Creating Emotion in Film

Introduction

Emotions are central to human experiences and essential for impactful films.
Filmmakers use psychological theories to understand and manipulate audience emotions.

Psychology of Emotion
- Basic emotions stem from evolutionary natural selection.
- Emotions aid in decision-making, motivation, socializing, and memory.
- Five components of emotion (Klaus Scherer):
  - Cognitive appraisal
  - Bodily symptoms
  - Action tendencies
  - Expression
  - Feelings
Historical Theories
- Early theorists (William James, Carl Lang): Emotions result from physiological reactions.
- Richard Lazarus: Cognitive appraisal theory, where thought precedes emotions.

Script as the Heart of Emotion
- Viewers must care about the characters and story.
- Emotional moments are built throughout the movie.
Techniques
- Recontextualized repetition: Giving new significance to recurring elements.
- Effective dialogue: Capturing complex emotions, e.g., "Steel Magnolias."
Example: Toy Story 2
- Jesse’s dialogue and repetition used to build emotion in the sequence.

Visual Storytelling
- Lighting: Sets the emotional tone, e.g., 'Alien' (fear) and 'LOTR' (relief).
- Shot Choice
  - High angles convey pressure (e.g., 'Manchester by the Sea').
  - Close ups and wide shots for intimacy and expansiveness.
Color and Framing
- Red evokes tension; cool tones evoke melancholia.
- Framing focuses on character emotions, e.g., Jessie in 'Toy Story 2'.
Camera Movements
- Used to emphasize character emotions and experiences.

Editing
- Cuts and transitions impact emotional delivery.
- Juxtaposition in scenes can enhance emotional undertones.
Music and Sound Design
- Music evokes strong emotions; sound design can heighten viewer tension.
'Toy Story 2' Example
- Use of dissolves and hard cuts to convey time and emotional shifts.
- Randy Newman’s "When She Loved Me" enhances emotional impact.

"Don't be sad it's over, be happy it happened." - Ending note from the lecture.