FS103 Lecture Notes - Darth Vader, Bat-Signal, Experimental Film
Document Summary
The distinction between art and film is artificial which wrongly suggests that only art films (which many people assume must be dull and academic affairs) are worthy of serious analysis. Viewers form expectations about the kind of film they plan to see (e. g. narrative vs. documentary) Example: people viewing an avant-garde film might not expect a story at all, but rather a visual art form. Avant-garde film: also called experimental film or underground cinema . The goal is not commercial success, but artistic invention. Generally made by one person or a small group, distributed in very limited ways, and presented in specialized venues such as universities, museums, cinema clubs. Narrative films are organized by the cause and effect logic of story-telling: they present characters who encounter obstacles as they attempt to achieve their goals. Filmmakers sometimes change these expectations and provide suspense, or mystery for the viewers. Viewers generally expect for there to be a conclusion that resolves conflicts.
