Thursday 3 October 2013

Le Voyage Dans la Lune - Review

Le Voyage Dans La Lune – Review  



 http://www.aycyas.com/VoyageDansLaLune.htm


We were asked after a briefing to watch an old French silent film called Le Voyage Dans La Lune (A trip to the moon) by Georges Méliès. My initial thoughts while watching it were that it was an extremely amateur project which was expected as the use of the sophisticated angles and camera shots we’re all used to seeing hadn’t been introduced to film yet, but I made some interesting observations after seeing past these flaws.
 Firstly I realised that the set up was more of a theatrical presentation than a film shot, this being portrayed through the very linear composition of the people and objects in the shot. Secondly, it appeared to me that the directors wanted to get everything they felt was significant in the shot instead of having a more natural approach and allowing some things to be missed out as they would be in reality. The effect of this was that instead of the occupants of the scene being spread outwards, they were spread upwards (as if taking a class photo) which made the opening scenes come across as less of a film shot and more of a theatre performance.
The moon scenes are more centred around the background and environment which I gathered as the heroines in these scenes , despite being who the film revolves around, were in the bottom corners of the shots making the view of the earth from space more central and significant to the eye. The use of shot space improved significantly towards the end of the film as the background became more relevant and therefore was conveyed better.

Also, the moon scenes had an eerie feel to them which was probably the effect of the glowing lighting contrasted from the bleak dark background of space. Although after watching this short film I remain unimpressed with its storyline, visuals etc, I can appreciate its significance to time and the history of film. Its importance in history is evident through the influence it’s had on modern film and media. The biggest example of this would be in the Smashing Pumpkins ‘Tonight, Tonight’ music video in which a moon with human facial features is explored by humans just like in the film. Matt Groening’s Adult cartoon ‘Futurama’ also made reference to the old Méliès classic, where Bender the robot ends up throwing a bottle into a moon-headed beings face as a pun to the film, resembling the iconic moon-face with the rocket in it.

10 comments:

  1. Hi Ashley, good to see your first review up now!

    Ok, so I have some general pointers in the first instance - if you have been reading my 'Author-in-Residence' posts on the group blog over the last week, then you probably will have heard some of this before - if not, then go back through and have a look anyway!
    First of all, one of the most important things to consider when writing, is your 'academic voice'. You need to appear impartial as an author, and one way to do this is to write in the 3rd person, rather than using 'I' all the time. See here for a guide to writing in the 3rd person -

    http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?
    blogID=9009030164560299615#editor/target=post;postID=5158743987066106901;onPublishedMenu=allposts;onClosedMenu=allposts;postNum=15;src=postname

    You need to consider the time period the films were made in; what you consider 'flaws' were in fact the height of technology at the time, so bear that in mind...
    I will also point you in the direction of the brief, which asks you to use 3 quotes to support each review -

    'in addition to and in support of your own critique, your reviews must include a minimum of 3 quotations from 3 different published sources + poster art + supporting stills. Please note - Harvard Method must be used for all quotations and all illustrations to be referenced correctly. Reviews are to include bibliography and illustration list.'

    Have a look at Google Books for some useful source material. You can find details on how to reference your quotes and devise your bibliography here -

    http://community.ucreative.ac.uk/article/27187/Referencing

    Looking forward to your next review!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Jackie, thanks for the criticism

      If you could, would you be able to resend the link for the writing in 3rd person guide so I can go over it before blogging my other reviews, the link doesn't seem to be working

      thanks

      Delete
  2. Ashley - congrats on getting to grips with blogger. I know it's been worrying you a bit - but the worst is over now! Jackie Hagan will be swinging by to give you lots of constructive feedback re. your review, but in the first instance, good job, and now let's see this blog come alive with your creative potential; be bold, Ashley, don't hang back. Time to get in the game 100% Do that, and your creative development will rocket and by Christmas, you'll be frankly amazed by all you've achieved in a short time!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Hi Ashley, Just swinging by to say HI! I am one of your creative partners. I am looking forward to your upcoming posts of your work like the thumbnails from your book excerpts and your other film reviews! :)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hi Ashley. Me again! Check this for tomorrow's class! :)

    http://ucarochester-cgartsandanimation.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/fao-cgaa-year-1-reminder-bring-your.html

    ReplyDelete
  5. Hi Ashley, everything concerning third person and quotes has already been covered so I thought I'd instead refer back to an interesting comment in your review :)

    "the directors wanted to get everything they felt was significant in the shot instead of having a more natural approach and allowing some things to be missed out as they would be in reality... instead of the occupants of the scene being spread outwards, they were spread upwards (as if taking a class photo) which made the opening scenes come across as less of a film shot and more of a theatre performance."

    A nice description of the set up and likely true thing you've picked up on, I agree with your statement. When I first watched the film I assumed it began with some kind of University lecture with men donning a Wizard-like appearance, it wasn't until I did further research I realized this wasn't it at all.

    The 'up rather than outwards' approach as well as the set design and static camera does give the film a different feel to it, one that our generation isn't used to which can make for uncomfortable viewing for some, if not many.

    Some advice on future quoting, research various different reliable sources related to different aspects of the film first and pick and choose which ones to use in your review then respond to them rather than making the same mistake as I did by writing an unfortunately essay length film review then adding in quotes after which relate to what I'd already pointed out.

    ReplyDelete
  6. 10/10/2013

    Hey Ashley,

    You were asked to prepare an Online Greenlight Review, which you appear not to have done. It's possible that you're experiencing difficulties engaging with the course materials, or with the group blog, or with the blogs of your classmates. I'll be getting in touch with you to arrange a formal tutorial to explore any difficulties you might be experiencing. This tutorial will also be my opportunity as course leader to ensure you understand the importance of keeping up with your studies and having the courtesy to engage with the course culture as outlined to you at both your interview and in all the course information prior to your enrolment. It's clear to me that you're already struggling to manage this unit, and I'm keen to understand why that might be and if there's anything more I can do to ensure that you achieve your goals.

    In the meantime, I am asking you politely to now complete your OGR as requested here - please follow the instructions as originally directed. I will feedback on our progress as soon as I am able.

    http://ucarochester-cgartsandanimation.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/fao-cgaa-year-1-cinematic-spaces-online.html

    I'm also going to include here - for your reference - the assessment criteria that maps against UCA's published expectations of student work for this first five week unit:

    1) Knowledge of:
    narrative conventions and concepts that inform representation of space and environments

    2) Understanding through application of:
    research skills to support and evolve conceptual ideas.

    3) Technical and applied skills through:
    project management and professional skills.

    This third and final criteria maps against the way a student conducts themselves on the course in terms of publishing content to their blog and engaging proactively with their classmates via creative partnerships, their meeting of their OGR deadlines, and their attendance. This is as good time as any, I'd suggest, for you to familiarise yourself our basic expectations of you.

    I expect to see some improvement on here - in terms of updated work - as a matter of some urgency. Don't fall behind, Ashley, nobody wants that, least of all me. Get a move on please.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh - re. the broken link, Jackie provided - try this one - and let me know if you can see the academic writing guide:

    http://myuca.ucreative.ac.uk/webapps/portal/frameset.jsp?url=%2Fwebapps%2Fblackboard%2Fexecute%2Flauncher%3Ftype%3DCourse%26id%3D_15573_1%26url%3D

    ReplyDelete
  8. see link:

    http://ucarochester-cgartsandanimation.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/fao-cgaa-year-1-online-colour-scheme.html

    ReplyDelete
  9. Hi Ashley. See link in regard to changes for tmr's classes. :)

    http://ucarochester-cgartsandanimation.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/fao-cgaa-year-1-timetable-changes-ahead.html

    ReplyDelete