| Film Title: | Ford v Ferrari |
| Year: | 2019 |
| Director: | James Mangold |
| Country: | United States |
| Genre: | Action, biography |
| If you could work on this film (change it), what would you change and why? | I would have made Lorenzo Bandini and Leo BB less of antagonists, and made the main antagonist the race and taking down Ferrari. |
As you view films, consider how the cuts, camera angles, shots, and movement work to create particular meanings. Think about how they establish space, privilege certain characters, suggest relationships, and emphasize themes. In addition to shot distances, angles, editing, and camera movement, note details of the narrative, setting, characters, lighting, props, costume, tone, and sound.
Ask yourself the following questions:
| TOPIC | YOUR NOTES |
| 1. Who is the protagonist? | Ken Miles |
| 2. Who is the antagonist? | The race, Leo Beebe |
| 3. What is the conflict? | Ford wants to win the 24 hours of Le Ma, but disagreement on the side of Ford makes it difficult. |
| 4. What is the theme? (summarize in one or two words) | The theme is making sure that you have the right priorities, and making decisions that may not be the best for you, if they benefit others. |
| 5. How is the story told (linear, with flashbacks, flash-forwards, at regular intervals) | The story is Linear, but starts with a brief flashback at the beginning. |
| 6. What “happens” in the plot (Brief description)? | Ford tries to partner with Ferrari, and they are declined. Then, Henry Ford the 2nd wants to beat Ferrari at the 24 hours of Le Mans. Ken Miles and Carroll Shelby have to develop a race car in a very limited amount of time. |
| 7. How does the film influence particular reactions on the part of viewers (sound, editing, characterization, camera movement, etc.)? Why does the film encourage such reactions? | The film influences reactions with camera angles, appropriate editing and effects, and great sound design. The film does this to make the film more real, and of higher quality. |
| 8. Is the setting realistic or stylized? What atmosphere does the setting suggest? Do particular objects or settings serve symbolic functions? | The setting is realistic. The atmosphere makes it feel like it is around the time of the mid 50’s, and in the appropriate area. The Ferrari factory was set up in a very realistic way, that it may have been set up in the 50’s. |
| 9. How are the characters costumed and made-up? What does their clothing or makeup reveal about their social standing, ethnicity, nationality, gender, or age? How do costume and makeup convey character? | The characters wear very appropriate costumes. The executives at Ford all wear nice suits, where Ken Miles and the pit crew wear more casual clothes, like a t shirt and jeans. The make up is good. At the end of a long day, or at the end of a race, they have some dirt and grime of their faces and clothes, like you would have if you were working on cars all day. |
| 10. How does the lighting design shape our perception of character, space, or mood? | The lighting is good. It is dark when it is supposed to be dark, and there aren’t any weird reflections. In Ken Miles’ house and the airport especially, it reflects on where you are. |
| 11. How do camera angles and camera movements shape our view of characters or spaces? What do you see cinematically? | The camera angles and movement are really useful to adding to the story. In some shots, the camera in shaking to convey fast movement. In others, it delivers a very wide shout to convey how large an area in. In others, it gets a super close up to show the intensity of something. |
| 12. What is the music’s purpose in the film? How does it direct our attention within the image? How does it shape our interpretation of the image? What stands out about the music? | The music is really powerful in conveying the mood of the scene. In the part where Ken Miles wins Daytona, the music is triumphant and feels victorious. In the Ford motor company scene, the music seems very classy and executive, like the people who we see in the scene. When Bandini gets taken out of the race, the music is triumphant, but in a more emotional way, like he had completed something in a way that only he could appreciate. I really loved the music. It felt like it was from the era that it takes place in, and it fits every scene very well. |
| 13. How might industrial, social, and economic factors have influenced the film? Describe how this film influences or connects to a culture? | I could relate a lot to the film because I like cars. I think the film was important because it showed how Ken Miles struggled to get to the point where he could race in Le Mans, and how he was “cheated” out of his win. |
| 14. Give an example of what a film critic had to say about this film. Use credible sources and cite sourcesExample: “The Shawshank Redemption Movie Review (1994) | Roger Ebert.” All Content. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 June 2015. | “Ford v Ferrari is a little too long; some scenes leave unnecessary skidmark trails. But the movie still has amiable style and energy to spare. It’s fast but never furious. (2019) | Stephanie Zacharek.”All Content. N.p., n.d. Web. 22 November 2019. |
| 15. Select one scene no longer than 5 minutes that represents well the whole film and shows relevant cinematic elements. Explain why. | My scene is “Go Like Hell”. I chose this scene because it shows all the aspects of the movie really well. It shows how dedicated Miles is, how much he enjoys racing, and just how good he is. It also shows Ken Miles’ and Carroll Shelby pursuit of perfection, and all that they are willing to do for that. I also really liked the cinematography and music. The music shows the tension, and the eventual victory. I really like the camera work when Miles passes the other Ford driver. It shows Miles slowly creeping up on him, the nervousness on his face, and his eventual fall from 1st place. The music in this scene in also perfect in my opinion. It feels raw and real, and captures all the emotions felt by the characters perfectly |
| 16. In the selected scene: write a sentence for each of the elements below: | |
| a. Screenwriting: | This was on point, nothing felt too long, and the shots focused on what was important in the story. |
| b. Sound Design: | The sounds were great, the cars sound very real and beast like, just like in real life. |
| c. Camera Movements: | Also great, speed was captured and we were shown a good mix of characters and enviroment. |
| d. Light Setup: | Good, it felt like it was early morning, which it was in real life. |
| e. Soundtrack: | This was perfect. They couldn’t have chose a better soundtrack |
| 18. What’s the socio-cultural context of this film? | It is meant to be a story that is being told, a story masterfully put onto the big screen. |