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Erin Coggins
Prof. Julie Hicks
LBST 1102 Arts and Society: Film
December 2, 2014
Final Film Reflection
Over this semester in LBST 1102 Arts and Society: Film, I have been exposed to
a wide variety of films, including short films, documentaries, neorealist movies, films
purposed to critique culture, and heartwarming stories. As I engaged in discussion
surrounding these films and characters, I have developed my ability to recognize editing
techniques, numerous camera shots, and lighting conventions as well as the resulting
effects on the audience and the film as a whole. Films such as Crash, Traffic, and
Central Station encouraged me to take a look at my own life while bringing awareness to
global issues and techniques of filmmaking. In my responses to the movies Singin in the
Rain, Crash, and American Beauty, I was able to knowledgably discuss editing
techniques, themes, and various camera shots, making these compositions exemplary
examples of my growth as a film critic. Further, the movies The Bicycle Thief, Crash,
and American Beauty address serious issues pertaining to culture such as poverty,
inequality, racism, discrimination, love, self-image, homosexuality, and identity.
Studying older films gives the audience a deeper appreciation for the culture of the time
and the improvements and modern techniques in todays films. Throughout the semester,
I have learned about the art of filmmaking, the role of a film critic, and how films relate
to an audience and the surrounding culture.

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Over the course of the semester, we have watched films that have touched me,
making me laugh, smile, and even cry; however, three films have stuck with me even
after our class period: Crash, Traffic, and Central Station. Crash explicitly depicts the
effects of racial stereotypes and discrimination in todays culture through the characters
and their interactions with each other. In watching both their verbal and literal collisions,
the audience is forced to think of their own prejudices and the repercussions of those
thoughts and actions. For example, watching Christine Thayer react violently towards
Officer John Ryan after their first encounter made me realize the gravity and weight of
my words and actions in how I am seen as a person. Apart from looking at my own
personal actions, I realized that specific lighting could relay a specific tone to the
audience. The majority of the scenes in Crash had low, dim lighting to reflect intensity
and discord among the characters. Because of this relation, I often felt anxious and
apprehensive watching the film. The film Traffic also taught me a great deal about both
the national issue of drug trafficking and film editing. Being extremely nave in the drug
war realm, this film gave me new insight into all of the aspects of the drug war, including
drug users, bureaucratic politicians, police officers, and drug dealers. I used to think that
it should be relatively easy to stop drugs from entering the United States by simply not
letting drugs cross the border from Mexico and that it should be relatively easy to keep
teenagers from using drugs simply by telling them to stop. This film helped me to
understand the complexity of the drug problem in America and difficulty in creating one
simple solution to address the multi-faceted issue. In addition, Traffic uses three different
color gradients in shooting scenes in different settings. While watching Traffic, I first
began to pick up on the effects of editing, realizing that choosing different colors not only

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helps the audience keep the storylines straight, but also represents the tone of the
situation. For instance, Ohio has a blue filter to represent the seriousness of the problem
and the distance of the politicians (and drug users) seem to be from a solution. Further,
the movie Central Station reminds the audience that it is important to help people. It was
a heartwarming affirmation for me that loving people serves others while also bringing a
personal joy and sense of accomplishment. The sweet character development creates a
personal engagement with the film, and I found myself cheering for Dora and Josue when
they make money in the market and crying for them as Dora rides away, leaving Josue
behind. Whether it be increased awareness of racial stereotyping, a new insight on a
national issue, a broadened understanding of film editing, or a charming reminder to help
others, Crash, Traffic, and Central Station have had the greatest impact on me and the
development of my skills as a film critic this semester.
Writing responses to films throughout the semester has helped me grow in my
confidence as a film critic and ability to intelligently analyze film editing. The three
responses that display this growth are my responses to Singin in the Rain, Crash, and
American Beauty. In my response to Singin' in the Rain, I felt as though I was able
to knowledgeably discuss the different film techniques and camera shots chosen and
those effects on the audience engagement throughout the film. I was also able to write
about my appreciation for the film's choreography with my own background in dance.
For example, I write:
The shots varied between close-ups during most conversations or intimate scenes
and more distant shots during the dancing scenes. For instance, both of these
types of shots were used in the song You Were Meant for Me. In the beginning

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of the song, the camera is focused on Don Lockwood. As he moves toward Kathy
Seldon, the camera zooms in to capture their faces. This shot allows the audience
to see the intimacy between these two characters. Then, as Don Lockwood and
Kathy Seldon begin to dance, the camera pans out to show their steps. This shot
allows the audience to enjoy the dancing in full. By using both close and more
distant shots, the audience is able to understand the feelings of the characters and
enjoy the choreography of the musical.
Also, in my response to Crash, I was able to recognize the symbolism in the title and
editing and its importance to the theme and message of the film. For instance, I write,
[The light] seemed soft and haloed in comparison to the dark backgrounds. This
lighting could reflect the idea that fighting racial inequality starts with making small
differences. Acts of bravery and equality may not be noticed, but they will slowly
illuminate the evil of racial prejudices. Further, in my response to American Beauty, I
was able to make connections between the lighting of a scene and the tone and message
of the scene. I was also able to explain the critiques of American suburban families in
modern culture through examples from the film. In my response, I comment about the
soft lighting used in the scene after Lester Burnham realizes that Angela Hayes is still a
virgin, writing, This drastic change in lighting reflects Lesters dramatic change in
desire; his character shifted from an intense lustful paramour to a thoughtfully protective
father. I feel as though my best compositions include commentary on how the editing
techniques contribute to the storyline as a whole and the audiences engagement with the
film, labeling my responses to Singin in the Rain, Crash, and American Beauty some of
my best work.

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We have also watched many movies that include obvious critique of culture
addressing issues such as race, sex, identity, age, economic poverty, and social inequality,
including the films Crash, American Beauty, and The Bicycle Thief. In Crash, the
characters deal with their own personal prejudices and racial stereotypes in the midst of
Los Angeles, California. For example, Jean Cabot demands that her locks be changed
even after Daniel, the locksmith, changes them because she doesnt trust him due to his
Mexican-American background. This film reflects modern culture because racism and
discrimination are both prevalent issues in American society. Strides are being taken to
reduce racism, reflected in each characters moment of grace, but discrimination and
stereotypes still affect communities and families. American Beauty presents critique of
the American middle-class suburban culture through issues such as self-image, identity,
sexuality, love, marriage, and divorce. In my response, I write:
[Sam Mendes, director] uses the characters and plotline to present the struggles in
everyday American families. In both Jane Burnham and Angela Hayess lack of
self-confidence, the audience is able to reconsider the ideal of beauty. Angela
Hayes is portrayed as the beautiful blonde teenager who seems to have her life in
order. All of the boys, including Lester Burnham, stare at her beauty as she walks
by them. On the other hand, Jane Burnham is depicted as a plain and ordinary
girl. Angela Hayes finds her identity in boys who find her attractive. She brags
about her sexual endeavors and seemingly perfect look. Jane Burnham, however,
is seen researching breast augmentation and does not view herself as pretty or
popular. At the end of the film, we see that, in fact, both girls have issues with
their own self-confidence and self-worth.

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The other issues of marriage, divorce, and homosexuality are addressed through other
characters and events throughout the movie. Further, The Bicycle Thief focuses on the
reality of unemployment and poverty that plagued the citizens of Italy in the post World
War II era. I write in my response, Watching The Bicycle Thief in a different language
allows the audience to embrace the culture shown in the film. In this case, the audience
entered into the economic depression and social inequality of Italy by listening to the
Italian language. I also thought it was interesting that at the end of film, Antonio
continues his life in social disparity and economic poverty because he is unable to resolve
the issue of his stolen bicycle. The Bicycle Thief blatantly describes the social and
economic inequality that took place in post-WWII Italy. Film often provides cultural
critique, and Crash, American Beauty, and The Bicycle Thief provide excellent examples
of this cultural commentary.
Throughout this semester, I have learned about the art of filmmaking while
developing my ability to recognize and appreciate editing techniques, different camera
shots, and lighting strategies as well as how these conventions affect the audience. After
watching The Cutting Edge: The Magic of Movie Editing, I began to realize how large of
a role the editor actually plays in the emotional appeal of scenes and movies. This film
also explains that the montage and juxtaposition often creates a third feeling greater than
the sum of the two images in the scene. While watching the shower scene from Psycho, I
was able to recognize that the combination of the images of the shower, blood, and the
womans face created a feeling of fear and horror in the audience. I have also become
more comfortable in noticing the effect of different camera shots. Towards the beginning
of the semester, I did not realize the emotional effect of various camera shots. However,

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after discussing many possible angles of shooting scenes, I realize that close up camera
shots tap into the emotions of the audience, distant camera shots remove the audience
from the scene, and hand-held camera shots place the audience into the action. For
instance, the California chase scene in Traffic is shot with a hand-held camera creating a
shaky picture, making the audience feel anxious and engaged with the film. Further, I am
more confident in discussing the effect of lighting in a scene. For example, in responding
to American Beauty, I wrote:
The lighting not only emphasized the characters faces, but also the nature of the
current situation. For example, as Ricky Fitts walks back into his room after
dealing drugs to Lester Burnham, the camera pans to Col. Fitts. The audience
only sees a dark corner and the silhouette of a character, which gives the scene a
scary and intense tone.
Over the course of this class, I have definitely grown as a film critic, especially in my
confidence and ability to recognize specific editing techniques, various camera shots, and
methods of lighting and the resulting effect on the audience.
It is important to study older films such as The Bicycle Thief in a film class
because those films provide insight into the culture in context of the film and give the
audience a deeper appreciation for editing techniques used in modern films. After
watching The Bicycle Thief, I wrote, The neorealist approach to this film made me
depressed at the conclusion of the storyline. It effectively showed the economic and
social inequality, both of which are still prevalent issues in todays society. As an
audience member, I was introduced to the hopeless and poverty-stricken life of a citizen
of Italy in the post-WWII era. The audience is able to step into history beyond textbooks

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and newspapers, increasing awareness of different aspects of historical accounts. By
watching older films, we are also able to recognize certain editing techniques in modern
film. For example, after watching the Odessa Steps scene in Battleship Potem and
discussing the use of montage, I am able to recognize this technique paired with the
increased suspense of the scene in modern films. It is important to study older films to be
able to grasp historical concepts in context and notice editing techniques in modern film.
In the LBST 1102 Arts and Society: Film course, I have learned immensely more
about film and the process of filmmaking than I thought possible. I have become more
confident in recognizing editing techniques and themes throughout a film. Studying
older films has taught me about history in context, and the discussions in class allowed
me to begin to notice new aspects of the movies we watched in class. Some films
encouraged me to look at my own life while others offered critique of current culture.
Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed my semester of film class, analyzing different movies
and growing as a film critic.