Hollywood Studio System

TASK :  Summarise the key points about the Hollywood Studio system covering the following areas:

Structure :  which studios involved , timeline ,which stages of production they controlled , which staff were under contract   

Production and content :   the collaborative process,  quick factory production , following classical style, use of familiar and predicable genre conventions , studio " house" style and genres, role of censorship e.g  1934 Hayes Code in deciding content )  

Audience : huge size and global reach    

Role of director : under exclusive contract to studio , part of a creative team, limited creative control or influence , main job was to complete film on time and on budget 

Role of star : under exclusive contract to studio , limits to creative freedom and influence , control over private life , star persona created and controlled by studio  

Why it ended : legal case in 1948 breaking up the control over distribution , the rise of TV , changing audience tastes , the rise of European film challenging the studios' global domination , the rise of youth culture in the 1960s which the studios didn't understand.                                                                                                  

Casablanca : classical style summary

  Summarise  and explain ( with examples from Casablanca and other films of your choice where relevant ) the key conventions and "rules" of classical Hollywood style film form. Use the resources on the Casablanca and Film Form pages and our class discussion to help

This should cover the following elements :

Cinematography and lighting

( e.g matching eyelines, 180 degree rule , framing and shot types  for clear narrative ,consistent lighting, lighting to match mood )  

Editing 

( e.g cause and effect, invisible continuity editing , use of shot /reverse shot ,  3 act narrative structure , narrative resolution should be clear )

Mise-en-scene

( e,g should be "realistic " and consistent and support the narrative rather than dominate it.)

Sound

( e.g should match onscreen action ( synchronous) , support the narrative and the mood of the film, should create relevant and clear responses in audience e.g use of dramatic music )

Performance

( e,g should be "realistic " and consistent , character motivation should be clear and linear ) 

You can find some resources and more examples on the Casablanca  blog here

CASABLANCA : Film Form analysis 1

  INTRO TO  RICK'S BAR SCENE ( link)

Meeting Rick

End your analysis when we see Rick and before any conversation starts 

Analyse how the following elements of film form are used to create meaning and guide audience response ( understanding of narrative, setting,characters , plot, themes etc. ) in the  " Introduction to Rick's Bar " sequence.

Cinematography 

( use of camera shots, framing , camera movement and angles , lighting)

Editing 

( use and extent of transitions such as cuts or fades, order of scenes and shots, narrative structure )

Mise-en-scene

( background, props ,costume , objects etc.)

Sound

( use or absence of  music,sound effects, spoken word such as dialague/voiceover)

Performance

(casting, physical performance e.g posture, body language and expression , reaction to other characters or narrative etc. ) 

Publish your analysis on the blog by the end of the week.