Blog:4 Acting and Acting Styles

• Identify three actors from your film and classify each according to the types of actors listed in your text.

Matthew Broderick who played as Simba in the “The Lion King” can be classified as a impersonator actor. He was not noticed fully until his out break of Simba mainly because he didn’t stand out as a actor in his films, more of the behavior of a character than really being himself to get his break into the industry. He has played as different characters as he is known mainly for his comedy role. He was also nominated for the Tony Award, Best Actor in a Musical, for The Producers but lost to his co-star Nathan Lane. Broderick got his start in theater. His breakout film role was the title character in the comedy ‘Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.’ Prior to ‘The Lion King,’ he had received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Robert Gould Shaw in the 1989 Civil War film ‘Glory.’ Although he has had his share of hits and miss with some of the best films.

• Explain your reasons for classifying the actors as you do. Use specific references to the film and pay special attention to how these decisions impacted characterization. Also, consider the impact of any realistic or stylized portrayals within the film.

Jeremy Irons who played Scar in the film “The Lion King.” He is best known as a Drama actor. He is a Personality actor. He has played a role in T.V., movies and video games. He has a very odd personality but is very passionate about his work. He criticized acting is like people view acting as something great because of all of the success actors may seem to have but you don’t want to see what is really behind those actors and the reality of their persona’s when acting is over and their real personalities are brought to the light. He is portrayed as an upper-class snob in the entertainment world.

• Focus on one of the actors you’ve discussed. Based on other films the actor has been in, would this actor always be placed in the same category? If so, what does this say about the category or actor? If not, what can you infer about the flexibility of these categories? Provide evidence (references from other films, including film clips and stills) to support your argument.

James Earl Jones is an American actor who in a career of more than 60 years has become known as “one of America’s most distinguished and versatile” actors and “one of the greatest actors in American history. He is a wild card actor. He is also known for his voice acting, most notably as Darth Vader in the Star Wars film series and Mufasa in Disney’s The Lion King, as well as many other film, stage, and television roles. He have did stage, film, television and voice roles.

I don’t think that James Earl Jones would be placed in the same category as he played in the movie “The Lion King.” He is also known for his voice acting, most notably as Darth Vader in the Star Wars film series and Mufasa in Disney’s The Lion King, as well as many other film, stage, and television roles. He can act in serious roles also the portrayal of an animated character. His talent is very unique and a lot of actors that act in film can’t act for television or do voice acting.

Resources:

http://www.9types.com/movieboard/messages/7014.html

http://thefw.com/lion-king-voice-cast-then-and-now/

“The Lion King” Functions of Sound

                

1. Describe each of the three basic categories of sound (dialogue, sound effects, and music).

The opening of the sound “The Circle of Life” was a voice of narration giving the film a non-diegetic sound from the outside of the film. It immediately gave the introduction an extravagant theatrical nature of the Savannah. The lyrics of this song also introduce a central theme of the plot: the circle of life.

The Dialogue was a “Voice Over” as the characters behind the scenes of the animation spoke in narration to help the audience understand. The sound effects “Foley Artists in that scene as Simba was escaping. In the scene where there was a stampede right before Mufasa’s death the organ playing to create fear or when a scary part is going to happen in a horror film, or it can be the natural sounds of the area in which the scene is shot.

2. Explain how the different categories of sound are being used in your chosen film.

a. Assess the impact of sound in establishing the theme.

During the stampede scene there is a simple dialogue with the sounds of rocks clattering.During the scene where Mufasa’s Hyena clan chases Simba away, there is a sound of Sen surrounds pumping base to give off of vibrations to give you the feeling of what the characters were going through.

b. How does the use of sound inform the mood of the scene, or the film overall?

The Music is used to enhance the mood and gives the audience the idea of the feeling the film writer wanted to portray at a certain time. The mood gives you an adrenaline rush, as you are at the edge of your seat in fear that Simba will be next, but at the same time having a sensation of sympathy to Simba because he has just lost his father Mufasa. Music drama, in which seized the moment perfectly as a lot of problems were occurring and things were happening so fast for the young cub.

c. Can you identify specific sounds in your film that allow you to infer a particular genre?

As the stampede accelerates the rumble gets louder making the audience feel as if they were in or near the stampede. The sounds fit the genre perfectly as it gave the film an adventurous outlook as Simba strives to stay alive.

d. Since each category of sound may produce a range of effects, how might you characterize the effects in your film? For example, realistic and expected sound effects may have a different effect on a viewer than exaggerated or unexpected ones.

Having realistic sound effects in an animated movie would give it more of a real feeling so that the readers will look at it as a real life situation and be able to express their  emotions.It sent an intensified feeling as Simba was racing away from “Pride Rock” to survive and run away from his troubles.   All of a sudden there is loud roaring in the background.

e. Assess how the scene or sequence would play differently if you changed or removed a key category of sound

If the scenes and sequences would have played differently the scenes would have confused the readers if the sound didn’t fit the pictures moment. There would have been such a touching moment if you couldn’t hear the rocks falling or the herd racing to get away from any predators. That moment wouldn’t have been as epic and memorable as it still is 20 odd something years later to become an all-time classic.

Resources:

https://storify.com/WayneBreyer/b

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IFLz4CETj4

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110357/quotes

Week:2 Blog “The Lion King”

a. Identify the type of lighting used in the film (traditional three-point, high-key, or low-key) and assess the impact of the lighting used to establish the theme.

The type of lighting in the film “The Lion King” often varied, depending on that particular scene. The movie was mainly done in high key lighting due to the film being animated. To draw attention to the characters by fixating their bright standoffish images. There were a few dark scenes. Certain scenes are low key like when “Mufasa” dies and at night where “Simba” reunites with his father “Mufasa’s” spirit. When Simba and Scar fought, their was a low-key lighting. The background shined on the rest of the kingdom as the two knew this was the moment of truth and “Pride Rock” depended on Simba’s survival. There was a three-point lighting as Simba and Mufasa looked on “Pride Rock” to cover the “Circle of Life.” The use of high-key lighting is mainly used throughout the movie. High-key  lighting is a bright light over everything with low contrast between the light and dark parts of the scene limiting the view of any shadow.

b. What are the benefits of the style of lighting used?

The benefits of the lighting are that it makes the movie very easy to see and understand. It gives the majority of the audience “Children” a colorful sight of animation to hold their attention to the film. It makes it entertaining as the scenes shift throw different emotional paths, making you happy as “Simba” enjoys his new found life without worries then sad as “Pride Rock” suffers during that period of time of Simba’s absence. The bright colors made it a fun and memorable movie. Low-key lighting indicated a dark and evil side as Scar portrayed as his character in the movie.

c. How did this technique contribute to the theme?

The lighting brought a dark sense of fear and anxiety in the film as “Mufasa” showed Simba who was boss and the consequences of Simba disobeying him by wondering into the dangerous out skirts of the “Pride Land.”  This gave the film a natural effect. It took you through the stages of each scene. Some where the sun was rising giving natural light gave you more of  like a hopeful and better day for Simba. Others where the light was high-key, letting you know that trouble was arousing. It felt like you were actually experiencing the movie yourself. Taking your mind through an emotional roller coaster.

d. How was the lighting technique suited to the genre of the film? For example, documentary films tend to rely on natural light as a way of creating an overall tone of authenticity.

The lighting was greatly suited for this film in a relative way. It fit the colorful and happy moments that all children go through. It showed them their own lives as being young with no worries and enjoying life as it comes along. The tone was magical as they looked up upon Simba as his father Mufasa ruler of “Pride Rock,” an idol and how SImba urged to one day grow up and become king like his father. The film gave children hope as the music took over the movie by it’s captivating tones to hold the children attention and have them in a joyous mood to want to dance and sing along.

e. Compare how the scene would play if different choices had been made.

If the scenes were all low-key, they wouldn’t be able to hold the majority audience in which happens to be children. When it comes to children bright colors and music is what keeps them calm and interested. If in different scenes there were not events within the lighting to put the effect of the moment into play then it would possibly confuse a lot of readers. You can’t have exciting things happening and you can barely see what’s going on or place a picture with the scene.

Resources:

http://collider.com/the-lion-king-3d-conversion-images/

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circle_of_Life

“The Lion King”

Title: “The Lion King

Writer: Irene Mecchi

Johnathan Roberts

Linda Wooverton

Director: Roger Allers

Rob Minoff

Year Released: 1994

Major Actors: Johnathan Taylor-Thomas

Matthew Broderick

James Earl Jones

Jeremy Irons

Moira Kelly

Story: This 1994 film is about a young immature cub (Simba) who wants nothing but to accomplish everything that his father (Mufasa) has accomplished, to be King of “Pride Land.” After his father’s sudden death, he finally gets that chance to grow up and take the throne. His evil uncle (Scar) has a different agenda. To get rid of the pre-destined cub to take over “Pride Land” himself. So he scares Simba away from the land with a plot driven out by the Hyenas’ to kill him. Simba escapes and runs away to start a new life. Leaving Scar in charge. As he becomes an adult, with the help of other animals he gains courage to return to “Pride Rock” where he belongs and fight to the death to protect his family and pride.

Plot: This epic adventure “The Lion King” follows the story of a young cub named Simba. Immature and struggling to accept life’s responsibilities of adulthood, until his father teaches him about the “Circle of Life.” Simba then knew that he was destined to become king. Mimicked by his father Mufasa king of “Pride Rock.”  Although, his uncle Scar hopes that day will never come, Scar schemes a vicious plot to assure that he recovers that territory next as king. Causing a wildebeest stampede heeded to kill Mufasa. Labeling it as an accidental death caused by Mufasa’s own son Simba. Then convinces his hyena henchmen to do his dirty work to kill off the young prince who would then take over the king land. Chasing Simba away after the fail of killing him to send him a message to never return. Simba disappears, hoping to leave his past behind him.

He spends his days prancing and fooling around enjoying nature. That cause the young cub Simba to bond with other animals. Odd couple Timon and Puma who adopts him. With their guidance they teach him to live by the attitude “Hakuna Matata” living life with no worries. During his adventure and growth, Simba gets the chance to bond spiritually with his deceased father “Mufasa.” Mufasa warns Simba to go back to protect “Pride Rock.” His decision isn’t quite official until, Simba meets his childhood friend “Nala.” Nala tells him about hard times and their suffering due to the hands of the beast Scar and his reign. When Simba wishes to return and take his place as king with the help of monkey “Rafiki” a wise Shaman baboon. He realizes that he must accept responsibilities as the destiny role of king.

3. Discuss whether your film is presented chronologically or non-linearly. In your discussion, address the following:
4. How did this aesthetic choice contribute to the general effect on the audience?

Chronology:

This film shows Simba’s life as a young naïve cub who progressed into a mature adult Lion. More knowledgeable about life and no longer scared to face his deceiving uncle. The events bring a sentimental moment to the Pride and the readers as Simba returns to fight for “Pride Rock’ to become king.

This aesthic choice contributed to general effects on the audience because it portrays the beauty and art of nature. How one cub faces his fears to accomplish something that he has onced ran from but gained the courage to fight to take back over something that he was destined to become “King.”

1. How are elements like character development or foreshadowing impacted by the choice of storytelling methods?

It helps move the readers a long as they watch them progress, facing trials and tribulations. It leaves a long lasting impression after the movie, that even when you are scared of something the only way to overcome your fears is to face them head on. That is what Simba did. He fought Mufasa and ended up with a victory.

1. If the film had followed a different presentation style, how would the general effect on the audience have been different?

If the film followed a different path it could have either confused the readers and give them an bad impression or made them think differently about the movie because the protagonist was who the readers were hoping for a victory and to have the antagonist take over for good may had given the readers a disappointing theory on how the movie was portrayed.

 

 

Resources:

Uploaded on Mar 29, 2009 Directed by: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff

Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4sj1MT05lAA

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110357/

June 6, 2015