The Director's Choice...

In our book, Nichols writes, "An attentive viewer must also be familiar with the repertoire of choices a director faces to recognize her decisions as choices rather than as simply the product of the camera's mechanical ability to record images." What do you think Nichols is trying to say in this statement and what are your thoughts?


I believe that what Nichols intent for that statement is that a viewer of a movie needs to understand what truly is behind the movie they are watching. All the time, effort, equipment, and screw ups that went along in the background to make that movie what it is when it hits the big screen. A movie isn't just about one super long shot and getting it on the screen. A movie is about making you feel like you are a part of the story, making you feel the emotions of the characters, and trying to put you into the character's shoes. The director makes their movies so as to pull you into another universe, another reality other than your own, and let you experience that different reality and make you want to be a part of it. Every angle, every movement, took so much time to get correct before the final shots and edits were made. Nichols wants his readers to understand that they need to realize all of the decisions and thought that the director put into their movie to get it on the big screen for everyone to see.

Engaging Cinema

1.) My initial thoughts on studying the subject of film are that there is a lot more to it than I originally thought and that I am truly looking forward to this class. I had never realized all the components of what makes up a movie until reading the first chapter of Engaging Cinema. I am very excited to be taking this class and learning what really makes a movie worth watching.
2.) In my opinion, movies are a social benefit and a social danger. A benefit because you get insight into other types of realities other than your own. A danger because their are some people out there who think to far into it and get offended or try to reenact the movie. All in all, I think the benefits of movies outweigh the dangers. 

First Post!!

Question: What are your thoughts about taking the class History Through Film? What do you hope to get out of this class and what strength do you bring to the class that will help us all progress forward as we learn?

I am personally very excited to be taking History Through Film class this semester. I think that this class will be very interesting to take and I hope to develop a new understanding of movies and what they are based upon. I would have to say that the strength I could bring to this class would be my attention to detail in movies and my knowledge of historical events.