Chapter 6. The argumentative relevance of visual and multimodal antithesis in Frederick Wiseman’s documentaries
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Assimakis Tseronis
Abstract
In this chapter we argue that certain salient contrasts that Frederick Wiseman presents non-verbally and multimodally in his Direct Cinema documentaries can be understood as antitheses that play an argumentative role. In this type of documentary, which renounces the use of voice-over narration and music, a filmmaker has to rely on cinematography and editing in combination with participants’ spoken language to guide viewers’ interpretations. We argue that the ways in which certain sequences and shots are filmed and edited as well as the way dialogue, image, and sound combine within the shot create multimodal meanings that can be accounted for in terms of antithesis and can thereby contribute to the argument developed by the filmmaker. We focus on instances of visual and multimodal antithesis in five of Wiseman’s early films (Titicut Follies, High School, Hospital, Juvenile Court, and Primate) and one later film (Zoo).
Abstract
In this chapter we argue that certain salient contrasts that Frederick Wiseman presents non-verbally and multimodally in his Direct Cinema documentaries can be understood as antitheses that play an argumentative role. In this type of documentary, which renounces the use of voice-over narration and music, a filmmaker has to rely on cinematography and editing in combination with participants’ spoken language to guide viewers’ interpretations. We argue that the ways in which certain sequences and shots are filmed and edited as well as the way dialogue, image, and sound combine within the shot create multimodal meanings that can be accounted for in terms of antithesis and can thereby contribute to the argument developed by the filmmaker. We focus on instances of visual and multimodal antithesis in five of Wiseman’s early films (Titicut Follies, High School, Hospital, Juvenile Court, and Primate) and one later film (Zoo).
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- Introduction. Argumentation and rhetoric in visual and multimodal communication 1
- Chapter 1. Rhetoric, argumentation, and persuasion in a multimodal perspective 25
- Chapter 2. The rhetorical and argumentative potentials of press photography 51
- Chapter 3. Editorial cartoons and ART 81
- Chapter 4. Arguing with illustrations 111
- Chapter 5. Perspective by incongruity 137
- Chapter 6. The argumentative relevance of visual and multimodal antithesis in Frederick Wiseman’s documentaries 165
- Chapter 7. Seeing the untold 189
- Chapter 8. Employing film form and style in the argumentative analysis of political advertising 217
- Chapter 9. Embodied argumentation in public debates 239
- Chapter 10. The “seeds” of charisma 263
- Name index 291
- Subject index 295
Chapters in this book
- Prelim pages i
- Table of contents v
- Preface vii
- Introduction. Argumentation and rhetoric in visual and multimodal communication 1
- Chapter 1. Rhetoric, argumentation, and persuasion in a multimodal perspective 25
- Chapter 2. The rhetorical and argumentative potentials of press photography 51
- Chapter 3. Editorial cartoons and ART 81
- Chapter 4. Arguing with illustrations 111
- Chapter 5. Perspective by incongruity 137
- Chapter 6. The argumentative relevance of visual and multimodal antithesis in Frederick Wiseman’s documentaries 165
- Chapter 7. Seeing the untold 189
- Chapter 8. Employing film form and style in the argumentative analysis of political advertising 217
- Chapter 9. Embodied argumentation in public debates 239
- Chapter 10. The “seeds” of charisma 263
- Name index 291
- Subject index 295
