What advantages do films have over other mediums?

[kainedamo]

Basically you guys are gonna do my homework for me 'cause my film studies tutor is interviewing us one by one, and has asked what's special about films/movies that you can't get from TVs or books or whatever.

Every medium has advantages and disadvantages. But I can only seem to think of the disadvantages of films. With a book, you can take your time. You can read it as fast or as slow as you want. A film is continuous. It keeps going regardless of whether or not you're paying attention to it. If you're seeing it in the cinema, you have no control at all. With TVs, you can simply change the channel. Cinema seems to be the absence of control.

I need to think about this more.

 

[Doctor Jones]

Great question, I've thought about this for some time now. Vs. sports, video games, and music, you actually get to think. You ask yourself questions that you could never do with other mediums.

For example, I watch and NFL game (God forbid) my team wins, they lose, that's it. You feel great, but you move onto the next game, and hope they win the Superbowl. The only thinking you do is with those damn sports casters who joke and are annoying.

Music - You listen to it, like it or hate it. Listen to the lyrics, you could indentify with it, but other than that, its just a song you hum or crank up on your iPod.

Video Games - Brainless fun. Though I can make an exception with some games. I love Bioshock for its depth and complexity. The only video game that makes you think. But what's one game vs. thousands of films?

When your watching film, you're a participant, you ask yourself questions. You think about the morals and themes, and put yourself into situations. You feel an emotional depth to the actors in it. A great example you should use the barge scene in TDK. That scene makes you more than just a spectator, you actually feel like a participant. What would you do in a situation like that? My whole point is, film has the most prfound impact of any medium. Even if you prefer one over the other. Which one of those things will make you think? It will always be film.

 

[Lemenbolle]

Comparing the book and the film, in a film, everything is less stated. A book lets the reader imagine the surroundings, still, anything that isn't written, simply is not there. In a film, your own imagination is taken away, but replaced with precise detail and direct interpretation of the characteres, environment and so on. You are forced into another universe.

An advantage of the film could be that it requires less effort to be enjoyed. It appeals more to your senses (listening, watching) than your intellect (reading).

 

[The Shape]

Film is often the almalgamation of other mediums. A painting is a still image that can be veiwed and discuss. A song can be heard. Film is the only art form in which you can find the combination of photography, moving images, sound, music, acting, visual effects, and story.

 

[JLBats]

Film has powerful sympathetic powers; simple close-ups of a person are incredibly humanizing and being able to SEE the pain in a person's eyes instead of imagining it is the ultimate tool to incite empathy.

On the other hand, when used in a restrained and contrary manner, film has an incredible power to give us a God's eye, objective view of a situation. Kubrick, for instance.

But really, it is one giant empathy machine, and good editing should get a PHYSICAL reaction out of us.

 

[TLH]

Film has the ability to compress relatively complex narratives into short, concise packages. Many other mediums do not.

 

[terry78]

 

[kainedamo]

Great stuff, guys. Thanks.