I want to commence a study on thematic analysis of cinema about depiction of certain characteristics in the characters of the cinema. What are the different frameworks that are useful in situating the research questions in a cinema context, coding and data analysis?
Hello! Here is an answer from a political scientist:)
Just as political scientists analyze political "texts" (speeches, policy documents, media coverage etc.) to explore dominant narratives, assumptions and power dynamics, a thematic analysis of film characters also looks at patterns in a cultural "text" to reveal implicit meanings.
In this case, the coding process could identify character traits, roles, demographic backgrounds, key relationships, and changes over time. The analysis could examine patterns, intersections between codes, and how characters depict social constructs.
- Character archetypes -- Look at common archetypal characters that appear in films, like the hero, villain, mentor, etc. Coding for the presence of these archetypes and analyzing how they are depicted.
- Stereotypes -- Examine the use of stereotypes related to gender, race, age, etc. and how characters either reinforce or challenge stereotypes.
- Character agency -- Analyze the level of agency, power, and autonomy characters have within the narrative.
- Character growth -- Look at character arcs and transformations, coding for whether characters undergo meaningful growth.
- Relationships -- Examin dynamics between characters, like mentor-mentee, romantic relationships, friendships, family, etc.
- Representation -- Analyze patterns in representation of marginalized groups, like women, racial/ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, people with disabilities.
Hope this helps! What kind of films are you analyzing?
Anna Kuteleva Thank you for the response. I am familiar with discourse analysis, and this will perhaps help me a lot. I am trying to analyse effect of parenting (different patterns) as seen in Indian films.
Amit Dhakulkar that's a great topic! Films indeed offer a rich variety of diverse portrayals of parenting, reflecting cultural norms, social expectations, and evolving family dynamics. Best of luck with your analysis!
In commencing a study on thematic analysis of cinema regarding the depiction of certain characteristics in characters, it's essential to utilize frameworks that provide a comprehensive understanding of narrative structures and character development. One highly recommended framework is Christopher Vogler's "The Hero's Journey," which draws heavily from Joseph Campbell's seminal work "The Hero with a Thousand Faces." Vogler effectively popularized Campbell's theories, making them accessible to writers and scholars alike.
"The Hero's Journey" offers an in-depth analysis of archetypes and myths from diverse cultural backgrounds. By exploring archetypes and their associated characteristics, this framework provides valuable insights into the underlying themes and motivations driving character behavior in cinema.
Vogler's model outlines 12 distinct stages in a character's journey, offering a structured approach to analyzing character arcs and narrative progression.
This framework serves as a powerful tool for understanding the mechanics of storytelling and how characters interact to advance the plot.
By situating research questions within the context of "The Hero's Journey," researchers can effectively code and analyze data related to character traits and arcs in cinema. This approach facilitates a nuanced examination of thematic elements and allows for the identification of recurring motifs and symbolism within films.
Overall, incorporating Vogler's "Hero's Journey" framework into thematic analysis of cinema provides a robust foundation for exploring the depiction of characteristics in characters, enriching scholarly understanding of narrative dynamics and storytelling conventions in film.
Michael Esser Thank you for introducing me to the "The Hero's Journey" framework. I will definitely look into it to help me understand and analyse the character development.
@JohnIzod Thanks for sharing this information.
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