MIDTERM EXAM     

MIDTERM EXAM

INTRODUCTION TO FILM STUDIES

PLEASE FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS AND ONCE COMPLETED, SAVE AS A PDF WITH THE NAME OF THE ASSIGNMENT, YOUR NAME & STUDENT NUMBER, (i.e., PEFA MIDTERM_ mmason_student#.pdf) THEN EMAIL IT TO ME AT masonm1@douglascollege.ca

PART A:   Early Cinema

Short Answer Questions (20%)

1. Name THREE historical events and/or inventions that led to the capturing of motion:
2. a) Lumière technology
3. b) formation of American Mutoscope and Biograph Company in the year 1896
4. c) demonstration of Britain’s initial projector, the theatrograph in 1896

2. American Thomas Edison and his associates invented the first camera called the
3. a) ___________ kinetograph ________ and peephole projector called the b)__________ Kinetoscope __________

while France’s Lumières Brothers invented the c) ________ Cinématographe _________________, birthing the cinema at the d) ________ Grand Café , the world’s first commercial movie screening ________in Paris, December 28, 1895

3. Name three key differences between these devices
4. a) kinetograph printed up to a maximum of fifty feet at almost forty frames every second
5. b) kinetoscope, on the other hand, involved a viewing device, allowing about film of 47 feet between shatter and incandescent lamp
6. c) Cinématographe, however, involved a printer and a film projector that operated in a combination of different parts
7. Explain how the varying technologies impacted the kind of moving images Edison Co. and the Lumières cameramen captured.

There were numerous limitations in the development of the specific technology through the capturing of the pictures, especially concerning the efficiency. Therefore, various changes that occurred through these processes included weight. For example, Lumieres technology was a portable innovation that replaced the initial of Edison’s technology. Besides, the kinetograph relied on the sun’s position hence did not produce a quality resolution picture. As technology transformed, all the previous limitations were reduced.

5. What is the difference between cinema of attractions and narrative integration? Give examples.

Cinema of attraction involves the motion picture or rather a cinema that is developed to display a self and enclosed fictional context to connect the specific audience. Besides, it conveys different themes that are intended to capture and captivate the viewers with the intention of entertainment and the revelation of an exclusive and unique presentation. Examples of such films included the historical movies from the Lumiere brothers and “How It Feels To Be Run Over” by Hepworth Manufacturing. On the other hand, narrative integration involves the development of a storyline rather than only motion pictures that could fascinate at the beginning; however, it becomes boring later through the process of viewing. For example, there involved the creation of narratives by modifying and editing different scenes to develop a climax within the movie or film.

Total A      /20

PART B

One to two paragraph answers: In a few sentences, answer the following questions: 

( 5 x 10 points = 50 %)

1. What creative elements distinguish a Classical Hollywood film in terms of story, character, cinematography, and editing conventions? Why?

For instance, considering the characters through Hollywood movies, there involves numerous storylines and character development that concentrates on specific individuals.  Various storylines through the development of particular motion pictures connect. For example, themes that revolve around effects and causes are considered and developed through the psychology of the selected characters.  There is the creation of coherent and seamless narratives that, in turn, facilitated the thematic development concerning the process of editing.  Additionally, In progression altering, singular scenes inside a solitary space were separated into numerous shots beginning with a building upshot that was trailed by at least one slice to show a bit of the activity.

Additionally, the other factor that recognized it was that old-style Hollywood Cinema had a dominant style, and a standard watcher couldn’t without much of a stretch figure it out. The things that appeared to be mysterious were in reality because of the capability in the portrayal. The primary objective of the movie producers was accomplishing the smoothest strategy for the story process. Different methods like narrating, cinematography likewise gave a state of contrast.

2. How do Soviet montage films like Battleship Potemkin synthesize a Marxist revolutionary aesthetic? Use the Odessa Staircase scene to explain.

Russia was moderate and domineering among the forces of European countries. Despot had solid guidelines and guidelines on his kin, and his government had a solid bond with the congregation. Around then, Russia needed industrialization. At the point when the upset happened in 1917, around 4000 performance centers were working in Russia. The most celebrated rebellions of 1905 were on board a ship where one of the individuals of the maritime staff arranged in solidarity as they would not eat spoiled, rancid meat as requested. Following the Communist insurgency of 1917, Battleship Potemkin turned into the subject of one of Russia’s significant movies and thus changed film’s history. The Odessa Steps were the most acclaimed scene in any montage film around then. In this, a few people were furnished and were shooting the others. They utilized smoke to speak to as though they were shooting, and more significant parts of the jobs or roles were played by non-proficient on-screen characters and were cast as indicated by type. Subsequently, a solitary hero may speak to a general class. Likewise, the presentation appeared to be exceptionally near this present reality.

3. What gave rise to German Expressionist cinema, and what characterizes it? Be sure to cite samples of film excerpts watched in class.

Expressionist movies were at first resulting from Germany’s relative separation during the 1910s and immediately created popularity because of the administration’s restriction on foreign film. The movie’s allure before long spread to a worldwide crowd, and by the mid-1920s, numerous European producers had started exploring different avenues regarding the ludicrous and wild style of German film. Two of the most persuasive movies of the period were Metropolis (1927)

4. How did the birth of sound change the cinema?

For instance, different changes occurred through the transitions within cinema development. Consequently, the Jazz artist is a 1927 American melodic component that was coordinated by Alan Crosland, the leading film with blended exchange and arrangements. Recording sound had existed since 1877 with the creation of Thomas Alva Edison, who designed phonograph that recorded sound; however, until now, creators couldn’t fit sound with the image. The Talkies drove by The Jazz Singer denoted the determent of the quiet film period. Additionally, around then, Warner Bros. utilized a recently made Vitaphone sound-on-plate framework. Despite the enormous accomplishment of Jazz artist-makers and crowd, it took numerous years to get with the sound wave as not all the studios approached the innovations. So the viewpoint of the film watchers should have been changed.

5. What are some of the highlights of the American 1930s Studio System called “The Golden Age” of Hollywood, in terms of genres, technical achievements, and films?

Most importantly, 1930’s studio framework was called brilliant age due to a few reasons. The primary one was the introduction of sound in the film that denoted the finish of the quiet film. The Jazz artist was the most famous film of that time. The specific accomplishments were also like the development of new film studios like Warner Bros. had the sound on plate framework. They had the advances that brought significant changes and changed the crowd’s points of view regarding how they saw the film as far as classes, the nearness of celebrated entertainers like Al Jolson, positively shaped the business. Thus due to these previously mentioned factors, this is known as “The Golden Age” of Hollywood.

                      Total B          / 50

PART C 

Longer Answer Questions (1 x 35 points = 35 %)

Please answer one of the following questions, remembering to compose a thesis statement about what point or argument you are making:

1. How did D.W. Griffith create cinema space in Birth of a Nation, and what history lessons does this film teach about the power and responsibility of filmmakers?
2. Why and how does Hollywood classical cinema differ in style and story than European Art House cinema? Explain.

Hollywood Classical motion pictures and European craftsmanship style had unmistakable roots. Because of the World War that happened from 1914 to 1918, there was an extremely unfavorable effect on European Cinema. Europe’s territory was separated into a few little countries in light of the war, which compelled the making of different nation’s film. World War 1 prompted another genre called the war film.

Not at all like the European Cinema, Los Angles rose as the significant creation place for Hollywood Films. The American makers had significantly more cash to spend, and henceforth they made stunning sets for their movies, not just this; they exceeded expectations in steady story portrayal. Rather than this, Europeans slacked in every one of these components; thus, the European Cinema endured a tremendous misfortune during and after the war timeframe.

The traditional Hollywood style exceeded expectations because of its better proficiency and economy. For their mean of articulation, the American films followed up on the essential elaborate standards of old-style cinema. The American movie producer team were in constant endeavors to locate a despite everything better approach to describe stories. At the same time, the war transformed the European studios into industrial facilities to take up arms adverse effects.

During this time, as the component films were getting normalized, the rules were being worked to make coherent plots. Unbroken chains of circumstances and results were set up around then. At the entire American style of story, portrayal assumed an incredible job in the accomplishment of Classical Hollywood style film.

As far as character Hollywood film is distinctive by the way that it concentrates on a person. As now as the story, the film comprises away from circumstances and results, and the lion’s share of these incorporate character brain research. In altering, it contrasted such that it made consistent and rational stories. Incoherence altering singular scenes inside a solitary space was separated into numerous shots beginning with a building upshot that was trailed by at least one slice ins to show part of the activity. Likewise, the other factor that recognized it was that traditional Hollywood Cinema had a unique style, and a standard watcher couldn’t without much of a stretch figure it out. The things that appeared to be otherworldly were in reality because of the capability in the portrayal. The fundamental objective of the movie producers was accomplishing the smoothest technique for the story process. Different procedures like narrating, cinematography additionally gave a state of contrast.

                                                                                                                                 Total C          / 30