Film Appreciation Theory and History

Widescreen vs. Full screen Widescreen film was determined by the director with the big screen in mind. Full screen films have been edited to fit an old TV screen.

Why read a film? The better a viewer reads an image the more he/she understands: Its artistic quality Its reflection of culture and its values Its various sets of metaphorical meanings

When you look at a frame, one of the first things to consider is space. How complex is the mise-en-scene? Is it claustrophobic? Is it wide-open space? How much of the space of the frame is filled by the characters? Mildred Pierce 1945 Hidalgo 2004

A claustrophobic set design builds tension and anxiety. The Shining 1982 Harry Potter

A spacious, open set design can create loneliness, isolation, or freedom. Lord of the Rings 2001 Forrest Gump 1994

Another thing to consider is distance. How much do you see of the character(s)? Is it a close up? Is it a full shot? Is it a medium shot? How much distance is between the viewer and the characters? A Place in the Sun 1951

In general the closer the camera gets to the characters, the closer the viewer feels towards the characters. Most common in… love scenes horror films emotional dramas

As the camera moves further away from the character(s), the viewer is provided more information about them or about their situation. From Rosemary’s Baby 1968 From Babel 2006

The further the camera is from the subject, the more distant you will feel from what is happening in the scene or to the character(s).

The Establishing Shot The Illusionist 2006 It lets the audience have a look at the subject in relation to its surroundings. It usually appears at the beginning of a film or scene to establish the setting or to introduce a film.

The Two-Shot Avatar 2009 Makes two characters the subject of the frame. It allows you to understand how the characters interact and react to each other.

Something else to consider when observing A frame is the angle or camera position. Was the frame shot from high above? (a high angle) Was it shot at eye level? Was it shot from a low angle?

A frame shot from a high angle is often referred to as God’s eye view because it suggests that ‘someone’ is observing the characters. It can suggest danger and helplessness. 300 2006

Apocalypto 2007 The Fountain 2007

A frame shot from a low angle makes the subject seem larger. Citizen Kane 1941 The Postman Always Rings Twice 1946

The Dark Knight 2008

Inglorious Basterds 2009

A character that seems larger than another in a frame is usually the dominant character. From Double Indemnity 1944 From Letter from an Unknown Woman 1948 From Gone with the Wind 1939 From Rebecca 1940

The Departed 2006

A Dutch angle suggests that something is wrong either in the character or the story’s situation.

Artificial Intelligence 2001

Besides shots and angles, you should also watch for symbols. Some common symbols are: Images of entrapment are usually shown through characters framed by doors, gates, or confined spaces (like closets). From The Kid 1921 From Carrie 1976

Pan’s Labyrinth 2006 Atonement 2007

The Hours 2002 The Ring 2002 The Painted Veil 2006

A Beautiful Mind 2001 The Departed 2006

Images of duality are usually represented by characters reflected in mirrors , water, glass, or in accentuated shadow. Psycho 1960

The Matrix 2003 Taxi Driver 1976 The Lady from Shanghai,1947

Mulholland Drive 2001

Black Swan 2010

Stairs, dark alleys, Dutch angles, darkness enveloping a character, seeing only part of a character are some images of imminent danger. From The French Connection From Silence of the Lambs From Halloween From Kiss Me Deadly

From The Sixth Sense From The Others

Light cutting through a character(s), lines which divide the frame, usually mark images of characters that are in turmoil. From Blade Runner From The Usual Suspects From The Awful Truth

Sweeney Todd 2007

Christ figures/Biblical References Dead Poet Society Other Symbols Christ figures/Biblical References Cool Hand Luke The Shawshank Redemption

Rebirth Color From Schindler’s List

Eyes From The Blair Witch Project From Un Perro Andaluz From Psycho From Spellbound

Phallic symbols Dr. Strangelove Bonnie and Clyde Rear Window

Art represents all that we experience as humans. Why read a film? Art represents all that we experience as humans. Understanding film as an art means understanding yourself and the world around you.