Difference between pages "JCM412512/Analytical Exercise (Discussion)" and "JCM412512/Mise-en-scene (Discussion)"

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(→‎Discussion questions: added Mad Men lighting grid link)
 
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{{Gallery
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'''UserName: tcfuser''' <br />
|title=''Ball of Fire'''s "Second Kiss" Scene: Mise-en-scene, Editing, Sound Perspective
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|File:BallOfFire001.jpg|alt1=''Ball of Fire'' screen shot.|First shot.
 
|File:BallOfFire003.jpg|alt2=''Ball of Fire'' screen shot.|
 
|File:BallOfFire004.jpg|alt3=''Ball of Fire'' screen shot.|
 
|File:BallOfFire006.jpg|alt4=''Ball of Fire'' screen shot.|
 
|File:BallOfFire028.jpg|alt5=''Ball of Fire'' screen shot.|Last shot.
 
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#''Briefly'' describe the mise-en-scene of the scene in which Sugarpuss kisses Bertram the ''second'' time.  How does mise-en-scene function in term of the narrative? That is, how does it help to build the characters and their relationship?  Be sure to discuss setting, costume, lighting, and the positioning of the actors. (15 points)
 
#Based on the "second kiss" scene, draw a single diagram of the professors' work room from an overhead, "bird's eye" view.  Indicate the main camera and actor positions. Label the camera positions for shot "1," "2," etc.--as we did in the class editing exercise.  Does the editing adhere to the 180 degree system?  Explain.
 
#Explain in your own words what the concept of "sound perspective" means. How would you describe the sound perspective in the "second kiss" scene? Judging from how it sounds, what conventional position of the microphone was used? Explain.
 
#What is the central narrative enigma of ''Ball of Fire''? Comparing the film's beginning and ending, how is that enigma posed to the viewer and is it resolved or not at the end?
 
#How do the story time and the screen time of ''Ball of Fire'' differ in order and duration?
 
#In one shot (below), Bertram speaks with Sugarpuss. Note: This shot is ''not'' from the scene of the second kiss, which is to be used in the mise-en-scene and editing questions. Discuss the cinematography (especially camera angle, framing and depth of field) of this shot in terms of how it supports the narrative.
 
{{Gallery
 
|title=''Ball of Fire'': Cinematography
 
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|File:BallOfFire035.jpg|alt1=''Ball of Fire'' screen shot.|Sugarpuss and Bertram's ''first'' encounter. Click image to enlarge.
 
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#Does Ball of Fire follow the narrative conventions of classical cinema—as Bordwell and Thompson explain it? Explain, with specific reference to individual scenes.
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Much as Bordwell/Thompson do with ''Our Hospitality'', we will examine the '''narrative functions''' of mise-en-scene in a short scene from ''[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138097/ Shakespeare in Love]'' (John Madden, 1998). (See [http://www.tcf.ua.edu/EO/DV/FilmArt/ShakespeareFromDVD.php video clip].)
#Is  the music in Ball of Fire diegetic, nondiegetic, or both? Cite examples.
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==Plot summary==
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[[Image:ShakespeareInLove006.jpg|thumb|left|600px|Opening shot from the ''Shakespeare in Love'' scene.]]
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<br clear="all">
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From http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138097/plotsummary :
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Romantic comedy set in London in the late 16th century: Young playwright William Shakespeare struggles with his latest work "Romeo and Ethel the Pirate's Daughter". A great fan of Shakespeare's plays is young, wealthy Viola who is about to be married to the cold-hearted Lord Wessex, but constantly dreams of becoming an actress. Women were not allowed to act on stage at that time (female roles were played by men, too), but dressed up as a boy, Viola successfully auditions for the part of Romeo. Soon she and William are caught in a forbidden romance that provides rich inspiration for his play. 
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==Discussion questions==
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#'''Group 1:''' What narrative meaning does the set design suggest? Or in other words, what narrative function does it serve? How does it help to establish the characters and their relationship? What are "objective correlatives" or "icons"? How might we see them in action in this scene, helping to build the narrative?
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#'''Group 2:''' What narrative meaning does the costume design suggest? Or in other words, what narrative function does it serve? How does it help to establish the characters and their relationship? How might we see objective correlatives/icons in action in this scene, helping to build the narrative?
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#'''Group 3:''' Describe the four basic characteristics of light in film (and television)--including specific instances of three-point lighting and high/low key lighting. ([http://www.tcf.ua.edu/jbutler/MadMen/ See ''Mad Men'' lighting grid.]) What narrative meaning does the lighting design suggest? Or in other words, what narrative function does it serve? How does it help to establish the characters and their relationship? How might we see lighting's characteristics in action in this scene, helping to build the narrative?
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#'''Group 4:''' What narrative meaning does the actor movement (that is, "blocking") suggest? Or in other words, what narrative function does it serve? How does it help to establish the characters and their relationship? How might we see blocking in action in this scene, helping to build the narrative? If this were a silent film, what narrative meaning would be signified by blocking?
  
 
== Bibliography ==
 
== Bibliography ==
#Jeremy G. Butler, ''Television: Critical Methods and Applications'' (New York: Routledge, 2012).
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#Jeremy G. Butler, ''Television: Critical Methods and Applications'' (Routledge)
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#David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson, ''Film Art: An Introduction'' (McGraw-Hill)
  
 
==External links==
 
==External links==
#[http://www.tcf.ua.edu/Classes/Jbutler/T440/AnalExIllustrations.htm Analytical Exercise examples]
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#[http://www.tcf.ua.edu/Classes/Jbutler/T440/VisualStyleIllustrations.htm Mise-en-scene Illustrations]
#*[http://www.tcf.ua.edu/EO/DV/BallOfFire02big.php Sugarpuss and Bertram's second kiss (video clip).]
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#[http://www.tcf.ua.edu/EO/DV/FilmArt/ShakespeareFromDVD.php ''Shakespeare in Love'' video clip]
  
 
[[Category:TCF440/540 Discussion]]
 
[[Category:TCF440/540 Discussion]]

Revision as of 15:57, 24 January 2011

UserName: tcfuser
Password: tcfuser

Much as Bordwell/Thompson do with Our Hospitality, we will examine the narrative functions of mise-en-scene in a short scene from Shakespeare in Love (John Madden, 1998). (See video clip.)

Plot summary

Opening shot from the Shakespeare in Love scene.


From http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0138097/plotsummary :

Romantic comedy set in London in the late 16th century: Young playwright William Shakespeare struggles with his latest work "Romeo and Ethel the Pirate's Daughter". A great fan of Shakespeare's plays is young, wealthy Viola who is about to be married to the cold-hearted Lord Wessex, but constantly dreams of becoming an actress. Women were not allowed to act on stage at that time (female roles were played by men, too), but dressed up as a boy, Viola successfully auditions for the part of Romeo. Soon she and William are caught in a forbidden romance that provides rich inspiration for his play.

Discussion questions

  1. Group 1: What narrative meaning does the set design suggest? Or in other words, what narrative function does it serve? How does it help to establish the characters and their relationship? What are "objective correlatives" or "icons"? How might we see them in action in this scene, helping to build the narrative?
  2. Group 2: What narrative meaning does the costume design suggest? Or in other words, what narrative function does it serve? How does it help to establish the characters and their relationship? How might we see objective correlatives/icons in action in this scene, helping to build the narrative?
  3. Group 3: Describe the four basic characteristics of light in film (and television)--including specific instances of three-point lighting and high/low key lighting. (See Mad Men lighting grid.) What narrative meaning does the lighting design suggest? Or in other words, what narrative function does it serve? How does it help to establish the characters and their relationship? How might we see lighting's characteristics in action in this scene, helping to build the narrative?
  4. Group 4: What narrative meaning does the actor movement (that is, "blocking") suggest? Or in other words, what narrative function does it serve? How does it help to establish the characters and their relationship? How might we see blocking in action in this scene, helping to build the narrative? If this were a silent film, what narrative meaning would be signified by blocking?

Bibliography

  1. Jeremy G. Butler, Television: Critical Methods and Applications (Routledge)
  2. David Bordwell and Kristin Thompson, Film Art: An Introduction (McGraw-Hill)

External links

  1. Mise-en-scene Illustrations
  2. Shakespeare in Love video clip