(Fish Tank, Arnold 2009)

 

Michael Fassbender was already on Hollywood's map when Fish Tank came out in 2009 due to his success in 2008 with Hunger. But Andrea Arnold's film served as a perfect calling card for how simultaneously charming and frighteningly intense he could be. Later in the year, he'd turn in an unfortunately brief but humorous appearance in Inglorious Bastards.

After Fish Tank and Inglorious Bastards in 2009, Fassbender's career instantly exploded. His 2010 efforts in Centurion and Jonah Hex were likely filmed beforehand, but starting in 2011 he was in everything, from big-budget Hollywood films like Prometheus and X-Men, to roles for A-list directors like David Cronenberg (A Dangerous Method) and Ridley Scott (The Counselor), to his collaborations with Steve McQueen such as 12 Years A Slave.

(X-men)

Hollywood in the Studio Era


The Studio Era (The Golden Age of Hollywood) took place from the 1920s-1950s
This started when the majority of films that were distributed and produced were taken over by five major studios in Hollywood - THE BIG FIVE;

• METRO-GOLDWYN-MAYER
• PARAMOUNT PICTURE CORP
• FOX FILM CORP - 20th CENTURY FOX
• WARNER BROS
• RKO RADIO PICTURES

The Studio Era also consisted of three smaller studios - THE LITTLE THREE;

• UNIVERSAL PICTURES
• UNITED ARTISTS
• COLUMBIA

These 8 studios dominated the film industry - producing and distributing 95% of films shown at the time.

• Unethical in some of their practices - to keep market competition of the film industry
• Produce films on their own lots
• Keep stars under long-term contracts
• Owned entire supply chain of film making
• Sold multiple films to single theatres

1948 - Supreme Court ruling against Paramount - Attempt to separate production, distribution and exhibition.
BIG FIVE forced to sell theatres - THE PARAMOUNT DECREE


1950s - Television introduced to mass audiences



Film Shots

1. Low-Angle 

A low angle is when the camera is held low down and is aimed up at the character or object in focus.


2. Side-Shot

A side shot/two shot is used to show two different subjects at the same time.


3. Extreme Close-up

 

This type of shot focuses with great detail on a certain area of the character's face giving a precise representation of their emotion. The background is not visible to the audience, forcing them to focus on the character.

4. Close-up

This shot shows the whole of the character's face showing their facial expressions providing the audience with an understanding of how they feel about the events taking place within the narrative. The background cannot be seen.

5. High-angle

This shot is held up the subjects and aims down on them, making them seem small, silly.

Film Noir

Film Noir emerged in the early 1940s during WWII. It was made by European filmmakers and was influenced by German expressionism and presented a pessimistic outlook due to the brutality of war.

Key Visual Features

Dark/Light - Chiaroscuro lighting - dark           

Shadows

Silhouettes

Blinds/Bars

Dutch angles (strange angles)

"Urban"

Other Visual Features

Rain, night, cityscape, smoke, cigarettes, streets, cars, guns, beautiful women, private investigators

Narrative Elements

Flashbacks

Voice-overs (main protagonist) - inner thoughts/feelings

Complicated plots/twists - sudden reverses of fortune - tragic endings

Circular narratives

Network of minor characters

Sharp contrast to other genres of film in Hollywood

Popular

Relatively low budget