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
No comments:
Post a Comment