Characterization in Film


When we talk about analyzing literature for characterization, we are trying to find out what defines, motivates, or is unique about a particular character.  Aspects that we focus on as significant in literature include actions, thoughts, emotions, and speech, as well as other details such as age and physical appearance.  We focus on how a director creates a character through various techniques.

 

Considerations:

 

Behavior

Appearance

Dialogue

Feelings

Director's/Writer's craft

 

Write a thesis statement about each of the two characters.

 

 

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Applied (below is a sample of how to apply the info)--Applied to Elizabeth (Shekhar Kapur, 1998)

 

Considerations

 

Behavior-->Puts head in hands in practice.  Tried to shout over men

Appearance-->Dressed in white at first, pure.  Changes into bright red

Dialogue-->Practicing her lines.  Makes jokes at the men.  Talks about "Her People."

Feelings--> Scared, frustrated and nervous, then strong and confident.

Director's/Writer's craft-->High-angle short of her, light shining down from heaven?

 

Write a thesis statement about each of the character.

1. Elizabeth is very uncomfortable as Queen, but she is getting the hang of it.

 

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Film Study: 

1. Conduct and write up that combines #1,#2,#3.  Your goal is to use your understanding of film and Anderson to write a summative paragraph about his style using your newly acquired film Jargon (Should be a specific and meaningful paragraph)

 

2. Use the info above to conduct a slice of characterization in the film.  Pick one character to work on and be specific.  The end result will be a quick character study and will also result in a paragraph.

 

3. General paragraph about Wes Anderson as a director and auteur.  (Do not reduce this to like or dislike)

 

 

From Wes Anderson's Bottle Rocket (1996)

Dignan: What do you think I was doing the whole time you were out there man? I told you Dignan got fired, out on his ass. But you didn't think about that, did you. In the end it's easier to think about yourself than it is to think about Dignan. 
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Dignan: What a lemon! One minute it's running like a top, and the next it's broken down on the side of the road. And I can't fix a car like this, because I don't have the tools! And even if I did have the tools I don't know if I could fix a car like this! 
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Anthony: Maybe we should've robbed your house. You ever think of that? 
Dignan: You know there's nothing to steal from my mom and Craig! 
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Dignan: They'll never catch me... because I'm fucking innocent. 
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Bob: Wha - why is there tape on your nose? 
Dignan: Exactly! 
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Dignan: [points to Bob] He's out. 
[points to Anthony
Dignan: And you're out, too. And I dont think I'm in, either. No gang! 
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Dignan: Okay. There, you see the star is me, right there, and I'll be in there. The X is Anthony. Bob, you're the zero out here in the car. 
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Kumar: Man, I blew it. I blew it, man. 
Anthony: Kumar, what were you doing in the freezer? 
Kumar: I don't know, man, I lose my touch, man. 
Dignan: Did you ever have a touch to lose, man? 
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Dignan: We'll get him. We'll get him. Man, dont worry about that, we'll get him. And when we do, we'll blow up his car, do something. I can guarantee you that. What makes me furious is thinking about the look on Bob's fat face, thinking he pulled one over on us. I tell you another thing. If our paths cross again, you're gonna see a side of Dignan that you havent seen before. A sick, sadistic side, cause I'm furious at Bob. 
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Dignan: Bob Mapplethorpe, potential get-away driver: go! 
Bob: Well, I think there's a real air of mystery about me. 
Dignan: Don't complicate it. Your number one strength is you have a car you can provide. Sell yourself! Start over. Ready, go! 
Bob: Okay, alright. I'm a risk taker! I'm growin' an entire crop of marijuana plants in my parents back yard! I think that shows... 
Dignan: Wait, you're growing an entire crop of marijuana in your back yard? 
Bob: Dignan, look. I'm just not very good at this selling-yourself stuff, okay? So, I'm just gonna tell you the truth. I really wanna be a part of this team. And I'm the only one with a car. 
Dignan: That's good. That's good. 'Cause that hits me right here. 
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Anthony: So, did you enjoy your first visit to the nut house? 
Dignan: Hey, hey, shh, shh, shh. Come on. Be sensitive to the fact that other people are not comfortable talking about emotional disturbances. Um, you know, I am, I'm fine with that, but... other people. 
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Bob: Anthony, I need to talk to you, man... Anthony, I have got to talk to you! Look, I am sorry about this, this seems like a nice soiree, but I have got a family situation. I don't care what you think. I dont care! Tengo una situaciĆ³n con mi familia! Dignan does not want to deal with it, could you please come outside for a minute? 
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Dignan: Pointless act! You don't give a 500 dollar tip to the housekeeper! That's inappropriate! That's inexcusable! That, I don't forgive! What were you thinking? What were you thinking? 
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Stacy Sinclair: Wow, you're really complicated. 
Anthony: I try not to be. 
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Dignan: On the run from Johnny Law... ain't no trip to Cleveland. 
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Guy in bathroom: Hey, you're in the Army, yes? 
Dignan: No, I just have short hair. 
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Anthony: One morning, over at Elizabeth's beach house, she asked me if I'd rather go water-skiing or lay out. And I realized that not only did I not want to answer THAT question, but I never wanted to answer another water-sports question, or see any of these people again for the rest of my life. 
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Anthony: You told, you told your friend Bernice I'm some kind of jet pilot? 
Grace: What was I supposed to say, they stuck you in an insane asylum? 
Anthony: It wasn't an insane asylum, Grace. I explained to you back then that it was for exhaustion. 
Grace: Exhaustion? 
Anthony: Yes, exhaustion. 
Grace: You haven't worked a day in your life. How could you be exhausted? 
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Anthony: Fact: Dignan, the picture's not doing it for me right now. 
Dignan: Well does the fact that I'm trying to do it do it for you? 
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Anthony: Which part of Mexico are you from? 
Inez: Paraguay. 
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Dignan: You, my dear friend, are a damn fool. 
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Grace: When are you coming home? 
Anthony: I can't come home, Grace, I'm an adult. 
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Future Man: I don't suppose either one of you know why Bob's car is here? 
Anthony: Uh... yeah, he's *here*. 
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Dignan: Who'd you get to do that? Did you bribe a janitor? 
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Dignan: A bigger bag you idiot! 
Book Store Manager: Don't call me an idiot, you punk! 
Dignan: Do you have a bigger bag for maps and atlases... sir? 
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Anthony: Why aren't you over there right now? 
Dignan: Because we're fugitives... and he fired me. 
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Anthony: I don't think your happiness is quite appropriate. 
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Bob: Jack, I'm 26 years old, I didn't run away from home. 
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Dignan: Why are you here right now? You're always at lunch at this time! 
Workers: Not always. 
Dignan: Yes! Always! 
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Dignan: Isn't it funny how you used to be in the nut house and now I'm in jail? 
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Anthony: Grace thinks I'm a failure. 
Dignan: What? What has she ever accomplished in her life that's so great? 
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Dignan: Son of a bitch! Anthony! Anthony! Bob's gone. He stole his car! He flew the coop while we were sleepin'! 
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Dignan: How does an asshole like Bob get such a great kitchen? 
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Dignan: Little kids are really cute. She is a cute little kid. 
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Bob to Dignan & Anthony: Can I get you guys something to drink? 
Dignan: Uh yeah, I'll have a Tom Collins. 
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Bob: [Bob is arguing with his brother] Bullying son of a bitch! 
Future Man: You're calling me a bully? Here's a bully for you! 
[punches Bob
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Dignan: Here are just a few of the key ingredients: dynamite, pole vaulting, laughing gas, choppers - can you see how incredible this is going to be? - hang gliding, come on! 
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Kumar: Who's that man? 
Dignan: That's Applejack, come on Kumar! 
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Dignan: So is Mr. Henry coming to se me or... 
Anthony: Well, I don't think so Dignan. He actually robbed Bob's house. 
Dignan: You're kidding! Wow. I almost robbed that place myself. 
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Abe Henry: The world needs dreamers. 
Future Man: Excuse me? 
Abe Henry: I don' think so. You know one day your going to wake up and realize that you no longer have a brother. And you no longer have any friends. And on that day, I'm gonna be front and center laughing my fucking ass off. 
Abe Henry: [laughs] John! 
[continues laughing
Abe Henry: John! 
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Abe Henry: I don't mean to offend you, Bob. But your brother's a cocksucker. Does that offend you? 
Bob: No, that didn't offend me. 
Abe Henry: Good. 
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Dignan: Who tripped the alarm, man? 
Anthony: It's the fire alarm! 
Dignan: Who tripped the fire alarm? 
Anthony: IT'S BECAUSE OF ALL THIS FUCKING SMOKE! 
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Bob: I think I know what you've been going through, man, cos I've been through some heavy shit myself. If you feel alone, like nobody in the world cares and nobody in the fucking world gives a shit, then I'm here... 
Anthony: ...That was a stop sign man... 
Bob: I'm ready to listen, man. If you want, I'll even open up first. I mean, my brother, that's a shit situation y'know, I mean he beats the crap outta me all the time. 
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Bob: I'm paying attention. 
Dignan: GODDAMNIT! Your not paying attention if you're messin' around with the gun! 
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Abe Henry: How's the water? How's the water? 
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Rocky: Tell Anthony I love him. 
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Dr. Nichols: Hey Anthony, don't try to save everybody, okay? 
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Anthony: [stops playing pinball] You took the earrings, Dignan? You took em. 
[leaves the drug store
Anthony: Well, you know, it's my fault. It's like, ultimately, Anthony, when are you gonna learn? 
Dignan: Man, you got another ball. Should I play your game? 
Anthony: [outside] The list, Dignan. I know you remember the list cause you signed it. You signed the things Dignan's not supposed to touch. 
Dignan: The thing is I can't be sorting through all that shit in the middle of a burglary. 
Anthony: Hey, hey, I don't care, okay? I bought the earrings for my mother on her birthday. I went down, I picked em out myself. 
Dignan: Hey, one thing is, every valuable item in the house was on that list. 
Anthony: Hey, maybe, we should've robbed your house. Did you ever think of that? No, I bet that never crossed your mind. 
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