Small Scale Research Project - Annotated Catalogue

Films

Item 1: Titanic (James Cameron, 1997)
I have chosen this film as this is the film which shot Leonardo Dicaprio to stardom. This film is seen as a benchmark for him, as this is the film which people frequently compare his later work to.

Item 2: The Wolf of Wall Street (Martin Scorsese, 2013)

In this film Leonardo Dicaprio takes an 'adult' role which is a change of direction for him. Compared to the films he was known for at this time, it is a major change and highlights his versatility. Furthermore, the critical acclaim shows that Leonardo Dicaprio was successful in fulfilling a different role.

Item 3: The Revenant (Alejandro G. Inarritu, 2015)

This film is very useful in my research as Leonardo Dicaprio plays a role which is different to any role he has played before. It is a role that meant he had to be willing to take a risk as it may not appeal to his usual target audience.

Internet

Item 4: https://www.wired.com/2015/12/leonardo-dicaprio-interview-revenant-climate-change/
This is an online interview with Leonardo Dicaprio which is useful for my research as it provides questions and answers on many different aspects of The Revenant. He discusses the problems they faced when filming and how difficult it was to cope in the environment they was in. Dicaprio also discusses what drew him to taking the role of Hugh Glass in The Revenant.

Item 5: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J6iCxstvahE
Video of Leonardo Dicaprio being interviewed about Titanic. He discusses the making of Titanic and how it felt to take on the role in this film. This is useful as it links to one of my focus films.

Item 6: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/wolf-wall-street-scorsese-dicaprio-661503
In part of this interview Leonardo Dicaprio talks about getting into character when involved in a film which is useful for me in understanding his adaptability and range.

Item 7: http://www.timeout.com/london/film/leonardo-dicaprio-on-why-he-will-always-feel-like-an-outsider-in-hollywood
This online article includes an interview with Leonardo Dicaprio. He discusses Titanic and The Revenant aswell as his general feelings towards performance which will be useful in my research.

Item 8: https://www.quora.com/What-is-so-great-about-Leonardo-Dicaprio
This article outlines the journey of  Leonardo Dicaprio and the different films/roles he has took on during his stardom, this is useful for me in highlighting his adaptability.

Item 9: http://theurbantwist.com/2016/10/06/adaptable-always-evolving-leonardo-dicaprio-actor-charitable-distinction/
This is an article specifically focusing on the adaptability of Leonardo Dicaprio, therefore it is very useful as this topic is my main focus of research.

Item 10: http://www.goliath.com/movies/the-10-best-performances-by-leonardo-dicaprio/
This website shows the top 10 performances of Leonardo Dicaprio. This is a good website for me to use as it allows me to compare his different performances and gain more of an insight into his adaptability and range.

Magazines

Item 11: http://www.gq.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/leonardo+dicaprio+on+exploring+his+
emotions+an+intimacy+youve+never+seen+before
This is an article from GQ Australia (Feb 2016) which is very useful for providing information regarding Leonardo Dicaprio's versitility. It discusses the different films he has been in and there is many good opinions of him within the article which I can quote.

Newspaper articles

Item 12: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/film/the-revenant/leonardo-dicaprio-interview/
Article from The Telegraph, which discusses Leonardo Dicaprio in The Wolf of Wall Street and The Revenant. There are quotes from directors, such as Martin Scorcese, talking about Dicaprio and his performance skills which is useful for my research.

Material not selected:

One item which I rejected is the film The Beach (Danny Boyle, 2000) as I decided that although Leonardo Decaprio is the main actor in this film, it doesn't show much change from his previous films. Therefore, this film is not significant for my research as it doesn't highlight his versatility. A further film which I rejected is Django Unchained (Quentin Tarantino, 2012). In this film Leonardo Dicaprio is a secondary character, which means that there is not much for me to focus on when carrying out research into his adaptability and range. A final item which I rejected is an article from an Empire magazine (May 1997, PG 56) as it only has a small section discussing Leonardo Dicaprio in Romeo and Juliet. I don't feel as though this is useful as it doesn't relate to any of my focus films and doesn't provide me with any infomation regarding his versitility.

Small Scale Research - Initial Ideas

Star/performer - Leonardo Decaprio - adaptability and range
> The Revenant (2015)
> Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
> Titanic (1997)

-Evidence of why he has maintained stardom / why he has chose to take on different roles e.g. revenant

Dead Man Walking

Outline a subconscious response to the execution scene and three techniques that the film makers have used to manipulate a spectator into having that response.
Firstly, during the execution scene the film makers purposely use close up shots of Matthew Poncelot and Sister Helen's face when having their last words before he enters the execution room. This manipulates the audience into having a certain response. The close up shots emphasise the desperation on Poncelot's face as he tries to convince himself he is not afraid. Furthermore, the close up shot of the Sister's face shows the tears building in her eyes and highlights the great emotion she is feeling towards his death. This subconsciously makes the audience feel a sense of sadness towards the situation despite their overall opinion.

A further way in which the film makers have manipulated the audience into having a certain response is through the mise en scene. Poncelot is purposely strapped to his death bed in the same way that Jesus was nailed to the cross. This creates a link between Poncelot's death and religion. It suggests to the audience that Poncelot is being forgiven as he admits to his sins. This subconsciously makes the audience feel at ease with Poncelots death.

A final way in which the film makers have manipulated the audience into having a certain response is through the use of flashbacks. Flashbacks are shown of Poncelot committing the crimes, raping a teenage girl and killing a teenage boy. These horrific flashback clips instantly instill a feeling of shock into the audience as they had been building a relationship throughout the film with what they believed was an innocent man. The audience subconsciously go from feeling sympathetic to feeling as though death is what Poncelot rightfully deserves. 

Give three specific reasons and examples why different people consuming one of the films could have different emotional responses. 
One person consuming Dead Man Walking may show a different emotional response compared to other audience members as they may be someone who is completely against the death penalty. Therefore they may feel a sense of anger due to the inhumane actions which take place within the film. Those strongly against the death penalty may also feel somewhat sympathetic towards Poncelot. Although some believe the death penalty is what he deserved, those against the death penalty will see the killing of Poncelot as completely wrong.

Furthermore, one person consuming the film Dead Man Walking may show an alternative emotional response to others due to their religion. During the film the Sister (Susan Saradon) helps and guides Matthew Poncelot through his time on death row and encourages him to come to terms with the crimes he has committed and to seek forgiveness off God. This religious aspect to the film could mean that consumers who hold strong religious beliefs may feel a sense of forgiveness towards Poncelot as he has admitted to his sins and began to seek forgiveness off God. Also, those consumers with strong religious beliefs, for example Christians, may feel in shock when watching as their religion is completely against the death penalty as it takes lives and goes against the theory of Gods Plan.

Finally, when consuming Dead Man Walking someone who has been a victim of crime or has had a family member be a victim of a similar crime may show a different emotional response compared to other consumers. They would gain a sense of justice from the film and completely agree with the killing of Matthew Poncelot as they can relate to the pain the victims families have been put through as they will have experienced similar feelings of devastation and the need for some kind of 'revenge'.