MAC 212: INTRODUCTION TO FILM CINEMA AND LITERATURE

TOPIC 1A: HISTORY OF FILM AND CINEMATOGRAPHY

Films, Movies or cinema are an integral part of our lives, and most of us make no difference among
the three and use the terms interchangeably. Every film is symbolic to the extent that it is a
representation of an aspect of reality. It documents and reveals cultures. It entertains and gives its
audiences pleasure. It also points to the identity of the country of its makers as a carrier of culture,
values and viewpoints.

What is Film?
Nwanwene (2002) defined film as a series of motionless images projected onto a screen so fast as
to create in the mind of anyone watching the screen an impression of continuous motion. Such
images are projected by light shining through a corresponding series of images arranged on a
continuous band of flexible material.

According to Mamer (2009:3), film is made up of a series of still photographic images. When
projected in succession; these images provide the illusion of movement. Each individual
photographic image is called a frame. A sequence of frames is called a shot, which is commonly
defined as the footage created from the moment the camera is turned on until it is turned off. The
shot is generally considered the basic building block of a film. The industry standard for projection
and shooting is 24 individual frames per second (fps), also known as the frame rate.

Film is an audiovisual means of communication that uses the art of photography to convey
messages. It can also be defined as a piece of audiovisual entertainment used in passing
information to viewers while entertaining them. It has a language and can be discussed in various
ways, for example, as an art, as an industry, as an income earner or as a medium.

Different names film

Film is called by different names by different generation of peoples, simply because of movement
underlying its presence on screen, hence they call it: cinema, motion picture, movie, flicks or
video-film. Below are these names with some explanations on why they are called by so many
names:
a) Movie – The word “movie” is a fanciful way of referring to movement, hence it is shortened to
movie just because of the illusion of motion experienced while watching films. The pictures are
not still, that is, they are not static (frozen) on screen but are filled with action and movement.

b) Flicks – This refers to an old way of seeing the jerky transitional movements between exposed
and non-exposed frames of a film gauge when cinema was newly invented. By then, viewers would
literarily see narratives going from light to darkness, that is, from where there is a shot (image) to
where there is none in-between the individual frames. So, this movement in the past used to give
the impression of flicking from darkness to light before it came to be technically perfected by
projector producers so that light rays are supplied constantly to the projector without obstruction.

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c) Motion Picture –it is used to distinguish the pictures we see on screen as being different from
the ones we see as still photographs. The key word here is “motion‟.

d) Film - This is so named because of the plastic or ribbon substance that is used in recording
images in cameras. This would be sent to the laboratory to be developed and edited before being
projected for popular consumption. The substance is popularly called celluloid.

e) Video-film – This terminology is in common use in Nigeria. This is because when most films
in Nollywood started coming out in the 1990s, people saw that they were shot with video-cameras
rather than cinema cameras; to be consumed on television screens instead of in cinema complexes,
so Nigerians started distinguishing this kind of production from proper cinema productions by
calling them video-films. Again, this is because the filmic stories are realized by means of video
camera technology.

f) Cinema - This is coined from the Greek word, kinema, meaning “movement” or “motion”
pointing at the art of writing with camera light in motion. It is from this word that the concept of
cinematography is got, showing that there is a connection between kinema, “motion” and graphein
(graphos), “to write” or “record”.

All of these terms refer to the same thing. It is movement that underlies all of them, whether they
are viewed in small screen or in widescreen (silver screen). They are motion picture arts and remain
different from still photographs.

TYPES OF FILMS
Film type or genres of film are used synonymously to mean the same thing. Basically, films are
classified according to their nature and format. Classification by nature depicts the style of
packaging while classification by format represents the basic element that make up the film. Thus,
the broad classifications of films according to Nwanwene (2002) include: a. Feature films, b.
Documentary films, and c. Avant-garde or experimental films.

A. Feature films
This type or category of films are manipulated, organized and not merely based on reality, but on
the subjective imagination of the film director. The feature film producers emphasize aesthetics in
the production. The duties and responsibilities of actors are specified and controlled in order to
achieve the objectives outlined by the director. Examples of feature film include;

i. Action films ii. Adventure films iii. Animated films iv. Comedy films v. Epic films
vi. Horror films vii. Musical dance films viii. Romantic films ix. Science fiction films

B. Documentary films
Documentary films portray more of reality than of subjective imagination. In effect the producers
do not introduce lighting so as to deceive the audience. Whatever one sees in the film is exactly
how it is in reality. This means that there is no manipulation of lens and other special effects or
false shots and angles (Nwanwene 2002, p. 17). Although, characters could be used in some cases
but the story line is never manipulated. Examples of documentary films include:

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i. Independence day Documentation ii. Historical events (such as Civil War, Jazz, Baseball, or
World War II, etc.) iii. Biographic film iv. Well known events v. Concerts
vi. A compilation film of collected footage from government sources
vii. An examination of a specific subject area (e.g., nature- or science-related themes)

C. Avant-garde (AG) film:

Avant-garde (AG) films popularly known as experimental films portray the taboos of the society.
The films manipulate things to show reality though what they tend to emphasize is what the society
does not cherish - for example pornographic films (Nwanwene, 2002). The vast majority of avant-
garde films are not screened in theatres, aired on TV, or sold in discs – they are not mainstreamed
and have no commercial life whatsoever.

Nwanwene (2002) also posits that because of the restricted appeals of the film, they are seldom
created within a commercial framework. AG films can be exciting, witty and provocative. They
are occasionally used for relaxation and entertainment, but most of the films are technically
complex and difficult to understand at least on first viewing. Many of avant-garde films are
considered shocking, Immoral and outrageous. Examples of AG films include:
 Pornographic films
 Cult films

Functions of film
Film is very important that is why its viewership is increasing day by day. Film performs a lot of
functions in the society as film itself is a reflection of the society.

a. Economic Functions of film

i. Film is a source of income for government and individuals. Government gets an income
through licensing of films and value added tax, while individuals get their money through
acting, distribution and marketing.
ii. Film generates employment opportunities for the teeming population of the country.
Individuals are employed at various stages of film production.

b. Political Functions
i. Film can be used as political tool for laundering the image of the country.
ii. Film is also a powerful tool of hegemony among countries.
iii. Government can use film during mass mobilization and orientation programmes.
iv. Films influence opinions and mobilize people for development project. For instance,
electioneering, health care campaigns, HIV stigma eradication etc.
v. Films can also be used for propaganda.

c. Cultural Functions
i. Film can be a potent tool for showcasing rich cultural heritage of a nation. Culture is the
unifying force among Nigerians. Film itself is a culture and is also the most effective
vehicle of propagating culture.
ii. Film is an important tool in building cultural institutions and reinforcing cultural pride.
Film reflects culture and also serves as an avenue for cultural preservation. Most films

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 depict Nigerian culture or that of a particular ethnic group thereby inculcating and
preserving culture from one generation to another.
d. Social functions
Film is a means of socialization in the society that is the process an experience that helps the
individual to become sensitive to the expectation of other members of the society, their values and
culture.

Other functions of film include:

i. Film is a powerful form of communication.
ii. Every film is a lesson meant to be learnt. As such every story, every image, or every sound has
an impact on the society, either visually and/or emotionally.
iii. Film serves as entertainment and relaxation for people.
iv. Film is a powerful vehicle of education.
v. Through films people’s history can be documented.
vi. Films make great writings accessible to many who don't read.
vii. Film is a reflection of society, both present and past. As such, movies are stories.

Mamer, B. (2009). Film Production Technique: Creating the Accomplished Image. Belmont,
CA: Wadsworth Cengage Learning.
Nwanwene, A.T.M. (2002). Film Production: An Introductory Approach. Makurdi: Starix Books