An Overview of the ‘space’ Readings

An Overview of the ‘Space’ Readings

• Looking at Movies, R. Barsam & D. Monahan: Ch. 6 “Cinematography”

This reading will provide a foundation for understanding basic qualities and techniques of setting up a shot, which will also be re-considered in the next reading. The technical information, especially regarding “lens” could be of interest if you are familiar with photography, and the same for the “special effects” section. If interested please read, otherwise skip these sections. The rest of the reading may be dry and feel unexciting, but please try to pay attention. This information will be important when you analyze your film in terms of Time and Space.

• The Visual Story, Block, Ch. 3, Pt. II “Space—The Frame”  

Don’t get bogged down in the specifics of the various Aspect Ratios—just be aware that there are a variety of frame sizes and shapes. “Surface Divisions” will put into context some ideas that some of you have already noticed as you have analyzed images. If this is new to you—great!! WE will be coming back to these ideas in the next unit when we focus on Composition. “Closed and Open Space” will be familiar, but take a look at the treatment/diagrams/arrows, etc. that are included in the visual analysis of the images. There may be ideas here that you may want to incorporate into your work.

• A Short Guide to Writing About Film, Corrigan, “Composition & the Image” (pp. 61-76)

This reading provides a bit of repetition from the first readings, BUT approaches it in a slightly different way and may be more helpful for some. This reading also includes some examples of student analysis for the films Don’t Look Now and the Breakfast Scene from Citizen Kane, both of which you have seen. Reviewing these sections could prove helpful when it comes to your own analysis and essay work. This reading suggests good questions and lines of inquiry that should be helpful in your work.

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