Reflections of Society in Film:

From Citizen Kane to Erin Brockovich

Jane NickersonNational Council of Teachers of English

Friday, November 21, 2008San Antonio, Texas

Objectives of this lesson This lesson focuses on two films that

provide perspectives on society – Citizen Kane and Erin Brockovich

This lesson helps students - learn to analyze scenes from various films and

relate the ideas to contemporary society compare and contrast scenes in films and

analyze how directors portray social issues, and demonstrate their abilities to write critically

about films.

NCTE/IRA standards addressed 1.  Students read a wide range of print and non-print texts to build an understanding of texts, of

themselves, and of the cultures of the United States and the world; to acquire new information; to respond to the needs and demands of society and the workplace; and for personal fulfillment. Among these texts are fiction and nonfiction, classic and contemporary works. 

3.  Students apply a wide range of strategies to comprehend, interpret, evaluate, and appreciate texts. They draw on their prior experience, their interactions with other readers and writers, their knowledge of word meaning and of other texts, their word identification strategies, and their understanding of textual features (e.g., sound-letter correspondence, sentence structure, context, graphics). 

5.  Students employ a wide range of strategies as they write and use different writing process elements appropriately to communicate with different audiences for a variety of purposes. 

6.  Students apply knowledge of language structure, language conventions (e.g., spelling and punctuation), media techniques, figurative language, and genre to create, critique, and discuss print and non-print texts. 

9.  Students develop an understanding of and respect for diversity in language use, patterns, and dialects across cultures, ethnic groups, geographic regions, and social roles. 

11.  Students participate as knowledgeable, reflective, creative, and critical members of a variety of literacy communities. 

12.  Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g., for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and the exchange of information).

Before we watch Citizen Kane Before we watch

Citizen Kane, I tell my students about the plot of the film.

Orson Welles used many wonderful techniques in 1941.

The plot of Citizen Kane This film chronicles the life of Charles Foster

Kane after he dies. Newspaper reporters create a newsreel about his life and want to find out what Kane meant by his last word, Rosebud. As the reporter searches for clues about Rosebud, he interviews people who knew Kane. The reporter never finds out what Rosebud is; however, the camera reveals to audience members that it was his sled from his childhood.

Background information for Citizen Kane I love to discuss Citizen Kane in class

because it allows me to share ideas about history and society in the 1930s. Kane’s character was modeled after William Randolph

Hearst who ran The San Francisco Examiner. I provide background about Hearst and media in the

1930s. My students often have to stop and think about when televisions were used widely in the United States. The newsreel - News on the March reflects how members of society focused on news during this time.

Interesting information about the film The main character’s death is at the

beginning of the film (Citizen Kane was the first film to do this)

The reporter searches for the meaning of Rosebud by interviewing people who were close to Kane

The interviews often show flashbacks of Kane’s life

Film techniques

As we watch the film –Techniques in Citizen KaneVarious lighting

techniques create light and dark contrasts between images and this film includes many scenes in which characters are left in the dark.

Another example of dramatic lighting used in the film

Camera angles vary

Deep focus photography was used

In this scene, viewers can see a young Charles in the background playing in the snow, while his parents talk to Mr. Thatcher, who would become Charles’s guardian.

A wide-angle lens is used to show everyone or everything in focus at the same time.

The Breakfast Montage condenses time

Young and in love Clothes and hair Shots are shorter Lighting is high key Communication

Older Clothes and hair Shots are longer Lighting is more low key Breakdown in

communication

Themes in Citizen Kane The cinematic techniques as well as the

dialogue emphasize these themes for students -

The American Dream Money can’t buy happiness or love Loneliness and depression Politics Childhood Power

Discussing Citizen Kane How effective is the use of flashbacks in

this film? How does the newsreel, News on the

March, develop character and set tone? Which scenes present the “money doesn’t

buy happiness” theme in Kane’s life? What themes in this film are still relevant

in today’s society? How has this film influenced other films?

Citizen Kane This film encourages students to

think about society – the similarities and differences in society from the 1930s to now.

This film helps students understand film techniques that they can watch for in other films such as Erin Brockovich.

Erin BrockovichAnother film

that focuses on issues in society is Erin Brockovich.

The plot of Erin Brockovich

Erin Brockovich shows how a determined single mother of three children was able to stand up and fight a corporate giant – the Pacific Gas and Electric Company when this company was contaminating water that made people ill. Erin is inspirational to many people as she fought for the citizens of Hinkley, California and she won!

Before we watch Erin Brockovich We discuss mise-en-scène – the French

term for the whole composition of the shot, which includes the space actors inhabit, the movement within the shot, the lighting and the set/décor.

Colors in the film reflect moods of the characters or situations

Makeup, costumes, and hairstyles create character traits

As we watch the film –Techniques in Erin Brockovich

These shots show viewers an important issue in society – single motherhood. The colors and settings help with the tone of the film.

As we watch the film –Techniques in Erin Brockovich In this shot, viewers

see Erin who is upset with her lawyer, Ed Masry, since they lost her court case (after she is injured in a car accident). The clothes and her language in this scene do not help her with the case.

Colors used in this film During this scene,

Erin is in the courtroom when the judge is discussing PG & E. Green tones are used for scenes in court. Blue tones are used for scenes at night.

Colors used in this film Orange and brown

tones are used for scenes such as these which emphasize her role as a single mother driving an old car and for hot California desert scenes.

Clothes and make upAs viewers can

notice, clothes and makeup are important to Erin.

Bright lighting is also used when Erin is -Collecting evidence Discussing the case

Cameo role The real Erin

Brockovich has a cameo role in the film when she plays a waitress at the beginning. The real Ed Masry is reading a newspaper in the booth behind them.

Themes in Erin Brockovich One person’s fight

against corporate America

A wealthy company against citizens in a small town

Health issues Single motherhood Divorce

Discussing Erin Brockovich How was Erin able to fight against a multi-

billion dollar corporation? What evidence did Erin find that enabled

her to put the pieces together about how the company was contaminating water in the area?

Which scenes in this film suggest Erin’s growing determination to win the case?

Which scenes present the difficulties of being a working mother?

Discussing Erin Brockovich How do Erin’s clothes, makeup, and

hairstyles express her self-concept? How does the décor in this film reflect the

social status of individuals and organizations?

How did Steven Soderbergh, the director, use colors in this film?

What is a “whistle blower?” What other companies have produced “whistle-blowers” in the last few years?

A good resource for this film http://www.lawbuzz.com/famous_trials/erin_brockovich/erin_brockovich_ch1.htm

This website provides lots of background information about what happened to the residents in Hinkley, California.

"ERIN BROCKOVICH"(ANDERSON v PACIFIC GAS & ELECTRIC)

STORY CHAPTER LINKS 1. STORY PREFACE 2. DEATH AND DESTRUCTION IN THE MOJAVE 3. MISLEADING STATEMENTS 4. 22 YEARS LATE

Other resources include - http://www.brockovich.com/

http://www.brockovichblog.com/

Screenplay – Erin Brockovich by Susannah Grant

Erin’s book – (fun reading) Take It From Me: Life’s a Struggle but You Can Win

Assessment strategies that can be used for all films -Students can be assessed in different ways -Class discussion as they make connections among various themes presented in the films

Film critiques

Film Critiques Students should write critiques for each film.

When writing critiques, students should be able to – Describe the film briefly Write their reactions to the film Discuss film techniques that made the film more

interesting, such as flashbacks, camera angles, lighting, makeup, clothes, and others.

Describe any parts of the film that are puzzling. Explain important themes in the film and relate

them to issues found in contemporary society.

Another possible assignment Students can also write essays that

compare the two films by examining the American dream and what that meant to people in the 1930s and 1940s compared to people in the 1990s. What are some similarities and differences between these two films? How did the characters in these films achieve the American dream?

Connections and Adaptations Many films include themes which focus on

issues found in contemporary society, such as family life, economic situations, and others.

Students can find cinematic techniques that spotlight various issues.

Additional Films If your students are reading any of these

novels, you may want to include the film version so that students can compare and contrast them – The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck The Manchurian Candidate by Richard Condon Cool Hand Luke by Don Pearce To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee Ordinary People by Judith Guest

Important film websites The Internet Movie Database – imdb.com

Rotten Tomatoes – rottentomatoes.com

Any Questions? Free free to contact me at Jane.Nickerson@Gallaudet.edu