MOVIES W3P1

Running head: MOVIES 1

MOVIES 3

The Foley Artist: Los Angeles Times

While you may be familiar with the score and the soundtrack of films, you are likely less familiar with the work of the Foley artist. Learn about their craft and their important role in cinema through this short video. We will address sound in more detail in Week 6. This lecture should be referenced in your first discussion for this week. This reading may also be referenced in the final essay, if sound is to be included in the analysis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UO3N_PRIgX0

Best Scene The Man Who Laughs (1928)

Paul Leni’s 1928 film The Man Who Laughs Last uses the elements of the melodrama genre to add depth to the character and the narrative of this horror-mystery. See  this article  for a more in-depth plot summary. Watch this brief scene to explore the use of melodrama in this exchange between the disfigured Gwynplaine (Conrad Veidt) and his love interest, the blind Dea (Mary Philbin). Consider the information you have learned about the Melodrama genre in this week’s fourth reading when watching this scene. This has background music, but no voice-over.

Note: Scene starts at 59:30.

https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x22yaio

Metropolis (Lang, 1927): Maria's Transformation

Fritz Lang’s science-fiction masterpiece Metropolis (Lang, 1927) is required viewing for those exploring film history. This dynamic film is set in a futuristic city wrought with class struggle. Unbeknownst to the majority of the wealthy, their city is powered by the impoverished. These poor workers lead lives filled with long shifts running the industrial machines that power the city above. It is only after they discover the reality of their situation that a charismatic leader, Maria (Brigitte Helm), rises to lead the resistance. See  this article  for a more in-depth plot summary. In this scene, the inventor (Gustav Fröhlich) has created a humanoid robot to infiltrate the resistance and destroy it within. Consider the information you have learned about the Melodrama genre in this week’s fifth reading and fourth lecture when watching this scene. This has background music, but no voice-over.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IcReykfvqi4

Steamboat Willie (Disney, 1928)

Steamboat Willie (Disney, 1928) introduces the world to the beloved Mickey Mouse. Walt Disney’s early animation shows an early successful attempt at synchronizing sound in animation. Consider the information you have learned about the history of sound in cinema and the impact of music in this week’s sixth and seventh readings and fourth lecture when watching this scene. This clip may also inform your response in this week’s first discussion. This has background music, but no voice-over.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BBgghnQF6E4

Steamboat Bill, Jr. (Reisner, 1928)

Buster Keaton was one of the most renowned comedic actors of this period. Keaton set himself apart from other successful silent comedians like Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd due to his signature deadpan expressions and high-level physical stunts. Steamboat Bill, Jr. (Reisner, 1928) is among his most recognized films. In this screening, you will see some of Keaton’s spectacular stunts. Consider what you learned in this week’s third lecture. This screening will also inform your discussion during Week 4. This has background music, but no voice-over.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BUNZPHbwA-U

The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920)

You learned about the film movement of German Expressionism during this week’s readings. The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is a quintessential example of the level of set design and art direction in these films. You will also note the unique use of lighting and camera angles which sets it apart from those films being produced in Hollywood. You will also note the elements of horror genre being represented in this work. This screening will inform your response in this week’s first discussion. This has background music, but no voice-over.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IP0KB2XC29o