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In film analysis, we clearly spell out what it is about the film that joins up to create its dramatic, emotional and artistic effect. A good piece of film analysis will take account of everything that’s going on in the film – the storytelling, how it’s filmed and edited; the performances; how it looks; what it’s saying, and so on. If you take these steps, your analysis will convey the level of thought and care you put into watching the film. This guide will help you structure and write a thorough analysis of a film, ensuring that what you write will be clear and logical.
The Purpose of a Film Analysis
With this in mind, it is best to start with a clear idea of the purpose of our analysis. A film analysis is not a summary of the plot, but a dig beneath the surface. The task is to discuss how the various elements of a film – cinematography, direction, performance, sound – may combine to convey meaning, create pathos, and involve the spectator.
Watch the Film with Focus
You have to watch the film very carefully. You have to see a film at least twice in order to see things that have been done so that they are not obvious at first sight. During the first viewing of the film, you see the general narrative, you feel certain things. But during the second and third viewings you concentrate on the technical details, the dialog, the visuals, the relationships, the subtle things maybe that you didn’t see before.
Key Components of Film Analysis
An in-depth analysis of a film requires you to look at specific elements that compose it. These are the key elements that you should have in your analysis.
Narrative and Plot Structure
The storyline directs the film, determining where it goes and how it goes. Consider its basic structure: what kind of plot does it contain, linear, non-linear or circular? How has the construction of the story enabled the filmmaker to present material to the audience?
Further, consider its narrative arc: that is, a beginning, rising action, climax and resolution. How is the plot built and how does it convey the film’s message?
Characters and Performances
Characters are the fundamental units of narrative. Think of them as the elements that drive the story from point A to point B. When you describe characters, think in terms of what happens to them over the course of the movie. Do they change or remain the same?
Also, look at the performances. An actor’s portrayal of their character can provide emotional texture to a film. Evaluate how well the actors express the emotions you are meant to feel and contribute to the mood. Do their performances help or hinder the story?
Cinematography and Visual Styl
To effectively write a comprehensive film analysis, referring to an Academized review at LinkedIn can provide insights into writing styles and techniques that enhance your critical evaluations. For instance, we also need to consider very carefully the cinematography, or the visual language of the film. Check out the way the cinematographer captures the film: the camera angles, the lighting and the shot composition (ie, close-ups, wide shots, over-the-shoulder, etc), all of which can have a huge impact on the interpretation of the scene.
Pay attention to the use of lighting and color schemes, which have a strong influence on the audience. For example, very dark lighting can suggest that what’s about to happen is mysterious or ominous. Bright, warm colors, on the other hand, can suggest that something is funny or heartwarming. Cinematography plays a crucial role in fleshing out the story and in intensifying the emotional impact of scenes.
Editing and Pacing
Film editing is the art of choosing and combining shots into sequences. If it’s done well, it allows film to feel like a seamless experience, where we move smoothly from scene to scene. Think about dance – and how some films feel faster-paced than others. A busy editing style can create the impression of a faster pace, while allowing more time between cuts can make it feel slower and more contemplative. Editing choices fundamentally affect the beat (or rhythm) of the story, and how we feel – whether tense, relaxed, or anything in between.
Transitions between scenes (so-called cuts, fades or dissolves) are also an important feature of editing. Consider how such transitions help or hinder the flow of the story.
Film Analysis Components and Their Impact
Film Component | Description | Impact on Audience |
Narrative and Plot Structure | The arrangement of events in the film’s story. | Determines audience engagement and understanding of the story. |
Characters and Performances | The roles played by actors and their emotional delivery. | Influences audience empathy and connection to the characters. |
Cinematography and Visual Style | The way scenes are filmed, including camera angles and lighting. | Shapes the film’s tone and mood, enhancing emotional resonance. |
Editing and Pacing | How shots are combined and the overall rhythm of the film. | Affects the film’s energy and flow, building suspense or relaxation. |
Sound and Music | The use of dialogue, sound effects, and background music. | Amplifies emotions, creates atmosphere, and strengthens storytelling. |
Sound and Music
Sound is also used as atmospheric and thematic support, as well as plot-enforcer: key moments in the narrative might be underscored. Listen to see how sound is used to enhance the emotional tone of the scene. A minor key in the background music, or score, can make a scene feel more tense, or more sad, or more joyful. Is the score supporting what we see, or is it undercutting it?
Dialogue is also critical. Determine if the exchanges between characters are insightful, natural or forced. Good dialogue should reveal character motivations and move the plot along, while bad dialogue can make the overall experience feel unrealistic.
Themes and Symbolism
Some films also touch upon universal truths: questions of power; love and loss; friendship; sexuality; belongings; social justice; animal rights; environmental degradation. Ask yourself what themes the film is presenting. These might be quite abstract, such as ‘love’, ‘conflict’ or ‘identity’, or more specific, such as ‘social justice’, ‘animal rights’, ‘environmental degradation’ or ‘gender’.
Sometimes we might use symbols to represent more abstract concepts – perhaps using an image, an object, or some kind of action. Look out for recurring symbols throughout the film and ask yourself what they signify. Often, you might observe that a film’s symbolism is layered so that it does not contradict the themes, but deepens them.
Directorial Style and Vision
It’s the director’s point of view that guides everything that happens in the film. When you write about the film, think about how the director’s choices create a certain artistic or emotional effect. Some directors have a readily identifiable visual style or way of telling a story, while others might take inspiration from different directors and blend the influences in new ways.
Ask yourself how the directorial style affects your experience of the film: does it serve the film’s themes and message, or does it change the experience for the worse? The director’s sensibility brings everything else together – the cinematography, the sound and everything else – into a unified experience for an audience.
Writing the Analysis
After you’ve gathered and organized your thoughts from watching and analyzing the film, you get to write the analysis. Begin with an introduction that provides some context: the title, director, and release date, plus a brief explanation of the plot (no spoilers!).
Then you get into the body of your paragraph, where you are going to actually tackle the details – narrative, characters, cinematography, editing, sound, themes, directorial technique. Be sure you are moving from one element to the next in an orderly manner, and that this paragraph will transition neatly from one element to next. And always make sure you have specific examples to illustrate your points. Think of a key scene in the film, or a hilarious line of dialogue, or a striking camera angle.
You should also summarize, in your conclusion, your overall impression of the film: Did it manage to communicate its message? Were there elements that went wrong? End your essay with a final reflection on the film – how you feel about it generally, and its place within its particular genre or in the film world at large.
Conclusion
Writing a film analysis may prove to be a very satisfying process, because you get to think about the film deeply and reveal some of its complexity. Analyzing the film’s narrative, characters, cinematography, sound and other elements will help you to unravel some of the filmmaker’s artistic choices, and will give you a more meaningful engagement with films you’re interested in. Whether it’s a movie from the golden age of Hollywood or a modern release, thinking about these things will help you write an in-depth and interesting analysis that captures the film’s key qualities and its effect on audiences.
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