Week 2 - Theory

8/3/2019 Week 2 - Theory

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PSA201PSA201Film Theory & AppreciationFilm Theory & Appreciation

WEEK 2WEEK 2 -- TheoryTheory


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Film TheoriesFilm Theories

It sheds light on what is the essential nature of cinemaIt sheds light on what is the essential nature of cinema

Most theories of film are concerned with the widerMost theories of film are concerned with the widercontext of the mediumcontext of the medium its social, political andits social, political andphilosophical implications.philosophical implications.

Theorists explores the essential nature of cinemaTheorists explores the essential nature of cinemaWhat differentiates it from other art forms? What are itsWhat differentiates it from other art forms? What are itsbasic propertiesbasic properties

TheoryTheoryIs an intellectual grid, a set of aestheticIs an intellectual grid, a set of aestheticgeneralizations, not eternal verities.generalizations, not eternal verities.


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Traditionally, theorists have focusedTraditionally, theorists have focused

their attention on 5 areas of inquirytheir attention on 5 areas of inquiry

a) the work of arta) the work of art

b) the artistb) the artist

c) the audiencec) the audience

d) the contentd) the content

e) the technology determinisme) the technology determinism


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Film TheoriesFilm Theories

Theories of Realism (realists)Theories of Realism (realists)

Formalist Film Theories (formalists)Formalist Film Theories (formalists)

The Auteur TheoryThe Auteur Theory

Eclectic and Synthetic TheoriesEclectic and Synthetic Theories Structuralism andStructuralism and SemiologySemiology

HistoriographyHistoriography


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Theories of RealismTheories of Realism

Most theorists of realism emphasize theMost theorists of realism emphasize the

documentary aspects of film artdocumentary aspects of film art Subject matters is paramount in theSubject matters is paramount in the

cinema of realismcinema of realism-- actual events,actual events,situations &situations &happenningshappennings..

Movies are evaluated primarily in terms ofMovies are evaluated primarily in terms of

how accurately, they reflect externalhow accurately, they reflect external

realityreality


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Theories of RealismTheories of Realism

Movie is shot at actual locations and thereMovie is shot at actual locations and there

are many exterior shots with no additionalare many exterior shots with no additionallights used (natural light).lights used (natural light).

The structure of the movie is episodicThe structure of the movie is episodic-- aaseries of vignettes. (a short pieces ofseries of vignettes. (a short pieces of

writing, music, acting which clearlywriting, music, acting which clearly

expresses the typical characteristics ofexpresses the typical characteristics ofsomething or someone).something or someone).


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Example of Realist MoviesExample of Realist Movies

Open City (Italy, 1945), directed by RobertoOpen City (Italy, 1945), directed by Roberto

Rossellini.Rossellini.

Umberto D, directed (Italy, 1952) byUmberto D, directed (Italy, 1952) byVittorioVittorio dedeSicaSica..

The rules of the game (France, 1939), directedThe rules of the game (France, 1939), directedby Jean Renoir.by Jean Renoir.

PatherPather PanchaliPanchaliThe song of the road (India,The song of the road (India,

1955), directed by1955), directed by SatyajitSatyajit Ray.Ray. The tree of the Wooden Clogs (Italy, 1978) byThe tree of the Wooden Clogs (Italy, 1978) by

ErmannoErmanno OlmiOlmi..


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ApusApus trilogytrilogy


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ApusApus trilogytrilogy


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Realist Theorist & Film MakersRealist Theorist & Film Makers

AndreAndre BazinBazin

CesareCesare ZavattiniZavattini-- defined the ordinary anddefined the ordinary andthe everyday as the main business of thethe everyday as the main business of the

cinema.cinema. SiegfriedSiegfried KracauerKracauer-- the cinema isthe cinema is

characterized by a number of naturalcharacterized by a number of natural

affinities.affinities.


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Realist Theorist & Film MakersRealist Theorist & Film Makers

Roberto RosselliniRoberto Rossellini-- This is the way thingsThis is the way things

are.are. LuchinoLuchinoViscontiVisconti &&VittorioVittorio DeDe sicasica-- OtherOther

realist theorist.realist theorist.


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NeoNeo--realismrealism

Themes of poverty and other socialThemes of poverty and other social

conditions of people on the streets.conditions of people on the streets. The usage of nonThe usage of non--actors in their ownactors in their own

settings.settings. EconomisedEconomised the uses of raw stock film andthe uses of raw stock film and

the camera style.the camera style.

Capturing the human emotions of theCapturing the human emotions of the

poverty stricken/unemployed characters.poverty stricken/unemployed characters.


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CharacteristicCharacteristic--NeoNeo--realismrealism

Avoidance of neatly plotted stories inAvoidance of neatly plotted stories in

favourfavour of loose, episodic structures thatof loose, episodic structures thatevolve organically from the situations ofevolve organically from the situations of

the characters.the characters.

A documentary visual style.A documentary visual style.

The use of actual locations, usuallyThe use of actual locations, usually

exteriors rather than studio sets.exteriors rather than studio sets.


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CharacteristicCharacteristic--NeoNeo--realismrealism

The use of non professional actors,The use of non professional actors,

sometimes even for principal roles.sometimes even for principal roles.Avoidance of literary dialogue inAvoidance of literary dialogue in favourfavour ofof

conversational speech, including dialects.conversational speech, including dialects.Avoidance of artifice in the editing,Avoidance of artifice in the editing,

camera work and lighting in favor of acamera work and lighting in favor of a

simple style less style.simple style less style.


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Formalist Film TheoriesFormalist Film Theories

Valued cinema as an creation of art form.Valued cinema as an creation of art form.

Advocates the artistic and aestheticAdvocates the artistic and aestheticpurpose of films.purpose of films.

Raw material is provided by the limitationsRaw material is provided by the limitationsof film. (2D, lacks ofof film. (2D, lacks ofcolourcolour/sound,/sound,

framing, temporal and spatial corruption)framing, temporal and spatial corruption)

This limitation makes film more suited forThis limitation makes film more suited for

artistic purpose.artistic purpose.


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Representation can never be real.Representation can never be real.

Film as abstractFilm as abstract-- lack of sense of touch,lack of sense of touch,taste and smell.taste and smell.

Expressive over representation.Expressive over representation. Sound and other technology advancementSound and other technology advancement

destroy PURITY.destroy PURITY. Mind can see more than eyesMind can see more than eyes-- basis ofbasis of

Gestalt psychologyGestalt psychology


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Gestalt psychologyGestalt psychology


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Formalist believe that the art of cinema isFormalist believe that the art of cinema is

possible precisely because movie is unlikepossible precisely because movie is unlikeeveryday reality.everyday reality.

Exploitation of the limitation of theExploitation of the limitation of the

medium, its 2D, its confining frame, itsmedium, its 2D, its confining frame, itsfragmented time space continuum.fragmented time space continuum.

Not representation of reality butNot representation of reality buttranslation of observe characteristics intotranslation of observe characteristics intothe forms of medium.the forms of medium.


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Movies cannot be real.Movies cannot be real.

-- Reason 1Reason 1: Camera has its own platform: Camera has its own platformand reality has its own platform.and reality has its own platform.

-- Reason 2:Reason 2: In reality, space and time areIn reality, space and time arecontinuous . Through editing, film makerscontinuous . Through editing, film makerscan chop up space and time andcan chop up space and time and

rearrange in more meaningful manners,rearrange in more meaningful manners,creating continuity that doesnt exist increating continuity that doesnt exist inraw nature.raw nature.


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Wizard of Oz (1939)Wizard of Oz (1939)


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Auteur critics claimed that what makesAuteur critics claimed that what makes

good film is not the subject matter as suchgood film is not the subject matter as suchbut its stylist treatment.but its stylist treatment.

The director dominates the treatment,The director dominates the treatment,provided he or she is a strong director anprovided he or she is a strong director an

auteur.auteur.

Movies ought to be judge on the basis ofMovies ought to be judge on the basis ofhow it is get done not what it is?how it is get done not what it is?


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The greatest movies are dominated by theThe greatest movies are dominated by the

personal vision of the director.personal vision of the director.A filmmakers signature can be perceivedA filmmakers signature can be perceived

through an examination of his or her totalthrough an examination of his or her totaloutput, which is characterized by aoutput, which is characterized by a nitynity ofof

theme and style.theme and style.

EgEg: Hitchcocks thrillers: Hitchcocks thrillers

:: Spielberg's science fictionSpielberg's science fiction


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Psycho (1960)Psycho (1960)


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Psycho (1960)Psycho (1960)


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The birds (1963)The birds (1963)


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Auteur Theory WeaknessesAuteur Theory Weaknesses

Emphasizes history and a directors totalEmphasizes history and a directors total

output, which tends tooutput, which tends to favourfavour olderolderdirectors at the expense of newcomers.directors at the expense of newcomers.

They were fond of ranking directors andThey were fond of ranking directors andtheir listings could betheir listings could be bizzarrebizzarre..

Some films are dominated by stars (TomSome films are dominated by stars (Tom

Cruise), producers (George Lucas) andCruise), producers (George Lucas) andfinanciers (Disney) rather than directors.financiers (Disney) rather than directors.


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ConclusionConclusion--Auteur TheoryAuteur Theory

Despite its shortcomings and excesses,Despite its shortcomings and excesses,

the auteur theory had a liberating effectthe auteur theory had a liberating effecton film criticism, establishing the directoron film criticism, establishing the directoras the key figure at least in the art ofas the key figure at least in the art of

cinema, if not always the industry.cinema, if not always the industry. The concept of directional dominanceThe concept of directional dominance

remains firmly established at least withremains firmly established at least withfilms of high artistic merit. (films of high artistic merit. (egeg. Spielberg,. Spielberg,Spike lee, Scorsese,Spike lee, Scorsese,AngAng Lee)Lee)


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Eclectic and Synthetic TheoriesEclectic and Synthetic Theories

Eclectic critics reject the notion that a singleEclectic critics reject the notion that a single

theory can explain all movies.theory can explain all movies. Eclecticism isnt really a theory so much as aEclecticism isnt really a theory so much as a

method of practical criticism. Amethod of practical criticism. Afavouredfavoured

approach of many film critics in United States.approach of many film critics in United States. Eclectic critics often combine movie criticismEclectic critics often combine movie criticism

with social movements such as feminism.with social movements such as feminism.

Personal taste is the main determinant of valuePersonal taste is the main determinant of value

in eclectic criticismin eclectic criticism


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Structuralism &Structuralism &SemiologySemiology

SemiologySemiology is the study of how moviesis the study of how movies

signify.signify.

Structuralism theorist borrowed theirStructuralism theorist borrowed theirmethodology from diverse disciplines suchmethodology from diverse disciplines such

as linguistics, anthropology andas linguistics, anthropology and

philosophy.philosophy.


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SemiologySemiology is concerned with systematicis concerned with systematic

classification of types of codes used in theclassification of types of codes used in thecinema.cinema.

Structuralism is a study of how variousStructuralism is a study of how various

codes function within a single structurecodes function within a single structure

within a movie.within a movie.

IconIcon (sickle and hammer),(sickle and hammer), IndexIndex (smoke)(smoke)&&SymbolSymbol (red lights).(red lights).


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JuJu Dou (1990)Dou (1990)


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Hero (2002)Hero (2002)


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Movies made up of many small elementsMovies made up of many small elements--

shot, scene, plot, story. As well as,shot, scene, plot, story. As well as, colourcolourdesign and camera techniques.design and camera techniques.

Fascinated by concept of deep structureFascinated by concept of deep structure--

text andtext and intertextualintertextual, this can be analyzed, this can be analyzed

based onbased on FruedianFruedian &&LacanianLacanian

psychoanalysis, Marxist economics & etc.psychoanalysis, Marxist economics & etc.


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DialeticalDialetical conflictconflict

Japanese filmJapanese film TraditionalTraditional

JapaneseJapanese

FeudalFeudal

HierarchyHierarchy

NatureNatureDutyDuty

SelfSelf--sacrificesacrifice

ConsensusConsensusConservativeConservative

ObedienceObedience

ModernModern

WesternWestern

DemocraticDemocratic

EqualityEquality

TechnologyTechnologyInclinationInclination

SelfSelf--expressionexpression

DiversityDiversityLiberalLiberal

IndependenceIndependence


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DialeticalDialetical conflictconflict

WesternWestern

MoviesMovies

WestWest

WildernessWilderness

IndividualismIndividualism

Self InterestSelf Interest

FreedomFreedomPrivatePrivate honourhonour

NatureNature

EastEast

CivilizationCivilization

CommunityCommunity

Social welfareSocial welfare

RestrictionRestrictionInstitutional JusticeInstitutional Justice

CultureCulture

WeaknessesWeaknesses-- Structuralism &Structuralism &


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WeaknessesWeaknesses- Structuralism &Structuralism &

SemiologySemiology It cannot tell us the value of the signs andIt cannot tell us the value of the signs and

codes within the film. However they allowcodes within the film. However they allowtheorists the tools to analyze films withtheorists the tools to analyze films with

more precision.more precision.

Its overuse terms:Its overuse terms: egeg, signs, signifier,, signs, signifier,

signified,signified, syntagmsyntagm or paradigm. It has itsor paradigm. It has its

own technical term.own technical term.


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HistographyHistography

Deals with theory of historyDeals with theory of history-- assumption,assumption,

principles and methodologies of historicalprinciples and methodologies of historicalstudy.study.

There are many film histories and each isThere are many film histories and each is

defined by the historians particulardefined by the historians particular

interest, biases, and prejudices.interest, biases, and prejudices.

l h


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Film historyFilm history-- 4 types4 types

Aesthetics FilmAesthetics Film-- Film as art.Film as art.

TechnologicalTechnological-- motion pictures asmotion pictures asinventions and machines.inventions and machines.

EconomicEconomic-- film as industry.film as industry. SocialSocial-- movies as a reflection of themovies as a reflection of the

audiences values, desire and fears.audiences values, desire and fears.


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Thank youThank you

Week 2 - Theory

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