John Cassevetes Indie Auteur

John Cassavetes

• Films mistaken as improvisational

• precise scripts/rough camera

• long takes that are meant to expose the shakiness of middle class life

• not easily categorized or liked

• disturbing/erratic

• Most people aren’t indifferent about his work

Cassevetes Aesthetic

• Theatrical and Cinematic

• Theatrical pacing

• Long takes draw attention to the shots themselves, because they defy are expectations for quicker edits

• Close-ups allow for microscopic scrutiny of characters

• Explore emotional messiness and people’s tolerance for personal and social disorder

• inventive mise en scene, actor driven

• performances over script/actors over stars

• held onto freedom of self expression throughout his career

Background

• Grew up on Long Island

• Became a successful actor

• Started an improvisation workshop for out of work actors

• He had the idea of making a film (using the improvisation techniques)

• Received 20,000 dollars from showbiz friends

Shadows 1959

• Catches the bohemian jazz world of 50’s New York

• About an interracial relationship

• Music of Charles Mingus

• Shaky handheld camera

• Rejection of polished studio quality

• 1960 Cannes film festival (acclaimed)

• Cassavetes continued acting in the 60’s (Starred in Rosemary’s Baby, but wanted to direct again.)

Faces 1968

• Rawest of his features

• Gritty black and white

• Extremely long scenes (virtual real time)

• Failed upper middle class marriage

• Husbands followed in 1970

Woman Under the Influence 1974

• Financed by Peter Faulk and Cassavetes

• “housewife in bondage trying to find fulfillment”

• Best actress and best director nominations

When making the film Cassavetes did not intend for Mabel to be crazy

He considered her to have poor social skills—poor communication

She is also frustrated with her environment—reacting to other behavior

Pay attention to Mise en Scene (things put into the shot)What does the house say about the characters?Figure behavior?Framing?Costume? Color?

Pay attention to the scriptHow is the plot laid out?The film is NOT improvised. Pay attention to how the words are scripted.Script includes: Dialogue, Location and Action Descriptions

• Consider choices made by the camera person

• How is lighting used? Is the camera stable or shaky? Are there low angles or high angles?

Mise en Scene

• Performance

• Figure Behavior

• Color

• Costume

• Staging

• Location Set

Cinematography

Framing, Lighting, Use of Film Stock, Focus (lens), Contrast

Shallow Depth of Field vsDeep Focus

Deep Focus Used for Framing in Depth

Shallow depth of field used to isolate Mabel from her background

Screenplay

• Dialogue

• Action Description

• Story structure

“I think it’s in the air”