Tim Corrigan’s “A Short Guide to Writing About Film” doesn’t just teach you how to write about film; it provides a framework for thinking critically about cinema, prompting students to move beyond simple plot summaries and delve into the multifaceted nature of film as art, industry, and cultural artifact. It emphasizes close reading, analytical rigor, and the development of a personal, informed voice in film criticism.
Corrigan’s Core Tenets: A Foundation for Film Analysis
Corrigan’s approach hinges on several crucial elements. He advocates for a deep engagement with the film itself, urging students to analyze its formal elements – cinematography, editing, sound design, mise-en-scène – rather than relying solely on external interpretations or biographical details about the filmmakers. He champions rigorous argumentation, stressing the importance of building well-supported claims with concrete evidence from the film. Furthermore, Corrigan stresses the necessity of understanding the historical and cultural contexts that shape both the film’s creation and its reception. This means considering the film’s genre, its place within a director’s oeuvre, and its relationship to broader social and political currents. Finally, he encourages the development of a unique and persuasive critical voice, urging students to move beyond formulaic writing and embrace their own informed perspectives.
Understanding the Film’s Language: Formal Elements and Their Significance
A crucial aspect of writing about film, as highlighted by Corrigan, is the ability to decipher and analyze the film’s language. This involves a thorough examination of the formal elements that contribute to the film’s overall meaning and impact.
Visual Language: Cinematography and Mise-en-Scène
Cinematography encompasses everything related to the camera’s work – shot composition, camera movement, lighting, and color. Analyzing these elements can reveal how the filmmaker guides the audience’s eye, creates mood, and shapes our understanding of the characters and narrative. Similarly, mise-en-scène – literally “placing on stage” – refers to everything that appears within the frame: set design, costumes, acting style, and props. Examining the choices made in crafting the mise-en-scène can illuminate the film’s themes, reveal character motivations, and contribute to the overall atmosphere.
Temporal Structure: Editing and Sound Design
Editing, the art of assembling individual shots into a cohesive sequence, plays a crucial role in pacing, rhythm, and narrative clarity. Analyzing editing techniques, such as jump cuts, dissolves, and montages, can reveal how the film manipulates time and space, creates dramatic tension, and conveys meaning. Furthermore, sound design, often overlooked, is equally important. Consider the use of diegetic (source sound within the film’s world) and non-diegetic (sound added for effect) sound, the impact of music, and the presence or absence of silence. How does the soundscape enhance or contradict the visual narrative?
Constructing a Compelling Argument: From Observation to Thesis
Corrigan emphasizes the importance of building a strong argument in film analysis. This involves formulating a clear and concise thesis statement, providing compelling evidence from the film to support your claims, and anticipating potential counterarguments.
Developing a Thesis: The Heart of Your Analysis
A strong thesis statement goes beyond simply identifying a theme or plot point. It articulates a specific argument about how the film works and what it accomplishes. For example, instead of saying “The film is about revenge,” a stronger thesis might be: “Through its stylized violence and morally ambiguous characters, the film argues that revenge is a self-destructive cycle that ultimately consumes those who seek it.”
Supporting Your Claims: Concrete Evidence from the Film
Your analysis must be grounded in concrete evidence from the film itself. This means providing specific examples of shots, scenes, dialogue, and formal elements that support your claims. When citing a scene, be precise: note the approximate timecode or describe the scene in detail. Avoid generalizations and always back up your assertions with textual evidence.
FAQs: Deepening Your Understanding
FAQ 1: What’s the difference between plot summary and film analysis?
Plot summary recounts the events of the film. Film analysis examines how those events are presented, why they are presented in that way, and what their significance is. Analysis delves into the film’s formal elements and their impact on the viewer. Think “how” and “why” instead of just “what.”
FAQ 2: How do I choose a film to analyze?
Choose a film you find personally interesting or thought-provoking, but one that also offers ample opportunities for analysis. Avoid films that are overly simplistic or films where your personal biases might cloud your judgment.
FAQ 3: What if I disagree with other critics’ interpretations of a film?
Disagreeing with established interpretations is perfectly fine, as long as you can support your own claims with convincing evidence from the film. Respectfully acknowledge alternative viewpoints but clearly articulate why you believe your interpretation is more accurate or insightful.
FAQ 4: How much background research is necessary before writing about a film?
While deep dives into director’s biographies are tempting, prioritize internal evidence first. Focus on what’s in the film. Once your interpretation is firm, research relevant historical, cultural, or industrial contexts that support it.
FAQ 5: Is it okay to include my personal opinions or reactions in my analysis?
It’s fine to acknowledge your personal reactions, but they shouldn’t be the primary focus of your analysis. Your opinions should be informed and supported by evidence from the film, not simply based on personal preference. Frame your reactions as observations about the film’s intended effect on viewers.
FAQ 6: How do I write about the film’s political or social themes?
Be specific and avoid vague generalizations. Identify the specific issues the film addresses and analyze how it presents those issues through its characters, narrative, and formal elements. Consider the historical and social context in which the film was made and received.
FAQ 7: What are some common mistakes to avoid when writing about film?
- Excessive plot summary.
- Making unsupported claims.
- Ignoring the film’s formal elements.
- Relying too heavily on external sources without engaging with the film itself.
- Using overly subjective or emotional language.
FAQ 8: How important is it to use film terminology correctly?
Using film terminology correctly demonstrates your understanding of the craft and allows you to communicate your ideas more precisely. However, avoid jargon for jargon’s sake. Only use technical terms when they are necessary to explain your analysis.
FAQ 9: Should I focus on the director or the film itself?
While understanding the director’s style and intentions can be helpful, the film itself should be the primary focus of your analysis. Avoid simply attributing everything to the director’s personal vision. Analyze how the film achieves its effects, regardless of the director’s specific intentions.
FAQ 10: How do I analyze a film’s use of genre?
Identify the genre to which the film belongs and analyze how it conforms to or deviates from the conventions of that genre. Consider how the film uses genre to create expectations, subvert those expectations, and comment on the genre itself.
FAQ 11: What is the significance of analyzing a film’s ending?
The ending of a film is often the culmination of its themes and arguments. Analyze how the ending resolves or leaves unresolved the film’s central conflicts, and consider what message it conveys about the characters, the narrative, and the world depicted in the film.
FAQ 12: Where can I find examples of good film writing?
Seek out established film critics in publications like Sight & Sound, Film Comment, and online journals such as Reverse Shot. Read analyses of films you’re familiar with to see how professional critics approach their work. Pay attention to their argumentation, their use of evidence, and their writing style.
Cultivating Your Critical Voice: The Art of Persuasion
Ultimately, writing about film is about more than just identifying formal elements and constructing arguments. It’s about cultivating your own critical voice – a voice that is informed, insightful, and persuasive. Embrace your unique perspective, challenge conventional wisdom, and engage with the film in a way that is both intellectually rigorous and personally meaningful. Corrigan’s guide provides a solid foundation, but it’s up to you to build upon that foundation and create something truly original. Remember to re-watch, re-think, and re-write. The more you practice, the stronger your critical voice will become.