Touch+of+Evil

== We are going to jump right into an analysis of a film sequence with an examination of the opening sequence of Orson Welles’ Touch of Evil. We will look at a crisp HD projection of the sequence in class a few times so that we can focus on different elements of film. The sequence we will examine is from the 1998 restored version (more on this later). ==

As we watch, pay attention to and take notes on:

 * Mise en scene
 * Cinematography (lighting, camera movement)
 * Narrative elements (the story, characters, action, tension)



Here is a copy of our restored sequence
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The original Edit
media type="custom" key="23810464" "The opening of Touch of Evil is a particularly well-known example of a sequence shot. In other words, the initial scene consists of a single, unbroken shot (which lasts almost 3.5 minutes). Welles was an inveterate boundary-pusher, and this opening shot is a good example of his proclivity for bravura camerawork. The stylistic decision to begin the film with such a long single shot also serves a narrative function, however."- [|Oliver Gaycken]

Readings: [|AMC Filmsite Movie Review: A Touch of Evil (1958)] [|Deepfocus Review: A touch of Evil (1958)] Welles' Memo

=Key Terms to know= Mise-En-Scene, Lighting, C hiaroscuro, Camera Movement, Editing, Sound (Diagetic & Non-Diagetic), Film Noir, Authorship, Shot, Tracking Shot