26.1 the theory of films (Marina)

26.1 the theory of films

Film In Theory (Marina)

Task 2


Film in theory

structuralism -  A theory that explains why and how audiences gain meaning from different forms of media such as literature.

Semiotics - semiotics is the investigation of how signs and signals can be used and interpreted within media.
example - advertisements use semiotics in various ways in an attempt to coerce viewers into buying products

Auteur Theory - this is a theory where, especially in film making, the director is seen as the main creative influencer.
example - Famous movie director quentin Tarantino is a modern day auteur filmmaker.

Feminism - feminism is the push for Women's rights, for equality of the genders/sexes.

queer theory - queer theory includes both queer texts and the theorisation of queerness itself.

Marxism - the theories presented by karl marx and Friedrich Engels, which was later transformed into communism by their followers.

psychoanalytic - theory of personality organisation and the dynamics of personality development.


Schindler's list (1994)
Genres: biography, drama, history.
director: Steven Spielberg.
target audience: older teens, adults.

the pianist (2002)
Genres: biography, drama, music
director: Roman Polanski
target audience: older teens, adults

Analytical Approaches (Marina)

Analytical Approaches 

Genre Analysis - genre analysis is analysing and specifying the reasoning behind a films specific genre/genres and who the intended audience is and why.

content analysis- content analysis is analysing the messages in the film how different characters are acting or how they are portrayed, it could also be referring to analysing any deeper meanings embedded in the film.

narrative analysis- narrative analysis refers to the examination of the story or the account of events and discovering and presenting underlying meanings.

reception study/theory- This is a study taken on the fans, it includes the fans interpretations of the selected film and what they think about different concepts introduced and what they mean.

fan study -research that is mainly focused upon media fans and fan cultures.

The Breakfast club (1985) - content, genre and narrative analysis.

The film "The Breakfast Club" is centred around five American high school students who all have to endure a day of Saturday detention, throughout the course of the day the students discover that they all have more in common than the fact that all attend the same high school, the narrative of the film is constantly shifting due to the fact that throughout the film each students story is told in a different manner. The Genre of the film is classed as a comedy/drama due to the mix of jokes and wisecracks presented in the film as well as the dramatic essence of the students stories about their separate lives.