English Film AppreciationEnglish Film Appreciation

Wang, Yueh-chiuWang, Yueh-chiu

National Penghu UniversityNational Penghu University

Film HistoryFilm History

The birth of film: In the humanityThe birth of film: In the humanity ’’s s history, the man has always had a history, the man has always had a deep interest in capturing and deep interest in capturing and representing movement, different representing movement, different civilizations or people have looked civilizations or people have looked for the way to achieve this fact. for the way to achieve this fact. Several inventors and geniuses have Several inventors and geniuses have built machines that produce the built machines that produce the illusion of movement. illusion of movement.

When those machines were invented, When those machines were invented, three fundamental elements that three fundamental elements that constituted cinema were achieved, constituted cinema were achieved, the persistence of vision, the persistence of vision, photography and projection. photography and projection.

The Silent EraThe Silent EraThe films were already an industry The films were already an industry extended around the world. The extended around the world. The movies were mute and it appeared movies were mute and it appeared texts amid the scenes in order to texts amid the scenes in order to explain the action of the film, explain the action of the film, sometimes a pianist played music to sometimes a pianist played music to make happier the show. The make happier the show. The barracks of the beginning of cinema barracks of the beginning of cinema became elegant and roomy rooms became elegant and roomy rooms where they began to assist the highwhere they began to assist the high

classes and not only the popular classes and not only the popular ones.ones.

Holywood was founded and the big Holywood was founded and the big film production companies started to film production companies started to make the history of the North make the history of the North American films.American films.

The Sound EraThe Sound EraWith the arrival of this new era of the With the arrival of this new era of the films also disappeared various actors films also disappeared various actors upon bringing to light to the public its upon bringing to light to the public its true voice, unpleasant or ridiculous, true voice, unpleasant or ridiculous, that did not correspond to its that did not correspond to its physical appearance. The physical appearance. The technicians and filmmakers changed technicians and filmmakers changed the form to do and to think about the the form to do and to think about the films and the actors and actresses films and the actors and actresses had to learn to vocalize correctly. had to learn to vocalize correctly.

The installation of the sound in the The installation of the sound in the films is a way for the citizens to films is a way for the citizens to escape from daily problems due to escape from daily problems due to Great Depression. Hollywood started Great Depression. Hollywood started to produce movies based on fantasy, to produce movies based on fantasy, comedy, music, etc. comedy, music, etc. ““Vanity FairVanity Fair”” (1935)and (1935)and ““Gone with the WindGone with the Wind”” (1939)(1939)

Post-war EraPost-war EraWhen finishing the war it appeared in When finishing the war it appeared in Italy the cinema called neo-realistic, Italy the cinema called neo-realistic, which was a testimonial cinema which was a testimonial cinema about the reality of that moment, it about the reality of that moment, it also showed a lot of humanity. It was also showed a lot of humanity. It was worried about the problems of worried about the problems of individuals living on the streets and it individuals living on the streets and it supposed a deep look on the supposed a deep look on the problems of subsistence of the problems of subsistence of the poorest. poorest.

By the 1950s the EEUU was passing By the 1950s the EEUU was passing a time of well-being that changed the a time of well-being that changed the lifestyle. The acquisition of lifestyle. The acquisition of televisions made the number of televisions made the number of spectaculars smaller and they were spectaculars smaller and they were invented new ways for recover it. So, invented new ways for recover it. So, the big screen appealed to its best the big screen appealed to its best argument, its spectacular nature, the argument, its spectacular nature, the screen grown and was projected in screen grown and was projected in

color and the sound becomes stereo. color and the sound becomes stereo.

It appeared the myths of cinema It appeared the myths of cinema such as Marlon Brando, James Dean such as Marlon Brando, James Dean or Marilyn Monroe, which break the or Marilyn Monroe, which break the conventional schemes of social conventional schemes of social behavior. The youths become an behavior. The youths become an important potential public in this important potential public in this time of rock and roll. time of rock and roll.

Cinema at the present timeCinema at the present timeDue to the introduction of videotapes Due to the introduction of videotapes as well as the massive increase of as well as the massive increase of television channels, the public watch television channels, the public watch much more movies than ever before much more movies than ever before and everything without home. and everything without home. Nowadays the films look for a Nowadays the films look for a spectacular show because the spectacular show because the movies with lots of special effects are movies with lots of special effects are able to attract several spectators to able to attract several spectators to the dark room. the dark room.

In the present films, it is imposed In the present films, it is imposed quality and profitability. The film quality and profitability. The film studios produce movies in which studios produce movies in which computers have worked on the computers have worked on the obtaining process and manipulation obtaining process and manipulation of images. of images.

Film genre Film genre

Films can be organized according to Films can be organized according to three principal concepts: setting, three principal concepts: setting, mood, and format. A genre can be mood, and format. A genre can be defined as a group of movies that defined as a group of movies that share similar elements such as share similar elements such as scripts, types of actors, scenes, film scripts, types of actors, scenes, film techniques, camera shoots, sound, techniques, camera shoots, sound, music, illumination, edition, etc. music, illumination, edition, etc.

Target audience filmsTarget audience films

The types of target audience films:The types of target audience films:

ChildrenChildren’’s filmss films

Family filmsFamily films

Adult filmsAdult films

A childrenA children’’s film is a film aimed for s film is a film aimed for children as its audience. Childrenchildren as its audience. Children’’s s film can encourage younger film can encourage younger members of the community to members of the community to ‘‘imitate the role models of the imitate the role models of the glamor industryglamor industry’’ known to most of us known to most of us as film, cinema or TV. as film, cinema or TV.

Family filmFamily film

A family film is a film genre that is A family film is a film genre that is designed to appeal to a variety of designed to appeal to a variety of age groups and families. To attract age groups and families. To attract these diverse audiences, film makers these diverse audiences, film makers often create works that operate often create works that operate simultaneously on several levels of simultaneously on several levels of appeal. Star Wars franchiseappeal. Star Wars franchise

Format films:Format films:

By using particular equipment to be By using particular equipment to be presented in a specific manner presented in a specific manner

Live action filmsLive action films

Biography filmsBiography films

Documentary filmsDocumentary films

Musical filmsMusical films

Mood filmsMood films

Action filmsAction films

Adventure filmsAdventure films

Comedy filmsComedy films

Drama filmsDrama films

Fantasy filmsFantasy films

Horror filmsHorror films

Mystery filmsMystery films

Romance filmsRomance films

Thrillers filmsThrillers films

How to appreciate the filmsHow to appreciate the films

Focus on the appearance of the Focus on the appearance of the characters and the location and characters and the location and place in time and then discuss a place in time and then discuss a photograph. photograph.

Explore questions such as:Explore questions such as:What can you tell about the What can you tell about the characters from how they look and characters from how they look and what they are doing?what they are doing?Who are they?Who are they?What sort of people are they?What sort of people are they?What can you tell about the What can you tell about the relationship between the characters relationship between the characters in the scene? in the scene?

Where are they?Where are they?

What else can you see in the frame What else can you see in the frame that gives information about these that gives information about these characters, their lifestyles, culture, characters, their lifestyles, culture, socio-economic status? socio-economic status?

Class discussionClass discussion

Discuss the clip using questions such Discuss the clip using questions such as: as:

What is the story about?What is the story about?

What do you think will happen next?What do you think will happen next?

Who are these characters?Who are these characters?

What are they doing?What are they doing?

Why has the film maker chosen this Why has the film maker chosen this particular background or location?particular background or location?

What does it mean for the story?What does it mean for the story?

How does it relate to the story?How does it relate to the story?

List all the features used by students List all the features used by students to find out this information such as to find out this information such as sound, acting, props, camera work, sound, acting, props, camera work, color, location music etc. color, location music etc.

How has the film makers used the How has the film makers used the various filming elements to tell their various filming elements to tell their story?story?

Please make notes about technical Please make notes about technical aspects.aspects.

Film formFilm form

Concepts of film formConcepts of film form

Form as system: Form is the overall Form as system: Form is the overall system of relationships among the system of relationships among the parts of the whole film.parts of the whole film.

Any set of elements in a film that Any set of elements in a film that depend on and effect each other depend on and effect each other makes a system.makes a system.

When viewing a film, we look at the When viewing a film, we look at the individual parts and try to explain individual parts and try to explain whey they are in the film and what whey they are in the film and what effect they have on the viewer.effect they have on the viewer.

The purpose of a filmThe purpose of a film’’s form is to s form is to communicate with the viewer in a communicate with the viewer in a uniquely cinematic way. uniquely cinematic way.

Systems of ElementsSystems of Elements

Narrative elements: the filmNarrative elements: the film’’s story.s story.

Stylistic elements: editing, Stylistic elements: editing, cinematography, sound, etc.cinematography, sound, etc.

The viewer relates, compares, The viewer relates, compares, contrasts, and connect these contrasts, and connect these systems of elements to one another.systems of elements to one another.

Form vs. ContentForm vs. Content

Content is the subject matter and Content is the subject matter and other abstract ideas in the film.other abstract ideas in the film.

Content is a component that Content is a component that functions as a part of the overall functions as a part of the overall pattern that makes form.pattern that makes form.

Formal expectationsFormal expectations

Suspense is a created by a delay in Suspense is a created by a delay in fulfilling an established expectation.fulfilling an established expectation.

Conflict derives the form of the film.Conflict derives the form of the film.

The viewer has expectations that the The viewer has expectations that the conflict will be resolved.conflict will be resolved.

Surprise is a result of an expectation Surprise is a result of an expectation that is revealed to be incorrect.that is revealed to be incorrect.

They may cause the viewer to They may cause the viewer to readjust our expectations about what readjust our expectations about what can happen in the story. can happen in the story.

Comedy often depends on surprising Comedy often depends on surprising the viewer expectations.the viewer expectations.

Formal ExpectationsFormal Expectations

Curiosity is the ability of the viewer Curiosity is the ability of the viewer to make guesses about prior events.to make guesses about prior events.

Conventions and ExperienceConventions and Experience

A large factor in the viewerA large factor in the viewer’’s s understanding and interpreting a film understanding and interpreting a film is their prior experience.is their prior experience.

The main way a viewer is able to The main way a viewer is able to predict the outcome of a film is predict the outcome of a film is based on prior experience.based on prior experience.

Genres depend heavily on Genres depend heavily on conventions. conventions.

Bodies of conventions create norms Bodies of conventions create norms of what is expected in a particular of what is expected in a particular tradition.tradition.

It is a convention of the musical film It is a convention of the musical film that the characters sing and dance. that the characters sing and dance.

It is a convention of narrative form It is a convention of narrative form that the conclusion solves the that the conclusion solves the problems that the characters problems that the characters confront. confront.

It contains It contains ““journey patternjourney pattern””. .

Form and feelingForm and feeling

The interaction and relation between The interaction and relation between the emotion represented in the film the emotion represented in the film and the emotional response felt by and the emotional response felt by the viewer play a large role in the the viewer play a large role in the filmfilm’’s form.s form.

For example, the actor grieves in For example, the actor grieves in pain, but the viewer find it comical. pain, but the viewer find it comical.

Form and meaningForm and meaning

Tangible meanings are called Tangible meanings are called referential meanings because they referential meanings because they refer to things or places already refer to things or places already invested with importance.invested with importance.

An openly asserted meaning in the An openly asserted meaning in the film would be an explicit meaning. film would be an explicit meaning.

Form and meaningForm and meaning

Implicit meanings are suggestive Implicit meanings are suggestive interpretations of a film.interpretations of a film.

Implicit meanings can lead the Implicit meanings can lead the viewer to come up with broad viewer to come up with broad concepts for the film called themes. concepts for the film called themes.

Form and meaningForm and meaning

A symptomatic meaning is a A symptomatic meaning is a manifestation of a wider set of values manifestation of a wider set of values characteristic of a whole society.characteristic of a whole society.

The set of value that get revealed The set of value that get revealed can be considered a social ideology. can be considered a social ideology.

EvaluationsEvaluations

Coherence, complexity, originality Coherence, complexity, originality and intensity of effect are the and intensity of effect are the conventional formal criterion in conventional formal criterion in evaluating a film. evaluating a film.

Personal taste must be excluded in Personal taste must be excluded in criteria to help form a more objective criteria to help form a more objective evaluation.evaluation.

Characters, environments, times or Characters, environments, times or activities all need variety, contrast activities all need variety, contrast and change in a film. and change in a film.

Within the image, there are Within the image, there are differences in tonality, texture, differences in tonality, texture, direction, and speed of movement, direction, and speed of movement, etc. etc.

Difference may manifest itself Difference may manifest itself through setting, action and character through setting, action and character conflict.conflict.

Repetition and variation co-exist Repetition and variation co-exist together.together.

We should look for both similarities We should look for both similarities and differences in a film. and differences in a film.

DevelopmentDevelopment

The best way to recognize how a film The best way to recognize how a film develops formally is to compare the develops formally is to compare the beginning and the ending of the film.beginning and the ending of the film.

When all the relationships we notice When all the relationships we notice in a film are clear and economically in a film are clear and economically interwoven, then a film has unity. interwoven, then a film has unity.

Film adaptationFilm adaptation

A common form of film adaptation is A common form of film adaptation is the use of a novel as the basis of a the use of a novel as the basis of a film, but film adaptation includes the film, but film adaptation includes the use of non-fiction, autobiography, use of non-fiction, autobiography, comic book, scripture, plays, and comic book, scripture, plays, and even other films. even other films.

Novel adpationsNovel adpations

Novels are frequently adapted for Novels are frequently adapted for films. For the most part, these films. For the most part, these adaptations attempt either to appeal adaptations attempt either to appeal to an existing commercial audience to an existing commercial audience (the adaptation of best sellers and (the adaptation of best sellers and the the ““prestigeprestige”” adaptation of works) or adaptation of works) or tap into the innovation and novelty tap into the innovation and novelty of a less well known author. of a less well known author.

The question of The question of ““faithfulnessfaithfulness”” arises, arises, and the more high profile the source and the more high profile the source novel, the more insistent are the novel, the more insistent are the questions of fidelity. questions of fidelity.

Change in adaptation is essential and Change in adaptation is essential and practically unavoidable, mandated practically unavoidable, mandated both by the constraints of time and both by the constraints of time and medium, but how much is always a medium, but how much is always a balance. Some film theorists have balance. Some film theorists have argued that a director should be argued that a director should be entirely unconcerned with the source, entirely unconcerned with the source, as a novel is a novel, while a film is a as a novel is a novel, while a film is a film, and the two works of art must be film, and the two works of art must be seen as separate entities. seen as separate entities.

Others argue that what a film Others argue that what a film adaptation does is change to fit adaptation does is change to fit (literally, adapt), and the film must (literally, adapt), and the film must be accurate to either the effect of a be accurate to either the effect of a novel or the theme of a novel or the novel or the theme of a novel or the message of the novel and that the message of the novel and that the film maker must introduce changes film maker must introduce changes where necessary to fit the demands where necessary to fit the demands of time and to maximize faithfulness of time and to maximize faithfulness along one of these axes. along one of these axes.