2020, 10-15

Post date: Oct 16, 2020 12:35:47 PM

COHORT B & VIRTUAL STUDENTS:

(live Zoom on Tuesdays & Fridays at 9:45)

DO NOW: Symbolism: Connect

Filmmakers also use symbols to communicate to their audience.

Which example below is most interesting to you, and why?

Citizen Kane

In Citizen Kane (often considered the greatest film ever made), the very wealthy newspaper publisher Charles Foster Kane can afford anything in the world. However, his life is empty, because he missed out on having a normal life with a loving family. His childhood sled is a representation of the life he longed for.

Sled = Childhood

Frankenstein

Frankenstein's monster is fascinated and terrified by fire. It's not the fire itself, but the light associated with it. He has seen the power light has, but also it's destructive capabilities. This powerful/dangerous combination is akin to the knowledge the knowledge and scientific discovery that led to his creation.

Fire = Knowledge

Big Fish

Will Bloom grew up listening to his father's fantastical stories (like the one where he caught a legendary gigantic fish with his bare hands), but he came to realize that many of these stories were untrue. However, as he learns more about his father, he comes to discover that there are elements of truth to those lies. The "big fish" appears throughout the film as a metaphor for Will's understanding of these stories.

Fish = Lies

2001: A Space Odyssey

Throughout the film, we see man using tools that are initially helpful, but eventually become destructive. While this eventually is embodied by the villainous HAL 9000 computer program, the earliest example of this relationship with technology is shown with early man (apes) using bones to hunt... and then to smash.

Bone = Technology

DO NEXT:

Q: What is an object that you want to use as a symbol in your Cinematography Portfolio?

Q: What does it represent?

Clock = Battle

Cactus = Peacefulness

Broken Watch = Time

Road Signs = Travel

Bandana = Criminal Activity

Tarot Cards = Beauty, Knowledge, Society, Future, Spirituality

Window = Freedom

SEE / THINK / WONDER:

Verbal discussion: What is the story in this picture? What happened before? What will happen next?

What is a likely symbol in this frame, and what does it represent?

THINK / PUZZLE / EXPLORE:

Study this student example from several years ago.

What ideas does this give you for your own Cinematography Portfolio?

STUDIO TIME:

Take photos or write descriptions.

Cinematography Portfolio is due by Sunday.

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COHORT A:

DO NOW: Studio Time

Take photos for your Cinematography Portfolio.

Write comparisons and story descriptions for the Portfolio.