Merry Christmas, ya'll. To the well behaved: enjoy your cheer. To the rest, the cell phone dilly-dalliers: you can't escape Krampus.
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| Pictured: Krampus and a young Manno twin. Troy? |
The film is life-affirming and sweet without being syrupy; however, it is not without some measure of darkness. The alternate reality presented to George by Clarence the angel is a vulgar, capitalistic wasteland populated by brothels, bars, and the poor. It's Bedford Falls without its George Bailey.
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| Pottersville: Ah, business without ethics. |
It's not much different than the slums in which the Proles reside in in Nineteen-Eighty-Four.
Yup, it's a dystopia: a wholesome town devastated by unmitigated greed.
As Christmas break approaches, we need to began work on our own dystopia films.
The Twilight Zone (Due Mon. Jan 5th)
- To keep you in the proper mindset, please watch all three of the following episodes of The Twilight Zone.
- Select your favorite episode of the three, and describe it in the comment section of this post.
- These are excellent examples of small-scale, low production dystopias.
- They use writing; not CGI.
"The Obsolete Man"
"The Number 12 Looks Just Like You"
"A Thing About Machines"
http://www.imdb.com/video/imdb/vi232564505
"Welcome to the Monkey House" (Due Mon. Jan. 5th)
Kurt Vonnegut: "Welcome to the Monkey House"
The questions: Here
Your Films
Each presentation should consist of three general sections supplemented by images and discussion.
"Welcome to the Monkey House" (Due Mon. Jan. 5th)
- Read the Kurt Vonnegut short story, "Welcome to the Monkey House."
- Respond to the accompanying questions.
- Email the responses to me.
Kurt Vonnegut: "Welcome to the Monkey House"
The questions: Here
Your Films
When we return to school on Monday, January 1st, we will be in the library. You and a partner (your choosing) will work to complete a 12 slide treatment for an original dystopia film. The class will vote on the 6 best film pitches (out of 15 groups). 6 groups, led by the two original members, will be randomly generated.
On Friday, January 9th, the 9 slide presentations will be due.
Each presentation should consist of three general sections supplemented by images and discussion.
Characters (3-4 slides)
- Dissenter
- An "O'Brien" figure: an upper-level party member
- A love interest: someone or something that reawakens the humanity in the protagonist
Plot/Conflict (3-4 slides)
- Define the "Party"
- Define the "Proles"
- Explain the conflict--how does the party affect life and in particular, the life of the dissenter
Costumes/Setting (3-4 slides)
- Costume ideas: how does the Party affect dress?
- Setting: don't think too big; keep it small
- Motif, music, symbol, MacGuffin: Incorporate some distinct visual element
As you work, keep Nineteen-Eighty-Four in mind. Your completed film will need to contain an interrogation scene in which the machinations of the Party are explained. Orwell's vision is the most well-defined.
The Twilight Zone provides excellent examples of smaller settings that convey similar themes to Nineteen-Eighty-Four. Remember: Falcon Films are low budget. We have to work within our means. However, setbacks and limitations often spur the most creativity!
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| Couldn't fix Artoo with a computer in '77. |
Kurt Vonnegut is funny. Dystopias can be scary and humorous. However, this is often a delicate line. "Welcome to the Monkey House" also focuses on the repression of human sexuality. This is very Orwellian, and it is something you need to approach delicately in your completed films. Keep it PG.
The episode I like the most of the Twilight Series is "The Obsolete Man" because the the way Wordsworth had planned his liquidation is genius. He shows that even the higher ranks aren't immune to fear, thoughts and ideas. Wordsworth showed the cowardliness of the chancellor on live broadcast to the whole population.
ReplyDeleteThe episode that I liked the most is "The Number 12 Looks Just Like You." Marilyn, a nineteen year old girl, is forced to pick which look, either 8 or 12,she wants for the rest of her life to be considered beautiful but, she doesn't want to change and look like everyone else. I feel that this episode can relate to today the most. We live in a society that if we don't look a certain way were not beautiful. Where most teenage girls envy supermodels and other girls because of their looks.
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ReplyDeleteThe TZ episode that really stood out to me was "The Obselete Man." After reading and studying "1984", this might be a bit bias but this episode made an impression on me. The Orwellian themes are present and blend together for a timeless tale that warns against the dangers of Totalitarianism. Wordsworth's bravery and conviction represents the human spirit's ability to and need to rise up to oppression, from his speech to his well-crafted plan. To relate to other lessons from this year, Wordsworth is the "Carrie" of totalitarianism, sticking it to those so-called-pig blood-dumping jerks in Higher places. Go you, Wordsworth.
The episode that I enjoyed watching most was "The Obsolete Man" and it really demonstrated the flaws of a society like the one in the episode by sort of outsmarting it using a character who was put to death for basically having an opinion and a voice. I liked the twist in the middle how the main character easily could have liquidated himself and the antagonist.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite episode was "The Obsolete Man" because what the guy giving orders on the microphone made me think of Hitler. The reason is because he is saying "there is no god" and talking to this librarian and telling him that everything he believes in is wrong. "He says there are no more books so we don't need librarians." He brings up God. He wont allow any way but his. I thought it was kind of showing a small piece of Hitler. But I enjoyed this short film.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite episode was "The Obsolete Man" because what the guy giving orders on the microphone made me think of Hitler. The reason is because he is saying "there is no god" and talking to this librarian and telling him that everything he believes in is wrong. "He says there are no more books so we don't need librarians." He brings up God. He wont allow any way but his. I thought it was kind of showing a small piece of Hitler. But I enjoyed this short film.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite episode was "The Obsolete Man" because what the guy giving orders on the microphone made me think of Hitler. The reason is because he is saying "there is no god" and talking to this librarian and telling him that everything he believes in is wrong. "He says there are no more books so we don't need librarians." He brings up God. He wont allow any way but his. I thought it was kind of showing a small piece of Hitler. But I enjoyed this short film.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite episode was "The Obsolete Man" because what the guy giving orders on the microphone made me think of Hitler. The reason is because he is saying "there is no god" and talking to this librarian and telling him that everything he believes in is wrong. "He says there are no more books so we don't need librarians." He brings up God. He wont allow any way but his. I thought it was kind of showing a small piece of Hitler. But I enjoyed this short film.
ReplyDeleteThe episode that appealed to me slightly was ‘A Thing about Machines’. “It is only when they go wrong that machines remind you how powerful they are” (Clive James). That being said machines are definitely going to rise up and indefinitely take over the world more so than they do now. The episode basically is about the uprising of technology and how threatening it can be. The betrayal of technology is a fear I believe everyone has even if it’s just a little bud of fear. The man in the episode believes that machines are conspiring against him and does what he can to abuse them. Which isn’t a bright choice because they ultimately turn on him and each piece of machinery leaves him the same threatening message, “GET OUT OF HERE FINCHLEY”. The episode ends in his death (Who didn’t see that coming?) It’s so relevant to the current present, it’s a prediction for the soon coming future.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion the obsolete man is a lot better than 'The number 12 looks just like you' because it concerns a future where a totalitarian state is in effect. A trial is being held for Romney Wordsworth , who is considered 'obsolete' by the state as his occupation is that a librarian which couldn't be because there is no more books because there is no libraries. Also the board finds him obsolete and in 48 hours he will be liquidated. Wordsworth has an option of methods. Either pills, gas or electrocution. But Mr. They say this is a very odd man but they are glad they can show the people why the obsolete man who clams he is a librarian, why he should die. After Mr. Wordsworth dies one of the board members is charged for being obsolete because of betraying the court. He keeps repeating himself that he isn't obsolete but it turns out he is guilty and the whole state is obsolete as well.
ReplyDeleteThe episode I enjoyed most from the Twilight Series was "The Obsolete Man". It was enjoyable due to the fact Wordsworth spoke up in front of everyone and wasn't afraid to have his own opinion even with consequences that would come along. Also liked his liquidation plan. He truly makes a unusual scene by speaking out which shows how the society is full of issues.
ReplyDeleteThe episode "the Number 12 Looks Just Like You," was my favorite out of the three. It depicts a girl who is happy with herself but the society has a social stigma that at a certain age they need to change how they look. She wants to keep her individuality by being "ugly" instead of conforming to society's ways. By the end she accidentally goes into the transformation room and when she comes out of the room to see her mom after the procedure, she is satisfied with the way she looks. This episode is taking a stab at how society wants to fit in all the time when being an individual is actually the best thing for everyone.
ReplyDeleteOut of all three videos, my favorite has to be, “Number 12 Looks Just Like You.” I favor this video, over the others, because it’s something I, and especially girls in general, can easily relate to. In society, there is this standard of how we perceive beauty. Beauty is fair skinned, light eyes, small frame, etc. However, this episode shows Marilyn and her refusal to be “beautiful” because she wants to be herself. In the episode, everyone is supposed to choose how they look from a series of two different photos. The government has brainwashed everyone into thinking that they have to be beautiful and that the only way they can achieve beauty is if they undergo plastic surgery. The only difference between the people is the name tag given to them. I feel as if girls our age are so consumed by being “perfect” or try too hard to be/look like someone else that they forget the importance of being different. In the episode, being different possessed a negative connotation. The government doesn’t actually want everyone to be beautiful, but rather wants everyone to be the same. Marilyn understands the importance of retaining one's integrity but she ultimately conforms to what their society perceives as socially acceptable. I liked how this episode was very relatable and actually teaches you a lesson on embracing being different and embracing one’s own self.
ReplyDeleteAfter watching all of the videos, 'The Obsolete Man' was the better of the two. I enjoyed this video more because of the way Wordsworth exposed the chancellor for the coward that he is, infront of everyone. He is brave and not afraid to speak his mind.
ReplyDeleteThe episode I liked most from the Twilight Series was "The Obsolete Man". It was very interesting and I liked that you can tell who is in power. I remember Clark saying that power is shown through fear. Like who ever is in power controls others with fear. The board has the power because they can decide who is liquidated or not. As well as they took away books. I love the fact that there is someone to stand up against the board Mr. Wordsworth. He starts to make changes well actually its more change starts to happen because of Mr. Wordsworth. In the end one of the board members are charged for being obsolete because of betraying the court. Finally the court it turns out he is guilty and the whole state is obsolete as well.
ReplyDeleteI honestly enjoyed both “The Obsolete Man” and “#12 looks just like you” because both can be life lessons. “The obsolete Man” proved that what goes around comes around and “#12 looks just like you” explained that being like everyone is the same as being nobody. The only thing I didn’t like about “#12 looks just like you” is the ending, when she started to like run away, I thought she was going to get away, and be herself, but she decided to be like everyone else because it was the easier choice. I try not to take the easier way out in life because what is life without risks? “The Obsolete Man” was probably the one I liked the most because Chancellor got what he deserve, he ate his own words basically. I love the lesson what goes around comes around because it’s true, if you treat people the way you want to be treated then they’ll treat you like you treat them. So I did enjoy both shows, but “The Obsolete Man” was a little better because it had a better ending and better lesson. -Tiffany Valiante
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