Chapter 1: What is a Movie?

Learning Objectives

After reading Chapter One, you should be able to

• Differentiate between form and content in a movie, and be able to explain how they are related.
• Understand how movies manipulate space and time.
• Explain how movies provide an illusion of movement.
• Distinguish between realism and antirealism, and explain how achieving verisimilitude is important to them both.
• Explain what is meant by cinematic language and why we identify with the camera lens.
• Differentiate narrative, nonfiction, animated, and experimental movies.
• Understand what genre is and why it is important.
• Explain the most significant (or defining) characteristics of a movie.
• Begin looking at movies more analytically and perceptively.