IB Mark: 20
In my oral presentation, I attempted to address all aspects of the assignment. I was successful, and unsuccessful in the following areas:
My analysis of the extract was theoretical and in depth to an extent, though I could have discussed about certain subjects in more detail. My socio-cultural context in the beginning was quite strong and was insightful. I knew the historical setting of the film and its importance to the film as a whole. My voice was clear enough to understand and my presentation was organized by specific sections. I've done a lot of research and prepared for the oral in advance, and the preparation shows. My analysis of the mis-en-scene and cinematography was over the surface in some ways; however. My understanding of the film's theme is apparent and I discuss the significance of it and what the director's intent of this theme is. The reason the mark is not as high is because the total length of the oral was about 46 seconds longer than the allotted time. Also, I did not use a wide range of filmic terms in my analysis than I should have.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Narrative & Film Language of Alice in Wonderland
Part 2
IV. Narrative
1. How is this film constructed according to narrative/story being told?
Alice in Wonderland entails a rebellious and open-minded 19 year old woman named Alice who falls down the rabbit hole and returns to a surreal world called Underland, or what she calls Wonderland. The chosen extract starts at 1:17:17 and ends at 1:22:17. In this point of the film, the protagonist, Alice is conflicted with the decision of overcoming her fears to face the Jabberwocky, or residing within herself and back down from the battle. Alice is reassured by Absolem, the blue caterpillar, of who she is and what responsibilities she must take to initiate her growth as a person.
2. Is the narrative organized by plot or time sequence, or some other way?
The narrative is organized by time sequence.
3. Does the film use other principles than narrative sequence as a structure (for instance, an argument)?
A flashback occurs when Alice slips back into her memories of Wonderland, which makes her believe in Wonderland's existence and reject her previous assumption that she is dreaming. This realization causes her to discover what her destiny will be, in the surreal world and the real world.
4. What is the nature of our engagement with the story or characters?
Our engagement with the story is objective, where we can interpret the actions of the characters. In the extract, Alice initially runs away from the crowd who is awaiting her decision regarding the Frabjous Day battle with the Jabberwocky. However, it is her conversation with Absolem and his "insults" that drives her to discover her true identity and what she stands for. We, as the audience are introduced to her uncomfortable, timid girl and gradually see her growth in courage and determination.
V. Film Language and Representation: Alice in Wonderland
1. How are characters and issues represented?
The Oraculum and the evil Red Queen provides obstacles for Alice in Underland. The Oraculum, Underland's calendar, reveals that Alice is the only person who can slay the Jabberwocky and help the White Queen retrieve her crown from the Red Queen. However, as the Frabjous Day arrives, Alice's lack of confidence and fear overcomes her. She runs away from the crowd that expects her to fulfill her destiny, as stated in the Oraculum. Alice is faced with an impending decision, not about the Jabberwocky, but who she is and what she stands for. Some of the characters in Alice's Victorian society parallel the characters in Underland. For example, the Red Queen and the mother are parallels. The twins parallel the Tweedles. And the blue caterpillar parallels Absolem.
2. What is the style and effect of acting and performance?
The style of the creatures and people in Underland are confident, fearless, and caring. Their peculiar and strange performances are humorous throughout the film, yet give the film a sense of mystery. The Mad Hatter, for example, has a split personality. One side is insane, dark and angry, sometimes uncontrollable. The other is kind, gentle, and innocent. Very interesting to note is the changing colors of the eyes that correspond to the type of emotion he is portraying. His innocent side is dominant when he has a conversation with Alice about Frabjous Day the following day. His gleaming eyes and childlike voice when he talks show his innocent side as he ponders about Frabjous Day with Alice. The blue caterpillar, Absolem, is Alice's mentor. His offensive insults and advice for Alice reveals that he is the most intelligent creature in Underland. It is the confrontation with Abosolem on Frabjous Day that causes Alice to believe in the existence in Underland and in herself as a strong woman.
3. How is meaning created by camera angles, shots, and camera movement?
On Frabjous Day, a crowd is waiting for Alice's decision. It is a wide shot followed by a birds eye view shot. These shots match the ones in the beginning of the film when Alice's family and friends are waiting for her answer for a proposal. The wide shot
4. How is meaning created through proxemics, territorial design, or open and closed forms?
The Mad Hatter and Alice have a small proximity as they discuss the their thoughts about Frabjous Day and whether Underland really exists. The small proximity shows their close relationship that have developed during Alice's journey. The majority of the scenes of the extract are closed forms, because the scenes are composed of medium or wide/ extreme wide shots.
5. How is meaning created by editing and sequencing?
Editing is crucial to the film, especially during Alice's flashback of her childhood journey in Wonderland. Layer of footage overlap and opacity is used to replay scenes from earlier scenes. The sequence of the flashback is out of order and at least three seconds of each scene of young Alice is shown. The scene with Absolem and Alice is composed of long dialogue shots to emphasize the seriousness in the situation. This moment is when Alice realizes that Wonderland and everything in it exists and thus this realization initiates her courage to fight the Jabberwocky, and for herself in her society.
6. How is meaning created by lighting, shade and color?
During the Hatter and Alice's conversation on the balcony, the only source of lighting is the moon. On Frabjous Day, the "sun" provides the source of light and the brightness is ironic to how Alice is feeling. She is filled with nerves about her task and is far from feeling positive. The set and the characters are composed of great variety of bold colors that give the film a creative and different atmosphere. According to director Tim Burton, "The idea was to explore the nature of dreams". Blue is the dominant color in the film, Alice wears different forms of blue dresses and the settings most often have a hint of blue to them, such as the night sky above the White Queen's castle in the opening scene of the extract. Blue is the color of the caterpillar which represents his reliable and peaceful nature.
7. How is meaning created by sound and music?
As Alice runs away from the crowd during Frabjous Day, dramatic choir and orchestral music plays. This score shows Alice's distress; she is overwhelmed with the pressure people give her when they expect too much of her. The issue isn't that Alice is afraid to slay the Jabberwocky, but it is about her lack of self confidence to believe that she is able to accomplish anything. She is confused about who she is and what her purpose is in life. During the flashback, the musical score has a fast violin tempo and the dominant foley sound is the ticking of the white rabbit's watch that fades in and out. This music is used to compliment the quick overlapping scenes of Alice's memory of her last visit to Wonderland. It also can be interpreted as Alice's quick realization of the the actual existence of the place she thought was an impossibility. As Absolem fully wraps himself in his cocoon, a slow tempo choir song is heard, that emphasizes the beauty of metamorphosis.
8. How is meaning created by location, set design and mis en scene.?
Because the film is set in a surreal world, it gives the film uniqueness and the opportunity to stretch reality to far limits. The surreal world is just where Alice feels comfortable, unlike her real world Victorian society, where she live a planned out and restricted life. The surrealistic Wonderland is a place of endless impossibilities. Alice realizes that if these seemingly impossible things really can exist, then there are even more things that are possible to achieve in the real world.
9. Does the film make use of symbols, metaphors, or allegories? Share are they and how do they work within the context of the film?
Absolem is a powerful allegory for metamorphosis and transformation. As a wise caterpillar, he guides Alice in her quest to discover her true self and her inner strength. Throughout the film, as he approaches his cocoon phase, Alice also approaches the Frabjous Day. When Absolem is in the process of transforming, he helps Alice realize her true potential to do great things; thus, resulting in her gradual transformation into a confident, empowered woman.
10. How is meaning created by technical elements such as production design, mis en scene, composition, special effects (matte paintings, models or animation, computer generated images….etc.)
Tim Burton states, "Our goal was to go with slightly more naturalistic approach to the animation". The film blended the real world and the surreal world by manipulating real people to look slightly abnormal and also creating completely new creatures such as the Bandersnatch, Jabberwocky, and the Cheshire cat with CG technology. The special effects brought Wonderland to life and made Alice's experiences in Wonderland more realistic. The visual effects such as CG animation and motion capture is affected by the nature of the story because as Burton says, "With all the cast, it was important that they felt like they were both in the real and unreal world at the same time".
11. What emotional information is conveyed through the film making process (tone and mood)?
The tone transitions from despairing tone to a triumphant tone. Alice is overwhelmed with the expectation people place on her, so she attempts to escape from these expectations by running away. There is a sense of hopelessness during this scene. However, as she talks to Absolem, she gradually gains her confidence and determination. This scene possesses a positive and hopeful tone.
IV. Narrative
1. How is this film constructed according to narrative/story being told?
Alice in Wonderland entails a rebellious and open-minded 19 year old woman named Alice who falls down the rabbit hole and returns to a surreal world called Underland, or what she calls Wonderland. The chosen extract starts at 1:17:17 and ends at 1:22:17. In this point of the film, the protagonist, Alice is conflicted with the decision of overcoming her fears to face the Jabberwocky, or residing within herself and back down from the battle. Alice is reassured by Absolem, the blue caterpillar, of who she is and what responsibilities she must take to initiate her growth as a person.
2. Is the narrative organized by plot or time sequence, or some other way?
The narrative is organized by time sequence.
3. Does the film use other principles than narrative sequence as a structure (for instance, an argument)?
A flashback occurs when Alice slips back into her memories of Wonderland, which makes her believe in Wonderland's existence and reject her previous assumption that she is dreaming. This realization causes her to discover what her destiny will be, in the surreal world and the real world.
4. What is the nature of our engagement with the story or characters?
Our engagement with the story is objective, where we can interpret the actions of the characters. In the extract, Alice initially runs away from the crowd who is awaiting her decision regarding the Frabjous Day battle with the Jabberwocky. However, it is her conversation with Absolem and his "insults" that drives her to discover her true identity and what she stands for. We, as the audience are introduced to her uncomfortable, timid girl and gradually see her growth in courage and determination.
V. Film Language and Representation: Alice in Wonderland
1. How are characters and issues represented?
The Oraculum and the evil Red Queen provides obstacles for Alice in Underland. The Oraculum, Underland's calendar, reveals that Alice is the only person who can slay the Jabberwocky and help the White Queen retrieve her crown from the Red Queen. However, as the Frabjous Day arrives, Alice's lack of confidence and fear overcomes her. She runs away from the crowd that expects her to fulfill her destiny, as stated in the Oraculum. Alice is faced with an impending decision, not about the Jabberwocky, but who she is and what she stands for. Some of the characters in Alice's Victorian society parallel the characters in Underland. For example, the Red Queen and the mother are parallels. The twins parallel the Tweedles. And the blue caterpillar parallels Absolem.
2. What is the style and effect of acting and performance?
The style of the creatures and people in Underland are confident, fearless, and caring. Their peculiar and strange performances are humorous throughout the film, yet give the film a sense of mystery. The Mad Hatter, for example, has a split personality. One side is insane, dark and angry, sometimes uncontrollable. The other is kind, gentle, and innocent. Very interesting to note is the changing colors of the eyes that correspond to the type of emotion he is portraying. His innocent side is dominant when he has a conversation with Alice about Frabjous Day the following day. His gleaming eyes and childlike voice when he talks show his innocent side as he ponders about Frabjous Day with Alice. The blue caterpillar, Absolem, is Alice's mentor. His offensive insults and advice for Alice reveals that he is the most intelligent creature in Underland. It is the confrontation with Abosolem on Frabjous Day that causes Alice to believe in the existence in Underland and in herself as a strong woman.
3. How is meaning created by camera angles, shots, and camera movement?
On Frabjous Day, a crowd is waiting for Alice's decision. It is a wide shot followed by a birds eye view shot. These shots match the ones in the beginning of the film when Alice's family and friends are waiting for her answer for a proposal. The wide shot
4. How is meaning created through proxemics, territorial design, or open and closed forms?
The Mad Hatter and Alice have a small proximity as they discuss the their thoughts about Frabjous Day and whether Underland really exists. The small proximity shows their close relationship that have developed during Alice's journey. The majority of the scenes of the extract are closed forms, because the scenes are composed of medium or wide/ extreme wide shots.
5. How is meaning created by editing and sequencing?
Editing is crucial to the film, especially during Alice's flashback of her childhood journey in Wonderland. Layer of footage overlap and opacity is used to replay scenes from earlier scenes. The sequence of the flashback is out of order and at least three seconds of each scene of young Alice is shown. The scene with Absolem and Alice is composed of long dialogue shots to emphasize the seriousness in the situation. This moment is when Alice realizes that Wonderland and everything in it exists and thus this realization initiates her courage to fight the Jabberwocky, and for herself in her society.
6. How is meaning created by lighting, shade and color?
During the Hatter and Alice's conversation on the balcony, the only source of lighting is the moon. On Frabjous Day, the "sun" provides the source of light and the brightness is ironic to how Alice is feeling. She is filled with nerves about her task and is far from feeling positive. The set and the characters are composed of great variety of bold colors that give the film a creative and different atmosphere. According to director Tim Burton, "The idea was to explore the nature of dreams". Blue is the dominant color in the film, Alice wears different forms of blue dresses and the settings most often have a hint of blue to them, such as the night sky above the White Queen's castle in the opening scene of the extract. Blue is the color of the caterpillar which represents his reliable and peaceful nature.
7. How is meaning created by sound and music?
As Alice runs away from the crowd during Frabjous Day, dramatic choir and orchestral music plays. This score shows Alice's distress; she is overwhelmed with the pressure people give her when they expect too much of her. The issue isn't that Alice is afraid to slay the Jabberwocky, but it is about her lack of self confidence to believe that she is able to accomplish anything. She is confused about who she is and what her purpose is in life. During the flashback, the musical score has a fast violin tempo and the dominant foley sound is the ticking of the white rabbit's watch that fades in and out. This music is used to compliment the quick overlapping scenes of Alice's memory of her last visit to Wonderland. It also can be interpreted as Alice's quick realization of the the actual existence of the place she thought was an impossibility. As Absolem fully wraps himself in his cocoon, a slow tempo choir song is heard, that emphasizes the beauty of metamorphosis.
8. How is meaning created by location, set design and mis en scene.?
Because the film is set in a surreal world, it gives the film uniqueness and the opportunity to stretch reality to far limits. The surreal world is just where Alice feels comfortable, unlike her real world Victorian society, where she live a planned out and restricted life. The surrealistic Wonderland is a place of endless impossibilities. Alice realizes that if these seemingly impossible things really can exist, then there are even more things that are possible to achieve in the real world.
9. Does the film make use of symbols, metaphors, or allegories? Share are they and how do they work within the context of the film?
Absolem is a powerful allegory for metamorphosis and transformation. As a wise caterpillar, he guides Alice in her quest to discover her true self and her inner strength. Throughout the film, as he approaches his cocoon phase, Alice also approaches the Frabjous Day. When Absolem is in the process of transforming, he helps Alice realize her true potential to do great things; thus, resulting in her gradual transformation into a confident, empowered woman.
10. How is meaning created by technical elements such as production design, mis en scene, composition, special effects (matte paintings, models or animation, computer generated images….etc.)
Tim Burton states, "Our goal was to go with slightly more naturalistic approach to the animation". The film blended the real world and the surreal world by manipulating real people to look slightly abnormal and also creating completely new creatures such as the Bandersnatch, Jabberwocky, and the Cheshire cat with CG technology. The special effects brought Wonderland to life and made Alice's experiences in Wonderland more realistic. The visual effects such as CG animation and motion capture is affected by the nature of the story because as Burton says, "With all the cast, it was important that they felt like they were both in the real and unreal world at the same time".
11. What emotional information is conveyed through the film making process (tone and mood)?
The tone transitions from despairing tone to a triumphant tone. Alice is overwhelmed with the expectation people place on her, so she attempts to escape from these expectations by running away. There is a sense of hopelessness during this scene. However, as she talks to Absolem, she gradually gains her confidence and determination. This scene possesses a positive and hopeful tone.
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