Character Design Lesson

Today we learnt about habitats and what the animals/monsters need to be a predator, scavenger or prey and the kind of shapes etc..

Animation on Maya Today

Life Drawing Today

Psycho Film Review

The Shower Scene

Fig1

This famous scene of Hitchcock's psycho works so well, its montage of cuts, its metamorphosis with the plug and the eye, the close up of the mouth, the sway from side to side each time there is a slash of the knife and the minimal gore to what we are used to seeing. Also how the eye line in which she is dead is still looking towards the money. The linguistic of the knife itself goes well to create tension. Which was made up of 78/52. The Black and White allowed for some rather odd but believable uses when it came to things like blood in the scene for example "Hershey's chocolate syrup for the blood which swirled down the plughole, because it looked just right in black and white. He blocked the shower head's central holes so that the camera could point straight up at it without getting drenched." ( Economist.com,2018 )

Fig 2

The storyboard which shows very well the code of enigma of the killer by how anonymous the shadow is who we believe to be the mother. The choice of marks adds to the struggle and quickness and goes artistically with the slasher genre. This storyboard was drawn out by Saul Bass.

"To witness the sequence broken down in forensic detail is to appreciate its economy of storytelling anew, and to see its influence on subsequent popular culture." ( Hans,2018 ) You could argue that the reasons for its influence was from its shattering of 1950's conformity or because it was one of the earliest of graphic violence or at least the illusion of this...as the knife doesn't actually touch the flesh except for two split seconds and the cuts help show this in in the newly born slasher genre or you could argue that it made previous horror films obsolete for example the old British classics as this avant grade film maker has a commentary on how the modern world could be a place in which passions and these emotions are being ignored or in this case flushed down the drain.

Fig3

This seen is not quite an Auteur directive motive as there was lots of involvements in this scene.

For example Robert Blochs novel which was the basis and then theres Joseph Stephanos detailed screenplay, The storyboards by Saul Bass although there is camera angles that wasn't included and Bernard Hermanns Violin and of course the actors of Marli Renfro and Jamie Lee Curtis. 

It was the detail and collaboration that made this such a successful scene. "One of "78/52's most fascinating digressions is speculation about why, aside from personal psychology, Hitchcock indulged in what one observer calls"an act of aggression against fans, critics, actors." (Turan,2018) 

Bibliography

Hans, S. (2018). 78/52 review – misfiring documentary on Hitchcock’s Psycho. [online] the Guardian. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/nov/05/78-52-misfiring-documentary-hitchcock-psycho-shower-scene [Accessed 28 Jan. 2018].

Economist.com. (2018). Cite a Website - Cite This For Me. [online] Available at: https://www.economist.com/blogs/prospero/2017/11/78-52 [Accessed 28 Jan. 2018]. 

Turan, K. (2018). '78/52' brilliantly, obsessively breaks down shower scene in 'Psycho'. [online] latimes.com. Available at: http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-78-52-hitchcock-review-20171019-story.html [Accessed 28 Jan. 2018].

Figure List

 Divyasharma06.files.wordpress.com. (2018). Cite a Website - Cite This For Me. [online] Available at: https://divyasharma06.files.wordpress.com/2014/09/psycho_shower_scene_frames.jpg [Accessed 28 Jan. 2018].

Anon, (2018). [image] Available at: https://i1.wp.com/vashivisuals.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/02/WhoPsycho.jpg [Accessed 28 Jan. 2018].

Anon, (2018). [image] Available at: https://www.cctvcambridge.org/sites/default/files/styles/800x450/public/imagefield/editing%20concepts.jpg?itok=i4RxSWz5 [Accessed 28 Jan. 2018].

Film Review: Edward Scissor Hands

The Set Design in Edward Scissorhands

Fig 1

Edward Scissor hands setting is in a 1950's suburban setting called the Pasco County. That is very colourful in comparison to its polar opposite which is dark and Avante Garde castle that you could argue is like Burtons avatar. This could be a signifier for his alienation or difference working with Disney/ Beauty and the Beast. This specific set design really helps at telling the story just from the set. for example "Burton's modern fairytale has an almost palpably personal feel:it is told gently, subtly and with an infinite sympathy for an outsider."(Lee,2018)  This makes the set really vital for narrative purpose and understanding the main protagonist.

Fig2

The set design starts changing slightly when Edward becomes more 'accepted' and seen as special and this adds a contrasting sense of belonging to what we first see from the original appearance of the setting."Clipping Hedges, is to fashion hairdos that the women mark them self out as something special. (theguardian.com,2018)  The setting is very superficial and cosmetic and Edward brings out unorthodoxy as he is not a stereotype.

Fig 3

Its scenes like this you can see how important the set design was in this film, here you can see how it could resemble a beauty and the beast vibe and how after Edward becomes a threat he retreats back to his home and is seen sort of monstrous and very alone.

"(Winona Ryder) is like a living angel to the mesmerised Edward,his ongoing inspiration not only during the course of their initial encounter, but also after many decades of separation." (Honeybone,2018)

So in the conclusion the set design and interior was very vital because it emphasis his decision to stay alone in his fathers castle and his relationship with this women who he can't be with.

Figure List
Anon, (2018). [image] Available at: http://www.revmodern.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Edward-Scissorhands-Mansion-Stairs.png [Accessed 27 Jan. 2018].
Anon, (2018). [image] Available at: http://i.vimeocdn.com/video/263649121_1280x720.jpg [Accessed 27 Jan. 2018].
Anon, (2018). [image] Available at: https://static.boredpanda.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/movie-locations-then-now-edward-scissorhands-suburb-pictures-voodrew-1.jpg [Accessed 27 Jan. 2018].

Bibliography

Lee, M. (2018). Edward Scissorhands, review: 'a true fairytale'. [online] Telegraph.co.uk. Available at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/11298442/Edward-Scissorhands-review-a-true-fairytale.html [Accessed 27 Jan. 2018].
Theguardian.com. (2018). Edward Scissorhands | Reviews | guardian.co.uk Film. [online] Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/film/News_Story/Critic_Review/Guardian_review/0,,558617,00.html [Accessed 27 Jan. 2018].
Honeybone, N. (2018). Film Review: Edward Scissorhands (1990) - HNN | Horrornews.net 2018 - Official Horror News Site. [online] HNN | Horrornews.net 2018 - Official Horror News Site. Available at: http://horrornews.net/103055/film-review-edward-scissorhands-1990/ [Accessed 28 Jan. 2018

Soundscapes

Rope Film Review

'Rope' film Review focusing on the Camera

(Fig.1)

Alfred Hitchcock's camera shots can make the film seem like one big take so he made their no visible cuts. It was choreographed with 10 minute takes and so was the screenplay so that the main focus is where the drama needed it. Because Hitchcock was basing the film on a play called the Leopard-Loeb Murder. He had to think about the space he was using even more and although he used such a space we never really questioned what was happening.
"the killing taking place inside obscured by drawn curtains shows not just the directors awareness of the small space separating life and death, but also how much of it he is allowed to show." (Croce et al.,2018 ) The camera positioning and usage plays a huge role on what we as an audience see and understand and the themes of brutality and sexuality. Which you could argue is another reason why he shows very little intimate scenes, he merely hints the context.

(Fig.2)

Here you can see the pull focus technique which is the switch between the domestic dinner party and the chest which holds the body inside. This is a classic thriller technique this can help Hitchcock's tension build until he is to release it when its more unexpected later. Also the use of the Foreground with the chest. He also used the things that were happening in this long take to change the film reel for example "These breaks he usually accomplishes by having the camera appear to pan across someone's back, during which dark close-ups the film reel is changed." (NYtimes.com,2018)

(Fig 3)

The theme of theatricality comes into play and even though Hitchcock went against his montage/cut editing in this film he managed to keep people on edge when the maid is ever so slowly taking book by book off the chest.

"Prop men constantly had to move the furniture and other props out of the way of the large camera, and then ensure they were replaced in the correct location. A team of sound men and camera operators kept the camera and microphones in constant motion." ( Horror Cult Films,2018 )

Bibliography:
Croce, F., Henderson, E., Bowen, C., Bowen, C., Camp, A., Seitz, M. and Henderson, E. (2018). Rope | Film Review | Slant Magazine. [online] Slant Magazine. Available at: https://www.slantmagazine.com/film/review/rope  
Horror Cult Films. (2018). HITCHCOCK MASTER OF SUSPENSE #34: ROPE [1948] | Horror Cult Films. [online] Available at: http://horrorcultfilms.co.uk/2014/05/hitchcock-master-or-suspense-34-rope-1948/ [Accessed 27 Jan. 2018]. 
Nytimes.com. (2018). 'Rope': A Stunt to Behold. [online] Available at: http://www.nytimes.com/library/film/060384hitch-rope-reflection.html [Accessed 27 Jan. 2018]. 
Figure List
[Accessed 26 Jan. 2018].   
Anon, (2018). [image] Available at: http://prettycleverfilms.com/files/2013/09/HItchcockRope-300x225.jpg [Accessed 26 Jan. 2018].  

Anon, (2018). [image] Available at: https://incessantpadding.files.wordpress.com/2011/03/rope2.jpg [Accessed 26 Jan. 2018].    
 Lisathatcher.files.wordpress.com. (2018). Cite a Website - Cite This For Me. [online] Available at: https://lisathatcher.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/rope-tense-chest-scene.jpg [Accessed 26 Jan. 2018].