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Film Theory and Analysis
Lesson 3
Film Theory and AnalysisManu Scansani
Office Hours: (Room 1#511)Monday 11.45/12.45;Wednesday 16.00/17.00
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Niko Brauer
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Genres
• How about “Forrest Gump”? • Which genre is it? Try to classify the film using
the criteria from the chart: which genre does it belong to and why? [Use the chart on page 11 of your course book].
• It’s another example of film which doesn’t fit exactly into one specific genre. If it was a Comedy, then why is it not an entirely funny film?
Blockbuster Film: definition
• Blockbuster is cinema as entertainment versus cinema as art. Blockbuster films developed as a consequence of a particular industrial model in the film industry, become more and more common in the late 1970s. Therefore, blockbuster cinema is not an aesthetic form, but an industrial model.
• The key elements of blockbuster films are special/digital effects and a constant use of the star system.
Blockbuster Film: definition II• Blockbuster films are therefore not a proper genre, but a
kind of film made following certain commercial rules and to achieve specific economic goals (= more money). These commercial rules necessarily influence the aesthetic form of the film.
• The final aim is the entertainment of the audience following well-studied and clearly defined strategies of production and post-production (promotion and distribution), while offering scenes able to impress the audience because of their special effect.
The Matrix (1999) I• The Matrix is a revolutionary cultural and commercial
event. It gained a lot of money and stimulated a long debate. [pp. 86-93. (94-95 try to read)].
• Genre: Although a blockbuster movie because of its commercial success (planned and unexpected), The Matrix could be easily defined as a science fiction/action movie, because of its fictional story and because of the long action scenes.
• Plot: The movie has different levels of interpretation. From a mere sci-fi/action film, it could become easily a reflection on the relation between life, reality and imagination.
The Matrix (1999) II
• Technical Innovations (of great importance for the success of the film):
- ultra-slow motion technology, used to slow down the action scenes and to offer a deeper view behind the single fight scenes;
- flow motion technique, used to move the camera around the fighters suspended in the air in the moment before striking their thrust.
- [See the 2 clips and behind the scenes]
The Matrix (1999) III
• How is “The Matrix” a blockbuster film?• 1) It used expensive and unexplored technology
that later became a standard;• 2) These technologies were made available
through the expectation of large revenues;• Maybe we could say that “The Matrix” is not only
a blockbuster film, but also an interesting case study of the use of a new technology, which has been used many times after the success of the film…
The Narrative Structure
• Beyond the basic plot of the films you watch, think about how the story is told– Is the story linear?– Is there a happy ending?– Did you foresee any of the events in the film?– Does the story remind you of any other films with
a similar storyline?
The Narrative Structure: The Matrix
• The Matrix is often seen as a High-Concept Film– The main idea of the film can be summed up in one
sentence– There is an ongoing conflict between good and evil– The hero is an ordinary person– The hero faces a huge problem– There is an underlying love story– Some scenes featuring the best action sequences are shot
specifically to be included in a trailer before the film’s release
The Narrative Structure: The Matrix
• Many blockbuster films make use of the High-Concept Narrative
• Look at the table on pages 91-92– Do you agree that the Matrix is a High-Concept
Film?– Which other blockbuster films / other films have
you seen that have this structure?– Why do many blockbuster films use the High-
Concept Narrative?
Trailers
• Consider these three trailers: Alice in the Wonderland (2010), 300 (2006), Forrest Gump (1994).
• Trailers are used to promote a film before its release in theatres.
• Trailers include all the main information which will make you watch the film (actors, best scenes, name of director or producer if famous).
Comedies: an introduction
• [Unit 7]• One of the first genres ever produced (1895),
which therefore went hand in hand with the main technological developments of film industry;
• The main technological change to greatly change the genre was the creation of sound technology:
• From late 1930s, actors no longer use their miming skills (Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton), but now use different forms of verbal humor
Comedies: an introduction II• The history of comedies traces back to Ancient Greece, and
it defined comedies as ever-day situations representing normal people (not important persons);
• “Comedy represents the completion of a cycle that must contain within itself the possibility of a tragedy”. The tragedy is often avoided, but not always (i.e. Forrest Gump).
• At the centre of many comedies lies the figure of the “fool”, which has the same importance as the hero in blockbuster films/action films…
• In other words, at the centre of comedies lies humor. What makes you laugh? Is a comedy still a comedy if some scenes are tragic? (See Forrest Gump).
Information on your Essay…
• Deadline: Friday Week 10 (Friday 7 May), by 16.00.
[Late submissions will be penalized]• Length: 1000/1500 words [How to count the words? Use MS Word:
Tools/Word Count]• It has to be original (don’t copy from the
internet or any other book). If you copy, your mark will be 0 (we have ways to find out)!!
Information on your Essay…
• As subject for your essay you can chose any film, but it must first be approved by the teacher.
• Deadline for the selection of a film: Week 6 (week from the 5 to the 11 of April) during class.
• …therefore by Week 6, please decide which film you want to use for your essay.
• In Week 6 there will be an Essay Clinic which revise essay structure. Attendance not compulsory but highly recommended.
Information on your Essay…
• The essay must be an analysis and not a review. What is the difference?
• Review: A review is much shorter than an analysis and contains your personal comment on a film (i.e. I liked “The Matrix” because Neo is a cool character, and I always loved kung-fu movies from Hong-Kong // or “Forrest Gump” is my most favorite film because I love comedies. I like to laugh when I watch a film). Score: 0 ! (Watch out!)
Information on your Essay…
• An analysis is an objective discussion on a film. It is not your personal point of view, but an impartial discussion of a film you liked (or disliked). During an analysis you should explore the formal features of the film, rather than just its content.
i.e. “The Matrix” is a revolutionary film in two different ways: it uses new innovative technologies which can create incredibly exciting special effects, while at the same time it has a very deep story, reflecting on the relation between life and reality.
How to write an essay?• An essay is composed of 3 main parts:
1. Introduction (The introduction is an overview of your argument and includes your thesis statement. The thesis, should say clearly what view point you will argue/defend during the essay.
i.e. It is a revolutionary film because….. / It is a successful film but not innovative enough because….). In other words, you will tell what you are going to write.
Length: approximately 100/200 words.
How to write an essay?
2. Body (In the body you must develop your argument, and try to discuss all the arguments for and against your view point. This part includes all the main information)
Length: 800/1000 words
How to write an essay?
3. Conclusion (The Conclusion should be something different from the introduction. Avoid repeating the same things you wrote in the introduction. After summing up your main arguments, you will reach a conclusion using the analysis you just made).
Length: 200/400 words.
Some tips for essay writing:• Try to watch the film you will analyze more times, so to be
able to understand its different components;• You are encouraged to search on the internet for
comments on that film, but must not copy them;• The body is the most important part of your essay: divide it
into different paragraphs. If you use 1 or 2 paragraphs for every artistic component of a film (i.e. 1 to discuss the idea, 1 to discuss the screenplay, 1 to discuss the director’s style, etc.), you will easily write 1000/1500 words!
• Don’t try to be too original: what we expect is am elementary essay well written and with a clear logic, not a scientific essay without logic and poor form.
Some tips on essay writing:
• The essay is not difficult: just choose a film you love, watch it many times, and try to discuss it objectively (using the theory introduced during the course)!
Readings for next week
• Must make sure to read by the next week:
• Units 1: History & Genres• Unit 3: Narrative structure• Unit 6: Blockbuster Films• Unit 7: Comedies