Martin Scorsese uses flashbacks quite a lot in his films. He uses them when someone is remembering something important or when someone is discussing something and it flashes back to help the viewer remember that particular scene.
Scorsese also uses flash forwards in some of his films. He does this in Gangs of New York. At the start of the movie there is a big brawl between the Irish gang and the Native gang. A young boy's dad is killed. The boy runs away and hides. the movie flash forwards from 1846 to 1860. The young boy is now out to get the man that killed his father.
One of his more noticeable trademarks is how he begins his movies with segments taken from the middle or end of the movie. For example in GoodFellas, the opening scene is 3 mobsters shooting and stabbing a half-dead man in their car boot. It then flashes back to when the 3 mobsters were young boys. The story carries on from when the boys are young and eventually we see the scene where the 3 mobsters are killing the man in the car boot again. This technique shows how the movie progresses to that scene. The scene at the start of the movie that we eventually see again is a very important scene in the movie, the man the 3 mobsters killed was another mob leader. this sparked a gang war. This technique adds interest to Scorsese's films.
Friday, April 16, 2010
Element 2 - Music
Martin Scorsese uses music to good effect. He uses the same type of music for the same people throughout the movies, e.g. when the Irish mob in The Departed are committing a crime, Scorsese uses the same Irish music every time they are committing a crime.
He also uses traditional music techniques in his films. He uses dark, fast rock music music when the massive gang fight happens in Gangs of New York. He uses different music speeds, sometimes the music is very fast paced and gets louder, this provides extra tension to set the scene.
Scorsese uses diegetic music throughout the movies. For example in Gangs of New York, when the mobsters are in the bar the music is coming from people playing instruments on the stage. He uses diegetic music a lot especially during celebrations in the movie.
From the first scene of Gangs of New York, you can tell that it is set many years ago because of the type of music that is playing. He used old classical jazz in the first scene.
At times Scorsese stops the music instantly. For example when there is a rapid cut to another scene, or when somebody is shot or killed. Scorsese uses this technique in The Departed when the 'rat' is shot execution style (in the head). The music stops as soon as the gun is fired. All we hear is the body hitting the floor. The killer stands still, starring at the dead body in absolute silence. Scorsese music to good effect in his films.
This video shows how Scorsese uses music, in this scene the music starts of slow and almost seems calm, but increases pace and volume as the battle escalates. The music is fast paced rock music.
When the gang leader stabs the rival gang leader, the music slows down. When the body hits the ground, the music stops. He uses music to indicate that someone has died. When the person dies the music stops.
He also uses traditional music techniques in his films. He uses dark, fast rock music music when the massive gang fight happens in Gangs of New York. He uses different music speeds, sometimes the music is very fast paced and gets louder, this provides extra tension to set the scene.
Scorsese uses diegetic music throughout the movies. For example in Gangs of New York, when the mobsters are in the bar the music is coming from people playing instruments on the stage. He uses diegetic music a lot especially during celebrations in the movie.
From the first scene of Gangs of New York, you can tell that it is set many years ago because of the type of music that is playing. He used old classical jazz in the first scene.
At times Scorsese stops the music instantly. For example when there is a rapid cut to another scene, or when somebody is shot or killed. Scorsese uses this technique in The Departed when the 'rat' is shot execution style (in the head). The music stops as soon as the gun is fired. All we hear is the body hitting the floor. The killer stands still, starring at the dead body in absolute silence. Scorsese music to good effect in his films.
This video shows how Scorsese uses music, in this scene the music starts of slow and almost seems calm, but increases pace and volume as the battle escalates. The music is fast paced rock music.
When the gang leader stabs the rival gang leader, the music slows down. When the body hits the ground, the music stops. He uses music to indicate that someone has died. When the person dies the music stops.
Element 1 - Setting
Martin Scorsese has made it a trademark in his films to have New York as the main setting. Even though The Departed is set in Boston, some of the filming was shot in New York. Scorsese was born in Brooklyn's, this could be a reason why he shoots his films in New York. Most of his movies are set back in different decades, varying from the present day, and back to the 1800's. In all 3 movies that i watched the main characters were all mobsters or gangsters. Scorsese shoots a lot of the films in pubs and bars. The pubs and bars varied in style because of the different era's the movies were set in. In Gangs of New York, the bars were considerably different compared to GoodFellas and The Departed. In Gangs of New York, the bar was a big, wooden building with live music and lots of people, in GoodFellas the pubs were much smaller, few people, very dark and had no music, in The Departed the bar/pub was very similar to GoodFellas, small, dark and few people in it, just the gangsters and mobsters.
A lot if the films were set in back alleys, roof tops and old abandoned buildings. Filming in these places helped to set the tone and atmosphere of the movies. A high percentage of the action happens in back alleys and old buildings, especially shootings and fights.
Scorsese uses long tracking shots at the start of many of his films to show the setting. These tracking shots give us an overlook of the city and how it is represented. He does this in Gangs Of New York, it shows us the olden day version of New York, the old buildings, the cobblestone roads and the different styles in that era.
Scorsese uses setting in a very interesting way, the places where he decides to shoot the films are perfect for the situation. This makes the films more interesting to watch.
This video shows setting in Gangs of New York. It shows how New York developed after the dark days in this movie.
A lot if the films were set in back alleys, roof tops and old abandoned buildings. Filming in these places helped to set the tone and atmosphere of the movies. A high percentage of the action happens in back alleys and old buildings, especially shootings and fights.
Scorsese uses long tracking shots at the start of many of his films to show the setting. These tracking shots give us an overlook of the city and how it is represented. He does this in Gangs Of New York, it shows us the olden day version of New York, the old buildings, the cobblestone roads and the different styles in that era.
Scorsese uses setting in a very interesting way, the places where he decides to shoot the films are perfect for the situation. This makes the films more interesting to watch.
This video shows setting in Gangs of New York. It shows how New York developed after the dark days in this movie.
Thursday, April 8, 2010
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Director Trademarks
Begins his films with segments taken from the middle or end of the story. Examples include Raging Bull (1980), Goodfellas (1990), Casino (1995), and The Last Waltz.
Frequent use of slow motion, e.g. Mean Streets (1973), Taxi Driver (1976), Raging Bull (1980). Also known for using freeze frame, such as the opening credits of The King of Comedy (1983), and throughout GoodFellas (1990).
His lead characters are often sociopaths and/or want to be accepted in society or a society.
His blonde leading ladies are usually seen through the eyes of the protagonist as angelic and ethereal; they wear white in their first scene and are photographed in slow-motion (Cybill Shepherd in Taxi Driver; Cathy Moriarty's white bikini in Raging Bull; Sharon Stone's white mini dress in Casino). This may possibly be a nod to director Alfred Hitchcock.
Often uses long tracking shots.
Use of MOS sequences set to popular music or voice over, often involving aggressive camera movement and/or rapid editing.
Often has a quick cameo in his films (Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, The King of Comedy, After Hours, The Last Temptation of Christ (albeit hidden under a hood), Casino,The Age of Innocence, Gangs of New York). Also, often contributes his voice to a film without showing his face on screen. He provides the opening voice-over narration in Mean Streets and The Colour of Money; plays the off-screen dressing room attendant in the final scene of Raging Bull; provides the voice of the unseen ambulance dispatcher in Bringing out the Dead.
Frequently uses New York City as the main setting in his films, e.g. Gangs of New York, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, The Age of Innocence, After Hours, New York, New York.
Sometimes highlights characters in a scene with an iris, an homage to 1920s silent film cinema (as most scenes at the time used this transition). This effect can be seen in Casino (it is used on Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci), Life Lessons, and The Departed (on Matt Damon). Iris is also the name of Jodie Foster's character in Taxi Driver.
Some of his films include references/allusions to classic Westerns, particularly Shane and The Searchers.
More recently, his films have featured corrupt authority figures, such as policemen in The Departed and politicians in Gangs of New York and The Aviator.
Guilt is a prominent theme in many of his films, as is the role of Catholicism in creating and dealing with guilt (Raging Bull, GoodFellas, Bringing Out the Dead, Mean Streets, Who's That Knocking at My Door, Shutter Island, etc.)
Slow motion flashbulbs and accented camera/flash/shutter sounds
Scorsese has been known to cast the same actors in his films, particularly Robert De Niro, who collaborated with Scorsese for nine films. Included are the three films that made the AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies list.
Before their deaths, Scorsese's parents, Charles and Catherine, would be given bit parts, walk-ons, or supporting roles.
Frequent use of slow motion, e.g. Mean Streets (1973), Taxi Driver (1976), Raging Bull (1980). Also known for using freeze frame, such as the opening credits of The King of Comedy (1983), and throughout GoodFellas (1990).
His lead characters are often sociopaths and/or want to be accepted in society or a society.
His blonde leading ladies are usually seen through the eyes of the protagonist as angelic and ethereal; they wear white in their first scene and are photographed in slow-motion (Cybill Shepherd in Taxi Driver; Cathy Moriarty's white bikini in Raging Bull; Sharon Stone's white mini dress in Casino). This may possibly be a nod to director Alfred Hitchcock.
Often uses long tracking shots.
Use of MOS sequences set to popular music or voice over, often involving aggressive camera movement and/or rapid editing.
Often has a quick cameo in his films (Mean Streets, Taxi Driver, The King of Comedy, After Hours, The Last Temptation of Christ (albeit hidden under a hood), Casino,The Age of Innocence, Gangs of New York). Also, often contributes his voice to a film without showing his face on screen. He provides the opening voice-over narration in Mean Streets and The Colour of Money; plays the off-screen dressing room attendant in the final scene of Raging Bull; provides the voice of the unseen ambulance dispatcher in Bringing out the Dead.
Frequently uses New York City as the main setting in his films, e.g. Gangs of New York, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, The Age of Innocence, After Hours, New York, New York.
Sometimes highlights characters in a scene with an iris, an homage to 1920s silent film cinema (as most scenes at the time used this transition). This effect can be seen in Casino (it is used on Sharon Stone and Joe Pesci), Life Lessons, and The Departed (on Matt Damon). Iris is also the name of Jodie Foster's character in Taxi Driver.
Some of his films include references/allusions to classic Westerns, particularly Shane and The Searchers.
More recently, his films have featured corrupt authority figures, such as policemen in The Departed and politicians in Gangs of New York and The Aviator.
Guilt is a prominent theme in many of his films, as is the role of Catholicism in creating and dealing with guilt (Raging Bull, GoodFellas, Bringing Out the Dead, Mean Streets, Who's That Knocking at My Door, Shutter Island, etc.)
Slow motion flashbulbs and accented camera/flash/shutter sounds
Scorsese has been known to cast the same actors in his films, particularly Robert De Niro, who collaborated with Scorsese for nine films. Included are the three films that made the AFI's 100 Years... 100 Movies list.
Before their deaths, Scorsese's parents, Charles and Catherine, would be given bit parts, walk-ons, or supporting roles.
Honours
In 2007, Scorsese was listed among Time magazine's 100 Most Influential People in the world.
In August 2007 Scorsese was named the 2nd greatest director of all time in a poll by Total Film magazine, in front of Steven Spielberg and behind Alfred Hitchcock.
Awards:
Martin Scorsese received the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1997.
In 1998, the American Film Institute placed three Scorsese films on their list of the greatest movies in America: Raging Bull at #24, Taxi Driver at #47 and Goodfellas at #94. For their tenth anniversary edition of the list, Raging Bull was moved to #4, Taxi Driver was moved to #52 and Goodfellas was moved to #92.
In 2001, the AFI put two Scorsese films on their list of the most heart-pounding movies in America: Taxi Driver at #22 and Raging Bull at #51.
On September 11, 2007, the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors committee which recognizes career excellence and cultural influence named Scorsese as one of the honorees at the ceremony to be held on December 1.
At a ceremony in Paris, France, on January 5, 2005, Martin Scorsese was awarded the French Legion of Honor in recognition of his contribution to cinema.
In 2007, Scorsese won the Academy Award for Best Director for The Departed, which also won Best Picture.
Scorsese was the recipient of the 2010 Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 67th Golden Globe Awards.
In August 2007 Scorsese was named the 2nd greatest director of all time in a poll by Total Film magazine, in front of Steven Spielberg and behind Alfred Hitchcock.
Awards:
Martin Scorsese received the AFI Life Achievement Award in 1997.
In 1998, the American Film Institute placed three Scorsese films on their list of the greatest movies in America: Raging Bull at #24, Taxi Driver at #47 and Goodfellas at #94. For their tenth anniversary edition of the list, Raging Bull was moved to #4, Taxi Driver was moved to #52 and Goodfellas was moved to #92.
In 2001, the AFI put two Scorsese films on their list of the most heart-pounding movies in America: Taxi Driver at #22 and Raging Bull at #51.
On September 11, 2007, the prestigious Kennedy Center Honors committee which recognizes career excellence and cultural influence named Scorsese as one of the honorees at the ceremony to be held on December 1.
At a ceremony in Paris, France, on January 5, 2005, Martin Scorsese was awarded the French Legion of Honor in recognition of his contribution to cinema.
In 2007, Scorsese won the Academy Award for Best Director for The Departed, which also won Best Picture.
Scorsese was the recipient of the 2010 Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 67th Golden Globe Awards.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Films Martin Scorsese has directed:
He has directed many films in his career, including:1)Taxi Driver
2)Bringing Out the dead
3)Goodfellas
4)Gangs of New York
5)The Aviator
6)The Departed
7)Shutter Island - which is coming out in cinemas this year.
He has reportedly announced several potential future projects.
Movie: Gangs Of New York 2002
This movie is about a boy, Amsterdam Vallon (Leonardo DiCaprio) who's father was killed by Bill 'The Butcher' Cutting ( Daniel Day-Lewis). He grows up to lead the Irish immigrants to fight for their rights against the Native Americans. He gets revenge by killing his fathers killer. This movie was nominated for 10 Oscars and another 59 awards. Gangs of New York boasts other actors such as Cameron Diaz, Jim Broadbent and John C Reilly.
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