Comp 1B- Captain fantastic Closing Sequence Flashcards
Who is the main character that the spectator aligns with in the narrative?
Ben
Ben’s character is central to the emotional engagement of the audience, particularly through his relationship with his children and his deceased wife.
What does Ben’s dead wife say to him in the dreamlike sequence?
She is proud of what they have done and calls Ben Captain Fantastic
This moment reinforces Ben’s heroic portrayal and emotional depth.
What title is used to describe Ben that may influence spectator alignment?
Captain Fantastic
The title serves as a significant label that reflects Ben’s character and actions throughout the film.
What is suggested about the spectator’s experience in relation to their ideology?
It depends on the ideology, upbringing, and possibly age
This highlights the subjective nature of film interpretation and how personal backgrounds affect viewer alignment.
How does the spectator’s activity manifest in the film’s narrative?
Determining whether the family is happy or not
The spectator engages actively with the film by assessing the emotional states of the characters.
What filmmaking technique is used to encourage alignment with Ben during grieving scenes?
POV shots
Point of view shots create a personal connection between the audience and Ben, enhancing empathy.
True or False: The spectator is passive throughout the film.
False
The spectator actively engages with the film’s narrative and characters.
Fill in the blank: The spectator’s allegiance with Ben is built through _______.
grieving scenes
These scenes deepen the emotional connection and understanding of Ben’s character.
What ideology does Ben represent in the film?
Left wing ideology
Ben’s beliefs and actions reflect progressive values that may resonate differently with various audiences.
What role does the spectator play in determining the family’s happiness?
The spectator is active throughout determining whether the family are happy or not.
Who do we align with in the film and why?
We align with Ben due to his love for his children and his grieving scenes with his dead wife.
What does Ben’s wife call him in the dreamlike sequence?
Captain Fantastic.
What does the title ‘Captain Fantastic’ suggest about Ben?
It encourages alignment with Ben as the main character.
How does the spectator’s ideology affect their perception of the film’s message?
It depends on the spectator’s ideology, upbringing, and possibly age.
What does the long shot of Ben and his family lasting 40 seconds imply?
It encourages the spectator to be active throughout.
What feelings does Ben express through his facial expressions?
He appears happy at times and reflects on his wife and their life.
What might some spectators feel about Ben’s lifestyle compromise?
Some may feel he has sacrificed too much and is trapped by this lifestyle.
What visual element reinforces Ben’s feeling of being trapped?
The cabinet behind him makes him appear ‘hemmed in’ by horizontal and vertical lines.
What does Ben’s gaze out the window symbolize?
He could be seeking freedom and grieving for travel and nature.
What context can be linked to the film’s ideological balance?
The context in which the film was released.
Who were the prominent political figures mentioned in relation to left and right ideologies?
Donald Trump (right), Bernie Sanders (left), and Hillary Clinton (center).
How do the supporters of Trump and Sanders relate to each other?
They have more in common than either has with supporters of Clinton.
What does the film ‘Captain Fantastic’ reflect about political-cultural sentiments?
It fuses the left and right ideologies and taps into current anti-establishment fervor.
What visual technique implies the family’s retained freedom?
Tracking shots imply retained freedom despite a stable home.
What does the long shot of the coach symbolize?
It shows a change in their lifestyle but highlights some left wing sentiments.
How does Zaja’s outfit change throughout the film?
She transitions to a more traditional gender role with pigtails and a floral dress.
What earlier outfit of Zaja’s contrasts with her later appearance?
She was seen in dungarees, with her hair down while cutting carcasses.
What argument could be made about the family’s lifestyle choices?
Their choices over education and living make them left wing.
What traditional role does Ben take on in the family?
He makes packed lunches for school.
What does the non-diegetic score signify in relation to the family’s emotions?
It echoes their feelings and the opening sequence.
How is the relationship between Rellian and Ben depicted after the lifestyle change?
Their bond is strengthened, showing no more conflict.
How does the campfire scene contrast with the later family scenes?
There is tension in the campfire scene versus unity in later scenes.
What ideological representation can be seen between Rellian and Ben?
Rellian represents right wing ideologies while Ben reflects left wing.
What do tracking shots imply about the family’s freedom?
The family has retained the freedom they had in their previous life
This is supported by the use of non-diegetic music.
How does the long shot of the coach symbolize the family’s lifestyle change?
The coach is now a chicken coop, indicating a change in their lifestyle
However, the use of this vehicle remains unconventional.
What sentiments are still present in the family’s new lifestyle?
Some left wing sentiments are still present
This is highlighted by the unconventional use of the coach.
True or False: The family has completely abandoned their previous way of life.
False
They have retained some elements of their past freedom.
Fill in the blank: The family now has a stable, more _______ home.
[traditional]
What type of score is used in the opening sequence?
Non diegetic score
Non diegetic score refers to music or sound that is not part of the narrative world of the film.
What does the opening sequence suggest about the family’s emotional state?
The family may have found a new equilibrium and are possibly happy again
This suggests a potential return to normalcy or resolution in their lives.
How might the spectator interpret the family’s situation in the opening sequence?
The spectator may believe it is a traditional resolution
This reflects common narrative expectations where conflicts are resolved.
What was the Great Depression?
A severe worldwide recession from 1929 to 1941
It included significant economic downturns, including a stock market crash in 1929.
What happened in the US in 1933 during the Great Depression?
Nearly half the banks failed, and unemployment reached 33%
There was no social welfare system at the time.
What impact did the Great Depression have on smaller movie studios?
Many smaller studios went bust, allowing large studios to gain control
This led to a monopolistic environment in the film industry.
What practices did unaffiliated movie theatres have to engage in with studios?
Block booking and blind bidding
These practices were used to negotiate film showings.
What were the key elements that studios provided to audiences during the Great Depression?
Escapism, Entertainment, Glamour
These elements were crucial for attracting audiences during tough economic times.
What was the significance of ‘The Jazz Singer’ released in 1927?
It was the introduction of sound in films
This innovation required expensive equipment for theatres.
What was the first film in color?
Becky Sharp in 1935
This marked a significant technological advancement in filmmaking.
What legal action was taken in 1938 regarding the film industry?
An antitrust lawsuit was filed by unaffiliated theatre chains
This was a push against the monopolistic practices of major studios.
What was the outcome of the struggle between independent movie producers and big studios in 1948?
Independent producers triumphed, and studios were ordered to divest their theatres
This led to increased opportunities for smaller producers.
What is referred to as the ‘Paramount decree’?
The order for studios to sell off their theatres
Paramount studios were the first to comply with this order.
What was the impact of television in the 1950s on the studio system?
It compromised the power and profits of the studio system
This shift changed the landscape of entertainment consumption.
Define the studio system.
A system where studios owned the lots and theatres
This included the Big 5 studios that controlled production, distribution, and exhibition.
What does vertical integration mean in the context of the film industry?
Ownership and control across production, distribution, and exhibition
It allowed studios to dominate the market.
What is an oligopoly?
A market or industry dominated by a small number of sellers
This applied to Hollywood’s control over the film industry.
What are ‘assembly line’ films?
Films produced using a standardized process by studios
This method contributed to the efficiency of film production.
What was the ‘7 Year Contract’ for actors?
Actors were attached to a studio and restricted from working outside it
Exceptions were made for “special one-off deals.”
What was the Motion Picture Production Code / Hays Code?
A set of industry censorship guidelines from 1930 to 1968
It aimed to maintain moral standards in films.
List three key guidelines from the Hays Code.
- No lowering of moral standards
- Correct standards of life must be presented
- Law shall not be ridiculed
These guidelines shaped the content of films produced during its enforcement.
What were ‘The Little 3’ in the film industry?
Studios that were not vertically integrated
They produced films but lacked distribution capabilities.
