Essays
Introduction: The Desire for Normality What does it mean to be "normal"? In a sane world, normality implies a balance, a healthy integration with one’s community. But what happens when the world itself goes mad? In Bernardo Bertolucci’s masterpiece The Conformist (Il Conformista, 1970), "normality&
Introduction to Film Studies
Synthesis is the realization that cinema is a Gesamtkunstwerk - a "total work of art" where every element operates in simultaneous harmony.
Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Film Studies Lesson 12: Ideology Part of the Introduction to Film Studies course. ⬅️Previous Lesson | Course Syllabus | Next Lesson ➡️ The Politics of the Image Introduction: "It’s Just a Movie" The most common defense of cinema—and the most dangerous one—is the phrase, "Relax,
Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Film Studies Lesson 11: Genre Part of the Introduction to Film Studies course. ⬅️Previous Lesson | Course Syllabus | Next Lesson ➡️ The Rituals of Storytelling Introduction: The Contract of Expectation When you walk into a library, you don't just look for "a book." You look for
Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Film Studies Lesson 10: Documentary Part of the Introduction to Film Studies course. ⬅️Previous Lesson | Course Syllabus | Next Lesson ➡️ The Creative Treatment of Actuality Introduction: The Fiction of Non-Fiction We tend to divide cinema into two neat, opposing boxes: Fiction (made up) and Documentary (real). This is a
Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Film Studies Lesson 9: Realism vs. Formalism Part of the Introduction to Film Studies course. ⬅️Previous Lesson | Course Syllabus | Next Lesson ➡️ The Hidden Narrative Introduction: The Window vs. The Frame Every filmmaker must answer one philosophical question before they pick up a camera: What is the purpose of
Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Film Studies Lesson 8: Auteur Theory Part of the Introduction to Film Studies course. ⬅️Previous Lesson | Course Syllabus | Next Lesson ➡️ Who is the Author? Introduction: The Director as God When we discuss a novel, we say, "This is a book by Hemingway." When we discuss a
Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Film Studies Lesson 7: Sound Part of the Introduction to Film Studies course. ⬅️Previous Lesson | Course Syllabus | Next Lesson ➡️ The Hidden Narrative Introduction: The Forgotten Sense We call it "watching" a movie, but we should call it "experiencing" a movie. While the eyes are
Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Film Studies Lesson 6: Editing Part of the Introduction to Film Studies course. ⬅️Previous Lesson | Course Syllabus | Next Lesson ➡️ The Invisible Art Prerequisite: Lesson 5: Cinematography Introduction: The Third Meaning In the previous lessons, we discussed the "Raw Materials" of cinema – the script, the set, the
Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Film Studies Lesson 5: Cinematography Part of the Introduction to Film Studies course. ⬅️Previous Lesson | Course Syllabus | Next Lesson ➡️ The Camera’s Consciousness Prerequisite: Lesson 4: Mise-en-scène Introduction: The All-Seeing Eye In the previous lesson, we looked at what was in the room (Mise-en-scène). Now, we turn our
Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Film Studies Lesson 4: Mise-en-scène Part of the Introduction to Film Studies course. ⬅️Previous Lesson | Course Syllabus | Next Lesson ➡️ The Psychology of the Room Prerequisite: Lesson 3: The Principles of Form Introduction: The Director as Architect In the previous lesson, we analyzed the abstract rules of Form and
Introduction to Film Studies
Introduction to Film Studies Lesson 3: The Principles of Form Part of the Introduction to Film Studies course. ⬅️Previous Lesson | Course Syllabus | Next Lesson ➡️ The Hidden Logic of the Movie Prerequisite: Lesson 2: Narrative Structure Introduction: The Closed System In the previous lesson, we looked at how filmmakers manipulate Time