I’ve often been asked how I glean the information I do from watching a film. In truth, interpreting a film isn’t all that difficult; it just requires a bit more effort than most people are willing to put into watching a film. Watching a film is not a passive experience as some may believe, on the contrary a good film demands the viewers complete attention. I’m by no means an expert, but I’d like to share my own habits and experiences in how I watch films.
First, it is essential to remove all distractions. Most of us have our cellphones on us at all times; turn it off and put it away. Believe me, you’ll survive two hours without it. Also make sure that you won’t be bothered. Obviously, urgent matters occasionally arise, but any disturbance can throw off the pacing of a film.
Second is to have a good setup. A decent quality screen of adequate size on which to watch the film. High definition is preferable, but not essential. You should also get comfortable, ideally with a good snack and your drink of choice. Being comfortable is important as it allows you to focus solely on the film.
My living room where I do the majority of my film watching.
Third, it’s important to do your research. Personally, I believe that the best way to go into any film is to do so blindly, knowing as little as possible. That said, knowing the creator(s) of any particular film goes a long way in helping one interpret the film. It helps you to know what kind of person created the film, what else they’ve done, what themes and ideas do they commonly explore, etc.
Think of every film as a series of moving parts. There’s the director, the screenwriters, the actors, the various design teams, all the people that contribute to the creation of a film. Think of each individual part and try to think about how that part is playing out on the screen in front of you. Think of those parts in relation to each other; how are they working together?
One of the most important aspects of any film is its cinematography. It’s important to analyze every shot and ask why was this shot that way? Think of the angles, the framing, the juxtaposition, everything about the shot, and ask what is the cinematographer trying to say by shooting this scene in this way. Furthermore, examine the colours; many films have a very distinct colour palette that also conveys theme. Thinking of how things are shot implies a lot about what the film as a whole might be trying to say.
The most important person in the production of any film is the director. They oversee the entire production of a film. As such consider the production from their perspective. How are things placed, how are the actors moving and speaking, how is every individual part of this film contributing to the film as a whole. By asking these questions as you watch the film, you can gain a sense of how a director thinks, and therefore insight into films themselves.
Obviously, this advice is only a starting point, and there’s plenty more to consider when watching a film. Insight into the creation of a film is essential to interpreting meaning from film. When viewing the individual aspects of a film, it’s important to know that every aspect of a film has an intention; examine that intention and consider it within the context of the overall film. I love watching films, as its probably apparent, I hope that you, the reader, might try to see film in the way I do, and perhaps share a little bit in my hobby.
Joel Vs Film 