Almost Famous

Micro TeachHST 314 By: Johanna horne

The film starts out with William (Michael Angarano) at a young age, where we find him living in a household with his mother Elaine (Frances McDormand) and his sister Anita (Zooey Deschanel) in San Diego, California. While William gets along well with his mother and sister separately, both of the women in his life are at odds with each other, as Elaine struggles to keep some form of control over Anita, who feels that her mother is too overbearing. One day Anita brings home a copy of Simon & Garfunkel's Bookends album and her mother confiscates it, say that the songs are about drugs & promiscuous sex. Anita leaves in a fury.

Anita decides to leave home to become a stewardess, leaving her record collection to William. Before she leaves in her boyfriend's car, she pointedly tells William "One day, you'll be cool." Later, William finds a note in his sister's copy of The Who'sTommy, which tells him to listen to it with a candle burning, and he'll see his future.

As William grows older (Patrick Fugit), now 15, he starts high school (1973). He has become interested in rock music and journalism, writing for several underground newspapers and Creem Magazine. William meets the editor of Creem Magazine, who gives him some pointers about interviewing and the world of Rock and Roll. He also claims that William has arrived in time for the "death rattle" of rock n' roll. He offers to pay him for an interview of the band Black Sabbath, who will be playing that night at the San Diego Sports Arena.

William attempts to get in, but is rebuked by the doorman at the arena. Unsure what to do, he meets a group of girls who call themselves Band-Aides. William is introduced to their leader, Penny Lane (Kate Hudson), who explains their philosophy, of how they are not groupies, but are there to support the music.

Along the way, a number of incidents happen to which William is privy: SEX, DRUGS AND ROCK AND ROLL.

The film then ends with a montage of different clips that play over Led Zeppelin's "Tangerine"

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Culture & ThemesFreedom themesDrugs, sex, & Rock n RollSexual freedom and promiscuity were a big theme of this decade and the music reflected this.

Drugs, Sex & Rock n roll

This is an after party in the movie, Almost Famous

For the love of music

Williams sister Anita tells him to look under his bed, it will change his life. He finds her entire record collection, thus starting his love of music and his Interest in becoming a journalist for Creem Magazine and Rolling Stone Magazine.

Fads & fashion

Lava lamps

Mood rings

Smiley Faces

Rubiks cube

Fads & fashion continuedJust about everyone had a station wagon, including Williams mom in the movie.

FashionThe fashion influence of the Sixties hippies was mainstreamed in the Seventies, as men sported shoulder length hair and non-traditional clothing.Bellbottom pantsHip huggersColorful patchesHot pantsPlatform shoes, clogsT-shirtsGyspsy dressesKnits and denims were the fabric of choiceLeisure suits for menMicro, mini and maxi skirts and dresses

Fashion

Women

Men

Fashion

Fashion Continued

Plaid was really in style in the 70s

Events & People

Presidents: Richard M. Nixon (1969-1974)Gerald Ford (1974-1977)Jimmy Carter (1977-1981)Roe vs. WadeMention was made to women who didnt use birth control. Sapphire (bandaid) comments how the new girls are not really fans, seeing as they don't love the music, are only into sex without birth control.Vietnam war

The 70s were a time of profound change in the United States. First off the Vice President and the President resigned after threats of impeachment. The Vietnam War divided the country. Roe vs. Wade legalized abortion (January 22, 1973).Women, minorities, and gays demanded full legal equality. Affirmative action became a controversial policy as minorities and women asserted their rights to jobs and equal education.

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MusicBy the 1970s rock & roll had become nearly meaningless. The Beatles broke up and Elvis Presley died. These were two major influences of its time. Pop music was made up a multitude of styles:Soft rock, hard rock, country rock, folk rock, punk rock, shock rock and disco.

Rock music was big business.Great bands of this time included Alice Cooper, the Eagles, Aerosmith, the Bee Gees, Billy Joel, Elton John, Led Zeppelin, John Lennon, Pink Floyd, and the Who, just to name a few.

The opening song in the movie was Alvin and the Chipmunks. Although they came about in the 60s they were still popular in the 70s with 30 million records sold.

Music continued

Music continued

Music continued

Music continued

Technology

Technology was starting toGrow in the 70s, like Apple.

ALMOST FAMOUS (2000)

Works CitedCrow, Cameron. Almost Famous. Directed by Cameron Crowe. 2000.Gillis, C. 1970-1979. Lone Star College-Kingwood Library. 1999. http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade70.html (accessed August 2014).Goessl, Leigh. Impact the culture and music of the 1970s had on society. November 2007. http://www.entertainmentscene360.com/index.php/impact-the-culture-and-music-of-the-1970s-had-on-society-48546/ (accessed August 2014).IMDb. Almost Famous. 2000. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0181875/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt (accessed August 2014).