1. Many people believe that by buying into objects/using them, they are connecting themselves to a broader life and life's experiences. But through the film Sunset Boulevard, I will show how objects can not only kill us, but can be used to kill us.
2. I plan on doing an individual creative project. I am very interested in the act of tragedy vs. comedy and how the two intersect and build off of one another. Lacan inspired me on many of her points she's made connecting the two and I hope to do some sort of performance piece (rooted more into performance art) with a small written component connecting, Why and How.
However, this concept is still in process.
Monday, November 25, 2013
Rush #4
In the final scene between Joe and Betty in Sunset Boulevard, a culminating image/object that appears, that I want to focus on, is clothing.
Clothing, which is defined by Merriam Webster's Dictionary as: "the things that people wear to cover their bodies" is used in this scene not only to cover their bodies, but cover their past, present and future.
Joe uses his clothing as a device in his conversation with Betty to prove what he has accumulated within his relationship with Norma Desmond. Joe wears his clothes like any other person, but, he uses his clothing to prove that he is a different person. In the beginning of the film, we see Joe in (what I will call) 'street attire.' Nothing fancy or grand is assumed about his clothing, in fact, in relation to Norma's clothing attire, it could be considered poor or disheveled. However, in the end of the film, we only see Joe in 'fancy attire.' He wears tuxedo's, expensive suits, etc. Joe uses this analogy, not vocally, but physically in this scene. He physically relates and connects with the 'fancy attire' that is Norma Desmonds mantion and all her accumulated pictures, trophies, etc.
The importance of this object is because it is not something that is talked. It is something that is subtly but visually shown. One of the main scenes that does reference this moment is when Joe goes to an old friends house for a new years party and his friend comments on his tuxedo because everyone else is in 'street attire' and Joe sticks out like a sore thumb.
In the final scene, Joe not only presents himself physically in the space as one of Norma's objects but he views himself in this scene as one of them, by what he covers himself with.
This act of 'covering' is defined by Kenji Yoshino, in his book Covering, "To cover is to downplay a disfavored trait so as to blend into the mainstream."
Joe covers himself in this scene to run from his past, justify his present in hopes of becoming a more well rounded figure/person/object in his future.
Clothing, which is defined by Merriam Webster's Dictionary as: "the things that people wear to cover their bodies" is used in this scene not only to cover their bodies, but cover their past, present and future.
Joe uses his clothing as a device in his conversation with Betty to prove what he has accumulated within his relationship with Norma Desmond. Joe wears his clothes like any other person, but, he uses his clothing to prove that he is a different person. In the beginning of the film, we see Joe in (what I will call) 'street attire.' Nothing fancy or grand is assumed about his clothing, in fact, in relation to Norma's clothing attire, it could be considered poor or disheveled. However, in the end of the film, we only see Joe in 'fancy attire.' He wears tuxedo's, expensive suits, etc. Joe uses this analogy, not vocally, but physically in this scene. He physically relates and connects with the 'fancy attire' that is Norma Desmonds mantion and all her accumulated pictures, trophies, etc.
The importance of this object is because it is not something that is talked. It is something that is subtly but visually shown. One of the main scenes that does reference this moment is when Joe goes to an old friends house for a new years party and his friend comments on his tuxedo because everyone else is in 'street attire' and Joe sticks out like a sore thumb.
In the final scene, Joe not only presents himself physically in the space as one of Norma's objects but he views himself in this scene as one of them, by what he covers himself with.
This act of 'covering' is defined by Kenji Yoshino, in his book Covering, "To cover is to downplay a disfavored trait so as to blend into the mainstream."
Joe covers himself in this scene to run from his past, justify his present in hopes of becoming a more well rounded figure/person/object in his future.
Sunday, October 6, 2013
Rush 3
Repetition:
when analyzing Citizen Kane to The Bicycle Theives, one of the main images and concepts that strikes me the most, and I find most palpable, is the image of seeing the protagonist through the eyes of either the supporting role, secondary character or passerby.
For example, in Kane, right after his wife leaves him and he torments, destroys and sabotages her bedroom, he leaves the room saying the word Rosebud, while his ensemble, his clerks and servants, his friends, watch him. We see Kane, at that moment, through the eyes of the other characters and it gives us an unfathomable amount of information and insight to the character almost more-so than we could when watching him violently act out his inner monologue through destroying her room. This simple but yet complex moment reveals to us where he stands, where they stand with him and most of all, it gives us an opportunity to choose where We stand, the audience that is.
Moments like this do not always occur within cinema anymore because the plot, structure and concept is so geared towards one specific thing. Particularly in action films. The Bourne series for example, is highly focused on the action and intensity that Jason Bourne lives in, and we receive very little to few moments to establish ourselves with the character.
In The Bicylce Theives, the final moment when the father is plagued by his tormented reality and lack of his prospering life, trying to justify his act of stealing another bike to, quite literally "save his life" we see him, through his sons eyes.
This moment, relative to, and just like Kane, is exemplary and extremely significant because we are humbled by the reality of the situation and our relationship with all the characters becomes justified and allowed to be fully recognized.
This simple act of repetition, in these final crucial moments of the film: looking at the protagonist through the eyes of their fellows, becomes almost the crux of the film rather than what the protagonist actually Does in the end.
when analyzing Citizen Kane to The Bicycle Theives, one of the main images and concepts that strikes me the most, and I find most palpable, is the image of seeing the protagonist through the eyes of either the supporting role, secondary character or passerby.
For example, in Kane, right after his wife leaves him and he torments, destroys and sabotages her bedroom, he leaves the room saying the word Rosebud, while his ensemble, his clerks and servants, his friends, watch him. We see Kane, at that moment, through the eyes of the other characters and it gives us an unfathomable amount of information and insight to the character almost more-so than we could when watching him violently act out his inner monologue through destroying her room. This simple but yet complex moment reveals to us where he stands, where they stand with him and most of all, it gives us an opportunity to choose where We stand, the audience that is.
Moments like this do not always occur within cinema anymore because the plot, structure and concept is so geared towards one specific thing. Particularly in action films. The Bourne series for example, is highly focused on the action and intensity that Jason Bourne lives in, and we receive very little to few moments to establish ourselves with the character.
In The Bicylce Theives, the final moment when the father is plagued by his tormented reality and lack of his prospering life, trying to justify his act of stealing another bike to, quite literally "save his life" we see him, through his sons eyes.
This moment, relative to, and just like Kane, is exemplary and extremely significant because we are humbled by the reality of the situation and our relationship with all the characters becomes justified and allowed to be fully recognized.
This simple act of repetition, in these final crucial moments of the film: looking at the protagonist through the eyes of their fellows, becomes almost the crux of the film rather than what the protagonist actually Does in the end.
Monday, September 30, 2013
Rush 2
As I think about desire, and the on-going question of "What Is Tragedy?" and/or maybe, "What has tragedy become?" (For it does not feel like a constant thing. Its maleable. Ephemeral. Like a cloud, then suffering into a thunderstorm. Beautiful and yet tragically cataclysmic to its environment.) I cannot help but ignore Citizen Kane and think on Hitchcock.
Citizen Kane, and all its value, has no interest for me, with these questions. I think more of Hitchcock and his ideas of "Playing God."
Hitchcock once said in an interview, when asked why are his films so well received and famous, he replied with his concept of Playing God. He spoke about how he places the audience in a position where they have no control, but see everything occurring, and therefore crave control.
For example, in Psycho, the famous bathroom scene, we see a close up perspective of Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) showering and a shadowy figure slowly entering behind her. We (the audience) see that Marion does not see, and is indeed in direct relationship with a dark figure. This figure is not safe to her, the environment, or our relationship with Marion, for we have grown to become fond of her.
We see the figure kill Marion, and there was nothing we could do.
It is that, in of itself, the simplistic concept of, Nothing we can do, that I find most interesting and tragic of all. This can be related to scenes in Citizen Kane, amongst many other films. I think the concept shifts of course, because it is situational, emotional, political, and many other things, it shifts.. However, its constant shifting, and evolving, much like a virus, is what the media attaches onto and can create coverage so well. This relationship is merely the media covering on a specific event, and our relationship with the children and families in syria, through a newspaper, internet, or television, is just like our relationship with Marion. We (Western Americans) are distant. We are not connected. We cannot save her/them. We are voyeurs. And, the dark luminous figure, is the gas.
The media Plays God, just as Hitchock Played God with us.
Tragedy becomes voyeurism. Becomes mockery. Becomes a game. Becomes a monopoly. Becomes an enterprise. Becomes a neo-liberal governmentally.
Citizen Kane, and all its value, has no interest for me, with these questions. I think more of Hitchcock and his ideas of "Playing God."
Hitchcock once said in an interview, when asked why are his films so well received and famous, he replied with his concept of Playing God. He spoke about how he places the audience in a position where they have no control, but see everything occurring, and therefore crave control.
For example, in Psycho, the famous bathroom scene, we see a close up perspective of Marion Crane (Janet Leigh) showering and a shadowy figure slowly entering behind her. We (the audience) see that Marion does not see, and is indeed in direct relationship with a dark figure. This figure is not safe to her, the environment, or our relationship with Marion, for we have grown to become fond of her.
We see the figure kill Marion, and there was nothing we could do.
It is that, in of itself, the simplistic concept of, Nothing we can do, that I find most interesting and tragic of all. This can be related to scenes in Citizen Kane, amongst many other films. I think the concept shifts of course, because it is situational, emotional, political, and many other things, it shifts.. However, its constant shifting, and evolving, much like a virus, is what the media attaches onto and can create coverage so well. This relationship is merely the media covering on a specific event, and our relationship with the children and families in syria, through a newspaper, internet, or television, is just like our relationship with Marion. We (Western Americans) are distant. We are not connected. We cannot save her/them. We are voyeurs. And, the dark luminous figure, is the gas.
The media Plays God, just as Hitchock Played God with us.
Tragedy becomes voyeurism. Becomes mockery. Becomes a game. Becomes a monopoly. Becomes an enterprise. Becomes a neo-liberal governmentally.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Rush 1
I attend Cornish this year as a Senior in the Theater department with an emphasis in Original Work. I'm also stepping outside of my major this year taking a Sculpture class. Using any medium at hand. Becoming a bricoleur instead of an engineer. An interesting, inspiring and engaging task. Outside I work mostly in Pike Place selling pasta. I'm a movie whore, so whenever I get a chance, that's something I'm doing. I love photography, collage making, and am also a singer/songwriter. These things I partake in a lot in my free time.
When I was younger an old friend and I used to make a web-series, that only really got as far as Facebook and Youtube, called OddMoments Productions, and weekly we'd put out a series of shorts. Extremely goofy, absurd, but fun. I've made a few shorts on my own but the only professional thing I have done was this last summer. I got flown out to Philadelphia and starred in an independent feature length about young punk kids in the 80s called The Bhakti Boy. (it's on facebook!) Which was an amazing experience. Television and I have always had a love/hate relationship. But movies and I have always been hopeless romantics towards one another.
I hope to expand my horizons and stretch my knowledge of this cinematic world.
For the final project, which I do not know yet, but I think, I want to do something collaborative, creative, engaging, thought provoking, using cinematography with an emphasis on performance art and interdisciplinary activities in a natural setting (outside of a classroom, and in a coffee shop, etc)
When I was younger an old friend and I used to make a web-series, that only really got as far as Facebook and Youtube, called OddMoments Productions, and weekly we'd put out a series of shorts. Extremely goofy, absurd, but fun. I've made a few shorts on my own but the only professional thing I have done was this last summer. I got flown out to Philadelphia and starred in an independent feature length about young punk kids in the 80s called The Bhakti Boy. (it's on facebook!) Which was an amazing experience. Television and I have always had a love/hate relationship. But movies and I have always been hopeless romantics towards one another.
I hope to expand my horizons and stretch my knowledge of this cinematic world.
For the final project, which I do not know yet, but I think, I want to do something collaborative, creative, engaging, thought provoking, using cinematography with an emphasis on performance art and interdisciplinary activities in a natural setting (outside of a classroom, and in a coffee shop, etc)
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