This chapter discusses the importance of visualization in filmmaking. It begins by highlighting the connection between the impulse of a boy playing with toy soldiers and the visual basis of Hollywood movies. The boy's framing of the action mimics the perspective of a filmmaker, creating a sense of immersion and experience.
The chapter then explores the concept of "presence," as described by French film critic André Bazin. Presence refers to the viewer's feeling of being within the same spatial and temporal continuum as the on-screen image. Unlike paintings or photographs, which have a surface that reminds the viewer of their two-dimensionality, motion pictures project a three-dimensional space that allows viewers to feel included in the on-screen world.
The discussion moves on to the continuity style of filmmaking, which evolved from the strategies used by early filmmakers such as Griffith and Porter. These strategies were influenced by the artistic traditions of the 19th century, including theater, literature, illustration, and photography. The continuity style, which forms the basis of Hollywood storytelling, has expanded to include elements of cinéma vérité, experimental film, and avant-garde techniques.
The chapter emphasizes that while learning the conventions of the continuity style is valuable, filmmakers should also feel free to experiment and develop their own unique styles. Visualization is an important step in the filmmaking process, allowing filmmakers to generate new visual and narrative ideas before shooting begins. It helps in finding the dramatic center of a scene, making decisions about staging and shot composition, and refining the overall vision of the film.
However, the chapter notes that visualization is not meant to eliminate on-set decisions or streamline production processes. Instead, it is a tool for exploring creative possibilities and enhancing the quality of sequences and shots. The ultimate goal is to create compelling and engaging sequences that make the most of available resources.
In summary, this chapter emphasizes the role of visualization in filmmaking and its connection to the immersive nature of motion pictures. It discusses the continuity style as a storytelling convention and encourages filmmakers to use visualization as a means to develop unique visual and narrative ideas for their films.
Comments