style summary

Classical Form
Plot/Story
∑ Linear plot, fast climbing action
∑ Emphasis on dramatic unity, plausible motivation and cohereance in constituent parts
∑ Highly melodramatic

Character
∑ Goal oriented and stereotypical


Mise-en-scene/Cinematography/Editing
∑ Adherance to continuity system


Realism
Plot/Story
∑ Loose, discursive plot without clear-cut conflict; scientific view of causality, rejection of idea of fate + destiny
∑ Enter story arbitrarily and episodic plot structure
∑ Slow moving and digressive


Character
∑ Characters represent social types
∑ Respond to specific events
∑ Non-professional actors


Mise-en-scène/Cinematography/Editing
∑ Avoidance of melodrama
∑ Avoidance of lyrical impulse
∑ Plain style that doesn’t call attention to itself
∑ Natural lighting, actual locations


Formalism
Plot/Story
∑ Thematic plot structure
∑ Design of plot determined by author


Character
∑ Character psychology predominant


Mise-en-scène/Cinematography/Editing
∑ Lyrical interludes
∑ Determined by theme
∑ Amplification of style


Counter-Cinema
Plot/Story
∑ Disrupted, non-linear narrative
∑ Often ‘essay-like’
∑ unresolved


Character
∑ Anti-heroic
∑ Estrangement from characters


Mise-en-scène/Cinematography/Editing
∑ Foregrounding (making clear the image is a fabrication
∑ Non-pleasurable
∑ Jumpcuts…



Postmodernism
Plot/Story
∑ Fragmented storyline
∑ Multiple, micro narratives
∑ Dream and reality mixed

Character
∑ Familiar
∑ Highly developed through dialogue


Mise-en-scène/Cinematography/Editing
∑ Familiar images, references
∑ Excessive or cartoon-like imagery
∑ Non-real, dreamlike settings