Is Contemporary American Independent Film Classical or Radical

1. Is Contemporary American Independent Film Classical or Radical Author: David C. Simmons Presenter: David Kopicki

2. Presentation Goals • To show through the example of Bordwell’s and Thompson’s ideas that all films made since 1917 share a set of common characteristics and can be classified as classical style.

3. Outline • Introduction – 2 min. • Presentation – 10 min. • Discussion – 5 min. • Video clip – 5 min. • Review – 3 min.

4. Bordwell’s Characteristics of Style in Classical Hollywood Cinema • Classical narration • Causality • Goal-oriented characters • Forward-moving narration • Classical space • Classical sound

5. Classical Narration • Telling a clear, unified, realistic story • The story is classical: having decorum, linearity, balance, harmony, proportion, respect for tradition • Narration is omniscient • There is an emotional appeal in the film that transcends class and nation.

6. Causality • The narrative consists of an unbroken chain of causes and effects that is easy for a spectator to follow. • The film ends with a definite conclusion. • Repetition is common. • There is a clear motivation for everything.

7. Goal-Orientated Characters • Most of the motivation comes from characters. • Characters have few traits. • Subjectivity (POV) is generally quite brief

8. Forward-Moving Narration • The spectator moves through the film testing hypotheses which are usually proven true • Planting and foreshadowing are used to encourage causality and a spectator who consistently asks, (What will happen next?). • The opening credits are used to further narration. • Time is linear.

9. Classical Space • Renaissance space (balance, centering, frontality of characters, backlighting to distinguish figure from form, having the most important objects in focus, camera height generally between 5-6 feet) • Space is well demarcated for character action • The filmic artifice is concealed through continuity editing and ‘invisible’ storytelling

10. Classical Sound • Makes the most important sounds or voices loader than other sounds • Music is omniscient

11. Thompson’s Four Acts of Classical Style Films • Setup • Complicating Action • Development • Climax

12. Act 1:Setup • The characters are introduced and the protagonist conceives some goals

13. Act 2: Complicating Action • A new situation is introduced that the protagonist must deal with in order to reach his or her goals.

14. Act 3: Development • Protagonist struggles toward the achievement of his or her goals, often involving many incidents that create action, suspense, and delay.

15. Act 4: Climax • Action shifts to a straightforward progression to a final resolution. All questions are neatly answered before the ending.

16. Discussion • What about American Independent film? Does it fit into Bordwell and Thompson’s classical style? If so, How?

17. Review • In classical style film narration is ______. • Planting and ______ are used to constantly keep the spectator wondering what will happen next. • Name Kristin Thompson’s Four Acts. • What are two characteristics of Renaissance space?