Welles vs Rosenburg

While watching Citizen Kane, the element that stands out to me the most is the cinematography and the lighting. Reading how Welles achieved some shots, such as cutting holes in the floor, is simply inspiring to me. Here is a clip that visually explains what I am talking about... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T9KPd_HgoQw&feature=related... (the audio itself is dubbed, so you can just mute it while watching it). You can truly see how his technical skills and vision are able to intensify what is being shown on screen. Welles also was a master of lighting. Without the use of his knowledge of low-key lighting, Citizen Kane would not be as well known as it is. Just like his use of cinematography, he is able to increases the visual appeal of each shot, just by placing a single light in the correct spot. Take the scene in which Kane fires Jedediah... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6UeqAXas-oA&feature=related... Notice the one light that focuses the audience's attention on Jedediah, but not to much to take away from Kane's ominous presence in the corner. Welles was both a master of cinematography and light, and truly opened the door for creativity in the film world.

The one director I think about when comparing Welles vs. another director is Stuart Rosenburg. If you do not know who that is, it is the director of Cool Hand Luke. I believe a lot of people's initial reaction to this comparison is that Welles and Rosenburg have nothing in common. Stylistically, Citizen Kane and Cool Hand Luke are exact opposites. However, I believe that each director shares one important quality, and that is creativity. Both of these directors came out into the film industry, and did things no one would ever think of. Rosenburg's main area of creativity came from his lighting. Take this video for example, around the 4:20 mark... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2z8HqqCyO9E&feature=player_embedded#at=138... Rosenburg's use of over exposure is something no director would ever dare attempt. Despite that, his use of exposure amplified the audience's connection with the character. Rosenburg's use of obscure angles was also another sign of his creativity. I can not find a video of it, but anyone who has seen the film will know what I am talking about. There is a scene in Cool Hand Luke that reminds me of the shot from Citizen Kane of the broken snow globe reflecting the doorway. The scene is of the reflection of the glasses worn by "the man".

Both Welles and Rosenburg have one thing in common. Their knowledge of cinematography and lighting truly amplify the themes and moods the wish to express through their films.