hugo munsterberg

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Topic-

• Hugo Munsterberg
• (June 1, 1863 December 16, 1916)

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TOPIC-

• Hugo Munsterberg

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Introduction

• Hugo Munsterberg was a German-American
  psychologist.
•  He was one of the pioneers in applied
  psychology.
• His book The Photoplay A psychological study is
  one of the early examples of film theory.

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The Photoplay A psychological study 

• His book is regarded as first serious work of
  film theory.
• Through his book he argued that film is a unique
  medium as it speaks the language of mind.
• For instance, he equates close up with the act of
  attention and flashbacks with act of memory.

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Film as an art form

• Munsterberg wrote a monograph about new art form.
• Through which he distinguished films by means of
  technical devices that it employed in presenting
  its narratives.
• Some examples like-flashbacks, close ups and
  edits.
• Use of these devices distinguished film from
  theater as an art form.

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Contd

• Viewers understand the role of technical devices
  played in articulation of cinematic narratives
  through mental processes.
• He considered spectators to be mentally active as
  they added depth and movement to static and flat
  pictures through mental processes.
• For example, mental act of attention(mental
  process) is linked with close up(cinematic
  function).

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Why we go to movies?

• Munsterberg wrote a article why we go to movies?
• It was published in Cosmopolitan magazine in
  December 1915.
• The article paid more attention on the dangers of
  films on young audiences.
• By Dangers he meant an atmosphere of vulgarity
  and triviality in movies.

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Contd
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Aesthetic value of film.

• He believed that film as an art form has
  important aim to introduce audience with moral
  and aesthetic ideals besides intellectual
  education.
• He emphasized on the educational value of film.
• He promoted educational films and theater for the
  audiences.

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Thank you