Although cinema is plot driven,” characters stand at the center of the action and interact with the events” (Belton 25). Over the duration of a film, the main characters struggle to achieve their goals or solve their problems. The characters often have to overcome those who wish to stand in their way, prevail in unfavorable conditions, and rise above their own limitations. Alfred Hitchcock’s film Vertigo is a prime example of what is known as the problem solving element of a narrative. This film features the main character Scottie Ferguson (played by James Stewart) trying to clear up the problem of him being involved in an elaborate murder scheme. One of the most recognizable modern day films that features the problem solving element is the film The Terminator directed by James Cameron. In this films case the cyborg robot (played by Arnold Schwarzenegger) is sent to earth to stop a child from being born for who is destined to lead a rebellion against the government. The problem solving element of film has been used by film makers young and old.
Films of Today and yesterday often feature a story that is introduced in an orderly fashion and then suddenly something disrupts this calm state, or ,”equilibrium” as it is known to directors and filmmakers everywhere. After the original state of the film is disrupted subsequent events in the film try to reclaim the previous calm of the beginning of the narrative. These attempts however are inept until the end of the film in which the previous state of calm is finally achieved. One of the most notable films with this technique is Alfred Hitchcock’s film Rear Window. The disruption in this film is caused by a lovers’ quarrel between the two main characters L.B. Jefferies (played by James Stewart) and Lisa (played by Grace Kelly). After the lovers’ quarrel the film is centered on getting peace back in the two’s relationship. Equilibrium and Disruption is a technique that dates back many years and films ago.
The next element of the classic Hollywood style is time and space. As John Belton explain in a story and film,” a certain task has to be met or a certain task has to be met within a certain time frame” (26). One of the earliest film with this particular classic element is the movie Seven Chances directed by Sam Keaton. In this films case the main characters has the opportunity to inherit seven million dollars if he can get married by seven o’clock on his 27th birthday. A modern example of this particular idea includes the films, Apollo 13, and Brewster’s Millions. The element of time and space is one of the most popular techniques developed by the classic Hollywood style.
Classic Hollywood film style set the benchmark for the movies of modern day. This style which was started back in the early nineteenth century is still seen in theaters all over the world. The classic Hollywood style has assisted film makers in make astronomical amounts of money unknown to early film directors. The elements, problem solving, time and space, equilibrium and disruption are all products of the classic Hollywood filmmaking style.
Works Cited
Belton, John. American Cinema and American Culture. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005. 24-30.
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