Classical Hollywood Style

Classical Hollywood cinema is “a term used in film criticism to describe both narrative and visual style of filmmaking which became characteristic of American cinema between the period after WWI and the 1960s.”

Editing

“Continuity editing to captivate the audience without confusing or getting sidetracked by the editing over the narrative.”

“Shot reverse shot was used to make a cuts appear invisible. By using the 180 degree rule, they would match the eye lines of two characters.”

“Characters would have clearly definable traits, be active and would chase their goals. They are motivated by psychological rather than social concerns.”

“Sequences were edited to make clear for the audience the dialogue delivered in the scene”

“Often conformed to the three act structure, almost a condensed version of Todorov’s equilibrium theory. Act 1 equilibrium, act 2 disruption, act 3 new equilibrium”

“Editing minimal with nothing flashy so as not to distract from the story”

“Largely continuity editing with a minimal use of editing techniques such as parallel editing and flashbacks”

Cinematography

“There was frequent use of establishing shots, re-establishing shots, eyeliner matches, cut-ins, shot reverse shot and screen direction, where actors move on screen from the point of view of the camera or audience.”

“beautiful but not distractingly so, always used in service of narrative”

Lighting used to show off the stars that the studios had to offer

Camera movement and depth of field were used to show off the films stages and sets as a lot of money had gone into it

Sound

There is a heavy focus on dialogue and ambient sounds within the film while the realism is given up for a focus on effective storytelling such as during Ricks Cafe scenes when you can always hear the conversation despite the loud noise from every one else present

Scores are used at certain moments in time in the film so as to instruct the audience on how to respond to a situation

Mise-en-scene

The locations that are used have a “heightened exoticism” to show off the large production values such as the lavish constructed sets

“Staged sequences serve the narrative”

Performance

There is a large emphasis on the stars the studios posses and their qualities, using the strength and value of the stables they have to their advantage

The performances that are given by the actors are typically melodramatic in order to engage with the audience and evoke a response from them

Narrative

They typically follow a linear structure where there is a big focus on the story and the characters within it

Characters

“They are easily definable and follow genre conventions”