Pre-reading: Themes, Genre and Style

Define the Genre
Film genres are identifiable types, categories, classifications or groups of films that all incorporate similar techniques or conventions. For example:

• content
• subject matter 
• structures 
• themes 
• mood 
• period
• plot
• settings
• recurring icons
• stock characters
• narrative events 
• situations 
• motifs
• styles
• props
• stars

In relation to Mise en Scene, genres usually incorporate similar, reoccurring/predictable elements within MES. This helps the audience to define the film and categorise it into a particular genre. For example; horror films may use stereotypical dark/dim lighting in a old or abandoned looking setting/location. The colour tone used in the genre is usually dark, dull colours, this usually helps to portray a 'lonely' atmosphere and create tension. There are also reoccurring props used in horror films, these could be for example a weapon of some sort, depending on the setting/location and era, the prop may vary. Often, horror films incorporate a minimal amount of props to create the feeling of suspense and loneliness, and to also make the audience focus on the narrative and characters. Blocking may also be used to portray to the audience what is unknown to the character, but something we as the audience can see. Blocking also provides hierarchy and dominance.

Define the Style 

German Expressionism 

It lead the world in productions, dealing with the supernatural; sci fi and monsters. 

Began when moviemaking was peaking

Known as an important milestone in film 

Movie making used more in studio productions to get more control over setting / artistic properties

Symbolism and  claustrophobic atmosphere were popular in German Expressionism

Movies were no longer always happy or realistic

A popular film that explores German Expressionism is METROPOLIS ; one of the earliest versions of horror films 

The style of the film and it's messages:

Physcologically mysterious 

Express a different view point on things like life 

Usually stressful and unstable

Sets are usually assymetrical with silhouettes and shadows being an important part

After ww1 people embraced the artistic style of German Expressionism 

As there was little budget to invest into film, this resulted in nonrealistic sets 

German Expressionism made a huge impact on how we control lights and scenery 

Expressionism included horror films and film noir 

 

Cinematography terminology

2001 Space Odyssey: Cinematography

Narrative: the way the story has been told; evolution of man; Darwin
Sub-text: underlying ideas; messages and meaning
You get all of the above by analysing the film text; mise en scene, cinematography (one shot could have all of the meaning), blocking etc

What meaning was cinematography creating?/What is the meaning of the way it has been shot?
Apes hiding from something
The camera filmed the ape with power as it was shot from below him, this portrayed his gaining of power and dominance. - (Low angles used). Could portray man learning to kill and hunt using tools (the gorilla killing with a bone).
The bone is thrown in the air, and travels through space, the camera follows this. This shows human progress throughout millions of years of evolution, into one cut. The bone and the spaceship have the same shape and overlap, this is called a graphic match. 
Central/middle framing on the main gorilla.
The close up on the gorilla connects the audience to the character.
The black wall/door is positioned in the centre of the frame. The gorilla's all touched this, could this have made them evolve?
Black symbolises mystery. The sun sits over the top of the door/wall; low angle shot that places the sun in the centre of the screen. It is constantly referenced and in tact with the sky. Could this have come from space/the sky? The low angle shot of the wall/door takes the eye to the sun, which is the centre shot. Could this portray the destiny/the future OR could it portray the past/how it came about? There must be a reason for this, could this be aliens?


What ideas are being communicated?
We are now suppose to be looking out for unusual shots. This black door/wall comes from space, which helps apes evolve into human evolution. This could come from space, which humans eventually go back to (last shot into space).
This could also be an interpretation that this came from God, the low angle sun shot could portray an act of God; however this contradicts the ideology man's evolution to Christian God.

Male Gaze and Voyeurism

-Women are viewed as weak, vulnerable and eye candy for the film.
-Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho 'Shower Scene' is a perfect example of the male gaze and voyeurism  
We see Norman Bates spying on the woman in the shower through the peep hole.
When she goes into the bathroom: this is usually the brightest room, which means the audience can therefore see her body more clearly.
She closes the door, as if to protect her, however we soon find out that this door does not protect her much at all, portraying that women are weak and powerless.
When Marion takes off her clothes, she is portrayed sexually and also in a vulnerable situation.
Because she is nude, we know that there is nothing to protect her.

Voyeurism

-The sexual interest of spying on people who are engaged in intimate behaviours
-Undressing/sexual activities
-The voyer does not usually directly relate to the situation
-Unaware of being observed
-Voyeurism may involve a secret photograph or video
-When obsessive, this behaviour can be described as stalking.

The Male Gaze

-Feminist theory
-Laura Mulvey, 1975
-The audience/viewer is put into a heterosexual perspective
-Dominant male gaze in popular Hollywood films reflects and satisfies the male
        -most filmmakers are male, therefore the voyeuristic gaze of the camera is male

Mise en scene (blocking)

-lighting
-performance/body language
-framing and composition
-props
-settings and decor
-colour
-costume: their personalities

Lighting:
-Dim lighting

Performance and body language:
-Bradley Cooper sat further back at the beginning showing his insignificance

Framing and composition:
-Rarely in the same frame

Props:
-Minimal props are used
-drugs
-alcohol

Setting/decor:
-bar or pub

Costume / hair and make up:
-suit
-scruffy looking

Colour:
-dull colour tones

What themes does this next scene raise? The changes in the character:

Several different versions of himself act as though he has a super power.

Lighting:
-bright lights now change from previous scene

Performance:
-working fast, etc, different versions of himself
-close up of his face : emotional connection

Props:
Setting and decor:
-his own home, brighter than the previous scene

Colour:
-Brighter, cleaner looking clothing
-brighter eyes than before