Celluloid Dreams: The Psychology of Film

Mike and Matt discuss the various elements that are characteristic to the dramatic form of storytelling, including standard character archetypes and narrative tropes. In particular, Matt & Mike focus on some of the most common thematic situational archetypes that are related to rites of passage storylines, such as Coming of Age, Midlife Crisis, Existential Crisis and Death & Rebirth.Throughout the episode, various aspects of Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey will be analyzed, particularly how Odysseus exemplifies the epic hero archetype, as well as how The Odyssey fits into a Midlife / Existential Crisis situational archetype, utliizes the Sins of the Father & Atonement / Redemption narrative tropes, and explores themes of death and rebirth.Additionally, Matt & Mike will discuss some of the controversies surrounding The Odyssey and how Christopher Nolan uses many of the cinematic tools discussed in prior episodes of the film school to make The Odyssey an immersive experience.With so much to discuss in regard to situational archetypes, this episode is part 1 of 2, with the forthcoming Episode 17 wrapping up the exploration of that topic.

Mike and Matt begin their exploration of the last 100 years of film, one year at a time.First up is a year very early in their own upbringing, with a focus on a film generally considered to be the most culturally prominent film in American cinema, The Godfather. Universally loved by filmgoers and critics alike, The Godfather is the perfect starting point for this filmic exploration.For each episode in the "Year in Film" series, Mike and Matt will provide a list of their top films of that year, before diving into the primary subject of the episode.Following analysis of the featured film, a brief discussion of the impact of that film on subsequent related works wraps up the episode.ERRATA: When discussing their top 10 films of 1972, Mike neglected to mention the title of one of his selections, The New Centurions, directed by Richard Fleischer, based on the novel by Joseph Wambaugh, and starring George C. Scott and Stacy Keach.

Matt & Mike continue their discussion of various comedy subgenres, including Slapstick, Spoofs, Teen Comedies, Mockumentaries, Satire, and Dark Comedy.For each subgenre, tropes and subversions of those tropes are discussed, citing numerous examples for each category, including the following:Classic Slapstick - Safety Last!, City Lights, The GeneralModern Slapstick - Blazing Saddles, Airplane!, The Naked GunSlapstick Subversion - Life is BeautifulSpoofs - Young Frankenstein, Scary Movie, Don't Look UpSpoof Subversion - ScreamTeen Comedies - The Breakfast Club, Clueless, SuperbadTeen Comedy Subversions - Fast Times at Ridgemont High, ElectionMockumentaries - This Is Spinal Tap, Waiting for Guffman, Best in ShowMockumentary Subversion - District 9Satire - Sullivan's Travels, The Producers, NetworkSatire Subversions - The Truman Show, One Battle After AnotherBureaucratic Satire - Brazil, Robocop, Starship TroopersMenippean Satire - Dr. Strangelove, M.A.S.H., Don't Look UpDark Comedy - Harold & Maude, The Ref, Pulp FictionDark Comedy Subversions - Funny Games, The Banshees of InishirinDark Satires - Fargo, The Big Lebowski, HeathersDark Satire Subversions - Inglorious Basterds, Parasite

Matt & Mike discuss the elements of comedy and musical films, including tropes used in those types of narratives as well as subversions of those tropes.Topics include the following for comedy:*Standard elements of a comedy include humorous situations typically established by either exaggerating a situation or character qualities depicted in the narrative.*Some character archetypes in comedies include tricksters, lovable losers, the straight man, the man-child, deadpan eccentrics, fish out of water and the everyman.*Common comedy narrative tropes include misunderstandings between characters that cause conflict, a lovable loser that ends up a winner, odd couples with opposite qualities, physical humor, and one-liners.*This episode addresses the romantic comedy and screwball comedy in detail, with other genres to be discussed in the next episode.*Romantic comedy tropes include either enemies to friends or meet cute introduction of characters, opposites attract, a makeover scene, and a final grand gesture to support a love conquers all theme.*Screwball films include many of the same tropes as standard romantic comedies, but typically also include rapid fire dialogue. At times, screwball plotlines explore the remarriage trope as opposed to the initial phase of a relationship that is standard in the modern rom-com.*Notable subversions of the romantic comedy include Annie Hall, (500) Days of Summer, Anora and Jerry Maguire.*Notable subversions of the screwball comedy include Arsenic and Old Lace, Raising Arizona, and War of the Roses.Topics include the following for musicals:*Musicals often use frame stories or fantasy/dream sequences to justify breaking into song within the narrative.*Animated films incorporate many of the same elements as live action musical films, while musical biopics are typically dramas with musical sequences that are explained within the world of the story.*Character archetypes in musicals include the ingenue/dreamer, tortured visionary, cynic, diva, icon, ringmaster and comic sidekick.*Notable musical subversions include The Red Shoes, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Dancer in the Dark, Cabaret, All That Jazz, Black Swan, Pink Floyd: The Wall, and musical biopics generally.*Musical song tropes include the Opening Song, I Want Song, Villain Song, Reprise, 11 O'Clock Song, Showstopper, and Grand Finale.Please join us for the second part of the Comedy discussion, in which slapstick, spoofs, mockumentaries, teen comedies, satires, and dark comedy will be explored in our next episode.

Matt & Mike discuss first person story elements that place the audience into the mindscape of either a protagonist or a group of characters within a narrative.Topics include the following:Indications of a standard first person narrative structure include use of narration and/or point of view shots.However, in many instances, a third person limited perspective that shows only the environment the protagonist sees throughout a story is the format for conveying a specific character's perspective.Voiceover can take the form of either a character relaying information directly to the audience through narration or in the form of a flow of consciousness voiceover within the character's mind.Some films use voiceover by multiple characters to either convey competing views of the characters ("Casino") or a collective consciousness of the characters ('The Thin Red Line").Some meta films that address the filmmaking process work as first person narratives by personifying the filmmaker within the film with either minimal voiceover exposition ("8 1/2") or explicit narration detailing the creative process ("Adaptation").Some unreliable first person narrative structures, such as "Rashomon," are designed to convey the subjective nature of reality, while others convey the warping of reality by mental illness.Dream sequences can be used to reveal the inner world of the protagonist visually, or otherwise serve as internal catalysts for actions they take.Hallucinations can be used in storytelling to either project the warped perspective a character experiences or reveal aspects of a greater reality not normally perceived by the character.Flashbacks are typically used to convey how a character subjectively experienced events that happened in the past, but also can be used to convey how a listener perceives a version of events conveyed to them by that character.Flashforwards raise the issue of whether the future is predetermined or if there is free will to change what has been prophesized.Ultimately, all of these narrative devices enable filmmakers to address subjective reality and emotional truth, which is at the heart of storytelling.

Matt & Mike explore sources of inspiration for films, as well as the various narrative structures through which those storylines are conveyed.Even though plot details may differ between narratives, universal themes are often explored through storylines that long predate the existence of film. Additionally, other sources of inspiration can influence various aspects of a film, including its visual expression of ideas and tone. Examples of sources of inspiration include the following:Oral storytelling historyReligious and mythological storiesStage Plays - both classic and modernShort Stories & Novels - both classic and modernGraphic Novels & Comic BooksVideogamesArtwork & MusicRadio, newsreels & newspapersOther Films - both foreign & domesticThe Entertainment Industry itselfActual Life Events and Non-Fiction materials based upon such eventsThe Collective Unconscious (assuming Carl Jung is correct)Some examples of Themes explored in film and its source material include the following:Good vs EvilComing of AgeSearch for IdentityDeath & RebirthArchetypal characters depicted in films and its source materials include the following:HeroShadowMentorTricksterShapeshifterHeraldNarrative structures for storytelling discussed within this video include the following:Linear - including backward linearNonlinear / FracturedCircular - including repeating time loop, time paradox, and thematic circular structures.BookendsMythical Hero storylines that include a call to adventureFurther exploration of narrative structures and devices to be continued over the next few episodes...

In this episode, Matt & Mike revisit filmmaking elements addressed in prior episodes of the film school to discuss the following:Techniques used when filming the performance of actors.Editing techniques for dialogue scenes.Establishing character through action.How dialogue styles and rhythms either elevate or ground the execution of a film.Primary takeaways are as follows:Distance, framing and motion of cinematography can be used to balance between establishing geography and highlighting key emotional moments that a filmmaker seeks to accentuate.The most important aspect of editing character interaction is to capture the emotion of a scene, with other key aspects being maintaining essential elements of the plot and not disorienting the audience with a bad cut.Elevated dialogue creates a more poetic version of reality, while naturalistic dialogue grounds a film in a less stylized manner to resemble the real world.Voiceover narration can at times be straightforward to bring to light additional plot details or provide insight into a character's inner world. However, narration can also be unreliable to make the audience believe something other than what actually transpired in the story.

Matt & Mike return to discuss the elements that "set the stage" for performance, which make up the Mise-en-Scene of the film. Aspects which comprise Mise-en-Scene include the following:1) Locations - whether it be a soundstage or a natural location.2) Costumes - past, present, or future all require authenticity.3) Props - what are the props that either make the film feel lived in or define character.4) Makeup - especially that which fully transforms the actor into the character he or she assumes.5) Visual effects - to either enhance the setting or character transformation, including motion capture.Once the setting is established for the actor, the primary aspect required to bring the scene to life is performance. A few aspects regarding performance explored in the episode include the following:1) Casting - whether to typecast or cast against type.2) Exterior vs interior acting - stagecraft to play to the back row in comparison to the Method taught by Lee Strasberg or the Adler technique attributed to Stella Adler.3) Non-professional actors - under certain circumstances, is it better for a person to simply be who they are before the camera?4) What is the future for AI characters in film?

Hosts Matt & Mike continue their journey through the process of filmmaking from a psychological perspective, along with special guest, Nick, a podcaster in his own right, who happens to also be Mike's nephew.The reason for Nick's inclusion in this particular episode is his musical background as an experienced drummer, as well as his knowledge of film and film scores.The first portion of the episode concerns the impact on film by the addition of synchronized sound, as well as how sound is mixed to add psychological resonance to a film. The second portion dives into film scoring and use of needle drops to promote associations to particular songs.Some of the composers and their important works discussed in this episode include masters like John Williams, Jerry Goldsmith, John Barry, James Horner, Hans Zimmer, Wendy Carlos, Tangerine Dream and Angelo Badalamenti.

Hosts Matt & Mike continue their journey through the process of filmmaking through a psychological perspective.This episode delves into the art of editing, including discussion of the various types of montage, parallel editing, surrealism and the psychological impact of extended continuous shots. Examples illustrating each aspect of editing include discussion of landmark montage set pieces from Battleship Potemkin and Citizen Kane to The Untouchables and Inception; the power of parallel editing in such masterpieces as The Godfather, Magnolia and Requiem for a Dream; and jaw dropping, seemingly continuous shots as seen in such films as Alfred Hitchcock's Rope, Children of Men and Sinners. Surreal cinema from Maya Deren's Meshes of the Afternoon to David Lynch's Mulholland Drive are also discussed.Takeaways:* The art of picture editing is to juxtapose images in such a manner as to either create seamless action for storytelling purposes or convey complex ideas that go beyond the surface level plot of a film.* Montage is the art of using picture editing to make the assembled pieces have value that is greater than the sum of the individual parts, either intellectually or emotionally.* Montage strategy can either be as objective as following the number of frames between each cut or as subjective as determining how one image juxtaposed against another should create an emotional reaction in the viewer.* Surrealism is the juxtaposition of seemingly unrelated elements that when combined create a kind of dream logic that may not be rationally explainable as much as felt emotionally.

Delves into the art of cinematography, including such topics as the elegance of slow-motion, use of natural light, impact of color versus black & white, and role of framing and different aspect ratios. The conversation covers the evolution of film formats, strategies for utilizing point of view shots, lens choice and lighting, and the contribution of Steadicam on tracking shots.TakeawaysCinematography is a complex aspect of filmmaking that directly affects the psychological impact of a film.Understanding the historical evolution of film formats provides insight into the development of cinematographic techniques.Cinematographic perspective, including the use of point of view shots and camera movement, plays a crucial role in creating a compelling cinematic experience.Choices of lenses, angles, lighting and filming speed can convey a skewed world view to alter the psychological landscape of a film.

Matt and Mike complete discussion of their 30 Film Favorites.The final lists are as follows:Matt's 30 Favorites:2001: A Space OdysseyAlienApocalypse NowBlade RunnerChinatownThe Dark KnightThe Empire Strikes BackThe French ConnectionThe GodfatherGoodfellasGoldfingerHeatInceptionJawsKing Kong (1933)L.A. ConfidentialLawrence of ArabiaLOTR: The Fellowship of the RingThe Nightmare Before ChristmasPsychoRaiders of the Lost ArkRoad to PerditionRobocopThe Right StuffScarfaceSevenThe Shawshank RedemptionStar WarsSuperman - The MovieVideodromeMike's 30 Favorites:AlienThe GodfatherJaws Blade RunnerThe TerminatorAll the President's MenThe ShiningMarathon ManMementoGoodfellasChinatownRequiem for a DreamHalloweenRaiders of the Lost ArkM*A*S*HInceptionDie HardGladiatorSevenMulholland Dr.VideodromeThe Tree of LifeAbre Los Ojos (Open Your Eyes)ManhunterGravityInterstellarCitizen KaneCarrie Don't Look NowA Nightmare on Elm St.Matt's Honorable Mentions:The AbyssAliensAmerican GraffitiBack to the FutureBride of FrankensteinCasino RoyaleCitizen KaneClose Encounters of the Third KindCreature from the Black LagoonThe Dead ZoneDracula (1931)The ExorcistFantasiaFrankenstein (1931)GladiatorThe Good, the Bad, & the UglyThe Godfather - Part 2HalloweenInterstellarPan's LabyrinthPulp FictionSaving Private RyanScarface (1983)Schindler's ListSkyfallThe Spy Who Loved MeThe TerminatorTerminator 2: Judgment DayTouch of EvilToy StoryZodiacMike's Honorable Mentions:The Dark KnightThe Lion KingThe Godfather - Part 2CasablancaAll About EveOn the WaterfrontHeatBlack NarcissusPersona The Big LebowskiSex, Lies, & VideotapePiThe FogTootsieWall StreetThe Virgin SuicidesUpSunriseDangerous LiaisonsDressed to KillDune - Part 2Blazing Saddles8 1/2 Apocalypse NowAliensLa La LandAmelieWitnessThe InsiderIn a Lonely Place

Matt & Mike resume their discussion of their favorite films, this time focusing on stories touching upon the criminal underworld or the world of intrigue. The list of films this time out is as follows:ChinatownLA ConfidentialThe French ConnectionDie Hard GoldfingerMarathon ManHeatManhunterGoodfellasScarface Road to PerditionThe Shawshank RedemptionRequiem for a DreamSPOILER ALERT: Again, all elements of a film are fair game for discussion, so if you haven't seen all of these films and you don't want to know the ending, skip past that film and listen to the next entry.

For their second episode, Matt & Mike continue with their filmic "Rorschach Test" in describing the films that have meaning to them and the personal reasons why. Once they reach the end of this short series of episodes, the hope is that the audience will understand the psychological prism through which Mike & Matt view movies as they break down the elements of individual films in future episodes.In particular, Matt shares his family connection to "The Right Stuff" due to his father's lifetime of military service and flight experience. Mike relates how Christopher Nolan keeps making films he wishes he had the chance to make, with "Interstellar" having particular personal meaning for its exploration of the boundary between the scientific and the spiritual that has fascinated Mike since he was in high school.Other films discussed range from the political, such as the journalistic "All the President's Men" and wickedly satirical "Robocop," to the darkly thrilling, like "The Shining" and "Seven." And there's much more to come in future episodes...SPOILER ALERT: Discussion of all time great films at times must include mention of a film's ending or key twists in the story, so be forewarned that all aspects of a film are fair game for discussion!

In this first episode, Matt & Mike provide their bios to familiarize the listening audience with their backgrounds in order to convey the perspective through which they analyze films. They also begin the process of listing their top 30 favorite films, to share why those films are important to them, and reveal why listeners should follow along as Matt & Mike explore the psychological elements that drive the narratives of the greatest films of all time.