M+(1931)

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0022100/ - IMDB's information on Fritz Lang's __M__. http://www.cyberroach.com/m/default.htm - a website devoted to Fritz Lang's __M__.

There are several ways to show meaning in movies. The words the actors speak (dialog) is just one of those ways.

The first 20 years of film: There was no sound, so directors had to use non-dialog techniques to tell their story. Tools like the camera were not just recording the scene, but were also advancing plot and character.

With the arrival of sound, dialog and voice narration became important as well, but many directors don't wish to have their stories taken over with words.

Cinematic storytelling - telling a story through film using several techniques including framing, editing, sound, lighting, and more.

Why is cinematic storytelling important? It manipulates our emotions and shows character and plot development without our immediate knowledge.

Two important people in the making of the film (sometimes the same person): 1. The Screenwriter - a person who writes screenplays. This person must incorporate cinematic techniques or the screenplay becomes just a play or piece of writing. 2. The Director - knows how and why to create a specific shot in order to push the story forward.

Early example of film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvUJBZu0Qxs

Terms to know this week:

1. Mise-en-scene - French term meaning "putting in the scene." Mise-en-scene involves an entire scene where the action plays out in front of a continually running camera in real time and as one uninterrupted shot. There is no editing involved.

Examples - __Touch of Evil__ - Orson Welles __The Player__ - Robert Altman

2. Directing the eye - Directors use certain techniques to dramatize what is important so the audience can focus on what is significant.

Example - Citizen Kane - Orson Welles

3. Sound - includes musical score, dialog, voice over, and sound effects. Example - M (1931) - Fritz Lang