(Grand Illusion)
1) I didn't write a note for one specific dialougue that represented the film best but I did write a note about a sound effect that I really thought represented the film. The scene where the solidiers look out the window and watch other marching and talk about the sound. The sound of the marching swells and becomes a huge sound as they mention how much the sound bothers them and the sound continues even as the characters move back in and begin to talk. We had the advantage of subtitles but if we were only listening to the audio we might have had trouble hearing the dialougue. I thought this was meaningful because almost everything that happened in the movie seemd intentional.
2) The movie uses a lot of camera moves within a scene and usually uses a cut to jump locations or scenes. Any scene could be used but I'll just mention the scene with where they are putting on a play. When the one guy storms out and makes the announcement the camera moves around to show everyone in the room. It moves to show the side of the solidiers, the stage, and then back to a front shot of the solidiers all in one shot. A moment that I felt really showed the narrative of the film in a very symbolic manner was the clipping of the flower head.
3)I thought the movie felt very well planned out and did a good job using the Z-axis. I think the use of the Z-axis helped to make the density of solidiers more then there really was.
4) Although the movie seemed very well planned out there were a couple of hiccups. The hiccups seemed to stand out more because of the fact that everything around it was done so smoothly. The scene where the solidier and the wife that is helping them are about to kiss was cut very abrubtly. Also one of the gun scenes compared to another one didn't seem as real because the gun sound was strange and there was a lack of the muzzle flash.
5) What happened in the scene where the solidier and the wife are about to kiss? Was it because the film was damaged or was it really edited like that?
Friday, March 14, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
If you have time, help me please.
I am writing a paper and I could use some double checking.
I don't expect people to fully understand the context of the paper (although you might), but I just want to know if it is making any sense so far. I am not finished but just check if what I have so far makes any sense.
Thanks a bunch!
Min Lee
13 March, 2008
Writ 3361
Mary Lay Schuster
Take Home Exam Number One
They way literature and art combine so effortlessly with social movements is somewhat of a curious occurrence. One would not instinctively assume that the two would go together so well the way that the spring rains and the earth combine to create such beautiful green life. However, at the same time the strange fusion of rich and creamy peanut butter with sweet and thick jelly is a bit strange but immensely delicious. Social movements and the progression of the human race are obviously important to our adapting to new times and new challenges. However, without cohesion there is no power behind this progression. One of the best methods to bring people together is through the flexible and creative voice of art. Art is often times arbitrarily defined, but for our case let us define it as: “A medium that has the ability to tap and stimulate our emotions.” If the creator of the message can not find the key to the audience’s heart, the message is not able to find a home regardless of how power the message may be. Once the key has been found, there is no limit on the transfer of information, the opening of new ideas, and the knocking down of the walls of ignorance.
In the novel The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien, O’Brien states: “A thing may happen to be a total lie; another may not happen and be truer than the truth.” O’Brien is not promoting lying here but rather sharing his technique on how to truly and successfully deliver a message to an audience. What O’Brien is saying is that the best way to make someone understand a message is to make them feel the message. Rather than giving the audience the shell of the message, give them the soul of the message. To do this fully, sometimes an author must take a real event and spin it and reformat it and what ever he or she can to it without jeopardizing the integrity of the story, so that it sinks in deeply into the thought of the reader. Real truths are important and nice, but fake truths are sometimes more valuable in delivering the real message.
This paper will cover four pieces, three novels and one film, and show how they used art to explain social movements. The first novel is Dreamer which is a book about the African-American Civil Right movement. The novel follows a character by the name of Matthew Bishop as attempts to find his own beliefs as he helps the famous Martin Luther King Junior. The second novel is The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. The novel is set in the future where a social revolution has changed many of the cultural norms we are used to today. The Handmaid’s Tale has to do with the women’s right movement. The last two pieces both revolve around the Vietnam War. The film Born On The Fourth Of July by Oliver Stone starring Tom Cruise and The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien both follow Vietnam War veterans. Although these books cover different ideas and different movements, a similar theme runs through the books. The theme of love. The authors want us to care and want us to love the world around us. Love is important because when we strip away all the silly man made tangibles and strange man made theories and philosophies, all we have are the organic elements of the world and the connections we build with one another.
Dreamer written by Charles Johnson follows a young man named Matthew Bishop who works with Martian Luther King Junior in their struggle to find equality for African-Americans in America. Matthew Bishop along with his partner and love interest Amy is assigned to monitor a Martin Luther King look alike by the name of Chaym Smith. Chaym Smith used to be a man who lived a righteous and motivated life but due to traumatizing events in his life his foundation of strength was destroyed and he has come to Martin Luther King for help. The book follows Matthew Bishop as he juggles Chaym Smith, the Civil Rights movement, Amy, and his struggle to find his own identity. The book ends with the assignation of Dr. King.
Charles Johnson uses an interesting technique in the book where he inserts italicized segments between the narrative of Matthew Bishop to describe the Civil Rights movement and the thoughts of Martin Luther King with more impact. It allows the audience to see that even the movement took a roll on the great Martin Luther King and that even he questioned continuing the movement at times. It also helps the audience understand with greater clarity that Martin Luther King did not want only equality for the blacks but for everyone. Dr. King truly desired equality which is difficult to understand unless the point is driven in. Charles Johnson also uses another technique where he cuts in pieces of historical fact to blur the lines between history and his fictional narrative. This technique strengthens his story and makes the audience want to believe what is going on even further. (Truth vs not truth here)
The Civil Rights movement was about social equality. Dr. King believed that not one race, or social class, or gender should be superior to the next. He let everyone know that he was not looking to elevate the African-Americans above whites but rather to merge the two races into a harmonious society. Dr. King’s message and philosophy was truly about love.
I don't expect people to fully understand the context of the paper (although you might), but I just want to know if it is making any sense so far. I am not finished but just check if what I have so far makes any sense.
Thanks a bunch!
Min Lee
13 March, 2008
Writ 3361
Mary Lay Schuster
Take Home Exam Number One
They way literature and art combine so effortlessly with social movements is somewhat of a curious occurrence. One would not instinctively assume that the two would go together so well the way that the spring rains and the earth combine to create such beautiful green life. However, at the same time the strange fusion of rich and creamy peanut butter with sweet and thick jelly is a bit strange but immensely delicious. Social movements and the progression of the human race are obviously important to our adapting to new times and new challenges. However, without cohesion there is no power behind this progression. One of the best methods to bring people together is through the flexible and creative voice of art. Art is often times arbitrarily defined, but for our case let us define it as: “A medium that has the ability to tap and stimulate our emotions.” If the creator of the message can not find the key to the audience’s heart, the message is not able to find a home regardless of how power the message may be. Once the key has been found, there is no limit on the transfer of information, the opening of new ideas, and the knocking down of the walls of ignorance.
In the novel The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien, O’Brien states: “A thing may happen to be a total lie; another may not happen and be truer than the truth.” O’Brien is not promoting lying here but rather sharing his technique on how to truly and successfully deliver a message to an audience. What O’Brien is saying is that the best way to make someone understand a message is to make them feel the message. Rather than giving the audience the shell of the message, give them the soul of the message. To do this fully, sometimes an author must take a real event and spin it and reformat it and what ever he or she can to it without jeopardizing the integrity of the story, so that it sinks in deeply into the thought of the reader. Real truths are important and nice, but fake truths are sometimes more valuable in delivering the real message.
This paper will cover four pieces, three novels and one film, and show how they used art to explain social movements. The first novel is Dreamer which is a book about the African-American Civil Right movement. The novel follows a character by the name of Matthew Bishop as attempts to find his own beliefs as he helps the famous Martin Luther King Junior. The second novel is The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood. The novel is set in the future where a social revolution has changed many of the cultural norms we are used to today. The Handmaid’s Tale has to do with the women’s right movement. The last two pieces both revolve around the Vietnam War. The film Born On The Fourth Of July by Oliver Stone starring Tom Cruise and The Things They Carried by Tim O’Brien both follow Vietnam War veterans. Although these books cover different ideas and different movements, a similar theme runs through the books. The theme of love. The authors want us to care and want us to love the world around us. Love is important because when we strip away all the silly man made tangibles and strange man made theories and philosophies, all we have are the organic elements of the world and the connections we build with one another.
Dreamer written by Charles Johnson follows a young man named Matthew Bishop who works with Martian Luther King Junior in their struggle to find equality for African-Americans in America. Matthew Bishop along with his partner and love interest Amy is assigned to monitor a Martin Luther King look alike by the name of Chaym Smith. Chaym Smith used to be a man who lived a righteous and motivated life but due to traumatizing events in his life his foundation of strength was destroyed and he has come to Martin Luther King for help. The book follows Matthew Bishop as he juggles Chaym Smith, the Civil Rights movement, Amy, and his struggle to find his own identity. The book ends with the assignation of Dr. King.
Charles Johnson uses an interesting technique in the book where he inserts italicized segments between the narrative of Matthew Bishop to describe the Civil Rights movement and the thoughts of Martin Luther King with more impact. It allows the audience to see that even the movement took a roll on the great Martin Luther King and that even he questioned continuing the movement at times. It also helps the audience understand with greater clarity that Martin Luther King did not want only equality for the blacks but for everyone. Dr. King truly desired equality which is difficult to understand unless the point is driven in. Charles Johnson also uses another technique where he cuts in pieces of historical fact to blur the lines between history and his fictional narrative. This technique strengthens his story and makes the audience want to believe what is going on even further. (Truth vs not truth here)
The Civil Rights movement was about social equality. Dr. King believed that not one race, or social class, or gender should be superior to the next. He let everyone know that he was not looking to elevate the African-Americans above whites but rather to merge the two races into a harmonious society. Dr. King’s message and philosophy was truly about love.
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