Principles of Film Form

For class, I am posting examples of the different Principles of Film Form. I am choosing to relate my examples of these principles to a movie I recently watched for the first time, The Nightmare Before Christmas.

• FUNCTION:  Each element in a film serves a particular purpose to the development of the form. For example, in The Nightmare Before Christmas, the heroine Sally consists of sewn up body parts which tend to come undone. The initial thought about these loose body parts is they will be a problem to her abilities; however, later in the film we see her use this hindrance to help save Christmas.These loose body parts serve a function in the film.

•  SIMILARITY & REPETITION:  This principle consists of regular patterns of repeated elements in order to advance the film form . 
• Motifs are significant repeated elements in the film. The main character Jack has a desire to bring Christmas cheer to Halloweentown. Even after multiple failures, he continues to bring Christmas elements into Halloweentown throughout the film. One example of one of these motifs are the Christmas lights put up in the Halloweentown square.
• Parallels are elements in a film that are different but have similar purpose which allows the elements to relate to each other in the film. For example, Jack assigns people in Halloweentown different tasks to make Christmas happen, which all seem to fail. Even though some are singing "carols" and others are making "presents," each task parallels the others advancing to the common conclusion of ruining Christmas.  

• DIFFERENCE & VARIATION: The elements in a film will change in order to bring difference and variation into the film form. The Nightmare Before Christmas begins with Jack as the King of Halloweentown closing another amazing year of celebrating Halloween. Then the mood of the film changes when Jack desires for something different and more fulfilling. The discovery of Christmas Town completely changes the mood from the scariness and gloom of Halloween to the cheer and brightness of Christmas. This is a varying and new experience for Jack. 

• UNITY & DISUNITY: Unity in film form expresses whether the film's elements have fulfilled their particular functions throughout the movie. If all the loose ends have been addressed, then the film is seen as having unity. The Night Before Christmas develops many elements such as the romantic interest between Jack and Sally, and whether Jack will ruin Christmas. At the end of the film, Christmas is saved by Santa Claus, and Sally and Jack kindle their new romance. Both elements fulfill their purpose which provides unity to the film.

 Poster Photo from: en.wikipedia.org