Film theories from this article: Research Film Theory
| Cue | Notes |
| What is New Cristicsm? | Revolves around a close reading of a text Text can have a deeper meaning beyond what was originally intended Art can take on a meaning separate from the artist who created it intended |
| How do we closely look at films? | Audience familiarizes themselves w/ techniques and devices while watching the film Consider both the content of the film-central themes, narratives and formal elements- how the content is presented via cinematography and dialogue In order to come to conclusions about films one has to closely examine the cinematography and dialogue |
| How is this applied in film? | Film is grounded in script and cinematography New Criticism in film is the close reading of the visual storytelling Ex: lighting- highkey lighting to illuminate the Joker and while Batman is shot with lowkey lighting, the director does this to reinforce the Joker as one that sheds light on Gotham’s societal dysfunction |
Summary
While New Criticism for scholars is often seen as revlolving around a close reading of texts, film is grounded in script and cinematography meaning it can also be seen as the close reading of the visual storytelling in a film. In order to come to conclusions about the characters or plot in the film, one has to closely exament both the content but also the formal elements such as the cinematography and dialogue.
