Viewing Log Rubric - Seminole Cinema: SEHS Film



IB Film 1: W25.3Genre and Tradition, Take 2You will be screening?Moulin Rouge?for your Viewing Log this week.Here is a preview of the film. FilmStarting in the 1970s, India became the most prolific film-producing country in the world.The film industry there became known as Bollywood, named after Bombay (the former name of Mumbai) and Hollywood.Many Indian filmmakers dislike the name, which has gained great popular acceptance, because they feel it makes Indian film look like a poor relative to the American film industry, and because there are many national centers of production widely separated around the country.As we saw in an earlier lesson, the Indian musical represents a tradition more than it does a genre.Masala films feature elements that originate from comedy, romance, action, and even science fiction folded into a mix of genres. (The name comes from cooking where "masala" represents a blend of spices.)There are a number of factors that make these films very different from their American counterparts, besides the mix of genres.One immediate difference is most of the films are longer than American films, rarely less than three hours long.Audiences expect substantial entertainment for their money, and the expression to describe popular entertainers is?paisa vasool, which means you have 'gotten your money’s worth'?from their performance.As well, films are designed for families.One aspect of the masala mix of genres is there is something to appeal to everyone, a concept of entertainment that aims to provide entertainment for every age group - unlike Western films, which are generally targeted at a certain demographic, or gender and age groups, in the audience.Plots are melodramatic, usually featuring a competent hero, and many sub-plots that emphasize action, comedy, and mon ingredients include conflicts with angry parents, romantic misadventures and love triangles, the importance of family ties and the need for self-sacrifice, long-lost relatives and siblings separated by fate, and many different kinds of villains.Music and dance is vitally important, of course, and soundtracks are often released before the release of the films.As well, the star system is very important in India, with directors having to compete for popular stars.Frequently, this means actors may make more than one movie at a time, and indeed there is a tradition of cameos being performed by popular actors - particularly in the form of a single song sequence.These are called item numbers and are frequently performed by a physically attractive female star.As is the case in many American musicals, dialogue and songs are written by different people.Indian Film MusicBollywood songs are called?filmi music?—a Hindi expression that means 'of films'.They are recorded by musical performers, and then performed by actors who lip sync.Actors are usually very good dancers, but few of them have been singers. Often the audience for the films include fans of the musicians, who will attend a mediocre film just to hear their favorite performers.Film music composers, known as music directors, are also well known to audiences, and the music in a film is a major factor in its success.Song sequences typically feature a duet between a couple who are romantically linked.Often the songs are designed as 'dream sequences'?because the events that take place in them could not happen in the real world.Sometimes these sequences reveal a character’s thoughts or foreshadow an event that has not yet happened. Songs typically comment on the plot, but do not directly move the plot forward in the way that songs do in an American musical.Frequently song and dance numbers are shot in montage style, with transitions in location (frequently shot in Western Europe, particularly Switzerland, but locations around the world are used).Dancing is influenced by the times including classic Indian dance and even the hand movements of the Sanskrit drama form. Folk dances and the dances of Northern Indian courtesans, the 'tawaif', area also are influences.But modern films also feature dance styles influenced by Broadway musicals and MTV-style rock videos.As you can see, film traditions and film genres are a product of their culture.Musical ComparisonsThe Bollywood musical tradition has many similarities as well as many profound differences from the American musical, just as the Japanese gangster genre (Yakuza movie) has many similarities and profound differences from the British gangster genre.One of the most exciting and interesting parts of the IB Film course is the opportunity to explore the film cultures of many different countries.When we view a film from another culture, we have a unique opportunity to share the vision of another way of life and a chance to see how similar, and how different, our views of the world are.Ultimately, film helps people around the world understand each other. It allows us to share our dreams and fears, to understand that other people who have different beliefs may also be right, and to appreciate the rich variety of life and culture in the world.Finally, films from around the world are a vital source of inspiration for filmmakers from different cultures.Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film?Moulin Rouge?was heavily influenced by Bollywood productions, just as Bollywood films have been influenced by Hollywood and by MTV.The exchange of 'ways of seeing'?the world is an important way that film genres and traditions evolve over time.Hopefully, the influence of filmmakers from around the world will inspire you to find new ways to share your own visions of the world.Viewing Log: Moulin RougeFollow this format:Name of film or television show(s) viewedDirector's nameRelease dateLength of viewing (in minutes)Select two specific scenes in the film and describe the cinematic choices made by the director / sound designer / composer / cinematographerWhat are the effects of these choices?Include screen captures to illustrate your ideas?Viewing Log RubricMarkbandLevel Descriptor1 - 2The viewing log shows little or no understanding of how meaning is created through the use of cinematic techniques in the viewed film.3 - 4The viewing log shows a limited understanding of how meaning is created through the use of cinematic techniques the viewed film.5 - 6The viewing log shows a satisfactory understanding of how meaning is created through the use of cinematic techniques in the viewed film. It may be lacking in detail.7 - 8The viewing log shows a good, detailed understanding of how meaning is created through the use of cinematic techniques in the viewed film.9 - 10The viewing log shows an excellent, detailed understanding of how meaning is created through the use of cinematic techniques in the viewed film.VL - Moulin RougeWrite your response in a WORD document for submission following the TITLE and SAVE instructions below:For all assignments, title your document in the following way - (Title of assignment) (First name) (Initial of your second name)?For example, if your name is Sanjay Kumar, your file will be titled: NAME OF PARTICULAR ASSIGNMENT Sanjay K. ................
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