Movie time: 30 minute mark through 45 minute
In the book: Pg 778-784
Joseph Morreale: costume design
A big difference that I encountered when comparing the text to the production was how the characters were dressed and how the characters acted. After reading the text i was able to imagine how I thought the scene would be set up and how the characters would be dressed. When we then watched the film my prediction was completely wrong. The film pictured the characters dressed in dirty and old looking clothes. They seem to not have showered in a long time since their fingers were black. The sheet that was put over Hamm while he slept was very dirty as well. From the text i did not get the impression that the house and the characters were dirty and so dark. I also think that the only way to correctly picture Hamm’s parents are to watch the film. It is very difficult just by reading the text to fully understand that the parents live in a garbage can and are expressed as pale white and looking similar to a corpse. The plot of the text and the film is very similar just the costume design and the setting i would have thought would have been a little different.
Bintou Samura – acting
In this scene, Clov and Hamm are arguing again , Clov threatens to leave him . Only in the production while watching you could kind of see the frustration and feel the tension. Though the acting in the production is still rather calm like the book. In the book both Clov and Hamm are acting as if they’re having a normal conversation. Even though its aware that they are fighting , the acting doesn’t execute the situation enough. There’s a lack of expression as well because I think they could’ve showed their expressions much more or had it been more detailed. When they were happy they weren’t happy enough, when they were angry they weren’t angry enough and finally when they were sad they weren’t sad enough. The whole reading of the play the actors felt dull.
Keauna- directing
For this short excerpt of the book and film, the directing for the most part is similar. However, in the film, there are some things that are different. Which I believe helps convey the emotions of the character/actors more vividly. For example, the part where Hamm is asking Clov questions. As written in the book: “CLOV Yes. [He looks at Hamm fixedly.] You were that to me.” Instead in the film, Clov says this, but he doesn’t look at Hamm, he’s more so staring off into space. The camera is more focused on Clov face, and the blurred outline of Hamm is in the background. I think that by not letting Clov look at Hamm and the camera staying more focused on his facial expression gives us a hint at what he is feeling or that he’s realizing the situation he is in and will continue to be in for the rest of his days.
3 responses so far ↓
k.stojanovic // Apr 27th 2017 at 10:21 pm
Joseph, It was also difficult for me picture the parents sleeping in the garbage can. The costume design was barley described in the text, whereas while watching the clips you are able to see how the parents look, and our dressed. Bintou, I agree with your post. It was very hard for me to read the text and picture any type of emotion between the characters. However after watching clips of The Endgame I was able to see certain emotions and pick up on details that were absent while reading the text. I also agree with you Keaunna the directing did help convey the characters and actors more vividly than the text.
ml155866 // Apr 27th 2017 at 11:44 pm
Bintou, I completely agree with you that in the movie, the emotions of the characters allowed the audience to really feel the emotions of the characters. While reading the story, it did sound very straightforward and it was up to the reader to visualize the characters emotions in their mind but the acting in the movie brought it to life. I thought Clov’s character in the movie was very expressive and helped me understand the relationship between Clov and Hamm.
f.zaman1 // Apr 28th 2017 at 12:00 pm
I highly agree with Keauna’s directing aspect of the film. It definitely gave me a better comprehension of the storyline, specifically the conflict and the relationships between the characters. Without the film it would be difficult to determine the emotions of the characters. For example, after watching the film I understood the relationship between Hamm and Clov much better. In other words, Clov is acting as a personal servant to Hamm although considering the fact that Hamm took him in when he was little.
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