Technical aspects of cinematography the godfather francis. This is also the day that michael corleones family discovers that. In the film the godfather, you actually get a combination of lighting styles of lowkey and highkey. Part ii involves certainly one of the most amazing uses of photography and lighting in the movie history. They say great movies should have a minimum of three great scenes and zero flaws well, if thats the criteria, the godfather has surpassed it in spades. The godfather is simply more than just a mafia film in my opinion. In those films, restraint in acting matches the understated exertion of power by the filmmakers who were confident in it. The godfather part ii scene analysis the peopling of new. The godfather, american gangster epic film, released in 1972, that was adapted from the 1969 bestselling novel by mario puzo and has been regarded as a masterpiece since its release. The godfather is arguably one of the greatest movies ever made. This scene utilizes the editing technique known as crosscutting, or parallel editing. The central objective story concern of obtaining is to obtain a new head of the families, a new godfather. Sep 28, 2016 keep these classic techniques in mind before you set out to make the next great horror film.
Willis and coppola worked together on all three godfather films. No scene in the godfather is more famous, editingwise, than the baptism scene the films bravura climax. Remembering the work of the late gordon willis, who changed modern cinematography forever with the way he shot the godfather. At godfather films we are 100% committed to the highest standards in technical quality by constantly investing in the latest high definition cameras and building our own high speed editing computers. The godfather baptism scene eng 2300 film analysis. Not only is the film untainted by any poor scenes, the number of sensational ones are nearly countless. One of the scenes that makes it so great, is the famous climatic scene.
Coppolawillis were not afraid at all of static shots. Lowkey lighting is often used for intense dramatic scenes, horror films, mystery thrillers, and the like. This scene utilizes the editing technique known as. The godfather is one of cinemas greatest films and also apart of one of cinemas greatest sagas. And we should remember that in its day it was the most successful film. The godfather miseenscene there are many techniques used for the film the godfather 1972, and to relate the techniques for the mise en scene is that for the starting of the film, there is a man speaking kind of like the narrator, and how it introduces the man speaking is in a low key lighting method. In the film godfather for instance, the producer uses this technique to bring out lively three dimensional images through employment of specific lightsetups based on the paintings on the light and shadow already in hand. Many scenes in the godfatherconnie and carlos wedding, the baptism and assassination montageare full of selfconscious bravura, but its the quieter, shorter scenes that lend the film its emotional depth and narrative intrigue. The first technique used makes the audience feel as they apart of this scene of the movie. But dont ever take sides with anyone against the family again.
Jul 24, 2014 in the film the godfather, you actually get a combination of lighting styles of lowkey and highkey. Live cinema and its techniques blends elements of coppolas autobiography. Filming the light and dark side of the godfather by david konow on aug. Jan 11, 2018 for noncommercial purpose and for the only purpose of completing assignment, for which it is one of the requirement in completing the subjectaudio and video in multimedia tdmm 2083, the movie. Some of the lighting techniques used in the classic godfather was lowkey lighting. The godfathers version of the mafia is an oldschool, european, semifeudal organization. It is the first installment in the godfather trilogy. But willis cinematography was a bold step forward, changing the look of movies forever. At first sight, the godfather seems like a crime picture or a gangster movie. It is a story about a complex family, fathers and sons, human nature, and the thirst for power and respect.
The film is a classic, and at one point was the highest grossing film in american history. How editing affects the meaning of a scene the godfather. People also come to the godfather to obtain favors, and it is his concern to obtain ways to grant these favors. Check it out sometime and pay particular attention to how many camera moves there are. That technique or that approach to the movie visually just came out of a. The godfather, directed by francis coppola follows a family deeply entangled in the new york organized crime world. Francis ford coppolas the godfather is a masterpiece of film. Cinematic techniques critical studies hsc english prime. Jan 31, 2012 the godfather effect looks at how the film saga portrays italianamericans and what that has meant to author tom santopietro, the film industry and the country. One technique that coppola used while directing the godfather is to have background characters quickly pass in front of the camera fast enough so the audience doesnt get distracted, but for the audience to feel as they are in the scene. Crafting together a memorable horror movie that stands the test of time is a feat not many directors can pull off. Francis coppolas, the godfather, is a film that is known for its dark lighting, often only lighting half of a characters face, a critical component in chiaroscuro.
Nov 03, 2017 the godfather is arguably one of the greatest movies ever made. Technical aspects of cinematography the godfather francis ford. Interestingly, no one in the mafia called the head don of a family. With marlon brando, al pacino, james caan, diane keaton. Low key lighting technique is a style of lighting where the overpowering use of dark shades, shadows, or deep black tones is prevalent or strong as contrasted to lig.
Willis had shot several films before the godfather, including loving. In this video, ive given my perspective on the lighting techniques used in the godfather movies. Meanwhile, vitos oldest son sonny takes over the family and. We learn how he got, say, the actors of the legendary godfather film together for a meal to get to each other. A camera shot is the amount of space that is seen in one shot or frame. Btw this filmmaker also made the popular vietnam warthemed film apocalypse now. Oct 20, 2010 at first sight, the godfather seems like a crime picture or a gangster movie. It is due to this that i have been looking forward to. Here is a very nice interview with gordon willis on his work on the godfather. And we should remember that in its day it was the most successful film there had ever been, as well as winner of the. The godfather baptism scene posted on october 6, 20 by wesleyaldridge the scene begins with a long focal length establishing shot showing a crowd of. I use that word to evoke its dependence on the script, and its usefulness in conveying the scripts. The final scenes of the godfather part ii are quite interesting, especially in the camera techniques used. Aug 08, 20 the paradox of coppolas pursuit of style is that it was designed for maximum legibility.
Francis ford coppola director profile senses of cinema. Sollozzo, sonny, the don, barzini, and all the other mafioso are trying to obtain more power during this time of disruption. This movie has everything from great action scenes to world famous actors. The featurelength film was directed by francis ford coppola and based upon mario puzos novel of the same name. Our team regularly participates in film making conventions. Its creative cinematography, haunting score, and unforgettable performances by such actors as marlon brando and al pacino made. Classic horror film techniques the shutterstock blog. Perfect for acing essays, tests, and quizzes, as well as for writing lesson plans. Francis ford coppolas the godfather was written and rewritten in the editing room by a total of six editors, only two of whom, william reynolds and peter zinner, were credited. How gordon willis used darkness to illuminate the godfather. Furthermore you can also see throughout the movie where you have scenes that incorporate a so called middle ground between the two. The following analysis reveals a comprehensive look at the storyform for the godfather.
In the godfather, director francis ford coppola introduces the lead character michael corleone in the most curious of ways. Last time i watched this movie i was struck by how few camera moves and tracking shots there were. From the marvelous opening of the film, where we meet marlon brandos don vito corleone, to the final scene of his son michaels ascension to. The godfather is told entirely within a closed world. The story by mario puzo and francis ford coppola is a brilliant conjuring act, inviting us to consider the mafia entirely on its own terms. What lighting techniques were used for shooting the godfather. Nov 29, 2011 filming techniques in francis ford coppolas the godfather, he decides to use many filming techniques. An extreme long shot contains a large amount of landscape. This makes it a difficult task to consider, particularly when the audience either is a general moviegoer or a specialized audience. They dont use american democracy or the legal system to solve their problems. Support was provided by cals art of writing and digital humanities programs. Don vito corleone marlon brando emerges as a sympathetic and even admirable character. Unlike most of the analysis found herewhich simply lists the unique individual story appreciationsthis indepth study details the actual encoding for each structural item.
There is an intensive choice of proper lighting setup which visually brings out the dramatic intention of the story and actors. The first time i viewed the godfather i was in my early teens and it was the most astounding film i had ever seen, and has since then stood as my alltime favourite film. Camera shots are used to introduce the setting, themes and characters of cinematic techniques. The godfather may have been francis ford coppolas magnum opus, but. The cinematography of the godfather part ii involves. Before willis shot the godfather, movies were vastly overlit so they could be seen in the driveins and not disappear into the dark of the night. The film features an ensemble cast including marlon brando, al pacino, james caan, richard castellano, robert duvall, sterling hayden, john marley, richard conte.
Late in the godfather, when vito corleone collapses to the ground and his. Camera technique scene analysis in the godfather part ii, directed by francis ford coppola, there is a scene during which michael corleones sister connie pleads with michael to make amends with his brother fredo for fredos sake, since their mother has just died and fredo is so sweet and helpless without michael. Despite don corleone having been in america since he was 9 years old, many of the rules and rituals of the organized crime. In a flashback, the corleone family is seated at the dinner table ready to celebrate vitos birthday. Staying true to merriamwebsters definition, the godfather is a supreme artistic achievement. Francis ford coppola directed the gangster crime drama film, the godfather 1972, inspired by the novel of the same name, written by author mario puzo. The american film institute afi has the godfather listed at number two in 2008 as one of the greatest films in american culture today. The paradox of coppolas pursuit of style is that it was designed for maximum legibility. This is my final project for my 4th semester subject in college, film studies. Because of the godfather, studios actually had to make two sets of prints, a lighter one for driveins, and a darker one for theaters.
Coppolas biggest struggle, editwise, was to reduce the film to a. In parallel editing, two or more scenes are woven together. What comes to mind when a person would name good movies. All in all, thesoundtracks used in the film correctly highlight the mood in a variety of its scenes. In conclusion, it is evident that the unique camera techniques, lighting and cinematography employed in the godfather film have greatly contributed to its status as one of the greatest gangster movies ever produced. Below are some examples of the lighting technique in cinema. As you can see, there is low key lighting for the rest of the room. The godfather is hailed as one of the greatest american.
Week 2 the godfather lighting techniques kylebournerblog. The godfather effect looks at how the film saga portrays italianamericans and what that has meant to author tom santopietro, the film industry and the country. And we should remember that in its day it was the most successful. The filming techniques used in this movie all boils down to the angles which coppola uses, the improvision which was used in this movie to add to the depth and diversity of the acting, and the score by nino rota and ennio morricone who composed the signature godfather theme. From the novel adaptation, created by mario puzo, francis ford coppalas. A summary of editing in francis ford coppolas the godfather trilogy. Low key lighting design looks dark overall by comparison. It seems in the past decade weve gotten some pretty lazy, ineffective horror films to be released that never make a lasting impression. Filming the light and dark side of the godfather tested. In conclusion, it is evident that the unique camera techniques, lighting and cinematography employed in the godfather film have greatly contributed to its status as one of. Because of the godfather, studios actually had to make two sets. The films scenario was taken from mario puzos novel with the same title the godfather.
Sign up to our email newsletter for updates on new videos, fun film. In most the film low key lighting was captured to make the viewer key in and listen. No scene in the godfather is more famous, editingwise, than the baptism scenethe films bravura climax. In francis ford coppolas the godfather, he decides to use many filming techniques. Anatomy of a film is a digital project that emerged from the seventies, a 45person undergraduate lecture course taught by scott saul at uc berkeley in spring 2018. Thats why we sympathize with characters who are essentially evil. This also means it has been incorporated into the dramatica story expert application itself as an easily referenced contextual example. The godfather single camera techniques 24 march, 1972 figure 1 lighting figure 2 lighting again, the light is majorly shining onto brando, showing his importance and radiating his power. It is often used at the beginning of a scene or a film to establish general location setting. The film effectively reintroduced such high contrast lighting back into american mainstream cinema. Learn exactly what happened in this chapter, scene, or section of the godfather trilogy and what it means. One of the impressive scenes of the film is the opening scene which had a profound affect on me and made me watch the movie till the end.
This provided benefit because it gives you a sense of empowerment. The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers control of his clandestine empire to his reluctant son. Though technology has contributed a lot in film making, it lacks the ability to make a superior artistic impression. Mar 28, 2014 the godfather miseenscene there are many techniques used for the film the godfather 1972, and to relate the techniques for the mise en scene is that for the starting of the film, there is a man speaking kind of like the narrator, and how it introduces the man speaking is in a low key lighting method. The godfather film brings out the chiaroscuro technique analysis throughout the film. A film is written thrice in preproduction through screenwriting, in production through shooting, and in postproduction through editing. The godfather is a 1972 american crime film directed by francis ford coppola who cowrote the screenplay with mario puzo, based on puzos bestselling 1969 novel of the same name. Analysis of the movie the godfather 1463 words bartleby. In this column, film scholar bruce isaacs looks at a single sequence from a classic film and analyses its brilliance. I promise that you wont regret it, even if the running time is three hours in total. The film plays out in the beginning how don corleone declined to join the narcotics business with notorious drug lord sollozzo. Have an open mind and see this film if you get the chance.
Its creative cinematography, haunting score, and unforgettable performances by such actors as marlon brando and al pacino made the multigenerational saga an. To emphasize the dark and evil atmosphere throughout the movie, coppola manages to shoot most of the scenes under very dark lighting and with blurry focus. During the wedding reception, michael corleone was having a. Coppola explores the roots of the corleone family much more in the godfather, part ii, but it is clear from the beginning of the film that sicilian tradition is important in both the corleones business and in the family. The plot begins with don vito corleone declining an offer to join in the narcotics business with notorious drug lord virgil sollozzo, which leads to an assassination attempt. As a phrase, it is ubiquitous and vague and because of the significant variety in movies over the years. The godfather became, up to that point, the highest grossing film of all time it was toppled by jaws three years later and coppola brought the gangster film, one of the oldest and most popular genres in hollywood, to new heights. The corleones are in america, the new world, but theyre relying on old world methods. In the godfather part ii, directed by francis ford coppola, there is a scene during which michael corleones sister connie pleads with michael to make amends with his brother fredo for fredos sake, since their mother has just died and fredo is so sweet and helpless without michael the godfather part ii. The aging patriarch of an organized crime dynasty transfers. There is an intensive choice of proper lighting setup which visually brings out the dramatic intention of. The godfather is a kind of puppetmaster tootrying to pull strings that other people are holding this is depicted in the logo for the films title, where a hand pulls marionette strings attached to the words. May 03, 2012 the godfather became, up to that point, the highest grossing film of all time it was toppled by jaws three years later and coppola brought the gangster film, one of the oldest and most popular genres in hollywood, to new heights. There are so many iconic scenes from this mafia saga, but.