What is Phenomenology in Film?

Film theorists have a variety of different viewpoints on the study of and interpretation of film, media and the arts. One such theorist, Vivian Sobchack, would become to be known as one of the most influential American film theorists of her time when, during the 1990s, she would become the driving force behind the now popular theories of film study known as phenomenology in film. 

Phenomenology in film represents a philosophy of experience study in which the structures of experience.

Particularly those in relation to consciousness, relations with other people, imagination and how the human subject’s situation in relation to society and history, are the focus.

What is Phenomenology in Film?

In short, phenomenology in film represents the study of the relation between the filmgoer and the film itself in respect to the conditions and aspects of the film experience.

Phenomenology in film approaches film as a phenomenon. This is a philosophical approach which attempts to provide a description instead of an explanation or analysis. 

Phenomenology of film should describe the perception of a film. Or how the film world would be perceived by the filmgoer if the filmgoer were in the film world itself.

Rather than analyze the film world, or provide an explanation of the film world.

Phenomenology aims to define several aspects of typifying the film experience as:

• Mediated perception
•  
• Perception of a perceptual unity
•  
• Available and sharable perception

Using Phenomenological Film Theory to Study Interactive Video

The phenomenological film theory is widely used to study filmgoer experiences and the ways that filmgoers relate to the film worlds that are produced by filmmakers. 

But what about interactive video experiences? Drawing upon the theories of phenomenological study.

As well as the use of technological mediation to explore the dimensions of interactive video experiences.

We find insights into the various communicative dimensions of film and the film experience. 

Film World Interaction

According to phenomenological notion of intentionality, the way the filmmaker and the spectator interact within the film world.

Particularly when studying interactive video, provides us some insight into the ways that technological mediation and computer effects can deliver linguistic and cultural narration.

Film and video experiences thus complement through the convergence of perceptions into the worlds referenced within the filmmaker’s work.

In Summary

So what is phenomenology in film and what does it mean?

Phenomenology in film represents a theory in which film is studied and descriptions are provided as to the ways that filmgoers interact with and engage with the worlds provided by the filmmaker.