Film Form and History

European Cinema Styles

What techniques can you see being established in Voyage dans le Lune?

The camera has not been moved, it is placed in one position. The background scenery is the
same, throughout the short film; as well as similar piano music and the same characters. The
background settings do change after some time; however, the camera remains in one position
and does not move. There is no dialogue used in the film, facial expressions and actions from
the characters have been used instead.

What events may have had an impact on European cinema?

World War 1 was going on throughout the making of the film, which would restrict the film flow
across countries.

GERMAN EXPRESSIONISM
Look up a definition for the term expressionism and write it in the box below.

A modernist movement, initially in poetry and painting, originating in Germany at the beginning
of the 20th century. Its typical trait is to present the world solely from a subjective perspective,
distorting it radically for emotional effect to evoke moods or ideas.

In pairs discuss and write down what cinematic techniques might be used to
enable this form (expressionism)? Add to Padlet when complete 5 minutes!

1. Speed of the film – pasting (fast and slow)

2. Image becomes graphic art
3. Chiaroscuro lighting (low key)
4. Huge focus on mise en scene

Can you think of any scenes, films or filmmakers that may still use this
cinematic form? Add them and any clips you can find to Padlet.
 French Impressionism & Surrealism
Look up a definition for the term impressionism and write it in the box below.

A style or movement in painting originating in France in the 1860s, characterized by a concern

with depicting the visual impression of the moment, especially in terms of the shifting effect of
light and colour.

Look up a definition for the term surrealism and write it in the box below.

A 20th-century avant-garde movement in art and literature which sought to release the
creative potential of the unconscious mind, for example by the irrational juxtaposition of
images.

In pairs discuss and write down what cinematic techniques might be used to
enable these forms (impressionism and surrealism)? Add to Padlet when
complete 5 minutes!

Can you think of any scenes, films or filmmakers that may still use this
cinematic form? Add them and any clips you can find to Padlet.
 Soviet Montage

Thinking back to your studies of Marxist film theory, in groups can you identify
how montage may have suited Marxist or Communist beliefs over Capitalist
values? Add to Padlet when complete 5 minutes!

A new movement with outs own forms developed,

 Italian Neorealism
What do the terms Neo and Realism mean?

It is not about following a simple narrative, everyone is equal, and it makes sense not to follow
one single person in a film.

The Italian Neo Realist movement occurred during 1944 to 1952, the same
time frame that Singin’ in the Rain (1952) was produced and released. Why
would Italian cinema be so different from Hollywood cinema?

Neo = new

In pairs discuss and write down what cinematic techniques might be used to
enable this form (neorealism)? Add to Padlet when complete 5 minutes!

Can you think of any scenes, films or filmmakers that may still use this
cinematic form? Add them and any clips you can find to Padlet.
 French New Wave
What were the key techniques of the French New Wave?

Real Lighting Casual narrative Amoral protagonists

connections
Casual Style Aimless protagonists Ambiguous endings
Awareness of the Improvisation
medium
Homage Humour Location shootings with
handheld cameras

Influence

Can you identify key scenes or devices used by Easy Rider or in your own films
that come from European cinematic movements?

Easy Rider Your Films

 Production Task

In groups, you are to make a short two to three minute film in the style of a
given form.

The title of the film is

LOST IN COLLEGE

Your main protagonist will be lost in the college and trying to find their way
out. It is up to you to apply the key techniques of your given form to create
the narrative and characters most suitable for the movement.

Follow the steps below to achieve the completion of the pre-production

phase…

1. Research your given form. Read up on and watch examples and

identify the key techniques of the form (what do you need to show?).

2. Decide on a suitable narrative for your given form (what is the story?).

3. Consider Mise en Scene and plan gathering of any necessary props,

costume, suitable actors, make up and locations (what do you need to
prepare?)
 4. Produce storyboards that visually match your style, pay close attention
to studio vs handheld/portable (how should it look?).
5. Schedule shoot to hit deadline, working to professional standards.
Day AM PM
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday

Deadline: 17:00 01/12/2016