THE FILE EXPERIENCE: AN INTRODUCTION (Second Edition)
Chapter 1: Introduction to the Film Experience
Chapter 2: Preparing Viewers and Views: Production, Distribution, Promotion, and Exhibition
Why Study Film?
By studying film, a person can not only gain knowledge, but also insight into the human condition. There are so many great stories that have been told using this media and many more great stories still waiting to be hold. Before looking at the Top 100 Films of the 21st Century, I thought I had seen a ton of movies in my life, I now realize that there are so many more movies I have not seen but would like to see in the future.
Films have changed so much since the inception of the film-making process began. From silent black and white films, to film with sound, 3-D movies, and the ever popular action packed block busters that are riddled with special effects of today. Not only has the media itself changed, but the way in which we experience movies and the movie viewing experience has changed as well. As we all know, there are many different ways to view a movie. You can go to a mega-plex theater and become totally engulfed in sight and sound, you can go to your local multi-plex where you have a wide variety of different choices in films to see, you can still go to a drive-in movie (even though they are few and far between) to see a couple of movies in one night, or you can stay home and watch a movie from the comfort and privacy of your own home.
The way in which films are promoted has also changed. From colorful posters, newspaper and TV advertisements, preview trailers at the theater, the Internet and, now, digital downloads to your home TV, computer, laptop, or even your cell phone. The way in which a movie is promoted is directly connected to the size of the budget the producers of the film have to work with. Big-budget films are better able to reach the public. Whereas, independent films, with small budgets, do not have the resources to dedicate to that type of advertising. Most of their budget is used to actually getting the movie made.
With "big-budget" films, the amount of people involved in the films production is staggering. If you look at the credits at the end of one of these films, you will see hundreds of people listed. From producers, directors, actors, cameramen, make-up artists, costume designers, set designers, location scouts, song writers, and video production crews, just to name a few.
Escapism at it Purest Form
What better way to escape the rat race then to sit back and watch a movie. I am coming to this class with no expectations. I want to let it unfold before me and just go with it. I love roller coasters. The bigger and higher the better. Right now, I am waiting in line for this roller coaster to take off. I can't wait to see where this class will take me. I know this semester will fly by so I want to get everything out of it and this class that I can. I am interested to see the different movies that other people in the class have chosen. I am looking forward to expanding both my knowledge about film and the process used to create them, as well as, exploring new types of films that I would never have viewed on my own.
Personally, I like to read the book and then go see the movie. By reading the book, you get a lot of background information that is left out while viewing the film. I know that other people don't like to do this but, to each his/her own. I know that men and women have very different likes and dislikes when it comes to movie watching. Generally speaking, I don't like war movies. But I will sit and watch a war movie with my husband because I know he likes them. Usually, after getting into the movie I will eventually find some redeeming qualities in either the movie or a character in the movie. Like in "Saving Private Ryan." Trying to find that last remaining son of the family whose three sons enlisted in the service, two of which were killed in action, was excruciating to watch. Finally, they found him in the end.
Like most women, I am not partial to gratuitous violence. I know that it is necessary when telling some stories. I do think that violence for the sake of violence has no real purpose. I remember sneaking into the movies when I was a teenager to see A Clockwork Orange. At the time, I really didn’t understand what was really going on. All I remember was that it was a really disturbing violent movie. I think I would like to see that movie now. I’m sure I would see it in a whole different light now. Another movie I remember seeing as a young adult was Willy Wonder’s Chocolate Factory. I loved it. It was the most colorful movie I ever saw. As young teens, we used to go in large groups to see the James Bond movies. We loved them. They were packed full of action and adventure. When I watch them now, they seem so corny. It’s funny how your perspective changes as you get older.
I like watching movie at home. But I still love to go to the movie theater to see a movie. It is a totally different experience. The only thing I don’t understand is why the movie theaters have to play the sound at deafening levels. It really takes some of the pleasure of watching the movie away. There are some movies that are made to be seen with an audience. When I went to see Ma Ma Mia, everyone in the audience was singing along with the movie. It made for a really fun atmosphere. Then there are movies like Titanic that you just want to watch by yourself. I went to see that movie on a Tuesday matinee when I knew no one would be there. I knew it was a three hour plus movie so I brought a pillow and a blanket with me and watched it alone. I really enjoyed that experience.
Just like each movie is different, each person watching the movie is different. Whether it is our cultural background, religious beliefs, sexual orientation, race, age or gender, we all bring something different to the movie viewing experience. It will be interesting to see what the class consensus on favorite movies will be. I am really looking forward to shutting out the world for a little while each week and to give myself the opportunity to do something just for me.
