Vertigo and Alien Flashcards
How did Scott have more creative freedom in New Hollywood?
-no hays code
-2nd wave feminism
-developments in technology
-Lack/decrease in audiences for TV meant that there was more creative freedom to directors
How did Hitchcock have less creative freedom in Classical Hollywood?
- hays code
- older technology
- emphasis on narrative progression
-continuity editing - studio controlled setting
- limited by studio budget
Example of removal of hays code in Alien?
- close up and amplified sound of Alien bursting out of chest
- long take as Ripley undresses after blowing up ship
Example of more liberal rep of gender in Alien?
- use of costuming of Ripley
- use of the mcguffin of the flame thrower paired with Ripley excessively sweating
ON THE OTHER HAND - argument againts Ridley having more creative freedom in new hollywood?
- He was still pressured to create content to attract and maximise audiences due to context around more audiences being attracted to TV.
- An example of this is the sexualisation of Ripley in ending seq which could be argued to appeal to traditional Sci fi comic fans who would expect this rep.
What was the Hays code?
- Restrictions put onto films which limited what could be shown on screen, this code pushed catholic/conservative values.
- Meaning things such as drinking, smoking, profanity, sex, violence, gore and nudity couldn’t be shown
- pushed heteronormative values
What contextual factor influenced the rep of gender in Alien?
-2nd wave feminism was well underway, meaning there was more demand for women to be seen in dominant roles
- the removal of the hays code also influenced this as it meant there was less of a push on heteronormative values
Examples of the Hays code within Vertigo?
- use of cutaway from policeman as he falls from the roof
- use of slow pan across Scotties apartment after he undresses Madaline
Examples of continuity editing?
- use of establishing shot outside restaurant before cutting inside
- use of close up and dissolve on Carlotta’s necklace
ON THE OTHER HAND - examples of Hitchcock having creative freedom in classical Hollywood?
- Although Hitchcock was influenced by Hollywood’s restrictions it can also be argued that he had creative freedom within his films as an Arthur
- for example, the influence of German expressionism within his films, such as the church seq
- as well as Hitchcocks cameo within the estab shot outside Gavin’s office
How is Ash’s costuming valuable?
- Visually conveys Ash as not a member of the crew, foreshadowing his character as a disturbance in equilibrium
- Links to visual storytelling, similarity with Hitchcock “should be able to remove sound and still understand what’s happening”
What is continuity editing?
- Continuity editing refers to an editing style which simplifies the story making it easy to comprehend to audiences, encouraging passivity
- popular in Classical Hollywood
How is Ripley’s costuming valuable?
- Constructs Ripley as gender neutral, doesn’t conform to gender stereotypes or norms
- resembles the other crew members
- dark greens - industrial, constructs her as a worker
Why is the mcguffin of the flame thrower paired with the performance of Ripley sweating as she runs through the ship valuable?
- Mcguffin of flame thrower constructs her character as empowered, strong, dominant, taking control
- The excessive sweating is also valuable to constructing Ripley as more gender neutral/masc reinforcing the idea of her taking control
- valuable to comparing the presentation of Madaline with bouquet/hair/makeup
How is the design of the Xenomorph’s costume German expressionist?
It’s design as black, distorted, contorted links to the shapes seen within the style of German expressionism
How is the use of establishing shot in front of the restaurant, cutting to the inside valuable?
- conveys setting clearly to audiences, where the narrative is occurring
- links to continuity editing, as it doesn’t require audiences to be active and allows audiences to passively watch
How is the use of peformance of Scottie looking down at his watch before denying the drink from Gavin valuable?
How is the use of the slow pan across Scottie’s apartment valuable?
- clearly constructs idea of Scottie’s undressing Madaline through visuals, use of camera slowly moving is valuable as it creates a focus on clothing allowing audiences to realise what’s being conveyed
- links to Hay’s Code as nudity was prohibited, therefore this use of cinematgraphy conveys what happened without us seeing Madeline undressed
How is the use of dissolve and graphic match on Carlotta’s necklace valuable?
- Visually conveys Scottie’s realisation of the fact that ‘Madaline’ is being possessed by Carlotta
- links to continuity editing, clearly conveys to audiences that the necklace is the same, allows them to put the peices together without becoming active
How is the use of the cutaway when the policeman falls from the roof valuable?
How is the use of the wide shot of the Golden Gate bridge valuable?
- This links to constructing a positive commercial aesthetic of SF, visually presenting an ideal
- Large designed set, visuals designed
How is the use
