Today's class, September 19, started off like most day's in class with Mr. Rivers. We began with the objective, where Mr. Rivers explained in detail what the objective meant. The objective was as follows, "Evaluate how choices in mise-em-scene affect narrative elements of film". As a class, we identified the adjectives, evaluate and affect, and described what they mean, and followed up with a relation back to the objective and film. We decided that to evaluate was to break down an idea and to find its worth. Affect was drawn to what affect does something have on another? The class was able to relate these verbs back to film by beginning the discussion of Narrative vs Craft. Mr. Rivers posted two photos on the board and we began to analyze them using mise-en-scene. Afterwards, we brought the ideas we gathered back to Narrative vs Craft. Narrative is when the plot is the building block, and Craft is mise-en-scene. Mr. Rivers explained the difference between the two and how they relate to all film. How do these choices develop the narrative objects of the film? This was broken down to film setting, plot, and characters. Each of these was drawn back to the photos from the board. One image was described with depth to field, and color. The choices that were made for both changed the way that the viewer interprets each photo without any audio to correlate. Both of these photos had similar, if not the same color and depth to field set. On the narrative side, the setting effects what emotion the viewer experiences, and in this case the dark office setting gives off a very boring vibe. On the character side, the angles of the photos (depth to field) allows the viewer to notice the power that the man in the top image has over the man in the bottom image. This was done by the angling the camera into the point of view of each character. The first angle, from the employee (as we inferred) is a low angle shot, showing that he is lesser than the man he is looking towards. The bottom image is from a top angle looking down upon the man in the center of the room who is isolated. This shows that this man is the boss and has power over the other man. Other than the lesson today, there was a few reminders on the board. One, was a schedule of the movie we are beginning next Tuesday and finishing next Thursday (No Country For Old Men). Another reminder, was of the due date for our college essay, due on Monday the 25th.
Outside of class, I was able to relate the narrative side to a show I enjoy called the Walking Dead. The setting of the Walking Dead is in a post apocalyptic world where zombies (walkers) roam and terrorize earth. The setting of this show is very important, as it is always dark and gloomy with very little color. If this setting was any different, bright and colorful it would take aware the fear factor of the show. The characters on the show all wear dark colored clothes such as brown, grey, and black. The only vibrant colors on this show include red, for blood. If this show had any other colors it would take away from the effect that it has on the viewer. Before class today I did not notice this idea.
Great posts here Mason. Excellent details from class (including learning objectives, specific activities, and dates/deadlines that were discussed at the beginning of class). Really nice, logical organization that uses paragraphs to clarify the relationships here. Consider how an image or video from The Walking Dead could have made this post even STRONGER! Nice extension.
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