Formalist film theory
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Formalist film theory is an approach to film theory that is focused on the formal or technical elements of a film: i.e., the lighting, scoring, sound and set design, use of color, shot composition, and editing. This approach was proposed by Hugo Münsterberg, Rudolf Arnheim, Sergei Eisenstein, and Béla Balázs.[1] Today, formalist film theory is a recognized approach in film studies.
Formalism in ideological approaches
[edit]Classical Hollywood cinema
[edit]Classical Hollywood cinema uses a style referred to as the institutional mode of representation: continuity editing, massive coverage, three-point lighting, "mood" music, and dissolves. The socio-economic ideological explanation for this is style involves Hollywood's desire to monetarily profit and appeal to ticket-buyers.[2]
Film noir
[edit]Film noir, which was given its name by Nino Frank[relevant? – discuss], is marked by lower production values, darker images, under lighting, location shooting, and general nihilism: this is because during the war and post-war years filmmakers and filmgoers tended to have a pessimistic outlook. Also, the German Expressionists[3] immigrated to America and brought their stylized lighting effects and disillusionment due to the war to American soil.[4]
See also
[edit]- Clement Greenberg
- Clive Bell
- Formalism (art)
- Medium specificity
- Neoformalism (film theory)
- Russian formalism
- Structuralist film theory
Notes
[edit]- ^ Dudley Andrew, The Major Film Theories: An Introduction, Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press, 1976, Part I.
- ^ Bordwell, David. "On The History Of Film Style" (PDF). David Bordwell's website on cinema. pp. 144–148. ISBN 978-0-9832440-3-5. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
- ^ Phillips, Gene D. (2012). Out of the Shadows: Expanding the Canon of Classic Film Noir. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-8189-1.
- ^ Hunt, Kristin (May 21, 2020). "How Fritz Lang's Flight from Nazi Germany Shaped Hollywood". Daily.JStor. JSTOR. Retrieved June 21, 2024.
References
[edit]- Bordwell, David, Film Art: An Introduction; McGraw-Hill; 7th edition (June 2003).
- Braudy, Leo, ed., Film Theory and Criticism: Introductory Readings; Oxford University Press; 6th edition (March 2004).
- Gianetti, Louis, Understanding Movies; Prentice Hall; 10th edition (March 2004)