|
University of Puget Sound Japanese
|
Mike
Sugimoto Assistant Professor, Foreign Languages and Literature (Japanese) msugimoto@ups.edu The Ozu Project Date Awarded: Spring 2000 Description of Project: The development of web-based, interactive teaching materials to illustrate the unique cinematic structure of "classical" Japanese cinema. Contrasting the camera and editing styles of classical Hollywood cinema, the project focuses upon alternative viewing strategies of the influential work of director Yasujiro Ozu. More specfically, the materials analyze Ozu's 360 degree camera position; match-up framing devices; and "pillow shot" segmentation. By using the web-based materials, students are able to read the analysis that accompanies the materials, comparing Ozu's camerawork and editing with Hollywood conventions. Outcomes: The Ozu Project was my introduction to the development of web-based materials, allowing me to see the advantage of creating study materials which create an efficient interaction between photographic images and critical text. The materials allow for a more dynamic presentation in the classroom, as well as for individually paced self-learning on the individual student's part. Through use of framing, students could see the bird's-eye-view layout of a typical camera position, with the adjacent frame illustrating the scene. The Ozu Project opened the
possibility for expanding the materials to include more areas under
analysis with further examples; that is, more comprehensively analyzing
other critical aspects of Ozu and other filmmakers' work. The project
was an excellent introduction for me in this first venture of a Mellon-sponsored
activity. |
