Choose 1 of the following silent films to watch and report on. • The General (1926) • Metropolis (1927) • Safety Last (1923) • City Lights (1931) • Nosferatu (1922)
Describe how the individual elements combined to present the overall mise-en-scene of the film. • Describe how these elements combined to present the overall viewer impression of the film. Think like a filmmaker—what did the director do and how/why did he do it to create that unique experience for the viewer? • Use examples
Other things to keep in mind:
• What kind of settings show up in the film and why?
• Are any props part of comedic gags? How?
• How do makeup/hairstyle/costume contribute to what’s funny?
• How are stand-out scenes staged for comic or horror effects?
• Does the use of light in the film call attention to itself? Why or why not?
• Is the film colorized? Why? For what effect?
SOUND-In at least 8 sentences, discuss the use of sound in the film.
• What kind of music is being played? How is it used?
• Are there any sound effects?
• Does silence play a significant role in delivering the film’s experience to the viewer?
• Use examples. • Think like a filmmaker—what did the director do and how/why did he do it to create that unique experience for the viewer?
CINEMATOGRAPHY-Cinematography includes choices about types of shots, camera angles, and mobile framing to create the language of cinema. Write at least 8 sentences here.
• Use the notes from what you learned so far so you are demonstrating the proper terminology.
Things to keep in mind:
• What does the director compel us through cinematography to focus on? Why? What is left to the imagination? In sum, how does the director’s use of the camera help to create humor or horror in the film?
• How do the cinematic aspects of the film–the qualities of the film stock, lenses used, framing, camera angles, camera movement, and use of long takes–add up to an overall
look? How could a viewer describe that look?
• What kind of camera motion is being used in certain scenes? Is there a dependence on hand-held camera work? Other techniques? Why and to what effect?
• How do the individual shots tend to be framed and angled? What is the overall tendency in composition in the frame and angle? Why?
• To what extent is the filmmaker deviating from eye-level angles? Are these meant to convey a particular point of view (i.e., are they POV shots?) If so, what do the angles convey about characters’ states of mind?
• Does the cinematography ever call attention to itself? If so, why?
• Describe a particular scene that showcases the film’s cinematography.
