April 21, 2011

The Process of Reviewing a Film For Mr. Lobb’s Class Part 1, In Which We Discuss Character and Motivation

1. The Setup

How do we analyse or review setup?

We know the things that get established

(we aren’t discussing that now)

Level 4 Setup Analysis requires that you think about these deeper elements of character that make the audience FEEL the movie

a) How do we empathize with the lead? (or why) – what happens to make us care?

Empathy – to feel what they feel

There are moments in the setup where the movie is designed to make us KNOW the character’s feelings – better movie = better moments and better move = more layers of problems and reasons that we feel for the character

-     the good movies, and your good review, will also look into the motivations that make the character do things – good, deep, inner drives that are strong and make sense and make good action are what movies need – HIGH STAKES

-     Wizard of Oz – that mean old lady will kill the dog! Or take the farm!

Do the hero’s actions ALL come from this powerful drive? If so, movie is better – if not, movie less powerful