Examining Akira Kurosawa’s Style and its Impact on His Films, make sure to compare and contrast the films: High and Low (1963), Yojimbo (1961), and Seven Samurai (1954).
Introduction:
Akira Kurosawa is renowned for his distinctive style of filmmaking, which has left an indelible mark on the world of cinema. In this analytical paper, delve into the artistic techniques employed by Kurosawa and their profound impact on his films. Explore how Kurosawa’s style manifests in his narrative structure, visual aesthetics, character development, and thematic exploration. Analyze the way his unique approach enhances the cinematic experience and contributes to his films’ enduring appeal.
Possible Areas of Analysis:
Narrative Structure:
Examine the narrative structure employed by Kurosawa in his films. How does he break conventions and experiment with storytelling techniques? Analyze his use of non-linear narratives, multiple perspectives, or unconventional plot structures. Investigate the impact of these narrative choices on the viewer’s engagement, understanding, and emotional experience.
Visual Aesthetics:
Explore Kurosawa’s visual style and its significance in his films. Analyze his use of composition, framing, camera movement, and mise-en-scène. How does Kurosawa’s visual storytelling enhance the narrative and create a distinct atmosphere? Investigate his mastery of light and shadow, visual symbolism, or the incorporation of nature as a thematic element. Examine how these visual choices contribute to the overall impact and meaning of his films.
Character Development:
Examine Kurosawa’s approach to character development and the nuances of his character portrayals. Analyze how he constructs complex and multi-dimensional characters through dialogue, performance, and visual cues. Explore his portrayal of internal conflicts, moral dilemmas, or psychological depth. Investigate the role of archetypes or recurring character types in Kurosawa’s films and their significance within his broader body of work.
Thematic Exploration:
Delve into the thematic richness of Kurosawa’s films and his unique perspective on various subjects. Analyze recurring themes such as honor, duty, social hierarchy, justice, or the human condition. Explore how Kurosawa’s thematic exploration intersects with historical, cultural, or philosophical contexts. Examine the ways in which he uses his films as a platform for social commentary or personal introspection.
Influences and Legacy:
Investigate the influences on Kurosawa’s style and his impact on subsequent generations of filmmakers. Analyze the directors, filmmakers, or artistic movements that shaped Kurosawa’s approach to cinema. Examine how his innovations and techniques have influenced filmmakers both within and beyond Japan. Explore the lasting legacy of Kurosawa’s style and its continued relevance in contemporary cinema.
Conclusion:
Summarize the key findings from your analysis of Akira Kurosawa’s style and its impact on his films. Reflect on the significance of his artistic techniques in creating a unique cinematic experience. Consider the enduring legacy of Kurosawa’s style and its influence on the world of filmmaking.
Category: Film
Film & Theater studies
you are to focus your essay on one of the performances/events we watched during class this semester. While you are welcome to mention another performance we saw, given the modest length of this assignment, you are highly encouraged to orient your argument around just one. The performance you write about can be one you addressed in your ‘review of reviews’, but you may not repeat material from your previous assessment or from work submitted for other modules.
Critical Sources: your essay should make use of at least two secondary source. The source you draw on can include academic texts (e.g. articles and books), theatre criticism, opinion and journalistic pieces, factual material, etc. To find these sources, you are welcome but not required to consult the further reading suggestions of the module. Wikipedia and other generic websites/study guides, etc. should be avoided. Your use of sources should be substantive i.e. it should be clear how they contribute to your argument.
Possible Essay Questions
- How is the performance made meaningful by its particular location in London?
- What are the codes of behaviour and expertise expected of the audience at your chosen performance? How do these codes influence the meanings of the performance?
- What values and ethos does the venue/institutional context of your chosen performance communicate? How are these values reflected (or not) in the performance event?
- How does the architecture of the building organise the meanings of the performance event?
- What theatrical tradition does the performance emerge from? Does the genre or form of the performance contribute to its meanings?
- What is the relationship between the politics addressed in the content of the performance and the performance forms it engages?
- What sort of audience does the performance assume are present? How is this assumption made visible in the performance itself?
- Choose your own question. If you have another question that you would really like to address then you may do so, on the condition that this is first discussed with your seminar leader.
Film & Theater studies
you are to focus your essay on one of the performances/events we watched during class this semester. While you are welcome to mention another performance we saw, given the modest length of this assignment, you are highly encouraged to orient your argument around just one. The performance you write about can be one you addressed in your ‘review of reviews’, but you may not repeat material from your previous assessment or from work submitted for other modules.
Critical Sources: your essay should make use of at least two secondary source. The source you draw on can include academic texts (e.g. articles and books), theatre criticism, opinion and journalistic pieces, factual material, etc. To find these sources, you are welcome but not required to consult the further reading suggestions of the module. Wikipedia and other generic websites/study guides, etc. should be avoided. Your use of sources should be substantive i.e. it should be clear how they contribute to your argument.
Possible Essay Questions
- How is the performance made meaningful by its particular location in London?
- What are the codes of behaviour and expertise expected of the audience at your chosen performance? How do these codes influence the meanings of the performance?
- What values and ethos does the venue/institutional context of your chosen performance communicate? How are these values reflected (or not) in the performance event?
- How does the architecture of the building organise the meanings of the performance event?
- What theatrical tradition does the performance emerge from? Does the genre or form of the performance contribute to its meanings?
- What is the relationship between the politics addressed in the content of the performance and the performance forms it engages?
- What sort of audience does the performance assume are present? How is this assumption made visible in the performance itself?
- Choose your own question. If you have another question that you would really like to address then you may do so, on the condition that this is first discussed with your seminar leader.
Feature film during the time period of 1970 – 2000
write a 5-7 page research paper on one of the following:
a. An important film director
b. A specific film
c. The development of a particular element of film making.
Select one film of feature length made during the time period of 1970 – 2000. You are not to use a film already used by you, the instructor or the course content. In your term paper, you should present information about the making of the movie, about its success at the box office, about awards it was nominated for and/or received. Also present a sampling of the critical reaction to the film, from both the time of its release and later. Finally, you should watch the film and react to it. Do not summarize the plot. Assume that I’ve already seen the film. In addition, write about how this director used the following in these films: Editing (montage), Sound and Music, Cinematography, Special Camera Work (steady cam, hand held, optical effects), Special Effects (this can include stunt work).
Active director during the time period of 1950 – 2000
write a 5-7 page research paper on one of the following:
a. An important film director
b. A specific film
c. The development of a particular element of film making.
You should select a director who was active (directed more than 3 movies) during the time period of 1950 – 2000. In your term paper, give me the basic details of the director’s life and career. Identify some of the director’s most important films. What honors and awards did the director receive? Provide a sampling of critical opinion about the director’s work (i.e. film reviews or articles). View at least two films by your director and comment on them (one of them can be a film you would have watch previously for the class). Do not summarize any plots. Write about how this director used the following in these films: Editing (montage), Sound and Music, Cinematography, Special Camera Work (steady cam, hand held, optical effects), Special Effects (this can include stunt work).
Pseudo-event was created to market a film
Can you think of a time when a Pseudo-event was created to market a film? If so, was this event used in combination with any other approaches?
2. Do you think Pseudo-Events is an ethical way to market Horror Films? Why or why not?
Alfred Hitchcock’s Films
Discuss Hitchcock’s earlier (1930s), middle (1940s) and later (1950s-1960s) films. Over time, what remains the same and what is different regarding the
types of characters, themes and use of suspense in the films?
IRMAVEP 1996 Olivier Assayas France
A number of films in “Film Lists” have focused, directly or indirectly, on the family.
Discuss the portrayal of the family in three of the films.
Film Lists
IRMAVEP 1996 Olivier AssayasFrance
THE WIND WILL CARRY US1999,Abbas Kiarostami, lran
LACIENAGA,2001,Lucrecia Martel,Argentina
Types of Horror Subgenres in Movies
• Psychological
• Paranormal
• Slasher
Outline
Intro
• Hook (an attention grabber)
• Background info (general information about the Horror genre)
• Thesis – To better understand the differences in content with certain horror subgenres, they can be broken down into three categories, and each one can evoke different emotions from their audiences. These categories are Psychological, Paranormal and Slasher.
Photograph or film art piece to use as a point of inspiration
Select a photograph or film art piece to use as a point of inspiration. Create an art piece of photography or cinematography inspired by your selected art piece. Videos should be no longer than 5 minutes and must be in MP4 format.
Note: If your art creation requires a separate file submission, please submit in the Art Creation Submission (Recordings) area following this assignment.
Part 2: Reflection
Write a reflection about the relationship between your art production and the inspiration piece. Include the following in the reflection paper:
Introduction
Inspiration Piece
Include the inspiration photograph or cinematography within the document. Use a link in the case of cinematography.
Record the title, artist/director, year, and place of origin.
Briefly explain the background of the inspiration piece.
Your Art Piece
Include your original photograph within the document. If you selected cinematography, submit as a separate file in the Art Creation Submission (Recordings) area following this assignment.
Provide a title.
Explain the background of your piece.
Connection
Explain the thematic connection between the two pieces.
How are they similar and different?
Are they the same medium? How does the medium impact what the viewer experiences?
For photography, how do the formal elements of design compare to one another?