I really liked the selection of film clips screened in class eight.
The first two clips (from A Clockwork Orange and O Lucky Man) give two different ways of depicting the same matter. So the difference here is mainly a formal one, especially in their camera coverage. By doing this comparison, I came to realize the complexity and the multiplicity of film form that choosing a particular way to film is in fact not an easy task. It is like how writers usually do numerous rewrites to finally get the exact right word to express what he wanted to. When I used to film, I, for the most of the time, instinctively chose the first thing that came up to my mind. This sometimes is a good thing when logic won’t work. An experienced filmmaker’s instinct may prevail in many cases. However, as I am still a learner, it is the best for me to take time to think and rethink about the various approaches to one scene. This would be a great learning opportunity and an exploration of my own filmmaking style.
“manipulative”
The third clip is a stunner if someone has been watching mostly the mainstream Hollywood movies. It’s a scene from Love in the Afternoon by Eric Rohmer. I’ve been watching his films since the start of this year and I loved his style. This long take screened in class is typical of him and many “realists” filmmakers—a complete contrast in film form to the previous two clips. This has broadened my understanding of filmmaking even more. And it’s also an inspiration for me to learn from the French New Wave directors, especially their spirit to revolt, to create something new but not just for the sake of “the new”.
“naturalistic”
The rest of the movie clips further reinforces this “battle” between two distinct film styles—one is manipulative, the other is naturalistic. Perhaps to look at the form through this lens is a bit dualist, but this is what human have become really good at. But regardless of the dualism polemic, this range of movie clips has invited me to think again about film form. It is not just about analyzing the lighting methods in those shots, but looking closer at the relationship between elements of film form and how to achieve a coherent look through careful selections.
