Film Analysis: Movies and Meaning Taken from a lecture by Willie Tolliver Bogozan

ELEMENTS OF FILM THE NARRATIVE- literally, what story is being told? What is implied? (past events, things that we don’t see but assume happens, such as the rape scene in the film version of Streetcar, etc.) THE NARRATIVE- literally, what story is being told? What is implied? (past events, things that we don’t see but assume happens, such as the rape scene in the film version of Streetcar, etc.) THE STYLISTIC SYSTEM- the way in which the film’s plot is presented helps to create meaning. THE STYLISTIC SYSTEM- the way in which the film’s plot is presented helps to create meaning. IDEOLOGY- What beliefs or belief systems are at work in the direction, writing, or style of the film? IDEOLOGY- What beliefs or belief systems are at work in the direction, writing, or style of the film?

NARRATIVE Time compression- typically a film has two hours or less to convey the meaning, however most plots span several hours, days, or weeks. Time compression- typically a film has two hours or less to convey the meaning, however most plots span several hours, days, or weeks. Hierarchy of knowledge- the story is also told with different levels of what the audience knows and what each character knows. Do the viewers or the characters know more? Does one character know more than another? Hierarchy of knowledge- the story is also told with different levels of what the audience knows and what each character knows. Do the viewers or the characters know more? Does one character know more than another? Various levels of meaning- we’ll use The Wizard of Oz to give examples Various levels of meaning- we’ll use The Wizard of Oz to give examples referential- literal meaning- “The Wizard of Oz is about Dorothy, who...” referential- literal meaning- “The Wizard of Oz is about Dorothy, who...” explicit- “There is no place like home” explicit- “There is no place like home” implicit- subtext- “The Wizard of Oz is really about the crisis in the development of adolescent girls; do I grow up to be a good or bad witch?” implicit- subtext- “The Wizard of Oz is really about the crisis in the development of adolescent girls; do I grow up to be a good or bad witch?” symptomatic- “The Wizard of Oz is about the importance of family in the 1930’s.” symptomatic- “The Wizard of Oz is about the importance of family in the 1930’s.”

STYLISTIC ELEMENTS Consider the controlled environment- everything in a movie is chosen for a reason, so always consider the following elements: Consider the controlled environment- everything in a movie is chosen for a reason, so always consider the following elements: Acting/ casting- for example, Lawrence Fishburn was cast as Othello- why not Chris Rock or Eddie Murphy? Acting/ casting- for example, Lawrence Fishburn was cast as Othello- why not Chris Rock or Eddie Murphy? Costumes- why are the characters wearing certain colors, certain styles, over the top outfits or understated ones? (What Dreams May Come has very interesting costume choices) Costumes- why are the characters wearing certain colors, certain styles, over the top outfits or understated ones? (What Dreams May Come has very interesting costume choices) Scenery- where is the story set? How does weather, time of day, etc. influence the meaning? Scenery- where is the story set? How does weather, time of day, etc. influence the meaning? Lighting- colors used? shading, shadows, or bright lights? Lighting- colors used? shading, shadows, or bright lights? Props- what is used? how? why? Props- what is used? how? why?

STYLISTIC ELEMENTS CON’T Cinematography Cinematography How does the frame move? How does the frame move? Focus- what is in the foreground? What is in the background? Are any images blurry, while other images are in focus? Focus- what is in the foreground? What is in the background? Are any images blurry, while other images are in focus? Editing- are there any jump cuts? What is the composition of each frame? Editing- are there any jump cuts? What is the composition of each frame? Sound Sound What music is used? How? When? Why? What music is used? How? When? Why? Diegetic sound- sound that the characters and audience can hear. Diegetic sound- sound that the characters and audience can hear. Nondiegetic sound- sound that only the audience can hear. Nondiegetic sound- sound that only the audience can hear.

IDEOLOGY What value systems are at work here? Consider: What value systems are at work here? Consider: Is the ideology didactic or based around pleasure and senses? Is the ideology didactic or based around pleasure and senses? What is accepted? Violence, sex, drugs, etc. (think about the violence in Kill Bill; is it accepted?) What is accepted? Violence, sex, drugs, etc. (think about the violence in Kill Bill; is it accepted?) How is the audience manipulated? How is the audience manipulated? Who are the villains? Heroes? Who are the villains? Heroes? Who are the privileged? Who are the privileged? Who are the “fleshed- out” characters? Who are the “fleshed- out” characters? Ideology Far left- advocates dramatic change, very different than the perceived norm Center- comedies, films not to be taken as having a serious message Far right- wants to keep status quo; might ask you to cry, adhere to “traditional values”