Scorsese's Typical Techniques

Martin Scorsese aims to maintain the division between reality and fiction in his films, by combining
- Method acting (Stanislavsky's techniques for naturalistic character portrayl)
- specific detail about times and places to place the viewer realistically in the setting and context
- non-linear narrative (events happening out of chronological order) to imitate the recall of human memory
with
- rhythmic editing (shots that are cut in time to music or in an even time sequence) which is not naturalistic, and alerts the viewer to the fact that the film is a work of fiction
- slow motion cinematography to separate the events from how they would happen in reality
- non-digetic sound effects, to take the events and characters out of their natural surroundings, and place them in a more contrived context.

In terms of collaborations, I've already mentiond that Scorsese has worked with numerous occasions with Robert de Niro and Leonardo di Caprio, but he has also worked with cinematographer Michael Chapman on both Taxi Driver and Raging Bull.

Although Scorsese's films are mostly based on violence, he presents a very ambivalent view towards this - displaying the violence in all its awfulness, while at the same time positioning the viewer through camera angles, music and editing to identify with it. For example, in Taxi Driver, we sympathise with the main character Travis, while at the same time hate him for his violent behaviour and anti-social attitudes. It seems that Scorsese means to create this confusion in his audience by combining high levels of violence with redeeming features in his characters, using film techniques.

Scorsese's Personal Life

He was born in Queens, New York, to a devout Roman Catholic family - this influence can be seen in movies like 'The Last Temptation of Christ'. He is of Sicilian heritage, which has also had a major influence on his films (his grandparents immigrated to Amercia from Palermo in Sicily). Many of his films deal with Italian-American issues - the characters' backgrounds, involvement in gangs, etc.
His parents both worked in the Garment district (manufacturing clothes) of New York, and often took him to movies theatres. It was at this early stage that he developed a passion for film. Originally he trained for priesthood, but decided that he would prefer to be involved in the filmaking industry.
He received his Master of Fine Arts from Tisch School of the Arts in 1966. Scorsese has been married five times, and has three daughters to three different wives.

The director I've chosen to study for this assignment is Martin Scorsese, director of classics such as Taxi Driver, The Last Temptation of Christ, Gangs of New York, Raging Bull, The Departed, Goodfellas, and the newly released Shutter Island.

I can already see some things to look out for in his movies - like collaborations with Robert de Niro and Leonardo di Caprio, and his Italian background influencing his themes and plotlines - like in Gangs of New York. I can also see already his religious background having an influence on The Last Temptation of Christ - a highly controversial film based on the book by Nikos Kazantzakis, about the way that Christ may have spent his last days if he hadn't been crucified.