Personal Project Report

The Analysis of Film Techniques Used In Propaganda Film

Goal: To promote an understanding of propaganda film, its techniques, and its effectiveness on society. Nuanbhorn Ongpipattanakul New International School of Thailand, 2011~2012

Word Count: 3310

Contents
Criteria B: defining the goal ......................................................................................................... 3
Justify the focus area of interaction used as a context for your project ................................................ 3 Outline your goal .................................................................................................................................... 4 Create specifications to evaluate the outcome/product of your project ............................................... 4

Criteria C: Selection of Sources................................................................................................... 5

Book Sources ........................................................................................................................................... 5

Criterion D: Applying information ............................................................................................ 6

Making decisions..................................................................................................................................... 6 Creating Solutions ................................................................................................................................... 6 Develop Understandings In Connection With Your Goal ........................................................................ 6

Criteria E: Achieving the Goal ..................................................................................................... 7

To what extent did you achieve your goal? ............................................................................................ 7

Criterion F: Reflection on learning ........................................................................................... 7

Reflect on how you have extended your knowledge of the focus AOI .................................................. 7 Reflect on how you have developed as a learner (ATL skills) ................................................................. 8 What new perspectives have you gained? ............................................................................................. 8

Works Cited ....................................................................................................................................... 9 Appendix .......................................................................................................................................... 10

Criteria B: defining the goal

How does the topic relate to your personal interest?
Coming from Chinese descent, I grew up with little doses of what life was like back in China for my great-grandparents. During the Chinese Revolution in 1949, my great-grandparents emigrated from Southern China to the capital of Thailand. Seeing as that this was a turning point for my family history, I soon gained an interest in this field of time. My father also told me about the Chinese Cultural Revolution. Along with that, he also told me about a man named Mao Zedong. I soon wondered who was this 'Mao Zedong'? Why do many respect him, yet detested by some? Along with this, I soon developed an interest in propaganda -- particularly material goods such as posters and statues. Over the years, I became interested in film in general, since I found that media would interact with the audience, and would have more profound effect than just things individuals could see. These interests soon lead me to fuse in my passion for Propaganda with my interest in film. As a result, I watched a large variety of titles ranging from Walt Disney's Commando Duck1, Charlie Chaplin's The Bond2 and Xie Tieli's Taking Tiger Mountain by Strategy3. When time came to the introduction of the Personal Project, I realized that I have not focused that much on European Propaganda. Curious to learn about how propaganda is interpreted in different cultures, I decided to take this opportunity to pursue a study of European propaganda. I began by investigating the most popular propaganda films, and then examining at their context. As a result, I chose Sergei Eisenstein's Battleship Potemkin, and Leni Riefenstahl's Triumph of the Will. The Battleship Potemkin is most noted to be a work that has pioneered modern cinema because Eisenstein developed on the idea of montage4. As for Riefenstahl's Triumph of the Will, the fact that a woman directed a film in the mid 20th century has made a huge footprint in promoting gender equality.

Justify the focus area of interaction used as a context for your project
I decided to focus my personal project on the Area of Interaction of Human Ingenuity by exploring how why and how these films were made. Despite the fact that both Potemkin5 and Triumph6 were commissioned worked from officials, there were other underlying reasons to why Eisenstein and Riefenstahl agreed to be involved with the productions of these films. Eisenstein was a Socialist, and his ideals were shown in the movie Potemkin. Having fought in the Red Army7, he first entered the world of film by providing propaganda in the form of plays during Red October8. Political influence has also been important in the making of Triumph; Riefenstahl was

1 2

Animated American propaganda film from 1944 American propaganda film about Liberty Bonds from 1918 3 Chinese propaganda film glorifying the communists from 1970's 4 Cinematic technique of overlapping film clips in various forms to portray memories, dreams, and thoughts 5 Battleship Potemkin 6 Triumph of the Will 7 A socialist communist military group 8 The very revolution that created the Soviet Union

sought out by Hitler9 to work on a documentary about the 1934 Nazi Party Congress in Nuremburg, Germany. The outcome of both of these films were that they were both internationally recognized as masterpieces of their times both narrating history and display the usage of modern film techniques. Potemkin was recognized as one of the first propaganda films of its day and age, and the usage of film to spread an individuals ideas soon led to what our current media is like today. The technique of montage in particular from Potemkin has revolutionized cinema, and has influenced Triumph as well.

Outline your goal

I aim to provoke an interest with propaganda and its effects within a target age group of 13 to 18 years of age. The reason to why I have chosen this age group is because I personally feel that learning about history in this age should also have a contemporary events component attached to it as well, seeing as that I view that having a glimpse of contemporary events could promote further understanding of the area. With the supplementary part of learning about contemporary events, it helps to shape a clearer picture about the world back then, as well as to discover more about events that have shaped the world the way it is today. The films that I have chosen were made in the years of when major film history was made, particularly in trying to show film to the public. Theatres that screened films back then were places of gathering the young and old, and the rich and poor. With a diverse audience, it would only be predictable that one would utilize this revolutionary form of media to communicate out to their audience what they wanted to say. Because of this, I felt like by starting out with the introduction of how film first integrated with society would help a lot into having my audience develop interest into the field.

Create specifications to evaluate the outcome/product of your project

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. Audience must gain a basic understanding of what is propaganda Audience must gain a basic understanding of the film techniques mentioned Product must effectively compare and contrast techniques used to influence people Product should clearly and concisely distinguish elements that are included Product must have clear visuals Product must have clear audio and concise speaking time Product must be from 5 minutes to 15 minutes long Audience must be able to show progress of their learning from my short film after watching it.

"Shortly after he [Hitler] came to power Hitler called me to see him and explained that he wanted a film about a Party Congress, and wanted me to make it." - Riefenstahl

Criteria C: Selection of Sources

Book Sources
SOURCE 1: THE BATTLESHIP POTEMKIN: The Film Companion Richard Taylor
Personally, I found that this book was very important to me in understanding Potemkin, down to the film techniques and how they were used to emphasize a certain point. Since that this book is a film companion, some points that were considered in the book could be thought as subjective, seeing as that there were some points that I did not quite understand when I read the book. Other than that, this book directly refers to points that were made in the movie, and I was able to find out certain links to why Eisenstein decided to do things in the movie a specific way, such as why Eisenstein decided to "play [with the] light and shade and the spatial relationships between upper and lower decks". (Taylor, 17) Explanations such as this helped me understand what Eisenstein was trying to head at, and what was his main point of focus of each clip in directing the film. Overall, I think that this book was a great starting point for me to understand Potemkin, and it has helped me a lot with my preliminary research since it ruled a lot of where I should start to research for my project, seeing as that I only need to concentrate on the film techniques.

SOURCE 2: Age of Propaganda: The Everyday Use and Abuse of Persuasion Anthony Pratkanis & Elliot Aronson
Age of Propaganda has helped me a lot with grasping the concept of propaganda, and then being able to take it in my own context. It has also helped me explore the idea of propaganda, how it works, its history, and the delivering of messages to and from the creators and the audience. This book has taught me that propaganda is kind of like advertisement, but yet instead of advertising products, propaganda advertises ideas. In order to spread these ideas, repetition is required to strengthen the message as well, which was a consistent tool that was used in both Potemkin and Triumph. Since psychology is a core component in having to understand what was going in the films, this book has been a guide to me to understand where possible hints in the films that I have watched were suggested. To help me with understanding the psychological component of propaganda, the text in the book suggests that common faced imagery (such as a flower withering means death) and its variants can influence the mind by guiding the mind to think accordingly to the image. So for example, if there was a clip that showed a group of individuals then the subsequent clip after that shows a flower withering, it could suggest that something unfortunate is going to happen to them. This was where I realized that symbolism was an important component in making films, since it delivers powerful messages that cannot be said in words. In combination with my preliminary source for Potemkin, this book has helped me identify areas which I should point out in my product, and has highlighted other possible areas of where I should take note on for my audience.

SOURCE 3: State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Pr opaganda Steven Luckert & Susan Bachrach
As an introduction to Nazi Propaganda (in preparation for watching Triumph), I turned to this book to help me gain a core understanding of the film and what other propaganda was prominent in Nazi Germany. I soon found that this book was not as important as I thought it would be, seeing as that this book focuses on posters and visual media -- not audio-visual material. Although this book was helpful in trying to trace out the source of why Nazi Propaganda was created and how it was spread, it was not convenient enough for my topic of research because it did not elaborate enough in the film and stage component, and there was not much to take note on.

SOURCE 4: A Concise History of the Third Reich Wolfgang Benz

In order to gain an understanding of what was going on in Nazi Germany, I felt that this book helped me in grasping the context of that time by elaborating on events that has shaped the era of Hitler's Germany. The Nazi party rallies and the content of the speeches has had a profound effect on individuals (this effect has lead Riefenstahl to accept an offer to film the 1934 Nazi Party Congress in Nuremberg). Since Hitler has inspired a lot of people with his provocative speech and attitude to the patriotism of the nation by saying that all Germans who participate in this war would be recognized as heroes. This helped me a bit with my research into applying the context to the techniques used in Triumph, such as why they decided to chronicle the whole rally, as well as including images of Hitler Youth preparing themselves to make a 'better nation'. Another good point about this book was that it also helped me to understand the motives of the Nazi party, which also was accented in Triumph.

Criterion D: Applying information

Making decisions
When I was selecting information to use, I felt that I was lacking in one specific area, which was the actual process of how to use the techniques of film. When I was extracting sources, I had trouble deciding which source to take, and which source to omit. I had a lot of sources, but most of them were not related to my topic of focus whatsoever.

Creating Solutions
While I was trying to think of solutions to my problems regarding my sources, I soon found out that there was somewhat of a subtle route to accomplishing my goal through research. By starting off with more broad books, such as looking at the history of that time, then looking into the propaganda of that time (while I was researching about Triumph), I was able to gather information to why were there images of unity, and why society at that time was presented with particular gender roles10 and etcetera. With all of the reason leading to that is that Hitler wanted to create a nation within his ideals, I concluded my research there and then started looking further into film techniques. Whilst reading The Battleship Potemkin: The Film Companion, the text in it helped me to note the range of film techniques that were used in both of the films. With prior knowledge that Eisenstein developed the technique of montage, I added that technique to my list of film components to discuss. After that, with the discussion of symbolism in the book, in the part where the sailors were gathered up on the deck, then were sentenced to death11; I realized that was another important component to add as well.

Develop Understandings In Connection With Your Goal

From the start of my project, I did not think that I would go this deep into my topic. Indeed I have developed a lot of knowledge about my topic, such as to how these films were effective in society (Potemkin being a film to commemorate an important historical event, while promotes nationalism). To compliment these findings, I have to put them into a form which I could explain to the audience group that I have chosen. From the information that I have collected and from the problems that I

10

"The Third Reich was a male society. The image of a woman was shaped by the idealization of her roles as mother and keeper of the home, educator of her children, and a wife under her husband's authority. She could incur guilt through "refusal to procreate" or infertility." (Benz, 77) 11 "The tarpaulin is thrown over them like a funeral shroud, while the marines look impassively on." (Taylor, 23)

encountered over the course, the most important lesson of all was that I acquired that there was more than just technical effects to film, such as subtext and connotation.

Criteria E: Achieving the Goal

Evaluate quality of product
I think I did fairly well; apart from the fact that a few parts were cut out of production -- such as the beginning animation to help illustrate my points that I was stating, and a part of the audio while I was talking about montage and its effect. This certainly has had an effect on my product grade, and I felt that it has hindered the overall effectiveness of my own product. Other than that, I have shown my film to a small audience of 10 people, all within my target audience. I had my audience complete a small questionnaire sheet before and after they watched the film. With these results, I was able to find out what were my strengths and weaknesses in my presentation, which would eventually later lead to finding out the effectiveness of my own product.

To what extent did you achieve your goal?

I felt that I have achieved my goal in trying to promote the understanding of propaganda film to a more modern audience, since I have received positive reviews from my audience. Although I felt like I have accomplished something, I felt like I should have added more into my final product, as well as did a lot more research into the field to understand more about the topic. Overall, I think that my product was not effective enough because from reading some of the comments I received from my audience12, I knew that there was something missing in my product. I did not have enough information, and I did not go that deep into the process of how the cinematic effects that I talked about were used. So to conclude, I have filled at least half of my expectations of my goal for getting my audience to understand a bit more about propaganda film -- but then I did not sugar coat what I have included in my product, leaving some bits unfinished.

Criterion F: Reflection on learning

Reflect on how you have extended your knowledge of the topic
I have learnt a lot about the respected film techniques which were heavily emphasized in both films - particularly montage seeing as that the selection of clips was crucially important in increasing the films overall effectiveness by highlighting points of interest to the audience. Another area to where I have developed my understanding on my topic of choice is how the film techniques that I have chosen were important in delivering the message of the film to the audience. The symbolism, focus of pictures, and the lighting are all as important as montage, and with all of these techniques, they all combine to make a film more effective towards its audience by showing the audience what the director really wants to show.

Reflect on how you have extended your knowledge of the focus AOI
From having done my personal project, I have understood more about the reason to create things -particularly film to advertise and promote ideas in dire times, or to commemorate a specific event to influence individuals later on. Since film is a timeless source of entertainment, the lasting effects by both Potemkin and Triumph has initiated changed in some sort of way. Both films have shaped the world of film in some way -- Potemkin being one of the first films to 'effectively' use an important film technique called montage. Since then, Potemkin has been one of
12

See Appendix (page 10)

the films that have greatly influenced the next generation of filmmakers. This new generation included Riefenstahl. Since Hitler commissioned Riefenstahl to direct a film under the thought that this new film would have a lasting effect on society as Potemkin; including images that would install thoughts in the minds of the audience by telling them to think of one faction in a positive light.

Reflect on how you have developed as a learner (ATL skills)

I felt like I have developed my skills in being a communicator because I have worked on communicating my findings from my research in this project. I was to work on my research skills, and then utilize them to help me in communicating in what I have learnt. I increased my communication skills by trying to write out my findings so I could explain them to an audience that has little to zero understanding of my project focus. This includes trying to explain various film techniques and how they were used -- such as lighting in film to emphasize an area, or to symbolize certain points. My research skills improved over the course of the project, by selecting sources such as books to get an educated understanding of subjects.

What new perspectives have you gained?

Some of the new perspectives that I have gained is that not only that film could be used as a source of entertainment, film could be utilized as a tool to 'implant' thoughts into an audience. Having communicated these effects in a subtle way -- with film techniques as an aide to guide the audience towards subconsciously grasping the bigger picture of the film. Although some people might not understand these techniques, the message is still delivered by the usage of symbolism in visuals and sound, as well as the choice of clips to use in the movie. Another thing that I have gained awareness of is that I am part of the cycle of Human Ingenuity. By doing this project, I realized that I have initiated change to society by educating individuals about propaganda film, and the cinematic techniques used to accompany it. An important realization for me was that I was able to pioneer some sort of interest13 to my audience. From this, I have learnt that propaganda can still be used in a modern context, and that it is possible for my audience to understand whether modern films suggest propagandist content through looking at the film techniques used.

13

See Appendix (page 10)

Works Cited
Benz, Wolfgang. A Concise History of the Third Reich. Berkeley and Los Angeles: University of California Press, 2007. Luckert, Steven and Bachrach Susan. State of Deception: The Power of Nazi Propaganda. New York: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2009. Pratkanis, Anthony and Aronson Elliot. Age of Propaganda: The Everyday Use and Abuse of Persuasion. New York: W.H. Freeman and Company, 1992. Taylor, Richard. The Battleship Potemkin: The Film Companion. New York: I.B.Tauris & Co Ltd, 2000.

Appendix
PRE- SCREENING RESULTS
Name Age What do you think Propaganda Is? If you have heard of propaganda, where have you heard it from?

Otto Ann Mon

14 16 15

No clue The selling of ideas No clue

Never heard of it School I have heard of it before at school, but I can't remember

Napat

15

The selling of a product(?)

Never heard of it

Tip

16

Allocation of a product to a specific audience Used in wars to recruit people into the army. Advertising of concepts A form of persuasion to influence an individual or group to join something, e.g. join the army. No Clue

Never heard of it, guessed it

Mike

16

Television

Pat Ing

16 17

School School, Television

Pim

14

Never heard of it

POST -SCREENING RESULTS

Name Age What do you think Propaganda Is Now? Rate visuals out of 5
3

Rate audio out of 5

5

Is the length of the video acceptable?

Have you gained an understanding of propaganda and how it is used in film? How so?

Otto

14

A form of media used to influence people Something used to control a community to believe or to invest in ideas or products. Subliminal advertising, used to manipulate individuals and groups The advertisement of ideas Selling ideas and concepts to the public Subliminal selling of concepts, a form of mind control

A bit too short

Ann

16

Perfect length

Yes, I felt like I have learnt a lot because at first I did not know what propaganda is. I would like to learn more about propaganda because it seems like an interesting subject of research! I have gained a lot of knowledge about how propaganda is used in film, and how it has traces to the present day.

Mon

15

Okay length

Yes, and what intrigues me is that propaganda could be found almost virtually anywhere once I think about it. I have gained a lot of knowledge about propaganda and how it is used in film, but then I don't feel that a lot was covered in the short film. After watching this film, I felt like I want to dive in deeper in psychology to understand more about propaganda and how it can effect media. Yes! I feel like I want to research more into propaganda and how it effects people on a larger scale than just groups of people. I never thought that film would have a deeper meaning than just the entertainment. Not that much, but I felt that some parts were missing from the presentation. I still gained knowledge of how propaganda is applied to real life situations though! No, nothing was that new to me, but then it was interesting to see how film techniques were utilized in creating propaganda film. I think I have learnt a lot, yet I don't feel like a lot was talked about in the film.

Napat Tip

15 16

4 3

3 4

Okay Length Perfect length

Mike

16

It was okay

Pat

16

Advertising that uses the manipulation of the mind for the benefit of one group A method of advertising which could manipulate the minds of groups and individuals Advertising ideas

Perfect length

Ing

17

I felt like it was a bit too short It was a bit too short

Pim

14