Cinema Techniques and Perception - Case Study Example

Introduction There are different perspectives that are d in films and the story lines that are created behind them. In many cinema pieces, it isassumed that the interpretations of the film come from the producers and the way that the film is written. However, each of the cinema pieces is also able to create a response with the human perspective that occurs throughout the film. As a story line is depicted, the perception of what one believes and understands with the occurrences begins to change. Specific images, dialogue, character development and cinematic techniques combine with different perspectives that the audience makes about a situation in different films. In Touch of Evil, there are specific perceptions that are given to each of the characters and which creates the main tensions in the film and the results that occur by the end of the film. The perspectives that are created both in the film and from the audience are able to move into specific human perspectives that are able to shape the film. Perspectives of Illusion in Film When one begins to look at film and the way that the different motions and characters are developed, there is the need to understand what is meant by the production and writing of the movie. Each of the actions, as well as the way in which each scene is depicted has a deeper meaning that is able to show human elements to it. The result is the ability to create a specific perception that is related to perspective and the way that one understands film. The result is one that is able to take the perspective and create a cognitive response to what is occurring, specifically by the human perception and what is understood in the different cinema. Recognizing different situations, imagining the untold events or pictures and looking at a component of reality from the cinema all work together to show the specific perception. The perception that is created is a combination of illusions and imagination depicted from the cinema, as well as an understanding of reality that comes from the interpretation of the film (Allen, Smith, 1997). In Touch of Evil the perception that is seen is based on the combination of perception, visualization and imagination that is used through the film. By focusing on specific elements with each of the characters, the audience is able to assume what is occurring with each of the characters. For instance, the character of Hank is one that is perceived from different angles through the film. The visualization of this character is first seen smoking a cigar and is overweight compared to the rest. Many would assume that the character is corrupt as a cop and is unable to create the right results through his duties. This is furthered through the character of Varqas, who assumes that he is a corrupt cop and is able to kill others. The controversy of Hank’s main character through the visualization of his character as well as the imagination of what the character means visually is then able to show the touch of evil that Hank becomes subjected to. However, the element at the end where Hank admits that he didn’t commit most of the crimes creates a question with the human perception as seen by the audience as the man that is seen as dishonest by illusion becomes more honest. The concept of visual perception is one that is not only led by the imagination and the perceptions that are included in the main aesthetics. Assumptions and the illusions that are created from human perspective also come from the artistic understanding of different works. The camera views, perspectives and the way that the work of art is perceived is able to create a specific function with the perspective that results. The value that results from the different perspectives is important in creating the characters and the way that individuals are perceived through each of the movies. Doing this is able to create a sense of human value that many can relate to and which creates specific definitions of the characters and what is occurring throughout the film. The visualization and the setting of different characters become essential to the human perspective and the defining terms that are a part of the movie (Benjamin, 1968). The visualization that is used in Touch of Evil can be seen from various levels and has the same component of perception through the visualization. Throughout the movie, the director is able to create a sense of boundaries through the entire film. The idea of boundaries becomes a main theme that is able to portray what happens and what is expected. The first boundaries seen through the visualization is with the border town and the perception seen on both sides. The movement from America and across the border, even though it is only across the street, has specific aesthetics that are applied to both sides. The director creates a specific image about both cultures through this. The audience is then able to create a specific perception and assumptions about the boundaries that are created. The second part to this is the boundaries between the characters, specifically between Varga as the Spanish representative and Hank as the cop. Both are seen not only with their different roles and outcomes, but also alter because of the aesthetics. Hank is seen as an older cop and is run down throughout the movie. He walks with a cane and is not considered as attractive. Varga; however, is young, handsome and has an American wife who can be considered as aesthetically pleasing. By placing these specific characters, there is a set of boundaries that comes between both sides. The visualization of characters can then be perceived by the audience as having a specific side to who is good or not. More importantly, there is an understanding of divisions by the visualization that is used. The perception that is created is automatic toward the aesthetics that are defined on these specific levels and which creates a different reaction from the audience. Social Interpretations of Cinema The different perceptions of cinema don’t only come from the individual relation to the visualization and illusion that is created in the cinema. There are also differences in knowledge based on the philosophies and surrounding environment that is in culture and at a societal level. For instance, creating a historical relationship to the story of a specific film immediately creates a perception and interpretation of what is occurring in the film. The placement of characters and social relationships are then further defined by this, specifically by placing the interpretations in the film with the characters that are a part of a specific element of the time frame. The difference in cinema that creates the perception is based on whether the directors use continuity with the political, social and economic situations that are in the cinema. Often, directors will combine this with a sense of illusion that is perceived throughout the film and which creates a discontinuity with the historical and political relationships that are established. However, this is still effective in creating a different perception, ideology and relationship to the cinema that is used (Best, Kellner, 1991). The concept of perception through historical and social interpretations can be seen with Touch of Evil. The controversies that are created relate specifically to the several ideologies that were occurring in 1958, when the film was initially made. The film was based on the book by Orson Welles and was based on the controversies that were beginning to appear during this time frame. The opening of the borders, the clashes of class and racism as well as the social aspects of this time frame are all seen in this film. The boundaries as one of the main themes as well as the concept of corruption of society are both prevalent through the film. For the late 1950s, these particular issues were seen in all areas of life and were able to define what audiences were interested in when looking at the specific aspects of film and the way that they related to daily life. The characters as well as the main plot line were then able to become a metaphor for what was occurring at the time. For instance, Hank as the good detective who becomes corrupt can be seen as a metaphor that was a part of the political interpretations of the time. The movement out of the wars and the development of power structures at a global level were both controversial at this time. Hank is able to represent this through his character and the perception that is created throughout the movie. The same types of perceptions are seen with the opening of the borders, which are interpreted through lines such as Varga’s wife feeling more comfort by being in an American hotel. The perceptions that are created are then able to relate specifically to the ideologies of society during this time. At this level, the human perception that is used in the film is able to move past the imagination and the illusions that are presented through visualization. Instead, the film directors are able to relate to the social, cultural and political discourses that are a part of this time frame. The more important aspect is to create human interpretation through the use of realism. Doing this provides the audience with a perspective that they relate to in terms of the social and political terminologies of the time. “Realism [has] to do with a text’s degree of conformity to widely disseminated cultural models of believable stories and coherent characters. Plausibility also correlates with generic codes….Psychoanalytically inclined definitions of realism, meanwhile, invoke a realism of subjective response, rooted less in mimetic accuracy than in spectatorial credence” (Stam, 2000). The concept of realism is one that is not only seen from the social and political associations that are seen through the time period, which is referred to as cultural models. Instead, there are codes of realism that are based on how the audience will respond, as well as the psychoanalytic understanding of a specific situation. Realism becomes a proponent that is not only based on what is occurring, but is instead related specifically to the responses that occur from society. The concept of realism in Touch of Evil is seen not only from the political occurrences and the social understanding occurring at cultural levels. More importantly, are questions of perceptions of reality that are a part of human understanding for this time period. This is one of the most important parts of the film and creates one of the tensions that occur through the piece, specifically through the boundaries that are created. The main way that this is seen is through the racial controversies that are heard throughout the film. There are several instances where the dialogue and the images create a boundary between the Mexican and American boundaries, all with statements on the character of both sides and the interpretation of how each lives. The Americans are seen as safe, while the Mexicans are considered as intruding over boundaries. The two sides that are seen in this film are not specifically from the political or historical occurrences. Instead, the director and the writing of this particular film are used to question the interpretations of boundaries and how individuals relate to the ideas of realism. Questioning the boundaries of society and creating alternative perspectives that are used through the film are then able to interpret the way that individuals relate to the time frame, historical and political associations and cultural acceptance of different ideologies. Cinema Techniques and Perception The different concepts that apply to the individual and social perception then lead into the specific way that the films are made for the interpretations. The human perception that occurs in cinema doesn’t only from the interpretations and relationship to the audience. More importantly, are cinematic techniques, themes and ideologies that come from the directors and the perceptions that are focused on throughout the film. The directors that are creating the film not only place together the different elements of the movie to show a story. More importantly, are perceptions that are given to the audience based on the main themes that are used. The most important aspects of this include the art, techniques, psychology and morality that are included in the film. Directors that are able to create specific perspectives will combine the main themes with an understanding of the camera shots and angles, depiction of characters and use of dialogue in different shots. The perception is one that is not only from the audience, but instead begins by what the directors want the audience to see as well as how their perception is given to the audience. The more directors are able to provide a specific perspective, the more likely that the result from viewers will be in the same understanding of the thematic material that is used in the cinema (Tredell, 2002). The concept of cinematic techniques and the perception that is created in the cinema is then able to lead to a specific understanding of what the directors mean in a specific light. In Touch of Evil there are very specific interpretations that occur throughout the movie, all seen through different techniques. For instance, in one scene, the American wife and Varga are seen walking in the middle of the street. On one side is the Mexican border and on the other is the American border. The film shot is from a longer perspective and shows the others going around the couple as they cross to the other side of the border. The interpretation from the directors is one that is based on the breaking of boundaries that occurs throughout the movie as a main message. However, it is the directors’ interpretation of this, as well as the way that they create a specific perception that leads to the audience understanding and perception of what is occurring. Different instances throughout the film are able to create this same interpretation. Some are based on the thematic material, while others are to create an emotional response and connection to the movie. For instance, when Varga’s wife is taken to a specific home, she is seen with the character hanging over her. The perspective that is created shows an emotional response in which the audience perception is able to respond with the same fear that she has. The use of the camera from this perspective is then able to create a deeper connection and alternative illusion of perception that is used through these different moments. Conclusion The concept of perception in cinema is one that is essential to the portraying of a specific message. There are multiple dimensions that are used in cinema, all which create alternative reactions. This begins with the illusions and independent understanding from the film. Often, this is led by the ideologies of aesthetics, images and what is expected of a film. The second component of cinematic technique is based on the social, political and historical perspectives that apply to the multiple dimensions of cinema. The ability to combine these with director perspectives through the use of cinematic technique combines to create a specific viewpoint and understanding of thematic material that is used in different films. In Touch of Evil the different interpretations can be seen through the plot, character and interpretations of the film. When watching this film, one is able to see a specific perception that relates to the various elements of cinema and society. References Allen, Richard, and Smith, Murray, (eds.), (1997), Film Theory and Philosophy, Oxford. Benjamin, Walter. (1968) ed. H. Arendt, (trans. H. Zohn) Illuminations, NY: Schocken Books Best, Steven, and Kellner, Douglas, (1991), Postmodern Theory: Critical Interrogations, New York. Stam, Robert, (2000), Film Theory: An Introduction, Oxford. Tredell, Nicolas, (2002) Cinemas of the Mind: A Critical History of Film Theory, Oxford. Read More