Comments on: Alfred Hitchcock on How the Introduction of Sound Hurt Cinema http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/ Blogging the Reel World Wed, 3 Dec 2008 04:02:54 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.5.1 By: Alfred Hitchcock on How the Introduction of Sound Hurt Cinema - Nerdcore http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-359633 Alfred Hitchcock on How the Introduction of Sound Hurt Cinema - Nerdcore Sun, 01 Jun 2008 12:00:24 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-359633 [...] Link Tags: Classics, Hitchcock, Movies, Quotes, SilentMovies [...] [...] Link Tags: Classics, Hitchcock, Movies, Quotes, SilentMovies [...]

]]> By: Trebek http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-357686 Trebek Fri, 30 May 2008 22:19:37 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-357686 That's a good quote for sure. That’s a good quote for sure.

]]> By: Peter Sciretta http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-357554 Peter Sciretta Fri, 30 May 2008 19:58:02 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-357554 Eliza: I found the quote in the new Art of WALL-E book (which is great by the way) but the bibliography lists the source as the 1967 Simon and Schuster book Hitchcock/Tuffaut. Eliza: I found the quote in the new Art of WALL-E book (which is great by the way) but the bibliography lists the source as the 1967 Simon and Schuster book Hitchcock/Tuffaut.

]]> By: Eliza http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-357528 Eliza Fri, 30 May 2008 19:31:39 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-357528 Peter, do you know what year this quote is from, by any chance? I think he's right about dialogue becoming (or having the potential, and usually succeeding, to become) an unnecessary crutch. But to dismiss sound entirely seems out of line for anyone, especially him. Hitch most definitely used sound in an interesting way, incorporating it into the experience of cinema. There's a scene at the kitchen table in The 39 Steps that comes to mind as being a really great audio/visual scene. And that was his very first sound film, I think. Peter, do you know what year this quote is from, by any chance?

I think he’s right about dialogue becoming (or having the potential, and usually succeeding, to become) an unnecessary crutch. But to dismiss sound entirely seems out of line for anyone, especially him. Hitch most definitely used sound in an interesting way, incorporating it into the experience of cinema. There’s a scene at the kitchen table in The 39 Steps that comes to mind as being a really great audio/visual scene. And that was his very first sound film, I think.

]]> By: Eraserhead http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-357456 Eraserhead Fri, 30 May 2008 17:46:36 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-357456 Hitch is right stories can be told without words.I think Kubrick's 2001 is a great example of a non-verbal experience. Hitch is right stories can be told without words.I think Kubrick’s 2001 is a great example of a non-verbal experience.

]]> By: big daddy http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-357300 big daddy Fri, 30 May 2008 14:37:37 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-357300 this is why i hate narrators. if you need a voice that isnt even a character to tell the story, than whats the point of the movie itself? you might as well listen to it on the radio or something. A movie, in my opinion, is supposed to take what a narrator would normally say, and interpret that in visuals. if you use a narrator, or a hearing a persons thoughts out loud, then you arent even making a film. this is why i hate narrators. if you need a voice that isnt even a character to tell the story, than whats the point of the movie itself? you might as well listen to it on the radio or something. A movie, in my opinion, is supposed to take what a narrator would normally say, and interpret that in visuals. if you use a narrator, or a hearing a persons thoughts out loud, then you arent even making a film.

]]> By: charles http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-357064 charles Fri, 30 May 2008 10:08:05 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-357064 Hitchcock is right, but I think visuals and sound should be equally used. I understand what he is saying because a lot of these films have too much dialogue and don't really explain much. In addition its not just dialogue too much music as well. Sometimes the music is so much that it seems you're watching MTV for classical. Overuse is the main problem in this situation. Hitchcock is right, but I think visuals and sound should be equally used. I understand what he is saying because a lot of these films have too much dialogue and don’t really explain much. In addition its not just dialogue too much music as well. Sometimes the music is so much that it seems you’re watching MTV for classical. Overuse is the main problem in this situation.

]]> By: 790 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356864 790 Fri, 30 May 2008 07:22:45 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356864 Hitchcock was a talented asshole..... Hitchcock was a talented asshole…..

]]> By: Guy http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356830 Guy Fri, 30 May 2008 06:55:28 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356830 word word

]]> By: Allynd Dudnikov http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356785 Allynd Dudnikov Fri, 30 May 2008 06:08:15 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356785 Hitchcock was brilliant, Dialogue is sometimes over used in cinema. a story should portray itself through the actions of the camera, not by having someone explain it. Dialogue is great but it takes a real genius to present a great and in depth story solely with pictures. Hitchcock was brilliant, Dialogue is sometimes over used in cinema. a story should portray itself through the actions of the camera, not by having someone explain it. Dialogue is great but it takes a real genius to present a great and in depth story solely with pictures.

]]> By: moranis http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356765 moranis Fri, 30 May 2008 05:52:26 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356765 Ohh that was Hitchcock, I always attributed that quote to Kevin Smith. Ohh that was Hitchcock, I always attributed that quote to Kevin Smith.

]]> By: Liz http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356733 Liz Fri, 30 May 2008 05:26:35 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356733 He's right, of course. It all goes back to the old "show, don't tell" rule. I think Branagh's Much Ado About Nothing proves unimportant words are; it's nearly impossible to absorb Shakespeare at that pace, but it all makes perfect sense because of the way the actors say it. He’s right, of course. It all goes back to the old “show, don’t tell” rule. I think Branagh’s Much Ado About Nothing proves unimportant words are; it’s nearly impossible to absorb Shakespeare at that pace, but it all makes perfect sense because of the way the actors say it.

]]> By: orange cinema http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356702 orange cinema Fri, 30 May 2008 05:00:49 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356702 i think we're all interpreting his words in our own way. like you guys, i know his films very well, so when he says: "Dialogue should simply be a sound among sounds, just something that comes out of the mouths of people whose eyes tell the story in visual terms.” i know that for him, dialogue is a secondary device. each filmmaker has their own style, and while dialogue should never be a crutch, this visual emphasis will never work for everyone. some people (tarantino) reverse this, and are successful in having their words supported by exciting backgrounds. btw, children of men is a wonderful recent example. i'll add mel brooks 'silent movie' to the list. one of my fav comedies ever. i think we’re all interpreting his words in our own way. like you guys, i know his films very well, so when he says:
“Dialogue should simply be a sound among sounds, just something that comes out of the mouths of people whose eyes tell the story in visual terms.”
i know that for him, dialogue is a secondary device. each filmmaker has their own style, and while dialogue should never be a crutch, this visual emphasis will never work for everyone. some people (tarantino) reverse this, and are successful in having their words supported by exciting backgrounds.

btw, children of men is a wonderful recent example. i’ll add mel brooks ’silent movie’ to the list. one of my fav comedies ever.

]]> By: Alfred Hitchcock and How Sound Ruined Movies | Ninja vs Penguin http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356701 Alfred Hitchcock and How Sound Ruined Movies | Ninja vs Penguin Fri, 30 May 2008 05:00:20 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356701 [...] this at Slashfilm. Not sure where they found the quote though, but it’s a great one. The silent pictures were [...] [...] this at Slashfilm. Not sure where they found the quote though, but it’s a great one. The silent pictures were [...]

]]> By: Captain Awesome http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356676 Captain Awesome Fri, 30 May 2008 04:28:54 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356676 Damn you "Enter" key... Hitchcock used sound and dialogue himself. I think a lot of you are taking what he said as, "Sound ruined everthing!". As I stated above he's saying that it hurt film because it became an easy out for people to rely on than the craft of film-making itself. Damn you “Enter” key…

Hitchcock used sound and dialogue himself.

I think a lot of you are taking what he said as, “Sound ruined everthing!”. As I stated above he’s saying that it hurt film because it became an easy out for people to rely on than the craft of film-making itself.

]]> By: Peter Sciretta http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356674 Peter Sciretta Fri, 30 May 2008 04:27:21 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356674 <p>I think a couple of the people who have commented are not reading what he's saying correctly. Hitchcock is not saying that movies would be better without sound or dialogue, he's saying the addition of sound hurt cinema because filmmakers began to use dialogue as a crutch when they could have told something, say exposition, through visuals in a much more entertaining and cinematic way. Before sound, words were used on screen, but minamalisticly. Alfanso Curon's Children of Men is the most recent film to come to mind that made great use of visual exposition.</p> I think a couple of the people who have commented are not reading what he’s saying correctly. Hitchcock is not saying that movies would be better without sound or dialogue, he’s saying the addition of sound hurt cinema because filmmakers began to use dialogue as a crutch when they could have told something, say exposition, through visuals in a much more entertaining and cinematic way. Before sound, words were used on screen, but minamalisticly. Alfanso Curon’s Children of Men is the most recent film to come to mind that made great use of visual exposition.

]]> By: Captain Awesome http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356667 Captain Awesome Fri, 30 May 2008 04:23:35 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356667 Sound effects and gimmick standards, like CG have made many film-makers lazy. What bothers me, are some of the films that have millions upon millions of backing today. Still look and sound like cheap b-movie projects. Just make the sound really "loud" and people think it's great sound engineering. Add tons of "motion blur" and really tight shots and people will think the CG is flawless. I know Hollywood is a cyclical beast. But today it's gotten more and more out of hand. The gates have been opened up to anyone who can use an Avid setup and knows how to make a viral campaign for a film that resembles a commercial more than a film itself. Sound effects and gimmick standards, like CG have made many film-makers lazy. What bothers me, are some of the films that have millions upon millions of backing today. Still look and sound like cheap b-movie projects.

Just make the sound really “loud” and people think it’s great sound engineering. Add tons of “motion blur” and really tight shots and people will think the CG is flawless.

I know Hollywood is a cyclical beast. But today it’s gotten more and more out of hand. The gates have been opened up to anyone who can use an Avid setup and knows how to make a viral campaign for a film that resembles a commercial more than a film itself.

]]> By: JC SMOOTH http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356661 JC SMOOTH Fri, 30 May 2008 04:19:48 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356661 Film tells the story of humanity. Three aspects of the human character are: Deeds (Actions) Words (Dialogue) Thoughts (Internal Actions and Dialogue) Language is needed in film to create a metaphorical depth akin to how three dimensional lighting creates a physical depth. The removal of speech from film handicaps the art. And let's not forget that most of the silent classics contained a good deal of written word to expound upon the visuals. Film tells the story of humanity. Three aspects of the human character are:

Deeds (Actions)
Words (Dialogue)
Thoughts (Internal Actions and Dialogue)

Language is needed in film to create a metaphorical depth akin to how three dimensional lighting creates a physical depth. The removal of speech from film handicaps the art.

And let’s not forget that most of the silent classics contained a good deal of written word to expound upon the visuals.

]]> By: orange cinema http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356647 orange cinema Fri, 30 May 2008 04:07:38 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356647 hitch was the man, but cinema like everything on this planet must go through an evolution. dialogue should not be a fix, but an added virtue to the medium. a volley of words between two people in love, can be just as beautiful as a well shot image. kevin smith's characters are quite talky, but i find many of them very real, tangible, and wonderful to know. hitch was the man, but cinema like everything on this planet must go through an evolution. dialogue should not be a fix, but an added virtue to the medium. a volley of words between two people in love, can be just as beautiful as a well shot image. kevin smith’s characters are quite talky, but i find many of them very real, tangible, and wonderful to know.

]]> By: kevin http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356616 kevin Fri, 30 May 2008 03:28:09 +0000 http://www.slashfilm.com/2008/05/29/alfred-hitchcock-on-how-the-introduction-of-sound-hurt-cinema/#comment-356616 i.e. WALL-E i.e. WALL-E

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