Episode five is all about exploring visual language in cinema, beginning with a deeper look at symbolism and then finishing off with a little about camera usage.
It’s my feeling that visual language, like the written word, is suffering in our present culture, and this is disturbing simply because the broad use of words, or the broad understanding and use of visual language in cinema corresponds to a broad and deep perception of reality. As the language shrinks, or becomes outright lost, so to do ideas and concepts that require language to be conveyed.
The cinema is particularly interesting in regards to language because like a supreme intelligence may do, you have the entire material world to use as a symbol set. You are the creator voice of a divination tool brought to audiences through the medium of a dark room, big screen and first class sound system.
Cinema is complex, and like any great art form, it should be. To master it is likely beyond everyone’s reach, but the pursuit of greater proficiency is irresistible, and to those who have succumbed to it’s attracting power, there is no way out.
Hope you enjoy the podcast, and I look forward to bringing more and varied topics into the fold.