Remember....Jimmy Stewart is watching you!
08 April 2011
Research Question
Ok all, it's time that we start on the first part of the paper. I know that for some of you the research question is coming up pretty quickly. It's Monday and Tuesday for quite a few. So, here's how we'll do it for the time being. Post your research question as a comment on this blog post and we'll take it from there.
Remember....Jimmy Stewart is watching you!
Remember....Jimmy Stewart is watching you!
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How do lighting and camera angles reinforce the theme of truth and deception in the movie Rashomon?
ReplyDeleteCallie Stribling, Period 1/2
Great Job Callie!
ReplyDeleteHow does the disconnectedness of strangers lead to the connectedness of neighbors in the film Rear Window?
ReplyDeleteRyan Rash, Period 1/2
How do the Japanese portray death in The Departures, and what elements of the film contribute to that?
ReplyDeleteMichelle Zhang, Period 1/2
Raeneisha Cole
ReplyDeleteGreat Ideas/ Periods 5&6
How does the lighting, camera angles and the absence of speech (the significant employment of music) contribute to establish the overall tone of Metropolis, reveal its creative expressionism and reinforce the themes of separation, incompleteness and degradation between the 'workers' and 'thinkers' in the film?
@Shelly
ReplyDeleteYou might want to investigate themes related to a specific KIND of death, perhaps the spiritual aspects that the film deals with. "Death" seems to be an enormous issue and it would be better to be more precise.
@Raeneisha
Go with a single element. Trust me, there is so much meaning being generated out of a single element over a feature-length film. That film especially lends itself to a study of camera angles because it's an early film that pioneered blending action and a heavily stylized setting and plot.
@Ryan
ReplyDeleteGo deeper into what exactly you mean by connection and disconnection. If you mean physically, that is closeness in space, sharing location, common areas and their various acts of saying hello, helping each other, enacting violence upon each other, what have you. There's less there to dig through and make meaning. There are definitely subtleties that emerge and affect interpretations of the film, however you could also look at Jimmy Stewart in relation to his increasing isolation in multiple aspects of his life. His career is somewhat shot, he looks like he lives comfortably, but he cannot work. He's obviously starved of human interaction and conditions like these make people act in ways outside their character. Anyway, good movie pick and Isolation is a fine theme to trace, but be as precise as you can.
How does the change in lighting throughout the Godfather show Michael's takeover of his father's role as the head of the family?
ReplyDeleteKatelyn Alexander
1/2
Nikita Prasad 5/6
ReplyDeleteMovie: Life is Beautiful
How is the mechanism of comedy used in feature films and how comedy can influence the meaning of ideas and dialogs through out the movie?
The French and their choice to be in the Vichy or the Resistance during the occupation of France WWII?
ReplyDeleteSandra Norwood
Period 1/2
How does the the parallel to the fairy tale and use of colors in each scene drive the plot and set up the climax in "The Red Shoes"?
ReplyDeleteJenna Lang, Period 1/2
What classic horror themes and stories does Kubrick show and use in his making of The Shining?
ReplyDeleteAiden Kahn, 1/2
how does Junet use color filters, camera angles, and lighting to develop characters and the scenery in Amélie?
ReplyDeleteShannon Plunkett 1/2
@Jenna
ReplyDeleteI would choose a particular fairy tale and address its reflection in the film. Also, investigate if the film intentionally used the fairy tale as an inspiration, or if it is just a coincidence.
@Aiden
Look at a particular Horror genre theme and go from there. It can be something as simple as "isolation." Think of all the films that include an element of isolating the protagonists/ antagonists and how that setting sets up the "horror element".
@Shannon
Narrow your scope. Choose a particular filmmaking element and how it affects a particular diagetic element. That is, choose character OR setting, not both.
How do the discursive elements of each shot and the editing create a tone of paranoia and unrest in Aronofsky's Pi?
ReplyDeleteGabby McRoberts 5/6
@Gabby
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't go with every shot. That will be a pretty long paper. If you want to go shot-by-shot I would suggest choosing a particular scene pivotal to the themes of paranoia and unrest (also rephrase "unrest" in that it is a little vague in this context).
How are the ideas of good and evil projected in Goodfellas, as well as the differences between greater and lesser evils?
ReplyDeleteConnor Prater-Burgess 5/6
@Connor
ReplyDeleteThat's too broad. Choose a paradigm to look at. For example, how the film portrays the ethical code of the gangsters and how that code is further supported by the formalist filmmaking elements.
How do the high-light levels and various frame shots affect the setting and tone of the peasants in Akira Kurosawa's "The Seven Samurai"?
ReplyDelete-Amber Mangalindan 5/6
How does Sukurov use the motif of blindness and invisibility to portray Russia's complex relationship with Europe during the 18th and 19th century?
ReplyDelete@Sofia
ReplyDeleteWhich Sukurov film are you going to use? I've seen Moloch but that's all.
How does Kubrick use existentialism to explain the behavior and morality of men at war in "Full Metal Jacket" ?
ReplyDeleteHow does Nina's desire for/pursuit of/attainment of perfection relate to modern ideas and goals in American society in Aronofsky's Black Swan?
ReplyDeleteTaylor Treviño, .1/2
Movie: Dr. Strangelove
ReplyDeleteHow does the ironic humor that is displayed throughout the movie portray the view of nuclear warfare during that Cold War era?
How does the inner conflict of good vs. evil reflect in each of the characters in Crash? What stance does Haggis take on this idea and how is his opinion expressed in the film, especially considering the race relations that occur throughout the film.
ReplyDeleteHow do the long takes in Alfred Hitchcock's "Rope" reinforce the tension and suspense throughout the film?
ReplyDeleteSam Kaspar 5/6
@Sander
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't say that Kubrick "uses" existentialism. I would say that the film reflects some existentialist themes. That's the better approach.
@Taylor
Try to make the second part of your research question more precise. What goals of American society are you exploring? Be as precise as possible in this regard.
@Alexa
So you want to look specifically at the use of irony to reflect what exactly? What about the mood of the Cold War era do you want to explore?
@Jesse
You need to rephrase this question. It needs to be more precise and offer an accessibly answerable question that will produce a clear thesis statement.
@Sam
Good job
How does the author show Bruno and Ricci in the neorealist film "The Bicycle Thief" switch roles of father and son?
ReplyDeleteMakala Kuhr 1/2
How does David Lynch use cars, highways, and the concept of road rage to highlight the conflict between fantasy and reality?
ReplyDeleteOlivia Nanyes 5/6
How does the absence of sound in "City Lights" help to bring each of the characters to life?
ReplyDeleteMichaela Boswell 1/2
Mr. Odum:
ReplyDeleteI fixed my research question
Original: How do the Japanese portray death in The Departures, and what elements of the film contribute to that?
New: How do the Japanese portray death as a spiritual journey in The Departures, and what elements of the film contribute to that?
Michelle Zhang, Period 1/2
Revision:
ReplyDeleteHow does Sukurov use the motif of blindness and invisibility to portray Russia's complex relationship with Europe during the 18th and 19th century in "Russian Ark"?
Sofia Dyer 5/6
Revision of my question:
ReplyDeleteHow does Goodfellas portray the ethical code of gangsters versus the life of "nobodies", and what elements of the film show this?
Connor 5/6
How are lighting and camera angles used to set the mood in To Kill a Mockingbird?
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Mendez, 1/2
How do the motifs of light and motion contribute to the theme of personal morals and mortality in Strangers on a Train?
ReplyDeleteHannah Bangs 1/2
How is the movement of the camera and the sequence of the scenes/the cuts between the scenes used to create a realistic effect on the movie and add to the effect on the viewer?
ReplyDeleteCaleb Gross 1/2
How does John Ford use the cinematography in The Searchers to portray the historical aspects of "the old west" by using both the function of the characters in the world they inhabit and their interactions eachother?
ReplyDeleteKira Strzepa 1/2
How does Christopher Nolan use the cinematography in Memento to make the viewer feel just as confused as Leonard, and how does this compare to Christopher Nolan's Inception?
ReplyDeleteHow do the camera angles, lighting and music selections change the mood in different scenes in The Shawshank Redemption?
ReplyDeleteEmerson Curtis 1/2
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteManugian criticizes Christopher Nolan for trying to "ram too many themes into the story." How does Nolan highlight his primary theme obsession without overemphasizing other equally important ones such as nature of deceit?
ReplyDelete-Noe Mina 1/2
How does the the determinist perspective of the Arabians in "Lawrence of Arabia" affect the overall mood of the film?
ReplyDeleteMark Rangel 5/6
@Noe
ReplyDeleteYou may want to perhaps follow Nolan's chief theme and investigate how other themes in the film "branch off" from that. For example the theme of deception in The Dark Knight. Of course Batman is a lie, but a lie intended to protect. The character who consistently demands the truth is the Joker.It can be read as a commentary on the "War on Terror" and/or state-sponsored deception in general.
@Mark
What do you mean "determinist perspective"? If I understand correctly you may want to investigate the concept of Fate in Arab thought in reality and compare it to the presentation of that theme in the film. Make sure that you research the specific tribe portrayed in the film however, we'll want to avoid unfair generalizations.
@ Connor
Good reboot of the question, but you should take it even further and look at how the film presents "identity" (that is, between "nobodies" and the gangsters). How is identity defined through the criminal lifestyle?
I'll get back to the rest of you tomorrow. 'night
Sorry I'm late... the 11th was totally poor planning on my part. Better luck next time :)
ReplyDeleteHow do the directors of Fargo use the camera and lighting to adjust the comic mood of the film?
-- Lane Kolbly 1/2
@Lane
ReplyDeleteYou need to be more specific about the "comic mood". What kind of comedy is the film? Is it a farce, a black comedy, a slapstick romp?
@Kira
I would look at the reality of the "old west" and how that is altered and presented through an ideological lens by Ford through his characters.
@Emerson
You will want to isolate a few related scenes to analyze or else you'll be writing forever.
@Gabi
Confusion is a great theme to look at in Nolan's Memento, however it is difficult to say that the audience is just as confused as the character. The reverse chronological arrangement of the scenes is, of course, the most striking formalistic choice in the work, so that is definitely where to start, but you might want to look at how suspense is built through this form.
danni biddle
ReplyDelete5/6
ho does the chemistry of the dance (swing) compare to the chemistry between the two characters (penny and lucky)
How does James Whale use cinematography to create a sinister mood due to Frankenstein's error of, literally, creating a monster?
ReplyDelete-Ivana Correa, 5/6
I suppose it's more of a black comedy sort of film than a slapstick...
ReplyDeleteHow do the directors of Fargo use the camera and lighting to adjust the black comedy of the film?
-- Lane Kolbly 1/2
How do the camera angles, and lighting change the mood in different scenes in Casablanca?
ReplyDeleteChristopher Delgado 1/2
How do the Focus, angles, and lighting used in 'The Godfather' affect the mood of the film?
ReplyDeleteSpencer Neth 5/6
Question: How the usage of the colors Red, White and Black creates the development of the character of Benjamin Braddock through various shots and angles taken throughout The Graduate.
ReplyDeleteThesis Statement:
Mike Nichols use of the colors Red, White and Black within frames and with different camera angles helps the create the development of the main character Benjamin Braddock in the movie The Graduate.
How does Michelangelo Antonioni express not only his thoughts about the 60s London Movement, but his feelings as a director during the 60s in "Blow Up!" through use of symbolism, camera angles, and representation of himself through the photographer character?
ReplyDeleteC. Testa 5/6
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteResearch Question: How does the use of very saturated colors in Singing In The Rain back up the humor & the transition from silent films to talking films???
ReplyDeleteThesis: The saturated colors in Singing In The Rain contribute to the humor by creating bright scenes and not a typical black, brown and white color that would be seen in the silent films prior to Singing In The Rain.
-Mikisa Harvey
-Period 1/2
@Miskisa
ReplyDeleteSilent films went out of vogue in the late 1920s (after The Jazz Singer in 1927). Singing In the Rain was released in 1952. The transition from silent film to "talkies" IS a central concern of the film's plot though. Perhaps that's something you can examine. Also, remember that The Wizard of Oz was in color in 1939, so by 1952 color films were not new. Please post the research question as a comment under its blog post.
@Testa
I like that you want to examine the director's political perspective through the film, however you need to be specific about WHAT "1960s movement" you're writing about. The social, political, and cultural upheavals in the 1960s were complex, diverse, and region-specific. Remember that the changes that occurred in the 1960s would be perceived differently by an Italian than an American.
@Sebastian
I like the topic. I think that you can do a lot through an analysis of Nichols' use of color. You research outside of the film itself should look at his influences and how they approached the making of meaning through the use of color.
@Spencer
Choose one of the elements and look at how it affects the mood (also, in your thesis, be sure to be specific about what "mood" you think Coppola creates). Any more than one, and you'll be writing a book. Trust me on this one.
@Danni
Define "chemistry"
@Christopher
Look at what I replied to Spencer. I suggest the same advice.
@Lane
Again, same advice as Spencer and Christopher. Also, what do you mean by "adjust"?
@Ivana
If I were looking at Frankenstein and the issues related to Dr. Frankenstein's "error" I would look at how the different angles used in the film drive home the question of "what does it mean to be human?"
How do the directors of Fargo use the camera to accentuate the black comedy of the film?
ReplyDelete-- Lane Kolbly 1/2
P.S. I think you meant to say thesis instead of research question.
@Lane
ReplyDeleteNo, I mean't research question. The thesis is the answer to the research question. It is formed by researching your topic and coming to an informed conclusion. In regards to your research question it is pretty good so far. Make sure that you are very specific in your thesis when you define what you mean by "accentuate" (you might even replace that with "create(s)" as well as "black comedy".
I never got a response to my question so I'm just reposting it:
ReplyDeleteHow does the change in lighting throughout the Godfather show Michael's takeover of his father's role as the head of the family?
Katelyn Alexander
1/2
I think we're talking about two different instances. I'm referring to the last sentence of the last response to Mikisa, not that it matters, of course :)
ReplyDeleteI'll make sure to be as specific as possible in my thesis.
-- Lane Kolbly 1/2
mine isn't really in question form, but I believe it gets the idea across better
ReplyDeleteCompare and contrast how Francis Ford Coppola and his daughter Sofia Coppola deal with family relationships and gender roles in their films. How do their director styles contribute to this?
- Moira Quinn 5/6
@Katelyn
ReplyDeleteSorry about that. I like the question. It takes a specific element and looks at how that element "makes meaning" in the film. Good job.
@Lane
Awesome, thanks
@Mo
SO you want to look at the different ways that each Coppola presents the family dynamic.Are you going to then relate it to the actual Coppola family dynamic?
How are the psychological effects of war represented by character development and interaction in The Deer Hunter?
ReplyDelete--Katie Pastor, Period 5/6
How do the angles used in "the Godfather" affect the mood of the film
ReplyDeleteMy revised research question: How do the different camera angles used in "Frankenstein" reveal what it means to be human?
ReplyDeletedanni biddle
ReplyDelete5/6
how does the connection in dance (swing) compare to the connection and attraction between the two characters (penny and lucky)
I think that would be really interesting, but I don't know how many sources there are on that, if there are enough I think it would be a great section to add to to the paper
ReplyDelete@Makala
ReplyDeleteI like the question. I would rephrase it though. It reads a little awkwardly.
@Danni
ReplyDeleteAre you talking about bodily contact? So you're examining how the relationship between the main characters is reflected through their dances?
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAfter rewatching The Shawshank Redemption I was wondering if I could change my question to
ReplyDeleteWhat does The Shawshank Redemption say about what it means to be free?
Emerson Curtis, 1/2
How does William Castle use camera angles and lighting to further the plot and create a suspenseful atmosphere in Homicidal?
ReplyDeleteDanielle D
Great Ideas 1/2
How does Kubrick develop the Torrence's isolation from society and their response to it to create the horror perceived by the audience?
ReplyDeleteOriginal: How does the inner conflict of good vs. evil reflect in each of the characters in Crash? What stance does Haggis take on this idea and how is his opinion expressed in the film, especially considering the race relations that occur throughout the film.
ReplyDeleteRevised: How do characters in Crash make decisions about their own morality and what does Haggis believe (about their race/ethnicity) determines what these moralities are centered around?
@Sandra
ReplyDeleteI think that an examination of the brutal choice between collaboration and resistance in WWII is a fascinating topic. I would take a film that explores this conflict in relation to the french perspective on other outsider groups (like in The Battle of Algiers)
I know this is SO SO LATE, but I honestly forgot all about this. So a couple of the thesis questions for Let The Right One In I had in mind:
ReplyDelete1) How does the reoccurring theme of coldness and snow contribute to the mood and over all aesthetic composition of the film?
or
2) Some would say the main characters relationship is inappropriate for their age. Does the language and cultural differences in the film affect the viewers opinion?
@ Jeanea
ReplyDeleteThe first one is too obvious. The cold of the outside world reflects the coldness of the boy's life, Swedish society, the crappy town they live in, the fact that he hangs out with a dead girl.
The second one is the one to go with, but remember that there are no cultural differences IN the film. There are only cultural/ language differences between the film and the viewer. It may be interesting to examine the response to the "inappropriate" relationship across cultures and do some research into what that means about that cuture.
Original Research Question: How does the use of very saturated colors in Singing In The Rain back up the humor & the transition from silent films to talking films???
ReplyDeleteNew Research Question: How does lighting and the use of technicolor in Singin' in the Rain help to add emotion to the scenes? And how does this help portray the two sides of Hollywood that Stanley Denon tries to show?
-Mikisa Harvey
Period 1/2
Original question: Some would say the main characters relationship is inappropriate for their age. Does the language and cultural differences in the film affect the viewers opinion?
ReplyDeleteNew question: Is the relationship between Eli and Oskar excessively sexual? How does their relationship differ from that of Eli and Hakan?