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    Film Studies

    Film studies is a subject within the arts which discusses a form of acting practiced for the “big screen”. Film studies is an academic discipline and as a field of study, the focus is not on the practice of acting, but rather on history, theory and critical analysis. The production based elements of films, such as sound and video technology, are also areas explored within this subject domain.¹

    Films are a very integral component of humanity’s visual culture. Furthermore, films act as an artistic medium of expression because they allow messages and stories to be communicated.¹ Learning how to strengthen one’s communication skills is a huge component of film studies. The film industry requires individuals with effective verbal, oral, technological and visual skills. Film can be used as a tool to translate all sorts of messages, whether they are cultural, political or environmental, for instance. Thus, thoroughly developed communication skills are essential to delivering powerful and thoughtful messages.¹

    Through time, film has expanded and generated many different genres. For example, fictional or non-fiction based stories can be classified as comedies, romantic films, horror movies, dramas or science fiction based stories, to name a few possibilities.¹ Furthermore, film also includes documentaries, television shows and reality television. In today’s society, an individual can even watch visual productions on the Internet using different programs such as YouTube.¹

    Film studies is a rather diverse field of study. An appreciation of the different elements of films, such as the aesthetics, story line, character development and ideology, can be learned.¹ Additionally, this subject area also illustrates how film is intimately related to other factors such as economics, advertising and consumption, to name a few. Film studies is a culturally important and multi-disciplinary field of study.¹

     

     

    Image source:

    1. Wikimedia

    Reference:

    1. Sikov, Ed. "Introduction." Film Studies: an Introduction. Retrieved May 23, 2014, from Google Books

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    BrainMass Categories within Film Studies

    American Film

    Solutions: 37

    American film is used to classify movie productions developed by the American film industry.

    Film Theory

    Solutions: 36

    Film theory explores the philosophical framework surrounding different films and cinematic genres.

    Documentary Film

    Solutions: 4

    A documentary film is non-fiction and may re-tell the stories of actual individuals or detail other general stories and phenomena.

    BrainMass Solutions Available for Instant Download

    Film examples are discussed.

    How does the visual design of "EL laberinto del fauno" (pans labyrinth) enhance and add different levels of understanding to the story and characters? Define parallel story structure. In "Lost in Translation" how does parallel story structure influence the theme of the film?

    "Sweet Sixteen" and "A Slight Trick of the Mind": UK Films

    1) Why does the UK seem to be drawn to crime thrillers more than any other genre and how do such films hold special relevance to the nation? 2) Why does the notion of circumstances and choices available to characters hold a special interest for UK audiences? 3) Based on the two examples you gave, "Sweet Sixteen" and "A Sl

    Crime Elements in UK films

    1) What is a specific element (plot point, stylistic elements, character type, setting, etc.) commonly found in UK films that holds special relevance for the domestic audience? (This might be an element like the song and dance sequences of Indian cinema, or the significance of urban vs. rural settings and what each symbolizes, o

    Regulation of the United Kingdom Film Industry - Resources

    1) What are any of the pertinent forms of regulation of film in the UK, including self regulation, government oversight, and regulation of content? 2) What are the names of these regulatory bodies, chief concerns with regard to content, and what aer their specific guidelines in place? Thank you so much!

    The life of Pi Analysis

    Analyze the movie, The Life of Pi. How well has the film captured the essence of the novel. Of course there are missing scenes, a two hour film is far too short to present every important detail from a novel. That being said, how well does the film capture the theme and the magic of the novel?

    Social Scientific Research Question: Two and a Half Men

    Question 1. Develop a social scientific research question regarding mass media representations of families. Your research question should also incorporate issues of gender and/or class as it pertains to your topic. Your research question will also indicate which television show you will focus on: "Two and a Half Men." Question

    Shawshank Redemption Questions

    1. What is Andy Dufresne's calling in the film? How do we know when it occurs and what his response is to it? 2) What are the three main trials he encounters and endures? How do we know these are the main three? 3) When is his saving experience and what is it that saves him? 4) What evidence do we see of his transformat

    Film Matrix: Monty Python and the Holy Grail

    I need your help with the movie "Monty Python and the Holy Grail" (1975). Based on the movie please provide a brief description of how each component was used in the film. The components are: a. Setting b. Acting c. Lighting d. Costumes e. Makeup f. Music g. Sound h. Editing Did the film fit the mold associated w

    memorable costumes and makeup in film

    Describe the most memorable costumes and makeup you have seen in film. What effect did this have on characterization and the film as a whole? Is there ever not an effect, intended or otherwise? To what extent is authenticity important? Always? Or are there exceptions, and if so, why so? Explain and provide examples

    Describe the importance of settings in films.

    Discuss with examples the fundamental elements of setting (including but not limited to location, time, era, weather, and buildings). Sometimes setting is essential to a story, such as in The Perfect Storm, in which the setting is so integral that it could be considered a character unto itself. Are there other instances when set

    Hitchcock emphasized how important actors were as "magnets" who earn their keep by bringing in the public that identifies the film in its totality with them alone. What Hitchcock does not mention is the reason that stars can serve as magnets-their ability to embody the face and voice and human spirit that all members of the audience want to make contact with through the film experience.

    Hitchcock's infamous reference to actors as cattle was the inspiration for an online article which modestly proposes that, in order to improve critical judgment of their performances, actors be categorized as "Good and Bad Cattle...the article actually deals with some important issues about film acting, such as the role of the f

    Essential Movies' Settings

    This posting names three movies in which the setting is essential to telling the story. For example how could you tell the "star wars' sagas were not set in the future and in completely non-Earth world?

    Comedy and its traits are explained.

    This posting identifies examples of the following characteristics of comedy in various plays' films, or television shows: suspension of natural laws, contrast between the social order and the individual, puns, malapropisms, comedy of character, and plot complications.

    Film Review Essay Peer Editing Form

    Have you been asked to review a film as a part of of an English, Mass Communications, or fiction and film course? Do you not have the time to let an OTA review the essay for you, or have you already had someone review your paper and now just need to give it one last going over before turning it in? If that's the case, then thi