Week Nine Q&A

An action figure produced upon the cinematic release of The Thing. Couldn't you just picture some eager child opening his Christmas presents that year, to find....this?

Bordwell, p 19-50

How do films with multiple protagonists work within the model? 

In films with multiple protagonists, eventually the fate of one or two characters is likely to dominate. These ultimate protagonists get more screen time, and often the climax will depend on a decision or action they must take (such as Macready's decision to torch the camp in The Thing). With multiple protagonists, the four part structure will be built around their goals.

List and briefly describe the narrational tactics discussed in the section “Tightening the Plot” (starting on p. 43).

-Two plotlines (one involving heterosexual romance).
-Dangling cause; unresolved issues in a scene which are picked up later
-Dialouge hook; line at the end of the scene that relates to the action we see next
-Ticking clock/appointments/deadlines; upcoming date or deal will reassemble the characters, motivates a future scene, and builds suspense
-Appointments; used as forshadowing, a 'plant' that will be picked up later in the narrative.
-Repeated object or line of dialouge.

What does Bordwell mean by his claim that Hollywood narratives have “passages of overtness balanced with less self-conscious ones” (p. 50)?

Bordwell means that Hollywood narratives used the narrative tricks mentioned the passage, such as narration and providing additional text information,with the intention of providing as clear a plot as possible. Other narrative tactics such as ticking clock/appointments/deadlines were used less self-conscously and served as a sort of insular shorthand to get the characters to move forward within the narrative.

American Cinema and the Entertainment Economy

Which genres flourished and which genres declined during the 1980s and 1990s?

Due to the increased power of the 12-29 age bracket at the theater (they made up 75% of the moviegoing public), the studios began catering to their preferences. Fantasy and science fiction, as well horror and low-brow comedy were the popular genres, as well as films featuring 'awesome special effects,' 'edgy violence or profanity', and throwaway references to other movies.