Film Analysis: Movies and MeaningTaken from a lecture by Willie TolliverBogozan

ELEMENTS OF FILM

THE NARRATIVE- literally, what story is being THE NARRATIVE- literally, what story is being told? What is implied? (past events, things told? What is implied? (past events, things that we don’t see but assume happens, such that we don’t see but assume happens, such as the rape scene in the film version of as the rape scene in the film version of StreetcarStreetcar, etc.), etc.)

THE STYLISTIC SYSTEM- the way in which the THE STYLISTIC SYSTEM- the way in which the film’s plot is presented helps to create film’s plot is presented helps to create meaning.meaning.

IDEOLOGY- What beliefs or belief systems are IDEOLOGY- What beliefs or belief systems are at work in the direction, writing, or style of at work in the direction, writing, or style of the film?the film?

NARRATIVE Time compression- typically a film has two hours or Time compression- typically a film has two hours or

less to convey the meaning, however most plots span less to convey the meaning, however most plots span several hours, days, or weeks. several hours, days, or weeks.

Hierarchy of knowledge- the story is also told with Hierarchy of knowledge- the story is also told with different levels of what the audience knows and what different levels of what the audience knows and what each character knows. Do the viewers or the each character knows. Do the viewers or the characters know more? Does one character know more characters know more? Does one character know more than another?than another?

Various levels of meaning- we’ll use Various levels of meaning- we’ll use The Wizard of OzThe Wizard of Oz to give examplesto give examples referential- literal meaning- “referential- literal meaning- “The Wizard of OzThe Wizard of Oz is about is about

Dorothy, who . . .”Dorothy, who . . .” explicit- “There is no place like home”explicit- “There is no place like home” implicit- subtext- “implicit- subtext- “The Wizard of OzThe Wizard of Oz is really about the is really about the

crisis in the development of adolescent girls; do I grow up crisis in the development of adolescent girls; do I grow up to be a good or bad witch?”to be a good or bad witch?”

symptomatic- “symptomatic- “The Wizard of OzThe Wizard of Oz is about the importance is about the importance of family in the 1930’s.”of family in the 1930’s.”

STYLISTIC ELEMENTS Consider the controlled environment- Consider the controlled environment-

everything in a movie is chosen for a everything in a movie is chosen for a reason, so always consider the following reason, so always consider the following elements:elements:

Acting/ casting- for example, Lawrence Fishburn was Acting/ casting- for example, Lawrence Fishburn was cast as Othello- why not Chris Rock or Eddie Murphy?cast as Othello- why not Chris Rock or Eddie Murphy?

Costumes- why are the characters wearing certain Costumes- why are the characters wearing certain colors, certain styles, over the top outfits or colors, certain styles, over the top outfits or understated ones? (understated ones? (What Dreams May ComeWhat Dreams May Come has has very interesting costume choices)very interesting costume choices)

Scenery- where is the story set? How does weather, Scenery- where is the story set? How does weather, time of day, etc. influence the meaning?time of day, etc. influence the meaning?

Lighting- colors used? shading, shadows, or bright Lighting- colors used? shading, shadows, or bright lights?lights?

Props- what is used? how? why?Props- what is used? how? why?

STYLISTIC ELEMENTS CON’T

CinematographyCinematography How does the frame move?How does the frame move? Focus- what is in the foreground? What is Focus- what is in the foreground? What is

in the background? Are any images blurry, in the background? Are any images blurry, while other images are in focus?while other images are in focus?

Editing- are there any jump cuts? What is Editing- are there any jump cuts? What is the composition of each frame?the composition of each frame?

SoundSound What music is used? How? When? Why?What music is used? How? When? Why? Diegetic sound- sound that the characters Diegetic sound- sound that the characters

and audience can hear.and audience can hear. Nondiegetic sound- sound that only the Nondiegetic sound- sound that only the

audience can hear.audience can hear.

IDEOLOGY

What value systems are at work here? What value systems are at work here? Consider:Consider: Is the ideology didactic or based around pleasure Is the ideology didactic or based around pleasure

and senses?and senses? What is accepted? Violence, sex, drugs, etc. (think What is accepted? Violence, sex, drugs, etc. (think

about the violence in about the violence in Kill BillKill Bill; is it accepted?); 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 thanthe perceived norm

Center- comedies, filmsnot to be taken as having a serious message

Far right- wants to keepstatus quo; might ask you tocry, adhere to “traditional values”