Writing About Film

Formal Analysis is one kind of film writing. Formal Analysis is when the viewer has to break down the film. The viewer does this in order to discuss how these parts of the film contribute to the film as a whole. Being familiar with key terms in film is one way how you can be a good Formal Analysis writer.

Another type of film writing is Film History. Film history is when a film has aspects of history in it or arre influenced by history. These type of films and their writing contribute to the historical events and the culture that it came from. An example would be a war film. Not only does a film have aspects of history but they create their own history. For example, all films have production histories which involve the details of how, why, and when they were made. Another reason is that some films are generaly released and produced for a certain audience. Finally, some films create history beause of its innovations or because it reflects certain historical trends. Another type of film writing is Ideological Papers. Ideological papers are when films promote some set of beliefs. Some of these beliefs can be political. Even though some films can promote entertainment, we have to watch out that can manipulate our feelings or views on a certain set of values. For example, Mary Poppins, promotes that fathers need to take more interest and be there for their families more often. The fourth type of film writing is Cultural Studies/ National Cinemas. Cultural Studies/National Cinemas is when the films represent and reflect the cultures they were produced in. Different places have different cultures that films are produced in. For example when watching a French film we might wonder why its funny. Hollywood films seem to portray our love for distraction and more. These difference will tell the viewers whether or not the differences reflect something about the national character or if they reflect trends in the national cinema. The last type of film writing is Discussion of the Auteur. The discussion of the Auteur is when the Auteur criticism understands a film as the product of a single person and his vision. The director is this in most cases. Auteur critiscism is helpful in many ways. A way in which it is helpful is because it helps us understand what makes a film a "Spielberg" film. Although, this can can be based on assumptions that films are like novels. This says the one person is in control. The best auteur criticism draws on other sources like film history or formal anaylsis. Lastly, film is known as a collaborative medium; therefore showing that not one person in in control.

"Annotating a Film Sequence" involves labeling each shot in a sequence. An example of this would be; the first shot being an establishing shot which then transistions into a dolly shot. Then the dolly shot comes to a medium shot of the main character. Then next comes a reverse angle subjective close up shot, which dissolves into a montage. Being able to lable the shots enables you to keep track of the complex sequences of shots. Looking back on your annotations can help show a pattern of movement or editing decisions. This can help show how the director crafted his film and why the film has a certain effect on the audience.

When the author says "Think Beyond the Frame" she is implying to ask yourself questions like how the film was made, its historical context and so on. The type of questions she is implying you to ask are: Who made the film, What is the production history of the film, what do the critics and scholars say, what can you learn from the film's genre, and does the film reflect an interesting cultural phenomenon. When answering the question Who made the film?, you want to find out who directed the film and what other films that director has produced. When answering the question What is the production history of the film?, you want to try and found out background information on the conditions under which the film was made. An example would be the movie Apocalypse Now. In that movie, there is an interesting production history, in terms of its financing, casting, writing, and etc. This can help figure out the thematic choices that the director chose for the movie. When answering the question  what do the critics and scholars say?, you want to look at reviews of the movie so you have an idea on what observations you need to make when watching the film. When answering the question, what can you learn from the film's genre?, you want to see how the norms and limitations of the genre are obeyed and stretched. Lastly, when answering the question does the film reflect an interesting cultural phenomenon?, you want to focus on the phenomenon of stardom. For example, The Scarlet Letter has  the idea of viewing it as a "star vehicle" because it contributes to Demi Moore's star persona.