Sean Guthrie
Monday, October 29, 2012
femme fatale
The femme fatale is a very important part of a noir film. The basis of her character is to use her sexual characteristics to manipulate the protagonist, as done by Phyllis to Walter Neff in Double Indemnity. This shot i have chosen is a very important one because it captures the moment that Phyllis and Walter are meeting for the first time. As she is coming out with only a towel on, the attraction is immediate between the two. Phyllis is using her sexual dominance to lure Walter into her plan. She is also shot from a low angle shot, shower her power over Walter from the very beginning. Over the course of the film Phyllis continues to manipulate Walter using her femininity, stretching a little past sexuality. During a few scenes Phyllis seems helpless and looks to Walter for guidance and protection. Thus, Walter feels the need to take care of Phyllis. Looking at other femme fatale characters in noir, they do all use their sexuality to get there way, but i believe this aspect of sexuality is a sub category of the femme fatale using her femininity.
Monday, September 17, 2012
Framing
The Gorilla and Bear are on the left center intersection of the grid.The Bear is on the lower left intersection talking to the nutcracker on the lower right intersection.
The nutcracker is on the right intersection. bear and gorilla in the background
The Gorilla is inside a frame set by the nutcracker and BearThe Nutcracker and Bear are fighting inside the frame set by the two backpacks and the dresser with the Gorilla as a spectator in the background.
The nutcracker is on the right intersection. bear and gorilla in the background
The Gorilla is inside a frame set by the nutcracker and BearThe Nutcracker and Bear are fighting inside the frame set by the two backpacks and the dresser with the Gorilla as a spectator in the background.
Sunday, September 9, 2012
fate vs personal control
Although there may be some coincidences in my life that make
it seem as if fate is controlling it, when I consider the facts it is clear
that my life is not a matter of fate, but that I have a significant influence
on what happens to me. For example, it might look as though I was destined to
study Chinese and Asian Culture simply because I grew up in Asia, my parents
have a strong interest in Asian Culture, and that my two older brothers have
studied and traveled in Asia. However, my interest in Chinese was not a matter
of fate so much as it was a result of specific decisions I made during the
course of my life. As early as middle school I made deliberate decision to stop
taking Spanish because I had a strong desire to take Chinese in high school.
The fact that I made my own decisions of how to alter my life at this point
argues for free will shaping my life rather than fate.
When I look
at the pattern of events that led to Oedipus’ tragedy and downfall, it seems
free will has a greater influence on the outcome of his life than fate or the
gods. It is the number of decisions and kinds of decisions that Oedipus makes
that control his life. The very nature of his character can be seen as the
source of his actions that lead to his downfall. Anger, pride, and persistence
all contribute to Oedipus taking action and making certain decisions that shape
his life. For example, when Oedipus comes across Laius, his father, in the road
on the way to Thebes, he becomes so irate with Laius for not giving way that he
kills him. Ultimately, it is the anger and pride inside Oedipus that influences
the decision to kill Laius. His capacity for anger and violence come out
throughout the play, whether he is threatening Tiresias or blinding himself at
the end of the play. In the end it is also Oedipus’ persistence to figure out
the truth about Laius’ murder that leads to his downfall. Rather than fate
controlling his life, these actions Oedipus made were all character flaws and
choices that he personally made.
Also
comparing minority report and the life of John Anderton, it is clear that fate
did not control his life because he took action to change his inevitable
outcome. John Anderton took many steps and made many free will decisions to
escape his “fate” that the pre cogs envisioned for him.
All the choices made by myself,
Oedipus, and John Anderton were personal decisions and actions based on free
will. I believe that people have the chance to create their own destiny with
the choices they do and don't make.
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