Many people approach movies as passive observers receiving something from passive creators (the director). In reality, every visual text, like every written text, is carefully crafted by its author. We often feel the presence of a particular creator through the use of music, camera angles, editing and other film techniques, but it’s important to be able to recognize that these techniques are used to specifically shape how we feel in order to avoid being manipulated.
- In the past one hundred years film has become a vitally important part of contemporary culture as it , which today is becoming increasingly saturated by visual media. We are called to acknowledge and analyze our greatest sources of entertainment and information as they effect our lives. Comment on the ways that visual media is both saturating and influencing our lives.
- Analysis of media arts is essential to the health of democratic society. Our culture depends on literacy of the electorate–the electorate which gleans its information largely from visual media. We must hone our skills as critical viewers by being knowledgeable in the most popular art form of our time and possessing the analytical skills to understand and interpret film. Comment on how the ability to analyze media is relevant to the literacy of the electorate and why our democracy is dependent on it.
- Film consists of codes, images, and messages, just as traditional literature does, and we develop our means to make meaning when we study this form of expression. Film and literature share similarities and differences that can be compared and contrasted, illuminating both forms. For example, symbolism and setting in a literary text are analogous to and may be demonstrated by color and lighting in a cinematic work. Point of view, another key element of literature, is effected in film by camera angle. And so on. It is no surprise that many filmmakers in recent years as well as in the early days of cinema have turned to classic literature and reinterpret their plots on the silver screen. Comment on studying film as a work of literature and if film can be just as or even more relevant than a literary text.
- One aim of film analysis is to help us gain a better understanding of the director’s intentions. By examining camera movement, camera angle, sound, editing, time manipulation and other aspects, and then discussing and writing about these elements, we consider the narrative and the choices the director made in a critical way that leads to his purpose. Further, we can consider how well the elements work to the director’s end. Comment on the value of examining a director’s intentions and an evaluation of a director’s intentions can change a viewer’s response to a film.
- Because film as an immediacy and all-encompassing manner, it is all too often passively viewed. We as the audience need to develop not only an appreciation for it to move us but realize how and why it does so. Finally, it is important to view films that require more from viewers that to simply watch the picture play. As foreign, art, and independent films increase their audiences in our country, a new culture is rendered–a culture by which we may be inspired, challenged, enriched, and delighted. Comment on how films can inspire, challenge, and enrich the viewers and use specific examples where applicable.
Instructions: When formulating your response to the assigned question, know that I’m expecting a complete and original answer. Your answer should be of at least twelve sentences with a thesis statement, topic sentences, explanations and examples to prove your point. After posting, you will respond to three classmates' posts; when responding to your classmates' posts, you must choose a topic/question that you did not write about. Your response should either agree or disagree with the posting while also illuminating or adding to the dialogue in a meaningful way (approximately five to seven sentences).
A/B=1
C/G/J=2
M/N/P=3
R/T=4
V/W=5
Allison Milian
ReplyDelete3. I feel as if Film is an Art, but not a form of literature. Literature allows the reader's mind to imagine the scenery and the characters, letting the story be more absorbed into the mind of the reader. Film doesn't leave much to the imagination and sometimes has to be viewed more than once to gain full understanding. Even though film has that disadvantage, it is equally as relevant as literature. Movies give more emphasis to the feelings of the characters as it allows the viewer to see their faces. It also shows the environment so viewers can get some background information. Movie genre also changes the feel of a story. Horror and Romance are more vivid on screen,because changes in lighting or certain pans and angles filmed by the cinematographer can set a disturbed feeling or show how much a person admires their love. In " The Life of Pi", the book is based more on religion and diversity, while the movie focuses on Pi as an adult telling the author about his childhood and his journey. Instead of imagining Pi's life, we see it and live through his journey, even though the moments where he finds his religions are short-lived.
I agree with you 100 percent. It honestly infuriates me when people say that books are valued higher than films. It is true that some stories are better told by novels because they leave more to the imagination. It is also true that many stories are better to shown as films. It just depends on what will give the audience a deeper impact.
DeleteI completely agree Allison. Viewing film allows the audience to see the actual structure of the film. Also presents the opportunity for emotional connection. Reading literature forces the reader to use their imagination. Depending on the novel, the risk is that if the reader doesn't have a vivid imagination the whole moral may be misinterpreted.
DeleteThis is a test for all those who think they cannot post :)
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ReplyDeleteThe media plays an important role in democracy and a domestic election this would be impossible without it. Elections aren't just about the freedom to do so or how to make your opinion heard it's also about knowing the right information about parties, policies, candidates to decide what decision is best for you. The media shows its viewers different types of information it shows the process and the democratic elections. That is why a democratic election of media freedom of freedom of press is important. The media has expanded it is not only on the television or the radio it's now online journalism and social media. Our democracy needs media to ensure that many people know as much information as possible. If they don't see it on the television, they might hear it on the radio or see it online even on their phones. Media is everywhere and anyone can get a hold of it. Media is used as a platform for interaction. The media need to be professional, accountable, and reliable. The media comes form different people if it comes form journalists the information is straight from eh polls. If it's form observers the information will be from live interviews of members of polling stations and public reports. If the information is from the radio, television, of online media it is most likely the results of polls. The media is very helpful to prevent frauds and to quickly resolve the problem. Freedom of speech, media, opinions I think of it as a way to express yourself, something that you don't get to do in a communistic society.
ReplyDeleteI disagree Mariela, the media is a very important aspect when it comes to elections but most of the time, when you are watching those "I approve this message" presidential commercials, you are watching payed advertisement that can easily be manipulated to please the eye of the people. For the most part the posts and shows that you watch are false advertisement. Presidents will "promise" certain things that you know are most likely not gonna happen, so from there you already know that the advertisement is just for their own popularity. Social medium does give you the freedom of speech and so on, but there is more negative outcomes forms it than positive when getting it involved with a democracy.
DeleteI disagree with what you said. Like Estefany, I also feel like what we see in the media about elections is not always true. However, I feel like people can get a general look on what candidates plan to offer based on visual media. It is up to Americans to do a little research of their own before making final decisions. Visual media can give us a broad outlook on canidates but we must research them for ourselves if we want to truly know what the canidates plan to contribute to this country.
DeleteIf used wisely, visual media can be the key to open up many doors for an electorate. Having the ability to interpret what the government is trying to say using visual media can be very helpful to electorate. We live in an era now where technology is taking over. We as a democracy need to know what's going on with our government. The electorate can use media to check on updates, threats, positives, and other stuff concerning our government and our nation. It also serves as a gateway to expression. Being a democracy we voted as a nation on who we wanted to be the head of us. Television, magazines, radios, and other sources of media all weigh in on our opinions. Media directly relates to the benefits of us having the ability to analyze it.
ReplyDeleteI disagree Sadandre, yes visual media can be extremely helpful when trying to understand certain ideas and movement having to do with the government, but at the same time it could be Chaotic. If people knew exactly how the government worked it could lead towards something bigger in the aspect that people wouldn't understand why the government does what they do so that could lead to a riot. Not only that but to keep our nation controlled people are retained from some government information to prevent war or possible disagreements. The government is very complicated, hints one of the reasons why government information is kept private for the most part. We have a pretty successful government right now so we shouldn't ruin in it but allowing technology to make the government more public and accessible.
DeleteI agree with most of what you have written Sadandre. I think that we should in fact have some sort of visual media pertaining to the government. However, we need boundaries to this. There needs to be an extent to how much is shown in the visual media. Without limits, I think it would have a more negative impact than a positive one.
DeleteI believe film and literature are the same thing most of the time. When someone is using a novel or auto/biography you are just giving the viewer the story with actors or actresses acting out what is the book some of the times that they are not the same if the director wants to change it into his own view. Which in that context we look at film as are instead of just the book but with the people presented to understand them better. Film can be seen as more relevant than literature. Since literary texts were mainly written before now way in the past they were talking about the things that were relevant at the time. Some of the novels maybe written in this timeline which can make the film relevant to this time. Film can also be determined as film because of the feeling and passion that a director has on a films story. As we know from reading literature is that most or at least all of them were written by there own feeling and passion that they were feeling about and wrote from there heart. Which explains how many directors use literature in there movies.
ReplyDeleteI actually disagree. I feel as if film and literature actually differ. Viewing a film allows the audience to correctly interpret the overall moral of the film. The structure and plot as well. Literature only allows the mind to interpret to a certain extent. What if that extent isn't correct or isn't what the author was going for? For instance, if an actor in a film said "I love you." We as the audience can't tell that was a sincere moment in the film. But if we read it, we could interpret as the person being sarcastic, funny, rude, or sincere.
DeleteI disagree with you, Edgar film and literature are not the same thing a film is a perception that you get form seeing actors on scene. A literature is written in works. How can something being seen on a screen be the same as a written work? They are similar, because films are made based on literature. How ever, I disagree with Sadandre, because we as the audience can tell whether an actor is being sincere or not, because the film provides certain aspects like for example, their actions, point of view or even an over voice of what they are thinking. Now if what you meant was what their point of view is when they are not acting and how we can't tell what they really feel then that is something else.
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ReplyDeleteEvaluating the director's intentions based on examining camera movement,camera angle,sound,editing and so on, is immensely important. The director puts a shot together because it will eventually serve a purpose towards the entire narrative. As the person who "watches" films I can personally tell you that it takes me a few actual viewing periods to understand a film or movie. There is so much more than just the surface of a film, analyzing why a shot was from a low angle or why there was an extreme close up is very important because there is a meaning behind every shot. The more we examine why the director chose to do what he did as far as the cinematography of a film, the more we will understand the entire purpose of a film. Film is like literature in an aspect, an author needs to use plenty of adjectives to help the reader paint an image or get the idea of what exactly he is trying to portray. While film a director, needs to maneuver the camera, shoot and edit in a way that will help the viewer almost step into the film. For example if the director is trying to film from dog's perspective he or she will alter the camera and move it just as a dog would and from the angle that a dog would view as well, this allows the viewer to feel what is going on and no just "watch." If the director choose to simply film a dog running through grass, it would be banal and have no purpose for the viewer. You wouldn't get that actual feeling. Without all of these adjustments and editing that goes on in a film, a film would not be the same and nor would it be as exciting to watch. All of these elements work together and more so manipulate your mind. The director alters, moves, and edits in ways that will have a direct affect on your mind. You will only see what the director wants you too. If the director wants to show foreshadowing, he or she will give you hints, intensify the music, or simply show it. The more we evaluate a film, the more acquisitive we will become when it comes to understanding the intentions of a film director and how much his or her manipulation in the cinematography and music, actually changes how we view a film.
ReplyDeleteIt is a widely known fact that visual media is all around us. It is impossible for something so prominent in our lives not to, in some form, influence them. Films can do this in numerous ways but the main way would have to be in what we define as appealing. Actors in films are often looked upon as being what the average person would inspire to be. They are often extremely desirable; a term which does not have to pertain to looks, however, that is a huge focal point. Desirable can also pertain to how a person acts or is seen overall. For example, a person may not just watch a film and wish to look as "attractive" as an actor, they may wish to act like the actor or even want others to veiw them as they themselves veiw the actor. Desirable can pertain to any of these things depending on the individual. The most widely known desirable trait of of an actor is often their looks because actors are usually what society considers as "flawless". Many people want to be as attractive as an actor they feel is good-looking. It is important to acknowledge that visual media can infuence people in countless, different ways to fully understand the grand impact it has. Since film is so deeply saturated in our lives, it will always and inevitably have these impacts on us.
ReplyDeleteI agree, most viewers want to be as good looking as the actor they look up too. But they are chasing something they think they want when in reality even some celebrities aren't happy with themselves. Overall, almost everyone isn't happy with an aspect of their body. Celebrities in my opinion have just produced these high standards that society thinks they need to meet. If even actors don't fine themselves "flawless" how can society know what that is?
DeleteI completely agree you, it is inevitable to not become at one point influenced but a film. Yes, films are often manipulative, they show you only what they want you to see therefore you do not get other points of view. You begin to only believe what is on the media. It is not only that but the standards are etremely high, the actors are often very attractive and popular so people begin to only be attracted to a specific film because it features certain actors that are very popular and they forget that it is the film that is important and not so often the people who act .
Delete4. The value of examining a director’s intentions is to not only interpret a film from our point of view but also from the point of view of the director to make it more omniscent. There is so much more to a film than we actually think. While we watch a film we start to form opinions and our own interpretation but this is all possible by the choice of camera angles the director chooses. There is no shot that doesn't have a purpose or meaning. Film is almost like a science, everything is very precise and different shots portray different feelings or meanings. The director can also use a camera angle called point of view which makes you feel as if you were one of the characters to change a viewer's response to the film. Now you become emotionally attached to the character feel as if you were in their shoes, this fully engages the viewer. The whole purpose of a film is to develop an interpretation which all depends on the directors intentions and use of camera angles along with other aspects.
ReplyDelete1). Visual media is both saturating and influencing our lives. People are mainly absorbed by movies, television and internet videos. People spend hours a day sitting on a couch or in a theater staring at a screen. People spend days watching new YouTube videos. We pay a lot of money to buy new DVDs or movie tickets. Many conversations that happen on a daily basis are about movies or shows or videos. We talk about new videos we've seen or new movies or shows we want to see. Visual media is also influencing. People are constantly quoting lines from videos and shows. We imitate actions and behaviors of our favorite characters. This can be both harmless and harmful. It is not uncommon for people to copy specific ways of robbery or murder as seen in visual media. This is one of the downsides of visual media.
ReplyDeleteI think the topics that you interwove into each other (media) and (entertainment) are two very different sides of visual media, but well put together. I agree with the fact that as a population we waste a plethora of time watching television and YouTube. Maybe you can come up with a solution?
DeleteFilms have the potential to inspire, challenge, enrich, and delight it's audience based on cinematography that is used specifically for that purpose. Cinematography has a great influence on the narrative included in the film. Once somebody is familiar with cinematography techniques, they are easily noticed by the audience and allows the viewer an insight of e story. Deciphering each techniques then helps make connections between the techniques and the story being told. Most films tell a story that either teaches us something and although most viewers do not notices it, cinematography is responsible for conveying that message to us successfully. People tend to passively view films and I think this is only because they are not familiar with the actual critical thinking and struggles that happen behind the camera in order for the film to be smooth. An example of a movie in which a cinematography analysis supports the narrative is the movie Juno. This is about a teen mom that decides that she will get an abortion. While arriving to the clinic there is a girl protesting against abortion by saying that Juno's baby already has fingernails. While in the clinic, she begins to hear many noises that she finds to be nails every single time. By incorporating the loud noise, we know that it is very taunting for her. Also, the clips of the nails go back and forth to her facial expressions. This parallel effect allows the viewer to see how Juno is responding in a uncertain kind of way. Then, the clips of nails continue to show, however they stop switching back to her face and they play one after another, a little faster every time. This speed and pattern allows the reader to make the conclusion that these nails are as if they were making her go crazy. The speed adds a mortifying effect that allows us to make the conclusion that she is thinking about her baby having these fingernails that are taunting her. Hence, the viewer has an opportunity to be inspired by the actions of others because the film makes them see exactly what is going on inside and outside of the actors. These stories have the potential to keep the audience entertained with a side of the story because of the valid supporting details that the film encompasses.
ReplyDeleteResponse to Allison M.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you. Film should not be considered as literature. There are key differences that set them apart. Literature allows the imagination to run wild. Film gives you a deeper understanding of characters' feelings. I believe that in certain situations one is more relevant than the other.
Response to Mariela
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately I also disagree. The media may be helpful for elections but it can be decisive. Most of the electoral content on the media is manipulated to make the viewers think it is the best choice.
Response to Edgar
ReplyDeleteI also disagree. Film is not the same as literature. They have some similarities but they are different. Film shows you the expressions and emotions of characters. With literature you can only imagine how things are supposed to be. However they are both relevant.
Commenting on the comparative properties of cinematic and literary aspects. I can agree with the statement that indicates that film uses some of the same concepts to portray meaning. Studying cinema like you would a novel is not only possible but necessary for interpreting. This being because literature and cinema follow the same structures. First you have the beginning where you get the feel for the characters personality, life story, and stature. Next the climax or twist of events where the character encounters and obstacle either good or bad. Finally comes the resolution where the character find a solution, nothing happens, or worse meets their demise. Like any successful book these elements are need to keep the reader engaged in the story. In cinema different angles and shots are used to portray different meanings. For example if we are at a low angle looking up at a character the feeling that we get is inferiority because we are looking up a giant while we are tiny and insignificant. In literature it tends to have more subtle components. In the book The Great Gatsby, F. Scott Fitzgerald use colors to depict all the different features of the characters and what the represent. It's almost mind blowing to grab on to these concepts because then you can truly understand the book. Even though literature and cinema are to very different strands of art they still involve each other in order to make a true connection to the audience.
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