Realism and Formalism in Film

Robert Anderson introduces the course and discusses the concepts of form and content in art, particularly in cinema. He explains the spectrum of realism and formalism, using examples from painting to illustrate these ideas. The distinction between realism and realistic is clarified, emphasizing that realism in film is about mimicking objective reality. The instructor provides an assignment to analyze the film 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind', focusing on its elements of realism and formalism.

What is the primary focus of the course as introduced by Robert Anderson?

• The history of cinema

• The role of directors in film

• The concept of form and content

• The evolution of film technology

In cinema, what does 'form' refer to?

• The budget of the film

• The actors involved

• The way the subject is expressed

• The storyline of the film

Which of the following is NOT considered a form element in cinema?

• Lighting

• Sound

• Editing

• Scriptwriting

What does the spectrum of realism and formalism in film represent?

• The financial success of films

• The length of films

• The popularity of film genres

• The creative choices in film construction

How is realism in film defined?

• As a style that focuses on fantasy

• As a style that uses special effects

• As a style that emphasizes dialogue

• As a style that mimics objective reality

Which painting style is associated with a tendency towards formalism?

• Cubism

• Abstract Expressionism

• Impressionism

• Realism

What is the key difference between realism and realistic in film?

• Realism is about special effects, realistic is about story

• Realism is about style, realistic is about believability

• Realism is about story, realistic is about special effects

• Realism is about believability, realistic is about style

Which art movement is known for combining elements of realism and formalism?

• Renaissance

• Baroque

• Impressionism

• Surrealism

What should students focus on when analyzing 'Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind'?

• The form elements like photography and editing

• The historical context of the film

• The director's biography

• The box office performance