Filming Techniques http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Wb724tcYXb0/Ty8gu-aLU6I/AAAAAAAAD_I/jOa3z7gGyd4/s1600/Annie+Hall+5.png
In this film, Woody Allen uses an array of techniques, including flashbacks, split screens, subtitles, conversations with the audience, and voice overs. From the beginning, his typical combination of jazz and clarinet music, sets the tone of this movie, both upbeat and spunky, mixed with bright colors, together, creating a representation of his new way of filming, beginning in the 70’s and continuing thereafter as a very successful technique. The movie begins with Alvy addressing the camera directly and then reverts to a flashback of his adolescent years, growing up in New York with his mother, whom he would constantly question about the emptiness of existence.* He is constantly exploring his sexual curiosity in the classroom and then has flashes into the future, where the children in his class are all grown up and in their thirties.* Another interesting technical element is when him and Annie are waiting in line at the theater to see The Sorrow and the Pity.* This is the first time we see the two of them interacting, however, it is not the first time they have gone out together. In fact, it is not in this scene we are introduced to Annie, but later, through nonlinear storytelling. Perhaps, Allen sees this as being a more effective form of character development, without directly introducing each character. At their date, a man behind them is misinterpreting the work of Marshall McLuhan. Alvy walks up to the camera, directing his thoughts to the audience, with a shallow depth of field so it was his face the audience focused on, and complains about the obnoxious and inaccurate comments of the man behind them. This creates the feeling that the audience is having a direct conversation with Alvy, as he complains to them, as if he is talking to them directly in conversation. You can tell Alvy is annoyed by his poise, including his constant raising of his eyebrows, foot tapping, crossed arms, and annoyed words. Not only this, but McLuhan actually steps into the scene and corrects the man's false statements.* Later, in my favorite scene, back at Annie’s house, while sipping on their wine, in the midst of their conversation, there are mental subtitles scrolling the bottom of the screen, displaying their sexual feelings for each other (check out the clip below!!!!).* This is one of my favorite filming aspects because it is typical of many people, including myself, where in the midst of a normal conversation, my thoughts going through my head are completely different than the words coming out of my mouth, as in this scene. In addition, this scene is using shot reverse shot, a filming technique where there is a camera alternating between the two characters, to show a conversation. Allen uses another fascinating camera technique, where he essentially turns the camera into another character. This happens early on in both the scene of the conversation between Alvy and his friend, Rob, in addition to the lobster scene.* Some of these scenes are unscripted and the camera just follows them around as another character, creating more of a natural scene (link bellow!!!!).* The lobster scene happens to be one of my favorites, very spontaneous and natural. Later on, Annie asks what happened between him and Allison. He again looks at the camera, asking what actually happened and what caused them to turn each other down, again directing his comments at the audience, seeking them out for advice, making the audience seem like they are a part of the conversation.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANNIE_HALL_%281977%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ANNIE_HALL_%281977%29
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At another point of the movie, as Alvy sits through a meeting with a man asking him to write a comedy for him, Alvy has a voice over, complaining mainly about the arrogance of the man and how he does not know how much longer he can bear sitting through him talk, without laughing at him. I think this was a good way of showing how he felt, because he poised himself as being completely interested in what the man had to say when in fact, this was not the case. Next, at a dinner at Annie’s house, he proclaims to never have felt more Jewish around her grandmother, who hated Jews. At the dinner, he not only looks at the camera, breaking the fourth wall, discussing Annie’s family with the audience, but there is also a split screen between her family and his family, contrasting the two, another interesting way of differentiating the two families in a more visually appealing way, rather than simply stating the differences in a conversation.* Directly following this, they go to Alvy's, where there is a flashback to a 1945 welcome home party at his house for his cousin, Herby, in which he gives a brief background to some of the prominent members of his childhood. All these examples just allude to more examples of how Allen uses filming techniques to create a more appealing film outside of simply the plot line of the film.
At one point, there is another split screen, with Alvy and Annie both discussing their sexual lives with their counselor, both feeling the complete opposite. He shows this by splitting their sentences, as they both complete each others sentences, but have opposite feelings.* At their return home, Annie says the therapist says it will change her wife and then defends herself, saying she actually said life. Alvy again directs his attention to the camera, asking the audience to clarify that she had said wife. He says, “You heard that because you were here. I’m not crazy.” The two of them eventually break up, and he asks the camera what he, if there was anything, did to deserve this. He proceeds to asks strangers on the street about the nature of their love lives, questions his former love years, and portrays himself in Snow White, confused over what has happened.*
At one point, there is another split screen, with Alvy and Annie both discussing their sexual lives with their counselor, both feeling the complete opposite. He shows this by splitting their sentences, as they both complete each others sentences, but have opposite feelings.* At their return home, Annie says the therapist says it will change her wife and then defends herself, saying she actually said life. Alvy again directs his attention to the camera, asking the audience to clarify that she had said wife. He says, “You heard that because you were here. I’m not crazy.” The two of them eventually break up, and he asks the camera what he, if there was anything, did to deserve this. He proceeds to asks strangers on the street about the nature of their love lives, questions his former love years, and portrays himself in Snow White, confused over what has happened.*
Personal Reflections
This is the first Woody Allen movie I have ever watched and I loved it. It was both interesting and comedic, two of my favorite themes in a movie. Who doesn't like a good laugh? In addition, the acting of both Woody Allen and Diane Keaton was exceptional as well.
Woody Allen's style of filming is so superb that this movie can be watched and enjoyed by so many different viewers. It has the comedic level to it, as well as a thematic since, discussing relationships and love. Also, someone interested by film could watch this and be just as interested, observing all of Allen's filming techniques.
Woody Allen's style of filming is so superb that this movie can be watched and enjoyed by so many different viewers. It has the comedic level to it, as well as a thematic since, discussing relationships and love. Also, someone interested by film could watch this and be just as interested, observing all of Allen's filming techniques.
Rating
