What is Typage in Film Neorealism?
You might have heard terms like typage and neorealism used in the film industry, especially if you’re been to film school or you’re studying past film history. But what do these terms mean? Perhaps you realize that neorealism is a documentary style of filmmaking in which nonprofessional actors and real locations are utilized instead of traditional Hollywood conventions, but what is typage in film neorealism and what does it mean?
WHAT IS TYPAGE?
When we talk about typage, especially in film. We are discussing the practice of casting nonprofessional actors to work on a film. Typage is a reference to the selection of actors. Based on their individual looks or features, rather than on their skills.
The term typage was introduced by Russian filmmaker Vsevolod Pudovkin. In reference to the casting of nonprofessional actors. Solely for the purpose of creating a sense of realism in motion pictures without specific focus on skill or ability.
Typage basically represents the decision to select an actor on the basis of their features. Which are said to portray a truth of who the actor is playing.
For example, if the character being portrayed is a jock? Typage might seek a young male that is muscular and has strong facial features. But may not necessarily have great acting skills.
WHAT IS NEOREALISM?
Neorealism, or Italian Neorealism, represents new realism and was a form of cinematic expression that resulted following World War II in Italy.
Films that have been produced in this Italian Neorealism era include a focus on portraying Italy as it was removed from Fascist influence. Probably some of the most profound neorealism seen in films were the result of stylistic decisions made by Scorsese himself.
But, what is typage in film neorealism? Typage represents the casting of nonprofessional actors for neorealism films so that in these documentary style productions that represent unique periods of Italian culture, the actors portray the visual context of the part.
CHARACTERISTICS OF NEOREALISM
Characteristically, neorealism represents social disorder and extreme poverty.
Showcasing the views of Italian immigrants and the culture of massive destruction that was so known in Italy when these films became popular, neorealism is the result of a desire of Italians to use cinema to their advantage in denouncing the state of Italy during, and immediately following, the war.
Utilizing low budgets, and amateur actors, typage in film neorealism became incredibly important. Much of this same typage is seen in the films produced years later by Martin Scorsese himself following the effects he endured as a young boy growing up in Queens.
