Appreciation Notes

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Film Appreciation Notes

The Film Appreciation Book

  • This book aims to provide the content of a film course.

  • It is written by Jim Piper.

  • Published by Allworth Press, New York.

Shots

  • A shot is the basic building block of a film.

  • It is a continuous piece of film without cuts.

Shot Types Based on Camera Distance

  • Extreme Wide Shot (EWS):

    • The subject is very small in the frame.

    • Often used to establish the location or setting.

    • Can create a sense of isolation or insignificance.

  • Wide Shot (WS):

    • The subject takes up most of the frame, but there is still some background visible.

    • Often used to show the subject in relation to their environment.

  • Medium Shot (MS):

    • The subject is framed from the waist up. A character can be in full body but will have little space on the sides.

    • A balanced shot type is suitable for conversations and showing action.

  • Close-Up (CU):

    • The subject's face fills most of the frame.

    • Used to emphasize emotions or reactions.

  • Extreme Close-Up (ECU):

    • A small detail of the subject, such as an eye or mouth fills the frame.

    • Used to create a sense of intimacy or to emphasize a particular detail.

Examples and Implications

  • Examples provided of how different shot types are used to convey meaning and emotion in films.

  • Discussing the impact of certain shots that linger too long, creating tension and anticipation.

Cuts

  • A cut is a transition from one shot to another.

Types of Cuts

  • A cut can transition from one shot to another, creating new meaning depending on the combination of images.

  • A match cut, maintains visual consistency between two shots, like objects changing over time.

  • A jump cut, creates a jarring or disorienting effect by abruptly jumping forward in time.

    • For example, if a character is walking East and a jump cut is used, it will look like they skipped several steps while maintaining their direction toward the East.

    • Jump cuts can also be used to create a seamless transition between images.

  • An L cut is where the audio from the first shot continues over into the second shot.

    • A J cut is the opposite, where the audio from the second shot starts before the image cuts away from the first shot

Meaning

  • Cuts bring new meanings to shots.

  • The cuts are as important as the shots.

  • Cutting conveys rhythm.

Spoken Words

  • Dialogue is a crucial element of film.

  • Film relies on visual elements, but dialogue offers character insight and plot development.

Importance of Dialogue

  • The need for good dialogue in film.

Functions of Spoken Words

  • Advance narrative.

  • Give information.

  • Illuminates Character.

  • Set Mood.

Examples of good/bad dialog:

  • The speaker speaks about examples of times when dialog enhanced a films theme.

  • The speaker also talks about examples of times when bad dialog distracted from the film, or even destroyed it fully.

Guidelines for Dialogue Use

  • Keep it brief.

  • Keep it moving.

  • Keep it real.

  • Keep all the words connected to the film's central story.

Styles

  • Film styles are the individual techniques filmmakers use to express themselves.

  • They can include camera techniques, editing techniques, sound design, and set and production design.

Categories of Film Style

  • Realism

  • Formalism

  • Classicism

Realism Style

  • Attempts to represent reality as accurately as possible.

  • Often uses documentary techniques and avoids stylized visuals.

  • Seeks to minimize any distortions or interpretations, reflecting the world in an objective way.

Formalistic Style

  • A formalistic style deliberately presents a subject from a distorted or unusual perspective.

  • The director often employs creative techniques and visual distortions to convey their unique viewpoint.

  • Formalism is characterized by its subjective interpretation of reality.

Classicism Style

  • Classicism blends storytelling with aesthetics, following established rules and structures to create harmony and balance.

  • The goal of classicism is to create an immersive viewing experience where viewers are so engrossed that they may not notice the director's choices.

Examples of Directors with Film Styles

  • Examples provided for directors who consistently followed certain film styles in all their films.

Function of a Director's Style

  • Creates the emotional feeling of a movie.

  • A director's style is very apparent.