Research title: Cinema-cognition dialogue
Research question: Whats the cognitive and cultural value behind lens and colour choice? (open to suggestions)
Key words
Cinema-cognition dialogue, The language of colour and lenses, Cultural differences in emotional response , Cinematic psychological effects
Paper Structure:
How culture can change this interpretation?
The paper should be separated into 2 parts: lenses and colours but it should find a relation between the two for the transition.
Theme 1: Lenses
Id like for this part to analyse the use of wider lenses and how they affect the audience perception when watching a film, how it can contribute to the narrative – does it affect the narrative differently in different parts of the world? It should also speak about how the 50mm is the closest lens to the human eye.
Additionally, Id like for it to compare feature films that use only one prime lens vs changing lenses throughout the film can influence it. It should give examples of both sides. There are 3 directors that could be interesting to analyse here: (Yasujiro Ozu – entire filmography in 50mm lens, Gaspar Noes Climax – 12mm lens and Steven Spielberg: 21mm lens) and then look at any film that use several lenses which is the majority – it can analyse a scene in which a lens is changed and why it is changed. The 3 directors suggested above could also lead to a quick analysis of how culture can change the cognitive response.
Finally, Id like for it to analyse the difference in psychological effect with zoom lenses vs prime lenses and possibly the techniques that one can do with lenses such as the dolly zoom.
Theme 2: Colour
Before going into this topic, there should be a quick paragraph connecting both themes.
For this topic, Id also like to have like 2 case studies for example the film: The Cook, the Thief, His Wife & Her Lover and Midsommar or Breathless.
This part should analyse the different tones and how they contribute to the narrative/characters. And maybe contrast that with black and white and how the lack of colour can also affect a film. Ida is a great example for a black and white film. It should also outline the different ways of having colour – through the mise en scene, lighting, white balance, colourgrading, etc.
In terms of sources I trust your judgement but here are a few suggestions of researches Ive found.
https://www.davidbordwell.net/articles/Bordwell_Iris_no9_spring1989_11.pdf
https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnhum.2012.00248/full
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00393541.1984.11650364
https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/bitstream/handle/10871/9693/HallN_TPC.pdf?sequence=3
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/0001691877900208
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780080958958-8/language-lens
https://books.google.co.uk/books?hl=en&lr=&id=JsXjGTWq4JAC&oi=fnd&pg=PA1&dq=lens+psychology+film&ots=ucyZ2mrJr7&sig=aUTESyHhj8NulAjfl19ZkiRS-YU&redir_esc=y#v=onepage&q=lens&f=false
These are the research papers aims and learning outcomes:
Specialism: Cinematography
Aims A1: To identify and define an area of research. A2: To analyse evidence and draw together ideas within a particular area of study. A3: To apply the skills required to plan, research, formulate and present a written argument. A4: To investigate theoretical and cultural contexts appropriate to the area of research.
Learning Outcomes LO1: Evidence independent judgment in the selection of appropriate research methodologies and sources to compile a coherent evidence base. LO2: Demonstrate the ability to analyse evidence and draw together ideas within an appropriate essay structure. LO3: Demonstrate the ability to plan, research, formulate and write an effective piece of academic writing using appropriate academic protocols. LO4: Evidence the ability to debate appropriate theoretical and cultural contexts through the study.
