What are the Different Types of Film Theory?
The study of formal film analysis is an important concept that any filmmaker or aspiring production should consider. However there are several different types of film theory for approaching the concept of film analysis and formal representation. These approaches allow the spectator to perform formal investigation of individual elements of sound, editing, cinematography and mise-en-scene in order to come to the most appropriate final analysis of the film. If you’re new to film analysis, you’re probably wondering what the different types of film theory are. And how film analysis represents them.
What is Film Theory?
The debate into the essence and underlying conceptual framework of any cinematic production is represented by film theory.
Film theory, similar to traditional theories in the study of written literature, applies to films of all types.
And represents a unique means of examining critical concepts in the storytelling, production, and other creative elements of a film.
Different Types
Moreover, through the years, scholars and film theorists have established several different types of film theory.
It is upon these typical elements of a film and traditional underlying storytelling which the concept of film theory establishes.
The following types of film theory exist:
- Historical Film Theories
- National Cinema Theories
- Auteur Theory
- Formalist Film Theory
- Ideological Film Theory
- Cognitive Film Theory
- Feminist Theory
- Queer Theory
- Psychoanalytic Film Theory
- Linguistic Film Theory
- Marxist Theory
- Structuralist Film Theory
- Schreiber Theory
Underlying Concepts
Naturally film studies surround many of these theories. And have particular focus on the underlying concepts that theorists establish for each of these styles of film study.
Historical Film Theories
Of the different types of film theories, historical approaches to film study frequently involve the investigation of a film and its production concepts.
Based largely on the timeframe upon which the film was produced. Historical film theories explore films, film elements, and storylines based on their historical place in production time.
National Cinema Theories
National cinemas or the national study of film theories approach film study through political climates representative of the nation where the film was produced.
Furthermore, the different types of film theories which focus on national cinematic approaches to study seek to understand a film based on the nation in which it was produced.
Auteur Theory
According to Auteur theory, a film’s criticisms are based upon its director or producer. As well as sometimes other dominant figures involved in the production.
Such as stars from past movies or shows. Auteur film theory is one of the most largely-accepted forms of film theory.
And seeks to understand a film based on underlying themes and elements commonly associated with the director.
Formalist Film Theory
According to formalist film theories, the analysis of a film heavily focuses on formal elements of a film.
Including its lighting, style, mise-en-scene, cinematic technique, and elements of tone, style or effect.
Outside film proper, matters of emphasis do not exist when formalist film theory is studied.
Ideological Film Theory
Different types of film theory frequently include ideological film theory. This technically involves the study of film based on one of six specific approaches.
Ideological film theory concepts include the study of how a film is produced or otherwise understood by an audience.
Cognitive Film Theory
According to Cognitive film theory, film is studied not so much as a source of the delight and amusement that is produced for the audience but rather as a source of understanding.
Thus cognitive film theory focuses on audience comprehension over emotional adaptation.
Feminist Film Theory
Different types of film theories, such as feminist theory represent an extension of literature studies or other particular movements in our everyday world.
Feminist theory studies films based on the representation of women’s societal roles and the experiences of such.
Queer Film Theory
According to queer theory, films can be studied based on a variety of underlying concepts in gender and sexual practice largely dominated by the LGBTQ community.
Moreover, queer theory examines the role of gender and sexual practice in the production of and creative outcomes of a film.
Psychoanalytic Film Theory
Academic thought surrounding psychoanalytic film theory focuses on concepts set out by Freud and other theorists including Karl Marx.
Furthermore, these types of film theories separate into two distinct waves. The first wave and the second wave.
Linguistic Film Theory
Film theorists which study the role of dialogue and the impact that the philosophical study of dialogue has on filmmaking and film production are represented by the linguistic film theory approach.
Marxist Theory
One of the oldest types of film theories to be studied.
Marxist theory focuses on the study of film through the expression of ideas that are best examined and developed based on the structuralism approach.
In which power relationships are the prime focus.
Structuralistic Film Theory
The structuralistic film theory represents a unique branch of film theory.
In which the study focuses on figuring out how a film conveys meaning through various codes, conventions, and languages for constructing meaningful communication.
Unlike linguistic film theory, this film theory uses codifications to produce a temporal effect.
Schreiber Theory
Finally, the most commonly referenced different types of film theories is the Schreiber theory. This film theory focuses on the principal author of the film, which is the screenwriter.
And though it acknowledges that several screenwriters might easily be involved in a typical production.
Schreiber film theory, like other types of film theories, focuses on studying the collaboration of filmmaking, particularly the collaboration of screenwriters.