Date post: | 03-Sep-2014 |
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Film Appreciation and TheoriesLooking at a film more than a source of entertainment.
Film Defined
A form of art executed through science…
Parts of a Film/ Motion PictureI. Introduction
a) Locationb) Erac) Characters
Types of Characters- Protagonist- Antagonist- Intervening- Pervading
II. ExpositionIII. ClimaxIV. Falling ActionV. Conclusion
Dialectic Principle – knowing who’s who in the motion picture by looking at the exact opposite.
Plot vs. Story
“what is it about?…”“how does it happen?...”
Film GrammarCamera shotsCamera anglesCamera movementsColorLights
Mise-en-sceneAspects of Mise-en-scene:- Set design- Lighting- Space- Costume- Make up and hair style- Acting and blocking- Filmstock- Aspect ratio
Categories of FilmRealismFormalism
AuteurClassicism
Diegesis – narrated; a part of the film which is no longer incorporated because it’s already understood.
Film GenreGenre – classification of filmsMain Film Genre
- Drama- Action- Adventure- Comedy
a. slapstickb. screwballc. dark comedyd. verbal comedye. comedy of mannersf. parody/ spoofg. fish out of water
h. Gross – out – filmsi. Romantic comedy
Other Hybrid genre:- Action comedy- Comedy horror- Fantasy comedy- Sci-fi comedy- Military comedy
HorrorMusicalScience FictionCrime and GangsterWar/ AntiwarWesternEpic
Non- genreAnimatedBritish filmFamily/kids orientedclassic
CultDocumentarySerializedErotic
Sub-genreBiopicsChick flicksGuy filmsMelodramaCreature feature
Disaster filmsDetective and mysteryFantasyRomanceFilm NoirSportssuspense
Auxillary genre – coming of ageUndertone
Other main genre:- Supernatural
Principles of Narrative Construction
How to tell the story Relies on the viewer to pick up
cues, anticipate action and recall information
Chain of events in cause – effect relationship
Defining the Narrative Todorov’s Narrative
Theory
Stage 1 – Equilibrium (there is a state of peace in which opposing forces are balanced)
Stage 2 – Disruption of equilibrium
Stage 3 – recognition of disruption of equilibrium
Stage 4 – repair of the disruption
Stage 5 – return to equilibrium
Robert Mckee’s Classic 5-part Narrative Theory
Stage 1 – inciting incident
Stage 2 – progressive complications
Stage 3 – crisis
Stage 4 – climax
Stage 5 - resolution
Characterization in Narratives (by Vladimir Propp)
The heroThe villainThe donor The dispatcherThe helperThe princess
Components of a CharacterPhysical background (name, age,
features, health)
Sociological background (societal status, education, upbringing)
Psychological background (relationship with others, philosophy, past, motivation)
Representation
Representation is central to the understanding of how media texts are constructed by film
makers and how they are received by a range of different
audiences.
Gender events
Ethnicity national/ regional identities
Age Issues
Representing the world in Films
worldscriptFilm world
Representation is a process of SELECTION and CONSTRUCTION.
Representation of Gender
Gender Sex
Masculinity Femininity
Men in the mediaTraditional concept
- Rugged features- Mustache- Long hair- Denim- Open shirts and
medallions- Rough and ready- Action, violence and
toughness
Modern concept
- Smooth features- Short hair- Thoughtfulness- Use of cosmetic and
hair products- Concern for
appearance- Designer fashion wear- Caring and gentle
approach
Common representations of men in the mediaThe Joker – the humorous role
The Jock – always willing his own long term health; must fight other men when necessary; aggressive; power and strength; wins the approval of men and adoration of women
The Strong Silent type – decisive; contains emotion; in control
The Big Shot – defined by professional status; successful
The Action Hero – strong but not necessarily silent; often angry; extremely aggressive; violent
The Buffoon - the clumsy father figure; light-hearted
Women in the mediaTraditional
- Domestic- Sex object- Promiscuous- Gentle- Dumb blonde
Present
- Heroine- Fierce- Confident- Self-assured- Independent - Fun
Plot vs. StoryStory – all events in a narrative;
explicitly presented or inferred
Plot – the explicit presentation of the story with additional diegetic and non-diegetic material
Cause and EffectThe characters are the agents
Causal motivation
Assertions (significant sequence on the movie leading to its meaning)
Pre-emptive events
Time (Helps understand the story) Temporal Duration – length of the
movie/ imagined time - Story duration – period of time referred
to in the film (real time) - Screen duration – length of the film/
amount of time that the story is presented
- Plot duration – stretches of time depicted in the film/ sequence time; amount of time that passes from the beginning of narration to end
Temporal Order - the order/ sequence of the story/
event ex. Flashbacks/ flash forwards
Temporal Frequency - the actual length of the film