Follow Up: Film Style
In our session I briefly covered the idea of a cinematic 'stylistic continuum', with one end indicating that films can be very realistic, and the other end suggesting that films can become an excercise in aesthetic style (formalism). Classicism exists somewhere in the middle - films that use the basic conventions of filmmaking to tell a story. Since you might not have been familiar with the examples I gave in class, here are a few trailers to give you a better idea of what I was talking about:
Realism
If it wasn't for the aliens, you might almost think District 9 is a South Aftrican documentary. Meanwhile, The Hurt Locker has gained fame as a hyper-realistic view of war in Iraq. For both these films, the lighting seems to come from natural and in-frame sources, the camera movement is generally hand-held, and neither the costumes nor acting draw attention to themselves. Both stories look like they could happen in real life.
Classicism
Don't make the mistake of thinking that 'classicism' means 'classic movies' - even though most movie 'classics' do fit under this style. All it means is that the filmmakers use the classic or traditional methods of filmmaking: sweeping crane shots, dramatic lighting, familiar pacing, background music. Most movies are examples of this style. The Star Wars and Star Trek series, anything with John Wayne, James Bond movies, etc.
Formalism
This style draws attention to itself. The film is, in part, about the style. The style itself tells the story. The purpose of formalism is not to mimic real life, but rather to re-create it.
Avant-Garde
On the far end of formalism we have 'avant-garde' - A.K.A. art-house crazy-town.
Final Note: Don't make the mistake of thinking that one style of cinema is inherently better than the others. The Hurt Locker and District 9 (realism), The Blind Side and Avatar (classicism), and Inglorious Basterds and A Serious Man (formalism) were all nominated for Academy Awards for Best Picture last year.
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