Chinatown (1974)
A Clockwork Orange (1971)
Speaking of The Cat Lady's apartment, we are introduced to two different sets of victims in the film. Second is The Cat Lady, but first is Mr and Mrs Alexander, where they beat him and rape her (*shudder*). Their home is very VERY modern with chairs that resemble pods and clean white sterile feeling walls. There are a lot of clean lines, emphasized by the rows of book shelves behind Mr. Alexander while he sits at his typewriter.
If you notice both apartments are of people who appear to be upper class. While the Alexander's home is sterile and with some pops of color, The Cat Lady's apt features of LOT of cool tones. Blues and Purples and greens. These cool colors are also represented in the wigs in the fancy shmancy milk bar:
On the other hand, our antihero Alex's home is full of bright colors and the more obvious futuristic elements like the use of aluminum on walls and furniture, which in contrast to the upper class homes, feels a bit more tacky. Also the record shop where he shops has the bold bright colors, and feels like the partiers and not so serious citizens visit this store regularly. As a result, this adds undertones of social tension and conflict without it being apparent or the need for exposition.
Lastly, as a way to express that this takes place in the future w/o having to state where and when, the designer added empty spaces and glimpses of buildings we would see today in ruins or abandoned. For example, right in the lobby of Alex's family apartment there is remnants of art, a style of art that we would recognize, all over the walls, except that it has all been graffitied over and vandalized. This insinuates that it has been a while since that art was put up, and possibly even noticed or respected.
That's it for the letter C! Hopefully I will have another letter for you sooner than later!
xo
DML
Director: Roman Polanski
Production Designer: Richard Sylbert
Set Decorator: Ruby Levitt
Chinatown is known in the film world as one of the most outstanding masterings of production design. It is one of the most authentic looking period films, and that is thanks to both Polanksi's vision and style and designer Richard Sylbert's keen eye.
As for the time period, Chinatown didn't use the typical locations and landmarks that most time period movies taking place in LA normally would have. In fact they didn't use many landmarks at all, if any, really. Most of the shots were in remote locations to emphasize the time when LA was still remote and a desert town. Or they used tight shots of the particular building they were moving into, or start at the door and inward.
They also decided based on the premise of the film, that all sets would be in dry land colors: brown, tan, beige, and everything in between.
EXCEPT, however, at the Mulwray's house, where they have been part of a water scandal, there is a LOT of green.
Director: Stanley Kubrick
Production Designer: John Barry
I love watching movies from decades ago and seeing what they thought the future would look like. Or maybe it isn't REALLY what they thought it would look like, but it moved the story forward. Either way, this film takes place in the unforeseen future. This film is very violent and provocative, which may not be easy for everyone to watch, and was shocking for the time it was made. This futuristic Great Britain gives the sense that sex is much more acceptable in their society and you get that from some of the sex scenes and from some of the decor:
The club where the boys go to drink their drug-laced milk is a high society hangout. All the tables are female mannequins in a bridge with flashy colored wigs. The milk is poured through another female mannequin's nipple. The second picture shows one of the boys' victims, The Cat Lady, in her work out room. Surrounding the room are pictures of nude women in very provocative poses. On the credenza near the door, there is a large porcelain penis statue.
Speaking of The Cat Lady's apartment, we are introduced to two different sets of victims in the film. Second is The Cat Lady, but first is Mr and Mrs Alexander, where they beat him and rape her (*shudder*). Their home is very VERY modern with chairs that resemble pods and clean white sterile feeling walls. There are a lot of clean lines, emphasized by the rows of book shelves behind Mr. Alexander while he sits at his typewriter.
If you notice both apartments are of people who appear to be upper class. While the Alexander's home is sterile and with some pops of color, The Cat Lady's apt features of LOT of cool tones. Blues and Purples and greens. These cool colors are also represented in the wigs in the fancy shmancy milk bar:
On the other hand, our antihero Alex's home is full of bright colors and the more obvious futuristic elements like the use of aluminum on walls and furniture, which in contrast to the upper class homes, feels a bit more tacky. Also the record shop where he shops has the bold bright colors, and feels like the partiers and not so serious citizens visit this store regularly. As a result, this adds undertones of social tension and conflict without it being apparent or the need for exposition.
Lastly, as a way to express that this takes place in the future w/o having to state where and when, the designer added empty spaces and glimpses of buildings we would see today in ruins or abandoned. For example, right in the lobby of Alex's family apartment there is remnants of art, a style of art that we would recognize, all over the walls, except that it has all been graffitied over and vandalized. This insinuates that it has been a while since that art was put up, and possibly even noticed or respected.
That's it for the letter C! Hopefully I will have another letter for you sooner than later!
xo
DML
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Very cool observations. I am not very familiar with "clockwork orange", but "Chinatown" is used an an example in my screenwriting book as a complete masterpiece from start to finish. The way the story is set up, the plot points, character development, etc...It only makes sense that the set design and directing would also be flawless, making it one of the best films ever made. Won the oscar for best screenplay.
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