The Wizard of Oz displays film techniques and narrative elements that results in an exciting story. Formalist theory will be used in the following film to analyze The Wizard of Oz theatrical presentation by the author. The theory (formalist) allows critiques to relate how meaning is displayed by learning a film structure through analysis. By aligning the formalist theory to the technology used, editing style and mise en scène would assert that indeed The Wizard of Oz is worth watching action adventure that provides excellent learning experience beyond the science fiction lovers. A reflection upon as an individual, my film analysis capabilities, have developed throughout the lessons and how it might be used it in the present and the future. Finally, the author will conclude by an explanation of why The Wizard of Oz is an articulate entertainment experience in excitement, achievement effect, and thrill as well as virtue familiarity.
Different themes intertwine in Films, and The Wizard of Oz is no option as noted all over the story of the piece. Among the many themes presented in work, ‘confrontation with evil’ is the most dominant and influence that runs throughout the film. It is noted in many scenarios that make up a critical part of the work. It leads to subthemes such as garnering respect, valuing honesty, respecting friendship, and fulfilling hope among others. The background and dynamics of the elements used in the production of the film such as culture, legacy, family dynamics, and heritage of the dramatic presentation augment and supports the central theme of ‘confrontation with evil’ that blends to form a top-quality piece. It provides lessons and sends a strong message to the audience that views the film about issues of life in the different themes displayed. They can use as an example to structure faith, developing a compassionate understanding as well as promoting democratic values that enhances unity and equity principles. The Wizard of Oz film analysis will address contextual information, story and plot structure, aesthetic choices as well as Social and Personal impact.
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Contextual information entails the identification of the essential elements about the film that include the title, the Director(s) as well as major actors and actresses including cinematographer, type of film and year of release among others. The Wizard of Oz is directed by Victor Fleming, King Vidor, George Cukor, Richard Thorpe, and Norman Taurog. The film had many directors due to the long periods it took to finish the shots and produce the film as well as natural causes such as illness and reassignments to other duties within the company that produced the film. Victor Fleming, as the chief director, delegated some responsibilities to the other directors. They presented their work to Fleming for approval before they could proceed with the plans in the film production. The directors control the creative skills of actors and actress in the interpretation of scripts as well as guide the technical teams on the different tasks that they have in the production of the film. Harold Rosson, as the cinematographer, ensured that the camera crew and people working under him worked as a team in technical artistry and they reported to him for tasks and assignment related to the production of the film. The significant actors and actress comprise Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Billie Burke, Margaret Hamilton and Charley Grapewin (LeRoy (Producer) & Fleming et al. (Directors), 1939). The actors and actress had roles to play in the overall design process of the film production. It includes creating a sense of culture and species diversity to enable the story and themes of the piece flow well and efficiently with the audience making the piece a great sample. The concept design of The Wizard of Oz relies upon a vast community theme (Nussbaum, 2014). Shown where the community has values and standards that they use and build upon to enhance their interest either in the political, social or economic aspects. The identifying information in the eight named principal actors helps in ease of understanding of the different theme complexity according to the views of the authors of the work. The piece, science-fiction was released in the year 1939 the month of August. It had a multi-million dollar budget, classic, magic and animated has an average run time of 101 minutes.
A summary of The Wizard of Oz will serve as an overview of the plot and story and, orient the treatment of the theme. Dorothy, a sad Kansas farm girl, is lonely and lives her Uncle Henry and Aunt Em. Dorothy loves her dog named Toto and cannot stand the torment that her dog would undergo as a result of a hateful neighbor. She, therefore, decides to run away from home. A fierce tornado happens, and she is struck on the head and transported to lands ‘beyond the rainbow.’ Dorothy alongside her friends meets magical characters that include The Wizard of Oz that could help her get back home. The help comes with conditions including receiving threats from the Wicked Witch that promised revenge on Dorothy. The Wizard of Oz rewards Dorothy and her friends after the defeat of the Wicked Witch of the west. Each had a different heart desires, and Dorothy was able to return home in Kansas with Toto after undergoing a challenging expedition in unfamiliar territories.
The differences noted between a film’s story and a film’s plot is sequence and method. The author writes down the story or strings of actions, into a plot that narrates the story in its unique way (Doughty & Etherington-Wright, 2018). In transcribing The Wizard of Oz into a themed plot, the directors Victor Fleming et al. organized the camera team led by Harold Rosson and every actor, setting or dialogue towards intended story ideology creation. A combination of different skills in film production such as narrative ideology, costuming and live action among others resulted in critical moments scenes in the piece.
An example of the directors plot methodology recapturing The Wizard of Oz story sequence, and a scene from the abovementioned film synopsis, is Dorothy’s friends’ bold and courageous decisions that ambushed the guards that were manning the Witch castle to save Dorothy because the witch wanted Dorothy to be dead before she could be removed from the castle. The theme of confronting evil is well shown because of the expertise in the film production that show changed settings, editing styles, camera angles as well as character movements summed up in design and techniques elements (Harmetz, 2013). As the film transitions from the evil sneak attack from the Witch and her guards when they set fire to the scarecrow, Dorothy action of tossing a bucket of water changed the scenario as the water also splashed at the Witch and melted her away. The events in the film support the three areas of in-depth film analysis that helps convey The Wizard of Oz themes.
The mise en scène, farmland and castle, is low-key lightning that supports the different scenes and events in the piece. For example, the lightning at the castle creates a balance that promotes the magic that the Witch performs. Lightning helps the viewers of the piece to follow the events and different times of the day and night with ease. It enables easy transitions in events such as noted when the powerful tornado struck. The sound of the music is well balanced that enhances suspense at critical scenes in the film and background music. Costuming is also correctly done that enables the animation of characters as well as distinguish between the characters. For example, the costumes displayed by the Good Witch of the North and the Wicked Witch of the west differ (Nussbaum, 2014).
The editing sequence shifts back and forth from the settings in the farmland to that in the castles. The cuts and transitions and shots used. For example, when debris from the wind knocked Dorothy unconscious and when she awakens she sees a different environment from the one that she is used. The transitions and cuts, hence, enable the story to transit and flow from one event to the other supporting the themes in the film. The angles of the shots also differ that supports twisting and turning to capture clear images.
Technology impacts films on many ways that include targeted release venue and stock among others. Technology keeps changing that might affect a film production and targets. The initial releases used black and white. Subsequent releases, however, used sepia tone and other modern technology. In 2013, 3D IMAX version was availed and premiered at TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. The impact of the changing technology implied that some changes had to be done in the original story content.
The social impact of The Wizard of Oz film was it enhanced the spread of morality in the society as noted in the plot. In particular, it targeted educating children about the possible challenges that they might face when they fail to listen to their parents and elders (Erten, 2016). It targeted social change by upholding and enhancing moral values. The personal impact that film has had on me is that it has
Reflection
The author ability to analyze movies has increased when compared to the past at the beginning of the course. Vocabularies, techniques, concepts, and descriptions of film analysis and production have become much easier due to the information attained during the course. Through analyzing film, one understands deeply the themes and messages that the producers of the work intended for the audience of the work. Also, it places one at a better position to create and produce a film or participate in film production at one stage or the other. The analysis has changed how I view movies from the only position of an audience that concentrates mostly on the plots and stories depicted in a film to incorporate also the position from producer’s perception. I analyze movies noting how it can be improved and made better as well as acknowledge what was done best in film and, hence, can emulate that in future when I engage in production. I can use film theory and criticism to interpret meaning in movies by comparing films alongside themes of similar or related nature to help people understand deeply messages displayed in films. It can also help me in editing tasks and developing benchmarks to use in film production. The course has enabled me to relate movies to society by analyzing themes in film and comparing them to the real events in life and society. Most of the themes displayed in movies replicate what happens in society. The movie producers and directors have also focused on specific parts or groups in the society by targeting such audiences in the movies that they produce. It indicates that society can be changed and transformed directly and indirectly through films. The skills that I have developed in course include critique and analysis of movie at an in-depth level. The skills learned might be applied as an expert in film production, analysis, and lecture on matters relating to film in future.
The Wizard of Oz displays meaning in enhancing just and moral values with potential consequences. Cinematic techniques and narrative elements through a formalist approach enable themes to be displayed easily in films. Science-fiction lovers and others are highly encouraged to watch to note how theatrical styles and techniques are professionally presented distinguishing between ‘good vs. evil’ in the themes displayed.
References
Doughty, R., & Etherington-Wright, C. (2018). Understanding film theory . London : Macmillan Education : Palgrave
Erten, A. (2016). Children’s Literature in Translation: A Case Study on L. Frank Baum’s the Wonderful Wizard of Oz. International Journal of Arts & Sciences , 9(3), 133–139. Retrieved from http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=aph&AN=124904745&site=ehost-live
Harmetz, A. (2013). The making of The Wizard of Oz . Chicago: Chicago Review Press
LeRoy, M. (Producer). & Fleming, V. et al. (Directors). (1939). The Wizard of Oz [Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer ]. USA: Loew's, Inc.
Nussbaum, B. (2014). The wizard of Oz: An over-the-rainbow celebration of the world's favorite movie . New York: I-5 Publishing.
