Actor Characterization

There are several different type of actors. According to Goodykoontz & Jacobs (2011), actors can be categorized as impersonators, interpreters, personality actors, wild cards, character actors, and stars (sec. 3.4). In the movie Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring I choose to classify the following three characters: Orlando Bloom, Cate Blanchett, and Elijah Wood.

 

I would classify Elijah Wood as a wildcard actor. According to Goodykoontz & Jacobs (2011), a character actor is an actor who is hard to classify as one certain type and is able to play a variety of roles without becoming typecast (summary). He is most famous for his role as Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Although he is widely known and recognized for this role, he has been acting since he was a kid. He played in many movies as a kid such as Avalon and The Good Son. As an adult he has played more roles that just Frodo Baggins. He has played in The Faculty, Deep Impact, and many more. He has also done voice roles in Happy Feet and American Dad. This diversity from childhood until now is why I would classify him as a wild card.

I would classify Cate Blanchett as a star. According to Goodykoontz & Jacobs (2011), a star is is well-known and popular with the public, fans become curious about their private life, and they usually have a distinctive screen persona (summary). Cate Blanchett play Galadriel in The Lord of the Rings but that is not all she has done.  While I do not think she has a distinctive persona, I do think she fits the bill on the other qualifications. She is definitely a well known actress who has played in movies such as Heaven, The Missing, Robin Hood, and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. She is well known and very popular.

 

 

Finally, I would classify Orlando Bloom as character actor. According to Goodykoontz & Jacobs (2011), a character actor usually plays a minor character or supporting character. In Lord of the Rings, Bloom plays a minor character named Legolas. He also plays in Pirates of the Caribbean as Will Turner. Although some may argue that he could be a main character, others would say that he was out-shined by Johnny Depp.

Although I categorized these characters in this particular way, I could also argue that they are all stars and maybe even all wild cards. I feel that each category somewhat overlaps or compliments another. For example, Orlando Bloom could definitely be considered a star as well. He has played in many movies that have gained him great recognition as an actor. Females are definitely drawn to him. So, I would say that no, he would not always be placed in the same category because he is a good actor who can adapt to different types of roles.

 

References

Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2011). Film: From watching to seeing. San Diego, CA: Bridgepoint Education, Inc.

Jackson, P. (director). (2001) Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring [motion picture].

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0089217/bio

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000949/

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000704/?ref_=nv_sr_1

 

Analysis of Lighting: Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

The theme of Lord of the Rings:The Fellowship of the Ring is set in the opening scenes. The lighting used in the scene is low-key lighting. There is a brighter light shining on the hands of the elves that have rings. This is done to show the goodness of the elves and the importance of the rings. Extreme low-key lighting is used on the scene that tells of the nine humans being given a ring. The scene’s lighting then fades into black and the narrator tells that humans desire power above all. This is done to show the dramatization of wanting power and foreshadow the trouble to come with the One Ring. Low-key lighting and light from fire is used in the scene where the evil being made the ring to rule them all. This is done to show the evil of his deed. Light is reflected off the ring to show the importance of the ring and how it is the one ring to rule them all. Extreme low-key lighting is used again when the soldiers march onto the battlefield in front of Mountain Doom. The soldiers helmets have spots of light shined on them to show that they are the good that is rebelling against the evil power. Mount doom is encompassed in extreme low-key lighting to portray the imminence of doom. The entire battle takes place in a low-key light setting with what appears to be some type of spotlight that shines down on the armor of the good guys. The bad guys are still in low-key lighting which gives them the appearance of being on evil’s side.. At the end of the battle when the man took up his father sword and cut off the hand of the evil one bright light was shining on the ring. This was to show the importance of the ring being separated from its owner.

 

What are the benefits of the style of lighting used?

This style of lighting is very dramatic. This use of lighting in the scene allows the audience to determine good from evil. It also sets the overall tone of the evil the ring possesses.

 

How did this technique contribute to the theme?

The theme of the movie is about a ring with evil power that corrupts those who have it. I believe that this technique did a great job at allowing that theme to be portrayed through the low-lighting. The low-key lighting enhanced the feeling of what was evil by casting it in dark and shadows. Bright light was still used to portray the importance and the ring in the theme.

 

How was the lighting technique suited to the genre of the film?

I do think the lighting technique suits the genre. In the battle, there are elves and monsters, which are not real, and the lighting lets the audience know which ones are one are good and which are bad. In the fantasy world, there are usually good guys and bad guys. They usually take form of some type of creature that does not exist in the real world. I think the lighting does a great job at enhancing the fantasy.

 

How would the scene play if different choices had been made?

The scene would not have effectively displayed the theme of the movie had it been done in high-key lighting. It would not have given the audience the feeling that something bad was going to happen because of the ring. I do not think the scene would have properly displayed the difference of good and evil had it all been in high-key lighting either.

Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Title: Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

Writers: J. R. R. Tolkien (Novel) Fran Walsh (Screenplay) Philippa Boyens (Screenplay) Peter Jackson (Screenplay)

Director: Peter Jackson

Major Actors: Elijah Woods, Ian McKellen, Orlando Bloom,
Cate Blanchett, Ian Holm

Year Released: 2001

Summary: After receiving a ring from his uncle, Bilbo Baggins, Frodo find out from Gandolf that the ring is evil and he sets out on a journey to destroy The One Ring.

Plot: The Hobbit, Bilbo Baggins finds a ring in the tunnels of Misty Mountains. Years later he gives that ring to his nephew Frodo. Gandolf, a wizard, learned that it was the ring that belonged to Sauron and tells Frodo that he is in danger. Gandolf sends Frondo and Samwise away from their little town of Shire. Frodo’s friend Merry and Pippin join up with him and Sam and evade being captured by Nazgul, who has already captured Gandolf and imprisoned him in a tower. They meet Aragorn who helps to hide them from Nazgul and says he will lead them to Rivendell. During their trip to Rivendell, they are attacked by Nazgul and Frodo is injured by a morgul blade which is suppose to turn him into a wraith. An Elf Arwen saves Frodo from Nazgul by using magic to wipe him away with a surge of water. Arwen then takes Frodo to Rivendell and has her father heal him. After Gandolf escapes from the tower and end up in Rivendell a council is called to discuss what needs to be done with the ring. This is where they find out that the ring can only be destroyed where it was forged, in the fires of Mount Doom. Frodo volunteers to destroy the ring. His friends, along with a couple more, form the Fellowship of the Ring. As they are traveling through the dwarf mines they realize that the Orcs have killed all the dwarfs and that Gollum is coming after them to get the ring. While they are being attacked by the ORcs and Balrog, Gandolf distracts Balrog which allows them to escape. While battling Balrog, Gandolf and he fall into an abyss. They Fellowship goes on to Lothlorien where Galadriel and Celeborn provide them shelter. Galadriel tell Frodo that it is his destiny to destroy the ring. Boromir, a fellowship member, gives tries to take the ring away from Frodo in Parth Galan because he thinks the ring will save his realm. Frodo runs away with the ring and turns invisible and Boromir goes looking for him because he realizes what he had just done. Frodo keeps heading toward Mount Doom because this episode reminded him how Galadriel told him that the ring will eventually corrupt the entire fellowship. Aragon, along with the others, attempt to hold off the Urukhi, who are attacking, so that Frodo can escape and in the process Boromir is shot and dies trying to save Merry and Pippin from the Orcs. Eventually, Sam finds Frodo and joins him on his journey. They set off alone as they head towards Mordor.

 

This movie is told mostly in chronological order. I think that this allows the audience to easily follow along with the story. If the story was told where it jumped from past to present to future, I think it would confuse the audience. The story already has so much going on in it and has so much story involved that it can be hard to follow anyways. I think the method of storytelling does impact the character development and foreshadowing. Since it is in chronological order we get to see the characters develop as the story unfolds. We already know that the ring is going to cause trouble for Frodo and his friends and the order of events that unfold only support that.

 

References

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0120737/?ref_=ttfc_ql
Jackson, P. (director). (2001) Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring [motion picture]. United States: New Line Cinema