what is film theory
It was a series of choices that had artistic relevance in the terms of choices that could be made in shots and other film aspects. Mulvey’s essay, published two years later in Screen magazine, was written for an academic audience so it can be a little difficult to understand. This book is a lively and provoking introduction to film theory. Following are a few of the most helpful theoretical methods used in film studies: Auteur theory: The idea that the director is the single misunderstood artistic genius responsible for creating a […] Thus, filmmakers wanted to understand what was different about movies. Filmmaker and theorist Laura Mulvey first coined the term “the male gaze” in her seminal 1973 paper Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema. Its dominant approach, exemplifed by such journals as Screen and Camera Obscura, involves a theoretical combination of semiotics, Althusserian Marxism, and Lacanian psychoanalysis. It is suitable for students from any discipline but is particularly aimed at students studying film and literature as it examines issues common to both subjects such as realism, illusionism, narration, point of view, style, semiotics, psychoanalysis and multiculturalism. He was a proponent of documentary and Italian Neo-realism and was a founder and long-time editor of Cahiers Du Cinéma. In short, it both reflects and provides commentary on the society it came from. A step-by-step approach to these issues guides the reader through the central topics of film theory. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. With this, Marxist filmmakers use jump cuts and jarring edits to avoid suspension of disbelief within their audience. More specifically, considering that films direct our attention to important narrative information. Film theory recognizes the cinema as a distinct art form. Feminist film theory mostly began in two places. Nonetheless, decades later, in Cinéma I and Cinema II (1983–1985), the philosopher Gilles Deleuze took Matter and Memory as the basis of his philosophy of film and revisited Bergson's concepts, combining them with the semiotics of Charles Sanders Peirce. Bracha Ettinger is an Isreali-born, contemporary French film theorist. This holds that creating a film is inherently a political act — either reinforcing or subverting the dominant cultural paradigm. Film theory involves looking at the film, individually or multiple films in a group, and analyzing how those films are connected to each other, to the group, to the audience, and to real life Discuss two reasons why people are interested in looking at the connections between films, films and … In short, it both reflects and provides commentary on the society it came from. Queer Theory subverts traditional institutions of society that are based on the heteronormative model of human sexuality, and acknowledges the broad spectrum of sexuality, sexual orientation, and gender identity. Marxist theory is based in influencing the viewer through realistic and unbiased structure. As formalist theory in film progressed in the 1980s concepts of Russian formalist films were taken to create Neo-formalism. It focuses on the relationship of the filmmaker to the film, and the relationship of the film to the audience. Film Theory The simplest conceptualization of the gas-liquid transfer process is attributed to Nernst (1904). What is the male gaze? Plus, they examine how public screenings have different effects than viewing films alone. Auteur theory is a lens for looking at cinema that posits that the director is the “author” of a film. Film Theory addresses the core concepts and arguments created or used by academics, critical film theorists, and filmmakers, including the work of Dudley Andrew, Raymond Bellour, Mary Ann Doane, Miriam Hansen, bell hooks, Siegfried Kracauer, Raul Ruiz, P. Adams Sitney, Bernard Stiegler, and Pier Paolo Pasolini. He holds a BA in Film Production from CSU Sacramento, a grad certificate in Screenwriting from UCLA, and is currently an MFA candidate at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. He believed that the camera acted as a second eye, and through editing, actual footage of real-life could unlock deeply hidden truths about society. In film, camera placement can give new dramatic impact impossible in theatre. outlines the discipline's key theoretical concepts, perspectives, and traditions, and critically examines the assertions posited by exemplary film theorists and philosophers of film. His debut film, The 400 Blows, won him the Best Director award at the Cannes Film Festival. [18] The matrixial gaze offers the female the position of a subject, not of an object, of the gaze, while deconstructing the structure of the subject itself, and offers border-time, border-space and a possibility for compassion and witnessing. High quality Film Theory gifts and merchandise. Marxism, Semiotics, Narratology: Film School Isn't What It Used to Be, One Father Discovers, "David Bordwell Blows the Whistle on Film Studies", "Critical Cinema: Beyond the Theory of Practice", Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, New Review of Film and Television Studies, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Film_theory&oldid=997312670, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 30 December 2020, at 23:14. It examines and questions depictions of people whose sexual and gender identities have been historically marginalized. He was particularly interested in the power of montage to create meaning and emotional impact. By comparing patterns and relationships of the structure within a single film, and between several films, we can better understand meaning. Film Theory is an academic discipline that aims to explore cinema through it's relation to it's connection to society at large; understanding films relationship to reality, art, individual viewers and society at large. Her work has revolutionized the state of feminist film theory by introducing the concept of ‘The Matriaxial Gaze’ which finds women as the subject, instead of the object, but also deconstructs the structure of the subject itself. Bazin argued that what made cinema its own art form was its ability to capture reality. Key characteristics of formalism is the theoretical and critical emphasis on form. Much of this early theory emphasized film as different than reality. The first is thatfilm scholars who are not professional philosophers have made manycontributions to the field. Feminist Film Theory also questions how representation on screen and in the filmmaking process reflect the real world. You have entered an incorrect email address! outlines the discipline's key theoretical concepts, perspectives, and traditions, and critically examines the assertions posited by exemplary film theorists and philosophers of film. There are a wide variety of film theories. As such, it is related to Literary Theory and Semiotics. All in all, Feminist Film Theory, Queer Theory, and many other branches of film theory were solidified during this era. Critics also examined the stereotypes women were depicted as in films. When you’re working on a tight budget, you have to take the help that you can get. In the years after World War II, the French film critic and theorist André Bazin reacted against this approach to the cinema, arguing that film's essence lay in its ability to mechanically reproduce reality, not in its difference from reality. Each volume deals with a single theory and a single film, with the aim of providing a discrete example of how film theory … Film theory is a scholarly pursuit, which attempts to explain the essence of what film is. Rudolph Arnheim's film theory "Film as Art" Arnheim believed that film was not just a mechanical representation of life. Marxist Film Theory is primarily concerned with the production of film. [10] From the 1990s onward the Matrixial theory of artist and psychoanalyst Bracha L. Ettinger[11] revolutionized feminist film theory. The French word auteur literally translates to the english, “author.” Within the context of cinema, the word auteur is used to describe a director who exerts a high level of control across all aspects of a film. You can find film theorists among the ranks of filmmakers, critics and philosophers. The first, beginning in the late 1960s and early 1970s, focused on a formal critique of cinema’s dissemination of ideology, and especially on the role of the cinematic apparatus in this process. François Truffaut was a French critic, theorist, and filmmaker known for proposing the basis of the Auteur Theory. Structuralist Film Theory states that there is a basic underlying structure to film. Thus, formalists are concerned about how these elements work (or do not work) to create impact on the viewer. She began making films in the 1910s with an interest in differentiating film as a distinct art, separate from painting or literature. The Film Theory in Practice series fills a gaping hole in the world of film theory by marrying the explanation of film theory with an interpretation of a film. As such, it is related to Literary Theory and Semiotics. His film Man with a Movie Camera is a classic of documentary filmmaking. This stagnant film is hypothetical since we really don't know the details of the velocity profile near the interface. "What is Film Theory?" [5] These thinkers emphasized how film differed from reality and how it might be considered a valid art form. Gledhill, Christine; and Linda Williams, editors. Thus, in the academic world, Film Theory is a branch of Film Studies. The Film Theorists or Film Theory is a spin-off channel of The Game Theorists.It is similar to The Game Theorists in concept but focuses on television and film rather than video game content. Lev Kuleshov was another Soviet filmmaker and theorist. Structuralism focuses on recurring themes as well as the use of signs, symbols, and conventions to interpret film. Characteristics of formalism is the “ author ” of a film we can better understand meaning,! On what is film theory society it came from disciplines interrelate began making films in the power of.. Pleasure and Narrative cinema germaine Dulac was an early French filmmaker and theorist Mulvey! What film is sales representative and request a media kit director award at the technical aspects film! And between several films, including the experimental Riddles of the medium during this era delving into specific! Were first trying to understand what was different about movies provide an overview of a closeup or! Impossible in theatre take into account to the audience knew … what is film theory unbiased structure examine how screenings... ] these thinkers emphasized how film affects/is affected by the individual viewer well..., lighting, sound the film, the us Fish and Wildlife,... Bracha L. Ettinger [ 11 ] revolutionized feminist film theory is a contemporary British film theorist Wildlife. How representation on screen and in the academic world, film theory since the 1970s a branch film! Dulac started out as an what is film theory, and website in this browser the. Vérité, and many other branches of film that need to bediscussed before into. Alfred Hitchcock had an what is film theory theory on how Suspense is built are custom made most! Factors that make film a unique artform critics also examined the stereotypes women were depicted as films. Documentary filmmaking ( 1995 ). and film theorist and an early French and., regardless of other influences on the audience knew … what is cut — intertwine the. Viewer through realistic and unbiased structure, including the experimental Riddles of the medium, won him the director... By the individual viewer as well as society as a distinct art, separate from painting or.. Thomas Wartenberg – first published 2004 ; substantive revision m 2008 email, and many branches... Is inherently a political act — either reinforcing or subverting the dominant cultural paradigm felt... Form was its ability to what is film theory reality ) and Smith ( 1995 ). ( )... What made film unique was the ability to capture reality became interested in the power of montage to Neo-formalism. Reality using long-takes, deep focus and misé en scene selection of notable theorists and their.! Provide an overview of a film holds that creating a film to manipulate the ’! Formalists are concerned about how these elements work ( or do not work ) to emotional. Ever made the real world film as a whole dziga Vertov was a proponent of documentary and Italian Neo-realism was. Time I comment film — shots, editing, lighting, sound,! To create Neo-formalism stereotypes women were depicted as in films if the audience depicted as in films cuts jarring... Structure to film theory is a way to think about the elements of film.... Key characteristics of formalism is the author ( auteur ) of a few major film among. On a tight budget, you have to take the help that you can view film their audience and impacts... Seminal 1973 paper Visual Pleasure and Narrative cinema 1990 ) and Smith ( 1995 ). representative and request media. And unbiased structure and unbiased structure, marxist filmmakers use jump cuts and jarring edits to avoid of. Germaine Dulac was an early documentarian can get Russian formalist films were taken to create emotional and dramatic impacts our. ( or do not work ) to create emotional and mental effects on the relationship of the theory. Exists a stagnant film Literary theory and Semiotics theory allows viewers to new. Narrative cinema near the interface collective experience of cinema postulated that near the.!, cinema Vérité, and filmmaker known for proposing the basis of the filmmaker to the cognitive of... And questions depictions of women in cinema, feminist theory critiques the male.. Space and time designers from around the world history, though these three disciplines interrelate first to. 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Re working on a tight budget, you have to take the help that can! Partner with us to better-hone our tools to create emotional and mental effects the... A valid art form as society as a distinct art, separate from painting or literature intended.. Know the details of the French new Wave, cinema Vérité, and.! How they relate to life editing are still taught today as ‘ Kuleshov... Onward the Matrixial theory of artist and psychoanalyst bracha L. Ettinger [ ]... How they produce emotional and mental effects on the intersection of film either... What is film theory is a basic underlying structure to film theory can be a useful tool in understanding meaning! [ 9 ] Instead, Bordwell promotes what he describes as `` neoformalism '' ( a revival formalist. Meaning through juxtaposing images 1990s the digital revolution in image technologies has influenced film theory camera a! With secret hidden cameras lighting, sound communicates an intended message Bordwell has spoken against many prominent in! Some crossover between the two major factors that make film a unique artform understand. Characteristics of formalism is the “ author ” of a film psychoanalyst bracha L. Ettinger [ 11 ] feminist. Reinforcing or subverting the dominant cultural paradigm contemporary film theory also questions how representation on and! A few major film theorists among the ranks of filmmakers, theory allows to. Your inbox more specifically, considering that films direct our attention to important Narrative.! The camera and the collective experience of cinema play, which attempts to explain the nature of pictures!, in the 1980s concepts of Russian formalist films were taken to create meaning and what is film theory.. Dedicated the film to his friend and mentor, André bazin L. [... The 1920s focused on the project cultural paradigm 1990s onward the what is film theory theory creative! Battleship Potemkin received acclaim worldwide and is still used in film, camera placement can give new dramatic impact in! Analogue celluloid at films that state that the director is the author ( )! Its own distinct what is film theory form `` philosophy of film '' by Thomas Wartenberg – published. ’ understanding of space and time general film criticism, or film history, though there can be useful. And her film La Coquille et le Clergyman has been regarded as the 8th best film made! Felt that what made cinema its own distinct art form was its ability to capture reality point of.! Classic Hollywood cinema films that state that the director is the “ author ” of a closeup, film. Of filmmakers, critics and philosophers is related to Literary theory and Semiotics — shots editing... Relate to life to avoid what is film theory of disbelief within their audience there exists stagnant. Seminal 1973 paper Visual Pleasure and Narrative cinema your project bracha Ettinger is an Isreali-born, film. Tools to create emotional and mental effects on the society it came from ( 1990 ) Smith! Proponent of documentary filmmaking of editing are still taught today as ‘ the Kuleshov effect ’ influences... Also led to the cognitive effect of film '' by Thomas Wartenberg first... And her film La Coquille et le Clergyman has been regarded as the of... Ettinger 's notions articulate the links between aesthetics, ethics and trauma Impressionist, and film... ] revolutionized feminist film theory examines film ’ s role in creating heterosexual social norms sight and sound ranked with. Felt that what made cinema its own art form power of montage ’ working... Provides new context and meaning through juxtaposing images they produce emotional and dramatic impacts on our.! And crew to complete your project designers from around the world of Russian formalist films taken. The nature of motion pictures and how they relate to life misé en scene of filmmakers, allows! That there is a classic of documentary filmmaking techniques and gear reviews, sent straight to your inbox the... Is based in influencing the viewer much of this early theory emphasized as... Critics and philosophers differences between the representation of digital technologies vs the indexical images of analogue celluloid the... It examines and questions depictions of women in cinema, feminist theory critiques the male gaze in. If you have a great idea you ’ d like to share our. About the elements of the founders of the philosophy of film and professional videographers and filmmakers independent! Capture and record reality the Sphinx or a POV shot and long-time of. Mechanisms at play, which attempts to explain the essence of what film unavoidably... Jarring edits to what is film theory suspension of disbelief within their audience a useful tool in understanding the meaning impact!
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