Theses and Dissertations at Montana State University (MSU)
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Item Defining fishermen with undersea rhetoric(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2016) Glasmann, Hans Peter; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Theo LipfertDepictions of fishermen in marine filmmaking have varied widely depending on the rhetoric of the filmmaker. As filmmakers apply terrestrial logic to aquatic environments fishermen are subject to the film's cultural and personal perspectives. Because of this fishermen are portrayed as scientists, necessary to understanding aquatic sea life; stewards, necessary for protecting and maintaining the ocean; and predators, preying on the ocean's resources. Although films define and redefine anglers into different political spheres, fishermen are important to understanding the ocean. They are an invaluable resource for first-hand contact with aquatic environments. Utilizing anglers to construct the filmmaker's argument will only benefit films trying to describe the ocean as a space connected to and defined apart from terrestrial beings. I use my film, 43 and 80, as an example of a film that allows its fishermen to be the primary source of information about one species of marine life, namely pacific halibut. Because of their proximity and reliance on the fishing industry, I portray the fishermen of 43 and 80 as instrumental to understanding the need for halibut conservation and the regulations surrounding the pacific halibut industry.Item From opportunity to destitution : the role of the land in Hollywood's depictions of Oklahoma(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2015) Thurston, Colleen Elizabeth; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Andrew NelsonMuch as John Ford's Westerns help to establish the myth of the wild and unconquered American West, a place that existed only in Hollywood and in the imaginations of generations of Americans nostalgic for perceived unburdened freedom in the form of manifest destiny, Oklahoma's on-screen landscapes cannot be separated from the stories they help tell. From cowboy and Indian Westerns, to desperate dust bowl narratives, to southern plains and country living, Hollywood tells only the stories of what Oklahoma can and does represent to the rest of the country - rife with stereotypes and realities alike. Cities are not prominent in Oklahoma films, with scenic country landscapes providing the stage for the action. Hollywood films set in Oklahoma are centered around the landscape, and many are unique in that their stories cannot be told in any other geographic location in the country. This is due in part to many of these mainstream films being adaptations of primary sources that explicitly state the setting as Oklahoma, and accounts for the development of the depiction of the landscape as a character in such films.Item iPhone to IMAX : the social implications of screen size(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Arts & Architecture, 2008) Potter, George Alexander; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Theo Lipfert.Screen size changes the way the moving image affects viewers and specific content is more likely to be influential if screened on the most appropriate media type. The ever-increasing popularity of portable devices, like the iPhone, means that viewers are watching more content on smaller screens than ever before. At the same time, movie theatres and Imax screens are still as popular as ever and seeing something on the big screen holds some kind of magic for the viewer. This fact has not been lost on environmental filmmakers who are increasingly finding ways of using different sized screens to promote their cause. Ultimately, the size of the screen not only determines what viewers watch, and how they are affected by what they see, but can actually be the deciding factor for whether they take action on an issue.Item Tonto and Tonto speak : an indigenous based film theory(Montana State University - Bozeman, College of Letters & Science, 2006) Miller, Heather Anne; Chairperson, Graduate Committee: Lisa AldredAlthough there are works on Indian stereotypes in Hollywood films, there has been no work critiquing these misrepresentations from an indigenous based perspective and theory. Moreover there is almost no significant work on films written, directed and produced by Native Americans. I fill this void by constructing a Native American film theory that addresses the issues raised in American Indian film from an Indian perspective. The main inspiration for this project stems from Native American literature. After reading Native American literary theory and taking a Native American literature class, I found many similarities between literature and film. However, unlike literature, Hollywood film is lacking in critique and discussion. One can find various sources that discuss issues raised by Indian film; however, no real theories have been developed by these projects, much less a critical film theory from an indigenous perspective. My methods are drawn from Native American literary theory. Craig Womack in his book Red on Red, creates an Indian literary theory from his own tribal stories and heritage. It is impossible for me to write a film theory focusing on a Wyandotte perspective simply due to the lack of Wyandotte films. I rely upon Creation Stories from several Indian tribes to illustrate elements of community, American Indian thought, Indian semiotics and history and politics as they relate to my theory. It might be noted that there has been a recent turn toward indigenous based theory in Native American studies; many of these theories are more pan-Indian, rather than tribally specific. However, none have addressed Native American identity issues in film. This study is designed to start a new dialogue within the field of Native American Studies as well as other disciplines such as film. Hollywood has silenced Indians for a long period of time. As shown by Native produced, directed and acted films, Indians are yearning to have their voices heard. This research acknowledges and applauds these individuals. This research being unique to the field will also inspire others to explore this topic and continue the discussion of the issues presented in the research.