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Ex Machina (2015) |
shed light on the places that many people overlook, and promote social progress. While some films do not present these topics up front, some will often jump straight into them. Of course, these films that do address large and controversial topics have to compete with the plethora of action, horror, and romance movies that are released weekly and are forced to build a story that sometimes takes the focus away from the point. Out of the films I will choose, some of them will house many controversial subjects and others will call on just one.
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Ex Machina Movie Poster |
This final project will focus specifically on the film Ex Machina and the controversial topics that are addressed in the film through the script, costumes, and makeup or the scenes. An example would be if I was to look at scenes where Ava is presented and the environment she is presented in. Most of the scenes that she is present in she is kept in her stone walled chamber, this speaks to her robotic/man-made nature. Whereas Caleb and Nathan are presented in more natural settings to represent their organic being. Ex Machina addressed more time relevant conversations like sexuality and gender, the justification for taking a life (artificial and organic), identity, and big data. This would transition into another film that would be examined in full...The Matrix. Since the last chapter in Henry Jenkins' "Convergence Culture" speaks directly on The Matrix it gives me a lot to play with and keep the blog going beyond the class. These examples are just the beginning of some of the analysis that
will be done and some of the films that will be chosen.
Since films exist independently and not everyone has access
to every film or a clue of which will be chosen, the final will be made into
the form of a blog on Tumblr.com. I have blogged for years and understand
how to construct one with a compelling design to create a effective, engaging,
and easy to follow blog. I have already taken the time to set up the blog and
start identifying the message in two films. They are both drafts of what will
be presented on the blog as a final product. It will be final ready at the end
of November or the beginning of December ideally, but it will never reach a
point where it can be considered "done" since there are tons of films
and I plan to keep the blog running after we are finished with this class.
But why? Why choose this format for a final? Why examine
movies and their messages? A simple explanation to the why is that I love film
and figuring out a film's significance. This final will take place on a blog
because of the flexibility of a blog, or anything online, and also because
everyone has become familiar with blogs now that everything is being housed on
the internet now. The messages and the way films incorporate them is something
that most people do not bother to pay attention unless it is flagrant. Films
are more than just entertainment. They serve a higher and better purpose. Films
are educational in more ways than the conventional educational film or
documentary. It teaches the masses about themselves and social problems.
Link to blog: www.theconvergencetheorem.tumblr.com
Hey Theo this is Ali
ReplyDeleteSo as I said in class here's the channel I mentioned. These guys primary channel is called Game Theory, but they made a separate channel for films since the creator originally studied in this area.
https://www.youtube.com/user/FilmTheorists
These guys do MASSIVE research and have a big following so it's not just some random guy saying stuff, and honestly some of these theories are pretty close to being true, especially in film where the writers purposefully leave small messages that mean so much more when u read between the lines. He's also pretty funny which makes it fun to watch.
Regarding Matrix, heres some videos he did that'll make you see the movie different. I highly recommend watching any other video that catches your eye
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkMU1mKdwPI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wSVlOAocn8E
As someone who takes most pieces of media for what they are, i think it would be interesting to see what you come away with and how.
ReplyDeleteLike I said in class, maybe there is something to it in the Matrix considering the writing pair are brothers, one of whom is transgender. Maybe worth looking into. Just a thought.
ReplyDeleteI wasn't in class last week so if im asking questions you answered during your presentation my apologies. But are you only going to be discussing hidden messages with the warriors and the matrix? or do you plan on talking about about other movies as well? I haven't seen the warriors but for the matrix maybe you could talk about its deep religious undertones and "matrixism"- a cult religious following supposedly based on the movie, just a thought.Interesting topic though.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/user/everyframeapainting
ReplyDeleteHere is a channel full of great video essays to take inspiration from. There is even a video essay on video essays.
Teddy!
ReplyDeleteLove your idea. How do you plan on breaking up the movies? I think what Professor said about month to month could really help you flesh out each movie and its topics. But would a sporadic approach be better? I don't know! Also! incorporate what the book says about the Matrix and its transformation off-screen
This topic is really interesting to me especially because you want to keep this going beyond the semester. I know that you're covering sex and gender with "Ex Machina". Possibly next semester you can also look into "Do the Right Thing", a film by Spike Lee that has a lot of racial tension in it.
ReplyDelete