How Films Communicate Part 3 Analysis

How Films Communicate Parts II & III
Dorothy Straughter-Parker
HUM/150
May 25, 2015
Dyrk Ashton

University of Phoenix Material

How Films Communicate – Parts II & III Instructions

Part II: The Technical Language of Film

Use the same film you used for Part I, and make sure you have viewed it before completing Parts II & III. Complete the following entries in the space provided by answering each question as it pertains to the movie you selected from the University of Phoenix Material: How Films Communicate Film List. Each answer must be at least 50 words in length and written in complete sentences. Submit Parts II & III in Week 2.

The Untouchables (Palma, 1987)

Question
Your Response
Identify aspects of cinematography
in your selected film. Discuss them in terms of how they affected your viewing experience; in other words, did the art of cinematography add value to your experience? If so, how? If not, why not?
As I watched the film The Untouchables (Palma, 1987), I noticed there were several aspects of cinematography that I particularly paid attention to such as the scene where Capone was talking to the reporters about his operation, this shot seem to have taken for a top floor of the building pointing down.
Another well-crafted shot was the in the scene where Ness was on top of the stairs where the lady with the baby at the bottom, this showed where time was the most important part. When the clock hit 12:00 the action started, but the scene showed the baby in the stroller this was a zoomed in camera view. Most of the lighting was low to dark lighting, this was well done and set the mood of the film adequately. Speed was another aspect that was shown when the horses made across the field to the bridge. The art of cinematography did add value to my viewing experience because it made the film easier to understand. The final scene where the film was ending after the takedown of Capone, Ness was approached with the question about what will he do if they repeal the Prohibition Act, his reply was to take a drink, the photo there show the city’s (Chicago) building very nice closed in shot from the front
angle.
Identify aspects of sound in your selected film. Discuss them in terms of how they affected your viewing experience; in other words, did the art of sound effects add value to your experience?
If so, how? If not, why not?
The sound was fitting for the type of film being viewed. The drum roll sound was an indication that some action was about to take place. The gun shots, and the boom was all used in the right perspective. Aside from the gun shots, another sound was the sound of the vehicles. This was the car engines that sounded like the vehicles sounded in the 40’s and 50’s. Much of the sound that I observed was either that of a band playing different instrument with the main sound being the drums. The sound when Ness and the police team went for the bust was like the U.S. Army or the National Guard hummers. For the most part the sound effects added value because it lined up with the drama in each scene.
Identify the type of music in your selected film. Discuss them in terms of how it affected your viewing experience; in other words, did the score or songs add value to your experience?
If so, how? If not, why not?
The music sounded like some jazz, and at times it sounded like thriller beats.
I did notice in the beginning it was quite dreary and or sad. There was another music that I was able to identify when Capone was at the show and the person was singing opera. The instrumental score did not add any value to my experience even though the choice of music was fitting for the film, it became very annoying through the film.

Identify the types of editing in your selected film. Discuss them in terms of how it affected your viewing experience; in other words, did the different types of shots and framing add value to your experience?
If so, how? If not, why not?
The editing that I paid close attention to was the time scene that showed where the clock on the wall hit 12:00 that placed the lady and her baby on the steps where the action was set to happen. Another scene I notice was the scene on the bridge where the goods were to change hands and Ness and his men rode horses across the field to take over or break up the deal. What I saw was the speed and the distance between the two sites, editing had to be done to make it seem like a distance when in essence it was right there all alone. It added value to my experience because it made the unreal seem
real.

Part III: What is the Cultural Value of Film?

In completing Parts I & II, you have engaged your critical thinking skills by becoming aware of and assessing various elements of film. How do these exercises connect the study of film to real-world experience? Additionally, in what other ways do films have cultural value? Explain and defend your opinion. Your response should be at least 50 words in length and written in complete sentences.

These exercises connect the study of film to the real world experience because first they are real people used to tell a story of everyday life through film. In the 1987 movie, “The Untouchables”, the film connected the illegal sell of alcohol during the time it was prohibited. Film have cultural value because in most cases they are based on everyday life of a certain culture. For instance, some cultures will not be known about except their life/cultural values being told through film.

Palma, B. D. (Director). (1987). The Untouchables [Motion Picture].