Verified Document

Structuralism And Film In Film Essay

According to Phillip Rosen in Narrative Apparatus, Ideology: A Film Theory Reader, "The syntagmatic is comprised of the rule-governed relationships among signs present in an actual, concrete signifying "chain" such as a sentence; it is the realm of combination. The paradigmatic is constituted by the relationships among all the possible…alternatives to each element of a signifying chain; it is the realm of substitution." In film, this sort of opposition is somewhat diminished because the director of a film dictates how the signifier is represented in a film with a unique image that is representative of the director believes the signifier is signified. Because of the uniqueness of an image within the context of a film, they cannot be substituted; substitution has the potential of changing the meaning of the film's narrative, which would alter the director's vision. Structuralism is beneficial in helping to deconstruct the different elements that make up a narrative and how the images chosen to represent thoughts and ideas within cinema are selected. However, structuralism...

"Film Theories." SlideShare. 30 December 2011. Web. 4 May 2013.
Phillips, John William. "Structuralism and Semiotics." National University of Singapore. Web. 4

May 2013.

Rosen, Phillip. Narrative Apparatus, Ideology. A Film Theory Reader. New York: Columbia

University Press, 1986. Web.

Thompson, John. "Structuralism and its Aftermaths." The Cinema Book. Edited by Pam Cook.

Walkabout. Directed by Nicolas Roeg. Australia: 20th Century Fox, 1971. DVD.

Sources used in this document:
Works Cited

Padhiar, Asha. "Film Theories." SlideShare. 30 December 2011. Web. 4 May 2013.

Phillips, John William. "Structuralism and Semiotics." National University of Singapore. Web. 4

May 2013.

Rosen, Phillip. Narrative Apparatus, Ideology. A Film Theory Reader. New York: Columbia
Cite this Document:
Copy Bibliography Citation

Related Documents

Movies and Methods: Volume I
Words: 2080 Length: 6 Document Type: Term Paper

Not only does Nichols provide a good context for the many paradoxes that can confront film studies with his insightful and thoughtful introduction, but he also shows how sharing approaches and methods can help to stimulate a lot of the best writing regarding film. In addition he shows many of the common problems that are seen and deals with the contradictions that appear. Like the first volume of the anthology,

Post-Structuralism and Film the Objective
Words: 1265 Length: 5 Document Type: Research Paper

" (Barrat, nd) This view however, is not without its challenges. For example, there is a risk that the film will be examined "from the top-down, interpreting the film so that it fits into the general theoretical framework, and thus ignoring an analysis of the film's specific qualities." (Barrat, nd) in addition, it is reported that this theory is itself questionable in terms of its validity. During the 1980s, it

Greek Mythology Identification a Heroic Greek Myths in a Modern Movie...
Words: 1318 Length: 4 Document Type: Essay

Greek and Roman Greek Mythology: Identification of Heroic Greek Myths in Modern Movies There are many effective and functional parallels in modern movies to ancient myths. They make us feel and think about many things. Modern movies that have been successful at the box office are inspired by Greek myths. We see common themes, characters and motifs of myth in the modern movies. The goal here is to identify the mythic elements

Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho Patrick Mcgilligan
Words: 1217 Length: 4 Document Type: Term Paper

According to Francois Truffaut, "Hitchcock is universally acknowledged to be the world's foremost technician, even his detractors willingly concede him this title," and other critics state, "Hitchcock is one of the greatest inventors of form in the entire cinema," while still others assert that "his films remain central to questions of cinematic practice and critical theory" (Kirshner). Psycho was one Hitchcock's favorite films, because he derived his main satisfaction from

Prater Violet Was Above All Else a
Words: 741 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

Prater Violet was above all else a book meant to elaborate on the creative process as it pertains to film. And although Prater Violet as not intended an avenue for analysis of literary theories, the characters display behaviors and personalities that fall into several theories contemplated in Terry Eagleton' s: Literary Theory:An Introduction. New Criticism, as Eagleton explains, points to the non-essential qualities of novels in their lack of need

Prater Violet and Eagleton's Literary Theory Often,
Words: 668 Length: 2 Document Type: Essay

Prater Violet and Eagleton's Literary Theory Often, when writing a literary work, authors are focused so much on their personal views and intentions with the story that no literary theory comes to mind. Furthermore, writers are seldom concerned with adhering to or promoting any specific theory. Nevertheless, it is the nature of readers and critics to want to impose theories upon literary works. Much like life, literary works present themselves in

Sign Up for Unlimited Study Help

Our semester plans gives you unlimited, unrestricted access to our entire library of resources —writing tools, guides, example essays, tutorials, class notes, and more.

Get Started Now