A Peek at Pecker

1. 1 hour 26 min. A Peek at Pecker Analyzing the film as fiction.

2. Art is…. • Mother: • Father: • Rory: • Shelly: • Friends of The Whitney: • Matt: • Pecker:

3. Basics What fundamental elements go into the crafting of just about any story, and how do those elements function in this film? • Character • Setting • Plot • Point of view • Theme • Language (style, tone, diction) • Image • Symbol

4. Plot, character, setting, theme—all intimately enmeshed in Pecker ! What’s the story’s “narrative question”? Will Pecker become famous artist? How will he develop as an artist? What will happen to him, his community (Baltimore, family, friends), and his art as he becomes famous? Good and interesting stories often involve a character who is put into a situation which will disrupt his equilibrium. In this case, we have a kid who relies on his community and his connection to that community for his well-being, his equilibrium, and his art. His happiness (even joy) seems to come from his ability to frame/control/actively make and embrace his world and life. So what situation would put such a character to the test? What would amplify his weaknesses or provide maximum tension--and therefore maximum interest for us, the viewers? Break or threaten to break his connection to his community. Take away or threaten his freedom and power to frame or own his own life

5. Plot Structure of Pecker • Exposition: long sequence of scenes in which we are introduced to community and all people closest to Pecker. Art and community are closely linked, with Shelly at center. Pecker is an active framer of his life. Art and life are one. • First “hook” or complicating action: Rory sees his stuff on exhibit and he gets fired. (Or, even before this, we see the community react to his work.) First loss of control, ability to frame/make own life; first loss of own vision. Disequilibrium.

6. Second complicating action: has a show in NY and sells work. First signs of rupture: Shelly unhappy, homeless people mistreated. With fame comes increasing loss of innocence. • Return home and further ruptures: • burglary of home; • Matt in trouble; • sister fired; • little sister changed; • mother used and abused; • Mi Mama rejected. I.e., the people he cares about are being hurt, so his art is suffering at its root. Also, the community is mad at him and so his art suffers; needs love for his art to work.Note that the art industry at this point is in control of Pecker’s art and vision. Pecker relies for his well-being on art, which comes from his community and his ties to his community. The tension comes when those ties are severed or in danger of severing—his character is put to a test, must find new ways of connecting, regaining control and equilibrium.

7. Crisis, maximum rupture: Shelly sees Pecker and Rory and splits. Loss of Shelly = loss of his center. • Turning point: throws down camera and says, “Cancel the Whitney.” Becomes active agent again; not passive receiver of his own life. His art comes from his life and his life was appropriated from him. He chooses his life over art and thus regains his art.

8. Gets Shelly back in voting booth: notice how art + Shelly are linked in Pecker’s well-being. (Note that, to some extent, this story is really about Shelly, who actually changes the most?) • Reverse show in Baltimore: Pecker regains (and even enlarges) his community and thus his art. The “embrace” of art is enlarged and tightened. Miracle of art/community/love affirmed. Notice too that the community actually becomes involved in his art. Maximum art-community synthesis. Mi Mama and Mother Mary: real art happens when artist makes right choices? When art and world are in proper balance? When artist is in control of his own vision? • Balance restored. Or rather a new equilibrium is found.

9. Standard, rising-action, linear plot. • Any plot devices? • Flashbacks? • Framing? • Multiple, intersecting plots?

10. Consider… If you were to do the written equivalent of what Pecker does…what would you be doing? How might the art of photography translate into the art of writing poems and stories? That is, how is writing like taking pictures? Community portraits! Exploring who you are by exploring where you are. Portraits as interpretations. How do you wish the community members to be seen? How do you see them? What would you leave in and leave out?

11. Reviewing perspectives…

12. A confrontation with reality; facing reality The invention of reality Formalist ??????????? (possibly mocking or interrogating?) A magnification of reality; you become more alive The discovery of reality Art Formalist An escape from reality; a sedative or distraction The improvement of reality (art as a hammer) A craft or learnable skill A mysterious inborn talent ???????????

13. Beauty Something solely for others; pleasing an audience A passtime Formalist A process A commodity A product Truth The honoring of tradition; connecting with our most ancient roots Art A hoax; excuse for not having a REAL job Formalist The subversion of tradition (“make it new”) Emotional or psychological therapy Self-expression; solely for self ; exploration of one’s private vision A way of seeing Formalist The most vital of all human activities A form of prolonged childhood

14. My thoughts on Josh’s poem and Nick’s story. Quiz credit for your feedback to them last week = 2 pts. I gave a “+” for extra thorough material. Josh and Nick also get 2 pts. (partly for what they contributed last week, and partly for speaking today). Total quiz credit for term = 20 pts. To date: 13 pts. Writer’s Link!