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Questions and Answers
What has been the primary concern of film theorists since the inception of cinema?
What has been the primary concern of film theorists since the inception of cinema?
The question of what cinema is.
What is the criticism of the idea that film has certain innate properties that dictate its use?
What is the criticism of the idea that film has certain innate properties that dictate its use?
The idea has been criticized as essentialist, implying that each medium has unique characteristics that form the basis of how it can and should be used.
What is the current context in which the discussion of media specificity is experiencing a resurgence?
What is the current context in which the discussion of media specificity is experiencing a resurgence?
The development of new media and technological changes in the cinematic form.
What is the central concern of medium essentialism, according to Noël Carroll?
What is the central concern of medium essentialism, according to Noël Carroll?
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What is the implication of the encounter between film and digital matter, according to Janet Harbord?
What is the implication of the encounter between film and digital matter, according to Janet Harbord?
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What does Carroll suggest is the material stuff that artworks are made of, and how does this understanding impact the assumption of a singular medium for art forms?
What does Carroll suggest is the material stuff that artworks are made of, and how does this understanding impact the assumption of a singular medium for art forms?
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How has the development of digital technology impacted the term 'film' and its relation to the 'apparatus' of filmmaking?
How has the development of digital technology impacted the term 'film' and its relation to the 'apparatus' of filmmaking?
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What argument can be made about the term 'film' being a misnomer, and what alternative term might be more accurately applied?
What argument can be made about the term 'film' being a misnomer, and what alternative term might be more accurately applied?
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How can we understand the terms 'cinema' and 'film' in relation to the broader category of 'moving images'?
How can we understand the terms 'cinema' and 'film' in relation to the broader category of 'moving images'?
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What is the significance of Carroll's suggestion that we rethink the term 'film' and its relation to the material stuff of artworks?
What is the significance of Carroll's suggestion that we rethink the term 'film' and its relation to the material stuff of artworks?
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Study Notes
The Concept of Cinema
- The question "what is cinema?" has been debated by film theorists since the birth of cinema
- Early discussions focused on the ontology of cinema and its difference from other art forms like literature and theatre
Media Specificity
- Early discussions often led to essentialism, assuming each medium has unique characteristics that dictate its use
- This idea has been criticized, but the debate has revived with the emergence of new media and technological changes in cinema
The Future of Cinema
- There is ongoing discussion about the future of cinema, often centered around technological advancements and the potential death or revival of film
- The shift from film to digital matter has prompted new questions about the ontology of film (Harbord, 2007)
Medium Essentialism
- Medium essentialism states that each art form has its own distinctive medium, which defines its use and limitations (Carroll, 2006)
- This doctrine assumes all art forms have a singular medium, but this is not always the case (e.g., sculptures can be made from various materials)
The Evolution of Film
- The term "film" is becoming a misnomer, as most films are now shot, mastered, distributed, and displayed digitally (Culkin and Randle, 2003)
- The term "moving image" might be more accurate, as it encompasses various forms of moving images, including cinema and film (Carroll, 2006)
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Description
Explore the concept of the ontology of cinema and the specificity of film by analyzing early discussions on the topic. Delve into essentialist perspectives on the unique characteristics of different art forms such as literature, theatre, and film.