- Sep 22, 2013
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Characterization is important for storytelling and hence for film-making.
Two special characters in modern-age films represent a cinematic investment in 'derring-do' atmospherics:
1. Patrick Swayze as the wild bank-robbing surfer Bodhi in Point Break
2. Tom Cruise as the outlandish media-personality Frank T.J. Mackey in Magnolia
These two characters differ from the 'mystery-man' characters in nihilism-oriented modern-age films:
a. Leo DiCaprio as the wild movie star Brandon Darrow in Celebrity
b. Brad Pitt as the aggressive rebel Tyler Durden in Fight Club
c. Johnny Depp as the unscrupulous book-dealer Dean Corso in The Ninth Gate
Finally, characters representing 'creative psychology' in modern-age films stand out as well:
Margot Robbie as the tricky Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad
Perhaps it was the films of Orson Welles or Alfred Hitchcock which first introduced film audiences to the real value of characterization. Charles Foster Kane (Welles) and Norman Bates (Hitchcock) stand out as 'totems' of mentalism-storytelling that construct the atmosphere around them. Perhaps Welles and Hitchcock paved the way for modern characterization-centric cinematic storytelling, which we see now overflowing in countless 'figurine' (or superhuman) arena comic book adapted films such as The Dark Knight and Iron Man.
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FILM-MAKER 1: How important is characterization in cinema?
FILM-MAKER 2: It certainly contributes to storytelling.
FILM-MAKER 1: Can you build a story without developed characters?
FILM-MAKER 2: Well, if your film is about robots, then yes.
FILM-MAKER 1: Why would you want a movie/story about robots to offer characterization?
FILM-MAKER 2: If your story about robots is about emotional experience, then characterization is key.
FILM-MAKER 1: Why would a non-robot movie require characterization?
FILM-MAKER 2: Characterization builds the 'arena' of human consciousness in a story.
FILM-MAKER 1: What is a robot movie about emotional experience like?
FILM-MAKER 2: Perhaps a movie about a robot trying to become human...
FILM-MAKER 1: What's the role of the avatar-rich comic book adapted movie?
FILM-MAKER 2: Comic book films present 'figurines' (or superhumans) representing 'attitude.'
FILM-MAKER 1: Can you make a comic book film that does not require characterization?
FILM-MAKER 2: Well, if your film is about invisible superhumans, then yes.
FILM-MAKER 1: What about comparing a comic book film to a film about a religious icon (e.g., Buddha)?
FILM-MAKER 2: The film-maker would have to focus on the pure intelligence of the characters/figures.
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BODHI and FRANK TJ MACKEY
BRANDON DARROW, TYLER DURDEN, and DEAN CORSO:
HARLEY QUINN:
Two special characters in modern-age films represent a cinematic investment in 'derring-do' atmospherics:
1. Patrick Swayze as the wild bank-robbing surfer Bodhi in Point Break
2. Tom Cruise as the outlandish media-personality Frank T.J. Mackey in Magnolia
These two characters differ from the 'mystery-man' characters in nihilism-oriented modern-age films:
a. Leo DiCaprio as the wild movie star Brandon Darrow in Celebrity
b. Brad Pitt as the aggressive rebel Tyler Durden in Fight Club
c. Johnny Depp as the unscrupulous book-dealer Dean Corso in The Ninth Gate
Finally, characters representing 'creative psychology' in modern-age films stand out as well:
Margot Robbie as the tricky Harley Quinn in Suicide Squad
Perhaps it was the films of Orson Welles or Alfred Hitchcock which first introduced film audiences to the real value of characterization. Charles Foster Kane (Welles) and Norman Bates (Hitchcock) stand out as 'totems' of mentalism-storytelling that construct the atmosphere around them. Perhaps Welles and Hitchcock paved the way for modern characterization-centric cinematic storytelling, which we see now overflowing in countless 'figurine' (or superhuman) arena comic book adapted films such as The Dark Knight and Iron Man.
====
FILM-MAKER 1: How important is characterization in cinema?
FILM-MAKER 2: It certainly contributes to storytelling.
FILM-MAKER 1: Can you build a story without developed characters?
FILM-MAKER 2: Well, if your film is about robots, then yes.
FILM-MAKER 1: Why would you want a movie/story about robots to offer characterization?
FILM-MAKER 2: If your story about robots is about emotional experience, then characterization is key.
FILM-MAKER 1: Why would a non-robot movie require characterization?
FILM-MAKER 2: Characterization builds the 'arena' of human consciousness in a story.
FILM-MAKER 1: What is a robot movie about emotional experience like?
FILM-MAKER 2: Perhaps a movie about a robot trying to become human...
FILM-MAKER 1: What's the role of the avatar-rich comic book adapted movie?
FILM-MAKER 2: Comic book films present 'figurines' (or superhumans) representing 'attitude.'
FILM-MAKER 1: Can you make a comic book film that does not require characterization?
FILM-MAKER 2: Well, if your film is about invisible superhumans, then yes.
FILM-MAKER 1: What about comparing a comic book film to a film about a religious icon (e.g., Buddha)?
FILM-MAKER 2: The film-maker would have to focus on the pure intelligence of the characters/figures.
====
BODHI and FRANK TJ MACKEY
BRANDON DARROW, TYLER DURDEN, and DEAN CORSO:
HARLEY QUINN:
