UMGC ARTH334 Understanding Movies Discussion

Discussion 1

Watch a Western or a Musical film made in the last 30 years. It cannot be from the genre that your favorite movie is from (the film you told us was your favorite in week one).

What does it have in common with the films of that genre in the week Four content? How is the film different?

How does Cinematography or Special Effects play a part in the film you watched? Identify at least three places that one of these stood out in the film.

Respond to at least two of your classmates.

Discussion 2

Please post a draft (250-400 words) of your Film Essay Paper 1 here by Friday night of Week 4. Please copy-and-paste your draft (do not upload a PDF) Discuss your intentions, concept, and direction.

Critique 2 classmate's work, the same way you would respond to a regular post in the past few weeks.

Learning Resource for week 4

Week 4: Film 1940 – 1960 (part 1)

The History of Film The 1940s

The first reading for this week provides introductions to significant films and filmmakers during the 1940s. These readings also discuss some of the most significant moments in cinema during this period. This period has much to offer in terms of film movements, the influence of World War II, and the increased competition from television. Read Parts 1 – 6 to prepare for your second discussion for this week and Paper One.

http://www.filmsite.org/40sintro.html

The History of Film The 1950s

The second reading for this week provides introductions to significant films and filmmakers during the 1950s. These readings also discuss some of the most significant moments in cinema during this period. The 1950s brought many changes in the industry and advances in technology used by the studios in an attempt to bring viewers back to the theaters in a time of ticket decline. Read Parts 1 – 6 to prepare for your second discussion for this week and Paper One.

http://www.filmsite.org/50sintro.html

Special Effects

You are undoubtedly very familiar with the use of Special Effects in cinema. However, you are likely unfamiliar with the history behind its use and the techniques of Special Effects. Read this short article to learn about Special Effects in cinema. This reading should be referenced in your discussion for this week as you analyze Special Effects in your film. Additionally, this reading should be referenced in your Paper One. This reading may also be referenced in the final essay, if special effects is to be included in the analysis.

http://www.oxfordreference.com.ezproxy.umgc.edu/view/10.1093/acref/9780199587261.001.0001/acref-9780199587261-e-0672?rskey=dnesoE&result=1

Cinematography

Cinematography is an art which creates the exciting experience of cinema. Creating a dynamic shot is more than turning on a camera. The art of cinematography is knowing how to visually tell a story. Read this article to have a basic understand the cinematography. This reading should be referenced in your discussion for this week as you analyze cinematography in your film. Additionally, this reading should be referenced in your Paper One. This reading may also be referenced in the final essay, if cinematography is to be included in the analysis.

http://www.oxfordreference.com.ezproxy.umgc.edu/view/10.1093/acref/9780199587261.001.0001/acref-9780199587261-e-0124?rskey=jRCezZ&result=1

Tomorrows Filmmakers – Types of Shots

This week’s first lecture builds upon the foundational knowledge you gained through this week’s fourth reading. Recognizing the various types of shots in cinema is essential to understanding how to properly analyze a film. This lecture should be referenced in your discussion for this week as you analyze cinematography in your film. Additionally, this lecture should be referenced in your Paper One.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvybQ5RpMkc

Don Levy: A Cinematic Journey Through Visual Effects

You learned about Special Effects in this week’s third reading. Watch this lecture to expand upon that knowledge to provide some visual examples of the craft of creating effective Special Effects. We will explore Special Effects in more in Week 6.This lecture should be referenced in your discussion for this week as you analyze Special Effects in your film. Additionally, this lecture should be referenced in your Paper One.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4iRPytrnJo

The Foreign Wave - Timeline of Cinema

You read about some of the significant international film movements that emerged during the 1940s and 1950s. This lecture expands from this reading to include some visual representations of these innovative works and filmmakers. Watch this lecture and take note of the significant impact the style of these films had on cinema as we will be discussing how their influence is shown later in Hollywood film during the 1970s.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw6N2_ET8_k

Western Genre - Film Genres

Last week, we explored the comedy, melodrama, horror, and science-fiction genres. Now, we explore the Western genre. Westerns were among some of the most popular genres during the 1940s and 1950s. Watch this lecture to learn more about the history of the Western and the importance of the genre in cinema. This lecture should be referenced in this week’s discussion, Paper One, Paper Two, or the final essay if you choose to analyze a Western film.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHARlbUktEA

John Ford Documentary with John Wayne

John Ford was one of the most prolific Western film directors in the history of cinema. Most closely associated his work starring John Wayne. Watch this documentary to learn more about Ford, his style, and his films. After watching this documentary, you may want to select a John Ford Western for your analysis in this week’s discussion. This documentary represents a quality template for analyzing the work of a single director, much as one of the options you could have selected for the final essay.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i62s9zWOKDU

Alternate Resource

AFI’s Top 25 Musicals

One of the other widely praised genres of the 1940s and 1950s was the musical. Glamorous, these films represented Hollywood at its peak of decadence. Watch this short clip of the American Film Institute’s selection of the best musicals of all time. You may want to select one of these films to analyze for this week’s discussion.

http://www.afi.com/100years/musicals.aspx

“Good Morning” – Signin’ in the Rain (Kelly & Donen, 1952)

As you will remember from this week’s second reading and the previous clip, Singin’ in the Rain (Kelly & Donen, 1952) is a very important musical in cinema history. This film captures all of the fun of the musical genre while taking a profound look at how the film industry changed dramatically with the introduction of sound. For a more in-depth plot summary, please see this article. Watch this short clip where Don (Gene Kelly), Cosmo (Donald O’Connor), and Kathy (Debbie Reynolds) celebrate having spent the night talking and dreaming about their future in this classic scene.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qu4v5hB1dKk