Form and Function: The Use of Rotoscoping in A Scanner Darkly
Вставка
- Опубліковано 26 тра 2016
- Form and Function: The Importance of Rotoscoping in A Scanner Darkly
by Siobhan Cavanagh
Abstract
In this video essay, I will explore how a filmmaking technique can be used to accentuate major thematic elements of a film as well as to situate it within the Science Fiction genre. I will explore how the use of rotoscoping in the film illustrates themes of identity and surveillance that are central to the film. It does this by presenting one reality (the rotoscoped image) while still referencing another(the live action base). To discuss the film’s relationship to genre, I will explore the theories of Darko Suvin and Rick Altman Suvin qualifies the major distinguishing factor of Science Fiction as cognitive estrangement. This quality is often thought of in terms of content, however Richard Linklater’s film adaptation of A Scanner Darkly, creates cognitive estrangement both in its content and its form. A Scanner Darkly is as an example of a film that uses rotoscoping to create an estrangement for the viewer by physically removing them from the empirical image. Simultaneously this technique retains a cognitive quality because it is an extrapolation of latent possibilities in the empirical environment. I will also explore form and genre convention, by illustrating how rotoscoping adds semantic and syntactic elements of science fiction as outlined by Altman. The main goal for this video essay is to show how not only content, but also form can situate a film within the science fiction genre.
Keywords
Linklater, Richard . Rotoscoping . Cognitive Estrangement . Semantic/Syntactic Genre Approach . Design for Screen Science Fiction
the rotoscoping seems not only to add to the otherworldliness but also to preserve the mundanity of real life. you get a tripped out futuristic movie against a very real life backdrop
Thats a really cool point. Its like you are tripping out but you arent in Fantasia or some cool Ralph Bakshi world, you are stuck in some crummy diner. The high isn't wearing off and you realize you are in a nightmare.
This is even acknowledged with Frecks suicide attempt. Basically worlds = mind states and the "world" of scanner darkly is a mind state we can all enter. Freck attempted to leave (suicide) using pills and wine, he didn't try with anything else, he wanted his reality to end with drugs. Then he hallucinates a "being from between dimensions" which is essentially a reference to a "psychopomp" or a mystical being that is meant to serve as an escort to the afterlife. The psychopomp even acknowledges this duty by reading him his mortal sins. But perhaps because of the consequence of his sins the high keeps him in a state where he is stuck in the scanner darkly reality reflecting on his sins and he is stuck with the high of drugs stuck in his sinful reality. So you could even say hes in hell, he is kept alive to suffer in his current state where he wanted to use the drugs to leave into another reality: "at least I got a good wine". As long as he has vices and addictions he will continue suffering in reality/hell instead of being given the mercy of death and detachment.
This context explains why the only end for the addicts is their zombified "brain-dead" state, being used as automatons for new-path (at the ending Freck refers to this with "the dead if possible should serve the purposes of the living"). They cannot lose their addiction without catastrophic loss, as their whole worldview/mind/soul is fundamentally shaped by drugs. In a grim way, this zombification or death is what they have to look forward to.
That sums it up very well Lisa.
"the physical processes of the surveillance team is a mirror of the physical rotoscoping process" mind blown
awesome vid. something nobody really brings up is how the story is perfect for the rotostyle in the way it makes you question reality and whether what you percieve is truly real
Great video!! And...you don't even post that much. You're a diamond in the dirt, thank you.
great explanation before I watch the film
good analysis of the movie...it's almost like I'm back in English class in high school lol
She was def the A++ student
this analysis feels like a part of the movie
Simply wonderful! Thank you! (I use this in my film class).
I think one major thing you fail to explain is this is essentially Dick's autobiography, closely representing his own battle with psychosis and various encounters with drugs, and people like the housemates. He places that autobiographical experience in a dystopian setting in a way that nobody else could at the time.
She briefly touches upon it at around 7:45
She probably didn't go into detail because this was mostly about the relationship between rotorscoping and the film itself, the relationship between the author and his book is another topic entirely, Kieran.
I vividly remember seeing this movie in the theater, and right from the beginning it felt like a sort of a trip.
I would later enjoy it while under the influence of hallucinogens and it was even more intense to watch that way.
There's a level of confusion to it because you're not sure you understand what is happening when they're having their drug-fueled arguments about the bike or the car.
Another movie where this happens often is Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas. You're not sure if what's happening in the convertible makes sense to anyone else or if it's just you who doesn't understand what's happening. And then of course all of the hotel room scenes are trippy.
Very nice exploration of one of my favorite films!
Very cool analysis loved the video
Smart lady, I like how you distinguish the dichotomies.
I remember going to the theater to watch this when I was younger (because Keanu was in it) and I thought it was wierd as hell.
But after watching it a few more times as I got older, it actually began to resonate with these current times.
Tbh I think the ending should have been full live action, it would have really driven everything full circle as the relative blandness could highlight the soul crushing effects of addiction into sobriety but also redeem Bob and lift the drug addled veil over reality:
"I believe Gods M.O is to transmute evil into good, and if hes active here hes doing that now. Although our eyes can't perceive it, the whole process is hidden beneath the surface of our reality, it will only be revealed later." Said the agent talking to Donna at the end.
they'd have the tape. everything could be recut live, except the suits.
I'm a little late to the game here... Even though I consider myself to be big fan of Mr. Linklater's, apparently not I'm not big enough...I've only JUST NOW watched this film for the first time...
(Linklater never ceases to astound me with the editing challenges he leaves in his films when the raw footage needs to be assembled.)
I thought your explanation here was simply EXCELLENT. So good, in fact, it makes my appreciation of what I've just seen better.
Thank you for your thoughtful analysis and taking the time to post it.
Deep in the middle of the Coronavirus pandemic, with the presidential election only just now starting to be seen in the rear view mirror of history, your piece is an extremely welcome distraction from the things just outside my front door.
Thank you. So much.
Very interesting video. Well done.
Very, very nice video!
Fun analysis :) Thank you.
great analysis
Damn this movie was dope. Nice video.
An absolutely fantastic film, a must have film in your collection. I watch this movie all the time and it only gets better. I just love this movie so much.
Thanks sibs..... well done ... BIG TUMBS UP
can't say i agree about the uncanny valley. isnt the main feature that it provokes a feeling of revulsion? i'd say the effect of the rotoscoping produces the opposite feeling. anyway, cool video either way
I wish you did more video essays
Well said
Too bad there isn't a "Love" Icon next to "Share," which I will now do. Very nice analysis of an old favorite of mine.
there is a "like" button you could press.
Very cool. I enjoyed your video quite a bit. Well done.
Great syfi is about existential questions.
Now I'm highly curious why you created this video. It is very well done and informative.
I'd guess it was done as an educational project?
Anyway, loved the movie, really felt like a one-of-a-kind piece of strange art out there.
Very interesting to see a deeper analysis of it.
Syrus Check out Waking Life, another Linklater piece using rotoscoping. A lot trippier than ASD but well worth it!
PKD is by far my favorite sci fi author.
You sound exactly like Winona Ryder in the beginning of the video
I haven't seen the movie, though it intrigued me again recently, but this video essay was still enjoyable and interesting. Thank you.
You should read the book
... Whaa?
Was this a school project?
9:00 I need the unedited version of this clip lol Does anyone else know that's Alex Jones?
He pretty much plays Alex Jones in the movie. somewhat prophetic too... what happens to him in that little scene.
its pretty hard to not recognize that voice
@@orbojunglist I know, I was very surprised to see him in ANY movie. Especially playing himself lol.
@@OGRE_HATES_NERDS Exactly! lol
i have the same last name as you!
Sometimes acid will make u see stuff this exact way
Yooooooo
You define hallucinations incorrectly. Pseudo-hallucinations are where one is aware of the illusion. This is not the case with actual hallucinations.
EDIT: Although with frequent use of pseudo-hallucinogens, the distinction can become harder and harder and eventually impossible.
fuck me this has taken all of the romance out of the fuckin film. blaah blaaah blaaaaah....
Can you warn someone before you put outright nudity in your video?
Why are you ghey?
@@JesseVenturaHat I'm not, that's the problem, I recognize the inherent fallen nature of man and I don't want to subject myself to temptation and don't want the same for others.
lost me at “eck cedera”
But it’s so fucking distracting and just brings down the already irritating story making this my least favorite of the Dick adaptations (notwithstanding the sequels or remakes). I just spend the whole movie trying to look past the effect so I don’t have to look at the cartoon which is unappealing like a motion comic.
I liked your analyses, but your pronouncment of the word "important" as impor-"ant" drove me crazy, why are so many young people so lazy as to not pronounce the first "t". arghhhhh!!
To me it seems just a lazy way to paint comics.
Best film ever
The animation has nothing to deal with the art contained in the story its almost qoute for qoute philip k dicks words. The man was a fucking prophet man was insane but right
Exactly
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blue_flower
intent or coincidence?