ENG 225 Week 4 Blog: Acting and Acting Styles

The film I have chosen is the Dark Knight and below is the trailer for the film.

Identify three actors from your film and classify each according to the types of actors listed in your text and explain your reasons for classifying the actors as you do. Use specific references to the film and pay special attention to how these decisions impacted characterization. Also, consider the impact of any realistic or stylized portrayals within the film.

Three actors that I have chosen from a remarkable cast are Christian Bale, Heath Ledger and Morgan Freeman.

Christian Bale is the Method actor and I say this because of his multiple roles in movies that he goes into character such movies are the Dark Knight and the Machinist as he lost 63 pounds to play the role Trevor Reznik. And he has gone and made three successful Batman movies that are blockbuster. According to our text “the Method requires that actors draw on their own memories and experiences to reach the heart of a character, so that they more genuinely feel the emotions they’re portraying instead of just pretending.” (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2014).

Heath Ledger is in my opinion another Method actor as he is “refused to talk to anyone out of character. If you tried to communicate with him normally instead of the joker, he would just ignore you” (Huffpost Arts &Culture), as he play the Joker in his last film before passing of a drug overdose in the Dark Knight. He play numerous roles like romantic comedies to serious romances.

My final choice is MR Morgan Freeman as he is more of a Realism actor for his incredible performances in films such as the Shawshank Redemption and the Unforgiven as well as the Dark Night. “Realism, as opposed to stylized acting, can also be thought of as naturalistic.” (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2014), and he is a very natural/believable actor.

Focus on one of the actors you’ve discussed. Based on other films the actor has been in, would this actor always be placed in the same category? If so, what does this say about the category or actor? If not, what can you infer about the flexibility of these categories? Provide evidence (references from other films, including film clips and stills) to support your argument.

Based on Christian Bale’s other films he is preferably chose to lead roles in action movies and his dedication and commitment by staying in character show how reliable of an actor he is. Even though he has played non action films I believe that his bread and butter lies in the middle of the action just like in Terminator Salvation

Based on the other films that Adam Sandler has acted in, I would say he will always be placed in the category of a personality actor. He is known for his funny, light-hearted films. It is impossible for me to envision him as a dramatic character, and I think, were he to try and assume such a role, audience members would have the same trouble. We have come to expect a certain form of entertainment from his performances and expectations are hard to let go.

References

Goodykoontz, b., & Jacobs, C. p. (2014). Film: From watching to seeing (2nd ed). San Diego CA: Bridgepoint Education Inc.

Brooks, K. (n.d.). Extreme Method Acting: 15 Actors Who Have Taken The Craft To Another Level (PHOTOS). Retrieved January 8, 2015, from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/04/extreme-method-actors-gone-too-far_n_2232192.html

The Dark Knight – Original Theatrical Trailer. (n.d.). Retrieved January 8, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_PZpmTj1Q8Q

Categories and Functions of Sound

The film that I have chosen is the Star Wars: Episode IV—A New Hope, it is a re-mastered version which is the first movie release back in 1977, below is the official trailer.

As our text explains we don’t see any of the iconic characters in the serious and the beginning of the film instead we see words. The backstory about the Empire and the resistance scrolls up the screen, telling us that we’re watching a story set “a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away.” (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2014). The music score in the background from John William captures the audience by captivating us with its pure adrenaline and power sound that captivates the entire room or theater. It is safe to say that without the music the serious would have not been as successful. One of the more iconic sounds in the Star Wars series is the light saber sounds, below is an interview with Ben Burtt about how they created these sounds.

“Characters talking to one another in films, known as dialogue” (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2014) in this manner there is a lot of dialog through the film in a way that lets the audience know about the story and background of the movie. The the sound effects are created to make every scene as realistic as possible in this sense the sounds are futuristic and make you feel that you are in a galaxy far away. Thought-out the movie the sounds makes you feel that you are in a drama-horror-love adventure of a life time.

Star Wars have been and is one of the most successful movie franchises in history and have been around for almost 40 years, this Christmas will be hopefully the return of a brand new movie with updated sound effects that will continue the legacy of the serious.

References

Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2014). Film: From watching to seeing (2nd ed.). San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

STAR WARS: Episode IV – A New Hope – Original 1977 Trailer. (n.d.). Retrieved January 1, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xioILbwDlEg

STAR WARS: Episode VII – The Force Awakens Official Teaser Trailer #1 (2015) – J.J. Abrams Movie HD. (n.d.). Retrieved January 1, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OMOVFvcNfvE

Ben Burtt Interview: The Sound of Lightsabers. (n.d.). Retrieved January 1, 2015, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJQ3_tipGEY

Mise en scène – Lighting

In the film self-titled Godzilla the lighting is dark which is a sign of bad characters in this case monsters, and this type of lighting is seeing throughout the whole movie. “mise en scène, a French term borrowed from the theater referring to what is “placed in the scene.””(Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2014). There are multiple scenes that shows extreme shots, long shots, medium shots and medium close-ups that implement “low-key lighting (high-contrast lighting dominated by deep shadows with a few bright highlights)” (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2014), as the picture seen below.

The benefit from using this type of style of lighting is that it sets the scary mood for the audience to enjoy, and contributed in a way that it made the audience feel as if they were there and connect with Godzilla.

The low-key lighting technique was best suited to this genre because of the sense of scale from monsters to sky scrapers, and scenes people looking up to them, it made it more lifelike and believable as in the end of the trailer. If they had used different choices of lighting the overall feel and sense of helplessness would have not been achieved in my opinion, maybe it would have given the movie a total different atmosphere from what director Gareth Edwards had envisioned.

References:

Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2014). Film: From watching to seeing (2nd ed.). San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

Godzilla. (n.d.). Retrieved December 25, 2014, from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0831387/

Godzilla. (n.d.). Retrieved December 25, 2014, from http://www.godzillamovie.com

Mise en scène – Lighting

In the film self-titled Godzilla the lighting is dark which is a sign of bad characters in this case monsters, and this type of lighting is seeing throughout the whole movie. “mise en scène, a French term borrowed from the theater referring to what is “placed in the scene.””(Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2014). There are multiple scenes that shows extreme shots, long shots, medium shots and medium close-ups that implement “low-key lighting (high-contrast lighting dominated by deep shadows with a few bright highlights)” (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2014), as the picture seen below.

The benefit from using this type of style of lighting is that it sets the scary mood for the audience to enjoy, and contributed in a way that it made the audience feel as if they were there and connect with Godzilla.

The low-key lighting technique was best suited to this genre because of the sense of scale from monsters to sky scrapers, and scenes people looking up to them, it made it more lifelike and believable as in the end of the trailer. If they had used different choices of lighting the overall feel and sense of helplessness would have not been achieved in my opinion, maybe it would have given the movie a total different atmosphere from what director Gareth Edwards had envisioned.

References:

Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2014). Film: From watching to seeing (2nd ed.). San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

Godzilla. (n.d.). Retrieved December 25, 2014, from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0831387/

Godzilla. (n.d.). Retrieved December 25, 2014, from http://www.godzillamovie.com

Mise en scène – Lighting

In the film self-titled Godzilla the lighting is dark which is a sign of bad characters in this case monsters, and this type of lighting is seeing throughout the whole movie. “mise en scène, a French term borrowed from the theater referring to what is “placed in the scene.””(Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2014). There are multiple scenes that shows extreme shots, long shots, medium shots and medium close-ups that implement “low-key lighting (high-contrast lighting dominated by deep shadows with a few bright highlights)” (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2014), as the picture seen below.

The benefit from using this type of style of lighting is that it sets the scary mood for the audience to enjoy, and contributed in a way that it made the audience feel as if they were there and connect with Godzilla.

The low-key lighting technique was best suited to this genre because of the sense of scale from monsters to sky scrapers, and scenes people looking up to them, it made it more lifelike and believable as in the end of the trailer. If they had used different choices of lighting the overall feel and sense of helplessness would have not been achieved in my opinion, maybe it would have given the movie a total different atmosphere from what director Gareth Edwards had envisioned.

References:

Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2014). Film: From watching to seeing (2nd ed.). San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

Godzilla. (n.d.). Retrieved December 25, 2014, from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0831387/

Godzilla. (n.d.). Retrieved December 25, 2014, from http://www.godzillamovie.com

Fury

Writer: David Ayer

Director: David Ayer

Year: 2014

Actors:  Brad Pitt as Don ‘Wardaddy’ Collier, Shia LaBeouf as Boyd ‘Bible’ Swan, Logan Lerman as Norman Ellison, Michael Peña as Trini ‘Gordo’ Garcia and Jon Bernthal as Grady ‘Coon-Ass’ Travis

 

Story:  In April of 1945 as the allies forces make their final push in the European Theatre a battle-hardened army sergeant named Wardaddy commands a Sherman tank and his five-man crew on a deadly mission behind enemy lines. Out-numbered, out-gunned, and with a rookie soldier thrust into their platoon, Wardaddy and his men face overwhelming odds in their heroic attempts to strike at the heart of Nazi Germany.

 

Plot:  As the Allies make their final push into Nazi Germany, a battle-hardened U.S. Army Staff Sergeant in the 66th Armored Regiment, 2nd Armored Division named Don “Wardaddy” Collier commands an M4A3E8 Sherman tank named Fury and its five-man, all-veteran crew: gunner Boyd “Bible” Swan; loader Grady “Coon-Ass” Travis; and driver Trini “Gordo” Garcia. The tank’s original assistant driver/bow gunner has been killed in battle. His replacement is a recently enlisted Army typist, Norman Ellison, who has neither seen the inside of a tank nor experienced the ravages of war.
The bond between Norman and Wardaddy becomes stronger after capturing a small German town. Searching a house, Wardaddy and Norman discover a German woman, Irma, and her cousin Emma. Norman is then left behind closed doors in the bedroom with Emma.
A platoon of four tanks, led by Fury, receives orders to hold a vital crossroads, protecting a clear path to supply trains. On the way to the crossroads, they are ambushed by a heavily-armed German Tiger I, which quickly destroys one of the tanks. The remaining three tanks reluctantly attack the German tank, knowing they are outgunned. The Sherman tanks advance and attempt to outflank the Tiger, but the other two Shermans are destroyed before they can make it. With some decisive and experienced maneuvering, Fury gets behind the Tiger where its armor is weakest, and destroys it. The men proceed to the crossroads, knowing that they are the only tank left.
As they reach the crossroads, the tank is immobilized when it hits a landmine. They soon realize a battalion of three hundred Waffen-SS infantry is heading their way. The crew initially wants to abandon the tank and escape on foot, but Wardaddy refuses to leave. The crew, not wanting to abandon their leader, decide to stay and plan an ambush.
Outnumbered and outgunned, Wardaddy and his men nevertheless inflict heavy losses on the Germans using both the tank’s and the crew’s weapons. As they continue to fight and begin to run low on ammunition, one by one, Grady, Gordo and Bible are all killed and Wardaddy is gravely wounded by a sniper. Norman and Wardaddy retreat back into the tank where they share their last words. When SS soldiers drop two grenades into the tank, Wardaddy, wounded and unable to move, orders Norman to escape through the bottom emergency hatch of the tank. Norman escapes and falls into the partial crater previously made by the landmine explosion. A young German Waffen-SS trooper discovers Norman beneath the destroyed tank but does not report him. Norman continues to hide as the surviving German soldiers move on.
The next morning, U.S. Army medical units discover Norman, and it is strongly implied that the German offensive failed because of the crew’s last stand. As Norman is being transported to safety, he looks back at the carnage of dozens of dead German SS troops surrounding the remains of the destroyed Fury.

Chronology: the film was told in chronological order. it was based on true events that happen during world war tow and it follow the story from beginning to end in order.

The chronological story telling representation of the movie helped develop the character of Wardaddy deal with the loss of his comrades.

If the film had taken the non-linear approach it would have been hard to follow because of the nature of the film itself. it would have had a different impact on the audience and perhaps even degraded a great movie.

 

References:

Fury Official Trailer (2014) Brad Pitt, Shia LaBeouf HD. (n.d.). Retrieved December 19, 2014, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-OGvZoIrXpg&spfreload=10

Fury. (n.d.). Retrieved December 19, 2014, from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2713180/