Kubrick's films often feature wide-angle shots but extreme-close ups of the characters going through deeply emotional conflict are distinctive Kubrick technique. These characters tilt their head down and stare towards the camera. this technique is even called 'the Kubrick stare'. Kubrick uses this shot in order to both make the audience uncomfortable and also to help the viewers to identify with the characters' emotions. It is also to draw the audience into the film by breaking the 'fourth wall'. Just as Shakespear's characters can address the audience directly such as the chorus line in 'Romeo and Juliet', Kubrick's can entice, or rather force, viewers to become part of the film. They cannot just watch passively as the characters can see them personally.
Many other directors use close-ups as an establishing sequence as the shot suggests as main character or a sequence of shots establishes a point of view, as well as reaction. But Kubrick has made this camera technique his own.
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Color Me Kubrick #3: Location
Another technique Kubrick uses is a repetition of location. All his movies feature a scene in or just outside of the bathroom as well as corridors and halls. the camera tracks down the symmetrical halls. these are the examples below.
This is a scene from 'Full Metal jacket', a film that shows over-the-top training that Marines depicted in the film go through. The scene depicts Pvt. Pyle's 'major malufunction' after being mistreated by many other marines and drill sergeant. It shows what Kubrick is trying to say: when man is pushed too far, the man tends to overload. And the scene is set in the bathroom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_Xek7IQhlw. That scene showed one of the Kubrick's trademark where he shows the film's violent and shocking scenes in the bathrooms.
the next scene is extract from 'The Shinning' which i will not spoil it for you but you'll have to see it for yourself to understand. : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFVyAjj3Bs0
The scene you just saw was set in the hallway with parallel and symmetrical walls. This close-tracking through the architecture leads the audience into feelings of claustrphobia and disorientation, as the close walls all look alike. Anticipation is also built. What will be at the end of the lengthy hallways?
This is a scene from 'Full Metal jacket', a film that shows over-the-top training that Marines depicted in the film go through. The scene depicts Pvt. Pyle's 'major malufunction' after being mistreated by many other marines and drill sergeant. It shows what Kubrick is trying to say: when man is pushed too far, the man tends to overload. And the scene is set in the bathroom: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_Xek7IQhlw. That scene showed one of the Kubrick's trademark where he shows the film's violent and shocking scenes in the bathrooms.
the next scene is extract from 'The Shinning' which i will not spoil it for you but you'll have to see it for yourself to understand. : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jFVyAjj3Bs0
The scene you just saw was set in the hallway with parallel and symmetrical walls. This close-tracking through the architecture leads the audience into feelings of claustrphobia and disorientation, as the close walls all look alike. Anticipation is also built. What will be at the end of the lengthy hallways?
Colour Me Kubrick #2: Music
Stanley Kubrick is a director with a very distinctive style. He is one of the few directors to almost exclusively use classical music in his soundtracks. This has the effect of making his movies timeless. They are not just fashion, they transend it.
On the other hand, the soundtracks are also used ironically. Most of the time, Kubrick uses the song that is very inappropriate for the scene. the juxtaposition beween the classical opening to a future sceince fiction movie as used in '2001' is obvious as is the jarring use of 'Singing in the Rain' in the disturbing break-in scene in Clockwork Orange.
This is the end scene of Dr. Strangelove where the nukes go off around the planet and the song 'We'll Meet Again' is being played in the background. See how it contrasts the depressing mood the scene shows while the song plays.
Dr Strangelove: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEi8Mj6WDKM
This scene is from 'Clockwork Orange'. Pay attention to the song that one of the intruders is singing while performing some shocking acts. Beware, the video you're about to see is very disturbing.
Clockwork Orange (NSWF): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faML0QvVb2A
This disorientation between the action on the screen and the digestic soundtrack makes the audience feel anxious, even queasy, while giving an insight into the mentality of those commiting the abuse. Just like the break-in scene, Kubrick is showing how those criminals view their actions, as if they were treating it like one of their casual playing times.
On the other hand, the soundtracks are also used ironically. Most of the time, Kubrick uses the song that is very inappropriate for the scene. the juxtaposition beween the classical opening to a future sceince fiction movie as used in '2001' is obvious as is the jarring use of 'Singing in the Rain' in the disturbing break-in scene in Clockwork Orange.
This is the end scene of Dr. Strangelove where the nukes go off around the planet and the song 'We'll Meet Again' is being played in the background. See how it contrasts the depressing mood the scene shows while the song plays.
Dr Strangelove: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEi8Mj6WDKM
This scene is from 'Clockwork Orange'. Pay attention to the song that one of the intruders is singing while performing some shocking acts. Beware, the video you're about to see is very disturbing.
Clockwork Orange (NSWF): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=faML0QvVb2A
This disorientation between the action on the screen and the digestic soundtrack makes the audience feel anxious, even queasy, while giving an insight into the mentality of those commiting the abuse. Just like the break-in scene, Kubrick is showing how those criminals view their actions, as if they were treating it like one of their casual playing times.
Colour Me Kubrick #1: Who is Kubrick
Stanley Kubrick is the very man on the title board. In the photo, Kubrick was experimenting with the Leica Camera while he was just a photographer for the magazine Look. Take a good look at the picture, as it will be the indication of what Kubrick's style are going to like; strange and unique.
The films I am going to use in this seminar will include:
-Dr. Strangelove (or how i learned to stop worrying and love the bomb)
-2001 Space Odyssey
-A Clockwork Orange
-The Shining
and Full Metal Jacket.
The films I am going to use in this seminar will include:
-Dr. Strangelove (or how i learned to stop worrying and love the bomb)
-2001 Space Odyssey
-A Clockwork Orange
-The Shining
and Full Metal Jacket.
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