Sunday, October 31, 2010

Three Act Structure

Often in Hollywood, a three act plot structure is used to connect the beginning, middle and ending to a movie. These three points are used to introduce, add a complication, and resolve throughout the movie. The first point introduces the viewer to the main protagonist, and involves the user in figuring out a question that has come up. The second point usually gives an answer to the first question, but adds on another (giving it the name "complication"). The third act is a complete resolution of almost every problem which was introduced.

In the Disney Pixar movie Wall-E, the three act structure is used in much the same way. The first act is where Wall-E (the main protagonist) is introduced. Without knowing much about him, the viewer follows him as he goes about his day, which prompts the question as to how his world came to look the way it is now. The tricky part about this movie following the three act structure, is that Wall-E doesn't speak a word until a second character comes into the story, making the question he is asking a little bit harder to discern.
The second point in the movie Wall-E is whenever he enters on the ship. While doing a bit of detective work, Wall-E discovers a video which shows him why his world is full of trash. Whenever trash became too large of a problem on Earth, many of the inhabitants were sent onto a ship for "just a few years" in order to clean up what they had left behind.  The video later informs the protagonist that there was a problem with the clean-up effort and those living on the ship were never designed to return to Earth. The question Wall-E is now presented with is how he can work to fix what happened to his home planet.

The last point in the three point structure is the resolution. Wall-E at this point has started a rebellion on the ship in order to save the last plant found on Earth and use it to bring plant life back to the planet. The film experiences a complete resolution where all of the questions are answered and the protagonist finds himself a hero. The three point structure is used in the movie Wall-E to develop the plot, introduce new characters and connect each aspect of the film.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

Serial Plots in TV Sitcoms

The most important point in TV sitcoms is the concept that ideas stream from episode to episode in order to connect to form a broader plot overall. Serial sitcoms, as they are known as, involve having each episode relate to those before it through character development and the flow of ideas. This is the opposite of having an episodic sitcom, which has episodes that can be watched in almost any order without the worry of missing a specific detail. Many long term shows use the serial plot method in order to get a larger viewing base for longer periods of time. Some of the most common include Lost and Glee, each of which has important plot details and character development which carries throughout each episode.

For example, the TV show Dexter, now in it's 5th season, has been continuing the same plot line since day one. Although each episode has it's own individual goals to achieve, in the long run, in order to catch each detail, it is imperative that you watch each and every showing. This example of a serial sitcom can be seen easily through the character development. In many of the episodes, Dexter goes through changes which influences the decisions he makes not only in that episode, but those that follow it as well. Without having seen his change in motives, it can be easy to become confused in why his character is acting a certain way later. In order to prevent serial sitcoms from discouraging viewers to watch (too much commitment to have to see each episode a week, maybe?), many times before an episode, there is a "previously seen" segment so that if an episode is missed, it is easy to catch up on. With this new addition to TV shows, the idea of serial sitcom shows has now become the most important aspect in viewer enjoyment.

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Mary's Seventh RTF Blog 10-17-10

In the movie Zombieland, directed by Ruben Fleischer, there are many examples of long shots, medium shots and close shots which add important elements to the overall plot. The first example comes early on in the movie, where the main character (Jesse Eisenberg) leaves his hometown in search of his family. While walking on the highway with a suitcase, the camera pulls away to show exactly how alone he really is. Added to that, is the fact that every car on the road is completely empty, with the doors wide open. As mentioned in the lecture, long shots tend to emphasize on loneliness, and isolation, which is exactly what this particular point in Zombieland is working to stress. Later on in the movie, a medium shot is used to show relationship informatin between the Eisenberg and Woody Harrelson.  The two had just entered in a grocery store and were unaware of what they would encounter. By the way that they are standing, the shot establishes that Harrelson is dominant and Eisenberg is scared of the situation. Medium shots are said to not only to show relationship information but also visual information. The visual information in this shot allows for those viewing it to see the situation between the characters and their relationship with what is around them. In one of the last scenes in the movie, a close up shot on Harrelson at the carnival gives the viewers further information about his character. In order to confront the zombie group fast approaching, Harrelson bunkers himself inside of a booth and uses two pistols to fight off the creatures. The close-up shows (through the metal bars) his "no fear" expression even though he faces a possible death. All three scenes in the movie Zombieland emphasize loneliness, relationship information and crucial character information which help to develop the plot throughout the whole movie.



Sunday, October 10, 2010

Sixth RTF Post Early Hollywood

In the "Classical Hollywood" years, from the 1920's to the 1940's, there were many distinct aspects, which aided in helping the studios function properly. The vertical integration system worked well with studios, allowing them to own all the means of production. One of the most important ways in which the studio system worked best was through the star system. Certain studios would contract stars and keep them exclusive to only their studio, which would bring not only publicity, but also a constant source of work for many stars. Certain studios would use the same star for more than one movie a year, and pay the actor to sell their products outside of the studio.

The star system allowed for certain studios to become known for their association with actors. For example, when MGM became associated with Judy Garland. In class, the speaker discussed how many times, she would play the same character but with a different role to fill. This star system deeply effected what kinds of films the company created. If the company contracted a more serious man, they might begin creating mystery or action genre movies. With Judy Garland, MGM was limited to stories based around a girl with a less serious personality. The best example given was of John Wayne, who was used throughout his lifetime to create over 100 films of near similar roles. Although he wasn't directly associated with a certain company, John Wayne became so well known as a western genre character, that many directors would look to him first to create a movie based around his role. Many companies used these contracted stars to their advantage, and would mass-produce quite a few films with the same star as a central character. Through this, moviegoers would hear of the new "John Wayne film" and flock to see it in the theatre. This form of advertising was not used much after the Classical Era, when a few companies got into disputes with stars over what they were asking, and some wanting to be free from their career binding contracts. "Classical Hollywood's" use of the star system brought about some of the best movies to be seen, despite it having a slight downfall in the later years of its use. The importance of this system will not soon be forgotten for its impact on the movies created during that time.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

Mary's Fifth RTF Blog 10-3-10

Through the years, many topics, which were considered inappropriate or scandalous to talk about in TV shows, have gradually become more understood and accepted. One example is the topics in the "All in the Family" episode "Judging Books By Covers". In the early 70's, this show probably caused quite a stir when it brought up homosexuality, but this has generally become acceptable to be plots of sitcoms. In "Family Guy", several episodes have been devoted to speaking of just sexuality. These two shows are able to show unique sides of how being of different sexuality is okay. In "All in the Family" a very sensitive man ends up being straight, and a very tough man confides in Archie that he is gay. Similarly, several episodes of Family Guy have had plots centered on homosexuality. Most notably, "Quagmire's Dad" where a war hero who is visiting his son, finally tells him that he is gay. Each of these episodes has a situation where a famously tough man reveals that he is actually not what was thought of him. The two shows differ in how the other characters accept the topic. In "All in the Family", few of the main characters are uncomfortable dealing with being near someone of different sexuality. On the contrary in "Family Guy" the characters move past the initial shock and accept the other as who they are. In each of these shows the "alpha male" of the family has his own way of handling the situation. Archie confronts Steve about his sexuality but still seems a little awkward about the topic. Peter shrugs it off, and in one episode (due to some lab tests) even expresses his own homosexuality. "All in the Family" also showcases the issue of male sensitivity. Roger in this episode is called gay just because he acts more sensitive than the average man, and he visited Europe. This issue has almost never been discussed in "Family Guy" where characters are either gay, or not. In "Family Guy", Quagmire's dad undergoes a sex change to feel more natural. Again this is one issue that "All in the Family" never touched base on. These two shows have their similarities, but each of these episodes showcases how different time periods accepted the topic of homosexuality in a Family-Based comedic sitcom.