Robb Oler’s Hum210 Blog

When taking this class there was a dual purpose behind it. One was to get my general credits that I needed for my degree and the second was to learn more about something that I have always enjoyed, Movies. I definitely have learned more than I thought I would. To tell you the truth I thought that we were going to just watch movies and write a review. Even thought that was part of it, the reading really gave me a better understanding of how cinema came to be and where it is going.

  I knew that it took a lot of different things to make a movie but I never knew that is was this much. I mean you have a producers, directors, actors, actresses, camera, casting, lighting, sound, equipment people, costumes, special effects, ect…All these people make the whole production come alive. Even though there are some people who get all the credit, everyone who is involved in the movie gets credit.

  Directors are responsible for the casting, editing, shot selection, shot composition, and script editing of a film. They are the creative source behind a movie, and must communicate to actors on the way a particular shot is to be played. Directors usually have artistic control over all aspects of a film.

  Producers are in charge of a movie’s production in all matters, except for the creative efforts of the Director. The Producer is also responsible for raising funds, hiring key personnel, and arranging for distribution. 

  Screenwriters adapt existing works for production into a movie, or create a new screenplay to be filmed. 

  Cinematographer is a person who has expertise in the art of capturing images either electronically or on film through the use of visual recording devices. Also responsible for the selection and arrangement of lighting. The Director of Photography is the movie’s chief Cinematographer.

  All of these jobs are pretty much the hub of the movie. The most glorified and I hate to say the most important is the actors. Even though the true art is behind the senses the actors are the ones who bring life to the parts. And the better the actor or popular the actor the more seats will fill at the box office. To me acting is an art that can take years to master for some and for others they were just born to act, but today’s movies are more about the mighty buck. Even in the Oscars who are the award to reward great acting is all about dollars.

  This course has taught me to broaden my outlook on movies; I was mainly an action junky with an occasional comedy thrown in there for a laugh. Even though I still love action movies I do have more of a respect for dramas and love stories. In these movies I believe the true actors come out and show what the have. They are not playing second to special effects or crazy stunts; they are putting their hearts and souls into their work. This is something that I never would have realized without taking this class. My love for movies will always be important to me because for me it is a chance to get away and sort of daydream. It gives people a chance to go places that they may never get to. To see people that they may never see. To experience laughter, love, suspense, and fear through the big screen. For me it is like a two-hour vacation to recharge my batteries and forget about the day-to-day grind. This class has taught me to experience that in different ways and different areas.