Vertigo and Do The Right Thing Comparisons Flashcards
Compare how far the films reflect the auteur signature of their film makers? (40)
Hitchcock:
-themes of obsession, identity, mystery
-long takes, dolly shots, suspenseful editing
-use of colours like red and green, dream like visuals
-psychological thriller, with an unreliable male protagonist and a mainstream female co star actress
-scene that links these is the tower scene
Spike Lee:
-themes of racial tension, social unjust, black culture
-breaking of 4th wall, direct address, dutch tilt
-bold colour use
-ensemble african american cast
-commentary on the black experience
-open ending
-scene that represents this is the opening dance sequence
Compare some of the ways in which the look and style of the films reflect the influence of auteurs. Refer to one sequence from each film. (40)
Vertigo: Judy’s transformation to madeleine
-the peak of scotties obsession, shown via slow takes, paranormal green lighting, slow fixated takes on Judy
-slow zooms and shot rev shots shows scotties descent and madness towards her
-psychological tension ensues through the ominous score
-this shows the common trope of the unreliable protagonist used in many hitchcock films, aswell as themes of obsession
Dtrt: death of radio raheem
-low angles and extreme close ups align us with the police violence on raheem
-rapid editing and dutch tilts enhance the chaos
-low key lighting and fire around the brownstone buildings shows the effect of police violence upon african American communities, evidence of Spike Lee’s social commentary expressed through his films
‘New Hollywood allowed filmmakers more creative freedom than Classical Hollywood.’ Compare the two films in relation to this statement. (40)
Vertigo:
-studio control over production and marketing
-Hays code restricted sex, violence etc
-high budgets only given to films with traditional hollywood conventions
-heavy reliance on traditional star system, james stewart and kim novak in this case
-transatlantic pictures, hitchcocks solution to have his own control
DTRT:
-independent production, 40 acres and a mule, lees company
-low budget divided between a few investors because of the films story not being conventional
-overt social and political commentary challenging norms of hollywood
-non traditional narrative and open ending
Compare how far your chosen films reflect their different production contexts. (40)
Vertigo:
-distributed by major studio, paramount
-star power of major production, James stewart and Kim Novak
-limited social commentary as not favoured by Hollywood, preferring standard stories and focus on the story instead
DTRT:
-Low Budget, but high creative control for Lee, Wrote, directed and starred the main role
-on location filming, bedford- Stuyvesant in Brooklyn creates authenticity
How are Lee and Hitchcock similar in their auteurship?
-female objectification
-creative use of colour
-dramatic camera work
-innovative title sequences
-trusted creative collaborators
-recurring themes across films
