freyacreate

For a piece of work that I am currently researching for, I am coming across the words 'filmic' and 'cinematic'. I really want to define both, as, to me, they mean/reference slightly different things. I am having difficulty putting it into words, does anybody have any thoughts on these words and how they slightly differ in meaning? Thank you.

Dave Rattigan

I use the two terms interchangeably. I don't think you'll find any consistent difference in meaning.

GRAEME

I agree that they are largely interchangeable.

Any subtle difference could derive from the distinction between "film" as a technical medium and "cinema" as a theatrical arena.

So, for example, the use of montage could be called a filmic (technical) device - but a broad epic sweep of narrative (with it's theatrial intention of impressing audiences) might be more correctly called cinematic.

The problem I have with both terms is one of redundancy - when you you ever call a film filmic or cinematic?

Now, the stage play Amadeus by Peter Shaffer - with its use of slow motion and freeze frame etc - uses filmic techniques. Whereas, it's narrative structure - use of flashbacks, "close ups" involving breaking down the 4th wall, use of soundtrack etc - is arguably cinematic.

Windthrop

'Movie' tends to denote popular, mainstream while 'film' tends to denote something more intellectualy dignified.

Thats the joke that killed the Music Hall !

asiamiles

I think I would tend to use filmic to refer to the actual feel or texture of film itself, though it's often used as an alternative to cinematic, which is what all films should be but sadly all too many aren't.

Steve Crook

I have often used filmic to describe the ballet in The Red Shoes (1948) and the operatic performances in The Tales of Hoffmann (1951). By calling the ballet a filmic ballet I mean that it's a ballet that couldn't be performed on stage, only on film. It uses some camera tricks, close-ups and cuts as well as some other effects that let us get into the head of the performer better than can be done on stage.

I borrowed the term from ballet writer Monk Gibbon who claimed that Powell and Pressburger had invented a new art form in those two films. They weren't just a film of a staged ballet or opera, they were much more than that and while they were as valid and artistic as any staged performance (despite what some ballet and opera purists might say) they were quite different from a staged performance.

Steve

Steve Crook

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