Sunset Boulevard essay

Question 1

how to start intro

Answer 1

Billy Wilder’s 1950s film noir, Sunset Boulevard, follows the journey of Norma Desmond, a distinguished actress from the past and her ambition to reclaim her former status in the Hollywood industry

Question 2

what is my contention in the intro (presents)

Answer 2

Wilder presents to the audience the idea that sympathy should be felt towards the charcaters that fall victim to Hollywood’s allure.

Question 3

what is the rebuttal in the intro (proposes)

Answer 3

However, the director also proposes that it is the characters fault for falling into Hollywood’s trap and that should not gain sympathy.

Question 4

what is my first argument (topic sentence) (conveys)

Answer 4

Wilder conveys that the Hollywood industry shapes a sense of sympathy for the audience towards the naivety of women.

Question 5

what are my two examples (dive points) in the first argument

Answer 5

• Norma and her lifestyle in Hollywood are past their time
• Betty and her belief that she can be a writer

Question 6

(first argument, first dive) symbolism usage

Answer 6

Norma’s house symbolises how actor that were once beautiful grow to be unpleasant and dangerous (foreshadowing)

Question 7

(first argument, first dive) quotes that can be used (and metalanguage attached) (2)

Answer 7

• “it couldn’t have gone better, it’s practically set” done with a wide shot to show Joe’s cautiousness and her excitement (naivety of Norma)
• “forget about our car” DeMille to assistant

Question 8

(first argument, second dive) quote and what it says

Answer 8

• “not good enough to do it by myself,”
  says to audience young women in Hollywood cannot do things by themselves (naive that she cannot do anything, that she needs Joe)

Question 9

second argument topic sentence (implies)

Answer 9

Wilder implies that the attraction of Hollywood gives the aspiring individuals a false sense of belief.

Question 10

what are my two diving points for the second argument

Answer 10

• Joe is given the belief that he is going to be great but loses his car and is not competitive writer
• Betty given the false sense of belief that she was going to be a ‘star’

Question 11

(second argument, first dive) quotes (2)

Answer 11

• “maybe they weren’t original enough, maybe they where too original”
• “rehash of something that wasn’t very good to begin with”

Question 12

(second argument, first dive) metalanguage

Answer 12

• wide shot of the disappointment in Joe’s face as Betty calls his work bad

Question 13

(second argument, second dive) symbolism

Answer 13

• The scenes at Paramount studios symbolising the fake reality that is given to people that look within Hollywood (foreshadows)

Question 14

(second argument, second dive) quotes (4)

Answer 14

• “10 years of dramatic lessons”
• “they didn’t like my nose”
• “so I went to a doctor and had it fixed,”
• “they were crazy about my nose, only they didn’t like my acting”

Question 15

(second argument, second dive) metalanguage when they are talking about her nose

Answer 15

• high angle, used to give pity to Betty (inflict the feeling of sympathy towards her)

Question 16

what is the topic sentence for my third argument (questions)

Answer 16

Wilder challenges sympathy, asserting that individuals bear responsibility for the consequences they encounter.”

Question 17

what are my 2 diving points for my 3 argument?

Answer 17

• Joe’s death is what he deserves for all his manipulation
• Norma does bad things (controlling Joe and Max) indicating that we should not feel sympathy to her

Question 18

(third argument, first dive) quotes could be used (2)

Answer 18

• “When they were making $18,000 a week,” - joe to betty (near end)
• “Look sweetie be practical,” - Joe to Betty, talk gender roles

Question 19

(third argument, first dive) metalanguage that goes with quotes

Answer 19

• when talk about the money, wilder uses a wide shot to show his arm over shoulder and power he has gained
• when saying look sweetie to betty, Uses wide shot during this scene showing both facial expressions and Joe dismissing Betty as if he is better

Question 20

(third argument, second dive) quote and metalanguage attached

Answer 20

• “empty the ashtray will you Joe” high angle showing pity towards Joe