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Formalist film theory

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Formalist film theory is an approach to film theory that is focused on the formal or technical elements of a film: i.e., the lighting, scoring, sound and set design, use of color, shot composition, and editing. This approach was proposed by Hugo Münsterberg, Rudolf Arnheim, Sergei Eisenstein, and Béla Balázs.[1] Today, formalist film theory is a recognized approach in film studies.

Formalism in ideological approaches

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Classical Hollywood cinema

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Classical Hollywood cinema uses a style referred to as the institutional mode of representation: continuity editing, massive coverage, three-point lighting, "mood" music, and dissolves. The socio-economic ideological explanation for this is style involves Hollywood's desire to monetarily profit and appeal to ticket-buyers.[2]

Film noir

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Film noir, which was given its name by Nino Frank[relevant?discuss], is marked by lower production values, darker images, under lighting, location shooting, and general nihilism: this is because during the war and post-war years filmmakers and filmgoers tended to have a pessimistic outlook. Also, the German Expressionists[3] immigrated to America and brought their stylized lighting effects and disillusionment due to the war to American soil.[4]

See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Dudley Andrew, The Major Film Theories: An Introduction, Oxford, New York: Oxford University Press, 1976, Part I.
  2. ^ Bordwell, David. "On The History Of Film Style" (PDF). David Bordwell's website on cinema. pp. 144–148. ISBN 978-0-9832440-3-5. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 5, 2024. Retrieved February 27, 2025.
  3. ^ Phillips, Gene D. (2012). Out of the Shadows: Expanding the Canon of Classic Film Noir. Scarecrow Press. ISBN 978-0-8108-8189-1.
  4. ^ Hunt, Kristin (May 21, 2020). "How Fritz Lang's Flight from Nazi Germany Shaped Hollywood". Daily.JStor. JSTOR. Retrieved June 21, 2024.

References

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  • Bordwell, David, Film Art: An Introduction; McGraw-Hill; 7th edition (June 2003).
  • Braudy, Leo, ed., Film Theory and Criticism: Introductory Readings; Oxford University Press; 6th edition (March 2004).
  • Gianetti, Louis, Understanding Movies; Prentice Hall; 10th edition (March 2004)