Realist vs Expressionist Film

Realist vs Expressionist 

Using the short film screenplay you have written for your Component 3 work…

• Write a 400-word outline which discusses how you would undertake producing this short film from a realist/ expressionist

Realist: 

For my screenplay ‘Deception’ I would undertake producing this in the form of a realist film by specifically using real locations to add to the authenticity and realism to the short film. For example, the majority of my scenes take place in the busy streets of London and therefore by using familiar and recognisable streets the audience will be encouraged to place themselves alongside the characters and find a way to relate to what they are seeing on screen. As well as this, this means the set will be unrefined and true to what it actually looks like, establishing the exposition and location without having to directly tell the spectator, giving the impression that they are witnessing a snippet of real life, opposed to a fiction. This establishes the ongoing chaos and unease throughout the film, the bustling crowds acting as a metaphor for what’s going on inside the characters conscious. 

As a producer I would also use a handheld camera during this scene as Natalie pushes through crowds of people on the streets as she runs home. The use of handheld camera will lend to a documentary style of film giving the impression we are watching all the events unfold as they happen in real life, as well as increasing the emotional intensity of the character, which I believe to my very important in my short film. I also intend to use a wide angle lens at eye-level, immersing the spectator into the characters life while creating a medium in which the spectator is treated as a by-stander witnessing the goings-on of the character. This is similar to Lumière’s realist style of film using the camera to capture people unknowingly and create an objective view of reality. I have similarly taken inspiration from Vertov’s ‘Man with a Movie Camera’ as this captures the everyday life of people in a city. 

Also in the style of realist cinema I will produce my short film to have long takes in order to come across as realistic and at the same time effectively build tension, for example in the elevator scene. This scene is significant as the spectator catches a glimpse of Natalie’s true psychotic nature and shows the shift between her paranoia, aggression, vulnerability and fake kindness when around others, this being the turning point where we see the characters true self. By using long takes, this enable the spectator to watch the shift in her emotions and linger on the character, meaning they can understand better how this comes to happen. The long static take will appear as if the spectator is stood in the elevator with Natalie and allow the spectator to connect with the character as if its real life, adding to the realist approach in what seems to be a rare situation.

Expressionist: 

When producing my screenplay I will take an expressionist approach through the use of editing, emphasising short takes and a fast cutting rate in order to mirror a sense of chaos and confusion. An example where I would use this in my screenplay is in the opening scene as Natalie runs through the crowd, dramatically changing camera angles and the length of shots to echo what is happening inside the character’s head. This is expressionist as it puts more emphasis on Natalie’s emotions and sub-conscious in a more stylistic way in order to create an intense viewing experience, opposed to a more realistic approach in which the spectator is a forced to take a step back from the action and watch it happening as a by-stander. Specifically in the scene where Natalie enters her flat for the first time I intend to use distorting and exaggerated angles, for instance a Dutch angle or extreme close up,  to show a sense of confusion and disorientation. Another example of this is when Natalie smashes the mirror and breaks down on the floor hyperventilating. In order to show an expressionistic style of film I will utilise montage editing by breaking up clips and repeating them to experiment with the conventions of cinematic time to reflect Natalie’s deteriorated mental state and position the spectator within her mind. This will create a sense of terror and unease as the spectator is subjectively told how to feel and react as they almost become the character due to the closeups and intimacy with the characters emotions and thoughts. 

Another way in which I will convey an expressionistic approach to the production of my short film is through the use of mise en scene and lighting. A key characteristic of expressionist film is the exploration of light and shadows which intend to use in my screenplay to reflect the dark and sinister tone. For example in the scene where Natalie enters her flat I will use directional lighting through the blinds to create shafts of light which will reflect throughout Natalie’s flat and produce a shadow on her face. These shadows will represent her conflicted emotions and act as a metaphor for her hiding something.  I will similarly play with the shadows during flashback to Natalie hiding in a closet when she was younger, in which similar shafts of light will reflect on her face. This subtly gives the audience a link and connection between the two stages of Natalie’s life and provides context to her apprehensive and manic nature, without explicitly telling the audience. Also, in terms of lighting I will position a red flickering light when Natalie’s character appears during the scene set in an alleyway. The red flickering light foreshadows Natalie’s instability and predicts the danger of the situation, especially using the bold colours, another key element of expressionist film. 

Another expressionist element which I have included, is the use of mise en scene, which I have used purposefully as a way hinting at the film’s narrative and plot. For example in my opening scene I have put ‘Multiple TV screens in a shop window display the same trailer for a crime show. A police officer appears on the screen pointing towards the camera as Natalie runs past’.  This foreshadows how Natalie is responsible for her parents deaths and uses set to its advantage, giving the audience hidden hints, as well as avoiding a realistic set approach.