Double Indemnity Blog Post

         At the start of the film, Phyllis seems like an innocent woman who is in need of comfort due to her neglecting husband. From this shot, Phyllis seems as if she's on a pedestal since we are looking up at her. Violins and flutes are the main focus of the music playing in the background which is very stereotypical for the introduction of two future love interests. The lighting is pretty light for the most part and she looks almost angelic but at the same time, she's in a towel so she's obviously an object of desire from the get-go. 

         After the killing, we see a change in Phyllis; she is no longer light and angelic, the overall frame is very dark and we can see the murderer inside her. Her eyes are very direct in focal point which is somewhat intimidating, unlike the "sweet" Phyllis in the frame above and dark, hollow, and empty in her gaze. The music is dark and dreadful sounding with a lot of low notes which is a big change from the music that played in the scene where we meet Phyllis.This shot is a close up of Phyllis and her head is somewhat downward which asserts firmness in her decision of what she's just done but also leaves some mystery about the other thoughts and emotions that she is feeling. Phyllis has finally gotten what she's wanted and revealed her true identity. We, as viewers can really see the "real Phyllis" in this shot, as her true role in the film; the Femme Fatale.

Framing Examples

I shot this photo on the border of the intersections of the middle frame which caused the colors to pop more, but in a less obvious way than if I had places the flowers (the subject) in the middle of the photo. The purple in the flower itself and the bright green in the leaf make for a very "in your face"photo, but since the background is more hazy and the subject is placed off to the side, it is more visually appealing.

The focus of this photo is on the Kachina doll's eye. That fact that the eye is off center almost draws the viewer's eye in, because it's not something that is as vibrant as the rest of the doll. There is also a bit of a glare on the eye which makes the picture imperfect, but in a perfect sort of way because there is something to focus on.

The focal point in this photo is the angel's face, which is darker than the background of the fame or the guitar in the painting. The photo is more interesting to look at because of the contract that takes place in this picture that is off-centered. 

Though the background is colorful, the viewer's gaze goes more towards the neutral colored buddah. The intricate carvings on the surface are very different from the vibrant and flowing painting behind which is why we are drawn to that as a focal point. 

The angel works as a beacon of light at the front of the  photo. The framed photos in the background are working as context for why the angel is brighter and in front of the past pictures. The angel is in focus and towards the side of the frame while the background is out of focus and surrounding the angel.

Film Shots

Close Up

Medium Shot

Establishing Shot

High Angle Shot

Long Shot

Depth of Field Shot

Extreme Close Up

Low Angle Shot

Fate and Free Will

Think about the idea of fate as you saw in Oedipus and Minority Report. Where do you stand on the ideas of fate, free will, personal responsibility and brain chemistry? Do we have control of our selves and our actions? Can there exist a combination of fate and free will? For our first major blog post think on your past—do you see evidence of fate guiding you, or has it been a long string of coincidences? Include examples from your life that connect with Oedipus and/or John Anderton. Finally come to a conclusion about what you think of this cosmic question.

     As of now, I have no reason to believe that there is such a thing as "fate". I believe that a person's quality of life is determined by their circumstances and what they choose to do about them. For example, I was born in Chicago and raised mostly on the North Shore, but neither were my choice, where I live was my parents' choice. However, I am graduating high school this year and after I turn eighteen, I can go wherever and do whatever I choose. Certain experiences that I have faced have created my fate, I suppose. I am not happy living on the North Shore because I have had constant negative experiences with the people I have encountered around my area which have led me to believe that I want to get out of the North Shore.
       I've experienced something better than here because I took concert choir at New Trier last year. I was able to travel to Australia which opened my eyes to the rest of the world. I chose to take the class and then raise money so that I could go to Australia, which was my free will. I was unhappy on the North Shore and I wanted to find proof that other places on the Earth could make me feel more fufilled, and Australia did that for me. But it was the department of music at New Trier that organized the trip, so it wasn't all my choice. New Trier, which is on the North Shore was responsible for me getting out of here, even though I hate the school, it helped me to find something better.
       In the play, Oedipus the King, Oedipus wanted to know who killed King Laius and it was his choice to pursue that desire to find out who the murderer was. In Oedipus' case, he tried so hard to run away from his fate, as predicted by an oracle, but it ended up biting him in the butt because he unintentionally lived out his fate by trying so hard to prevent it. In reality as of today, oracles do not exist to tell us our fate though, so maybe there is no such thing as fate. 
       I have been grappling with the idea of fate and free will for a while and I suppose I do see a pattern of fate guiding me but I can choose whether I want to continue on the path that I am on or change my pace. I am still young, and my experiences on the North Shore are all I know right now, I haven't lived anywhere else for a long period of time. I loved Australia for the week and a half that I was there but I lived that trip according to the schedule that the trip planners had made, I couldn't do what I wanted. I think it will be more appropriate to discuss my answer to this question once I have had more experiences in life.

Favorite Film

Shutter Island is my favorite psychological thriller. I love that film because it is beautifully twisted and mysterious and the ending is absolutely fantastic. Leonardo Dicaprio does an exquisite job in this film, especially since his character is so complex.