S.B film techniques - bleak perspective of hollywood

Question 1

BLEAKNESS OF HW:
Lighting:

Answer 1

constant juxtaposition of the real world (light lighting)compared to Norma’s world (dark and harsh lighting)

Artie’s party is bright - Norma’s is dark

Opening scene:
DAYLIGHT= truth exposed
NIGHT= murder, lies, deception

Question 2

BLEAKNESS OF HW:
opening scene

Answer 2

Opening the film with the juxtaposition of “Sunset boulevard” this famous Los Angeles street known for it’s glitz and glamour Hollywood inhabitants stencilled on a curbstone that’s surrounded by a gutter filled dead leaves, scraps of paper, burnt matches and cigarette butts

Later in the film (approximately 10 minutes) the audience is shown the sunset boulevard street sign which is more so glamorous than a curbstone highlighting the importance of wilders opening scene

Question 3

DIFFICULTY OF SUCCESS IN HW:
Betty’s Nose Symbol:

Answer 3

Represents the fake and fickle
nature of Hollywood and how hard it is to achieve success, especially on screen.

Even someone as attractive as
Betty who is third generation
Hollywood doesn’t meet the
standard and must work
behind the scenes instead.

Question 4

DECEPTIVE NATURE OF HW:
Hollywood set SYMBOL:

Answer 4

Shows artifice of Hollywood,
but also of those within it,
such as Betty and Joe’s
relationship. Neither is really
being honest. They know it’s
fake, yet they still pursue it

(Hollywood and their
romance).

Question 5

AUDIENCE DOESN’T KNOW THE TRUTH ABOUT HOLLYWOOD:
Ending Scene Mannerisms:

Answer 5

Norma’s animalistic hand motion where she breaks the fourth wall and addresses the audience symbolises that we might be Hollywood’s prey

Question 6

HINTING AT REAL HOLLYWOOD:

Answer 6

Real directors, cecile b demille playing himself, real silent movie actors, gloria swanson being a silent movie actor