Cast of Lion King

The film I selected for this week’s blog is the Lion King. This film has multiple actors they continue to produce and land leading roles in the majority of films today. The three actors I selected for this film are James Earl Jones, Matthew Broderick and Whoopi Goldberg. The first actor I will discuss is James Earl Jones, in my personal opinion can be categorized as a “Personality Actors.” These types of actors are having distinctive personalities that manage to click with audiences often wind up playing similar characters in film after film (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2011). More than an actor he has one of the greatest instantaneously familiar voices in entertainment history, Mr. James Earl Jones is one of America’s most renowned and multipurpose actors. I believe he is best recognized by many people as the voice of Darth Vader in Star Wars or as the voice of Mufasa and CNN, Jones has led a decades-old career encompassing movie, television, and the stage (IMDb, 1994). His voice demands respect and the roles his played have shown that he’s more than capable of handling the characters whether animated or fantasy.

Next, up for discussion is Whoopi Goldberg I could categorize her as a “Star” this is a distinctive screen persona, who is well–known and popular with the movie going public, often to the point that some avid movie fans become deeply curious about the actor’s private life (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2011). She also starred in the Lion King as the voice of Shenzi. The reason why I classified her as this is because she’s played roles in both comedy and dramatic roles for over 20 years. She has diversified herself today as the co-host of the The View a daily talk show. She is known as a vocal individual that has made comments from Michael Vick’s dogfighting conviction to fighting for equal rights while being a supporter of the United Nations Children’s Fund (IMDb, 1994).

The last actor is Matthew Broderick, voice of Simba in the Lion King. He is mostly known from films like Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, Wonderful World and The Cable Guy starring Jim Carrey. I would place him in the “Wild Card” category this is an actor who is difficult to classify as one certain type, often because he or she can play a wide variety of characters equally well without becoming typecast (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2011). This actor has played roles as himself for the past two films to playing a Colonel in the film Glory (IMDb, 1994).

I would place Whoopi Goldberg in the same category although she is much respected actor her off the screen briefs makes the public more curious. The woman without eyebrows has been a supporter of guys and lesbian community while many people in society question her sexuality they cannot question how gifted and talented she has remained through these many years.

References

Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2011). Film: From watching to seeing. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
IMDb. (1994). Whoopi Goldberg. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000155/
IMDb. (1994). Matthew Broderick. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000111/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1
IMDb. (1994). James Earl Jones. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000469/?ref_=fn_al_nm_1

Lion King – Just can’t wait to be King

The sound of film is very important to the value of film. I will take a look at the three basic categories of film sound, dialogue, sound effects and music. First, let’s talk a look at dialogue, which refers to the way the character conversant to each other in the movies. The purpose of dialogue is to establish very quickly important information the audience needs to know to understand the action (e.g., names, locations, dates, motivations, backstory) (Goodykoontz & Jacobs, 2011). Next, sound effects are recorded or customized sounds or cues that assist us tell a story. In my opinion it can also set the mood and bring together key elements of the plot. Lastly, I will examine music this can aid numerous purposes that are either vital on the expressive side of the film or support and boost the storytelling which included songs from songwriter Elton John. It’s not only supportive but needed for any director/producer to retain the music in mind when development and filming the movie.

I will now talk about how these categories were used in the Lion King movie. I used I just can’t wait to be king scene for my observation. I believe the music and sounds both complimented each other it helped with the movement of the animals on their journey, the sense of enthusiasm and atmosphere. The sounds I heard were the slashing of watering and animals running through it. The music was symbolic to a celebration with the sounds of drums and horns, similar to the tribal music heard in Africa with an overall happy mood setting. I would characterize the effects in this film realistic as it relates to animation and the sound effects were done very tasteful I heard the sounds of music, birds flying along and animals running. I felt the sound of the choir harmonizing painted cues of a peaceful place.

I don’t think the scene would play differently if I changed or removed a key category of sound. Because the scene provided brilliant colors and the scene had high quality. For example, the images of the fiery sunrises and thriving green jungles increase the beauty of the Pride Lands; although the sound aided with the development of the film this scene it would not hurt my overall impression of the film.

Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2011). Film: From watching to seeing. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

Django Unchained

I count six shots scene django unchained

The film I chose this week was Django Unchained produced by Quentin Tarantino. I believe this movie can provide the best example of mise en scène. This is describe as the physical things we see in a scene, including setting, props, costumes, actors, makeup, lighting, colors–anything that would be on the set before the camera is even brought in (Goodykoontz, 2011). I believe Django Unchained provided the best combination of all three lighting configuration traditional three-point, high-key, or low-key to make this movie successful.

What are the benefits of the style of lighting used? In this particular scene the family has just returned back to Candyland from the funeral and to the surprise Django played by Jamiee Foxx was there waiting upstairs in the darkness. For this scene the use of high contrast between light and dark highlights the “boldness” of him standing which increases the drama and the audience is on the edge because that know something is about to occur.

How did this technique contribute to the theme? I believe it can contribute emotionally especially the colors used during filming. For example, cool colors are linked with unfriendliness and fighting. During scenes while warm colors are connected to romance. For example, the value of light is very important its capture the hardness or softness. This film incorporated scenes of slavery, but it had the feel of a county western feel. So, it’s key to hit the dark shadows with razor-sharp edges, while a soft quality displayed lighter and subtle shadows.
How was the lighting technique suited to the genre of the film? You can take contemporary equipment and new school ideas, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that your work is going to be any better. In fact, your work could become worse. How often have we heard that with digital, you don’t have to light anymore? That’s not true. You need to light and shape the light because the element of light remains a contributor to the story. Why give that up? It’s absurd” (Willis, 2013).

Compare how the scene would play if different choices had been made. The Candyland house scene it would be difficult to have the gun fighting scene utilizing high-key lighting. I believe the use of multiple lights for this particular scene would have taken away from the effect of the shadows.

Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2011). Film: From watching to seeing. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

Willis, G. (2013). ‘Django Unchained’: Old School Filmmaking That Doesn’t Look Old School. Retrieved from http://www.creativeplanetnetwork.com/digital-cinematography/news/django-unchained-old-school-filmmaking-doesnt-look-old-school/61362

Django Unchained final scene

Final scene at Candyland.

The Lion King – Scar and Mufasa (English) HD

Lion King
Screenplay: Jonathan Roberts, Linda Woolverton, Irene Mecchi
Directors: Rob Minkoff, Roger Allers
Major Actors: Matthew Broderick, James Earl Jones, Jeremy Irons, Jonathan Taylor Thomas
Released: June 15, 1994

One of my favorite movies of all time is the Lion King. I decide to do my Final Film Critique on this wonderful firm that has been around for 10 years. The Lion King takes place in the Pride Lands, an area where the lion is king of all animals. But in this area there is one ruler, one king his name is King Mufasa. As time passes in the film the King and Queen Srabi give birth to a newborn cub named Sambi who will be the next heir of the throne. In the video you notice that Mufasa’s younger brother, Scar waste know time telling Mufasa his feeling about the next heir (Minkoff & Allers, 1994). As the story builds Scar was able to get Mufasa alone on a steep cliff where he would fall to his timely death (IMDb, 1994). Scar convinces Sambi that he was responsible for the death of his father and suggests Simba should depart the kingdom. As the young cub walks alone in the jungle he meets up with two friendly individual friends Timon and Pumbaa that helped the young cub along the way and provided words of wisdom. Later as Simbi grows older an image of his father appears and tells Simbi he must reclaim his throne and defeat the evil Scar (IMDb, 1994).

Was the films presented chronologically or non-linearly? The Lion King was presented chronologically the events started from the day Simba was presented to the gathering of animals at the Pride Rock as the heir. Followed by Mufasa’s death and Scar false claim of killing Sambi also thus making him the King by default. Later Simba confronts Scar who admits to killing Mufasa, who is then told to leave Pride Land by Simba but not before trying to attack Simba.

How did this aesthetic choice contribute to the general effect on the audience? Since the film was animated you could associate the moods and characters by the shapes, colors and lines. For example the cave scene between Scar and Mufasa the setting utilized dark colors signifying danger or evil. Then you had the parrot (Zazu) who was had beautiful bright colors representing the righteous.

How are elements like character development or foreshadowing impacted by the choice of storytelling methods? When using chronological order in the movie I believe the character change is very important. It helps the character(s) from one phase of their life to the next phase. For example foreshadowing helps by giving suggestions or indications to what is going to happen.

If the film had followed a different presentation style, how would the general effect on the audience have been different? I believe that if the Lion King was presented non-linearly it would give the movie more spice, by mixing the structure it would keep the audience glued to the seat throughout the movie.

References

IMDb. (1994). The Lion King. Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0110357

Minkoff, R. & Scar’s ConfessionAllers, R. (1994, June) The Lion King – Scar and Mufasa (English) HD. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8wgXRNYcPM