Synopses & Reviews
This introduction to film appreciation uses both contemporary and classic movies to help students develop critical skills in the analysis and evaluation of film. By suggesting what to look for and how to look for it, the text challenges students to sharpen their powers of observation, establish habits of perceptive watching, and discover complex aspects of film art that will further enhance their enjoyment of watching films. In addition it makes the link from literature to film in chapters on Thematic Elements, Fictional and Dramatic Elements and a unique chapter on Adaptions.
Table of Contents
Preface 1. The Art of Watching Films
The Uniqueness of Film The Challenges of Film Analysis The Value of Film Analysis Becoming a Receptive Viewer The Film - Viewing Environment Preparing to See a Film Deepening Our Responses to Films Questions for Analyzing Your Responses to a Film 2. Thematic Elements
Theme and Focus Focus on Plot Focus on Emotional Effect or Mood
Focus on Character
Focus on Style or Texture or Structure
Focus on Ideas
Identifying the Theme Evaluating the Theme Questions for Analyzing Theme
Video Exercises
Films for Study
3. Fictional and Dramatic Elements
Film Analysis and Literary Analysis The Elements of a Good Story A Good Story Is Unified in Plot
A Good Story Is Credible
A Good Story Is Interesting
A Good Story Is Both Simple and Complex
A Good Story Handles Emotional Material with Restraint
The Significance of the Title Dramatic Structure Linear, or Chronological, Structure
Nonlinear Structures
Endings: Fine-Tuning the Dénouement
Conflict Characterization Characterization through Appearance
Characterization through Dialogue
Characterization through External Action
Characterization through Internal Action
Characterization through Reactions of Other Characters
Characterization through Contrast: Dramatic Foils
Characterization through Caricature and Leitmotif
Characterization through Choice of Name
Varieties of Characters
Allegory Symbolism Universal and Natural Symbols
Creating Symbolic Meanings
Symbolic Patterns and Progressions
Symbolic Values in Conflict
Metaphors
Overreading Symbolism
Irony Dramatic Irony
Irony of Situation
Irony of Character
Irony of Setting
Irony of Tone
Cosmic Irony
Questions for Analyzing Fictional and Dramatic Elements Video Exercises Mini-Movie Exercise DVD Filmmaking Extras Films for Study 4. Visual Design
Color Versus Black and White Screen Format (Aspect Ratio) Film Stock Production Design/Art Direction The Script: The Starting Point
Setting and Its Effects
Studio Versus Location Shooting
Period Pieces
Living Spaces and Offices
Fantasy Worlds
Costume and Makeup Design Lighting The Budgets Effect on the Films Look Questions for Analyzing Visual Design Video Exercises Mini-Movie Exercise DVD Filmmaking Extras Films for Study 5. Cinematography
The Importance of the Visual Image The Cinematic Film Cinematic Points of View Objective Point of View
Subjective Point of View
Indirect-Subjective Point of View
Directors Interpretive Point of View
Elements of Cinematic Composition Focusing Attention on the Most Significant Object
Keeping the Image in Motion
Creating an Illusion of Depth
Specialized Cinematic Effects Handheld Camera
Camera Angles
Color, Diffusion, and Soft Focus
Special Lenses
Fast Motion
Special Lighting Effects
Movie Magic: Visual Effects in the Modern Film The FX of Animated Feature Films…Especially for Adults FLASHBACK: Animation Becomes the Main Event Questions for Analyzing Cinematography and Special
Visual Effects
Video Exercises
Mini-Movie Exercise: Cinematography
Mini-Movie Exercise: Animated FX
DVD Filmmaking Extras
Films for Study
6. Editing and Special Visual Effects
FLASHBACK: Saving the Movies: What Film Editors Have Always Done Selectivity Coherence, Continuity, and Rhythm Transitions Rhythms, Tempo, and Time Control Expansion and Compression of Time Slow Motion The Freeze Frame, the Thawed Frame, and Stills Creative Juxtaposition: Montage Questions for Analyzing Editing
Video Exercises
Mini-Movie Exercise I
Mini-Movie Exercise II
DVD Filmmaking Extras
Films for Study
7. Color
FLASHBACK: Discovering Color at the Movies Color in the Modern Film Effects of Color on the Viewer
Color as a Transitional Device
Expressionistic Use of Color
Color as Symbol
Surrealistic Use of Color
Leitmotifs in Color
Color to Enhance Mood
Comic Book Color
Comic Strip Color
Painterly Effects in Color
Ironic Use of Color
Special Color Effects
Color versus Black and White Questions for Analyzing Color
Video Exercises
Mini-Movie Exercise
DVD Filmmaking Extras
Films for Study
8. Sound Effects and Dialogue
Sound and the Modern Film Dialogue Three-Dimensionality in Sound Visible and Invisible Sound Points of View in Sound Special Uses of Sound Effects and Dialogue Sound Effects to Tell an Inner Story
Distortion of Sound to Suggest Subjective States
The "Personality" of Mechanical Sounds
Slow-Motion Sound
Ironic Juxtaposition of Sound and Image
Placing Unusual Emphasis on Sound
Using Sound for Texture, Time, and Temperature
Sound as a Plot Device Sound as a Transitional Element Voice-Over Narration Silence as a Sound Effect Rhythmic Qualities of Dialogue and Sound Effects The "Sounds" of Foreign Language of International Films Voice Dubbing
FLASHBACK: Dubious Dubbing Subtitles Questions for Analyzing Sound Effects and Dialogue
Video Exercises
Mini-Movie Exercise
DVD Filmmaking Extras
Films for Study
9. The Musical Score
The Remarkable Affinity of Music and Film The Importance of the Musical Score General Functions of the Musical Score Special Functions of the Musical Score Heightening the Dramatic Effect of Dialogue
Telling an Inner Story
Providing a Sense of Time and Place
Foreshadowing Events or Building Dramatic Tension
Adding Levels of Meaning to the Visual Image
Characterization through Music
Triggering Conditioned Responses
Traveling Music
Providing Important Transitions
Setting an Initial Tone
Musical Sounds as Part of the Score
Music as Interior Monologue
Music as a Base for Choreographed Action
Covering Possible Weaknesses in the Film
Synthesizer Scoring Balancing the Score Questions for Analyzing the Musical Score
Video Exercises
Mini-Movie Exercise
DVD Filmmaking Extras
Films for Study
10. Acting
The Importance of Acting The Goal of the Actor Becoming the Character Differences Between Film Acting and Stage Acting FLASHBACK: Silent Films: Acting on the Past Types of Actors Impersonators
Interpreters and Commentators
Personality Actors
The Star System Casting Casting Problems
The Typecasting Trap
Supporting Players
Special Casting Challenges
Extras and Small Parts
Actors as Creative Contributors Subjective Responses to Actors Questions for Analyzing Acting
Video Exercises
Mini-Movie Exercise I
Mini-Movie Exercise II
DVD Filmmaking Extras
Films for Study
11. The Directors Style
The Concept of Style Subject Matter Cinematography Editing Setting and Set Design Sound and Score Casting and Acting Performances Screenplays and Narrative Structure Evolving Styles and Flexibility Special Edition: The Directors Cut A Portfolio of Four Directors Questions About Analyzing a Directors Style
Mini-Movie Exercise
DVD Filmmaking Extras
Films for Study
12. Analysis of the Whole Film
The Basic Approach: Watching, Analyzing, and Evaluating the Film Theme
The Relationship of the Parts to the Whole
The Films Level of Ambition
Objective Evaluation of the Film
Subjective Evaluation of the Film
The Film as Technical Achievement
The Film as Showcase for the Actor: The Personality Cult
The Film as Product of a Single Creative Mind: The Auteur Approach
The Film as Moral, Philosophical, or Social Statement
The Film as Emotional or Sensual Experience
The Film as Repeated Form: The Genre Approach
The Film as Political Statement
The Film as Gender Statement
The Film as Insight to the Mind: The Psychoanalytical Approach
The Eclectic Approach
Rereading the Reviews Evaluating the Reviewer Developing Personal Criteria Questions About Analyzing the Whole Film
Mini-Movie Exercise I
Mini-Movie Exercise II
DVD Filmmaking Extras
Films for Study
13. Adaptations
The Problems of Adaptation Change in Medium
Change in Creative Artists
Cinematic Potential of the Original Work
Adaptations of Prose Fiction Literary Versus Cinematic Points of View
Third-Person Point of View: Challenges
First-Person Point of View: Challenges
The Problem of Length and Depth
Philosophical Reflections
Summarizing a Characters Past
The Challenge of Summarizing Events
Literary Past Tense Versus Cinematic Present Tense
Other Factors Influencing Adaptations of Fiction
Adaptations of Plays Structural Divisions
Sense of Space
Film Language Versus Stage Language
Stage Conventions Versus Cinema Conventions
Other Changes
From Fact to Film: Reality to Myth Questions for Analyzing Adaptations
Mini-Movie Exercise
DVD Filmmaking Extras
Films for Study
14. Genre Films, Remakes, and Sequels
Genre Films Values
The Strengths of Genre Films
Basic Genre Conventions--and Their Variations
Remakes and Sequels Remakes
Sequels
Questions for Analyzing Genre Films, Remakes, and Sequels
Mini-Movie Exercise
DVD Filmmaking Extras
Films for Study
15. Film and Society
Film Foreignness Does American Film Shape or Reflect Social and Cultural Values? The Motion Picture Production Code, 1930-1960 Excerpts From the Motion Picture Production Code
Censorship in Transition, 1948-1968 The MPAA Rating System Motion Picture Association of America Voluntary Movie Rating System
Censorship and Films on Television Beyond the Code and Rating System Changing Formulas for the Treatment of Sex, Violence, and Language Social Problem Films FLASHBACK: Really Reel Life Questions for Analyzing Films in Society
Mini-Movie Exercise
DVD Filmmaking Extras
Films for Study
Notes
Glossary
Index Credits
Online Appendix: Writing a Film Analysis - http://www.mhhe.com/awf7
Sample Student Paper 1: Analysis of a Complete Film (John Fords The Grapes of Wrath) Sample Student Paper 2: Analysis of Selected Film Elements (Martin Scorseses Taxi Driver) Sample Student Paper 3: Analysis for Study (Martin Scorseses The Age of Innocence) Selected Bibliography and Study Materials Reference Film History and Culture Silent Film Directors Film Types and Topics Specific Films Collections of Reviews, Essays, and Interviews Film Aesthetics and Theory Film Periodicals Multimedia Sources Internet Sites DVD/Videocassette Sources via Mail