Ch. 1 – Looking at Movies
How is the experience of seeing a movie different from watching a play? Reading a book? Viewing a painting or photograph?
One of the first things we learn in the chapter is that movies are a myriad of techniques and concepts that connect us to the story, without us ever knowing they are occurring. This cinematic language (pg2) has the power of mental manipulation which is lacking in all other mediums. In books, we have only words and imagination. In Plays, there is action, story line, even music, but nothing like the techniques used in film. An easy example of this is how the music in a film can generate a physical response such as a jump, or a racing heart. I personally experienced this in the film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari. While the film had no speaking, I was still startled, as was intended. Reading the same story may generate fearful feelings, but there won’t be the startle factor. Paintings and photographs lack this power as well. They are something left solely to our imagination and interpretation.
What is the difference between implicit and explicit meaning?
Explicit meaning is what we see on the surface. It is the clear story line, the plot. The implicit meaning of a film is what we do not see. It is what is inferred, what is generated beneath the surface. Implicit can be thought of as the true meaning and explicit is the details of the story that get us there. (pg12)
Please include one piece of information from the chapter you found interesting, and why.
I found learning about the different forms of analysis interesting. Cultural analysis intrigues me a bit more than formal analysis, only because I am so new to analyzing film. I enjoy searching for the underlying, outlier meanings of films and how those meanings apply to the real world, or myself.
Ch. 2 – Principles of Film Form
In what ways do movies use patterns to convey meaning?
Our book uses a variety of films, for examples of patterns. I still struggle to explain how they convey meaning in my own words. This is best explained that a pattern in film can be used to build trust and meet audience expectations. The audience knows what is coming next, because of the pattern. The example of a simple ABABAB our book used in Donnie Darko. Throwing in the C creates intense suspense because it breaks the ABAB pattern. It seems most often the pattern builds trust and breaking the pattern leads us into any numbers of feelings or thoughts, whether that be shock, fear, etc.
What is meant by cinematic language? Why is it important to the ways that movies communicate with viewers?
Cinematic language is the invisible techniques film makers use to create meaning in film. Page 44 lists “lighting, movement, sound, acting, and a number of camera effects” as elements of cinematic language, but it is not one of these elements making this a language. The strategic combinations manipulated to work together is how cinematic language communicates and evokes meaning with viewers.
Please include one piece of information from the chapter you found interesting, and why.
I need to better understand patterns. I do not watch science fiction or horror films, but I did add Donnie Darko to my watch list because reading about the film and watching the clips has me curious if I am able to better appreciate films I would previously avoid.
Ch. 3 – Types of Movies
What are the four related ways we can define the term narrative?
A narrative is a story. A narrative is a type of movie. Narrative is a way of structuring fictional or fictionalized stories presented in narrative films. Narrative is a broader concept that both includes and goes beyond any of these applications. (pg 53)
What are the three basic types of movies?
Narrative. Documentary. Experimental.
Describe the main differences among them.
First, narrative films are directed towards fiction with almost every aspect predetermined. Conversely, documentary films are non-fiction while still using dramatic techniques. Experimental films seek to defy categorization and convention, using innovative techniques.
What are documentary theorist Bill Nichols’s six modes of documentary filmmaking?
Expository documentaries. Observational documentaries. Poetic documentaries. Participatory documentaries. Performative documentaries. Reflexive documentaries.
What are Fred Camper’s six characteristics that most experimental films share?
Experimental films are not commercial. Experimental films are personal. Experimental films do not conform to conventional expectations of story and narrative, cause and effect. Experimental films exploit the possibilities of the cinema. Experimental films critique culture and media. Experimental films invite individual interpretation.
How does animation differ from the other three basic types of movies?
Animation is a technique that can be used in any of the three types of movies.
Ch. 4 – Movie Genres
What is genre? How does genre affect the way movies are made and received?
The categorization of narrative films by form, content, or both. Examples of genres include musical, science fiction, horror, and western. Genre affects how films are categorized, analyzed, grouped and sold. We search streaming services categorized by genre.
What are the six sets of conventions used to define and classify film genres?
Recurring themes and situations. Setting. Character types. Story formula. Presentation. Style.
Please include one piece of information from the chapter you found interesting, and why.
My favorite movies are gangster movies. I did not know “gangster movies” is an actual movie genre. Prior to reading the chapter, I would have simply thought of them as dramas. Note, chapter 3 and 4 questions overlapped. So, this was in chapter 4. I separated them out.
Ch. 5 – Elements of Narrative
What are the differences between omniscient and restricted narration?
When narration is not spoken by one of the characters in the movie, it is omniscient narration. When narration is restricted to the viewpoint of one character in the film, it is restricted narration.
What is the difference between suspense and surprise?
Surprise is an unanticipated shock that lasts only for a brief moment. Suspense is an ongoing feeling of anxiety leading up to, most often, an anticipated event or moment. Suspense is drawn out where surprise is sudden.
Which ones is more difficult for a filmmaker to create?
Suspense is the more difficult of the two to create.
Please include one piece of information from the chapter you found interesting, and why.
I had never in my life seen or heard the term diegesis. Diegesis is the world of the story. It is everything a character in the story could see, hear or sense.
Ch. 6 – Mise-en-Scène
What is the literal meaning of the phrase mise-en-scène?
Staging or putting on an action or scene.
What do we mean by this phrase when we discuss movies?
This is everything we see in every shot. It is everything on screen, carefully chosen and placed by the filmmakers for a reason.
What are two major components of mise-en-scène?
Design and composition.
Name and briefly discuss the major elements of cinematic design.
Set design, decor, prop selection, lighting setup, costuming, makeup, and hairstyle design are all significant elements of cinematic design. They are divided out in our book and grouped together with two most important: Setting. Décor and properties (props) and costume, makeup and hairstyle. The first represents the environment in which the narrative takes place and the latter is used to make the film and characters visually accurate, pleasing or even unpleasant such as in horror.
Please include one piece of information from the chapter you found interesting, and why.
In all of the chapters I appreciate the screening checklist at the end, but it is especially helpful in this chapter because a great deal of mise-en-scène is taken for granted. I know for me, the very first checklist item, so simple but true is to be aware of the mise-en-scène. I am certainly going to try!