Several years ago as I was leaving the practice of law, I decided I wanted to learn more about my passion – movies. I had always been a cinephile but I wanted to understand the intricacies better with the thought of perhaps becoming a film critic. I returned to my alma mater and audited a few film and media courses. Then came the self-education process: reading, viewing, and attending lectures. I watched numerous interviews of directors, cinematographers, and actors, and I purchased educational DVDs from the Writers Guild, the Directors Guild, American Society of Cinematographers, and the American Film Institute.
Using Mark Cousins comprehensive exciting series The Story of Film I began to learn the history of film. and then watched the classic films themselves. As I progressed through my studies I realized that I did not fit the film critic mold. I did, however, have an eye for the little things appearing or occurring on screen which I came to realize were the film elements that the filmmakers were using to put forth their message. I became more conscious of what was affecting me as I watched. I had never learned how to truly appreciate and understand “art” in the traditional sense – i.e. the kind that you find in a museum or on the wall. My appreciation for the “art of film”, however, was refining.
I began leading movie study groups and bringing in guest speakers, a cinematographer, a film editor, a sound editor, and others. As the group discussed the elements, the meanings became clearer. Listening to how others perceived the same images and sounds and how they had reacted to them helped me more clearly conceptualize my own perceptions and reactions and to find the less obvious meanings contained in a theme. I found my enjoyment increasing as I took so much more with me. Over time the registration for my group has increased from 25 the first semester to the current status of 100 with a waiting list. The members are frequently telling me how they no longer watch a move but instead “see” it. They have discovered how letting themselves experience the film’s elements has clarified and magnified the character development and plot of the film. They go to movies more often and perhaps most importantly now appreciate films that they never would have watched before.
Based upon the journey and the results I decided to write a book so that others could learn this in a simple manner. I hope to have it published by early 2016. This method is not Bob Moss’s theory nor a typical film studies approach. It is strictly a closer examination of the ways that filmmakers have manipulated and directed the viewers attention since over 100 years ago.
In the meantime, through this blog and website, we can all share our experiences and refine our analytical approach. I hope that you will participate regularly with your comments, thoughts and insights.
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