Realism/Classicism/Formalism Paradigm

Realism

Realist films use sequence shots to tell the story. They are continuous takes for one recording of time and in realist films, these sequences last uncomfortably long. They never have any edits or cuts at all because directors want the audience to decide for themselves what they want to focus on. Early cinema started with long shots taken in one lengthy take. With this technique for filming, directors could only make simple stories.

Wild Strawberries is an example of a realist film:

There is not much to explain except for the fact that there are several long takes. There is no fancy editing therefore it is up to the audience with how they want to interpret the movie as it goes on. realism tries to make it as real as possible. These long take show how this man is just walking about, we see the normal nature of humans and how they behave. Cutting like Close Ups don't affect the way we understand someone.

Classicism

Classicism is an editing technique directors want in their films to create a more complicated sequence of events. It tries to show fluidity of an event without literally showing every single step (from point A to B). By condensing actions without leaving anything essential out, an editor can make a film that establishes a clear cause and effect relationship. Also, classicism in editing interprets and action by emphasizing certain details over others (e.g. with the use of close ups etc.). Overall, a director wants this because he or she wants the audience to focus on certain aspects of a film in order to show the one meaning a director is trying to get across.

Black Hawk Down is an example of classicism:

As you can see in this scene, cuts in the editing identify specific things that are going on. The director clearly wants to show a cause and effect with at first a shot of the RPG then the propeller of the helicopter. This is clearly not good because we can establish (like a kuleshov effect) that the propeller will be destroyed. Its manipulation in editing this way, with different cuts that make this scene classic.

Formalism

Formalism is a style of editing where the director intends to manipulate space and time. This technique creates several emotions within the audience, yet it creates a clear narrative. Certain elements create formalism such as the thematic montage where several shots are connected vie a theme. Also, abstract cutting is a purely formalistic and just completely manipulates the senses. Shots are more concerned with the duration of the shot rather than the actual film.

Requiem for a Dream is an example of formalism (the first 30 seconds):

 

 

As you can see in the first 30 seconds, several things are highlighted. The eyes dilating and overall manipulation of time with quick cuts. What would probably take about a minute to get drugs and light them or I really don't know does not compare with how this style manipulates time. Instead of real time, it is condensed into a short time span of about 5 seconds.