Title: Sleepless in Seattle
Writer: Jeff Arch, Nora Ephron, David S. Ward,
Director: Nora Ephron
Major Actors: Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan
Film Release: 1993
Meg Ryan would best be suited for the personality actor. She typically chooses to play roles in romantic comedies. Goodykoontz & Jacobs (2011) state, "Actors with distinctive personalities that manage to click with audiences often wind up playing similar characters in film after film" (p. 3.4).
Often times Ryan's roles are very similar to her previous works. A young woman in search of love. Struggling in relationships, often times her career is heavily depicted in the film. In Sleepless in Seattle, her character Annie is a writer for a newspaper article and she decides to write a report on Sam Baldwin in hopes that they will meet and fall in love.
Rosie O'Donnell is also a personality actor. Her personality shines through in her films as well as in real life. She has been known for her daytime talk show and the personality on the talk show also resonates in her films. Sleepless in Seattle displays O'Donnell's role as Annie's best friend and co-worker. The girls hash and re-hash Annie's decision to pursue her gut instincts to search for Sam Baldwin who may be the man she is supposed to be with. Becky talks with Annie as the supportive, however, comical friend. O'Donnell uses her fun-loving nature and whit to keep the audience interested in the film.
Tom Hanks is best suited under the personality actor for his role in Sleepless in Seattle. His character roles are usually kind, caring, friendly, loving people. For example, in Sleepless in Seattle, Hanks plays a widow who struggles to get over the loss of his wife. His discussions on the radio reach the listeners of the show because he exposes his heart and soul to the world showing how vulnerable and passionate he his. Goodykoontz & Jacobs (2011) state, "Personality actors are at some level playing themselves"(p. 3.4). The audience wants to believe that Hanks is a kind, loving, and a vulnerable person in real life.
However, I would not limit Tom Hanks to simply a personality actor as he has played a great many roles that show his flexibility in role playing making him a wild card actor. Some of his best roles are Forest in Forest Gump, Captain Miller in Saving Private Ryan, Chuck Noland in Cast Away. And so for this reason, actors may be able to crossover into other categories of acting showing great skill in their work. Typically the audience will know what to expect from any given actor based on previous works. If the actor has played many different roles and has been able to draw in the crowd, then more than likely the movies that the actor chooses to play in will continue to do the same. With Hank's the audience is delivered a treat as he can surprise the audience with his many different acting skills.
References
Goodykoontz, B. & Jacobs, C. P. (2011). Film: From watching to seeing. San Diego, Ca: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
To view examples of Hank's flexibility in role playing view the following movie clips:
Movieclips. (2000). Cast Away movieclip (2000)- I Have Made Fire![video file] Retrieved from
http://movieclips.com/ucdJ-cast-away-movie-i-have-made-fire/
Movieclips. (1993). Sleepless in Seattle movieclip (1993)- Sam is Sleepless in Seattle. [video file]. Retrieved from http://movieclips.com/4wrsn-sleepless-in-seattle-movie-sam-is-sleepless-in-seattle/
Thursday, August 21, 2014
Thursday, August 14, 2014
Analysis of Sound in a Fantasy Film
Title: It's a Wonderful Life
Writer: Francis Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra
Director: Frank Capra
Major Actors: James Stewart, Donna Reed
Film Release: 1946
The first form of sound that was most apparent was dialogue. Many of the scenes are shot where the only noise the audience can hear is the characters conversing. Dialogue in the film is used to advance the movie (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2011). For example many of the bank scenes are shown where only the characters are talking and the conversations inform the audience of the trials that the people in the movie are dealing with; mainly to keep the bank running independently from Mr. Potter. Dialogue in the movie during the bank scenes dramatizes or intensifies the seriousness of the conversations. In a few scenes in particular, Bailey really gives Mr. Potter an earful about what a lousy greedy business man Mr. Potter is. In turn drawing in the audience so that they are cheering on and rooting for George Bailey. Some of the scenes also include dialogue between Mr. Bailey and the angel. Fantasy films break the limitations of the real world (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2011). For this reason the film is considered a fantasy film as some of the dialogue is between the angels or between Bailey and the angel named Clarence.
Sound effects in the film definitely show that the film is dated. In one scene Bailey is at the bar and gets punched in the face. The audience does not see the fist meet Bailey's face but the sound effect used to deliver the punch makes the scene very believable. Shortly after, Bailey is driving drunk and crashes his car into a tree. The sound effect of the car crashing into the tree makes the accident seem worse than it actually was. Each of these examples allows the audience to feel Bailey's somber mood like he has been defeated and the audience can also understand that Bailey has finally hit rock bottom in his troubles. The use of sound effects in the movie certainly make the film more exciting and enjoyable but also shows the audience how far technology has come since 1946.
Music enhances the entire film production. An example of film setting the mood is when George arrives at his house towards the end of the film. At this time, George does not exist and so the family that he would have had does not exist. The music is soft and in the background. It is very eerie and surreal setting the mood that something awful has happened. However, other scenes with music seem cheerful. A great example of music within the scene is the party at the college. Everyone is dancing and the music is loud and upbeat. We can also hear the people on the set cheering as George and Mary fall into the pool. The mood that the music creates is a happy exciting experience.
To view the scene of the party go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rha-6qG4OQ
Sound is very important in film. Even when sound was first introduced to film the audience took to it. Sound offers the mood, sometimes it tells part of the story. It makes for a more interesting story. People want to be entertained. Sound effects offer entertainment for the viewer. Without sound effects, the movies would be less interesting and lose the attention of the audience. For example, if the scene with Bailey crashing into to the tree did not use sound effects perhaps the microphone would not even pick up the sound of the car crashing into the tree. Or maybe it would but not loud enough making the crash seem unrealistic.
References:
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2011). Film: From watching to seeing. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
Movie Clips (2011, Oct. 9). Pool Party- It's a Wonderful Life (1/9) Movie CLIP (1946) HD [video file] Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rha-6qG4OQ
Writer: Francis Goodrich, Albert Hackett, Frank Capra
Director: Frank Capra
Major Actors: James Stewart, Donna Reed
Film Release: 1946
The first form of sound that was most apparent was dialogue. Many of the scenes are shot where the only noise the audience can hear is the characters conversing. Dialogue in the film is used to advance the movie (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2011). For example many of the bank scenes are shown where only the characters are talking and the conversations inform the audience of the trials that the people in the movie are dealing with; mainly to keep the bank running independently from Mr. Potter. Dialogue in the movie during the bank scenes dramatizes or intensifies the seriousness of the conversations. In a few scenes in particular, Bailey really gives Mr. Potter an earful about what a lousy greedy business man Mr. Potter is. In turn drawing in the audience so that they are cheering on and rooting for George Bailey. Some of the scenes also include dialogue between Mr. Bailey and the angel. Fantasy films break the limitations of the real world (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2011). For this reason the film is considered a fantasy film as some of the dialogue is between the angels or between Bailey and the angel named Clarence.
Sound effects in the film definitely show that the film is dated. In one scene Bailey is at the bar and gets punched in the face. The audience does not see the fist meet Bailey's face but the sound effect used to deliver the punch makes the scene very believable. Shortly after, Bailey is driving drunk and crashes his car into a tree. The sound effect of the car crashing into the tree makes the accident seem worse than it actually was. Each of these examples allows the audience to feel Bailey's somber mood like he has been defeated and the audience can also understand that Bailey has finally hit rock bottom in his troubles. The use of sound effects in the movie certainly make the film more exciting and enjoyable but also shows the audience how far technology has come since 1946.
Music enhances the entire film production. An example of film setting the mood is when George arrives at his house towards the end of the film. At this time, George does not exist and so the family that he would have had does not exist. The music is soft and in the background. It is very eerie and surreal setting the mood that something awful has happened. However, other scenes with music seem cheerful. A great example of music within the scene is the party at the college. Everyone is dancing and the music is loud and upbeat. We can also hear the people on the set cheering as George and Mary fall into the pool. The mood that the music creates is a happy exciting experience.
To view the scene of the party go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rha-6qG4OQ
Sound is very important in film. Even when sound was first introduced to film the audience took to it. Sound offers the mood, sometimes it tells part of the story. It makes for a more interesting story. People want to be entertained. Sound effects offer entertainment for the viewer. Without sound effects, the movies would be less interesting and lose the attention of the audience. For example, if the scene with Bailey crashing into to the tree did not use sound effects perhaps the microphone would not even pick up the sound of the car crashing into the tree. Or maybe it would but not loud enough making the crash seem unrealistic.
References:
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2011). Film: From watching to seeing. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
Movie Clips (2011, Oct. 9). Pool Party- It's a Wonderful Life (1/9) Movie CLIP (1946) HD [video file] Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2rha-6qG4OQ
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Analysis of lighting in a romantic comedy
Title: When Harry Met Sally
Writer: Nora Ephron
Director: Rob Reiner
Director of Photography: Barry Sonnenfeld
Major Actors: Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan
Film Release: 1989
High-key lighting is the primary type of lighting used in the film. The film is a romantic comedy which requires a happy feeling. Sonnenfeld has created the happy go lucky mood with bright light that is not overdone. Many of the scenes use natural light such as the sunset or sunrise also known as the golden hour. The film also follows the seasons. In terms of lighting, some shots are taken during cloudy or overcast days in the fall. Other shots are taken when the sun is bright and vibrant giving sort of a golden color. Much of the lighting comes from above the actors it is bright but not harsh; kind of a soft lighting to offer a peaceful happy mood. Three-point lighting is also used to offer the bright daylight affect. Some scenes show more emphasis on light coming from behind the actors head offering a shadow effect on the front of the face. During these shots the two actors are sometimes having serious conversations about frustrations in life. Sonnenfeld also used three-point lighting during a party scene in which the lighting created a shadow affect. At this moment the actors felt a connection that was far beyond friendship. The use of lighting seemed to intensify and draw out or highlight the emotions that each of the actors were emanating. Another element in three-key lighting is the use of fill lighting. Some of the scenes are shot at night as the actors are walking down the street having two separate conversations with friends. The fill lighting sort of softens the bright light coming from behind the actors but also offers a shadowing affect to enhance the scene being shot at night. It makes the night on the town seem more exciting and energetic. If the choice of lighting had been different throughout the movie perhaps it would take away from the mood of the movie. For example if the film was shot in black and white using different lighting techniques we would not relate to the film as a modern day picture of its time. Or perhaps the audience would be confused on the mood that the film is trying to portray. All of the elements of lighting used in the film help to support the moods of the actors as the story moves along.
Example of three-point lighting where the light from behind is bright creating a shadow affect on the actors from in front. Each of the actors are in deep thought. Choice of lighting intensifies the feelings of confusion that both of the actors are feeling.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.reuters.com%2Fgreat-debate%2Ffiles%2F2014%2F07%2Fharry1.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.reuters.com%2Fgreat-debate%2F2014%2F07%2F25%2Fwhen-harry-met-sally-got-it-wrong-25-years-ago%2F&h=2192&w=3279&tbnid=d5RCxsGjuvBPAM%3A&zoom=1&docid=E0T19qm0wkGMRM&ei=Lk7iU6ySLMfhoAT5uIDADw&tbm=isch&ved=0CD4QMygNMA0&iact=rc&uact=3&dur=3129&page=2&start=11&ndsp=19
Example of natural light used in many scenes to show seasons as well as time of day. These shots help the audience to relate to the relationship of the two actors in everyday life.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fimages2.fanpop.com%2Fimages%2Fphotos%2F2600000%2FWhen-Harry-Met-Sally-when-harry-met-sally-2681166-1600-900.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fanpop.com%2Fclubs%2Fwhen-harry-met-sally%2Fimages%2F2681166%2Ftitle%2Fwhen-harry-met-sally-screencap&h=900&w=1600&tbnid=ScA_PsPegq42jM%3A&zoom=1&docid=q327_-q0qaRSkM&ei=Lk7iU6ySLMfhoAT5uIDADw&tbm=isch&ved=0CGoQMygxMDE&iact=rc&uact=3&dur=743&page=4&start=47&ndsp=20
The use of seasons and lighting also reflect the stages that the relationship goes through in the film. In the first example the couple are great friends and the sunlight is apparent. Harry is also available to help Sally bring home the Christmas tree. In the second photo the couple are having a fight that threatens their relationship. The audience can see that Sally appears to be struggling with the tree by herself and there is absolutely no sunlight shining in on the scene.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bkmag.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F12%2F936full-when-harry-met-sally...-screenshot.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bkmag.com%2F2013%2F12%2F03%2Fwhere-to-buy-christmas-trees-in-brooklyn-a-neighborhood-guide%2F&h=500&w=800&tbnid=TGAVHehQjII8rM%3A&zoom=1&docid=xZ80Wym7d7euyM&ei=jVLiU67XH4uBogSi7oHQAw&tbm=isch&ved=0CB4QMygCMAI&iact=rc&uact=3&dur=681&page=1&start=0&ndsp=14
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fi785.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy137%2Fhitchdied%2Fwhms8.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fhitchdied.com%2F2010%2F12%2F22%2Fmovie-review-when-harry-met-sally%2F&h=405&w=720&tbnid=Y651HSXV5rnU3M%3A&zoom=1&docid=XGgknGAR1hHP9M&ei=jVLiU67XH4uBogSi7oHQAw&tbm=isch&ved=0CBwQMygAMAA&iact=rc&uact=3&dur=858&page=1&start=0&ndsp=14
Writer: Nora Ephron
Director: Rob Reiner
Director of Photography: Barry Sonnenfeld
Major Actors: Billy Crystal and Meg Ryan
Film Release: 1989
High-key lighting is the primary type of lighting used in the film. The film is a romantic comedy which requires a happy feeling. Sonnenfeld has created the happy go lucky mood with bright light that is not overdone. Many of the scenes use natural light such as the sunset or sunrise also known as the golden hour. The film also follows the seasons. In terms of lighting, some shots are taken during cloudy or overcast days in the fall. Other shots are taken when the sun is bright and vibrant giving sort of a golden color. Much of the lighting comes from above the actors it is bright but not harsh; kind of a soft lighting to offer a peaceful happy mood. Three-point lighting is also used to offer the bright daylight affect. Some scenes show more emphasis on light coming from behind the actors head offering a shadow effect on the front of the face. During these shots the two actors are sometimes having serious conversations about frustrations in life. Sonnenfeld also used three-point lighting during a party scene in which the lighting created a shadow affect. At this moment the actors felt a connection that was far beyond friendship. The use of lighting seemed to intensify and draw out or highlight the emotions that each of the actors were emanating. Another element in three-key lighting is the use of fill lighting. Some of the scenes are shot at night as the actors are walking down the street having two separate conversations with friends. The fill lighting sort of softens the bright light coming from behind the actors but also offers a shadowing affect to enhance the scene being shot at night. It makes the night on the town seem more exciting and energetic. If the choice of lighting had been different throughout the movie perhaps it would take away from the mood of the movie. For example if the film was shot in black and white using different lighting techniques we would not relate to the film as a modern day picture of its time. Or perhaps the audience would be confused on the mood that the film is trying to portray. All of the elements of lighting used in the film help to support the moods of the actors as the story moves along.
Example of three-point lighting where the light from behind is bright creating a shadow affect on the actors from in front. Each of the actors are in deep thought. Choice of lighting intensifies the feelings of confusion that both of the actors are feeling.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.reuters.com%2Fgreat-debate%2Ffiles%2F2014%2F07%2Fharry1.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fblogs.reuters.com%2Fgreat-debate%2F2014%2F07%2F25%2Fwhen-harry-met-sally-got-it-wrong-25-years-ago%2F&h=2192&w=3279&tbnid=d5RCxsGjuvBPAM%3A&zoom=1&docid=E0T19qm0wkGMRM&ei=Lk7iU6ySLMfhoAT5uIDADw&tbm=isch&ved=0CD4QMygNMA0&iact=rc&uact=3&dur=3129&page=2&start=11&ndsp=19
Example of natural light used in many scenes to show seasons as well as time of day. These shots help the audience to relate to the relationship of the two actors in everyday life.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fimages2.fanpop.com%2Fimages%2Fphotos%2F2600000%2FWhen-Harry-Met-Sally-when-harry-met-sally-2681166-1600-900.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.fanpop.com%2Fclubs%2Fwhen-harry-met-sally%2Fimages%2F2681166%2Ftitle%2Fwhen-harry-met-sally-screencap&h=900&w=1600&tbnid=ScA_PsPegq42jM%3A&zoom=1&docid=q327_-q0qaRSkM&ei=Lk7iU6ySLMfhoAT5uIDADw&tbm=isch&ved=0CGoQMygxMDE&iact=rc&uact=3&dur=743&page=4&start=47&ndsp=20
The use of seasons and lighting also reflect the stages that the relationship goes through in the film. In the first example the couple are great friends and the sunlight is apparent. Harry is also available to help Sally bring home the Christmas tree. In the second photo the couple are having a fight that threatens their relationship. The audience can see that Sally appears to be struggling with the tree by herself and there is absolutely no sunlight shining in on the scene.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bkmag.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2013%2F12%2F936full-when-harry-met-sally...-screenshot.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bkmag.com%2F2013%2F12%2F03%2Fwhere-to-buy-christmas-trees-in-brooklyn-a-neighborhood-guide%2F&h=500&w=800&tbnid=TGAVHehQjII8rM%3A&zoom=1&docid=xZ80Wym7d7euyM&ei=jVLiU67XH4uBogSi7oHQAw&tbm=isch&ved=0CB4QMygCMAI&iact=rc&uact=3&dur=681&page=1&start=0&ndsp=14
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fi785.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fyy137%2Fhitchdied%2Fwhms8.jpg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fhitchdied.com%2F2010%2F12%2F22%2Fmovie-review-when-harry-met-sally%2F&h=405&w=720&tbnid=Y651HSXV5rnU3M%3A&zoom=1&docid=XGgknGAR1hHP9M&ei=jVLiU67XH4uBogSi7oHQAw&tbm=isch&ved=0CBwQMygAMAA&iact=rc&uact=3&dur=858&page=1&start=0&ndsp=14
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