Structuralist film theory

Branch of film theory rooted in structuralism

Structuralist film theory is a branch of film theory that is rooted in structuralism, itself based on structural linguistics.

Overview

Structuralist film theory emphasizes how films convey meaning through the use of codes and conventions not dissimilar to the way languages are used to construct meaning in communication. However, structuralist film theory differs from linguistic theory in that its codifications include a more apparent temporal aspect. In other words, the site of the study (the film) is moving in time and must be analyzed in a framework which can consider its temporality. To that end, structuralist film theory is dependent on a new kind of sign, first proposed by the Prague linguistic circle, dubbed the ostensive sign.^[1]

Theoreticians

Film theorists associated with structuralism include Peter Wollen,^[2] Sol Worth, Calvin Pryluck,^[3] Christian Metz.^[4] and Will Wright.^[5]

References

^ Sternagel, Jörg, Deborah Levitt, Dieter Mersch, and Lesley Stern. Acting and Performance in Moving Image Culture: Bodies, Screens, Renderings, 2012. p. 307.
^ "Peter Wollen obituary: the maven of British film theory | Sight & Sound". British Film Institute. 2019-12-20. Retrieved 2023-10-23.
^ Cook, David A. (1975). "Some Structural Approaches to Cinema: A Survey of Models". Cinema Journal. 14 (3): 41–54. doi:10.2307/1225133. ISSN 0009-7101.
^ Henderson, Brian (1975). "Metz: Essais I and Film Theory". Film Quarterly. 28 (3): 18–33. doi:10.2307/1211695. ISSN 0015-1386.
^ Wright, Will (September 1977). Sixguns and Society: A Structural Study of the Western. ISBN 978-0-520-03491-4.

Film studies

Approaches

Analytic
- Cognitive film theory
- Historical poetics
- Linguistic film theory
- Neoformalism
Classical
- Formalist film theory
Continental
- Feminist film theory
- Film semiotics
- Marxist film theory
- Psychoanalytic film theory
- Screen theory
- Structuralist film theory
Critical methods
- Auteur theory
- Schreiber theory