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A bit about Orson

Actor, Director, Writer and Producer of theater, radio and filmActor, Director, Writer and Producer of theater, radio and film..

October 30, 1938October 30, 1938

On Sunday, Oct. 30th 1938, 23 year old Orson Welles’

broadcast, a dramatization of War of The Worlds on the

radio.

His all too realistic retelling of the H.G. Wells' classic alien

invasion story caused a nation to panic but also led to international fame and

Hollywood welcoming the young golden boy.

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RKO offered Welles “what generally is considered the greatest contract offered to an untried director: complete artistic control”.

“A film is never really good unless the camera is an eye in

the head of a poet.”

Orson Welles, 1915 - 1985

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Welles’ first film was Welles’ first film was the 1941 Citizen Kane.the 1941 Citizen Kane.

He co-wrote, He co-wrote, produced, directed and produced, directed and starred in the film.starred in the film.

It is considered by It is considered by many the best movie many the best movie ever made.ever made.

But it was a financialBut it was a financialDisaster because of Disaster because of controversies.controversies.

5 times voted Sight & Sounds polls 5 times voted Sight & Sounds polls of critics best film everof critics best film ever

Topped the American Film Institutes Topped the American Film Institutes 100 Year-100 movies list in 1998 100 Year-100 movies list in 1998 and 2007 and 2007

Has a 100% rating by critics on Has a 100% rating by critics on Rotten Tomatoes.Rotten Tomatoes.

Orson Welles as Charles Foster Kane

CITIZEN KANECITIZEN KANE

Orson Welles & Citizen Kane 10

11Actor: Joseph Cotton

Actress: Agnes MooreheadOrson Welles

Robert Wise- Editor Gregg Toland: Cinematographer

Herman MankiewiczScreenwriter

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Citizen Kane is noted for its Technical InnovationsCitizen Kane is noted for its Technical Innovations

Lighting, camera focus, optical & sound effects

Story Development

Innovations in Story Development/Narrative:Innovations in Story Development/Narrative:

The film examines the life of Charles Foster Kane, a character based The film examines the life of Charles Foster Kane, a character based largely on William Randolph Hearst, newspaper magnate.largely on William Randolph Hearst, newspaper magnate.

The film is narrated mostly through the use of flashbacks and flash-The film is narrated mostly through the use of flashbacks and flash-forwards, an innovative approach to storytelling. The use of these forwards, an innovative approach to storytelling. The use of these elements helps us see Kane change from an idealistic and innocent child elements helps us see Kane change from an idealistic and innocent child into a ruthless, power-hungry old man. into a ruthless, power-hungry old man.

The narration is done by a newsreel reporter seeking to solve the The narration is done by a newsreel reporter seeking to solve the mystery of the newspaper magnate's dying word: "Rosebud". Kane’s mystery of the newspaper magnate's dying word: "Rosebud". Kane’s story is told through multiple points of view.story is told through multiple points of view.

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Citizen Kane is a history of a period. It covers the rise of the penny press (Joseph Pulitzer is the model), Hearst-supported Spanish-American War, the birth of radio, the power of political machines, the rise of fascism, and the growth of celebrity journalism.

“You provide the prose poems; I’ll provide the war.” Charles Foster Kane

Lighting InnovationsLighting Innovations

The inventive use of lighting and shadow, backlighting and high

contrast lighting

Camera InnovationsCamera Innovations

Crane Shots

Low camera angles

The use of deep focus- everything in the frame, even the background, in focus at the same time.

Dissolves and curtain wipes

Long uninterrupted shots

Welles use of wide-angle and deep-focus lenses, pointed to the development of action within a single frame and innovations in sound.

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Citizen Kane Technical Innovations: CameraCitizen Kane Technical Innovations: Camera

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Citizen Kane: CameraWelles used of wide-angle and deep-focus lenses, pointed to the development of action within a single frame and innovations in sound.

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Hearst vs. Citizen Kane

Link with William Randolph Hearst was Controversial

Any Brilliant Work of Art is aComposite of Many Stories:

How the work was made, The people involved, The work itself, and The work's legacy.

Kane, acted by Welles, is a fictional version of real-life multimillionaire newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst (1863–1951).

William Randolph Hearst with Marion Davies

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Hearst vs. Citizen Kane

Randolph Hearst (1863–1951).was outraged at the unauthorized, unflattering interpretation and tried to prevent the film’s release.

When that failed, Hearst used his newspapers to prevent the film from becoming popular refusing ads for the film and threatening to stop advertising and reviewing RKO films in the future.

There were also personal attacks made on Welles

All these actions were effective. The film failed badly at the box office. .

Welles and Dolores Del Rio

Citizen Kane was nominated for 9 Academy Awards but won only one

for Best Original Screenplay