I already enjoy the beginning of this semester because we are studying films. It is really interesting as we watch "Dancing with Wolves", to see how the director used the film to create different emotions in people. In the beginning of the film the high ranking officials are standing together at the top of a hill looking down on everyone, which shows that they have power because they are above everybody else. I also learned about the Christ pose which symbolizes sacrificing yourself for something bad in order to become something good in the end. When the general opened his desk a bunch of bottles made noise hitting each other, and even though it did not directly show the bottles, through knowledge you can infer that it is alcohol and the general must be an alcoholic keeping them in his work desk. As Lieutenant John Dunbar was listening to the general his face was half lit and the other side was in darkness. Through discussion I found out that symbolizes having experienced many things that people should not see, such as people getting killed in war, which shows that Dunbar may have PTSD. I also really enjoyed learning about the long/establishing shots. As Dunbar was riding to his station there were many shots that showed the huge prairie he was in. These shots are used to show the setting, as well as create a happy, good feeling emotion in the viewer.

In the beginning of the film I learned a lot about how camera shots affect the viewers emotions, specifically lighting, camera angles, and costumes. However as the film progressed I learned more about actions that the actors perform which create emotions in the viewer. As Dunbar was resting after riding his horse through the prairies he began stroking the grass with his hand because he felt connected to the Earth. Later, a native was feeling the grass as well. Even though it did not happen at the same time and the viewer may not realize, it creates a connection between the two humans. They both felt the grass which connected them to the Earth and showed that they may want to return to home. It also makes them appear peaceful because they aren't ripping the grass out, but calmly stroking it. Even though the natives may battle against the whites, these scenes show that both Dunbar and the native are humans that are connected in a way. The next parallel that I noticed was when Dunbar went to introduce himself to the natives for the first time. Dunbar was wearing his uniform because he wanted to dress as nicely as he could in order to have a good first impression with the natives. At the same time, the natives dress in their nicest outfits as well when they go to meet Dunbar. Even though their nicest clothing may be different, they both attempt to dress nicely in order to have a good first impression when meeting the other person, which connects them in that sense. Later in the film I noticed communication complications between the natives and Lieutenant Dunbar. Dunbar was used to waving at people to say hello to them, however natives do not do that and may even find it rude to stick your hand out at them. When Dunbar waved, they were confused and it caused communication difficulty between them. Finally, when the natives were sitting down to meet Dunbar he offered them sugar to put in the coffee he made them. It was a nice offer, however neither of them realize what that symbolizes. In countries that make sugar, the workers are often a minority that is treated poorly. At the same time in other areas the white people treat natives as a minority and treat them with disrespect. Although it was nice to offer the sugar, Dunbar was making a connection that the natives are treated poorly similar to the workers that make the sugar, however he did not realize that's what he was doing.