Eekpocalypse Now!

Eekpocalypse Now!

Two examples of mockumentaries... or one?

Blair Witch Project


Cloverfield


At first I thought Cloverfield was an example a mockumentary, albeit not of the satirical flavor, however I'm not convinced anymore that it fits the bill, per se. Yes, the characters do break down the fourth wall and acknowledge the camera's presence, and the film exhibits the same handheld, "home movie" feel as Blair-Witch.... heck, even techniques of Cinéma-vérité can be seen, but I believe Cloverfield is just a fictional story told through the first person perspective of a character holding a camera. What does anyone else think?

You can watch the full-length Cloverfield trailer @ Apple Trailers.

Viewing Questions for Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control (Erroll Morris, 1997)

1. What do Dave, George, Raymond, and Rodney have in common?

2. What effects do Erroll Morris’s montages achieve?

3. Describe the elements of the narrative. That is, how are the stories told? How do the stories interact to create larger themes? What are those themes?

4. What are the effects of juxtaposing the voice over of one story over the video of another story (for example: Raymond’s naked mole-rat colony description voiced over images of George’s circus)?

5. What are the universal (i.e., shared among all) characteristics of each of the men’s areas of expertise?

The Mockumentary, according to Christopher Guest

--This Is Spinal Tap


--Best in Show


--Waiting for Guffman

Viewing Questions for The Public Enemy (William A. Wellman, 1931)

1.Note specific scenes where you see the Production Code in operation.

2. What kind of character is Tom Powers? Mike Powers? Ma Powers? Matty?

3. How is this a national story? What kind of America does Public Enemy show us?

4. What role does gender play in the movie?

The Underworld (1927)


The Public Enemy trailer



The Public Enemy trailer parody (with deleted footage)

Scene Analysis assignment

Your assignment is to write a 2-3 page analysis that focuses on mise-en-scène, camera angles and position, and the relevance of the particular scene to the rest of the film. Make a brief but coherent argument about the ways in which the formal elements of the scene shape or intensify the film’s drama or themes. Do not use plot summary.

You will want to view the scene several times, taking as detailed notes as possible. Some shorthand that might help (see your glossary for definitions of the terms):

cu close-up
xcu extreme close-up
ms medium shot
fs full or long shot
ps pan shot
ts tilt shot
s/rs shot/reverse shot
X cut
lt long take
crs crane shot
trs tracking shot (use arrows to indicate the direction that the camera tracks)
la low angle
ha high angle

After you annotate the scene accordingly, describe these annotations in precise, clear prose. Describe the conclusions you draw or interpretations you make about the sequence and their relevance to the film as a whole (be sure to note where the scene occurs in the movie). Then revise into a clear analysis of the scene. Don't forget to use correct character names!

Be sure to pay careful attention to the clarity of your writing.
1. Grammar: Have you eliminated misspellings and punctuation errors?
2. Syntax: Have you eliminated unnecessary passive constructions, using vivid verbs
throughout? Remember: avoid using weak “to be” verbs (am, are, is, was, were, be, being, been) as well as “other” weak verbs such as get and got, go and went. Have you used words clearly and correctly, avoiding: 1) non-descript phrases such as “a lot”; 2) the overuse of “I feel, believe, etc.”; and 3) the use of “you” in your prose? Have you avoided dangling modifier and homonym errors?
3. Format: Be sure to use 12 point Times New Roman Font, make your margins 1” all around, and double space.

Choose one of the following scenes to analyze (if none of these suit you, it is up to you to find a short scene [1-2 minutes long] from any of the movies we have watched/will watch this semester):

Jesus Camp--another extra credit opportunity

Analysis/summary worth 6-8 points. Due to me in class by 11/19

Bladerunner viewing questions

“Quite an experience to live in fear. That’s what it is to be a slave”

1. What is Bladerunner’s vision of capitalism? That is, what does the film do with familiar brands? Which can you identify? What role do they play in the film?

2. What is the production design of the movie? Describe noticeable sets, the general “look” of the film.

3. What are the replicants like? Name them and list their major characteristics.

4. What do photographs represent in this film?

5. What allusions does this movie make to literary or religious texts?

Chaplin

This is my first post. This is for any Charlie Chaplin/ Old movie fans. Its spoken in Italian and plays with Hitler. Still funny even if you don't understand what they are saying:)