Part II: Historical and Socio-Cultural Context

Being that he already directed two biographical films prior to The Aviator, Michael Mann decided against directing this film and instead gave the helm to Martin Scorsese. This film curiously didn't win Best Picture during the 2005 Academy Awards, despite being nominated for the most Oscars (11), earning the most amount of Oscars (5), and winning Best Picture at the Producer's Guild Awards.

This film has also been credited to have portrayed OCD very accurately by doctors. OCD, or obsessive compulsive disorder, during the time period being shown in the movie had not been diagnosed and many considered Howard Hughes crazy. This film contributes to American film because The Aviator was essentially the first film to depict Howard Hughes, the first definitive American billionaire. There had been failed attempts to portray Howard Hughes including planned films with Johnny Depp and Edward Norton as Howard Hughes. Many previous attempts were unsuccessful largely due to the large production budget required. Being the first successful film on Howard Hughes, there wwas naturally immense pressure for Martin Scorsese and the producers to create a quality film. There had to be a lot f budget and support for this film to actually become reality. This film was also the first to have a received an Oscar for an actress portraying a real life Oscar winner.

The intended audience is without a doubt the many who have been waiting for a film depicting the life of Howard Hughes. Not only was this film geared towards audiences that enjoy bio pics, this bio pic was especially different because it is essentially the first to portray the life of the first American billionaire.

Sound Treatment

Logline

This will take place at crystal springs trail on a bench overlooking the spring. Near sunset, since sun sets over the springs

General ideas continued from where left off-
Then middle age couple walks by in the background from right side. The boy doesn’t notice, but they talk about how they always love coming back to this trail and how peaceful it is.
Boy is looking out at the spring as they are walking by and finish
Then old couple walks by from left side and they sit down next to the boy on the bench. Boy takes off his headphones and says sure you can sit here.
Old couple are talking and they are audible and they are talking about how much they enjoy each other, boy puts his head back down in his hands still in distress. Old people respond. Old man tells him some words of wisdom about relationships (not too cliché) maybe some humor about himself and his wife. Old lady says time for us to go, so they both get up, old man tells boy it will be “alright kid pull through”.
After they leave out of the WS. All isolated sounds. Boy relaxes back in his park bench and looks at the spring again (hears small sound of waves). Boy looks at Grass and hears the sound of crickets, and soft wind sound as wind is blowing nearby grass. (if theres no wind it will have to be man made and sound effect can be put in later). Boy looks at free way in back of him and notices sound of cars passing by. Boy looks out at the spring once again and now all sounds are audible. Boy pulls phone out of his pocket with right hand. Looks at it (seems like he is contemplating something) then puts phone down, face down, on his right leg and slouches further back in bench. ONLY THING AUDIBLE Phone starts ringing (ringtone differences genuwine). Boy turns his phone back over and looks at the front and caller ID says Katy and picture is of boy and Katy smiling (happy). Boy looks at it then looks out at spring and left to right (now all previous sounds in green are heard) then he looks back at phone (only ringtone is heard) boy sighs and pushes silent on his phone. (WS from beginning) Gets up and walks out of frame. Time lapse until night time then fade out.
WS- the sun will outline the boy in black and the area around him is in light.
Boy walking (head down) sits down on park bench.
FROM HERE ON 180 line shouldn’t be crossed until final scene. CU
Boy sitting down (sighing)
CU different side
Boy putting face in his hands (distressed)
WS in front of boy
Young couple walks by in background, they come from the left side (can hear them talking how much they like each other)
Dollying of couple walking
Continue how much they like ea other
WS
Boy turning as couple walks away so he only sees their backs (they don’t see him)
CU
Boy shaking his head, pulls out ipod
CU of one side of his ear
puts his head up plugs in his head phones (we can hear his music- sad heartbroken stuff)

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Part I: Director's Influence

The Aviator is definitely a biopic centered around the life of Howard Hughes, an eccentric movie director and aviation pioneer. This film definitely depicts characteristics of a biopic because whenever the time period in the film shifts forward, filters are constantly changing. Filters are used to indicate the time period that the film is taking place in. This work takes place among other great biopics that depict a prominent character during history. This film, lie many others, doesn't stay in one period of history. Instead, the Aviator depicts various time periods and shows how the character adapts to the changing times.

Martin Scorsese is no new name for many film fanatics. His work includes Goodfellas, The Departed, and the recent Shutter Island. Many of his films shows the gritty side of whatever he is trying to depict. To the general public, aviation seems like a heroic undertaking. But as we see in the film, Scorsese shows the pains and struggles that Howard Hughes has to go through in order for his investments in his planes succeed.

A definite theme of The Aviator has to be that struggles must be overcome in order for one to stick to their goals and pride. Hughes manages to overcome heartbreak, his disorder, and near death experiences in order for him to pursuit his aviation dreams