Film’s Illusions

“Movies” do not really move

Movements – illusion caused by 2 optical phenomena

Persistence of VisionStrobic Effect

Persistence of vision

• Blinking eyes• Flip books• Zoetrope

Thaumotrope

thaumotrope

Used to demonstrate brain function

Simple pictures

Strobic Effect

Basis for stop action

Stop Animation

• Evolved into Flash animation

• Vector program – Uses lines instead of dolls– Animating lines instead of single pictures

Other Illusions used in film

Illusion of depth

Cinema Situation

Illusion of reality

Illusion of Depth

Pictures: 2-D3-D effect

Long take Technique

Cinema Situation

• Viewer isolated in dark room

• Suppression of critical thinking

• Assume a character’s point of view

• Horror films

Illusion of Reality

• Viewers identify with screen events

• Get caught up with music, violence

• Creates a trance-like state directly related to the technology

• Surround sound, Cinemascope

• Goal is not a better film but to make a viewer more passive

Kuleshov Effect

A + B = C

Significant in TV commercials

Food for thought - why should we understand film’s

illusions?

• It’s 1 thing to be manipulated, but it is empowering to know that you are being manipulated

• We talk about obesity but ads say “I’m Lovin’ it”

• Essays are really A+B=C