For our first activity of "Unit 2 - Intro to Film", we must do a screenplay analysis on the first scene of:
1. How does the action writing indicate Hanz Landa is playing mind games with LaPadite?
Right when this scene starts till this scene ends, it is shown in the action writing that Hanz Landa is playing mind games with LaPadite. In the action writing, there is some sort of confusion in how Hanz Landa acts. Us as the audience knows what Hanz Landa is there for, which is hunting for Jews, hence him being well known as the “Jew Hunter”. Knowing that Hanz Landa is a Jew hunter, it is very out of the norm for him to be such a well-mannered gentleman towards LaPadite. When Hanz Landa goes to kiss LaPadite’s wife’s hand (daughter in the movie), he does not let go, but continues to hold on to her hand after kissing it, which may seem polite, but also quite intimidating. Another indication in the action writing is when Hanz Landa seeks permission to speak English and to smoke his pipe, which all seems to be a part of his illusion of being polite which is working quite well on LaPadite, but may also be confusing and slowly eroding LaPadite’s “cool façade”. For a Jew hunter, it is quite unusual for Hanz Landa to be acting so polite, calm, and cool.
2. How does the action writing in the screenplay indicate who has control (or lack thereof)?
The action writing in the screenplay indicates who has control and who doesn’t in very small details that may be hard to notice. In the beginning of the scene, we may be given the impression that LaPadite is the superior one here as he is introduced to be a “bull of a man”, but as the scene continues, things start to turn tables when Hanz Landa arrives. When Hanz Landa arrives, the action writing states that "this may very well be the end". Hanz Landa’s actions of control begin small with asking/ordering for milk. As we proceed, Hanz Landa’s actions become clearer when he reminds and makes LaPadite state what Hanz Landa is well known as, the “Jew hunter” which strongly comes off as intimidating and terrifying. When LaPadite accepts Hanz Landa’s request to smoke his pipe, Hanz Landa pulls out a much more larger and fancy pipe unlike LaPadite’s small wooden pipe. Hanz Landa’s pipe is a big symbol because it shows that Hanz Landa is a very high up and ranking individual while LaPadite’s small pipe only symbolizes how small he is compared to the Colonel. It is made quite clear that Hanz Landa is in complete control here.
3. How does the dialogue communicate information about the character speaking?
In the beginning of this scene, the dialogue helps communicate that LaPadite cares for his family and is hiding something. When LaPadite’s daughter spots Nazi soldiers approaching the farmhouse, he quickly tells her to fetch him water and to not run, which gives us the idea that he may be hiding something, doesn’t want to seem suspicious and doesn’t want his family to be suspected of anything which may lead to harm. When Hanz Landa arrives, the dialogue helps communicate that Hanz Landa is very intimidating, manipulative, professional, and knows what he’s doing and what he wants. When LaPadite mentions rumours, Hanz Landa quickly states that he loves rumours which seem to manipulate LaPadite into mentioning those rumours showing how intimidating and manipulative of a man Hanz Landa is. Hanz Landa mentions that he will cross LaPadite’s family off the list if his questions are answered which might have pushed and intimidated LaPadite to answer questions since family is his main priority. Overall the dialogue helps communicate that LaPadite is a caring and secretive man while Hanz Landa is a very professional and intimidating man who is not to be messed with.
Table read notes:
Monika:
- I think they get back together at the end
- Ellie seems to be the shy one
- I feel like they haven't been with someone after their breakup because they're on each other's minds
- I think they get back together at the end
- Ellie seems to be the shy one
- I feel like they haven't been with someone after their breakup because they're on each other's minds
Alaia:
- I find it a little unrealistic because they're arguing in a library and nobody seems to interuppt them
- We should change the ending to make it more emotional
- We could cut to black instead of fading to black at the end
- They haven't seen eachother since the breakup
- I think they still have feelings for eachother
- I find it a little unrealistic because they're arguing in a library and nobody seems to interuppt them
- We should change the ending to make it more emotional
- We could cut to black instead of fading to black at the end
- They haven't seen eachother since the breakup
- I think they still have feelings for eachother
Helena:
- I think the story is very cute
- Find Peter a strange character for wanting to talk to Ellie, even though it seems to be that Ellie left him?
- I agree with Alaia that the story isnt natural, but i still like it.
- I want to believe that they get back together, and give each other a second chance.
- We should change the ending line to a more dramatic and powerful phrase.
Phoebe:
- When i first read the script, i thought Ellie is being mean towards her "ex".
- As for Peter, he isn't being subtle, it's so obvious that he still likes Ellie.
- It seems like Peter is desperate to talk to Ellie, because he keeps on trying to approach Ellie.
- I find the story like an emotional roller coaster, it was humorous, a bit of sadness, and frustration.
- I think for the ending, if they are meant for each other, they should be together.
Schedule
November 13 - 16 : Discuss
November 19 - Get permission to film at location
November 13 - 16 : Discuss
November 19 - Get permission to film at location
November 16 - 22: Storyboard
November 23 - 27: Filming
November 27 - TBD: Edting
November 23 - 27: Filming
November 27 - TBD: Edting
SCREENPLAY / STORY BOARDS
WARMUP ACTIVITY
INTRO TO EDITING
INTRO TO EDITING
Types of edits:
1. Cut - A cut is a very commonly used transition. It is when one shot instantly replaces the previous shot. A cut may be used to show the "meanwhile" or "then" of a scene.
2. Dissolve - A gradual transition from one image to another. A dissolve is usually used to show a change in time, location, or when there is an emotional component to the subject in the story.
3. Smash Cut - A technique in film where one shot abruptly cuts to another shot without warning. A smash cut usually occurs during a crucial moment when something abrupt happens.
4. Jump Cut - A jump cut is when two sequential shots of the same subject are taken from camera angles that are only slightly different. This edit gives the effect of a jump forward or backward in time.
5. Iris - An iris edit is when the scene appears to have a circle closing or opening the shot as it zooms in or out. It is commonly used to help close or open a scene focused on one item or person, usually used in contemporary and the silent era of Hollywood films, and comedy.
6. Wipe - Where one shot replaces another by travelling from one side of the frame to another. It is usually used to close out a scene or open a new one.
7. Whip Pan Cut - A camera pans so quickly that the picture blurs into streaks. Commonly used as a transition between shots, and may indicate a passing in time or location.
8. Cutting on Action - Where the editor cuts from one shot to another shot that matches the first shot's action. Commonly used to show a different angle of the action.
9. Match Cut - When the director cuts from one scene to a completely different scene, but the objects from both scenes are matched to help the flow.
10. Verbal Transition - A verbal transition is an edit where the words from one shot continue into another shot to help the story flow. Commonly used to help the story flow.
11. Cut Away -
12. Cross Cut -
13. L Cut -
14. J Cut -
15. Invisible Cut -
16. Fade In -
17. Fade Out -
