Film Analysis
Film Analysis
Holly Cox
Adam Deutsch
English 225: Introduction to Film
August 30, 2010
Film Analysis There is so much more to analyzing films than watching a movie. Film analysis is a very complex procedure. “Analysis generally, means breaking up the whole to discover the nature, function, and interrelationships of the parts” (Boggs, J. & Petrie, D., 2008, p. 7). In analyzing a film, you must not only analyze the film as a whole, but you must also analyze each element that makes up the film. Because a film is constantly moving, it is difficult to analyze all of its elements in a single viewing. Therefore, to analyze a film properly, it is usually necessary to view the film at least twice and preferably multiple times. There are several elements that make up a film, such as the fictional and dramatic elements, visual design, cinematography and special visual effects, editing, color, sound effects and dialogue, musical score and acting. Each of these elements work together to convey the theme of the film to the viewer. The first step in film analysis is identifying the films theme. When discussing film analysis, the theme refers to the unifying, central concern of the film, the special focus that unifies the work (txt, 2008, p. 20). There may be several different things going on in a single film, but one will stand out amongst the rest as the theme. After viewing a film, you should be able to analyze all of its elements and how they contribute to the films theme. Five categories make up the theme of every film: the plot, the emotional mood, the character, style or texture, and ideas. In every film each of these elements are present, but one is more prevalent as the focus and theme. In order to analyze the theme, it is helpful to first figure out the element that the film is focused. In a movie where the theme is focused on the plot, the film is usually action packed and fast paced. The events and characters in such films are only important in the context
Holly Cox
Adam Deutsch
English 225: Introduction to Film
August 30, 2010
Film Analysis There is so much more to analyzing films than watching a movie. Film analysis is a very complex procedure. “Analysis generally, means breaking up the whole to discover the nature, function, and interrelationships of the parts” (Boggs, J. & Petrie, D., 2008, p. 7). In analyzing a film, you must not only analyze the film as a whole, but you must also analyze each element that makes up the film. Because a film is constantly moving, it is difficult to analyze all of its elements in a single viewing. Therefore, to analyze a film properly, it is usually necessary to view the film at least twice and preferably multiple times. There are several elements that make up a film, such as the fictional and dramatic elements, visual design, cinematography and special visual effects, editing, color, sound effects and dialogue, musical score and acting. Each of these elements work together to convey the theme of the film to the viewer. The first step in film analysis is identifying the films theme. When discussing film analysis, the theme refers to the unifying, central concern of the film, the special focus that unifies the work (txt, 2008, p. 20). There may be several different things going on in a single film, but one will stand out amongst the rest as the theme. After viewing a film, you should be able to analyze all of its elements and how they contribute to the films theme. Five categories make up the theme of every film: the plot, the emotional mood, the character, style or texture, and ideas. In every film each of these elements are present, but one is more prevalent as the focus and theme. In order to analyze the theme, it is helpful to first figure out the element that the film is focused. In a movie where the theme is focused on the plot, the film is usually action packed and fast paced. The events and characters in such films are only important in the context
References: Boggs, J. & Petrie, D. (2008). The Art of Watching Films. (7th ed.). Boston: The Mcgraw-Hill Companies, Inc.