do fears of Communism manifest themselves in this film? What forms do they take?
6. What kind of character is Lionel Mandrake? Is President Merkin Muffley? Is Dr. Strangelove?
7. What kind of character is Brig. Gen. Jack D. Ripper? Is Maj. T.J. "King" Kong? Is. Gen. 'Buck" Turgidson? Is Miss Scott?
8. How do you interpret the role of the only female in the film?
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
O Brother, Where Art Thou (2000)
Sing to me of the man, Muse, the man of twists and turns
driven time and again off course, once he had plundered the hallowed heights of Troy
Click here for a summary of the Odyssey.
1. Which characters/scarios in O BROTHER appear to be updates of the following characters/scenarios from THE ODYSSEY?
Odysseus
Telemachus (Odysseus' son)
Penelope (Odysseus' wife)
Polyphemus (the Cyclops)
Circe (a witch who turns Odysseus's men into pigs)
The Sirens (the temptresses who lure men to their death with song)
Tireseus (the old blind prophet)
The Lotus Eaters (a race of people whose primary food is lotus, a narcotic making them apathetic and zombielike, and which temporarily lures in O's men)
The slaughter of the cows of Helius (the men slaughter cows belonging to the god, who demands vengeance from Zeus)
2. How or why have the Coen brothers updated these characters? Why are theose changes significant?
3. If you were not familiar with the text of THE ODYSSEY, would you understand the film differently? How does knowing the original story enhance and/or detract from your viewing experience?
4. What ist he effect of setting this story during the Great Depression and in the Deep South? How does this particular setting help to set up the story of THE ODYSSEY?
driven time and again off course, once he had plundered the hallowed heights of Troy
Click here for a summary of the Odyssey.
1. Which characters/scarios in O BROTHER appear to be updates of the following characters/scenarios from THE ODYSSEY?
Odysseus
Telemachus (Odysseus' son)
Penelope (Odysseus' wife)
Polyphemus (the Cyclops)
Circe (a witch who turns Odysseus's men into pigs)
The Sirens (the temptresses who lure men to their death with song)
Tireseus (the old blind prophet)
The Lotus Eaters (a race of people whose primary food is lotus, a narcotic making them apathetic and zombielike, and which temporarily lures in O's men)
The slaughter of the cows of Helius (the men slaughter cows belonging to the god, who demands vengeance from Zeus)
2. How or why have the Coen brothers updated these characters? Why are theose changes significant?
3. If you were not familiar with the text of THE ODYSSEY, would you understand the film differently? How does knowing the original story enhance and/or detract from your viewing experience?
4. What ist he effect of setting this story during the Great Depression and in the Deep South? How does this particular setting help to set up the story of THE ODYSSEY?
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
Key terms, ch. 7, pp. 230-63
You will be responsible for these terms on the next exam. Be sure to define them and come to Friday's class with questions if you need clarification.
actuality
story
plot
the fictive stance
real author
implied author
point of view
subjective shot
classical Hollywood narrative
explicit causality
implicit causality
antinarrative
suspense
surprise
genre
convention
deviant plot structures
actuality
story
plot
the fictive stance
real author
implied author
point of view
subjective shot
classical Hollywood narrative
explicit causality
implicit causality
antinarrative
suspense
surprise
genre
convention
deviant plot structures
Monday, October 8, 2007
Viewing Questions for The Searchers (John Ford, 1956)
Click here to see cast and other information.
1. Before watching the film, watch the the trailer and jot down what some observations about what kind of story you anticipate.
2. Pay close attention to the opening and closing shots. How do you interpret them in relation to the movie as a whole?
3. What kind of character is Ethan? Is Martin? What motivates their actions?
4. As a war veteran, what does Ethan's character tell us about how war can change a person?
5. What kind of character is Scar? What does his character tell us about the portrayal of "Indians" in the Western?
6. How does the landscape act as a character? That is, how does it perform important functions in the movie?
7. What kind of character is Mose? What does he bring to the film?
8. How do you describe the role of women in the western, as embodied by Laurie, Debbie, and the nameless white women?
9. How does the Western define masculinity? Give examples.
10. How does The Searchers mediate fears of Communism in America?
1. Before watching the film, watch the the trailer and jot down what some observations about what kind of story you anticipate.
2. Pay close attention to the opening and closing shots. How do you interpret them in relation to the movie as a whole?
3. What kind of character is Ethan? Is Martin? What motivates their actions?
4. As a war veteran, what does Ethan's character tell us about how war can change a person?
5. What kind of character is Scar? What does his character tell us about the portrayal of "Indians" in the Western?
6. How does the landscape act as a character? That is, how does it perform important functions in the movie?
7. What kind of character is Mose? What does he bring to the film?
8. How do you describe the role of women in the western, as embodied by Laurie, Debbie, and the nameless white women?
9. How does the Western define masculinity? Give examples.
10. How does The Searchers mediate fears of Communism in America?
Thursday, October 4, 2007
Example of the three uses of sound
I don't remember how I ran across this scene; it is a bit corny but it shows the three uses of sound in film - dialogue, sound effects, and music - all of which seem to play pivotal roles in this clip. Around the 2:20 mark, the music will change to include dissonant notes to create unease. The Psycho clip also uses dissonance to create a sense of uneasiness during the stabbing scene but the musical stylings are different.
Opening scene of X-Men 2 (2003)
Monday, October 1, 2007
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