Cinema

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Cinema

In this lesson, the cinema is presented. As you read

and listen to the topics included in this chapter, you
will discover and appreciate how the cinema as an
art is a significant medium to convey a message. This
lesson is also hopeful that it draws the artist in you.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this lesson, you will be able to:

1. Define cinema operationally

2. Identify the elements of film

3. Classify films according to context

4. Appreciate the role of the award-giving bodies for

outstanding performance.

Cinema

Origin of Cinema

Cinema began where powers began, in Europe, and in

America in 1893.

Thomas Edison who invented optic lights gave

the opportunity for motion pictures to be added to
the humanities discipline as an art form.
Photographic movies were projected, and in 1927,
the silent movies became popular. This gave rise for
different producers and actors to invest talents and
resources.

Many unforgettable movies are listed for their

beauty and class. Some of these movies are;

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1. Gone With The Wind – the ever classic movie and the ever
famous line of Scarlet O’Hara “I will never be poor again”
which was produced by Dr. Shivago and shown in 1965.

2. Sound of Music – its famous character Maria which also

won the best picture award from the Oscars in 1965.

3. Titanic – makes our heart bleed for those who perished in

the middle of the icy sea.

4. Evita – with the unforgettable performance of Madonna as

Evita Peron.

5. The cinematic rendition of Harry Potter and Lord of the

Rings.

In Philippine cinema, Bagong Buwan leaves a very

remarkable experience for the moviegoers regarding
the real problem of Mindanao. The hardship of life is
presented in the film Hubo of Joel Lamangan.

The films from the earliest times to the

present have been used to indoctrinate the viewers
politically, socially and economically.

In 1930, Jose Nepomuceno brought into

screen the famous El Filibusterismo, one of the silent
movies made in this era.

In 1933, Antonio Semplo contributed the first made

Tagalog movies. They are:

Bituing Marikit, Biyaya ng Lupa,and Punyal na Ginto.

Many films followed like: Sawa sa Lumang Simboryo,

Hanggang sa Dulo ng Daigdig, Badjao, Banta ng Kahapon,
Darna, and anak ng Bulkan.

Contemporary cinema presented Brutal, Burlesk Queen,

Bilangin Mo and Bituin sa Langit, Bukas Luluhod and Mga Tala,
Sister Stella L., Ora Pronobis, Oro Plata Mata, The Flor
Contemplacion Story, Tinimbang Ka Ngunit kulang, and Himala.

Multi-awarded actors, directors, and writers rose to stardom

because of classical films like:

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Gerry de Leon, National Artist for Film, Manuel Conde, Lino

Brocka, National Artist for Film, Manuel Silos, Laurice Guillen,
Ishmael Bernal, Celso Ad. Castillo, Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Mike
de Leon, Peque Gallaga and others.

Among the actors that can not be forgotten

are: Tony Santos Sr., Rosa Rosal, Norma Blancaflor,
Jaime dela Rosa, Leopoldo Salcedo, Anita Linda,
Charito Solis, Vilma Santos, Nora Aunor, Fernando
Poe Jr., Sharon Cuneta, Maricel Soriano, Dina
Bonnevie, Christopher de Leon, Jay Ilagan, Charo
Santos and many more.

Definition of Cinema

Cinema is an act presentation in lights that

made picture possible to appear on a two-
dimensional surface. It does not carry pigments on
surface since the subjects are viewed in a certain
limited space. This art form is governed by drama,
but unlike theatre, it is not presented in live medium
although it is experienced by live audience.

Elements of Film

Film, like other art forms, has its distinct elements:

1. Actors

Actors mean men and women who act, portraying a

particular role that is presented in film. In ancient
times, actors were regarded as prostitutes because
of the nature of their work which was light, but gave
them too much earnings. Women were not allowed to
act on stage that’s why men did the role of the
women. Actors played crucial roles in making the film
ugly or sub-standard; their portrayal of an imaginary
character motivated the audience to be emotionally
involved in the story.

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2. The Director

This man is the life of the film. He may do or undo

the film. He is considered the key person in the film
making, and he ‘calls the shots.’ He is responsible in
bringing out the best and worst from his actors, staff
and other members of his staff. Logically, the director
has three main jobs: to direct the actors on how to
deliver a particular line with different levels of
emotions, to direct the movements (blocking in
theatre) of the limited boundaries of space, and to
decide as to what shift and angle the camera will
take.

3. Script

The script is the very story itself, to be given

treatment by the director and given life by the actors.
The subject of the play may also be taken from the
script.

4. Sound and Voice

In ancient times, silence was an element of the film.

It was only when technology was introduced and
used that sound and voice are instruments to convey
the beauty of the film story.

For example, the story needs the sound of the

crickets, the barking of a dog, and the like.

The voice in film is the natural voice of the actors

captured and recorded.

The voices produced by the actors make the story

more convincing. The audience could readily connect
with the story by the voice used by the actors. The
audience could easily visualize the actors as sexy,
funny, sad, strict, or lovely by their voice.

5. Cinematography

Cinematography is defined as picture in motion

Cinematography turns the film from a flat surface to
a three-dimensional setting because of the
movements the actors make. Anything that is seen

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on the screen in any given moment is a part of

cinematography.

6. Camera shots

The camera is the sole medium to see a film into

completion. The camera is believed to be a means of
expressing personal comments and a definite point
of view, by its position, angle movement and even
focus.

7. Redeeming value

Aside from its aesthetic significance, the purpose of

art is to make man a better person, cultured and
refined. From this context, it is not too much to say
that aesthetic value must give way to moral value. It
should be emphasized here that no matter how
beautifully and aesthetically done a film is, if it
doesn’t inspire the audience in making them better
persons, a film is still a failure.

8. Music

What makes a film a big success? It can be said that

the music of the film makes it a big success. Music
has the power to make the heart of the audience
bleed with pity, leap with joy and shout with anger.
The theme song of the film will set the mood and
illusion in a film. Music touches the audience and
would make the spectators cry, laugh with the actors’
antics, hate the villain so much, angry with the
misfortunes of the actors, fall in love with the
characters and gain inspiration from the
protagonists. The film may become more memorable
and enjoyable because of its music. Remember
‘Titanic’s My Life Will Go On’, and the heartbreaking
song ‘Ikaw’ which was sung as Ariel Rivera was about
to die due to his incurable disease in that same film
Ikaw with Sharon Cuneta, and many more.

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Kinds of film According to Context

 Action

Action is full suspense. It features guns, upper cuts,

kicks. It is full of violence, vengeance, victory and
defeat.

 Horror

It depicts supernatural phenomenon and creatures

such as the zombies, draculas, vampires and the
famous white lady. Its intention is to scare and make
the audience scream out of fear while enjoying the
film at the same time.

 Comedy

Comedy is bound to entertain the audience while

they are laughing. In foreign films, who will forget
Charlie Chaplin? In the Philippines, we have
seasoned comedians in film and upcoming, trying
hard to be one, also.

 Documentary

The main purpose of a documentary film is to

entertain and, of course, to educate, too. It presents
a fact or a phenomenon accurately without bias or
side comment.

 Drama

This kind of film usually brings to the big screen the

real life situation of the common tao or the so called
bakya crowd. It features ordinarily the life of a poor
girl marrying the rich boy, the life of a maid who
becomes rich in the end. The conflict within the
family is being dramatized and given a solution. The
story revolves around evil and change of heart and
forgiveness in the end. (Melodrama)

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Award-Giving Bodies (In Philippines Movies)

There are organizations in the film industry that give

awards for outstanding performances for a given
year. These award-giving bodies serve as the last
critique of this art form.

Although each organization has its own

philosophy, vision, mission and criteria in rendering
judgment, they have the purpose to help the film
industry, to set the aesthetic standard and to uplift
the quality of Philippine film towards global
competitiveness. Below are some prestigious award-
giving bodies.

 Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences

(FAMAS)

This is the first film critique group that was

ever formed in July of 1952.

 Manunuri ng Pelikulang Filipino (Manunuri)

This film critiquing body was established on

May 1, 1976 by Manuel Pitchol and Nestor Torre, Jr.
Members of this organization are usually professors
from the University of the Philippines.

 Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP)

The FAP was established on January 8, 1981 through

Executive Order 640-A signed by the late President
Ferdinand Marcos. It is the Oscar equivalent in the
U.S.

 Pampelikulang Samahan ng Dalubguro

(PASADO)

This was formed in 1999 by Dr. Flavio Lirio, Jr., a

professor of Arts and Letters. This organization is
different from the others cited above as its members
and board of directors and officers are all professors

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from different colleges and universities in Metro

Manila. This group usually holds their Gawad
Parangal in host school while performers are
ordinarily students.

Around the world at any instance, millions of people

are watching movies. People are treated in a Dolby
sound – airconditioned theatre, or in their home in
their television sets. It is said that around 15 billion
customers of films are being attracted every year.
(Thomas et al, Film History as cited by Lamucho et al,
2003).

In the past as it is now, film is used for social,

political, and economic indoctrination. Indeed, film
records what is past and present or perhaps it can
even tell what the future is.

References

Ariola, M. (2008). Introduction to art appreciation: A

textbook in humanities. Quezon City: C & E
Publishing, Inc

Aristotle’s Elements of Theatre. (Retrieved on June

30, 2011
[Link]/viewpaper/[Link])

Elements of Theatre and Drama (Retrieved on July 2,

2011 at [Link]/adair-
lynch_terrin/.../[Link]

Espina, F.P. et al. (2004). Katha Publishing

Company.

Maguigad, R. et al. (2007). Humanities for Filipinos.

Manila: Libro

Ramirez, V.E., Leynes, M.A. and Fajardo, B.V. (2008).

Minding the arts: Art Appreciation in College.
Malabon City: Mutya Publishing House, Inc.

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Theatre Terms & Definitions. (Retrieved on July 2,

2011 at [Link] )