12 years a slave was a very sad movie. The way the actors portrayed the slaves on screen made me believe that they actually were slaves. The actors who played the plantation owners showed the people watching what white people were like during this time period. It was filmed in a very dramatic way that pulled you in to the movie. It also demanded your full attention at all times.

12 Years a Slave was an incredible depiction of the injustices of slavery and the disgusting culture of the Civil War. Steve Mcqueen beautifully juxtaposes the lifestyle slaves  with the brutality of the plantation owners. Some of my favorite shots were the individual stills of Plath’s reactions and thoughts, and also the scene where Plath burns the letter and the transition to the next scene is the embers of the letter slowly dying. The soothing elements of nature were incredible, but served as a vehicle to depict the surroundings of the slaves every day. The scene where the slaves are surrounding the grave of their friend and singing “Roll, Jordan, Roll” was incredibly emotional and really furthered the fact that these people were not property, they were human beings. The actors, especially Lupita Nyongo, did their roles incredible justice and really were able to transport you back to that era. 12 Years a Slave is an incredible work of art that furthers an immense level of purpose in our soceitynb

Identify the four categories of film acting and their purposes within film:

1. Expressionistic: Extreme form of acting, expresses a symbolic concept or idea rather than a character, presentational
2. Facial: Involves intense, comical exaggeration, most difficult acting style
3. Realistic: Emphasizes actors personal emotions/thoughts to portray realistic performances and roles
4. “The Method”: Dominant style of acting in American theater and cinema, used to portray “life-like” performances

2. Contrast the differences between stage and screen acting, and identify why those difference make film “the director’s medium.”:

Stage and screen acting are differentiated by the space and time in each medium. Theater tends to be more in the actor/actresses control, compared to film where it is composed of many takes/bits and pieces dictated to the directors liking.

Identify the four categories of film acting and their purposes within film.

• Identify the four categories of film acting and their purposes within film.Extras, Nonprofessional preformers, trained professionals, and stars. all performers in this medium concede that their work is shaped by the person who literally and figuratively calls the shots. Every person Is important even if there part is not a big one. Every part helps the movie come together.

• Contrast the differences between stage and screen acting, and identify why those difference make film “the director’s medium.An actor has much more chance to create on stage. Screen acting is scripted and you have to be serious.

1.

Stars- Famous well known performers.

Trained Professionals- Most of the actors

Non professional Performers- not chosen after audition because of lack of talent.

Extras- Used to provide a crowd.

2.

The biggest difference is the time and space in each medium.

1.

Extras- used to provide a crowd

Nonprofessional Performers- not chosen because of their acting ability.

Trained professionals- Majority of actors

Stars- famous performers

2.

The difference is space and time are the biggest differences in stage and screen.

1. The four categories of film actors are:

Extras: actors used primarily to present a sense of a crowd.

Non pros: These people are not chosen fort heir acting ability but more so for the fact they fit the look of the part/

Trained pros: people capable of playing a variety of roles in a variety of styles

Stars: people widely recognized and loved by the public. their presence is crucial in the movie, and is one of the main attractions of the work.

2.  On screen, actors are not able to fully get into their characters since their performances often require so many takes. But on stage, they are able to move with more freedom and not have to minimalize their facial expressions.

3.  The benefits of being a film star is the fact that you can do something good with your power and publicity. Actors like George Clooney use their publicity to promote critical issues, while some actors fame drives them to the brink and their lives spiral out of control in the eyes of the public. The star system “was developed and has been dominated by the American cinema, though it’s hardly unique to movies. Virtually all the performing arts—opera, dance, live theater, television, concert music—have exploited the box-office popularity of a charismatic performer”.

Identify the four categories of film acting and their purposes within film.

extras- provide the set of a crowd

nonprofessional performers- chosen not for ability but for look

trained professionals- capable of playing a variety of roles in a variety of styles

stars- famous performers who are recognizable to the general public and draw them to the film

Contrast the differences between stage and screen acting, and identify why those difference make film “the director’s medium.”

A stage actor is in charge from the moment the curtain opens and has the power to mold the character. In film, the director molds the character through editing and shots and is more of the artist.