Free Essay - Theory/Terminology

According to Eisenstein, film theory is the use of technical approaches to promote the essentialism of movies through the provision of theoretical frameworks for association with reality (Eisenstein, 222). Formalist film theory is a technic in film theory that emphasizes the elements of filming, such as lighting, sound, use of color, shots composition, scoring, and editing. In movies, tension is the primary central issue to maintain an adequate flow between the still and the moving image. Formalist directors, such as Josh Safdie and Benny Safdie, who directed the "Good Time" movie, make the audience part of an altered reality. Using the formalist film theory, the "Good Time" movie integrates several film elements, such as lighting shots, color use, sound, and editing, to demonstrate the themes, feelings, and communicate ideas.

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Methodology

Formalism focuses on the synthesis of various film production elements to create specific emotions and effects on the "Good Time" movie. For instance, when analyzing the aspects of editing, the research will determine whether continuity editing enhances the comforting or disconcerting effect. In action scenes, editing is used to speed up time while it slows events in other views. The formalism film theory embraces both auteurist and ideological criticism that concentrate on style. The film "Good Time" is acted by professionals like Robert Pattinson (Connie Nikas), Benny Safdie, and Buddy Duress (Safdie Josh and Safdie Benny).

Sound (saturated, desaturated, diegetic) and lighting (high, low, chiaroscuro, black) create exaggerations and moods. When considering different types of shots such as extreme close-up, medium shot, full shot, close-up, deep focus, wide and long shots (Eisenstein, 320). The combination of the shots is used in movie production to create different themes and moods. Four kinds of angles used to elicit emotions from the audience include low angle, eye level, high angle, and oblique angles. In the "Good Time" movie, the mise-en-scene elements of focus for use in this analysis include the costume (make-up and hair), lighting and color, setting and props, body language, and facial expression and positioning of characters.

Analysis

Mise-en-scène

This paper critically analyzes the production choices made in the film, "Good Time," such as the mise-en-scène, cinematography, sound, and editing elements. The make-ups and apparels are considered as consumes. The dress codes in the movie depict the time the film was cast. The mode of clothing also represents the personality of the characters. For instance, the Naiks brothers wear hoods that cover their faces, and the hats also hide the remaining part. Their apparels depict that they are criminals or suspect hiding their identity. They both dress on trends in the 21st century, showing that they are modern young men struggling to achieve a comfortable life in a highly competitive world. The nature of apparels worn by characters in the film portrays the various social classes, focusing on Connie and his girlfriend, Corey Ellman. Their apparels symbolize they belong in two different social classes. Corey is a classy young woman who blindly falls in love without knowing Connie's behaviors because she believes in whatever he says. At one instance, Connie lies to her that he is not aware of why his brother was imprisoned while seeks monetary help pay his bail. Economic status also determines the duration individuals spend in jail as Connie becomes poorer while trying every scheme to bail his brother. His brother suffers from mental disorders is brutally injured while in prison. After a confrontation with other inmates, his face and clothes are covered with blood, demonstrating the harsh conditions of imprisonment, particularly to mentally disabled individuals (Safdie Josh and Safdie Benny). The characters do not often change apparels because they are hiding from law enforcement agencies, for instance, Connie changes his clothes when they attack a security guard (Dash) while looking for Ray's money in the Adventureland Park.

Lighting and Color

The lighting and color in the movie were crucial in building the mood, intentions, and actions in various shots (Eisenstein, 222). The film can be described as dark and grimy because it depicts a different side of New York City associated with drugs, crimes, and confusion. In many instances that capture Connie, the three-point lighting was used to eliminate direct light. The lighting used to focus on the scene's characters is high-key lighting, whereas the background themes are coupled with dim lights or low-key lights, which, however, set the scenes with soft natural reflections. Focusing on a particular moment of the film, when Connie and Nick are walking along the road before his arrest, the cast uses high contrast lighting. The scene portrays some dark parts and some high-contrast lighting that vividly brought the characters' faces, clearly showing their facial expressions. In that case, the illumination enabled the producer to achieve the emotions he wanted to give the audience. Moreover, the fitting of the sunset background allowed the producer to display a mood in the scene. On the street, the lighting shot was low key, but the focus was on Ray and Connie. The audience would understand that the two characters are more important in the cast. Further, the shot's color seems profound and dark, suggesting a stressful mood because Connie is confused about his life and that of his brother (Safdie Josh and Safdie Benny).

Characterization

The characters in the films fit their roles, for instance, Connie is taking care of his brother and wants to offer him a comfortable life after noticing that therapy is not helping him. He takes drastic measures and thinks of new ideas to solve challenges he faces while trying to raise money for his brother's bail. He moves from one problem to a more complex one but does not give up on his objective. He disregards the feelings of any other person except his brother, but he finally admits his crimes. Nickolas "Nick" Nikas acts as a mentally-handicapped person who follows the directions of others. He fails to understand simple concepts, for instance, at therapy declares that he does not know the meaning of "do not count your chickens before they hatch," which amazes the therapists. When Connie asks whether he feels the energy to rob a bank, he says that he feels cold, but Connie cannot do it alone and takes him towards the bank. The people taking simple roles in the film also fit in their duties, making it more realistic. The bail cashier is a serious and uncaring man because he receives Connie's money and demands for $10,000 without considering the case at hand. He strictly follows the law and gives no room for negotiations (Safdie Josh and Safdie Benny). Most of the scenes were shots were acted on the streets, and the people in the background acts as if they are unaware of the filming, making it authentic.

Cinematography

The motion pictures in the movie, "Good Time" are filmed very professionally. The expanse of New York City is well captured in wide and long shots, showing its beauty and serenity, but the directors intensely focus on the dark side of the street, which gives the audience a different picture. The movie directors also try to show a dramatic effect using camera angles and focus, to depict the surroundings and mood. For instance, when the two brothers are stealing from the bank, close captions help the viewers to learn the tensions and confusion associated with the crime. The graphics and the effects in the film are astonishing; the clarity is very high. The close shots of characters' facial expressions help the audience learn about their motivation and determination despite the risks associated with their actions. The close-up shots indicate that most of the caption was done by hand-held cameras, for instance, when Connie appears to the police office to pay for his brother's bill (Safdie Josh and Safdie Benny). The wide captures show the reaction on his face and his girlfriend when the money he had was not enough for the bail. Another close caption shows Connie and Ray in an argument on who between them is the smartest. The film has a lot of quick cuts denoting that continuity editing was to enhance tension and suspense (Eisenstein, 227). The jump-cuts shots also help the audience to realize the grimy world in which the film is created. The shots that were taken during the night are associated with short focus and intense background lighting to enhance the mood of the scene.

Sounds

Sounds and the use of particular music in certain scenes in "Good Time" allowed the audience to build emotions during the play. The use of sound effects in the film was incredibly associated with high and low soundtracks to denote the intensity of the situation. There were moments of loud sounds, soft sounds, and sometimes silence. Connie takes one drastic measure after another, believing that he will have a way to escape from the police. The soundtracks play a significant role in the film because they symbolize Connie's mind in various situations. He becomes determined, distorted, and agitated from one scene to another, raising the level of sound to denote his mood. For instance, a disturbing sound is heard when Connie is telling Corey about his brother's situation. However, the music becomes loud when police are running after Connie and arrests him (Safdie Josh and Safdie Benny). Music in the form of lyrics is also heard in every step Connie takes, describing that he wants to have a calm life, but he faces the opposite.

Works Cited

Eisenstein, Sergei. "Beyond the shot." Selected works 1 (1929): 1922-1934.

Safdie Josh and Safdie Benny. Good Time.2017.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=upsR80YmwWc [Video File]