The concept of film form centers around the idea of effectively engaging an audience. Motion pictures that properly adhere to form are abundant in sensory, emotive, and thought-provoking elements. While form in any creative medium is made up of a vast number of different components, basic understanding can be met by following five general principles: function, similarity and repetition, difference and variation, development, and unity. In addition, this formal system categorizes a films ' elements as either narrative or stylistic. The film _Scott Pilgrim vs. the World_ is exemplary in its effective use of film form by not only involving its audience, but catering to each of the five principles of form.…
Classicism is a style that merges realism and formalism. It grew to become the dominant style of the Hollywood Studio System. The goal of classicism was and is to use whatever is useful to tell a good story. Subject matter – Real and fantastic worlds depending on what the narrative requires. Technique – Generally realistic but with elements of fantasy. Usually seen in films that are essentially realistic but might have a surreal dream sequence. Examples - Porter’s, Great Train Robbery and David Fincher’s, The…
In this film Spike Lee uses different techniques of cinematography such camera angles, mise-en-scene, editing, and sound to enhance the feud between father and son. He gives us insight into their feelings and motivations, he compares their personalities and attitudes, and he illustrates the dissonance between the two men through the use of these techniques.…
Classical Hollywood films in the Golden Age in the United States contained complex storylines with cause-and-effect. For Hollywood filmmakers, the Classical Hollywood style was a persuasive and effective form of storytelling. Classical Hollywood cinema was by no means simplistic, as many films have complex plot webs. Because Classical Hollywood filmmakers used continuity editing, their focus was not to be as artistic as possible. One of the biggest differences between Classical Hollywood cinema and the Soviet Montage cinema lies in the causal agents—psychological vs. social.…
* Describe the film techniques (visual and aural) that are used to convey these values and ideas…
Many films often carry only one stylistic element, either focusing on a character’s growth, which is commonly portrayed in classical Hollywood cinema, focusing on the complexity of a character and the effects of setting, which is commonly portrayed in Art cinema, or focusing on the realistic daily struggles of a person, which is commonly portrayed in Neorealist cinema. Rocky I however combines these three traditions in order to make an engaging, lifelike film. Rocky I exemplifies an engaging, goal oriented character, a realistic setting, as the entire film is shot on site in the city of Philadelphia, and a genuine display of real world hardships. This film uniquely combines the traditions of classical Hollywood, Neorealism, and Art into one piece that allows viewers to experience a highly engaging and very relatable film. Beginning with a goal oriented character in Rocky Balboa, the Classical Hollywood underdog story takes shape. Throughout the entire film viewers are exposed to the tradition of Art cinema, with a great portrayal of the tough, not so welcoming streets of inner city Philadelphia and complex characters, such as Rocky and his girlfriend Adrian. This element displays the mental struggles of Rocky and gives us insight to his background. Viewers are also exposed to Neorealist cinema, with a display of the everyday hardships that a local Philadelphia man faces as he struggles to find work as well as a purpose to his life. This element displays the physical struggles that Rocky goes through each day. The combination of the traditions of Classical Hollywood, Art, and Neorealist cinema tie together to produce an enjoyable underdog story with realistic scenes and a genuine display of real life hardships. This marriage of stylistic elements allows for a more genuine and engaging story, as it makes for a story that could in fact take place in the real world, as opposed to a story that carries only one…
Many different methodologies are vital when examining film. Different aspects and methods of cinema analysis provide critics and audiences with various approaches to establishing certain genres or films. This essay will examine the specific methodologies of the action genre, a consideration of the art cinema and an auteur study. These styles are recognized in Kathryn Bigelow 's Point Break (1991) which provides strong examples of these techniques.…
Within this film it is clear that the styles of narration used by the screenwriter's are classic Hollywood narrative styles, which is when there is a "strong central protagonist and neatly resolved climax" (Bordwell and Thompson, 2005). Another way of proving that this is a classic narrated Hollywood film is by looking at what Bordwell (2005), states as the action revolving around a central character that by the end of the film fulfills his/her goal. By looking at all of the above, the point argued in this essay is clear that this film is a typical Hollywood narrated film, even though there are some techniques used by the screenwriters and directors that lean towards the way non Hollywood films are narrated.…
Movies have long been known to create a portal through which its viewers can transcend through their own realities and experience the unimaginable. The visual, sounds, and narrative of great movies immediately attract the focus of its audience as they move into a trance for those 1-2 hours of screen time. While many great movies introduce their audiences to varying experiences that heighten their senses and grasp their focus, some measure of relatability is necessary to connect with audiences. Such concepts of implementing elements of realism into the various facets of a film help establish a relevant connection, through which audiences can relate. However during the Hollywood Classical era, introducing such techniques of intensifying realism in movies was often unconventional and not an achievable goal for directors and cinematographers. The techniques required to implement such elements were either not well known or plausible. There were some movies during this era that did defy such tendencies and broke barriers in terms of delivering a movie that differentiated through such concepts like realism. Two famous films that have utilized certain techniques in creating an intensified form of realism in their own ways are Citizen Kane, by Orson Welles, and Double Indemnity, by Billy Wilder.…
There were many historical and cultural context surrounding the film. The first example is the film was based on true stories and made…
When producing a film, there are two techniques that can be applied. The first being realism, where the importance of the story overshadows the art of production. Second being Formalism, where an emphasis is placed on the production of the film, often resulting in enhances visuals and sounds effects. Although production has advanced since the first motion pictures in the 1890s, the key components of a good film hold steady. Formalism and Realism are accomplished in all great movies.…
In the early 1900’s silent films amazed audiences with images, later talkies impressed with sound, today we have 3D. As technology continues to evolve so too will film genres. Genres, while having some shared characteristics, also differ in terms of stylistic devices used. For instance, the dramatic film “The Notebook” effectively uses color to reinforce theme and has plausible performers as the two main protagonists.…
Formalistic in nature, the film retains the qualities found in classical cinema as do most comedies, applying aspects of both formalism and realism. As such, the film is told in a classical narrative structure. We are overtly aware of jumps in time to keep us up to speed but they are subtle enough that we are not jarred and don't feel the need to inquire as to…
The Untouchables (1987): (01:23:00 to 01:32:00)In his big screen remake of the television series The Untouchables, director Brian De Palma uses a…
Clint Eastwood Clint Eastwood is a world-renowned actor and director born on May 31, 1930, in San Francisco, California. His parents were Margaret Ruth and Clint Eastwood Sr. Margaret was a factory worker while Eastwood Sr. was a steelworker. While he did attend Las Angeles City College, he ended up dropping out to pursue a career in acting. Prior to attending Las Angeles City College he graduated from Oakland Technical High School in 1948. In 1950, Eastwood got called into military service as a part of the Army Special Services based in Fort Ord in Monterey, California (A&E Television Networks 1, 2, 3).…