week 11.

1. Summarize the answers Bordwell gives to the question, “Why do filmmakers bother with classical construction if ardent viewers consider it dispensable, even distracting?”

Bordwell gives five answers to the question "why do filmmakers bother with classical construction if ardent viewers consider it dispensable, even distracting?" First, he states that while a classically set up plot may be unimportant and unapreciated by viewers, it allows them freedom to concentrate on other aspects of the film. They aren't forced to spend all their time paying perfect attention to every plot twist in order to understand whats going on. Second, classic construction involves big stars and bigger action, which is sure to appeal to a wide range of tastes. Third, due to the high cost of producing whammo moments, the entire film cant be made up of spectacle (besides, an entire 2 hours of spectacle would make that spectacle cease to be entertaining); classic construction allows you to fill the time between big moments with classic hollywood narrative - conflicts, deadlines, classic characters, obstacles for the hero. Fourth, filmmakers are making movies for themselves as well as for audiences, and want to make movies they can be proud of and enjoy. And finally, fifth, big-budget films can layer their stories in order to appear to kids and adults alike (ie Shrek).

2. What does Bordwell mean by “genre ecology,” and how does he characterize the current range of genres in Hollywood.

Bordwell refers to "genre ecology" as the rising and falling popularity or success of less-popular (studio-era "B") movies. These genres include science-fiction, fantasy, crime and horror. He characterizes the current range of genres in Hollywood as becoming nearly equal - the result of younger, film school/film brat directors who have gravitated towards the "B" movie genres while the older directors cling to classic hollywood styles.


3. What does Bordwell mean by “worldmaking,” and how does it affect the narrative design of individual films?

"Worldmaking" is the creation of a rich, fully detailed world in which the action is to take place. Every detail within the scene is carefully researched, from costumes to lighting to props and everything in between.


4. What do Bordwell and Thompson mean by the claim that some films are “maximally classical”? What films do they have in mind?

Bordwell and Thompson refer to films as "maximally classical" when they are so classically structured that they don't show anything of themselves and seem to have no goal beyond being a classically structured film. They are referring to Back to the Future, Die Hard and Groundhog Day, among others.