Filmmaking Techniques - Assignment Example

Question 1

There are a large number of editing techniques that are used by editors and directors in filmmaking. One of the most significant is standard cut, which is essentially the basic cut of the film that involves putting two clips together. This action tends to ensure that there is the advancement of the effect that the picture has on the audience. In addition, this process involves the connection of the last frame of one clip to the beginning of the next one. It is a common technique and it does not usually involve any feelings or meanings in the process. Another technique that is usually applied is the jump cut which essentially involves the pushing forward of time. It is a means to ensure that time is pushed forward but within the same composition.

The next technique that is used in editing involves montage, which exemplifies the passage of time and provides the story with an overall context. Among the most significant montages is in sports films where the athletes are shown preparing for big matches, as seen in the Rocky films. They show the transformation of the character within a single frame; ensuring that there is the advancement of the plot without being tedious about it. The final technique is the fade in/out. Which essentially means that a situation where during the transition between clips, one is made to fade out while the next one fades in. This technique is made use of in order to signify a transition, such as from night to day, among others. The use of a diversity of editing techniques is seen in the films Rashomon and Scarface. These are films that have essentially received cult following because of the manner through which they were edited.

In these films, there has been an attempt to ensure that the action is caught from many camera angles. The result is that both films end up showing evidence of having been cut and spliced as freely as possible by their directors and editors to have the maximum effect possible on the audience. This is especially the case in Rashomon, where the film was edited in such a way that ensured that the action was caught more forcefully that would otherwise have been the case. Scarface makes use of a number of short shots that are edited together in a way that ensures that the audience is tricked into believing that it is essentially one shot. Both of these films have a considerable number of shots which, despite their presence, are hardly detected by the audience because they do not call attention to themselves. The result of this situation is that rather than using the standard cut alone, a diversity of techniques are utilized to ensure that the plot of the films are not only interesting, but also have an effect on the audience, who “gather meaning from the subtext” (Lehman & Luhr, 1999, p.115). This, the editing techniques of editors and directors are fundamental in the way that the story is told in films.

Question 2

The use of mise-en-scene is an important aspect in the development of films. This is because it ensures that there is the creation of a diversity of methods that can help in telling the story. In the films The Searchers and Planet of the Apes, there is considerable evidence concerning the use of mise-en-scene, especially when it comes to the manner through which the camera is used. One of the most significant aspects of these films is that they promote the advancement of camerawork in such a way that ensures that they capture the various scenes being filmed from different angles. The diversity of angles during filming cannot be underestimated because they ensure that the audience gets a feel of the various events that are taking place within particular scenes.

It is also possible to make sure that there is the creation of a situation where the different camera angles are utilized effectively. This is to bring about the development of a perspective of what is taking place from the viewpoint of the various characters in the film. It is pertinent because it helps in making sure that there is the creation of strong initiatives aimed at helping the audience view the scenes in ways that are as realistic as possible (Lehman & Luhr, 1999). The camerawork used in these two films can therefore be considered an essential part of helping in the development of their storylines. This is while at the same time aiding in the formation of various perspectives in the storytelling in each scene. While in both films, there is a valiant attempt to ensure that there is the effective use of a diversity of camera angles, the better camerawork is seen in Planet of the Apes. The latter film’s camerawork is phenomenal because it utilizes the different perspectives offered by the cameras to help establish how events are unfolding in each scene.

In addition, the camera angles, distance, and movement in Planet of the Apes ensures that the audience witnesses how the various characters react to events. They increase the entertainment potential of the film. They further also assist in the creation of proper perspectives concerning the various ways that the film could go. They open grounds for speculation as well as curiosity concerning the events that will develop in the film. This is done in such a way that shows the various angles without giving away subsequent events to the audience. Under such circumstances, the camerawork is essential in helping the director come up with means to provide a diversity of entertainment for the audience. In this way, the camerawork enhances the quality of the film and makes sure that there is the establishment of an understanding of the intentions of the director.

Question 3

Slumdog Millionaire and Citizen Kane are extremely important films when it comes to reflecting on matters concerning race, class, and gender. When it comes to class, both of these films portray characters that essentially rise from poverty to great prosperity after going through considerable tribulations. This is especially considering that both Kane in Citizen Kane, and Jamal in Slumdog Millionaire come from very poor backgrounds and as a result are treated as lesser beings by those who see themselves as their betters. The case of Jamal is more interesting because it involves an individual that, because of his poverty, is forced into a life of crime in order to make ends meet. He is an individual who, despite his poverty, remains an essentially good person. It is because of his goodness that he does not end up descending into the evil that is prevalent among those individuals involved in criminal activities. The achievement of this goal is important because it is what determines the success that he is going to have later in life; especially considering his various experiences.

Citizen Kane also deals with issues concerning class, and this is seen in the way that Kane uses his great wealth to achieve his goals. His is a forceful individual who seems to believe that he knows what is best for the people in his life. In addition, because of his social status, he feels free to attack others using his media empire. This is especially the case where he continuously Thatcher’s business interests. This is despite the latter being responsible for his education because his parents could not afford it at the time. Kane seems to resent the fact that he had to go away from his parents to live with Thatcher at such a young age. A consequence is that despite a member of the upper class taking him in, he is resentful of not being with his parents. It is also a sign that despite having everything that he could have wanted in his life, he is not satisfied with it and feels that he has to control everything that happens around him.

Gender is also an important subject that is addressed in these films. In Slumdog Millionaire, the mistreatment of women, represented by Latika, is represented. Latika is not considered to be a regular human being, with feelings, she is instead treated like property. This is especially the case with Salim, Javed, and Maman, who view her as a means to an end and seek to use her for that purpose. Jamal is the only one who views Latika with respect and rather than seeking to drive her into prostitution, he treats her with love. In Citizen Kane, Kane is seen as an individual with a controlling nature who eventually drives his wives away. The one that goes through the most humiliation is his second wife Susan, who is forced into a career that she is not interested in (Lehman & Luhr, 1999). She ends up in a situation where she is no longer able to abide by her husband and leaves him. Both of these films therefore show that in the end, the women that have been previously patronized end up being empowered in such a way that they gain their freedom from their oppressors.