By: Phillip Mattie
Today, we are used to seeing Comic Book Movies, where super heroes parade across the screen in a spectacular display of special effects that dazzle the eye, render the imagination awed. In fact, with every passing year, I wonder how these effects could get any better. Somehow, amazingly, they do. But it is not these effects that I would like to discuss; and please, realize that I appreciate them just as much as the next person.
But what I would like to discuss is this: Film as a medium of expression. Film can create the most heinous of villains, the most honourable of heroes, and every colour of grey in between. Those superheroes and supervillains that are brought to life on the screen are amazing spectacles. However, it is not the effects that make these characters great, nor the action scenes, so painstakingly choreographed for our entertainment. Rather, film as a dramatic medium is brought to life through three key factors: Actors, directors, and writers. Although, the special effects are pretty cool, too.
First up: The role of the actor
This idea is the easiest to talk about. A lot of it I have discussed before, actually, but most of my previous material has to do with characters, not actors. If you’re interested, I suggest taking a peek in previous blog entries relating to character archetypes. Anyways, back on track: what is the role of an actor. Simply put, to bring a character to life. A good actor will not only bring a character to life, he/she will develop and mold a character to stand out, to elevate a persona into a real person who could have walked the earth or asked you for some change in the parking lot of a supermarket. We’ve all seen bad actors; they stand out in a movie and make you cringe and wiggle in your seat like an uncomfortable worm. However, those good actors… oh, man, they suck you in to their world as if you were an old friend returned from a long journey. Think Kevin Spacey in House of Cards. Incredible character, and an equally exceptional actor.
There are a couple contrasts when it comes to stage drama and film, specifically regarding actors. For one, in a play, the actor must speak bigger—what I mean is that actors must speak so that everyone can hear them, projecting their voice almost as if they were a radio tower and everyone in the audience must be tuned in so they can hear. Not so in a film. An actor may whisper, and we the audience will be drawn in by every soft syllable. Also, the eyes. Look for the eye acting in film and TV. On a stage, there is no such thing as “eye acting.” The audience is too far away for any such performance to be valuable. But, when a close-up shot of an actor is smeared across the screen, their emotions are right there to be seen, in the eyes.
Next: The role of the director
Just think about that word for a moment: Director, He/she who directs. Well, a couple good questions to ask yourself is, “Direct who? Or what?” Basically, the director is in charge—or directs—everything that appears within the frame of the camera, which obviously includes actors. How those actors move in a scene, where they enter the frame, where they leave, the cuts, the edits, all of these things the director does.
On top of what is in the frame, the director must be in control of the camera—its position relative to the actors, and even how the camera moves from shot-to-shot. Is there one long, continuous shot where the camera swings from scene to scene with no cuts to create fluidity, or is there a bunch of cuts one right after the other to create confusion? Is the shot angled? How far away are the actors to the camera? Is it a close-up or a distance shot? Just think of the camera as another actor, and the director the puppeteer of that actor. He controls it, and everything in front of it. And while each actor is responsible for bringing a character to life, it is the director’s job to capture that life in the best possible way so that we, the audience, can see the fruits of the actor’s labour.
The role of the writer
OK, I hate to brag, but writers are the most important (just kidding). Writers are an integral part of film. There would be no characters or conflict or resolution or anything without them, really. So the role of the writer is to create, create a character that can seep into an actor, create a world that a director can capture. However, as important as these things are, I can’t help but think of the writer’s motivation behind actually writing a story. I can’t help but ask, why write this? Sometimes, it is to deliver a life lesson. Other times, it is to entertain. Audiences don’t always want morally conscious, didactic stories. Sometimes, they just want to kick back and have a good laugh. As a final note about writers, I sometimes find that they are the interpreters of culture, and in many ways, the creators of it as well. They are our teachers, they are the ones sending their creations through the screen into our minds, so I always ask myself, “Why?” Why write this? What is the motive?
Film is an amazing tool for telling stories. Just remember, in any critical analysis, knowing the roles of actors, directors, and writers will lead to a better overall understanding of the inner workings of the film. Actors bring characters to life, directors capture those characters, and writers create them. Just remember to ask yourself what the goal of the writer was when creating this character; it will only increase your comprehension of the film. So make some popcorn and watch your favourite film this weekend, and see if you can increase your analytical skills while you’re at it.