Jordan Ilan A-Level Film Studies

Experimental film (Pulp Fiction) - Film Form - Meaning & Response - Contexts - Narrative - Auteur Link to full documentary -> Quentin Tarantino: The Inspiration for Pulp Fiction:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5KkI_YS4ug  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejlRORZWui8&t=2s  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a0i1OVdpeTg Tarantino as an auteur -> embed context into essay -> link to Tarantino's experimentation with Pulp Fiction Notes on Tarantino: - Loved movies from a young age, had an early inspiration. Originally wanted to be an actor, wanted to quit school & become an actor at 16 - At 22, got a job at Video Archives, a famous video store - Worked on his first film whilst working at the video store, used the money he got from his job to fund this. Was amateur but his version of a 'film school', learnt new skills & techniques - Used to be that Europe was character-mood based film & America told the story but now believes Ame...

Study Areas for Every Question Component 1: Hollywood 1930-1990 (Vertigo & OFOTCN) - Film Form - Meaning & Response - Contexts - Auteur American Films since 2005 (NCFOM & CF) - Film Form - Meaning & Response - Contexts - Spectatorship - Ideology British Film since 1995 (WNTTAK & FT) - Film Form - Meaning & Response - Contexts - Narrative - Ideology Component 2: Global Film (COG & PL) - Film Form - Meaning & Response - Contexts Documentary (Amy) - Film Form - Meaning & Response - Contexts - Critical debates - Filmmakers' theories Film Movements: Silent Cinema (MWAMC & APDN) - Film Form - Meaning & Response - Contexts - Critical debates Experimental film (Pulp Fiction) - Film Form - Meaning & Response - Contexts - Narrative - Auteur

Tarantino Auteur Traits Aestheticisation of Violence: Images and descriptions of violence a key component of the film in a 'stylistically excessive' and a 'significant and sustained way' where the audience connect to genre conventions Dance Scenes: Ironically joyous scenes Ensemble Casts: A cast assigned roughly equal amounts of importance and Tarantino's ensembles consists of established actors and lesser known actors Fake Product Placements: Makes the film more realistic, an extra trademark for Tarantino Long Takes & Tracking Shots: Develops a deeper connection with the characters Mexican Stand-Off: Confrontation amongst two or more parties where no strategy exists that allows any party to achieve a victory. Was originated in Sergio Leone's 'The Good, The Bad & The Ugly' (one of QT's favourite films and a key inspiration to him) Neo-Noir: A 'dark movie' that involves a sense of something sinister and shadowy but expresses ...

Pulp Fiction 'Explore how far your chosen film are experimental in challenging conventional approaches to narrative' (20 marks) Look at: - Conventional narratives with Hollywood films - Number of narratives in Pulp Fiction - Do they individually follow conventional structure? - Techniques Tarantino employs to ensure audience follow what happens? - Effect film's structure has on audience? Pulp Fiction is a 1994 film directed by Quentin Tarantino that challenges conventional approaches to narrative as the film unfolds in a non-linear structure that diverts from the typical Hollywood structure. Pulp Fiction differs drastically from the conventional narrative in a Hollywood movie; the conventional approach to a narrative in a Hollywood picture has a six-point structure (beginning -> equilibrium -> disruption -> goals -> obstruction -> conclusion) and follows this pattern rigorously. However Tarantino prefers to make films in a non-linear style as he n...

Pulp Fiction Representations Racial - Use of the n-word throughout the film -> controversial, Spike Lee (racial activist, highly critical of Tarantino) - Positive outlook on race - Final scene: 1 black character in the scene -> peacemaker/hero, white guy is the bad gut (held the place up) -> goes against the stereotypes at the time/film history -> Jules is the one with common sense to change himself Ethnicity Gender: 28 minutes to 31 minutes Key element: Sound - Diegetic - Son of a preacher man (Dusty Springfield) -> sexual element -> ironic, song juxtaposes what's occurring in the actual scene (drugs/alcohol etc), however Travolta's black & white clothes show hint of holy element -> auteur trait                                                   - Mia's voice - intercom -> Sound creates a seductive/sexual element, represen...

Quentin Tarantino: The Inspiration for Pulp Fiction: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t5KkI_YS4ug  Notes on Tarantino: - Loved movies from a young age, had an early inspiration. Originally wanted to be an actor, wanted to quit school & become an actor at 16 - At 22, got a job at Video Archives, a famous video store - Worked on his first film whilst working at the video store, used the money he got from his job to fund this. Was amateur but his version of a 'film school', learnt new skills & techniques - Used to be that Europe was character-mood based film & America told the story but now believes America tell the worst stories -> prefers film that unfold in a non-linear style - Doesn't consider himself as a writer, considers himself as a filmmaker - Prefers to write his own stuff -> more personal, his own idea - Works in the crime genre: got a kick out of it - Harvey Keitel, Lawrence Bender (producer), Marty?, Richard Gladstein (executiv...