New Wave Testing

New wave conventions

Each time I go out and film, this is the checklist that I am going to compare to the footage I have obtained. This will help to make sure that what I am filming, hits the new wave criteria and that I will eventually have all the different types of footage I will need to edit together to create my own new wave film.

·      A rejection of classic cinema forms, in terms of narrative, camera and editing techniques. (Non-linear, hand-held, jump cuts)

·      New wave tended to capture a sense of youthful iconoclasm (rejection of norm).

·      The text a new wave director would create tended to capture the spirit and feelings of political or social troubles of the time (some more discreet than others).

·      French new wave is an accessible genre to the amateur filmmaker. Budget equipment and homemade accessories allows creativity to overcome problems.

·      Director’s friends were often actors and crew. This type structure often gave a documentary feel (more personal and real).

·      Including unbiased and personal realism also created an ambiguous narrative that asked questions, which were not always answered.

·      Classic conventions – Jump cuts, long takes.

·      Locations were often friend’s apartments creating a relaxed and natural feel to scenes. Dialogue was often improvised, also to create this ‘day in the life of’ rather than a heavily contrived and constructed mainstream feels that was current.

·      The unconventional visual style that was used in French new wave meant to attack, yet expand, the audiences current viewing habits.

·      Personality traits to represent the times (scenes and characters could suddenly change personality or location).

·      The scenes within new wave were shot in real environments.

·      Innovative camera movements were used.