Carringer

In discussing art design, I thought it was cool that after sketches were approved for a set design little models of the set would be made to imitate what it would look like. This is similar to architects having models of their newest development plans. The pictures shown added insight to exactly what was being discussed and further allowed me to visualize the art process of creating a film set. Also interesting was the way in which certain artistic decisions were made to emanate a certain theme or feeling of a scene (specific example of the great hall stair case.) When discussing the photographic approach, we learn that the principal elements included deep focus, long takes, high contrast lighting, low angle camera set ups and dissolves, depth of field effects, and shooting directly into lights. I am glad that while reading that I am able to envision each of these elements due to knowledge attained in this class.
I found it interesting when Carringer discusses the roadblocks and compromises Welles had to make when producing the remake of Heart Of Darkness-Specifically discussing the character role of Marlowe. I found it informative to learn that because of a limited budget, Citizan Cane utilized more special effects than most other Hollywood films- I would normally assume the opposite for a limited budget. The first example given is indicative of the forced nature of special effects to keep film costs down. The example was of the shots in madison sq garden where on the speakers platform is the live action set and the giant hall and audience are painted in. Interestingly so, beyond cost efficiency, Welles actually had a fondness for the use of special effects which was one reason the finished product of the film took so long- Welles kept wanting to add effects to certain scenes. I enjoyed reading about the connection of Welles background in radio and the influence this had on the sound in Citizen Cane. Throughout the film “flashy” sound effects are used and apparently not by accident. The break down of the “most celebrated piece of editing in the film” showed the interworking of dialogue and image and the subtle nature of it all together. What may look so simple to viewers could take editors unimaginably long time to finish.
The scandal and controversy surrounding Mankiewicz work with Welles is fascinating. Along side his drinking problem, Mankiewics worked in an isolated setting with the help of Houseman assisting him and keeping him away from trouble. Scandal arose when the first draft of “American” had striking similarities to Imperial Hearst. Clearly an agreement was made because by the second draft huge chunks were changed to lessen such similarities. The final controversy discussed was also brought up in the beginning of the first reading- credits. Welles intentions to take sole responsibility for the script did not sit well with most. When Mankiewicz’s name was going to be listed first on the credits, this was immediately changed due to the agreement the two men had prior to the work beginning.
Overall all of the readings were extremely information and provided great insight into all of the work that went into producing the final product of Citizen Cane. It is always interesting and helpful to be reminded of the many steps often forgotten in the production of a film and all of the reading reminded us of just that.