The film style known as realism is mainly utilized to convey a meaning of truth. This is usually done in a way that preserves and establishes reality in terms of showing viewers' a sequence that is not manipulated and altered in the edit. A shot is usually held for a long period of time and is not cut in post production, therefore creating one long, continuous take. This form of film making derived from times as early as 1895 when the Lumiere Brothers, Auguste and Louis, created their 50 second short film known as Arrival of the Train. This short film can basically be described as one continuous shot of a train arriving as passengers scramble to gather their belongings and board. As we discussed in film class, early film critics have claimed that viewers of the short film apparently attempted to dodge the locomotive "coming" at them due to how the picture looked so real. This can demonstrate the aspects of realism and how it can truly affect audience members, furthering the idea of how many can be afraid of the concept of reality and the familiar.
A good example of how realism is used in movies can be seen through this scene from the 1985 film The Breakfast Club specifically within the time frame of 0:28 - 2:46. In this scene the five students in the school library are giving confessions as to why they received a Saturday detention. This long, continuous tracking shot of Andrew Clark, played by Emilio Estevez, conveys realism due to how there is not cuts within the sequence. Having watched the film and knowing the traits of his character adds to the strength of the dialogue he delivers, making the scene even more powerful. Not only does Andrew say why he is in detention but gives insight as to how his actions affected him as a person as well as establish the relationship he shares with his father. The emotions and mood of the scene feel real because of how the camera is mainly focused on the character that is deliver his monologue; nothing takes you away from the character and no cut-aways are used within this tracking shot which contributes to and enhances the idea of realism. Notice how the shot is not just stationary, but how it is tracking around Andrew Clark. Doing this creates more of a dramatic mood and feeling to the seen which adds to the power and strength of the scene, showing how this arrogant and masculine character really portrays his empathetic side for others.
Classicism
Classicism is a style of film that demonstrates the fluidity of a scene due to how it condenses all the action without omitting any significant pieces of information out. All the cutting and editing seem invisible to the viewers due to how it is concise and to the point. Given that this style of editing is the most common in Hollywood film making, its focus is mainly centered on the characters as well as the roles they play within the storyline of the scene. Classicism conveys the idea that every cut and shot is crucial and would make the scene incomplete without it.
A great example of classicism is when the audience is so engaged in a scene to the point where the cuts and edits seem as if it is not there during the actions. This scene from the 1998 film Saving Private Ryan is a great example to exemplify classicism due to how the current action is mainly being focused on within the scene. With this scene in particular to the film, the action creates more of a suspenseful mood not only because another character unfortunately dies but how he is being killed. The idea of classicism is heightened through the use of many quick and concise cuts which each revealing a new idea and raising the tension. As the editing style states, every cut seems invisible due to how the actions to the audience are so enthralling because of the power the scene maintains. Additionally it creates more dramatic intent because of how, prior to the scene, audience members have grown to know this character throughout the film as it progresses up until this point in the plot. During the fight between Mellish and the enemy soldier there are many quick cuts between them to demonstrate each of their perspectives. Each shot can convey meaning in terms of showing two shots that portray dominance and superiority to give audience members more context on what the result of the fight will be. In between these cuts we see the knife slowing making its way to Mellish's chest hoping that he will break free and survive. This is where classicism is also emphasized. Everything is so fast paced that the action of the scene becomes even more evident. In the small time frame of 0:49 - 0:53 there is a short cut from a close-up of Mellish's expression as he dies to a medium shot of the two fighting soldiers which finally the final outcome. As the cut seems almost non-existent, the first thing the audience sees is the intended focus which is the enemy on top of Mellish with his own knife lodged in his chest. Additionally the cuts between Mellish fighting and Upham making his way up the stairs with a terrified look on his face establish a sense of parallel action that also heightens the dramatic intent of the scene. Viewers want Upham to make it in time to rescue Mellish but as the cuts and edit moves on between the two actions, it becomes obvious that this sense of poetic justice unfortunately will not be fulfilled.
Formalism
The film style of formalism is a director's way of manipulating time and space in a way that seems nonlinear to the movie's narrative. When taking a formalist approach to a film, reality is not something that wants to be preserved unlike realism or classicism. Director's want to portray a certain scene or sequence so it is perceived through their own eyes and vision. For the most part, this editing style may come off in a way that doesn't seem familiar or even unusual to audience members, which creates a very abstract emotion and tone for the films storyline.
Formalism can really be shown through the director's vision within the scene that it is manifested in. In this bar scene from the 2010 film The Other Guys, Detective Allen Gamble (Will Ferrel) and Detective Terry Hoitz (Mark Wahlberg) go to a bar grab a couple of drinks after failing to complete a case without any mishaps. However this scene can convey that their night was something more than what was expected. This scene can exemplify the film style of formalism due to how it differs from all of the other aspects of the plot's linear narrative. Time and space is manipulated through the use of one continuous freeze frame that takes the audience through the bar as we see Hoitz and Gamble making their way as the night goes one and doing something different each time in each different place within the bar. Although this scene only lasts 45 seconds, the use of this editing technique makes it seem as if the night is moving along over a longer period of time due to how many various events are occurring. This is how formalism shows its significance. Although, at first glance to the audience this scene may be a bit unusual, the viewers are able to gain context in this instance of time. This editing technique can also be referred to as "bullet time" which allows the audience to see and take in all the different aspects and pieces of information that is relevant to the current scene. Within this formalist sequence, one passage of time connects to the effect of their failure, consisting of a night of going crazy, which can also be used to humor the audience. Even if it is not completely pertinent to the entire storyline, the usage of this film style can be utilized for the enjoyment of viewers.
No comments:
Post a Comment