Classical Hollywood Style in Film Form

-

 CLASSICAL STYLE FILM FORM

KEY RULES AND CONVENTIONS - REFERENCE: CASABLANCA 1942


CINEMATOGRAPHY AND LIGHTING

  • The searchlight illuminates at random times and used in key moments of the film
  • The 180 - degree rule, which is by keeping the camera on one side of an imaginary axis between two characters, the first character is always frame right of the second character.
  • The noir lighting conveys the mood of war
  • Rick showed in half-light representing his split personality
  • Ilsa was shot mostly from the left side with the use of a gauze filter and very soft lighting in which made her eyes illuminate to convey innocence and despair

EDITING

  • The film conforms to the rules of classical Hollywood style in editing. 
  • In the classical period, the type of editing that was preferred was continuity editing
  • The editing is seamless and transparent throughout to make the cuts invisible.
  • The use of the montage at the beginning is typical in classical Hollywood films
  • The time and space are unified and linear to match the perception of reality in the films. For instance, they prefer to take 180 degrees shot to move around the characters rather than use jump cuts.
  • The narrative solution needs to be clear

MISE - EN - SCENE

  • The exotic locations give the film a sense of glamour and romance
  • Paris evokes romance and nostalgia with Rick and Ilsa. Their world of romance is interrupted once the German occupied France
  • The final scenes and sequences of the film were shot mainly in the studio. A cardboard copy of an aeroplane was used in the background with human miniatures to depict mechanics and imitate an actual airport. 
  • The use of the miniatures in the background with the key characters in the foreground creates a forced perspective
  • Although the film is shot in a controlled environment it has to look realistic and believable to the viewers
  • Should be realistic and consistent
  • Should support the narrative rather than overtake it

SOUND

  • Different music used to match the on-screen action
  • Orchestral music used in Rick's Cafe
  • When Ilsa requested Sam to play "As Time Goes By"; The soundtrack essential to the plot. This song is crucial to the film because the lyrics describe timeless love. The lyrics represent the affection between Rick and Ilsa. Even though at the end of the film they parted ways, Rick still portrayed high regards for Ilsa

PERFORMANCE

  • Facial expressions and a clear portrayal of emotions
  • Physical expressions such as body posture
  • Vocal delivery and interactions between characters 











Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Why is the short film "Wallace & Gromit" engaging?

-
Image
      Wallace and Gromit: The Wrong Trousers How is it engaging?  The director of Wallace and Gromit successfully makes the film engaging to the audience by using several different filmmaking techniques. For instance, he uses the stages of Todorov's Narrative Theory which assists the audience in understanding the story and the plot of the film in an organized and structural manner. According to this theory, the film will start with an equilibrium which in this case is Wallace and Gromit peacefully living together and having breakfast in the morning. This is greatly highlighted through the soft chill music in the background of the scene.    Next is an action or character disrupting the equilibrium which is the penguin's arrival and him taking over Gromit's role in the home. This disruption is shown through the way the music changes upon his arrival and becomes eerie, immediately emphasising how the penguin is a threat; essentially acting as a warning to the audience.   Furth
Read more

No Country For Old Men: Opening Scene

-
Image
 NO COUNTRY FOR OLD MEN In the opening sequence, we are introduced with a voiceover of a mysterious character who we don’t know yet, however, it is evident that he’s going to be a significant character in the movie. Diegetic sounds are clearly used such as the sounds of the police officer and the closing of the police car door, as well as the sound of the protagonist placing an object on the front seat of the car. The non-diegetic sounds of the wind blowing softly emphasize the isolation of the setting and atmosphere, which as a result, makes the placement of the characters strange. The lack of soundtrack during the killing of the policeman illustrates the lack of importance of the character’s death, mirroring the lack of empathy the main character has. Moreover, Chigurh's first dialogue is threatening along with his expression. His voice is monotone and he slightly smiles as he shoots the police officer. This gives the audience the impression that he also may be a psychopath.  The
Read more

The Grandmother: Analysis

-
Image
 THE GRANDMOTHER  DAVID LYNCH How does David Lynch turn these ordinary aspects of life into surreal nightmares? Being born: - Jittery and twitchy movements in a stop motion manner - The parents come in straight up while the child comes in sideways, which could symbolise him being born in the wrong place and may not fit in - Aggressive and violent movements may be foreshadowing how the boy's parents will treat him during the film - We only hear animal noises, which makes the film seem animalistic. It may also be a representation of how newborn children perceive the world and are still unable to comprehend words - Barking and crawling, which is inhumane Growing up: - The boy is mostly been neglected by his parents - Sorrowful and isolating atmosphere - Grey undertones with an overall dark ambience, which makes the environment seem cold - Pasty white colour that consumes their faces made vivid by the high contrast film making the boy seem sickly. Also, the red lipstick suggests that d
Read more