Kane Keynote Copy 2

transcript

For next time:2/8

View The Grapes of Wrath

Take Chapter I Quiz on textbook DVD. Email me the results- ascurato@gmail.com

No CD? Answer # 3 on p. 18. as it applies to Citizen Kane. Email your answer to me.

Read Chapter 2- Thematic Elements p. 20Choose Maker/Shaker for your report.

Saturday, January 30, 2010

The American Dream

The Real Life Cast Of Characters

Orson WellesBirth nameGeorge Orson WellesBornMay 6, 1915Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S.DiedOctober 10, 1985 (aged 70)Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Orson Welles

Welles had been considered a “boy genius” at everything he tried—painting, writing, acting.

Birth nameGeorge Orson WellesBornMay 6, 1915Kenosha, Wisconsin, U.S.DiedOctober 10, 1985 (aged 70)Los Angeles, California, U.S.

Orson Welles

In New York, he acted, directed, and wrote. He became well-known for his work in the Federal Theater Project, especially a version of Macbeth done entirely by black actors.

Orson Welles

In New York, he acted, directed, and wrote. He became well-known for his work in the Federal Theater Project, especially a version of Macbeth done entirely by black actors.

He also did work in radio. He was most well-known for Mercury Theater and especially “The War of the Worlds.”

outro: “....listeners across the country panicked.”

The attention Welles received from this broadcast accelerated his recruitment to Hollywood and film-

making

William Randolph Hearst

(16 April 1863 – 14 August 1951) ......a leading newspaper publisher.

............."yellow journalism"--sensationalized stories of dubious veracity.

...........was elected three times to the U.S. House of Representatives,

.........was defeated in 1906 in a race for governor of New York

....... became involved in an affair with popular film actress and comedienne Marion Davies (1897–1961), and from about 1919, he lived openly with her in California.

Beginning in 1919, Hearst began to construct (and never completed) a spectacular castle on a 240,000 acre ranch at San Simeon, California, which he furnished with antiques, art, and entire rooms brought from the great houses of Europe.

.........used all his resources and influence in an unsuccessful attempt to prevent the release of Citizen Kane.

Marion Davies(1897–1961)

Her talent was perceived as secondary to the fact that she was Hearstʼs mistress.

Considered by many to be a talented actress and comedienne.

Hearst formed Cosmopolitan Pictures solely to produce starring vehicles for her. His relentless efforts to promote her career instead had a detrimental effect.

Her career was often overshadowed by her relationship with the married Hearst and their fabulous social life at San Simeon.

It was perceived the character of Susan Alexander in Citizen Kane was most offensive to Hearst as it insulted Daviesʼ as a person and as an actress.

Herman J. Mankiewicz

(November 7, 1897 in New York City—March 5, 1953 in Hollywood, California)

........ legendary Hollywood screenwriter

........best known for his collaboration with Orson Welles on the screenplay of Citizen Kane, for which they both won an Academy Award and later became a source of controversy over who wrote what.

..........a one time social acquaintance of William Randolph Hearst

Gregg Toland(May 29, 1904 - September 26, 1948)

..........a highly influential American cinematographer noted for his innovative use of lighting and techniques such as deep focus:

(...a photographic and cinematographic technique incorporating a large depth of field. Depth of field is the front-to-back range of focus in an image — that is, how much of it appears sharp and clear. Consequently, in deep focus the foreground, middle-ground and background are all in focus.)

During the 1930s, Toland became the youngest cameraman in Hollywood but soon one of its most sought-after cinematographers. Over a seven-year span (1936–1942), he was nominated five times for the "Best Cinematography" Oscar, including a win in 1940 for his work on Wuthering Heights.

(...a photographic and cinematographic technique incorporating a large depth of field. Depth of field is the front-to-back range of focus in an image — that is, how much of it appears sharp and clear. Consequently, in deep focus the foreground, middle-ground and background are all in focus.)

Citizen Kane (1941) is widely considered to be one of thegreatest films of all time.

•groundbreaking camera techniques

•innovative narrative devices

•inspiration and influence it had and continues to have on other films.

The most defining stylistic element of Citizen Kane is the lighting. Welles meantfor it to be a dark picture, unlike anything that had been filmed up to that time, sohe used single source lighting. The object was to make the lighting seem lessartificial, but also to use simple lighting devices in order to give the scene acertain ambience, and in some instances to further develop the characters withthe use of shadows.

Low angle shot

*a 20th-century avant-garde movement in art and literature that sought to release the creative potential of the unconscious mind, for example by the irrational juxtaposition of images.

Low angle shot

Shows the details (ceilings etc.) and combines the realism with a sense of surrealism* in the environment

Low angle shot

Shows the details (ceilings etc.) and combines the realism with a sense of surrealism* in the environment

Also contributes to character....showing Kane as vulnerable and isolated--

“No Trespassing” The camera and the viewer ignore the sign.

Camera draws closer to the window of Xanadu. The window stays in the same place but it gets closer as we pass many of the items that will be mentioned in the newsreel to come

Kane's lips say, "Rosebud."

The nurse is seen in the broken glass of snow globe.

Globe introduced as running imageryOpening title- had never been done before.

Image fades on same lit window

Snow introduced as running imagery

“No Trespassing” The camera and the viewer ignore the sign.

Camera draws closer to the window of Xanadu. The window stays in the same place but it gets closer as we pass many of the items that will be mentioned in the newsreel to come

Kane's lips say, "Rosebud."

The nurse is seen in the broken glass of snow globe.

Globe introduced as running imageryOpening title- had never been done before.

Image fades on same lit window

Snow introduced as running imagery

News On The March

A take on Time Magazine’s The March of TimeBackward flashback obituary

Single source lighting

The most defining stylistic element of Citizen Kane is the lighting. Welles meantfor it to be a dark picture, unlike anything that had been filmed up to that time, sohe used single source lighting. The object was to make the lighting seem lessartificial, but also to use simple lighting devices in order to give the scene acertain ambience, and in some instances to further develop the characters withthe use of shadows.

The characters are indistinct, at best a silhouette.

The reporters are not primary characters. Even Thompson -- who through his pursuit of Rosebud is the catalyst for the rest film -- is not important enough to lightadequately. This is restated by his not being photographed directly throughoutthe rest of the film, until the very end when he essentially gives up on his pursuit of Rosebud.

The way this scene is lit also says something about the filmmaker's view on members of the media. In many ways, the film is a condemnation of the media, with Hearst being its primary target. By casting all of the reporters in shadow, Welles diminishes their overall importance, not just as characters, but also as an institution.

Use of Shadows....Declaration of Principles

Shadow is used to express the ethicalvalue of a character; they cast doubt on a character's integrity, or by the absence of shadow, display a character's innocence or good intentions.

Kane is cast in shadow only as he reads the declaration aloud, and once he has finished reading he is cast back into light.

But who was this man, really?

And what does “Rosebud” mean?

Reporter Thompson is charged with finding the answers.

Jerry Thompson - Played by William Alland. The reporter in charge of finding out the meaning of Kane’s last word. Thompson's investigation of “Rosebud” is the catalyst for everyone’s recollections in the movie.

Thompson investigates various people in Kane’s life

* Thompson's visit to Susan Alexander Kane; * Thompson's visit to the Thatcher Library; * Thompson's interview with Bernstein; * Thompson's interview with Leland; * Thompson's interview with Susan Alexander Kane; * Thompson's conversation with Raymond; * The Finale.

As the audience, we witness the results of his investigation through a series of

flashbacks.

Walter Thatcher - Played by George Coulouris, the banker who becomes Kane’s legal guardian.

Flashback 1

Snow Motif

Scenes in one

Deep Focus

Actor angles for focus

Ceilings

Father- moving away from the camera

Mary Kane close-up at window

“Charles!”Doors and windows to frame his characters

SledClose-up on Mary and

Charles

Timelapse

Snow Motif

Scenes in one

Deep Focus

Actor angles for focus

Ceilings

Father- moving away from the camera

Mary Kane close-up at window

“Charles!”Doors and windows to frame his characters

SledClose-up on Mary and

Charles

Timelapse

How To Run A Newspaper

Thatcher’s flashback. The witness to the event is always in the lower right of screen.

Deep Focus. The foreground and background are in both in focus. Quite revolutionary

Hearst Direct. You supply the prose poems, I’ll supply the war

Line angle. The angle of focus among the actors was utilized to give prominence to whatever was important in the scene.

Flashback 2

Mr. Bernstein - Played by Everett Sloane, Kane’s friend and employee. Bernstein, a bespectacled Jewish man, is the only character who loves Kane unconditionally. He completely overlooks Kane’s faults and is loyal to him regardless of the circumstances.

Famous shot of reporters seemingly coming to life out of the photo

Original scene was set in a brothel but the censors forbid it.

Same set as newspaper office.

Unusual use of musical comedy number in a dramatic

Deep focus allows clear illumination of entire room. Footlights can be

seen behind the chair.

Famous shot of reporters seemingly coming to life out of the photo

Original scene was set in a brothel but the censors forbid it.

Same set as newspaper office.

Unusual use of musical comedy number in a dramatic

Deep focus allows clear illumination of entire room. Footlights can be

seen behind the chair.

Flashback 3

Jedediah Leland - Played by Joseph Cotten, Kane’s college friend and the first reporter on Kane’s paper. Leland admires Kane's idealism about the newspaper business when they start working together. However, their principles quickly diverge, and Leland becomes more ethical as Kane becomes more unscrupulous.

The Breakfast

What elements suggest the deterioration of the marriage?

The Breakfast

•Dissolve from Leland to breakfast. Almost a crossfade as from the theatre.

The Breakfast

•Tells the story of a marriage.

The Breakfast

•Written by Welles.

The Breakfast

•Notice flash-pan technique to show time elapse.

The Breakfast

•Notice flash-pan technique to show time elapse.

From a toothache.....

GlobeUse of shadow

Sparing but effective use of close-up

Connection to his

mother

From a toothache.....

GlobeUse of shadow

Sparing but effective use of close-up

Connection to his

mother

Flashback 4

Susan Alexander Kane - Played by Dorothy Comingore, Kane’s mistress, who becomes his second wife. When they meet, Susan seems soft and sweet to him, but her true nature turns out to be whiny and demanding.

Take notice of other sound elements.

Contrast Susan’s voice from previous scene.

Take notice of other sound elements.

Contrast Susan’s voice from previous scene.

Flashback 5

Raymond - Played by Paul Stewart, Kane’s butler at Xanadu. Speaks with Thompson about Rosebud near the end of the film.

Watch for: Depth of staircase, Cockatoo, Globe, Mirrors

An ornate doorway frames Kane and is reflected in a mirror. The mirror causes the image to repeat infinitely. Deep focus is used to enhance the repetition, which adds to Kane's loneliness as an old man and tohis isolation.

Watch for: Depth of staircase, Cockatoo, Globe, Mirrors

An ornate doorway frames Kane and is reflected in a mirror. The mirror causes the image to repeat infinitely. Deep focus is used to enhance the repetition, which adds to Kane's loneliness as an old man and tohis isolation.

Single source lighting and creative use of shadows and lightinspired an entire genre of films called noir.

Framing with doors, windows, or other set elements is a common directorial style today.

Deep focus is seldom used in film these days, because it was primarily a device for black and white film, but Toland's work still has plenty of influence on modern cinematography.

In your group:1) Reflection on the final scene

2) Define the essential relationship between your assigned character and Kane.

3) Recall at least one effective film technique utilized in your assigned character’s flashback. How did it’s use advance the story?

4) Prepare and present a short eulogy that your assigned character might have delivered at Kane’s funeral.

4) Prepare a short eulogy that your assigned character might have delivered at Kane’s funeral.

For next time:2/8

View The Grapes of Wrath

Take Chapter I Quiz on textbook DVD. Email me the results- ascurato@gmail.com

No CD? Answer # 3 on p. 18. as it applies to Citizen Kane. Email your answer to me.

Read Chapter 2- Thematic Elements p. 20Choose Maker/Shaker for your report.

Kane Keynote Copy 2

Education