Elliott Soraff film studies A level

  Scottie - Powerful/Respected/Brave/extremely anxious yet excited very quickly -He was a "bright young lawyer" but changed his job to be a  policemen- he wanted excitement -The reason he quit was he claims its his "Vertigo" but it's actually an excuse because he doesn't want to sit "behind a desk" -His arrogance is brought forward. -He is a bachelor- He's a "free, independent man" -His back is in theory restricting as he's embarrassed by his corset, but uses it to his advantage as it emasculates him. -There is an unwillingness to confront his problems such as his vertigo. -Very proud himself when "fishing out" Madeleine from the bay. -Scottie's complex relationship with Madeleine brings out his naivety at first but as their relationship develops a sense of composure and sophistication is brought forward by him. Ever since he laid eyes on her, he had been indulged by her beauty, but as he got to know her...

By late 1950s, studio system both at height of development and on the verge of changes which would sweep it away by the mid 1960s. After years of success in film + TV, Hitchcock was one of a minority of directors who had independence from studio interference. By late 1950s, Hitchcock made films for most of the studios (usually on his terms). Including Rear Window. Hitchcock worked with a close team of trusted regulars he trusted to fulfil his vision of 'Pure Cinema'. He felt that they were the best to try and get his point across to his audience. This included: -Robert Burks (Director of Photography) -George Tomasini (Editor) -Henry Bumstead (Art Director) -Bernarde Hermann (Music) -Saul Bass (Titles) Worked repeatedly with certain stars- James Stewart and Cary Grant. What made him an Auteur? Hitchcock seen as auteur with significant themes + pre-occupations in his films: -Innocent men falsely accused, pursued or persecuted- the ...

In the making of this short film, we took on various aspects that are made apparent in various of Hitchcock's movies (auteur). Through these techniques we were able to understand why he used them and the message he was trying to get across. This includes: String music is an essential component when trying to tell the story in Hitchcock movies. It  heightens suspense or sometimes sends the audience in the complete opposite direction. Shadows were another way in which to frighten and amplify suspense. It compliments the music and conveys that something dreadful is about to occur. The "Vertigo Effect" (Dolly Zoom)  created a new era and was monumental in the sense that in most scenarios it emphasised and exaggerated the emotions of the character the shot is focused on. Hitchcock established this shot in Vertigo and has been illustrated in many Hollywood Classics and the films we so love today. 

-As seen in both films and the majority of Hitchcock's works, the leading female always tends to be a blonde . This is a prime example of Hitchcock's auteur . The POV (Point of View) shot is a trademark in Hitchcock's cinematic library and features numerous times in both of these films. The examples below include the opening scene in Vertigo (left) and through the lens of Jeff's camera (right).       -Hitchcock was one of the founding pioneers of the cameo and features in every single one of his films. In Vertigo he walks across the camera in the street and in Rear Window he wear a blue dressing gown, a supposed guest to the piano man who's Jeff's neighbour.     - Music in both films has a fundamental role in heightening suspense . In fact, in both films, music is used when Jimmy Stewart is in danger from falling from a tall building. Furthermore, we get a high angled shot...

History of US Film -Until WW1, France leading film producing country. -By the 1920s, most films came from United States. -Today America is the leading country in the exportation if films. -American Cinema is mainly associated with the Hollywood entertainment industry, the "dream factory". -1893, Edison constructed a motion picture studio in his laboratory. -Edvin S. Porter took charge of motion-picture production at Edison's company and began making longer films. Porter's most notable film- The Great Train Robbery (1903)    -In 1920s, Chaplin began making feature- length comedies, including The Kid (1921) and The Gold Rush (1925) .  -Advent of recorded sound in the 1920s changed motion pictures. -First demonstrated in 1926,  recorded sound was in almost Universal use by 1930 . -Two new genres that flourished with the coming of sound were gangster films and musicals (Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers) . -Filmed animation gained in popularity; Walt Di...

With close reference to the TWO films you have studied, explore how EITHER sound OR editing create meaning? Sound: Pan's Labyrinth -Before the treacherous action is committed by Vidal, the only sound that is audible for the audience, apart from the dialogue, is the foley sound of crickets in the woods. This further stresses the intensity of the scene and compliments the use of little light used throughout it.  -The sheer brutality of fascism is highlighted through the emphasis of the noise the bottle makes when making contact with the hunter's face. This diegetic sound is also complimented by the quiet, flabbergasting, parallel string music that can be heard when we see the hunter being stabbed in the eye. -When the other hunter is shot in the head, the noise of the gun is so loud that it makes it is almost inaudible to hear the gunshot reverb. However, this sound effect has been manipulated in order to compliment the strings as it is turned into a sort of deep Cello no...

4 main plot points 1st- meeting Scottie and Scottie meeting Gavin Elster; Madeleine's curious behavior is first outlined; Scottie is tasked with observing her. 2nd- scene in Scottie's apartment following his rescue of Madeleine; first scene where they directly interact with one another; personal relationship is established. 3rd- Scottie's failure to stop Madeleine's apartment suicide. 4th- Judy reveals the truth about her disguise  and the events that occurred after her "death" by writing a letter to Scottie. Narrative... Not plot -Narrative: A spoken or written accounts of connected events; a story -Plot: The main events that occur within a film . 2 distinct, but linked narratives. 1st- Madeleine Elster narrative. 2nd- Judy Barton narrative. Linked together by central theme surrounding Scottie: self-possession + control in a dangerous and uncertain world. Film in 2 halves- separated by Madeleine's suicide. 3 Act Structure 3 ac...