2.1 Foundations of formalist film theory
2 min read•july 24, 2024
prioritizes , emphasizing techniques like montage and defamiliarization. It rejects realism in favor of , using editing, , and to create meaning beyond narrative.
This approach influenced movements like Soviet Montage and , shaping film analysis and criticism. Its impact continues in contemporary filmmaking through innovative visual styles and experimental techniques.
Key Principles and Techniques of Formalist Film Theory
Principles of formalist film theory
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- Form over content prioritizes construction techniques over narrative or themes
- juxtaposes shots to create meaning through intellectual combination of unrelated images (Eisenstein's Battleship Potemkin)
- defamiliarizes familiar elements enhancing audience perception (Vertov's Man with a Movie Camera)
- Unique properties of film emphasized , , and
- favors stylization and (German Expressionist films)
- Formalist analysis breaks down films into constituent elements studying their interplay
Formalist techniques for meaning
- create meaning through rhythmic patterns, , and
- Cinematography utilizes (low, high, Dutch tilt), movements (tracking, panning, zooming), lens choices (wide-angle, telephoto), and (high-key, low-key, )
- Mise-en-scène incorporates , , , , , movement, , and to convey meaning
Defamiliarization and Impact of Formalist Theory
Defamiliarization in film theory
- Ostranenie makes familiar appear strange heightening audience awareness of the medium
- Challenges automatic perception through unusual camera angles, distorted visuals, non-linear narratives, and exaggerated performances
- Relates to montage by creating new meanings through juxtaposition
- Emphasizes artificial aspects of the medium through stylization
Impact of formalism on cinema
- Influenced Soviet Montage movement (Eisenstein, Vertov, Kuleshov)
- Contributed to avant-garde and (, )
- Impacted narrative filmmaking through innovative editing and increased attention to visual style
- Developed for film analysis and criticism
- Influenced later movements (French New Wave, )
- Remains relevant in contemporary cinema through visual effects, music video aesthetics, and stylized genre films (neo-noir, hyper-realism)
Key Terms to Review (33)
Abstract Films: Abstract films are a genre of cinema that prioritize visual and auditory experiences over narrative or character development. These films often employ unconventional techniques, such as non-representational imagery and experimental sound, to evoke emotions and provoke thought rather than tell a traditional story. The focus on form and aesthetics aligns with formalist film theory, emphasizing the importance of the film's structure and visual language in conveying meaning.
Abstraction: Abstraction in film refers to the process of simplifying or distorting elements of reality to create a style that prioritizes aesthetic experience over narrative coherence. This approach allows filmmakers to explore deeper themes and emotions without being constrained by traditional storytelling methods. Abstraction can manifest through visual techniques, sound design, and editing choices, pushing audiences to engage with films on a more conceptual level rather than just a literal one.
Actor positioning: Actor positioning refers to the strategic placement of performers within a scene, influencing how they are perceived by the audience and contributing to the overall narrative and emotional impact of the film. This technique helps to establish relationships between characters, convey power dynamics, and enhance the visual storytelling through framing and composition. The placement can also create tension or harmony, depending on the desired effect in a particular scene.
Avant-garde cinema: Avant-garde cinema refers to a genre of films that challenge conventional narrative structures and aesthetic norms, often exploring innovative forms and techniques. This type of filmmaking is characterized by its experimental nature, pushing the boundaries of what is considered mainstream cinema while emphasizing artistic expression over commercial viability. Avant-garde cinema often embraces abstract imagery, unconventional editing, and non-linear storytelling, promoting a unique viewing experience that provokes thought and encourages new interpretations.
Camera Angles: Camera angles refer to the specific position and orientation from which a camera captures a scene in a film. They play a crucial role in shaping the visual storytelling, influencing how audiences perceive characters, emotions, and narrative dynamics. By varying camera angles, filmmakers can manipulate viewer engagement and emotional responses, as well as highlight important thematic elements within a film.
Chiaroscuro: Chiaroscuro is an artistic technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of volume and three-dimensionality in visual art and film. This technique enhances the dramatic effect of a scene, guiding the viewer's focus and influencing their emotional response. By manipulating light and shadow, chiaroscuro contributes to visual storytelling by creating depth, mood, and atmosphere, making it essential in film language, formalist analysis, and the expressive use of lighting and color.
Cinematography: Cinematography is the art and technology of capturing motion pictures on film or digital media, involving the selection of camera angles, lighting, shot composition, and movement to convey visual storytelling. It plays a crucial role in shaping the aesthetic quality of a film and enhancing the viewer's emotional experience by influencing how a story is perceived.
Close reading techniques: Close reading techniques refer to a careful and detailed analysis of a text or film, focusing on its language, structure, and meaning to uncover deeper insights. In the context of film theory, this approach allows viewers to examine how elements such as cinematography, editing, sound, and mise-en-scène contribute to the overall narrative and emotional impact of a film. Close reading helps in appreciating the artistry involved in filmmaking and understanding the layers of meaning that may not be immediately apparent.
Color palette: A color palette refers to the specific selection and arrangement of colors used in a film to create visual harmony and evoke particular emotions. This deliberate choice influences the film's mood, style, and overall artistic expression, connecting closely to elements such as storytelling, character development, and thematic depth.
Costumes: Costumes are the clothing and accessories worn by actors in a film, serving as visual indicators of character identity, social status, and period setting. They play a vital role in storytelling by enhancing the audience's understanding of characters' motivations and backgrounds, as well as contributing to the film's overall aesthetic. Costumes can also influence the mood and tone of a scene, making them an essential component of formalist film theory.
Editing Techniques: Editing techniques refer to the methods and processes filmmakers use to assemble shots, create sequences, and shape the overall narrative of a film. These techniques play a crucial role in controlling the pacing, rhythm, and emotional impact of a film, making them vital for storytelling and artistic expression.
Experimental cinema: Experimental cinema refers to a genre of filmmaking that pushes the boundaries of traditional narrative structures and cinematic techniques, often emphasizing artistic expression over commercial viability. It challenges viewers to engage with the medium in innovative ways, exploring themes and concepts that may be unconventional or abstract. By breaking away from established norms, experimental cinema creates a unique space for self-expression and cultural critique, making it significant in various theoretical frameworks.
Form over content: Form over content refers to a principle in film theory that emphasizes the stylistic elements of a film—such as visuals, editing, and sound—over its narrative or thematic substance. This approach suggests that the way a story is told can be more significant than the actual story being conveyed, highlighting how techniques shape the viewer's experience and interpretation.
Formalist film theory: Formalist film theory is an approach to understanding cinema that emphasizes the form and structure of films over their content and context. This theory focuses on the elements of film such as editing, cinematography, and mise-en-scène, analyzing how these components work together to create meaning and evoke emotional responses in viewers. By prioritizing the aesthetics and technical aspects of filmmaking, formalism provides a distinct perspective on how films can be interpreted and appreciated.
Graphic Match Cuts: Graphic match cuts are a film editing technique where two visually similar shots are juxtaposed, creating a seamless transition that connects two different scenes through their shared visual elements. This technique is often used to establish thematic links or to suggest a metaphorical relationship between the two images, enhancing the storytelling by visually guiding the audience's perception.
High-key lighting: High-key lighting is a style of illumination in film and photography that creates a bright, even, and shadowless effect, often associated with cheerful or lighthearted moods. This technique uses multiple light sources to minimize contrast and highlights, making the scene appear more vibrant and less dramatic. High-key lighting connects to various aspects of film theory, cinematography, and the expressive use of color and light.
Intellectual Montage: Intellectual montage is a film editing technique that juxtaposes two or more images to generate a specific idea or emotional response in the viewer. This method relies on the contrast between images to create meaning that goes beyond their individual content, engaging the audience’s intellect and prompting them to make connections between the visuals. This concept is central to formalist film theory, especially as it relates to early film theorists who explored the power of editing in storytelling and expression.
Lighting Styles: Lighting styles in film refer to the techniques and choices made to illuminate scenes, affecting the mood, tone, and visual aesthetics of the film. Different lighting styles can evoke various emotional responses and highlight certain aspects of a scene or character, significantly impacting storytelling. Understanding these styles is essential in analyzing how light contributes to narrative structure and visual composition within the realm of formalist film theory.
Low-key lighting: Low-key lighting is a cinematographic technique characterized by high contrast between light and shadow, creating a dramatic and moody atmosphere in a scene. This approach often involves the use of a single light source, leading to areas of darkness that can enhance the emotional tone of the film. By manipulating shadows and highlights, filmmakers can convey themes of mystery, tension, or unease, while also shaping the visual composition.
Makeup: In film, makeup refers to the application of cosmetics and other materials to enhance or alter the appearance of actors on screen. This can include everything from basic beauty makeup to special effects makeup used to create characters, age actors, or simulate injuries. Makeup plays a crucial role in storytelling by helping to visually convey character traits, emotions, and transformations within a narrative.
Mise-en-scène: Mise-en-scène refers to the arrangement of everything that appears in the framing of a film, including settings, props, actors, costumes, and lighting. It plays a crucial role in shaping the visual storytelling and emotional tone of a film, making it a foundational element in film as an artistic medium.
Montage theory: Montage theory is a film editing technique that emphasizes the juxtaposition of images and sounds to create meaning, emotion, and narrative. It plays a crucial role in how film as an artistic medium conveys complex ideas and feelings, allowing filmmakers to manipulate time, space, and viewer perception through strategic editing choices. By assembling disparate shots into a cohesive sequence, montage not only enhances storytelling but also serves as a foundational concept in various theoretical approaches to understanding cinema.
Movement: Movement in film refers to the way elements within a scene are arranged to create a sense of action, rhythm, and visual flow. This can include the physical motion of the camera, the movement of characters, or the dynamic arrangement of objects in the frame. Movement is essential in shaping audience perception and emotional engagement, as it guides the viewer's attention and influences the narrative pacing.
New German Cinema: New German Cinema refers to a film movement that emerged in West Germany during the late 1960s and continued into the 1980s, characterized by innovative storytelling, experimental techniques, and a focus on social issues. This movement sought to challenge conventional filmmaking practices and often reflected the political and cultural upheavals of post-war Germany, emphasizing author-driven narratives that highlighted personal and collective struggles.
Ostranenie: Ostranenie, often translated as 'defamiliarization', is a concept that involves presenting familiar objects or experiences in an unfamiliar way to provoke a fresh perspective. This technique encourages viewers to see the world anew, shaking off habitual perceptions and revealing deeper meanings. In the context of film, it can be used to challenge traditional narrative structures and aesthetic conventions, ultimately inviting audiences to engage with the film on a more profound level.
Props: Props, short for properties, are objects used on screen by actors to enhance storytelling in a film. They serve to create a more immersive world and can represent a character’s personality or the film’s themes. Props can range from everyday items like books and weapons to significant objects that hold deeper meaning within the narrative.
Rejection of Realism: Rejection of realism is a film theory perspective that opposes the idea that cinema should merely depict reality as it is, emphasizing instead the importance of artistic expression and subjective interpretation. This approach values formal elements such as style, structure, and aesthetics over realistic portrayals, arguing that film can create its own unique truths through abstraction and manipulation of time and space.
Rhythm: Rhythm in film refers to the tempo or pace at which sequences of images and sounds are arranged, creating a sense of movement and emotional resonance. It connects the visual and auditory elements, influencing how viewers perceive time and action, while also enhancing the narrative structure. The manipulation of rhythm through editing, sound design, and shot composition plays a critical role in shaping the overall experience of a film.
Set Design: Set design refers to the creation and arrangement of physical environments where film scenes take place, significantly impacting the visual storytelling of a film. It encompasses everything from the construction of sets to the selection of props, colors, and textures, all of which contribute to establishing the mood, time period, and authenticity of a film's narrative. A well-crafted set design can enhance the emotional impact of a scene and help convey deeper themes through its visual elements.
Structural Films: Structural films are a category of experimental cinema that emphasize the material and structural properties of film itself, often focusing on the physical aspects of the medium rather than traditional narrative or character-driven storytelling. These films challenge viewers to engage with the form of cinema, inviting them to consider how the medium operates and how film constructs meaning through its inherent characteristics.
Stylization: Stylization refers to the artistic process of transforming the visual and narrative elements of a film to emphasize particular aesthetic qualities or thematic ideas. This can involve exaggerating or simplifying forms, colors, and movements to create a distinct visual language that enhances the film's overall meaning and emotional impact. By employing stylization, filmmakers can guide the audience's perception and interpretation, making certain aspects stand out in a way that realism might not achieve.
Visual Composition: Visual composition refers to the arrangement and organization of visual elements in a film frame, including the use of color, light, space, and shapes to create meaning and evoke emotional responses. This concept is crucial in shaping how audiences perceive and interpret a film, as it can significantly influence narrative structure and character development.
Visual Motifs: Visual motifs are recurring elements within a film that carry symbolic meaning and contribute to the overall themes and messages of the narrative. They help to create a visual language that enhances storytelling by establishing connections between characters, emotions, and ideas, ultimately shaping the audience's interpretation of the film.