CINEMATIC TECHNIQUE COURSE OVERVIEW

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CINEMATIC TECHNIQUECOURSE OVERVIEW
Motion Picture Production, Distribution, and
Exhibition Chapter 1, Film Art Genre
Overview Chapter 4, Film Art Film
Technique Chapter 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
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CINEMATIC TECHNIQUE
Genre ( zhan-rah)
A way of classifying or grouping films that leads
to analysis of various kinds
The Western the Romance the Epic the
Horror
similar, familiar or instantly-recognizable
patterns, syntax, filmic techniques or
conventions - that include one or more of the
following settings (and props), content and
subject matter, themes, period, plot, central
narrative events, motifs, styles, structures,
situations, recurring icons (e.g., six-guns and
ten-gallon hats in Westerns), stock characters
(or characterizations), and stars (filmsite.org)
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CINEMATIC TECHNIQUE
Genre Examples
HORROR
WESTERN
MUSICAL
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CINEMATIC TECHNIQUE
Genre Examples
HORROR

• CONVENTIONS
• Music use of minor keys, discordant notes
• Setting use of large empty spaces
• Acting edgy, hyper-expressive, over-the-top
• Cinematography point-of-view, use of wide
• angle lenses to exaggerate perspective

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CINEMATIC TECHNIQUE
Genre Functions

• Familiarity with conventions provides viewers a
  visual shorthand to access the meaning being
  communicated.
• Industry can track genres by popularity and
  target certain genres more than others - some
  examples???
• Ritualistic in nature, these conventions help
  viewers affirm cultural values.
• Allow for ambivalent social values - the
  celebrated Godfather is ultimately a criminal,
  yet we can empathize with his character.
• Helps filmmakers quickly channel contemporary
  public attitudes into established story-lines -
  example from current cinema???

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CINEMATIC TECHNIQUE
Genre Other Useful Concepts

• Subgenre gross comedy, heist thriller, more
  examples???
• Genre mixing The marriage of conventions
  drawn from different genres - e.g. sci-fi/fantasy
  meets thriller in Back to the Future, or fantasy
  meets comedy in Big
• Discussion questions at the end of chapter, p 127.

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CINEMATIC TECHNIQUE
Genre Assignment!
Based on the authors definition of genre and
genre-conventions, write a 2-page (double-spaced)
Genre Analysis of a favorite movie. You may use
the questions provided at the end of the chapter
as helpful guidelines in creating your
mini-essay. Due date Feb 15, before class
starts.
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CINEMATIC TECHNIQUECOURSE OVERVIEW
Motion Picture Production, Distribution, and
Exhibition Chapter 1, Film Art Genre
Overview Chapter 4, Film Art Film
Technique Chapter 6, 7, 8, 9, 10