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