For this assignment, I want you to use the notes you took during class to create a written description of an Anchorman scene. The difficulty lies in creating a real environment through words. You only saw what the camera showed, things were out-of-focus, and often you had only a few seconds to try and spot something.
Here's a brief example:
Brian Fantana's office is outfitted much the same way as his colleagues: typical 70s wood paneling, a wood desk and table topped with a variety of small, artistic statues. Things that wouldn't look out of place in your grandfather's den. But unlike your grandfather's musty, smells-like-an-old-retired-man den, Fantana's office is light and airy. Big windows to let in the San Diego sun, etc. There's not much in the way of paperwork, or files, or any of the detritus that you'd expect a hard-working journalistic reporter to have.
Instead of work-related items, the room is dominated by his striking assortment of colognes that are concealed behind a fake bookshelf. It's a lovingly, obsessively compiled collection of cologne (check out that alliteration), complete with mirrored shelves and nice lighting. A collection of fine jewelry or historical artifacts wouldn't look out of place in Fantana's fancy display, but instead, this is where he houses his Blackbeard's Delight and Sex Panther.
Okay, so that's a short-ish version of what I'm looking for. Instead of plot or characters, I'm focusing on details that I noticed to create an environment. If you're writing about the party house, you wouldn't be remiss to discuss the types of people at the party, because these people are contributing to the atmosphere of the setting.
Now, as we move further into the Profile, we'll go beyond just recording and describing details to create a written environment. We'll also try to create meaning and signifance out of those details. More on that tomorrow.
I picked the setting with the least amount of a details that we saw today. So please choose a different one and write at least a full page on it.
20 comments:
The most recognizable room in the Anchorman movie would have to be the news room. It looks like any other 80's news room with its giant baby blue cameras, the news channel four symbol background, and the very noticeable tv lighting. But before the cameras begin rolling, the wooden presentation desh normally has Ron Burgundy's white ashtray and a glass full of scotch on top of it to provide him satisfaction. Directly behind the desk is the blue channel four symbolbackground with 5 clockes with different time above it. Like i said, it looks like any other tv room would look.
Michael Brockers
6/25/09
English 1001
Pool scene
The pool party is set up in such a way where you can actually see your parents in that day and age. The colors were much different from what they are now. With those classic patio lights, looking as if there were hanging disco balls everywhere. The guest look as if they didn’t want to tell their spouses that they were going to a party, so they left directly from work to the party. The men were undressed in a way you couldn’t really explain. They were wearing muscle shirts, boxers and a tie to keep the formal look, I guess. The lawn was covered in powder blue beach chairs and work clothes from everyone stripping before they got in the pool. Tiki torches also layered the ground, trying to fight the evil forces of the mosquitoes trying to invade the party. People looked like they wanted to be noticed. Wearing those pastel suits and dresses, Probably something you would find in your moms old high school photos.
Barkevious Mingo
Tino’s Restaurant is a typical 1970s restaurant/bar. It had red pleather wrap around seats that complemented the red walls and yellow blinds. Each booth had its own table with a white table cloth. And the walls were covered with posters. The room was filled with many kinds of people who were all just having a good time. In the front of the bar area there was a stage. The stage was lit with blue neon lights that clashed with Ron’s red turtle neck and blazer.
Lenny Zichichi
The pool party was the setting that most stuck out to me in anchorman. Every woman was a beauty and they go gaga over an anchorman. The small 70’s pool was the centerfold of this laid back, yet festive, party. The multi-colored hanging lights over the backyard added some color to the place. Palm trees were nicely accented around the borders of the wooden fence. It looked like the crowd’s attire was very diverse. I saw suits, underwear, bikinis, dresses, and wife beaters. The atmosphere was set off with the alcohol; whether it is champagne, beer, vodka, or cocktails. Inside the house at the part it seemed like a typical 70’s home. The walls wooden and brick walls surrounded every other turn, and the accent of brown and yellow were prevalent throughout the home. The indoor fake shrubs and yellow drapes gave the house a tacky look, like most 70’s homes. Even though the party was a pool party, nobody was swimming, instead they were using the beach chairs and congested area around the pool to mingle.
Nikhil Patel
English 1001
Mr. Tyler Smith
June 25, 2009
Anchorman Bullpen Scene
Bullpen scene was memorable scene to me. Perhaps they spent most of their time goofing off there. The ladies in the background, listening and taking notes as the boss spoke. The ladies wore business suits assorting all colors, mainly the lame sky blue and ivory. The men looked as if they were hung over and sitting all slouchy. Some men drinking coffee and couple napping. The men wore fine elegant suits. A man stood in front of the conference table giving a speech. It seemed as if were the agenda for the week. The office had big clear windows overlooked other buildings nearby. There was some sort of water far off, seemed as if were an ocean. The room was packed with beautiful patterns of the 70’s. The browns, the yellows, and the turdish greens filled the room. The brown wood panel wall hung a sound reflector with wicked patters painted on it. The lamp put out a bright off white light. The base of the lamp was little which made the shade look humongous. In the corner, a TV small stood next to the lamp. The TV was very old school. Something my parents would have watched TV on. On top of TV, was a cup full of yellow pencils.
Lekorde Trejon White
English 1001
In the anchorman, Tino’s restaurant was a perfect example of a 70’s/80’s bar. Outside, the building looked like any regular bar you would find along a strip of bar’s. Inside, the mood and the lighting was poor and it created a dark and gloomy feeling with the dark, burgundy walls, and dark lighting scattered about the restaurant. With many booths for sitting, shaped in the form of semi-circles. In the middle they had regular rectangular tables. All table were covered with a tablecloth around it, and a lamp on top each of them. They had different musicians album cover’s on the walls, and people dressed in formal clothing. The stage was centered towards the end of the room with exposed brick walls; it also created a dark look.
The lights dim and the jazz music playing, sets a relaxing feeling to the scene at Tino's. Circular booths line the restaurant covered with white table clothes. Every burgundy chair and table has a small lamp to set a romantic feeling. The couples are an older crowd, ladies wearing pretty cocktail dress and their dates dressed in plaid suits. All the people were in good moods enjoying their dinner and music. On the stage there is a jazz band playing smooth music with a huge neon sign saying Tino’s on the back wall. There are also other signs coving the walls with pictures of famous artists.
Claire Albano
In the News Room…
Chain smoker, drinker of scotch, narcissist; all these things describe Ron Burgundy our 70’s news anchor. You may think Ron Burgundy is my main focus of this blog, but he’s not. Mr. Burgundy is just part of the set. His crazy 70’s clothes, out-dated mustache, and retro hair-do all add to the scenery of this movie. In his house you can see how the 70’s décor add to the different scenes of the movie. In the scene where Ron is at his at his house talking to his puppy you are drawn to his crazy pillows, 70’s style television set, the tree root table, and glass full length windows. It is all topped with his old fashion braces he wears at night. The color pallet of his house is a Brady Bunch nightmare. It is all fall colors; orange and brown. All together it makes you feel like you have traveled back in time. It makes you want to go grab a bowl of popcorn and watch an episode of The Jeffersons
Cody Smith
Tino’s Bar: Anchorman scene
The room’s walls were surrounded with semi-circle, red, leather booths that could fit 6 people. Each booth had a table in its center with a dimly lit lamp on it. The dining area was also littered with people out having a good time in their 70’s outfits. There was a surplus of martini glasses by each of them. The mood of the place was set with the brick walls covered in old artwork and dim lights. There was a stage in the center of the back wall. It was bordered with dark crimson curtains. It’s backdrop was a brick wall with a neon blue sign reading, “Tino’s Bar.” On the stage were three musical instruments. The piano man, wearing sunglasses despite it being a dark room, and the man with a cello’s expression never seemed to change while he was playing away. In between them was Ron Burgandy playing his jazz flute trying to impress his date.
This is from Chandler. She had technical difficulties...
The first scene of the bullpen sets the tone of the place. It is the night after the big pool party and the men in the bullpen are all sitting around, smoking, drinking coffee, and all look disheveled and unprofessional. One man was even sitting on the. The surroundings in the bullpen are very 70s. Wooden walls, two paintings with the color scheme of the 70s—copperish color, a light yellow and maroon. There are bright blue chairs around a table that sits in the center of the room. There seems to be a huge window on one side of the bullpen that overlooks some buildings. The atmosphere seems very unprofessional because everyone seems hung over except the three women that are shoved in the back taking notes with pencils that came out of the pencil holder on top of the TV in the room. The men all seem to be listening to the boss man speak while the women are jotting down notes and seem to be working hard. While another scene plays you catch a glimpse of what seems to be a video game machine in the bullpen which shows how unprofessional this work place is. The only aspect in this movie that seems to make the work place look at little more professional is the way that everyone dresses. The men wear suits and ties everyday that reflect the 70s era—there suits being colorful suits instead of just black slacks with a black coat as in today’s society. The women also dressed professionally with suits that consisted of knee length skirts and jackets that have the shoulder pads in them. There suits were also a reflection of the 70s with the pastel colors such as baby blue, etc.
Anchor Man Profile
Tino’s restaurant was probably the most distinct and interesting room in the entire movie. Once inside, you see many fluorescent lights, red plush booths, and many tables. The atmosphere is very laid back and jazzy. The atmosphere changes when Ron plays the flute. It goes from a mellow tranquil type of room, to a rambunctious fresh space. The room also has red maroon tent to it. Going along with the whole soulful jazz theme it shows a more patient side. In a lot of ways this related to Ron’s situation. First date with beautiful anchorwoman. There is also a lamp on the table that causes seductive shadows and flattering darkness on the characters. It adds a lot to the sensual seductiveness of there date.
Brian Septs
6-25-09
Ron Burgundy's home
As the cameras take us into Ron’s home there are two Mustangs parked in front. There is also some great landscaping and lighting on his porch. As we are taken into his home, the inside is built with stone, bricks and wood—all masculine materials. This is appropriate for Ron, seeing as to how he feels that he is the essence of masculinity. He has a glass topped table that has a wooden stand that resembles a giant tree root. The lights hanging from the ceiling are made with odd shapes. He has a small dog which could be his way of showing that he is the “bigger” man. He also has brown, 70’s leather seats. One of the couches has an odd colored pillow on it that resembles a bowling ball. What I think really think shows the extent to which Ron thinks of himself is the fact that he has golden, satin sheets and pillow cases.
Kandace Richardson
The bullpen was the room where everyone gathered together to have their meetings about the news reports. To me, the room itself was plain and the room was mainly had brown or gray walls. I think the fact that the walls and decorations were plain and simple reflects that it was a masculine environment (for lack of better term). Men are plain and simple. One could tell that the males were dominant because, well, only they would sit around the table and have discussions while the women were hidden in the background taking notes like secretaries. One could also tell that the women weren't appreciated when the woman was introduced to be the new anchor; nobody was in favor of that idea.
Tino's was a restaurant that has a relaxed atmosphere. The restaurant is formal dress. The tables are square and seat two. There are burgundy booth seats. The walls were burgundy on the top half separated by chair railing and wood paneling on the bottom half. Lamps are on the tables to give a little light in the dimly lit restaurant. The air lightly filled with smoke from people smoking. The walls on decorated with posters of musicians. The customers eat while lasting to a live jazz band on a small stage with brick wall, curtains, and large neon sign that say Tino’s as a background.
Walking in Ron's house, the 70's atmoshpere oozed out the walls. The room was suffocated in this brown theme throughout the house. The walls and ceiling were made of what looked like artificial wood. Accented around the house was interesting lamps and light fictures hanging from the ceiling. Also, the windows were wide open, allowing any one to see Ron when they pleased. There was a small TV tucked in the corner, which was ironic because Ron seemed to be trying always to impress.
Jonathan Fayard
Tino's restaurant gives off a mellow and relaxing feel as you begin to look around. The walls were burgandy and the round booths were a dark red. Each table covered by a white table cloth and a small lamp to provide just enough light to enjoy a drink and listen to some music. There were square tables in the middle area with white table cloths as well. Each couple seemed to be dressed formal, men with plaid suits and women with dresses. The walls were covered with older pictures and posters of older famous artists. There was a band on stage playing jazz which also helped to set the laid back mood. The walls of the stage were brick and on the back wall was a blue neon sign that said "Tino's"
Christian Coleman
The room that is really the most recognizable to me would have to be the news room. You could tell that the setting was probably in the 1970’s due to the design and obsolete technology. There was large Channel News 4 lettering on the wall in the back of the news stand. Good lighting and camera positioning provided for a good news take. There are four clocks in the background that evidentially have show the times in different time zones. Ron would take a smoke and drink the scotch given to him before a news cast on his brown mahogany desk.
In the movie Anchorman, the scenes where they showed The bull pen was the particular part in the movie that stood out to me the most. The bull pen was the area where the "news team" would go and have their meetings. There was a large brown oval table filled with a notebook and pencils and only men were at this table. The women stood behind the men that were left to stand up and the women were the note takers. Behind one of the women there was a TV that had a little black can filled with yellow number two pencils. One side of the room there was windows and the other side was brown walls which were typical for that specific time period and it could have also represented masculinity.
One of the most impressionable scenes in the movie is Ed Harken's office. The background information brings you to a place where you get a feel of the presence of the 80's in the room. They have such things as a drinking bar, along with a slot machine in the corner of the room. Ed also had a numerous amount of statues throughout the office to add variety to the room and add unique taste. It helps you recognize that back in the day many used the place of employment as a leisurly luxury. To many the office was a place of seperation to get away from the crowded news room and have their own quiet time.
The setting that stood out the most to me was definately the pool party scene. Every woman was gorgeous and most of them wanted to get with an anchorman. There were a variety of colered hanging lights by the pool. You could tell this party was layed back but yet crazy by some of the men wearing robes or pajamas. Everyone looked liek they wasnted to be noticed. There were also tiki torches and blue beach chairs around the pool. The wasn't as big as the ones we have today.
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