Three Act Structure- Phantom of the Opera

The Three Act Structure is used in many films, consisting of the general beginning, middle, and end. The beginning is usually used as the introduction to the film and storyline. Characters are introduced and are called into action for one reason or another. The middle, or complication, revolves around a series of chain events; one leading to another. And finally the end, or the resolution, is where the "battle" or final conclusion occurs. This is the major climactic point of the film, which occurs usually in the last five minutes of the film. The Phantom of the Opera shows this Three Act Structure that Professor Ramirez-Berg discussed in his lecture.
Act 1 introduces the audience to the characters in a "future" setting. There is an auction at the opera house and it is clear that something significant has happened at this place before. Not far into the movie, and after the auction comes to a close, the final item is being given away. This item is the chandelier, which the auctioneer announces was part of a 'strange occurrence' brought about by the infamous Phantom of the Opera. Once this is said, the sheet over the chandelier is lifted and immediately the surroundings in the scene go back in time, to when these 'strange happenings' occurred. This concludes the introduction and begins the start of the compilation.
Act 2 reveals the sequence of events that unfolds between the Phantom and the opera house. When Christine is cast into the lead role the Phantom attempts to make sure she stays in that position. Through a series of kidnaps, murders, and threats, it becomes quite clear that what the Phantom really wants is Christine. And so, it becomes a challenge to the finish to see who will win Christine over.
Act 3 encloses the conclusion of the film. The Phantom and Raul meet and "battle" for their love of Christine. This becomes the highest climax of the film, because the audience doesn't know what the overall final result will turn out to be. In the end, the Phantom reveals his true sense of compassion and lets the two go. This wraps up the final twenty minutes or so of the movie and goes back to the "future" to bring the film full circle.

Desperate Housewives as a Serial Sitcom

Colin Tain's lecture discussed the differences between episodic and serial sitcoms. Serial sitcoms consist of continual advancement of plot lines as well as characters that change and grow with each new situation that they encounter. This category is not very predictable nor lesson based, instead it is very complex and complicated. Many dramas such as Desperate Housewives, Gossip Girl, and One Tree Hill are serial sitcoms that have and ever advancing plot and continue through the different seasons always taking off where the last episode left off. Episodic sitcoms however usually have a central theme or problem that the episode revolves around. The episode generally ends where it started and each episode has little in common and shows little progression between each other. Cartoons are primary examples of this category, for example, Family Guy, The Simpsons, and King of the Hill . Each portrays characters that remain the same age, and do not develop any new changes. Episodes are predictable and familiar and there are lessons to be learned. 

Desperate Housewives is an example of a serial sitcom. Drama-based, this show begins on Wisteria Lane and advances on the lives of five women. Through the seasons, different situations have caused many changes as well as the growing ages of all the children and family members. This progression allows for new people and gossip to emerge, tying all of the episodes back together. The plot builds continually and the audience follows along as they get swept into the lives of these desperate housewives. 

Film Language in Titanic

The camera shots and angles in a film determine the importance and significance of a particular scene. The audience is able to understand and make connections with characters and their emotions as well as the overall setting that is being displayed. In the movie Titanic, the beginning scenes and narration focus in on Rose, one of the primary characters. She is arriving at the loading dock with her mother and fiance in all of the hustle and bustle of the crowd, awaiting the boarding of the unsinkable ship; the ship of dreams.

The first shot is the long shot. It shows most of the loading dock, including the people the cars and the ship. Since it is a high angle shot it takes power away from any one person and leaves the audience with the question of what is going on. There are no clear characters, relationships, or emotions presented. However, the camera angle toward the ship is at eye level giving a primary identification of a major object that will become significant in some way.

The second shot shows the medium shot. Still at the loading dock, certain characters are now made obvious. The shot shows confirmation to more specific people within the same crowd from the previous shot. There is a women, later understood to be the main character, who is strategically dressed in white, walking through the crowd. Her white attire creates a clear image of her importance and draws the eye straight towards her. The eye then makes its way to two characters directly in front of her, who also seem to share Rose's same importance.

The third shot is the close up. The main character, Rose, is now identified and made extremely clear. She is looking up at the ship, and in a narrative voice, admits that she indeed does not want to board the ship and feels trapped and not in control. Her emotions spread across her face in this scene and the audience connects with her same feelings.

Shot progression portrays the language of the film and lets the audience understand and connect with the emotions, characters, and settings of the film.

Studio System of Control

During the 1930's, Hollywood's big five movie studios, which included Paramount, MGM, 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros, and RKO, dominated each part of the movie making process using vertical integration. They were able to take full control of each aspect in the processes necessary to distribute and create films. These industries relied heavily on the marketing technique of the 'star system' which created a particular star "face" or characteristic of the separate studios. This allowed for the connection of Hollywood stars to different genres. This formation popularized and characterized the different studios and what kinds of films they created. Famous stars such as Judy Garland, Humphrey Bogart, and Fred Astaire were associated with singing, crime investigation, and tap dancing. 

Since each star promoted different types of audiences, it was important for each studio to have a hefty number of talented stars in order to create diversity and variety. The studios were only able to successfully produce genres of films if they had matching talent. For example Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers were used to create singing and dancing blockbusters, while Humphrey Bogart specialized in creating mystery and crime solving blockbusters. And because the studios made each actor/actress sign a contract proclaiming them to one movie studio, the stars were the central focal point to each film industry. This best illustrates how the studio system took complete control over the film studios and monopolized the industry. 

All in the Family vs. According to Jim

The hit 1970s sitcom All in the Family and the contemporary show, According to Jim both share the similar idea of being a somewhat "controversial" family-based television show. Each center around the father figure who is portrayed quite obviously as a "manly man." Archie Bunker and Jim are both likely to speak their mind on the show and give their input on what they see as right and wrong, and normal and not normal. On one particular episode of According to Jim, Jim and Cheryl's young son wants to be Cinderella for Halloween and Jim opposes, saying his son is not going to be seen looking like a "girl." This brushed on the subject of homosexuality and so-called normalcy. Unlike All in the Family, however, this subject is acceptable in today's times because of how society is changing and how things are not so extreme as they once were.