The Medium 01 Flashcards
What does Plato’s idea of the cave suggest?
What are the implications (negative) of this thought experiment?
That we take what we see as real, but they might merely be projections of the real. Images without essence.
Such experience (ex: film) might make us forget our obligations to the real.
What is Bazin’s position on the evolution of film technology (for instance, sound following silent)
Follows a natural progression to greater realism. (Sound is the fulfillment of realism; like the New Testament to the old.)
What are “plastics” for Andre Bazin?
Maliable elements (I.e - sets, makeup, performance, lighting, framing, etc)
What is it that Bazin refers to in saying “montage by attraction”?
Creation of Eisenstein; the reinforcing of the meaning of one image by association with another image not necessarily part of the same episode
That is, meaning is imposed not by the scene alone, but through the juxtaposition of multiple images… imposing a meaning onto the spectator. (Onto the scene)
What is Bazin’s analogy of the river? What does he suggest through this analogy?
“Equilibrium profile of a river” - That evolution in film language flows, like a river, from ideology; new subjects require a new language
In general, Bazin emphasizes looking at what?
Reality.. That we ought to have humility in the face of reality (something that is already embued with meaning)
Bazin emphasized three key principles in his article “the evolution of the language of cinema” relating to depth of field. What were these?
1) greater depth of field reflects more closely ever-day human experience, which is more ‘realistic’;
2) Implies a more active involvement on the part of the audience. (More active in the meaning-making… Choosing what to pay attention to; greater ambiguity)
3) Montage by its very nature rules out ambiguity of expression.
According to Bazin, what greater evolution is cinema a part of?
A greater evolution (or effort) f man trying to ‘get at’ reality. Reconnect out of his sense of isolation from it.
According to Bazin, the photographic medium enables a greater degree of what? (Hint: as opposed to painting)
A greater sense of objectivity; greater movement away from individual subjectivity.
BUT - not just visually real, but imaginatively real (depth. A world we enter into.
What is Bazin’s idea of the western painting?
That it was the development of ‘perspective’… ‘Original sin’, of which cinema redeems us of.
- distort reality (in terms of technology)
- cinema creates the world in its own image.
For Bazin, the photographic image of a person represents what?
An imprint, impression of that person; continuous and somehow connected. LIKE A MOLD.. A record.
What are the three analogies Bazin uses to describe audiences connect with the actor in cinema as compared to theatre?
Mold, Mirror, Mask, Usher’s Flashlight.
CINEMA:
Mold - an impression of what is actually real. (Like actor)
Mirror - relays their presence to us. Greater
Mask - underneath which likes reality.
Flashlight, Shandalleer - calls attention *
According to Cavell, what does does the ‘silver screen screen’?
It screens ‘me’ from the rest of the world, and the world from me; makes me invisible.
What is the difference Cavell mentions between acting for theatre and for screen?
Stage: actor works himself into a role
(Role exists apart from the actor)
Screen: performer takes the role onto himself
(one and the same; char. And actor live exist together)
According to Cavell, ‘actor’ might be better replaced with ___.
Star
