The Art of Watching Films with Tutorial CD-ROM

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.

Table of Contents:
Preface1. The Art of Watching FilmsThe 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 FilmsQuestions for Analyzing Your Responses to a Film2. Thematic ElementsTheme and FocusFocus on PlotFocus on Emotional Effect or Mood Focus on Character Focus on Style or Texture or Structure Focus on Ideas Identifying the Theme Evaluating the ThemeQuestions for Analyzing Theme Video Exercises Films for Study 3. Fictional and Dramatic ElementsFilm 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 StructureLinear, or Chronological, Structure Nonlinear Structures Endings: Fine-Tuning the Dénouement Conflict CharacterizationCharacterization 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 SymbolismUniversal and Natural Symbols Creating Symbolic Meanings Symbolic Patterns and Progressions Symbolic Values in Conflict Metaphors Overreading Symbolism IronyDramatic Irony Irony of Situation Irony of Character Irony of Setting Irony of Tone Cosmic Irony Questions for Analyzing Fictional and Dramatic Elements Video ExercisesMini-Movie Exercise DVD Filmmaking Extras Films for Study 4. Visual DesignColor Versus Black and White Screen Format (Aspect Ratio)Film Stock Production Design/Art DirectionThe 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 ExercisesMini-Movie ExerciseDVD Filmmaking Extras Films for Study 5. CinematographyThe Importance of the Visual Image The Cinematic Film Cinematic Points of ViewObjective 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 FilmThe FX of Animated Feature Films…Especially for AdultsFLASHBACK: Animation Becomes the Main EventQuestions 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 EffectsFLASHBACK: Saving the Movies: What Film Editors Have Always DoneSelectivity Coherence, Continuity, and Rhythm TransitionsRhythms, Tempo, and Time Control Expansion and Compression of TimeSlow MotionThe Freeze Frame, the Thawed Frame, and StillsCreative Juxtaposition: MontageQuestions for Analyzing Editing Video Exercises Mini-Movie Exercise I Mini-Movie Exercise II DVD Filmmaking Extras Films for Study 7. ColorFLASHBACK: Discovering Color at the MoviesColor in the Modern FilmEffects 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 versus Black and White Questions for Analyzing Color Video Exercises Mini-Movie Exercise DVD Filmmaking Extras Films for Study 8. Sound Effects and DialogueSound and the Modern Film Dialogue Three-Dimensionality in Sound Visible and Invisible Sound Points of View in Sound Special Uses of Sound Effects and DialogueSound Effects to Tell an Inner Story Distortion of Sound to Suggest Subjective States The "Personality" of Mechanical Sounds Slow-Motion Sound Ironic Juxtaposition of Sound and Image Placing Unusual Emphasis on Sound Using Sound for Texture, Time, and Temperature Sound as a Plot Device Sound as a Transitional Element Voice-Over Narration Silence as a Sound Effect Rhythmic Qualities of Dialogue and Sound Effects The "Sounds" of Foreign Language of International FilmsVoice Dubbing FLASHBACK: Dubious DubbingSubtitlesQuestions for Analyzing Sound Effects and Dialogue Video Exercises Mini-Movie Exercise DVD Filmmaking Extras Films for Study 9. The Musical ScoreThe Remarkable Affinity of Music and Film The Importance of the Musical Score General Functions of the Musical Score Special Functions of the Musical ScoreHeightening the Dramatic Effect of Dialogue Telling an Inner Story Providing a Sense of Time and Place Foreshadowing Events or Building Dramatic Tension Adding Levels of Meaning to the Visual Image Characterization through Music Triggering Conditioned Responses Traveling Music Providing Important Transitions Setting an Initial Tone Musical Sounds as Part of the Score Music as Interior Monologue Music as a Base for Choreographed Action Covering Possible Weaknesses in the Film Synthesizer Scoring Balancing the ScoreQuestions for Analyzing the Musical Score Video Exercises Mini-Movie Exercise DVD Filmmaking Extras Films for Study 10. ActingThe Importance of Acting The Goal of the Actor Becoming the Character Differences Between Film Acting and Stage Acting FLASHBACK: Silent Films: Acting on the PastTypes of ActorsImpersonators Interpreters and Commentators Personality Actors The Star System CastingCasting Problems The Typecasting Trap Supporting Players Special Casting Challenges Extras and Small Parts Actors as Creative Contributors Subjective Responses to ActorsQuestions for Analyzing Acting Video Exercises Mini-Movie Exercise I Mini-Movie Exercise II DVD Filmmaking Extras Films for Study 11. The Director’s StyleThe Concept of Style Subject Matter Cinematography Editing Setting and Set Design Sound and Score Casting and Acting Performances Screenplays and Narrative Structure Evolving Styles and Flexibility Special Edition: The Director’s Cut A Portfolio of Four DirectorsQuestions About Analyzing a Director’s Style Mini-Movie Exercise DVD Filmmaking Extras Films for Study 12. Analysis of the Whole FilmThe Basic Approach: Watching, Analyzing, and Evaluating the FilmTheme The Relationship of the Parts to the Whole The Film’s Level of Ambition Objective Evaluation of the Film Subjective Evaluation of the Film The Film as Technical Achievement The Film as Showcase for the Actor: The Personality Cult< br> The Film as Product of a Single Creative Mind: The Auteur Approach The Film as Moral, Philosophical, or Social Statement The Film as Emotional or Sensual Experience The Film as Repeated Form: The Genre Approach The Film as Political Statement The Film as Gender Statement The Film as Insight to the Mind: The Psychoanalytical Approach The Eclectic Approach Rereading the Reviews Evaluating the Reviewer Developing Personal CriteriaQuestions About Analyzing the Whole Film Mini-Movie Exercise I Mini-Movie Exercise II DVD Filmmaking Extras Films for Study 13. AdaptationsThe Problems of AdaptationChange in Medium Change in Creative Artists Cinematic Potential of the Original Work Adaptations of Prose Fiction Literary Versus Cinematic Points of View Third-Person Point of View: Challenges First-Person Point of View: Challenges The Problem of Length and Depth Philosophical Reflections Summarizing a Character’s Past The Challenge of Summarizing Events Literary Past Tense Versus Cinematic Present Tense Other Factors Influencing Adaptations of Fiction Adaptations of Plays Structural Divisions Sense of Space Film Language Versus Stage Language Stage Conventions Versus Cinema Conventions Other Changes From Fact to Film: Reality to Myth Questions for Analyzing Adaptations Mini-Movie Exercise DVD Filmmaking Extras Films for Study 14. Genre Films, Remakes, and SequelsGenre Films Values The Strengths of Genre Films Basic Genre Conventions--and Their Variations Remakes and Sequels Remakes Sequels Questions for Analyzing Genre Films, Remakes, and Sequels Mini-Movie Exercise DVD Filmmaking Extras Films for Study 15. Film and SocietyFilm ForeignnessDoes American Film Shape or Reflect Social and Cultural Values?The Motion Picture Production Code, 1930-1960Excerpts From the Motion Picture Production Code Censorship in Transition, 1948-1968The MPAA Rating SystemMotion Picture Association of America Voluntary Movie Rating System Censorship and Films on TelevisionBeyond the Code and Rating SystemChanging Formulas for the Treatment of Sex, Violence, and LanguageSocial Problem Films FLASHBACK: Really Reel LifeQuestions for Analyzing Films in Society Mini-Movie Exercise DVD Filmmaking Extras Films for Study Notes GlossaryIndexCreditsOnline Appendix: Writing a Film Analysis - http://www.mhhe.com/awf7Sample Student Paper 1: Analysis of a Complete Film(John Ford’s The Grapes of Wrath)Sample Student Paper 2: Analysis of Selected Film Elements(Martin Scorsese’s Taxi Driver)Sample Student Paper 3: Analysis for Study(Martin Scorsese’s The Age of Innocence)Selected Bibliography and Study Materials ReferenceFilm History and CultureSilent FilmDirectorsFilm Types and TopicsSpecific FilmsCollections of Reviews, Essays, and InterviewsFilm Aesthetics and TheoryFilm PeriodicalsMultimedia SourcesInternet SitesDVD/Videocassette Sources via Mail