Film Studies Daily Log

Monday, May 17

We reviewed the handout distributed Friday -- Q & A with Bernard Herrmann, composer of Citizen Kane's film score -- and looked at certain parts of the film which he specifically discusses there, including the scene where Kane meets Susan, with its subtle use of the Rosebud theme. We also discussed the "mystical," subliminal nature of film music in general.

Another aspect of the soundtrack which we noted was the echo-chamber effect in the library scene and in Xanadu interior sequences and what they add.

Finally, we began to look at the film's characteristic and diverse use of low camera angles.

HW due Monday:
Single-element analysis. 800 words.