Hi all.
I'm co-teaching a lit and film class this semester and my assigned lecture is on RT. I've been looking for a published (scholarly) treatment of Wes as a director in general and/or RT in particular and have come up with nothing...so I am appealing to you guys...I'm interested in what themes/cinematic elements you think are most important for me to cover....I know, I know...analyzing a film in terms of thematic content and cinematic language takes some of the magic away from the film as an organic whole...I understand that...but I want to reach a happy medium(ie. to have a good, academic discussion of the film that doesn't devolve into a "what's up with that" session...which is ambitious given the perogatives of college sophomores) You guys are the experts. Any insight/advice you could offer for this, my first official film lecture, would be GREATLY appreciated.
Thanks.

I'd recommend just reading the posts in the RT section. The ones that have the longer threads are probably the ones that contain themes your students would be interested in.

(i was writing a reply, collecting links to a zillion threads there, and i was almost done, and then BANG! accidentally closed that window. i'm genuinely pissed off, but i'll do it again... for the love of TRT)

the unofficial list of recommended reading by HeyJude:

from Wes Anderson forum:

Discussion of Recurring Themes
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the beautiful random moments
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Scenes that hit you hard emotionally
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similar to wes's style in any shape, style or form?
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How to describe Wes's movies
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Something I noticed analysing Wes' movies...
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articles
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Truffaut in The Royal Tanenbaums
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More "Recurring Themes" (Childhood)
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Wes & music
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Research Help Needed - Wes & Owen
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Connections Between the Films
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from The Royal Tenenbaums forum:

Needle in the Hay Scene Under a Microscope By Sally
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The ties between Rushmore and the Tenenbaums...
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Symbolism?
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reading the salinger stories again...
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Family isn't a word....?
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The main character?
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From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler
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framing in the film
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Why Repeat Viewings?
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RT Reviews
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!!! RT Essay (an excellent essay)
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Who likes symbolism??
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Repeated viewings
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opening shots
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Royal Tenenbaums Compendium
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How we found Wes and happines
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i tried to be selective...

Holy Shit! It's not even my project, but I want to thank you for your effort on that, HJ.

<p><!--EZCODE HR START--><hr /><!--EZCODE HR END-->Even if I'm not 100%, I'm still kick-ass. -- Jack Black</p>

Hey, Olwiggum, Judey's post would be great to put in the FAQs, wouldn't it?

Judy, you are the mistress of the web search. |I <p><!--EZCODE HR START--><hr /><!--EZCODE HR END-->Mandingo. I grock your mouth music. -- The Tick</p>

Thank you, thank you, my sweethearts. Nah, in this case it was just a little bit of creative cut'n pasting.

wow...you guys don't kid around.
Thanks for the homework...I'll let you know what i come up with.

Good luck with the lecture :) I'm doing my dissertation on Wes films, but for reasons of space I've sort of cut it down to analysing TRT in three stages - marketing, spectatorship, and something else I ain't worked out yet ;) If I was anywhere near finished it I'd brag and send you a copy if it might help, but nowhere near that I'm afraid

One thing I do think is very relevant for studying Wes is his use of his directorial trademarks, like the top down shots or the face on close ups. I won't say what I think about them cos you wouldn't necessarily agree and I know academics like to make their own judgements, but I think there's a lot to be found in looking at the trademarks in relation to the position of the audience <p>=== Leela, save me! And yourself I guess... and my banjo... and Fry!
</p>

You may be the only person in the world writing a diss. on Wes and you can't even share a little insight...come on...we don't have to do it like this...email me or something...i'm dying to know how (and where) people are engaging this kind of scholarship.
Please, please, oh please!