Friday, September 9, 2016

Assignment for Thursday, 09-15-16

Dear Mythologists,

For Thursday, September 15, please do the following:

(1) Watch Clash of the Titans (Desmond Davis & Ray Harryhausen, 1981), taking notes as you see fit. In addition to the DVD being reserved at the library, the film is also streaming on Amazon. As you'll see, the film is a showcase for the trademark animation of Ray Harryhausen, a longtime fan of myths and legends of every stripe.

(2) Read "What about Animation?" in Looking at Movies Chapter 3 ("Types of Movies"), pp. 111–15. This section will both gather up our thread about animation from our viewing of Mythopolis last Thursday and provide further context for Harryhausen's special effects in Clash '81. It's up to you whether you want to read these pages before you watch the movie, or afterward.

(3) After you watch the movie (not before), read "In the Lap of the Gods," which is Chapter 11 of Harryhausen's memoir, An Animated Life (Billboard Books, 2004). Clash '81 was his last film, so the chapter not only details the behind-the-scenes work on that project, but also caps his career. As you read, reflect on how you feel about the movie after you read Harryhausen's memoir as opposed to how you felt while watching it. I'll be interested to hear what you have to say about that.

(4) Remember by noon on Thursday to comment on this post with your choice of a sequence from Clash '81 to view in class. The guidelines for your comment (in essence, 3-4 sentences) are found under the "Class participation" section of our Syllabus page.

DC

13 comments:

  1. I would like to discuss the scene where Perseus bridles Pegasus and tames him. It begins at 0:35:20 and ends at 0:40:34. This scene says a lot about the relationship between man and nature in Hellenistic culture (as perceived by the moviemakers) and it leaves me with a burning question: when a flying horse flies, does it move it's legs?

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    1. I would also like to look at this sequence! I found the animation and special effects are fascinating - in fact the flying shots aren't half bad, but it might be useful to talk about some conventions of these areas. It may also be an example of some less successful, more awkward editing.

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  2. I thought the short scene between the goddesses from 21:23-22:02 is worth rewatching. Aside from being a pretty funny scene by itself, its interesting seeing how the the director both includes comedy in the context of ancient greece as well as highlighting a particularly weird aspect of Zeus's personality for modern audiences.

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  3. The sequence of Perseus' encounter with Medusa (1:25:07-1:31:28) caught my attention because of the manner in which it utilizes an impressive number of techniques to create an effectively tense and creepy scene. The techniques I observed included slow build-up in the beginning (featuring lots of panning shots), flickering red lighting which conveys a sense of malice and danger, plenty of close up and zoom ins near the end which convey the emotions of the characters, and the low-frame stop motion combined with Medusa's hideous design which made her movements incredibly creepy (as opposed to most of the other monsters which often looked goofy and out-of-place). On the other hand, I felt like the scene's reliance on objective perspective (the audience sees things that if Perseus saw, he would be turned to stone) weakens the scene as it notably alienates the audience from our protagonist's point of view.

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    2. I also think it would be worthwhile to look back at the scene in Medusa's lair. As Kyle mentioned, elements like the red lighting and different camera angles help build the tension. It would be nice to go back and focus more on the sequence from the moment when the men step into the red-lit room to when Medusa appears in full. The tension, increased by the appearance of Medusa's shadow and rattle-snake-like tail, really helps to emphasize her monstrous nature when the audience finally sees her for the first time.
      -Sarah

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  4. I would like to revisit the scene of Andromeda's "nightmare" that occurs around 32:38. For one, I am interested in how they accomplished the "out-of-body" experience look. Also, I am a little confused about what happens in this scene; in some cases Andromeda ( and Harryhausen) describe this scene as a nightmare but Andromeda also talks about her soul being transported to Calibus by the vulture. I think a little clarification would be good.

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  5. I would like to take a look at the scene where Ammos tell the tale of Medusa (1:14:00-1:15:00). I think this scene is really important because it changes a story of rape to a story slut shaming. It seems the writer, in hopes of toning the story down for the silver screen, kept the story's sexist themes unfortunately. I would be really interested in discussing what kind of cultural impact this kind of change in a story could have on the public's perception of Medusa. Is she more or less of a tragic figure now?

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  6. I would like to examine the scene where Calibos goes as a suppliant to Thetis’ temple seeking for “justice and revenge” (from 0:52:32 to 0:53:50). This scene is very interesting because it challenges Perseus’ image as a strong idealistic hero, while it makes the creature (Calibos) sympathetic to the viewer. The question of who is rightful in their actions, who must be punished and how is justice delivered is highlighted giving the audience the opportunity to understand that ideas about heroes and villains, right and wrong, are rather fluid depending on the perspective one is adopting.

    -Frini

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  7. I would like to focus on the scene when Zeus tells Athena to give Perseus yet another gift, her owl Bubo. Throughout the entire film most of the other gods and goddesses are not 100% willing to give Perseus their assistance. This is perfectly understandable since Perseus is not very careful with the gifts he is given. For example, he loses the helmet of invisibility in a swamp. Despite this, Zeus still has Athena give Perseus her beloved companion, and disregards Athena's objections. Also, the mechanical Bubo looks amazing. --Willa

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  8. I would like to re-watch the opening scene of the film when Danae and Perseus are cast into the sea. I think that this scene is worth watching again because of the powerful imagery. We see a coffin-like box carried by soldiers that seem more like pallbearers under grim skies, crashing seas, a foggy landscape, and grey cliffs. This scene does a great job of creating an atmosphere that is as grim as the act occurring in it.

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  9. I would like to examine the scene where Perseus questions the Graeae at about 1:10:00. I think it is interesting that, although the Graeae are portrayed as frightening, monster-like women with their long, matted hair, their dirty cave, and their human-hand soup, Perseus's actions against them seem rather un-heroic. While Perseus's ransom of their eye is part of the myth, watching him question the Graeae as they scramble helplessly on the ground, and then seeing him callously toss the eye away when he has his answer, makes Perseus seem heartless and unsympathetic.
    -Khang

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  10. I think the scene during Perseus and Andromeda's wedding is worth revisiting, around 56:00. At this point the movie diverts back to a section of the canonical myth. However, I think it is worth discussing the director's choice to remove Andromeda's father from the equation. Although he seems to be a stock character behind Cassiopeia, she particularly talks about her role as queen and how Andromeda is her heiress rather than speaking to the male side of the family. In addition the parallel of powerful mothers, Cassiopeia and Thetis, has an interesting effect on the scene.

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