Американский кинематограф

Министерство  образования и науки РФ

ГОУ ВПО «Шадринский  государственный педагогический институт»

Кафедра английского  языка и методики его преподавания

 

 

 

 

 

Реферат по лингвострановеденью

на тему «Американский  кинематограф»

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Выполнила: студентка

группы 142

Выломова  Елена

Руководитель: к.п.н.,

доцент Оларь Ю.В.

 

 

 

 

 

Шадринск 2010

 

Contents:

 

1. History of American cinematography

 

2. The golden age of Hollywood

 

3. Modern cinema

 

3. The genres

 

4. Oscar

 

5. Walk of  Fame

 

6. Celebrities

 

7. Hollywood Gossip

 

8. Hollywood and politics

 

9. List of Sources

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

History of American cinematography.

 

        The cinema of the United States has a history sometimes separated into four main periods: the silent film era, classical Hollywood cinema, New Hollywood, and the contemporary period (after 1980). Since the 1920s, the American film industry has grossed more money every year than that of any other country.

        In 1878, Eadweard Muybridge demonstrated the power of photography to capture motion. In 1894, the world's first commercial motion picture exhibition was given in New York City, using Thomas Edison's Kinetoscope. The United States was in the forefront of sound film's development in the following decades. Since the early twentieth century, the U.S. film industry has largely been based in and around Hollywood, Los Angeles, California. Picture City, FL was also a planned site for a movie picture production center in the 1920s, but due to the 1928 Okeechobee hurricane, the idea collapsed and Picture City was returned back to the original name of Hobe Sound. Director D. W. Griffith was central to the development of film grammar and Orson Welles's Citizen Kane (1941) is frequently cited in critics' polls as the greatest film of all time. American screen actors like John Wayne and Marilyn Monroe have become iconic figures, while producer/entrepreneur Walt Disney was a leader in both animated film and movie merchandising. The major film studios of Hollywood are the primary source of the most commercially successful movies in the world, such as Gone with the Wind (1939), Star Wars (1977), Titanic (1997), and Avatar (2009), and the products of Hollywood today, making it second largest producer of films, only after India.

 

The Golden Age of Hollywood.

 

    The Golden Age of Hollywood lasted from the end of an epoch mute in the American cinema in the late twenties till the end of 1950, thousand films have been let out from studios of Hollywood. The Golden Age was begun when the singer of a jazz has been let out in 1927, the termination of an epoch mute and increases in the cash have arrived for films as the sound has been entered in feature films. The majority Hollywood a photo strictly adheres to the formula - Western, a cheap farce, musical, a cartoon film, a biographic film (a biographic picture) - and the same creative collectives often worked on the films made on the same studio. For example, Sedrik Gibbons and Herbert Stothart always worked on MGM films, Alfred Newman worked in the Twentieth century Fox within twenty years, Sesil B.De of Mill ' S films all have been almost made in Paramount, and director Henry King ' S films basically have been made for the Twentieth century Fox.

        At the same time, it was possible to guess usually, what studios have made what film, basically of actors who have appeared in it; MGM, For example, assert that have caught "more stars, than Is in heavens". Each studio has own style and characteristic strokes that would allow the nobility, it is line which doesn't exist today. Nevertheless each film was a little another, and, unlike masters who have made the cars much of people which have made films there were artists. For example, To Have And Not To Have (1944). It is known not only for the first pairing of actors of Hamfri Bogart (1899-1957) and Loren Bekoll (1924-), but also that two future winners the Nobel Prize under the literature are written: Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961)is the author of the novel on whom the scenario has been nominally based, and William Faulkner (1897-1962) who worked on the adaptation screen.

        After the Singer of a jazz has been let out in 1927, Warner Bros. has got tremendous success and was able get their own lines of cinemas, after Stanley Teatry's purchase and the First National Productions in 1928. MGM also belonging Loews the Line of theaters of the moment of formation of group in 1924, and Fox Film Corporation belonging Fox Theatre lines, and also. Besides, РКО (1928 merge the Whale - Orpheum Theatres and Radio corporation of America) have answered on Western Electric to monopoly VSOI for a sound in films, and have developed the own method known as the Photo background, to Put a sound in films. Paramount who has already got Balaban and Katz in 1926, there will be an answer to success Warner Bros. and РКО and to buy quantity of theaters in the late twenties as well, and will hold monopoly for theaters Detroit, Michigan. To 1930th years, all theaters of America belonged the big five of studio - MGM, Paramount Pictures, РКО, Warner Bros. and the Twentieth century Fox.

        Film of decisions still business however, and the film companies have made the money, operating in frameworks system Studio. Large studios, thousands of people under the salary are actors, producers, directors, writers, stuntmen, handicraftsmen and technicians.

They owned or rented Film Ranches in rural Southern California a place of shooting from westerns and other large films of a genre scale. And they owned hundreds theaters in cities and settlements on all country, theaters which have shown the films and which are always necessary a fresh material.

        In 1930 MPDAA President Hejs is created Hejs of the Code which followed rules of censorship and has come into force after the government of threat of censorship to expand to 1930. However, the code is never realized till 1934, after the Catholic Sentry organization the decency Legion - is shaken very successful sexual Mae the performance West in. It has made it incorrectly and I not an angel - threatened to boycott films if it doesn't come into force. Those films which haven't met with approval from manufacture of the code of administration should be paid $25,000.00 thin and couldn't have arrived to theaters, as MPDDA belonging each theater in the country through the big five of studio. 

         During the thirties, and also the Golden Age most part, MGM dominate a film of the screen and there was the main stars in Hollywood, and also a credit for system creation the Hollywood star in general. Some MGM Stars are included "the King of Hollywood" Clark Gejbl, Lajonel Berrimor, Dzhin Harlou, Norm of Shirer, Greta Garbo, Zhanett McDonald and the husband of Gene Raymond, Spenser Trejsi, Dzhudi Garlend, and Kelly's Gin. Other big achievement of a cinema of the USA company animations have come to this period through Walt Disney. In 1937 Disney has created the most successful film of time - Belosnezhka and seven gnomes. Besides, in 1939 MGM to create that till now, adjusted for inflation, the most successful film of all times, Disappeared completely.

        Cinemas have noticed on many great products of cinema which left this period of strictly regulated cinemas. One of the reasons of it became possible that with such quantity of films becomes, not all should be the big hit. Studio function, with the good scenario and concerning unknown actors can play averages of the budget: Citizen Kejn, Director Orson Wells (1915-1985) also is often considered as the Greatest a film of all times, corresponds to this description. In other cases, strong-willed directors as Hovard Hawkes (1896-1977), Alfred Hitchcock (1899-1980) and Frenk Kapra (1897-1991) battled studios to reach their art vision. The apogee of studio of system, probably, was 1939 which was issued such classics as “Тhe Wizard from the country Oz", "Disappeared completely", "Тhe Stagecoach", "Mr. Smith goes to Washington", "Storm pass", "Only angels have wings" and "Midnight". Among other films since the period of the Golden Age which now are considered as classics: "Casablanca is a wonderful life"," It happens once at night", "Тhe original King-Kong", "Mutiny on Baunti", "Вig city Fires", "Red River" and "Top Hat".

 

Modern cinema.

 

The drive to produce a spectacle on the movie screen has largely shaped American cinema ever since. Spectacular epics which took advantage of new widescreen processes had been increasingly popular from the 1950s onwards. Since then, American films have become increasingly divided into two categories: Blockbusters and independent films. Studios have focused on relying on a handful of extremely expensive releases every year in order to remain profitable. Such blockbusters emphasize spectacle, star power, and high production value, all of which entail an enormous budget. Blockbusters typically rely upon star power and massive advertising to attract a huge audience. A successful blockbuster will attract an audience large enough to offset production costs and reap considerable profits. Such productions carry a substantial risk of failure, and most studios release blockbusters that both over- and underperform in a year.

Studios supplement these movies with independent productions, made with small budgets and often independently of the studio corporation. Movies made in this manner typically emphasize high professional quality in terms of acting, directing, screenwriting, and other elements associated with production, and also upon creativity and innovation. These movies usually rely upon critical praise or niche marketing to garner an audience. Because of an independent film's low budgets, a successful independent film can have a high profit-to-cost ratio, while a failure will incur minimal losses, allowing for studios to sponsor dozens of such productions in addition to their high-stakes releases.

       American independent cinema was revitalized in the late 1980s and early 1990s when another new generation of moviemakers, including Spike Lee, Steven Soderbergh, Kevin Smith, and Quentin Tarantino made movies like, respectively: Do the Right Thing; Sex, Lies, and Videotape; Clerks; and Reservoir Dogs. In terms of directing, screenwriting, editing, and other elements, these movies were innovative and often irreverent, playing with and contradicting the conventions of Hollywood movies. Furthermore, their considerable financial successes and crossover into popular culture reestablished the commercial viability of independent film. Since then, the independent film industry has become more clearly defined and more influential in American cinema. Many of the major studios have capitalized on this by developing subsidiaries to produce similar films; for example Fox Searchlight Pictures.

        To a lesser degree in the 2000s, film types that were previously considered to have only a minor presence in the mainstream movie market began to arise as more potent American box office draws. These include foreign-language films such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Hero and documentary films such as Super Size Me, March of the Penguins, and Michael Moore's Bowling for Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11.

 

The genres.

 

       From the beginning, its existence American cinema strove strived to development of the clear system of the genres.

        Each of genres has an own laws, similar of a plot lines, and accordingly, its spectator, which and brings the income. So, already genre western appears on initial stage of the histories Hollywood   adventure films about Dick West, strong and manly cowpuncher, spiteful bandits and wild (or not much) Indians. In these films always is present the manly main hero, such follower of the medieval peripatetic knight. The plots film can several differ- this and fight  good  heroes with  bad  lad "Splendid numeral seven", history famous robbers "Butch Kennedy and Sandens Kid ", history of the conquest of the West " As it was achieved West".

        All shot westerns possessed the general attribute - chases, shooting, beautiful nature, successful end of the film. Popularization American western affected on movies on that side of the ocean. Already after war in good supply leave European westerns.

       In Italian cinema this genre has got the name  Spaghetti-western .

        Besides, western arose and in movie theater of the countries of the socialist camp. In film, where dug the Indians performed the Yugoslavian actor Goyko Mitich, wars between scolded by population of the America and white conqueror were interpreted in favor of the first. Mitich personified the image noble Indian hero, fighting for right of its folk against greedy and mean white American. Western (particularly European) has affected and on soviet recreational cinema: appears eastern, created on local material. The Conquest west American territory is changed event of the Civil war " Elusive avengers" , " White sun to deserts ",  "Lost expedition ". The main hero, fighter for Soviet power, enter in opposition with white or local bandits. Usually this occurs on fringe of the country- in CENTRAL ASIA " White sun to deserts " or on FAR EASTS " Lost expedition ". Either as American sample, main hero wholly capable to win the ensemble an enemy and provide the lucky play-off.

        Also intensive musical develops in Hollywood. The Genre of the music theatre, where hero dance and sing, was confirmed on Brodvee as far back as nineteenth age, but with development Hollywood he is carried and in cinema. The Discriminating line of the American musical of the early period   light themes, merry music, beautiful hero. The Star to music comedy of the brought period were M. Pikford, F. Aster, D. Ferbenks. In significant measure American music film has influenced upon soviet music cinema 30^th "Merry boys ,  Circus ".

        In the second half technical advances to industry have gave a chance develop the new genre, bound, first of all, with fantasy.

        However, in postwar decennial events situation in Hollywood several changed. The Cinema created in strict correspondence to with accepted by system of the genres and presenting itself collection of the sister pictures, copying similar subjects and natures, became to bore the spectator and did not bring the cinematographer of the desired profit. The Similar failures have forced the lea dinging American moviemakers more to entrust the representative of the young generation.

        As result   American movie theater becomes more varied, appear the pictures, having real artistic value or modern made action. The Bright representative of the generation, created modern mass cinema, are Martin Skorseze, Steven Spilberg, George Lukas.

        Popular now genre of the criminal drama is closely connected with creative activity F.F. Koppola. His filming of the novel M. Piyuzo  Godfather  - unconditional Hollywood classics.

        The Significant push influx European stage manager became in development American cinema second half of the twentieth age. The Typical example   Czech émigré Milash Uniform do not wanted to work in occupied by soviet troops to Czechoslovakians after 1968.

        Having begun work in USA, uniform created several prominent pictures. Probably, the most known of them   filming of the novel Kena Kizi.Tells about lifes of the psychiatric hospital, picture indeed considers the broader circle of the questions, opposing to spiritual liberty to personalities and laws society. The Tape Formana, either as novel, become symbol to ideologies hippie.

 

Oscar.

 

        One of the greatest events in Hollywood is the annual presentation of Oscar, the legendary figurine which is the highest Award of the American Cinema Academy. This organization was founded in 1927. Its aim was to further the development of cinematography.                                   The Academy Awards were first handed out in 1929. At that time the awards weren’t called Oscars. The gold statuette got its name in 1931 because the director of he Academy thought that it looked like her uncle Oscar. In those days, 250 people paid 10 $ each to watch the remedy. However it probably wasn’t that exiting because the audience already knew the winners’ names. These days, no one knows who has won until the famous sealed envelope is opened. Every year in February the American press publishes the titles of films which have been chosen for the competition. On the presentation day there is a magnificent show in the Los Angeles Music Centre. Awards are given to the best actor, to the best actress, for the best script, for music, etc. Foreign films also participate in the competition. Another tradition is the ceremony of leaving one’s footprints or handprints on the pavement in front of the Chinese Theatre. Some actors consider it too pompous and do not accept the invitation for the ceremony.

 

Walk of  Fame.

 

The Hollywood Walk of Fame is a series of sidewalks along either side of a 15-block segment of Hollywood Boulevard and a 3-block segment of Vine Street in Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, USA that serves as a permanent public monument to achievement in the entertainment industry. More than 2,400 5-pointed terrazzo and brass stars are embedded at 6-foot intervals over a combined 1.7 miles. The stars recognize an eclectic mix of actors, musicians, directors, producers, musical and theatrical groups, fictional characters, and others for their entertainment contributions. The Walk is administrated by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and maintained by the self-financing Hollywood Historic Trust.

According to a report by the market research firm NPO/Plog Research, the Walk attracts about 10 million visitors annually - more than Sunset Strip, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, the Queen Mary, and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art - and has played an important role in making tourism the largest industry in Los Angeles County.

 

Celebrities.

 

Kerry Washington is one of the popular among Hollywood celebrities and the winner for outstanding actress for Ray at the NAACP Image Awards and nominated for an Independent Spirit Award in the film Lift. These types of Hollywood celebrities are proving to be the busiest actresses in Hollywood. She garnered critical acclaim for her latest roles in The Last King of Scotland opposite Forest Whitaker for which the famous among the Hollywood celebrities was nominated for outstanding supporting actress.

Most recently, the famous among the Hollywood celebrities, Kerry Washington was seen on the big screen in Fantastic Four, Rise of the Silver Surfer reprising her role as Alicia Masters, as well as in I Think I Love My Wife opposite Chris Rock and the Wayans Brothers comedy Little Man. She is one of the most popular among the Hollywood celebrities and is currently in production on A Thousand Words starring opposite Eddie Murphy. Prior to these films, the popular Hollywood celebrities starred in Mr. and Mrs. Smith, starring Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie, Fantastic Four, directed by Tim Story and Ray, the inspirational life story of Ray Charles, opposite Jamie Foxx.  
        The Hollywood is full of popular and aw ard winning Hollywood celebrities. Generally speaking, celebrity actors are someone who gets media attention and most frequently has an extroverted personality. The desire to be notable in the society and among people is implied by some to be a part of Western culture and more specifically the American Dream as a measure of success. All those celebrity actors who shy away from the public eye or keep a very separate private life are called reluctant Hollywood celebrities. 
        There are wide ranges of ways people can become celebrity actors, from their profession, appearances in the mass media, beauty or even by complete accident or infamy. Instant celebrity is the term that is used when someone becomes celebrity actors in very short period of time. In some places, someone that somehow achieves a small amount of transient fame through hype or mass media is stereotyped as B grade Hollywood celebrities.

Top 10 celebrities: Naomi Watts , Scarlett Johansson , Angelina Jolie, Jill Clayburgh, Jennifer Grey, Megan Fox, Will Ferrell, Jaden Smith, Tish Cyrus, Jessica Alba.

        Naomi Ellen Watts (born 28 September 1968) is an English-Australian actress. Watts began her career in Australian television, where she appeared in commercials and series, including the soap opera Home and Away, Brides of Christ and the family sitcom Hey Dad..!                She is known for her roles in the films Mulholland Drive (2001), The Ring (2002) and 21 Grams (2003), for which she received an Academy Award nomination. She has also starred in King Kong (2005), Eastern Promises (2007), The International (2009), and You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger (2010).

        Angelina Jolie born June 4, 1975, also Angelina Jolie Voight is an American actress. She has received an Academy Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards. Jolie promotes humanitarian causes, and is noted for her work with refugees as a Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). She has been cited as one of the world's most attractive people, as well as the world's "most beautiful" woman, titles for which she has received substantial media attention.  Though she made her screen debut as a child alongside her father Jon Voight in the 1982 film Lookin' to Get Out, Jolie's acting career began in earnest a decade later with the low-budget production Cyborg 2 (1993). Her first leading role in a major film was in Hackers (1995). She starred in the critically acclaimed biographical films George Wallace (1997) and Gia (1998), and won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the drama Girl, Interrupted (1999). Jolie achieved wider fame after her portrayal of video game heroine Lara Croft in Lara Croft: Tomb Raider (2001), and since then has established herself as one of the best-known and highest-paid actresses in Hollywood. She has had her biggest commercial successes with the action-comedy Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005) and the animated film Kung Fu Panda (2008). Divorced from actors Jonny Lee Miller and Billy Bob Thornton, Jolie currently lives with actor Brad Pitt, in a relationship that has attracted worldwide media attention. Jolie and Pitt have three adopted children, Maddox, Pax, and Zahara, as well as three biological children, Shiloh, Knox, and Vivienne.

        Megan Denise Fox (born May 16, 1986) is an American actress and model. She began her acting career in 2001 with several minor television and film roles, and played a recurring role on Hope and Faith. In 2004, she launched her film career with a role in Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen. In 2007, she was cast as Mikaela Banes, the love interest of Shia LaBeouf's character in the blockbuster film Transformers which became her breakout role and earned her various Teen Choice Awards nominations. Fox reprised her role in the 2009 sequel, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen. Later in 2009, she starred as the titular lead character in the film Jennifer's Body. Fox is considered a sex symbol and frequently appears in men's magazine "Hot" lists. She was listed #18, #16, #2, and #5 on Maxim magazine's yearly Hot 100 list in 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 respectively, while FHM readers voted her the "Sexiest Woman in the World" in 2008. She ranked number one on Moviefone's "The 25 Hottest Actors Under 25" in 2008.In 2004, Fox began dating Brian Austin Green, of Beverly Hills, 90210 fame, after reportedly having met on the set of Hope & Faith. They were involved in an on-again, off-again relationship, before finally marrying in June 2010.