16 the art of film
TRANSCRIPT
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The Art of Film
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Film The term encompasses individual motion pictures,
the field of film as an art form, and the motionpicture industry.
The name comes from the fact that photographicfilm (film stock) had historically been the primarymedium for recording and displaying motionpictures.
It also refers to cultural artifacts created byspecific cultures, which reflect those cultures, and,in turn, are affected by them.
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It is produced by recording images from the worldwith cameras, or creating images using animationtechniques, or special effects.
It is considered an important art form, source ofpopular entertainment, and a powerful method foreducating or indoctrinating citizens.
The visual elements of cinema give motion
pictures a universal power of communication,improved through the use of dubbing and subtitlesthat translate the dialogue.
Film (cont.)
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The Elements of Film Setting
a. Geographical
b. Historical
c. Social Milieu
Atmosphere
a. Mood
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Cinematography
a. Camera placement and movement
b. Lighting
c. Color
d. Focus
e. Frame
f. Composition
The Elements of Film (cont.)
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Pace
a. Fast-paced
b. Slow-paced
c. Meditative
d. Poetic
Suspense
The Elements of Film (cont.)
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Sound
a. Realistic
b. Expressive
c. Simple vs. Multilayered
Music
a. Soundtrack vs. Source
The Elements of Film (cont.)
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Editing
a. Cutting for continuity
b. Cutting within a scene
c. Cross-cutting (parallel editing)
d. Metaphorical/Symbolic cutting
Character
a. Complexity
b. Developmentc. Believability
The Elements of Film (cont.)
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Acting
a. Professional/Non-professional
b. Realisticc. Stylized/Symbolic
Plot
a. Story
b. Subplots
c. Drama
The Elements of Film (cont.)
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Narrative Structure
a. Straightforward vs. Complex
b. Flashbacks
Conflict
Point of View
Genre
Themes
a. Issuesb. Ideological conflicts
The Elements of Film (cont.)
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How to Watch a Film (by Tim Dirks) Choose an appropriate film. Dont choose
films simply for the sake of entertainment.
Films are meant to entertain, but there aremany more out there that are made not
solely for that purpose. There are many
ways of choosing appropriate films, based
on the awards they have won, or film
reviews.
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How to Watch (cont.) Have a second viewing. Watch the film more
than once. During the first viewing, familiarizeyourself with the basic plot, main characters,
important actions, time and place, characterinteractions, and the films main themes. Duringthe second viewing, pay more attention, makenotes and observations, and begin to think in a
more concentrated manner about the filmstechnical details like the films structure, acting,directing, camera shots and angles, etc.
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How to Watch (cont.) Turn on dialogue subtitles. While this is
an obvious thing to do with foreign
language films, it is also recommended youdo this with films whose language you
understand. This will help in understanding
the dialogue better. Take note: the subtitles
are often abbreviated, which means they
dont follow the dialogue exactly.
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How to Watch (cont.) Watch film extras. If youre watching a
movie on DVD, play the added features,
including audio commentary, the originaltheatrical trailer or teaser, deleted scenes,and other related material. If yourewatching a movie in the theater, or on a
medium that does not support the above,try to look for such related materialelsewhere.
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How to Watch (cont.) Examine title and credits. Consider the
following when looking at a films title and itsopening credits:
a. Why was the specific title chosen (were thereany other alternative titles considered?), andhow do credits establish a tone or mood?
b. What are the first sounds and images in thefilm?
c. Can you find any motifs in the credits?d. Do the end credits have any unusual features
(e.g. outtakes, gags, additional footage, etc.)?
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How to Watch (cont.)
Use freeze-frames. If you are not
watching the film in the theater, use the
Pause button as frequently as necessaryif you feel there is something you do not
understand or there is a scene or shot you
want to see in clearer detail. Also, replay
various scenes, shots, and/or sequences
as necessary to help in understanding.
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How to Watch (cont.)
Listen carefully to the soundtrack. Listen
carefully to the films soundtrack and how
the music, songs, and score enhance theactions of the characters and the films
mood. Take note, too, of the use of
silences: sometimes the silences can be
crucial indicators of important moments in
the film.
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How to Watch (cont.)
Determine the choice of film stock. Consider
why the film was made either as color or black-
and-white (if a choice was possible at the time). If
there was a choice between color and black-and-
white, try to find out why the choice of one or the
other was made. Certain films will use both color
and black-and-white and many more will not use
film stock at all (like films made digitally). All of
these will affect your perception of the film.
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How to Watch (cont.)
Study running time and timeline. Try tofind out the entire running time of the film
and the location of various segments,sequences, or turning points within the timeframe. Sometimes, something important inthe film happens fairly early, while other
times it happens quite late. There is usuallya reason for this, and is tied to a host ofother factors.
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How to Watch (cont.)
Maintain objectivity. Try to be objective while
watching the film, and leave your preconceptions
and opinions you have heard before behind. If you
are a fan of the director or one of the actors, try
not to let this interfere with your judgment. If the
movie has been adapted from another medium
you have prior knowledge of (such as a novel, or
even another film), try not to let your knowledge
interfere with your assessment.
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How to Watch (cont.)
Overall quality. View the film as a whole,
realizing that it is composed of the sum of
all its parts. Some individual parts might bebetter than others, but a film must be able
to hold itself together, to be cohesive and
meaningful in its entirety.
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How to Analyze a Film (by Tim
Dirks) Know the basics. Note the following basic facts:
a. Film title (including alternate and production titles, if any)
b. Year of release
c. Main stars/performersd. Director
e. Rating
f. Running time
g. Genre classificationh. Brief summary
i. Tagline(s)
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Identify the studio. Find out which studio
produced the film. Was it a major studio?
Was it a minor studio? Or was it anindependent outfit? Certain studios are
often recognized for producing a particular
kind of film (e.g. Disney, Studio Ghibli).
Also, find out, if possible, why the film wasmade to begin with.
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Learn about production. Find out about
the films dates of production, and study the
production credits to know who worked onwhat. It will also be helpful to find out any
facts from the making of details regarding
the film, as these tend to provide insight
into such aspects as cinematography,scriptwriting, and directing.
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Understand the marketing. Try to find out
how the film was marketed and/or
distributed. It will also help to find out thetagline/s used for the film. This is an
interesting consideration, especially when
thinking about the films popularity and the
hype or lack thereof surrounding a film.
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Research budget andbox-office. Whatwas the films budget? Was it under- orover-budget, and why was that the case?Also, find out how the film did in the box-office. Did it break records in terms ofsales? Or did it do very poorly? Box-office
sales are sometimes considered as a markof a films popularity, so this might be animportant fact to find out.
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Discover the films context. Was thereany social, political, and/or historicalcontext for the film? Because film is such apowerful medium, some films are shapedby society, politics and history even asthose are shaped by film, even in the film
itself. Was there any controversy when thefilm was released? Why was it consideredcontroversial?
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Note the films rating. Try to take a look at
the films rating. Often the rating given to a
film is indicative of how acceptable it is forchildren. Was it given an exceedingly high
rating? Why was that the case? Was it
given a low rating? Or was it even given a
rating to begin with?
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Learn about the initial reception. How
was the film received when it was first
released? Compare that to how the film isperceived today. It will sometimes be
interesting to note that certain films which
were considered too controversial or poor
during the time they were first releasedmight now be considered classics.
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Read about reviews and reviewers/critics
opinions. Find out who the major
reviewers in the film industry are, and thendetermine what they thought about the film
in question. If you can compare reviews
from across a variety of sources, that will
be helpful as well.
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Understand the films influence. Try to
find out the impact the film has had on
future films, and which elements andaspects of the film have been used
elsewhere, and how those elements have
been used. Also, try to find out of the film
makes a reference or an homage toanother film in some way.
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Classify the films genre. Try to decidethe films principal type, like its genre andsub-genre categories (e.g. action, comedy,musical, fantasy, sci-fi, etc.). Is it a hybrid(combination of one or more genres)? If so,how does it manage (or not manage) to
combine the genres? Also, find out if thefilm breaks the usual, recognizableconventions of the genre/s it belongs to.
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Classify the type of film. Is the film asequel, prequel, remake, spoof, anhomage? These will help you place the filmin a particular sequence of films, or identifyit in relation to other films. Also, were thereother versions of this film done before,
perhaps in other countries? What are thesimilarities and/or differences betweenthose two versions?
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Study the narrative origins and script. Find outabout the screen/scriptwriter, and his/herbackground, such as the other scripts s/he has
written, whether or not they were produced, etc.Also, it would be helpful to find out if the film wasadapted from another medium, or an original. If itwas adapted, how well was it adapted? If it isoriginal, how fresh is the idea/concept? Also, wasthe script effective in communicating the story viadialogue and action?
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Learn whether its fact or fiction. If the film is
based upon a historical fact, or on a historical
person, how true does the film stay to actual
events? Does the film itself tackle fact, or is it
obviously fictional? Does it mythologize a
historical event or person? All of these are
important things to consider, particularly when
dealing with period films, or films whose subject
matter deals with actual events or people.
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Examine the plot, story, or structure. Find out howthe film was structured. Figure out the pivotal scene/sand sequencing. Find out how the films plot was told:
a. Through normal expositionb. Flashback
c. With a narrator (voice-over)
d. Chronologically or linearly
e.C
haracter-drivenf. Objectively/subjectively
g. otherwise
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Ascertain special (visual) effects. Learn
how special effects were used in the film,
and how skillfully they were handled.Consider whether they used advanced
CGI, or some older techniques. Also, find
out whether the use of those effects was
crucial to the film, or if they are overused.
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Lookup awards and honors. Find out if the film
has any major awards, nominations or other
honors bestowed upon it. The Academy Award
(Oscar) is an important award to take note of,
along with awards from the Cannes Film Festival,
and the Venice Film Festival. Awards from more
specialized award-giving bodies (such as those
that focus on a particular genre of film) shouldalso be noted.
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Recognize the theme/s. Try to figure out the filmscentral theme, motif, idea, or dominant message, as wellas the films subtext (the message beneath thesurface), and try to answer the following:
a. Are there any prominent symbols and metaphors in thefilm? What is their purpose and effect?
b. What popular ideologies are reproduced and reinforcedin the film?
c. Does the film have an original theme or a traditionalone?
d. Is the films theme adequately or successfully supportedby the story, acting, and other film elements?
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Observe style and tone. Decide the
overall style and tone of the film (e.g. noir,
sophisticated, slapstick, etc.). Certaindirectors are associated with a certain
style, so this will come in handy when
discussing the film in relation to the
director.
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Distinguish the actors and their performance. List the following:
a. The films main characters (are their names
significant?)b. Consider a few minor characters and how they
are used
c. A brief description for each one
d. Their major motivations or ethicalvalues/assumptions
e. Their character development
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Ask yourself the following things:
a. Is there a hero or anti-hero?
b. Are the characters believable and three-dimensional?
c. Is the acting memorable, exceptional, or inferior?d. Ask yourself about the star quality of the performers for
each role: were they cast properly, or were they there onlyfor the star value? Were they cast againsttype? Werethere any debut performances?
e. Were their performances appropriate for their roles?f. Was the acting professional or non-professional?
g. Does one performer steal the spotlight from others?
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Disclose stereotyping. Find out if there
were any popular stereotypes in the film.
Were they challenged, or reinforced? Agood film will usually attempt to challenge
stereotypes, whether directly or indirectly
(via satire). Bad films will reinforce a
stereotype, whether or not it wasdeliberate.
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Reveal directing. Learn about the director
and his/her repertoire. Take note of his/her
films, stylistic characteristics, and favoritetechniques. Take note, too, if the director is
a veteran or a novice. Certain directors also
have a certain style, which will show
through in their work. Take note of that, aswell.
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Perceive cinematography and visual cues.
Identify the films cinematographer,
stylistic and visual characteristics, use oflighting and color (or black and white) to
create a mood, use of a static or moving
camera, amount of close-ups, and favorite
techniques. Compare screen time withstory time.
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Pay attention to the following visual clues:
a. Establishing shots (the initial shot in a scene)
b. Camera lighting (diffuse, high-key, low-key,muted, highlighting, spot-lighting, use of lightand dark areas)
c. Focusing (zooms, rack-focus, blurry, deep-focus)
d. Camera distance and framing (full shots,medium shots, closeups)
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How to Analyze (cont.)
e. Composition (positioning of elements, symmetrical vs.asymmetrical, use of shadows, doors, low ceilings,windows, mirrors, etc.)
f. Camera angles (tilted, wide angle, telephoto,
POV shots,angled, etc.)
g. Camera movements and shots (dolly shots, crane shots,pans, tracking, hand-helds, freeze-frames, reactionshots, the number and order of shots, the use ofshot/reverse shots in conversation or interviews, etc.)
h. Colors used
i. Film speed (reversed, or fast/slow-motion)
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How to Analyze (cont.)
Listen to score and/or soundtrack. Identify the
films composer, and if s/he has any previous
works. Note any memorable songs (and their
lyrics) and/or dances. Listen carefully to how
music is used in the film to underscore action, to
move the story along, or to provide an emotional
tone or mood. Is the films soundtrack
appropriate, effective, or is it too much? Note
also, the use of silence in place of sound.
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H
ow to Analyze (cont.) Identify locations or settings. Try to identify the
setting for each scene. Were they usedappropriately and effectively? Note the following
kinds of setting:a. Geographical (place)
b. Temporal (time period)
c. Locations (on-site)
d. Studio sets
e. Important props
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H
ow to Analyze (cont.) Note film conventions or cliches. Notice
the typical conventions used in the film. An
example of this is that cars will always burstinto flames when they crash into each
other, when this is not the case. Are these
cliches employed, or not?
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H
ow to Analyze (cont.) Detect editing. Is the film seamlessly and smoothly edited? Pay
attention to the following transitional edits:
a. Jump cuts
b. Wipes
c. Fade-insd. Fade-outs
e. Fade-to-black, dissolves
f. Lap dissolves
g. Mixes
h. Use of montage or rapid cutting between shots
i. Juxtaposition (cross-cutting, cutaways, match cuts)j. Aural editing (use of music, silence or noise to create transition)
k. Pace and rhythm of editing (length and speed of shots)
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H
ow to Analyze (cont.) Listen to audio clues. Listen to the following:
a. Sound effects
b. Music
c. Dialogue or voice
d. Silence
Study and distinguish the following:
a. Sound bridges
b. On-screen vs. off-screen sound
c. Post-synchronized sound vs. direct soundd. Diegetic sound (dialogue and sound effects)
e. Non-diegetic sound (musical score, narrative voice-overs)
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H
ow to Analyze (cont.) Observe costuming. Identify the use of
period costumes, body physiques, hair
styles, etc. All of these are of particularimportance when talking about historical
and cultural accuracy. The use of costumes
must also be effective in telling the story,
since it can lend vital clues to setting,characters, and sometimes, story.
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H
ow to Analyze (cont.) Identify dialogue. Identify the most
important lines of dialogue, and identify
lengthy monologues or speeches. Notehow the dialogue is delivered (fast,
mumbled, slow, loud/soft, etc.). Are there
any recurring lines of dialogue? How do
those lines function?