Introduction to Film Analysis (DELC) Dr David Sorfa (Film Studies)

The Very Basics Image / Music / Text

Methodologies Formal Analysis Historical Analysis Film as representation of history Film as symptom of history Theoretical Approaches Economic / Political (Marxist, Industrial) Identity Feminist / Sexualities and Gender Race and Ethnicity Semiotic / Structuralist Psychological Psychoanalysis Cognitive Science Philosophy

Les Parapluies de Cherbourg (Jacques Demy, 1964)

The Elements of Film Language Mise-en-scène Cinematography Editing Sound Narrative and Narration

Two Elements of Film Writing Description of the form, content and texture of the film sequence Analysis of the meaning of the film as a whole

Et Dieu... créa la femme (Roger Vadim, 1956)

Three (Different) Aims Evaluation Is it good? Analysis How does it work? Interpretation What does it mean?

Bienvenue chez les Ch'tis (Dany Boon, 2008)

Cinematography (Distance) Extreme Long Shot (ELS) Long Shot (LS) figures discernible Medium Long Shot (American Shot) - (MLS) Medium Shot (MS) Gesture and expression Medium Close-Up (MCU) Chest and up Close-Up (CU) Head, small object Extreme Close-Up Lips, eye, etc. L'Heure d été (Olivier Essayas, 2008) / Der siebente Kontinent (Michael Haneke, 1989)

Extreme Long Shot (ELS) L'Heure d été (Olivier Essayas, 2008)

Long Shot (LS) figures discernible L'Heure d été (Olivier Essayas, 2008)

Medium Long Shot (American Shot) - (MLS) L'Heure d été (Olivier Essayas, 2008)

Medium Shot (MS) Gesture and expression L'Heure d été (Olivier Essayas, 2008)

Medium Close-Up (MCU) Chest and up L'Heure d été (Olivier Essayas, 2008)

Close-Up (CU) Head, small object L'Heure d été (Olivier Essayas, 2008)

Extreme Close-Up Lips, eye, etc. Der siebente Kontinent (Michael Haneke, 1989)

Mobile Framing Pan (panorama): camera pivots horizontally Tilt: camera pivots vertically Track (dolly): camera as a whole changes position Crane shot: camera moves above ground level (sometimes: helicopter shot) Overhead/Bird s Eye-view shot Steadicam Hand-held Zoom in/out

Defining Narrative The story of a text. Minimal narratives: A series of cause and effect relationships. The queen died. Then the king died. The queen died. Then the king died of grief.

Cause Effect Cause Effect Cause Effect Cause Effect

Defining Narration The way that the narrative is presented. The way the story is told. Flashbacks / Flashforwards Ellipses Mise en scène, Cinematography, Sound, Editing

Classical Film Narrative Strict cause and effect narrative logic: Causes planted early in the film will always have an effect later. Character motivation clearly defined: Characters have set goals (revenge, love, etc), and often deadlines. Narrative goes through clear stages: Equilibrium Disruption Restoration of equilibrium Transformation Dual focus

Damsels in Distress (Whit Stillman, 2011)

Les Parapluies de Cherbourg (Jacques Demy, 1964)