Assignment task:
1) A noted device in Kane is Gregg Toland's use of deep-focus cinematography for expressive purposes. Most Hollywood films of the Twenties and Thirties used shallow-focus cinematography; one plane of the image would be in focus (usually the plane in which the leading actors stood), and the rest of the image would be blurred.
Deep-focus technique allows foreground, mid-ground, and background to remain in sharp focus, thereby allowing for expressive conflict between the planes of action--there may well be conflict between what is going on in the foreground and what is going on in the background, but viewers are not "told" where to look by the directorial focus when "deep focus" is used . . . the viewer must decide what is important and look in the foreground, mid-ground, AND background all at the same time.
Analyze in detail one famous example of this expressive use of deep-focus-- the scene at the Kane boarding house in which Mrs. Kane "signs away" her son to the banker.
Then, mention a few other scenes that make noteworthy use of deep-focus.
2. Discuss the use of lighting in the film, using some of the insights from Chapter 2. (Also, see the Citizen Kane handouts to fully answer this question.)
How does lighting (or the lack thereof) contribute to the overall mood and impact of the film?
Does the lighting change as the film goes on? Explain, and keep in mind the film begins in the dark and also ends in the dark, but does the lighting change as the film progresses?
Do shadows and lighting play a key role when Kane signs his "Declaration of Principles"? Explain.
Any other examples of lighting and/or shadows used effectively in the film?
Music is important in every film, some more than others. For example, musical scores can make or break a film (Jaws' score may be the most famous musical film score of all time.)
Similarly, musical motifs can be used to signify a certain character is present in the shot (in Jaws, of course, the musical motif always indicated the shark was near), or a musical motif can be played at different tempos, or volumes to indicate that the character associated with the motif is happy or sad, angry, etc.
Kane's "song" or musical motif is played at least 6 times during the course of the film.
Does the mood created by the music change over the course of the film?
Any segments stand out in your ear (I mean your mind)?