Monday, May 24
Students turned in their Outside Viewing essays.
We briefly reviewed what we learned about the plot and characters of Casablanca in the first part of the film that we watched on Friday -- especially about Rick's political history -- then watched another 35 minutes (to 1:00:00).
Monday, May 24, 2010
Friday, May 21, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
Wednesday, May 19
Mr. P announced that the Citizen Kane quiz would be postponed to Thursday in his absence.
The class was devoted to introducing (1) the historical background to Casablanca and (2) Humphrey Bogart (with clips from The Maltese Falcon and The Big Sleep.
HW due Thursday:
Prepare for quiz over Citizen Kane, including Bernard Herrmann handouts.
HW due Monday:
Single=scene analysis. 800 word minimum.
Mr. P announced that the Citizen Kane quiz would be postponed to Thursday in his absence.
The class was devoted to introducing (1) the historical background to Casablanca and (2) Humphrey Bogart (with clips from The Maltese Falcon and The Big Sleep.
HW due Thursday:
Prepare for quiz over Citizen Kane, including Bernard Herrmann handouts.
HW due Monday:
Single=scene analysis. 800 word minimum.
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Monday, May 17, 2010
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.
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.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Friday, May 14
Students were reminded of the essay due a week from Monday (May 24), and informed of a quiz on Citizen Kane next Wednesday (May 19).
We returned to our analysis of the musical score of Citizen Kane, looking at -- no, that would be listening to -- examples of the Destiny and Rosebud themes and how they are used in a few places in the film. Students amplified the notes they have been taking on the analysis of different elements of filmcraft in the movie.
We also read a brief handout about the unprecedented use of music in the film, and referred briefly to a second, longer handout (4pp.) featuring comments by Bernard Herrmann, the composer of the score. Students were asked to read that handout over the weekend; it will be included in Wednesday's quiz.
Students were reminded of the essay due a week from Monday (May 24), and informed of a quiz on Citizen Kane next Wednesday (May 19).
We returned to our analysis of the musical score of Citizen Kane, looking at -- no, that would be listening to -- examples of the Destiny and Rosebud themes and how they are used in a few places in the film. Students amplified the notes they have been taking on the analysis of different elements of filmcraft in the movie.
We also read a brief handout about the unprecedented use of music in the film, and referred briefly to a second, longer handout (4pp.) featuring comments by Bernard Herrmann, the composer of the score. Students were asked to read that handout over the weekend; it will be included in Wednesday's quiz.
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Thursday, May 13
Students wrote one or two sentences saying what they thought was the central theme of Citizen Kane. Most students felt it concerned the illusive naature of pursuing happiness by accumulating material wealth -- i.e., things.
On this basis, we examined the importance of things in conveying the film's meanings, or stated differently, the critical importance of mise en scene in the work. We looked closely at the opening sequence of the movie, starting with NO TRESPASSING and ending with "Rosebud."
Next we examined the same scene in a different way: in terms of the sound track. Students now defined what they considered the central musical themes of the film, and we ended with a rousing chorus of the Rosebud theme. Oh no, that's right -- we agreed to begin Friday's class with that.
HW:
Single element analysis due a week from Monday (May 24).
Students wrote one or two sentences saying what they thought was the central theme of Citizen Kane. Most students felt it concerned the illusive naature of pursuing happiness by accumulating material wealth -- i.e., things.
On this basis, we examined the importance of things in conveying the film's meanings, or stated differently, the critical importance of mise en scene in the work. We looked closely at the opening sequence of the movie, starting with NO TRESPASSING and ending with "Rosebud."
Next we examined the same scene in a different way: in terms of the sound track. Students now defined what they considered the central musical themes of the film, and we ended with a rousing chorus of the Rosebud theme. Oh no, that's right -- we agreed to begin Friday's class with that.
HW:
Single element analysis due a week from Monday (May 24).
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