Tarantino - Experimental Film Maker
What makes Tarantino an experimental filmmaker?
Experimental film makers are in opposition to the mainstream.
What is a mainstream film?
- High production value
- Reliance upon stars
- Conventions of a genre
- The script rather than the film language telling the story (through narrative devices)
- Economic imperative
The fourth point highlights one of the main differences between new wave and mainstream film.
In what ways is Tarantino experimental?
- Think about the focus of his films.
- Is the film a story telling exercise or a piece if moving art (or a combination)
- How does he play with and mix with genre features (bricolage- playfully mixing generic elements)
- How does he challenge the conventions regarding his use of stars?
- How do his budgets reflect his ethos as a film maker.
Tarantino can be seen as an experimental film maker. This can be seen in Pulp Fiction as he challenges the typical mainstream narrative structure. In Pulp Fiction we see three different stories that all intertwine however, they are shown in un-chronological order. The three stories in the film have already been told before however he changes the narrative structure of the film which means the stories are told in un chronological order and all intertwine. We also never see a resolution or ending to two stories. The only story that has some resolution is the story with Bruce Willis' character. This is unusual in typical mainstream film as they normally have a beginning, middle and end and have a resolution. In mainstream high production value films a fade through black often shows a passing of time or the end to the scene/story. Tarantino experiments with the fade through black in Pulp Fiction. We see it in the scene where Mia Wallace takes and overdose. We see her sat on the sofa as her nose begins to bleed. It then fades to black. We then cut back to her living room whilst she is lay on the floor as Vincent finds her. Only a few moments have passed which contradicts the use of a fade through black.
The characters in Pulp Fiction are not defined into hero's and villan's. It is never made clear whether the characters are good or bad.
Tarantino plays with and mixes genre features. In typical gangster films we would not see some of the things we do in Pulp Fiction. For example the opening sequence in which, Jules and Vincent arrive at the apartment early morning, contradicts the typical genre features we would see in a typical mainstream gangster film. Their haircuts stand out and are bold even though they are hitmen and should be unseen. They also discuss the topic of a foot massage and what burgers are called in France which is unusual as they are on their way to kill men for their boss.
Tarantino also made Pulp Fiction on a low budget. This is different compared to High production mainstream films. Deliberately cheap and some elements are unrealistic which is evidence of his experimental and post modernist approach. Some actors in the film such as Bruce Willis, Uma Thurman and John Travolta are all famous and A list celebrities however they all starred in Tarantino's Pulp Fiction for a low fee. This challenges the conventions of mainstream films as stars are in demand and paid million's to star in films however Bruce Willis Starred in Pulp Fiction for just £50,000.
Post modernism:
Advertising is one of the most post modern aspects of today society. Advertising is a key element of postmodernist society because advertising is by definition artificial.
Tarantino further adds to the post modernist identity of the film in four places where advertising speech is used in everyday conversation.
- Big Kahuna Burger (That is a good burger)
- $5 Dollar milkshake (Yummy)
- Gourmet coffee (We'd have been happy with tasters choice instant, but you spring this gourmet stuff on us)
- Oak Furniture (I like oak myself)
Experimental film makers are in opposition to the mainstream.
What is a mainstream film?
- High production value
- Reliance upon stars
- Conventions of a genre
- The script rather than the film language telling the story (through narrative devices)
- Economic imperative
The fourth point highlights one of the main differences between new wave and mainstream film.
In what ways is Tarantino experimental?
- Think about the focus of his films.
- Is the film a story telling exercise or a piece if moving art (or a combination)
- How does he play with and mix with genre features (bricolage- playfully mixing generic elements)
- How does he challenge the conventions regarding his use of stars?
- How do his budgets reflect his ethos as a film maker.
Tarantino can be seen as an experimental film maker. This can be seen in Pulp Fiction as he challenges the typical mainstream narrative structure. In Pulp Fiction we see three different stories that all intertwine however, they are shown in un-chronological order. The three stories in the film have already been told before however he changes the narrative structure of the film which means the stories are told in un chronological order and all intertwine. We also never see a resolution or ending to two stories. The only story that has some resolution is the story with Bruce Willis' character. This is unusual in typical mainstream film as they normally have a beginning, middle and end and have a resolution. In mainstream high production value films a fade through black often shows a passing of time or the end to the scene/story. Tarantino experiments with the fade through black in Pulp Fiction. We see it in the scene where Mia Wallace takes and overdose. We see her sat on the sofa as her nose begins to bleed. It then fades to black. We then cut back to her living room whilst she is lay on the floor as Vincent finds her. Only a few moments have passed which contradicts the use of a fade through black.
The characters in Pulp Fiction are not defined into hero's and villan's. It is never made clear whether the characters are good or bad.
Tarantino plays with and mixes genre features. In typical gangster films we would not see some of the things we do in Pulp Fiction. For example the opening sequence in which, Jules and Vincent arrive at the apartment early morning, contradicts the typical genre features we would see in a typical mainstream gangster film. Their haircuts stand out and are bold even though they are hitmen and should be unseen. They also discuss the topic of a foot massage and what burgers are called in France which is unusual as they are on their way to kill men for their boss.
Tarantino also made Pulp Fiction on a low budget. This is different compared to High production mainstream films. Deliberately cheap and some elements are unrealistic which is evidence of his experimental and post modernist approach. Some actors in the film such as Bruce Willis, Uma Thurman and John Travolta are all famous and A list celebrities however they all starred in Tarantino's Pulp Fiction for a low fee. This challenges the conventions of mainstream films as stars are in demand and paid million's to star in films however Bruce Willis Starred in Pulp Fiction for just £50,000.
Post modernism:
Advertising is one of the most post modern aspects of today society. Advertising is a key element of postmodernist society because advertising is by definition artificial.
Tarantino further adds to the post modernist identity of the film in four places where advertising speech is used in everyday conversation.
- Big Kahuna Burger (That is a good burger)
- $5 Dollar milkshake (Yummy)
- Gourmet coffee (We'd have been happy with tasters choice instant, but you spring this gourmet stuff on us)
- Oak Furniture (I like oak myself)
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