Chapter 1 Film as Art: Creativity, Technology, and Business 1 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Film as Art, Creativity, Technology, and Business Films are designed to affect viewers. Does commercial success make film less artistically important? Films come from the filmmakers, the people who pay them, and complex technology all working together. 2 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Art vs. Entertainment? Art vs. Business? 3 Simple judgment: art is serious and worthy, and entertainment is superficial Art versus business: some consider film as art, and some consider film as business © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Creative Decisions in Filmmaking Filmmaking consists of making big and small decisions. Form consists of the overall, unified shape of the parts of the film. Style is the way a film uses the techniques of filmmaking. Manipulation of style and form can create viewer engagement. 4 © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Creative Decisions: To See into the Night in Collateral By altering the original setting and character, the cab driver is more likeable and the setting becomes a character in itself. High-definition cinematography, use of existing light, and custom-made lights allowed the film to have texture and depth. © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.6

Creative Decisions: To See into the Night in Collateral Seamless editing heightened excitement during stunts. The soundtrack sets the pace for the climactic progression, building suspense and excitement in the viewer. © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.7

Mechanics of the Movies Filmmaking relies on technology and financing. Two processes in cinematic motion: critical flicker fusion and apparent motion. Earliest, widely used format: films on film. 8

Illusion Machines Critical flicker fusion: each frame is projected on the screen twice Apparent motion: our eyes are fooled into seeing movement © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.9

Making Films with Photographic Film The film strip is called a negative. The strip is perforated and has space for the sound track. © 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.10

Films as Digital Media Digital film: much like 35mm camera, but with fixed light-sensitive sensor. Early 1900s used DV (digital video). In 2000s, HD (high-definition) video is used. Resurgence of 3D technology in mid-2000s. 11

Making the Movie: Film Production 1.Scriptwriting and Funding: the script is developed and funding is acquired. 2.Preparation for Filming: planning the production. 3.Shooting: the actual film is made. 4.Assembly: images and sounds are combined; music, dialogue, and titles are added. 12

Modes of Production Large-Scale Production: prior to 1960s, large studios centrally managed film production. Independent Production: usually lower- budget films where directors often have more control over production. Small-Scale Production: where one person or a small group creates the entire film. 13© 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Art and Production Modes Films can be categorized based on how they are made, such as the fiction film and the documentary film. The director is considered the author of a film because the crew’s job is to create the director’s vision. 14© 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Distribution: The Center of Power Distribution releases the films to the theaters, dictates rental terms, and collects rental fees. Major distributors are part of multinational corporations, giving them easy access to funding. Distributers also provide the publicity campaign. 15© 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Exhibition: Theatrical and Nontheatrical Theatrical involves the public paying admission. Nontheatrical includes video, cable, satellite, and other screenings such as film festivals. 16© 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.

Ancillary Markets: Taking Movies Beyond the Theater These include airline release, pay-per-view, cable, network broadcasts, and DVD release. Typically video generates more money than theatrical release, which has allowed smaller distributors and foreign films to be profitable. Digital technology is spreading nontheatrical viewing. 17

Art Implications of Distribution and Exhibition Video has allowed filmmakers to capitalize on viewer’s ability to re-watch films. With the spread of digital technology, short- form storytelling is spreading and marketing and merchandising is changing. The size and shape of the screen has also affected the way filmmakers compose shots. 18© 2013 McGraw-Hill Higher Education. All rights reserved.