Name: Mike T. Sugimoto

Institution: University of Puget Sound

Language: Japanese

Status: Full-time, tenure track

Type: SummerFellowship

Title: Alternatives to Classical Hollywood Cinema: The Film Technique of Yasujiro Ozu

Duration:

Description: I propose the development of web-based, interactive teaching materials to illustrate the unique cinematic structure of "classical" Japanese cinema. Contrasting the camera and editing styles long associated with classical Hollywood cinema which support the experience of realism, this project will focus upon alternative viewing strategies. More specifically, I will address through visuals and appropriate commentary the influential work of director Yasujiro Ozu's 360 degree camera positioning; match-up framing devices; and "pillow shot" segmenting strategies. Ozu openly breaks the convention of the 180 degree line which continues to be one of the main supports for producing realism in cinematic space, and has been a tremendous influence upon the work of German director, Wim Wenders, who considers Ozu to be his greatest single influence.
I have gone over the feasibility my ideas with student technical support at the University of Puget Sound. Moreover, since I am a relative newcomer to the world of computer-mediated pedagogy, I have scheduled a preliminary week at Middelbury College early in June to get more grounded in the production of technology-based material.

Outcome: I teach a course on Japanese and Asian Film, and would find the resulting instructional materials very beneficial to students in the classroom. I and a few colleagues in film studies have proposed a joint panel on film, memory and war; I plan to use the website as a way of illustrating some alternative film practices given the increased collaborative work I am currently involved in.

Timeline: Summer 2000. I will attempt to test the material near the end of summer.

Amount: $3,000.oo

Breakdown: Salary. I believe that the support of the media center at UPS will suffice.