Singin in the rain.

A Clockwork Orange was a monumental cult film. The idea of this futuristic anti-culture continuously shocks society.  I remember my first time watching the film was full of dusgust and pity.  The drug-infested, violent, youth ruled society of this movie brings awareness to how youth is viewed today.  One of the most shocking elements of the film was the protaginist, whom one hates at times and pities at others. He is shockingly dominant, violent, and surprisingly sophistocated.  Some say that the smooth talking of the protagonist was only brought on by the "milk." Another qulaity that he has is a fine singing voice.  However, what message is displayed when he bellows "Singing in the rain" during his defining scene when he violently tortures a man and rapes his wife?

The contrast from the joyus music to the horrid crime is obvious. What is surprising is how this song comes back to haunt him. The song, used as a device to scare his victims, is axtually what makes himself his own victim. The unavoidable revenge arrives and the protagonist, after all his struggles, feels no emotiinal change.  This is why the song is played a third time in the ending credits. Because the story goes on... He uses thus song when he feels in control.

Rosebud

Rosebud, without seeing the movie its almost impossible to know the significance of the word. With some investigation and research, I found an interview with Orson Wells online.  He explained that, “Rosebud” is the trade name of a cheap little sled on which Kane was playing on the day he was taken away from his home and his mother."  The word held the ideas and memories of his mother. "In his subconscious it represented the simplicity, the comfort, above all the lack of responsibility in his home, and also it stood for his mother’s love which Kane never lost." 

Overall, the article explains that Wells used "Rosebud" and a representation of the accumulation of a man's life. Kane's overall horde of expensive items ended up meaning less than the little sled made by Rosebud.

Napoleon

The 1927 Movie, "Napoleon" directed by Abel Gance was revolutionary and historic in many ways.  The technique and style not only captured the history of Napoleon Bonaparte, but it also changed the way that motion pictures were viewed and shot forever.  This movie used innovative camera techniques and lighting to entertain, move, and educate the audience. 

This movie is still so in demand that it is actually difficult to find clips online.  I wish it was possible to view the entire movie.  It looks like the copyright holders still wish to profit from it.  However, even in this preview you can see how the closeups, the camera angles, and the lighting creates effective drama.

The Great Train Robbery

The great train robbery is one of the most well known films in history. It is so influential because it was one of the first complete films with a storyline ever made. This new technology was so important because it gave audiencies and the world a major shock.  Thisnshock was the idea of a virtual world with a timeline.  Moving pictures were so new that the aduience thought the train was really coming at them. This kind of entertainment was also brand new.  The idea of a performance being perfectly replicated on a screen made the new medium accessible to the masses.  Before entertainment and shows were just for broadway, now there was a possibility of doing something that could be shown multiple times a day.
This was also important because it set the sandard for the exaggerated acting in silent films.  The acting seems almist silly to us today, but was necissary back then to fully communicate with the audience.

Skeleton dance

In the early days of animation, the skeleton dance animated by Disney set the standard for animation paired with sound. I have personally seen it in a few more current projects.  One example was from last semester's Art 310 class when a student used flash to animate a skeleton to the same music.

Another example is from the little rascals haloween episode.

This song has even been remixed by a current artist at a very popular music fesrival called Moogfest.  The re-creation was performed by a band called Beats Antique. They even have a dancer in a skeleton costume on stage to commemorate the original animation.  

A trip to the moon

A trip to the moon is more relative to society than ever.  The advancement of technology today, just like when this film was made, is so fast that the consumers have a hard time comprehending it.  So much so that technology is almost like magic. This relates to us today because even our most simple laptop is so advanced that an average citizen does not know how it works.

The personification of the moon as a victim in this film is interesting because it seems to predict some kind of human influence on the moon.  Our escapades to this giant space rock proves the predictive element of the movie.  The only concern is that the film seems to display a hurtful or negative effect on the moon itself.

Behind the scenes of Wicked

The behind the scenes look at wicked promotes the technology that was used to create such an interesting show. This technology was so great because it did not overwhelm the show, it only enhanced it.
A few examples of this mastery of technology include: set design, character flight, mechanics, costume design, and even a mechanical dragon. The sight of a giant dragon on a broadway stage is both impressive and bone chilling.  The costume design was flawless and beautiful. These technological tools give Wicked's audience fun, laughter, and even an unexpected look at  characters that they thought were already understood. It was also impressive that all this was packed up into 14 semi trucks and toured around America.

Technology in creative ways

1) In this video Neil Patrick Harris uses technology to display his number at the tony awards "What if life was more like theater."  He interacts with a screen behind him, uses intuitive costumes to do a "7 second" costume change, and waves to a flying Mary Poppins


2) In a second post, Liza Manelli uses simple technology like bells on ankle bracelets to be a part of the orchestra with "Ring them Bells." This shows how simple technology can have a large impact on theater.

3) Peter Pan "I'm Flying."  Suspension cables.

4) Guys and Dolls uses technology to create a beautiful, immersive set design.

5) Tracy Ullman, "Shy." Incredible costume design.

6) Godspell on Broadway, had water, trampolines, and instruments on stage with them.

7) The Adams Family on Broadway. Moving gates and doors in the set.

All that Jazz

Jazz is a unique synchronicity of African American and European styles of music in the beginning of the 20th century. The African influence gave Jazz it's soul.  The tempos, improvisation, and notes transformed music into music that was relatable to the masses of America.

Despite debates about the definition of Jazz, we all know whats going on when we hear Duke Ellington sits down at a piano. Jazz is an adaptable force that can either lull you to sleep or inspire a wild night of dancing.  There are so many types of Jazz because it is more of a musical movement than a genre.  Jazz changed the history of American music in the 1900's and still influences modern music.

Internet freedom

As society battles with it's own consequences, it is obvious how it adapts to economic struggle. We have altered technology to appeal to those who have less.  Access to the internet is essential in order to function in modern society. Luckily, all one has to do is pay $200 for a tablet and mooch off of McDonalds wifi in order to shop, make social connections, read the news, and much more.  The internet embodies freedom. We all know that no matter how much the government tries to regulate the internet, there will always be someone smarter who stands up for internet freedom.  These anonymous heroes keep the masses in mind when they hack, jailbreak, and even illegially copy items that seem unjust.  Sometimes even for fun. The internet provides a haven and meeting place for those with independent thinking.

Since America's most recent depression, entertainment has moved from paying for a night out at the movies, to staying in and watching youtube or hopping on facebok all night.  Is this a healthy habit? Of course not. But it sure is cheaper.

Madama Butterfly

While understanding the story of the opera, it is easy to emotionally relate to the main character. She litterally rips herself apart in grief at the loss of her love, child, and youth. The animation used the opera to tell the story without saying one english word. The symbolism of the butterfly being free continually exposes the irony of her emotional shackles.

The Fifth Element Diva

The diva in the movie, "The Fifth Element" embodies a great example of how opera is used to illustrate stories and emotions. The film is shot so that it seems like she is singing the story as it happens. The expressions of the diva allude to the distress of the situation.
The diva also makes opera relatable as a fine art form.  Even in the future, opera would still be considered a beautiful, revered work of art.  Also, it does not have to be in a recognizable language for it to be meaningful.