The Art of Watching Films

This introduction to film appreciation uses both contemporary and classic movies to help students develop critical skills in the analysis and evaluation of film. By suggesting what to look for and how to look for it, the text challenges students to sharpen their powers of observation, establish habits of perceptive watching, and discover complex aspects of film art that will further enhance their enjoyment of watching films. In addition, it makes the link from literature to film in chapters on Thematic Elements, Fictional and Dramatic Elements and a unique chapter on Adaptions.

ISBN 007331028X   Part volume WITH Tutorial CD-ROM ISBN13 9780073310282 (What's this?)   Volumes 1 Publisher McGraw-Hill Education - Europe   Weight (grammes) 916 Imprint McGraw Hill Higher Education   Published in London Format Multimedia Item   Previous ISBN 9780072976410 Publication date 12 Dec 2006   Height (mm) 228 DEWEY 791.43   Width (mm) 177 DEWEY edition DC22   Spine width (mm) 20 Pages 608   Academic level General

Preface 1. The Art of Watching Films The Uniqueness of Film The Challenges of Film Analysis The Value of Film Analysis Becoming a Receptive Viewer The Film - Viewing Environment Preparing to See a Film Deepening Our Responses to Films Questions for Analyzing Your Responses to a Film 2. Thematic Elements Theme and Focus Focus on Plot Focus on Emotional Effect or Mood Focus on Character Focus on Style or Texture or Structure Focus on Ideas Identifying the Theme Evaluating the Theme Questions for Analyzing Theme Video Exercises Films for Study 3. Fictional and Dramatic Elements Film Analysis and Literary Analysis The Elements of a Good Story A Good Story Is Unified in Plot A Good Story Is Credible A Good Story Is Interesting A Good Story Is Both Simple and Complex A Good Story Handles Emotional Material with Restraint The Significance of the Title Dramatic Structure Linear, or Chronological, Structure Nonlinear Structures Endings: Fine-Tuning the Denouement Conflict Characterization Characterization through Appearance Characterization through Dialogue Characterization through External Action Characterization through Internal Action Characterization through Reactions of Other Characters Characterization through Contrast: Dramatic Foils Characterization through Caricature and Leitmotif Characterization through Choice of Name Varieties of Characters Allegory Symbolism Universal and Natural Symbols Creating Symbolic Meanings Symbolic Patterns and Progressions Symbolic Values in Conflict Metaphors Overreading Symbolism Irony Dramatic Irony Irony of Situation Irony of Character Irony of Setting Irony of Tone Cosmic Irony Questions for Analyzing Fictional and Dramatic Elements Video Exercises Mini-Movie Exercise DVD Filmmaking Extras Films for Study 4. Visual Design Color Versus Black and White Screen Format (Aspect Ratio) Film Stock Production Design/Art Direction The Script: The Starting Point Setting and Its Effects Studio Versus Location Shooting Period Pieces Living Spaces and Offices Fantasy Worlds Costume and Makeup Design Lighting The Budget's Effect on the Film's Look Questions for Analyzing Visual Design Video Exercises Mini-Movie Exercise DVD Filmmaking Extras Films for Study 5. Cinematography The Importance of the Visual Image The Cinematic Film Cinematic Points of View Objective Point of View Subjective Point of View Indirect-Subjective Point of View Director's Interpretive Point of View Elements of Cinematic Composition Focusing Attention on the Most Significant Object Keeping the Image in Motion Creating an Illusion of Depth Specialized Cinematic Effects Handheld Camera Camera Angles Color, Diffusion, and Soft Focus Special Lenses Fast Motion Special Lighting Effects Movie Magic: Visual Effects in the Modern Film The FX of Animated Feature Films...Especially for Adults FLASHBACK: Animation Becomes the Main Event Questions for Analyzing Cinematography and Special Visual Effects Video Exercises Mini-Movie Exercise: Cinematography Mini-Movie Exercise: Animated FX DVD Filmmaking Extras Films for Study 6. Editing and Special Visual Effects FLASHBACK: Saving the Movies: What Film Editors Have Always Done Selectivity Coherence, Continuity, and Rhythm Transitions Rhythms, Tempo, and Time Control Expansion and Compression of Time Slow Motion The Freeze Frame, the Thawed Frame, and Stills Creative Juxtaposition: Montage Questions for Analyzing Editing Video Exercises Mini-Movie Exercise I Mini-Movie Exercise II DVD Filmmaking Extras Films for Study 7. Color FLASHBACK: Discovering Color at the Movies Color in the Modern Film Effects of Color on the Viewer Color as a Transitional Device Expressionistic Use of Color Color as Symbol Surrealistic Use of Color Leitmotifs in Color Color to Enhance Mood Comic Book Color Comic Strip Color Painterly Effects in Color Ironic Use of Color Special Color Effects Color versu

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