Screening Report II: It Happened One Night

1.     The class covered the sophisticated sound and language of film in the early 20^th century. When sound was introduced in 1929, it changed all aspects of filmmaking. Certain scenes had to be shot a certain way; microphones were hidden in inanimate objects like plants and under tables. Furthermore, there were technical issues when trying to match the sound with the film. For instance synchronization was not always up to par and amplification to make the film sound more realistic was still in its beginning stages. “It Happened One Night” is a prime example of trying to break into a new era of film that uses sound. The acting of the film was great; however, the sound did not always come out clear. There were certain parts where the audience could not understand what the actors were saying. However, for an era that was just getting used to sound it was better than expected.

2.     The director of the film Frank Capra is regarded as one of the greatest directors of all time. Born in Italy on May 18^th 1897, Capra moved to the U.S. to go to the California Institute of Technology in 1915. Soon after graduating he enlisted in the army during the height of World War I; however, according to tmc.com he was discharged due to “Spanish Flu” and moved back to California. Nearly broke Capra desperately jumped at the opportunity to direct a one shot silent film. Soon after he began to take several jobs directing short films throughout California. Soon he met Robert Riskin, who would become “his lifelong film partner” and the two created films like “American Madness”, “Lady For a Day” and “It Happened One Night”, which was the first film to “sweep all five major categories at the Academy Awards. This launched Capra into superstardom and he followed with films like the “Prelude War” and “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Capra’s films have been the epitome of heart and classic and many believe that Capra was the standard during the “Golden Age o Film in Hollywood.”

3.     The biography by TMC gives and in depth look at the famous director and the trials and tribulations he endured to become the giant he did. Capra had a great sense of vision for his films. If you watch a Capra film you can tell that it is his and his alone. “It Happened One Night” not only brought a different aspect on film but it is a heartfelt and enjoyable time at the movies. Even with the inconsistencies of sound as an audience member you can tell Capra put his heart and soul in all his films.

4.     Overall, the film was a fun and witty outlook on relationships. For a 1930’s film the audience can relate to some of the characters. In addition, the interaction between the two main characters was the heart and soul of the film. The times that they clashed were some of the best moments. I was happy that they didn’t use too much music in the film to cover up for the sound issues being that this was one of the first films to use sound. The acting was superb and both actors made the film very engaging. Although the film is older it has just as much heart as any modern film today and it deserves the title of classic without exception.

http://www.tcm.com/tcmdb/person/28439%7C53185/Frank-Capra/

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 

1) (X) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class. 

2) (X) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper. 

3) (X) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text. 

4) (X) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper. 

5) (X) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read. 

6) (X) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography. 

7) (X) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality. 

8) (X) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper. 



Name: Wayne Clark                                                 Date: 2/23/14

Screening Report I: The Gold Rush

1.     The Gold Rush is one of the most critically acclaimed films of all time. Charlie Chaplin’s witty humor and charisma helped launch the art of filmmaking to the next level. Furthermore, the film gave a new outlook on the necessary tools needed to complete a motion picture. For instance, the idea of motion was that it was looked upon as an optical illusion and with further study a realization was made that the retina was only able to capture motion for a fraction of a second. In addition, silent films were shot at 16 frames per second to give the film better quality. Thus, Chaplin began his film career bringing in a salary of $75-$150 weekly. Once he began to gain some notoriety it expanded to $75,000 a year; in 1916 it grew to $670,000 and by 1918 Chaplin was making $1,000,000 a year. Eventually this drove the star and a few others to create a studio of their own. During the 1920’s there were only 9 major film companies and Chaplin’s United Artists Studios was one of them.

2.     The PBS Article “About the Actor/American Masters” describes Chaplin as “one of the greatest” entertainers and movie stars to ever live. The Gold Rush brought Chaplin’s unique outlook on comedy to another level. The film received so many positive reviews and The New York Times called it “a comedy with streaks of poetry, pathos, tenderness, linked with brusqueness and boisterousness. It is the outstanding gem of all Chaplin's pictures, as it has more thought and originality than even such masterpieces of mirth as The Kid and Shoulder Arms.” Chaplin was the true mastermind behind his films, having directed, written, produced, starring and editing duties and preforming them all perfectly. Outside of Chaplin’s witty humor, the physical comedy he portrayed on screen was just as essential. The stunts and acrobatics he performed in all his films were “mesmerizing” and it gave the audience a different perception on comedy besides the social aspect. Furthermore, Chaplin was very hands on and used different techniques for editing film and the way it was shot. Sometimes he ended up doing over 100 takes to get it right and would make “variations” along the way. He not only displayed professionalism and the art of performance but he demanded it from all his actors to make the film the best that it could possibly be. Therefore, his work ethic not only made Chaplin a great performer but a great leader, which helped make film the art it is today.

3.     The article changed my perspective on Chaplin because I always looked at his films as a guy who was very witty, funny and a great entertainer. However, the article gave an in depth look at how involved he was in the process of creating the film and how he was able to get everyone to work together on one accord to create a great film. I had known about the numerous films he had starred in but the fact that he wrote, directed, produced, starred in, and distributed his films makes him an icon. Therefore, I believe that film would not be where it is today if it were not for Chaplin.

4.     The film as a whole caught me completely by surprised. For a silent motion picture it was very engaging, amusing, humorous and heart felt. Chaplin’s performance was on point from start to finish and there was not a dry moment when he was on screen. Mack Swain as Big Jim McKay was a great match for Chaplin’s character, giving them good comedic chemistry. Georgia Hale ‘s character came off a little flat in the beginning but as the film went on it dove more into her personality and why she harbored certain feelings for Chaplin’s Tramp character; however, there did not seem to be comradery between the two. Lastly Tom Murray as Black Larsen did not grab my attention like the other characters did even though he was the “bad” guy in the film. He displayed the malevolent characteristics very well and in my opinion he would have made a more formidable foe for the Tramp. In addition, it seemed as the movie went on the other characters seemed to forget about the Larsen character and focus more on the relationship between Georgia and Tramp. I would have liked to have seen the character get more screen time. The music told the story perfectly and changed in tune to tell whether a character was upset, angry, happy etc. Overall it was good film and it truly was a stepping-stone to help bring in a new era of filmmaking, which it did and rightfully so.

http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/episodes/charlie-chaplin/about-the-actor/77/


Plagiarism Statement:  Attach this to the end of every journal assignment.

CHECKLIST FOR PLAGIARISM 

1) (X) I have not handed in this assignment for any other class. 

2) (X) If I reused any information from other papers I have written for other classes, I clearly explain that in the paper. 

3) (X) If I used any passages word for word, I put quotations around those words, or used indentation and citation within the text. 

4) (X) I have not padded the bibliography. I have used all sources cited in the bibliography in the text of the paper. 

5) (X) I have cited in the bibliography only the pages I personally read. 

6) (X) I have used direct quotations only in cases where it could not be stated in another way. I cited the source within the paper and in the bibliography. 

7) (X) I did not so over-use direct quotations that the paper lacks interpretation or originality. 

8) (X) I checked yes on steps 1-7 and therefore have been fully transparent about the research and ideas used in my paper. 



Name: Wayne Clark                                                 Date: 2/15/14