Is Contemporary American Independent Film Classical or

Radical

Author: David C. Simmons

Presenter: David Kopicki

Presentation Goals

To show through the example of Bordwell’s and Thompson’s ideas that all films made since 1917 share a set of common characteristics and can be classified as classical style.

Outline

Introduction – 2 min.

Presentation – 10 min.

Discussion – 5 min.

Video clip – 5 min.

Review – 3 min.

Bordwell’s Characteristics of Style in Classical Hollywood Cinema

Classical narration

Causality

Goal-oriented characters

Forward-moving narration

Classical space

Classical sound

Classical NarrationClassical Narration

Telling a clear, unified, realistic story

The story is classical: having decorum, linearity, balance, harmony, proportion, respect for tradition

Narration is omniscient

There is an emotional appeal in the film that transcends class and nation.

CausalityCausality

The narrative consists of an unbroken chain of causes and effects that is easy for a spectator to follow.

The film ends with a definite conclusion.

Repetition is common.

There is a clear motivation for everything.

Goal-Orientated CharactersGoal-Orientated Characters

Most of the motivation comes from characters.

Characters have few traits.

Subjectivity (POV) is generally quite brief

Forward-Moving NarrationForward-Moving Narration

The spectator moves through the film testing hypotheses which are usually proven true

Planting and foreshadowing are used to encourage causality and a spectator who consistently asks, (What will happen next?).

The opening credits are used to further narration.

Time is linear.

Classical SpaceClassical Space

Renaissance space (balance, centering, frontality of characters, backlighting to distinguish figure from form, having the most important objects in focus, camera height generally between 5-6 feet)

Space is well demarcated for character action

The filmic artifice is concealed through continuity editing and ‘invisible’ storytelling

Classical SoundClassical Sound

Makes the most important sounds or voices loader than other sounds

Music is omniscient

Thompson’s Four Acts of Classical Style Films

Setup

Complicating Action

Development

Climax

Act 1:Setup

The characters are introduced and the protagonist conceives some goals

Act 2: Complicating Action

A new situation is introduced that the protagonist must deal with in order to reach his or her goals.

Act 3: Development

Protagonist struggles toward the achievement of his or her goals, often involving many incidents that create action, suspense, and delay.

Act 4: Climax

Action shifts to a straightforward progression to a final resolution. All questions are neatly answered before the ending.

Discussion

What about American Independent film? Does it fit into Bordwell and Thompson’s classical style? If so, How?

Review

1. In classical style film narration is ______.

2. Planting and ______ are used to constantly keep the spectator wondering what will happen next.

3. Name Kristin Thompson’s Four Acts.

4. What are two characteristics of Renaissance space?