Week 1 Introduction, MOVIE ANALYSIS 1

MOVIE ANALYSIS 1:  Today in class we wilL stART watching the film, "Vertigo" by Alfred Hitchcock.  

How We Will Approach Analysis in This Course

The following is our revised toolkit that we will use for film analysis. In the next three modules, you will be watching films. As you watch, refer to these nine elements and take notes on how you feel and what you see.

1. Story

Film is a storytelling medium, and the success of a film depends on the structure of the story. Think about the pacing of the story and whether it's choppy or smooth. Make note of any major plot twists, too. Most movie plots (with some famous exceptions) follow the same structure: setup, new situation, improvement, higher stakes, final push, resolution.

2. Character or Performance

Are the characters believable? Did the acting help you to believe the characters were real? Just as important is an actor's presence on the screen. If an actor commands your attention so that you can't look away, they're probably performing well. How do the actors convey information using their bodies and faces?

3. Technique

How does the filmmaker tell a story by the artistic use of camera shots, camera angles, camera movement, mise-en-scène (staging of objects in a frame), and, of course, cinematography?

4. Environment

What role is played by the environment in which the film takes place? Good examples include the desert in Lawrence of Arabia and the journey deep into the jungles of Vietnam in Apocalypse Now.

            5. Audience

Who is the target audience for this film? How is the film structured for this audience?

6. Genre

Is the film an adventure? A romantic comedy? A Western? How does the choice of a genre influence how a film is made?

7. Structure

Structure is the key to good storytelling. In a film, story structure is how you map out a series of events that leads a hero toward some important goal. How is the filmmaker using structure? Is the sequence of events linear or nonlinear?

8. Design

Design is the overall look of a film—the artistic decisions that show the time and place and visual style of the story. These choices include set design, locations, and the kinds of props that are used.

9. Use of Sound

Horror movies are well-known for their atmospheric soundtracks, which can make a tense environment even scarier. The Shining is a famous example of this.

Another great sound moment is the shower scene from the film Psycho:

10. Use of Color


There are three key components to color :

Hue - what the actual color is (yellow, green, blue, red etc.)

Saturation - How intense a color is, is it faded or vibrant ?

Value - The lightness or darkness of a color. A color with a lower value is darker than a color of higher value.


Contrast of Hue occurs when the major color differences in a shot are due to Hue. For example, red/green - opposite colors used in 'Vertigo'. Red is associated with Scotty's passion/obsession. Madeleine is associated with the color green.  

So, that's it, but there are two more suggestions to consider. As you watch the films in this course, and any films you want to analyze, feel free to replay scenes as much as you think necessary. Also, try watching a sequence with the sound off, especially if you feel that there is good camera work or staging or some other cinematic storytelling techniques involved. You will be surprised how much more you will notice with this method.

Finally, don't worry! We used terms like "staging" and "camera angles" in this module without explaining what these terms really mean. We will explore these tools and techniques in depth in the coming modules.

Activity

• Introduce yourself and your interests

Assignment

Critique your favorite movie. What makes it work? Refer to the 9 Elements discussed today.

 AS A RESULT OF SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING THIS COURSE, STUDENTS...

• 
  Will be able to:

  
  
  
  
  • Define and use the vocabulary of film (closeups, zooms, cuts, etc.)
    
    
  
  
  • Visualize and communicate a story through preproduction techniques
    
    
  
  
  • Create shots
    
    
  
  
  • Edit a sequence of shots into a working story using editing software
    
    
  
  
  • Add sound and Foley to film
    
    
  
  
  
  

Students will be graded on the following: 



• Meet assigned deadlines
  
  


• Accept and apply critiques
  
  


• Analyze and discuss work using industry specific terminology
  
  


• Prepare for and contribute to class discussions and critiques

Grading Breakdown

40 % of your final grade is the final project

30 % is the midterm test 

30 % is participation in our class dailies and the first group film 'It Came From Beneath the Sea'.