Primary Colors Are Not Real

Life Lessons: In Depth

by Leni

Dobie see's Paulette for the first time since she's arrived to New York from Florida

“It’s art. If you give it up, you were never an artist in the first place.” This is said by Lionel Dobie, a fictional character dreamt up in Martin Scorsese’s film, Life Lessons. Scorsese’s film is about an artist, Lionel Dobie, struggling to create a painting without his muse, Paulette, within the short time frame he has until his show opens in three weeks. The iris effect is used in the film, Life Lessons, to demonstrate a wider understanding of the film’s content.

Dobie talks with a new girl he's met

The iris effect, in which a black circle closes to end a scene, is used to depict not only a transition, but a metaphor for the film. The type of iris effects used are constant throughout the course of the film--iris out. This not only shows our narrow understanding of what’s happening, but it pinpoints what we should be focusing on. For instance, the iris is used in the beginning to pinpoint a glass of liquor, thus illustrating that our protagonists interest is mainly on alcohol at the moment. However, when our main character, Dobie, is at an airport picking his assistant up, the effect is used outwardly to show her, and then expand to see where she is. This represents that she is the center of his world, and it’s grown and developed around her. Also, at the conclusion of the film, the effect is used to pinpoint Dobie and a young lady, and then expand outwards to show an empty room. This impact of this effect demonstrates that his world now grows and develops around this new lady instead of Paulette, his previous assistant. The iris also shows that this is a circle--a continuous cycle--for Dobie. We expand from our limited knowledge of what’s happening with his relationship to learn that this is not a one-time thing. The iris effect wholeheartedly depicts not only the important aspects of Dobie’s life, but his entire viewpoint.

Everyone else disappears as Dobie talks more with the New Girl

Within the movie, the iris film effect is used in depth to create a metaphor for the protagonist’s life and how the viewer understands it. Scorsese utilizes the effect to show the relationship that Dobie has between his physical things, his relationship with Paulette, and his existence in life. Without the use of the iris effect, the film would hold less meaning and would lack depth.

Comments

Limited and Flat Space in Rear Window

Limited and Flat Space in Rear Window By: Cassie Galonsky The film Rear Window , directed by Alfred Hitchcock, uses different types of space to convey the story that he is telling. The film is shot with space in mind to create different feelings for the audience. Limited space and flat space are both used at different points, in order to portray different things. The majority of the film is told through the eyes of L.B. Jeffries, or Jeff, a freelance photographer who has been confined to his apartment as his broken leg heals. Alfred Hitchcock uses the opportunity to demonstrate to the audience his confinement with the different types of space. During the course of the story, Jeff observes the actions of his neighbors through his open window. One day, he sees a series of events that leads him to believe that one of his neighbors, Thorwald, has murdered his wife after her unexplained disappearance. He enlists in the help of his girlfriend, Lisa, who sneak

Citizen Kane Deep Space Analysis

The rise to plenty of fame and power from a foundation of no fame and power is what Citizen Kane, one of the most critically acclaimed films of all time, is all about. This film contains elements of space that serve not only for practical purposes but also to mimic the overall theme of the film. The film follows a reporter who struggles to tell the story behind the mysterious Charles Kane’s dying word, “Rosebud” and his journey into the world of Mr. Kane that never results in him finding the meaning of the dying word. Deep space and focus use helps to create the overall style and meaning of the film. The two most noteworthy reasons for deep space are to give us more information about the characters, and to allow the viewer to find things without being shown them directly. For example, in the scene where Kane’s mother is signing him off to Mr. Thatcher, a wealthy banker who promises him a better life, the primary shot contains three distinct viewpoints. This is one of the most iconi

The Power of Lionel Dobie's Painting

In his short film, Life Lessons, Martin Scorsese shows off his directing skills and techniques in a variety of ways. Throughout the film, he utilizes stylized camera techniques to enhance the story and make it visually interesting. Those camera techniques combined with his direction produces a very compelling and entertaining film. One scene, in particular, stands out as a great example of the directing skills of Scorsese. In that scene, we see Paulette go from being determined to leave New York to her falling back under Dobie’s spell and deciding to stay. This scene stands out due to the fact that rather than dialog, it utilizes visuals and music to successfully convey Paulette’s decision to remain with Dobie in New York. Approximately halfway through the film, we are shown a conversation between Paulette and her mother. Paulette wants to come home because she feels that she has no future as a painter after Lionel cannot compliment her work. Towards the end of the conversation,