Visual Techniques in Citizen Kane

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RV1CVCSSh9E

http://intermezzo.typepad.com/.a/6a00d834ff890853ef01127916af3528a4-450wi

The movie clip that I chose is from a scene of the movie Citizen Kane, which is well known for its developments in visual effects and mastery in camera work. The piece of art that I chose is Starry Night. I chose this piece of art not only because I like it, but because it’s grand, sweeping sky and landscape has made it one of the world’s most renowned pieces of art. The scene from Citizen Kane starts with a newspaper, then pans out to show a stack of papers, then several stacks. What this does that other forms of art can’t do is that the scene gives scope to the scene. It starts small, and then gives the whole picture. Paintings, which are fixed, have no zoom, so this is not possible. Another interesting effect is when Kane is looking at the picture in the window, the use of reflection is perfect. The viewer can clearly see the reflection of the three men in the glass. Finally, the transition from the photograph to the scene where the picture is taken is another element of film that can’t be duplicated in any other medium. Because paintings, sculptures and drawings cannot move, transition effects are not possible. On the endless possibilities of film, Walter Benjamin stated, “The characteristics of the film lie not only in the manner in which man presents himself to mechanical equipment but also in the manner in which, by means of this apparatus, man can represent his environment.” (11). Unfortunately I was not able to find the exact scene from the movie that I wanted, so I found the next example from the movie, just still shots from the same scene. (Sorry Dr. B).

http://movieimages.tripod.com/citizenkane/kane14.jpg

This image shows Kane standing next to a desk with windows behind him in a seemingly small room. However, due to camera positioning and lighting, the view is deceiving, and when Kane walks over to the windows, the room seems to change size.

http://movieimages.tripod.com/citizenkane/kane13.jpg

This is another effect that is possible in movies and not in other forms of art.