Griffith and Offscreen Space

Find 3 instances in Birth of a Nation where Griffith employs the use of offscreen space. Describe the scene (give time code) and what you see in the frame (in detail). What is being implied with the offscreen space?

Think of 2 instances in other films (any films) where offscreen space is employed by a filmmaker. Tell me the name of the film, as well as what scene you chose. If you have a link, please include it. Describe what is seen on screen and what is being implied offscreen.

Here is a link to Birth of a Nation.

IB Film Guide

Here is a copy of the IB Film Guide. We will go over this guide in class throughout the year, but you should also be very familiar with it on your own.

https://www.buffaloschools.org/site/handlers/filedownload.ashx?moduleinstanceid=4343&dataid=192152&FileName=IB%20Film%20Guide.pdf

The General and The Gold Rush

Watch Chaplin's The Gold Rush and compare and contrast it with Keaton's The General. Think about everything you've learned thus far in terms of reading film. Discuss open/closed framing, kinesis, narrative, etc. Refer to your textbook if you need assistance with the vocabulary. Use at least one quote from the articles I gave you in your response.

Both films are available here:

The Gold Rush
The General

Early Films

Read about Edison, Lumiere Brothers, Melies, and Porter at EarlyCinema.com.

Watch at least 3 films from Edison, Lumiere Brothers, and also The Impossible Voyage by Melies on your own. Don't forget to finish watching The Great Train Robbery as well. You can search for the films and choose whatever ones you want from Edison and the Lumieres. All of the Edison films can be found at the Library of Congress and can be accessed here. Please be sure to tell me the name of the film and who made it and answer the following questions:

• Do you notice anything particular about the film’s presentation of cinematic space—what you see on the screen? How does this differ from films you watch today?
• What does the filmmaker compel you to see? What is left to your imagination? What is left out altogether?