Film as Literature Boot CampFilm as Literature Boot Camp

How to sound like a pro when How to sound like a pro when analyzing a film!analyzing a film!

Filmic AnalysisFilmic Analysis

• Filmic Analysis=analyzing the technical Filmic Analysis=analyzing the technical details of a film, and how they shape the details of a film, and how they shape the way we see itway we see it

• This is exactly like what you’ve done in This is exactly like what you’ve done in English classes since Kindergarten!English classes since Kindergarten!• Plot, characters, point of view, writing style, Plot, characters, point of view, writing style,

etc…etc…• Cameras, lights and sounds instead of words!Cameras, lights and sounds instead of words!

ExpectationsExpectations

1.1. You are expected to think about film as You are expected to think about film as you would literature!you would literature!

2.2. Look for Look for intentionalityintentionality!!

3.3. Look for visual symbols.Look for visual symbols.

4.4. Always ask “Why?”Always ask “Why?”

5.5. Remove all distractions.Remove all distractions.

Books vs. Films: Who “makes” Books vs. Films: Who “makes” them?them?

Books:Books:

• AuthorAuthor

• EditorEditor

• PublisherPublisher

• Usually a Usually a one-man/woman one-man/woman show…show…

• The reader’s The reader’s imaginationimagination

Films:Films:• Screenwriter (like an Screenwriter (like an

author)author)• DirectorDirector• ProducerProducer• CinematographerCinematographer• Cast and crew!Cast and crew!• Hundreds-thousands Hundreds-thousands

involved!involved!• Director’s visionDirector’s vision

Movie Industry Jobs: #1: DirectorMovie Industry Jobs: #1: Director

• Closest thing to an “author” of a filmClosest thing to an “author” of a film• Makes all final decisions on:Makes all final decisions on:

• LinesLines• Mise-en-sceneMise-en-scene (“everything on stage”) (“everything on stage”)

• Placement of actors, props, etc…Placement of actors, props, etc…

• Camera workCamera work• CinematographerCinematographer

• Is like God on the movie setIs like God on the movie set

Director: what to look forDirector: what to look for

• Classic Hollywood StyleClassic Hollywood Style• Audience member as “silent witness” to events on Audience member as “silent witness” to events on

filmfilm• Point of viewPoint of view• Should be subtleShould be subtle

• Look for:Look for:• Movement of cameraMovement of camera• Interaction of characters with cameraInteraction of characters with camera• Mise en scene: where are props and characters in Mise en scene: where are props and characters in

relation to the character?relation to the character?• Directors Directors breakingbreaking the Classic Hollywood Style the Classic Hollywood Style

Famous directorsFamous directors

Stephen Spielberg

+ Schindler’s List

+ E.T.

+ Indiana Jones

Francis Ford Coppola

+ Godfather

+ Apocalypse Now

+ American Graffiti

Woody Allen

+ Annie Hall

+ Match Point

Job #2: ProducerJob #2: Producer

• In charge of the film In charge of the film afterafter filming filming• Post-productionPost-production

• Special effectsSpecial effects

• Remixing of soundRemixing of sound

• CuttingCutting

• Main job: keep film at or under budget!Main job: keep film at or under budget!

Producer: What to Look ForProducer: What to Look For

• Special effectsSpecial effects• Do they help or hurt the film?Do they help or hurt the film?• How did they do the special effects?How did they do the special effects?

• Before the 1990s, they actually had to use camera tricks instead Before the 1990s, they actually had to use camera tricks instead of CGIof CGI

• MusicMusic• How does music affect the mood of a scene?How does music affect the mood of a scene?• How does silence affect the mood?How does silence affect the mood?

• Quality vs. Crap: If a movie looks poorly made, it is Quality vs. Crap: If a movie looks poorly made, it is usually the producer…usually the producer…

Famous ProducersFamous Producers

George Lucas

+ Star Wars

+ Labyrinth

+ The Land Before Time

Mel Brooks

+ The Producers

+ Spaceballs

+ etc…

Spike Lee

+ He Got Game

+ Malcolm X

+ Do the Right Thing (director)

Job #3: CinematographyJob #3: Cinematography

• AKA “director of photography”AKA “director of photography”• His/her job is to deal with:His/her job is to deal with:

• Choice of cameraChoice of camera• LensesLenses• Filters on lensesFilters on lenses• LightingLighting• Movement of cameraMovement of camera• The director…The director…

CinematographyCinematography

• What to look for:What to look for:• Colors/black & whiteColors/black & white

• Movement (speed, direction)Movement (speed, direction)

• Camera anglesCamera angles• What do they tell you about the story?What do they tell you about the story?• How do they affect point of view?How do they affect point of view?

• LightingLighting• How does this affect the mood of the story?How does this affect the mood of the story?

• This is the most important, yet underrated job in This is the most important, yet underrated job in Hollywood!!!Hollywood!!!• Because of this, you won’t recognize any of them!Because of this, you won’t recognize any of them!

How do I figure this stuff out?How do I figure this stuff out?

1.1. Watch the film carefully Watch the film carefully with subtitles on and cell phones off!with subtitles on and cell phones off!

2.2. Listen to commentary on DVDs!Listen to commentary on DVDs!

3.3. Research online (and cite in your PPT!)Research online (and cite in your PPT!)

1. www.rogerebert.com (he is the best film critic alive!) (he is the best film critic alive!)

2. www.imdb.com (heavily linked) (heavily linked)

3.3. Studio websitesStudio websites

4.4. Think about film as you would a text. Ask “why?”Think about film as you would a text. Ask “why?”

1.1. Why would the camera move in this way?Why would the camera move in this way?

2.2. Why would the producer choose to include silence?Why would the producer choose to include silence?

3.3. What do the names of characters mean? Colors worn, etc…What do the names of characters mean? Colors worn, etc…

ExamplesExamplesChildren of Men (Alfonso Cuaron: dir)Children of Men (Alfonso Cuaron: dir)The scene: intro through 4:36The scene: intro through 4:36

1.1. Look for:Look for:

1.1. How are the following identified in the first five minutes?How are the following identified in the first five minutes?

1.1. Setting (time, place)Setting (time, place)

2.2. Conflict (what is the main, immediate conflict?)Conflict (what is the main, immediate conflict?)

3.3. Characters (what do we know about Clive Owen’s character Characters (what do we know about Clive Owen’s character immediately?)immediately?)

2.2. Think about:Think about:

1.1. How does one long, continuous camera shot put you, the viewer, into How does one long, continuous camera shot put you, the viewer, into the story?the story?

2.2. How does Cuaron use music, sound effects and white noise to affect How does Cuaron use music, sound effects and white noise to affect your mood?your mood?

3.3. What kind of story is this going to be, based on the first five minutes?What kind of story is this going to be, based on the first five minutes?

More Children of MenMore Children of Men

The scene: Theo is refilling his flask, The scene: Theo is refilling his flask, overhears Jasper talking about him with overhears Jasper talking about him with Miriam and Kee. 53:00-55:30 Miriam and Kee. 53:00-55:30

Watch for: Character back-story (the Watch for: Character back-story (the character’s past.) What do we now know character’s past.) What do we now know about Theo?about Theo?

Citizen KaneCitizen KaneScene: Intro-3:00Scene: Intro-3:00

Watch for camera techniques:Watch for camera techniques:

• Unique or “artsy” camera anglesUnique or “artsy” camera angles

• Light/dark to create positive or negative Light/dark to create positive or negative imagesimages

• Distorted or bizarre images (why?)Distorted or bizarre images (why?)• Snow globe, mouth, Snow globe, mouth, focus on lighted windowfocus on lighted window

• ““Wipe” technique as a transitionWipe” technique as a transition

ExamplesExamplesCitizen Kane (Orson Welles: dir AND star)Citizen Kane (Orson Welles: dir AND star)

The scene: Orson Welles delivers a political speech. 1:00.00-1:04.00The scene: Orson Welles delivers a political speech. 1:00.00-1:04.00

1.1. Look for:Look for:

1.1. Perspective: Perspective:

1.1. Why does the camera look up at Kane?Why does the camera look up at Kane?

2.2. Why is the camera up in the stands later?Why is the camera up in the stands later?

The scene: Intro to Xanadu (Welles’ mansion/palace)The scene: Intro to Xanadu (Welles’ mansion/palace)

1.1. Look for:Look for:

1.1. Camera movementCamera movement

1.1. What changes? What doesn’t? So what?What changes? What doesn’t? So what?

Think about: This is the first film which used advanced camera techniques. Think about: This is the first film which used advanced camera techniques. How has this shaped modern films?How has this shaped modern films?

ExamplesExamples

New Moon (yes, there is New Moon (yes, there is somesome good in this film!) good in this film!)

The scene: Edward dumps Bella.The scene: Edward dumps Bella.

Watch AND listen to the commentary. Focus on:Watch AND listen to the commentary. Focus on:• Type of camera usedType of camera used• Long shot vs. close shotLong shot vs. close shot• Mood, feelMood, feel• SettingSetting

Using LensesUsing Lenses• Some tips:Some tips:

• This is no different than using a text!This is no different than using a text!

• Use the lenses to help Use the lenses to help explain whyexplain why characters behave the characters behave the way they do, or way they do, or what motivates what motivates them. SO WHAT?them. SO WHAT?

• Darth Vader’s (Star Wars) internal struggle of id vs. Darth Vader’s (Star Wars) internal struggle of id vs. super ego (leads to him wavering between good and evil)super ego (leads to him wavering between good and evil)

• Woody Allen (Annie Hall) is unhappy because he is Woody Allen (Annie Hall) is unhappy because he is dominated by his super ego (so he fails in every dominated by his super ego (so he fails in every relationship he gets involved in)relationship he gets involved in)

• Travis Bickle (Taxi Driver) is angry at society and is Travis Bickle (Taxi Driver) is angry at society and is nihilistic because of his poverty and inability to nihilistic because of his poverty and inability to appropriately or successfully date a rich girl (therefore he appropriately or successfully date a rich girl (therefore he lashes out at society)lashes out at society)