Sunday, 28 February 2010
Thursday, 25 February 2010
Representation
The Oxford English Dictionary gives two definitions of the word: REPRESENTATION
1. To represent something is to describe or depict it, to call it up in the mind by description or portrayal…..; to place a likeness of it before us in our mind.
2. To represent also means to symbolise, stand for, to be a specimen of or to substitute for; as in the sentence, “In Christianity, the cross represents the suffering and crucifixion of Christ."
In Media Studies - i believe that representation is used all the time. Representation refers to the construction in any medium (especially the mass media) of aspects of ‘reality’ such as people, places, objects, events, cultural identities and other abstract concepts. Such representations may be in speech or writing as well as still or moving pictures.
Below are some of the key concepts of identity that are represented in the media:
- Social class systems
- Race
- Sexuality
- Genders
- Age
Representation involves not only how identities are represented within the text but also how they are constructed in the processes of production and reception by people in reality whose identities are also different. For instance; the issue of the 'male gaze'.
A theory of film spectatorship derived from psychoalalysis and formalised byLaura Mulvey in her essay, 'Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema', 1975. Mulvey argues that film reproduces the sexual imbalance that obtains in real life by objectifying female chracters and presentig them as spectacle. Thus the 'gaze' of the film is inherently masculine and incontrast to reality.
1. To represent something is to describe or depict it, to call it up in the mind by description or portrayal…..; to place a likeness of it before us in our mind.
2. To represent also means to symbolise, stand for, to be a specimen of or to substitute for; as in the sentence, “In Christianity, the cross represents the suffering and crucifixion of Christ."
In Media Studies - i believe that representation is used all the time. Representation refers to the construction in any medium (especially the mass media) of aspects of ‘reality’ such as people, places, objects, events, cultural identities and other abstract concepts. Such representations may be in speech or writing as well as still or moving pictures.
Below are some of the key concepts of identity that are represented in the media:
- Social class systems
- Race
- Sexuality
- Genders
- Age
Representation involves not only how identities are represented within the text but also how they are constructed in the processes of production and reception by people in reality whose identities are also different. For instance; the issue of the 'male gaze'.
A theory of film spectatorship derived from psychoalalysis and formalised byLaura Mulvey in her essay, 'Visual Pleasure and Narrative Cinema', 1975. Mulvey argues that film reproduces the sexual imbalance that obtains in real life by objectifying female chracters and presentig them as spectacle. Thus the 'gaze' of the film is inherently masculine and incontrast to reality.
Wednesday, 24 February 2010
Protagonists & Antagonists
Protagonists:
A protagonist is the main character (the central or main figure) of a drama or story, who serves as a focus for its themes and incidents and as the principal rationale for its development. The protagonist is sometimes referred to in discussions of modern literature as the hero or anti-hero.
Well-known protagonists are Hamlet in William Shakespeare's Hamlet and Jay Gatsby in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby.
Antagonists:
In contrast an antagonist is a character, group of characters, or an institution, who represents the opposition against which the protagonist(s) must contend. In other words, 'A person, or a group of people who oppose the main character, or the main characters.'[2] In the classic style of story where in the action consists of a hero fighting a villain, the two can be regarded as protagonist and antagonist.
The Dark Knight: Trailer
In the Dark Knight, both the antagonist and protagonist are shown in their typical mannerisms;
The Joker is shown to be an antagonist by the way in which he dresses. His face is painted to look like a jester. However, it looks quite disturbing like a clown turned nasty. On the other hand, Batman is a typically good looking protagonist. The Jokers manner also gives him the tag of antagonist, he seems very twisted when he speaks and his body language is not of a normal person, the way he speaks about death and how he murders his victims also shows that he is the antagonist.
Batman is the protagonist in this movie, we know this because He is the hero in the film, we know this because his name batman shows that he has more than just human qualities and powers. batman also saves someone who in danger in the film and so this confirms his tag of protagonist.
A protagonist is the main character (the central or main figure) of a drama or story, who serves as a focus for its themes and incidents and as the principal rationale for its development. The protagonist is sometimes referred to in discussions of modern literature as the hero or anti-hero.
Well-known protagonists are Hamlet in William Shakespeare's Hamlet and Jay Gatsby in F. Scott Fitzgerald's The Great Gatsby.
Antagonists:
In contrast an antagonist is a character, group of characters, or an institution, who represents the opposition against which the protagonist(s) must contend. In other words, 'A person, or a group of people who oppose the main character, or the main characters.'[2] In the classic style of story where in the action consists of a hero fighting a villain, the two can be regarded as protagonist and antagonist.
The Dark Knight: Trailer
In the Dark Knight, both the antagonist and protagonist are shown in their typical mannerisms;
The Joker is shown to be an antagonist by the way in which he dresses. His face is painted to look like a jester. However, it looks quite disturbing like a clown turned nasty. On the other hand, Batman is a typically good looking protagonist. The Jokers manner also gives him the tag of antagonist, he seems very twisted when he speaks and his body language is not of a normal person, the way he speaks about death and how he murders his victims also shows that he is the antagonist.
Batman is the protagonist in this movie, we know this because He is the hero in the film, we know this because his name batman shows that he has more than just human qualities and powers. batman also saves someone who in danger in the film and so this confirms his tag of protagonist.
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
Sunday, 21 February 2010
Saturday, 20 February 2010
Movie Director - Case Study
Quentin Tarantino:Born March 27, 1963) is an American film director, screenwriter, producer, cinematographer and actor. In January 1992, Tarantino's Reservoir Dogs hit the Sun dance Film festival and was an immediate hit. The film garnered critical acclaim. Reservoir Dogs was a dialogue-driven heist movie that set the tone for his later films.
Influence & Style of Film making:
In August 2007, while teaching a four-hour film course during the 9th Cinemanila International Film Festival in Manila, Tarantino cited Filipino directors Cirio Santiago, Eddie Romero, and Gerardo de León as personal icons from the 1970s, citing De Leon's "soul-shattering, life-extinguishing" movies on vampires and female bondage, particularly Women in Cages.
"It is just harsh, harsh, harsh," he said, and described the final shot as one of "devastating despair".
Tarantino's different style of film making earned him many accolades worldwide. According to Tarantino, a recurring hallmark in all his movies is that there is a different sense of humour in all his movies, which gets the audience to laugh at things that aren′t funny.
Height of his career:
Nearing the top of his game, the frenetic Tarantino escaped to Amsterdam, where he took in the local wares and penned the drafts for what became both his signature film and a pop culture phenomenon, “Pulp Fiction” (1994). Returning to a familiar urban landscape characterized by themes of trust and betrayal, and inhabited by gangsters given to low-level postulating.
Nearing the top of his game, the frenetic Tarantino escaped to Amsterdam, where he took in the local wares and penned the drafts for what became both his signature film and a pop culture phenomenon, “Pulp Fiction” (1994). Returning to a familiar urban landscape characterized by themes of trust and betrayal, and inhabited by gangsters given to low-level postulating.
His Work:
Reservoir Dog's was a contemporary debut feature that glamorised violence. Mr Blondes evident enjoyment of what he is doing as he dances around the helpless Victim to the strains of 'stuck in the middle with you coming' from the radio created a twisted scene that had many people criticising his work. However since then many other movie directors have used this technique. Tarantino also used this in other movies he has directed; For example In the film Kill bill the violence is glamorised as Uma Thurman takes out one assassin after another. Reservoir dogs despite its use of glamorised violence was granted an uncut '18' video certification in May 1995, even though his movie had already been released for a considerable international markets
Auteur Research - Saul Bass
SAUL BASS (1920-1996) was not only one of the great graphic designers of the mid-20th century but the undisputed master of film title design thanks to his collaborations with Alfred Hitchcock, Otto Preminger and Martin Scorsese.
After apprenticeships with Manhattan design firms, Bass worked as a freelance graphic designer or "commercial artist" as they were called. Chafing at the creative constraints imposed on him in New York, he moved to Los Angeles in 1946. After freelancing, he opened his own studio in 1950 working mostly in advertising until Preminger invited him to design the poster for his 1954 movie, Carmen Jones. Impressed by the result, Preminger asked Bass to create the film’s title sequence too.
In 1958’s Vertigo, his first title sequence for Alfred Hitchcock, Bass shot an extreme close-up of a woman’s face and then her eye before spinning it into a sinister spiral as a bloody red soaks the screen. For his next Hitchcock commission, 1959’s North by Northwest, the credits swoop up and down a grid of vertical and diagonal lines like passengers stepping off elevators. It is only a few minutes after the movie has begun - with Cary Grant stepping out of an elevator - that we realise the grid is actually the façade of a skyscraper.
Assisted by his second wife, Elaine, Bass created brilliant titles for other directors - from the animated alley cat in 1961’s Walk on the Wild Side, to the adrenalin-laced motor racing sequence in 1966’s Grand Prix. He then directed a series of shorts culminating in 1968’s Oscar-winning Why Man Creates and finally realised his ambition to direct a feature with 1974’s Phase IV.
Here is a video of a title sequence that he has composed.
After apprenticeships with Manhattan design firms, Bass worked as a freelance graphic designer or "commercial artist" as they were called. Chafing at the creative constraints imposed on him in New York, he moved to Los Angeles in 1946. After freelancing, he opened his own studio in 1950 working mostly in advertising until Preminger invited him to design the poster for his 1954 movie, Carmen Jones. Impressed by the result, Preminger asked Bass to create the film’s title sequence too.
In 1958’s Vertigo, his first title sequence for Alfred Hitchcock, Bass shot an extreme close-up of a woman’s face and then her eye before spinning it into a sinister spiral as a bloody red soaks the screen. For his next Hitchcock commission, 1959’s North by Northwest, the credits swoop up and down a grid of vertical and diagonal lines like passengers stepping off elevators. It is only a few minutes after the movie has begun - with Cary Grant stepping out of an elevator - that we realise the grid is actually the façade of a skyscraper.
Assisted by his second wife, Elaine, Bass created brilliant titles for other directors - from the animated alley cat in 1961’s Walk on the Wild Side, to the adrenalin-laced motor racing sequence in 1966’s Grand Prix. He then directed a series of shorts culminating in 1968’s Oscar-winning Why Man Creates and finally realised his ambition to direct a feature with 1974’s Phase IV.
Here is a video of a title sequence that he has composed.
Friday, 19 February 2010
Student Thriller Example Analysis
Horror thriller Example: The Yearbook
I choose the Yearbook as another student example that inspires me. Straight away it is obvious that the clip is an opening of a thriller movie. I thought the type of thriller is horror due to the supposedly main characters mental and emotional problems. In addition there were examples of physical pain through out the clip of a person cutting themselves.
The clip illustrates the use of symbolism through the actions of the characters . For example; when the person is viciously scraping a school picture of someone, the audience can understand that the character has hateful and angry feelings toward this person.
The use of the title - the yearbook, is appropriate and gives the audience clues as to the character being a serial killer as he/she scribbles over peoples faces in the book. Implying the person is killing these people for revenge.
Through the use of mise en scene they have created the perfect atmosphere for the storyline.
The props used are related to the genre of horror thriller;
E.g - Blade
- Sharp screw driver
- blood
- famous photos of people being shot
- sharp rustic objects to add to the atmosphere.
The students have used lighting in an effective way to create tension and atmosphere. Keeping the background dark they have used a spotlight to create an eerie glow and create lots of shadows. The black background in some of the shots make the clip more threatening.
There are no locations but due to the lighting the students have created a secret den like surrounding. Where no one can interrupt the killers musing. (His secret place)
The stop motion editing builds the tension as the shots shirt from mid shots to close up shots of blades scraping on skin and eyes shifting. The result creates the audience to feel unsettled and shifty. with the addition of ominous and dramatic background music the overall clip has been created in to a thriller. With the music becoming louder and more dramatic in the climax moments.
Through the use of names actors and directors names written every so often between the scenes we are reminded that the clip is a movie opening. This reminds us that the student is fulfilling their aims in creating a opening sequel. Overall the students seem to fullfill the essense of a thriller movie opening through diffrent media techniques.
Thriller Inspirational Clips
Inspired Clips:
Below are some clips that inspired ideas for my own thriller movie opening. I also found things I liked a lot in some clips. I was also able to discover certain techniques used to create the thriller atmosphere in the clip.
In Saw 4 the teaser trailer – what caught my eye straight away was the use of lighting and colour filters. The light was dark with lots of shadows everywhere. The lighting was artificial created through the use of spotlights in different directions. This technique created harsh shadows where the lighting did not reach. There is projector system shown in the clip, where some of the scenes are played against a dirty wall. The green lighting is eye catching and dramatic. The soundtrack and screaming really gets the heart jumping. Therefore I also want a dramatic background track to accompany my visual images. While editing I will experiment with different colour tints to create a green/blue tint to some of my scenes, These cold colours add to the atmosphere as they suck any warmth out of the scenes, making them cold and harsh.
The ring title sequence was another great clip. I liked the use of handwriting like font when displaying the credits. The font creates a personal touch to the clip. The flashing imagery is shocking and builds the tension in the viewer. The consistent use of the O – ring reminds the audience of the title. I line the camera shots at the beginning. The low tilt shots and the speeded up shots to create suspense are my favourite. I also like the use of shadows around the scenes forming a circle like barrier. The rewind shots flow with the music and create drama to the clip.
The supernatural theme is very interesting. For me it would be difficult to follow the theme directly due to the lack of funds. I did however like the camera angles and shots used through out the clip. I found that some shots had been sped up to create drama and tension in the movie. Stop motion is used in some places to cause adrenaline to jump. The soundtrack is very upbeat and adds to the fast paced atmosphere.
The sin city trailer is another favourite of my. The comic like movie is dramatic and full of leashed tension. When introducing the characters the stills are drawn in comic to allow the audience to make the connection. The small splashes of colour in the film draw the audiences eye to what the director wants us to see and allows us to follow the storyline easily. The 19 century theme is portrayed through the use of the unique car. Multiple storylines are followed keeping the viewers entertained at all times. The paces of some of the shots are slowed to maximise the use of voyeurism. Overall I like the contrast and the lack of colour allows the viewer to concentrate on the lighting, shapes, characters and story more.
Traditional Thriller, in black and white. The quality of the picture poor, giving it an aged look. The clip illustrates the use of credits between scenes to educate the viewer with information on who was involved in creating the film. This in confirms the clip to be a movie opening sequence.
The blow out opening credits is not a favourite of mine. However I did like the editing technique used in the clip. The split scene allows us to understand the storyline better and is also keeps the audience entertained.
Below are some clips that inspired ideas for my own thriller movie opening. I also found things I liked a lot in some clips. I was also able to discover certain techniques used to create the thriller atmosphere in the clip.
In Saw 4 the teaser trailer – what caught my eye straight away was the use of lighting and colour filters. The light was dark with lots of shadows everywhere. The lighting was artificial created through the use of spotlights in different directions. This technique created harsh shadows where the lighting did not reach. There is projector system shown in the clip, where some of the scenes are played against a dirty wall. The green lighting is eye catching and dramatic. The soundtrack and screaming really gets the heart jumping. Therefore I also want a dramatic background track to accompany my visual images. While editing I will experiment with different colour tints to create a green/blue tint to some of my scenes, These cold colours add to the atmosphere as they suck any warmth out of the scenes, making them cold and harsh.
The ring title sequence was another great clip. I liked the use of handwriting like font when displaying the credits. The font creates a personal touch to the clip. The flashing imagery is shocking and builds the tension in the viewer. The consistent use of the O – ring reminds the audience of the title. I line the camera shots at the beginning. The low tilt shots and the speeded up shots to create suspense are my favourite. I also like the use of shadows around the scenes forming a circle like barrier. The rewind shots flow with the music and create drama to the clip.
The supernatural theme is very interesting. For me it would be difficult to follow the theme directly due to the lack of funds. I did however like the camera angles and shots used through out the clip. I found that some shots had been sped up to create drama and tension in the movie. Stop motion is used in some places to cause adrenaline to jump. The soundtrack is very upbeat and adds to the fast paced atmosphere.
The sin city trailer is another favourite of my. The comic like movie is dramatic and full of leashed tension. When introducing the characters the stills are drawn in comic to allow the audience to make the connection. The small splashes of colour in the film draw the audiences eye to what the director wants us to see and allows us to follow the storyline easily. The 19 century theme is portrayed through the use of the unique car. Multiple storylines are followed keeping the viewers entertained at all times. The paces of some of the shots are slowed to maximise the use of voyeurism. Overall I like the contrast and the lack of colour allows the viewer to concentrate on the lighting, shapes, characters and story more.
Traditional Thriller, in black and white. The quality of the picture poor, giving it an aged look. The clip illustrates the use of credits between scenes to educate the viewer with information on who was involved in creating the film. This in confirms the clip to be a movie opening sequence.
The blow out opening credits is not a favourite of mine. However I did like the editing technique used in the clip. The split scene allows us to understand the storyline better and is also keeps the audience entertained.
Wednesday, 17 February 2010
My chosen type of Thriller Sub-Genre
CRIME THRILLER:
This particular genre is a hybrid type of both crime films and thrillers that offers a suspenseful account of a successful or failed crime or crimes. These films often focus on the criminal rather than a policeman. Crime thrillers usually emphasize action over psychological aspects. Central topics of these films include murders, robberies, chases, shootouts, and double-crosses are central ingredients. Some examples include The Killing, Seven, Reservoir Dogs, Inside Man, and The Asphalt Jungle.
Characters in thrillers include convicts, criminals, stalkers, assassins, down-on-their-luck losers, innocent victims (often on the run), prison inmates, menaced women, characters with dark pasts, psychotic individuals, terrorists, cops and escaped cons, fugitives, private eyes, drifters, duplicitous individuals, people involved in twisted relationships, world-weary men and women, psycho-fiends, and more. The themes of thrillers frequently include terrorism, political conspiracy, pursuit, or romantic triangles leading to murder.
Iconography and Symbolism play a big part in Crime thrillers. Through the use of objects the director creates the storyline and the investigations are led through the clues these objects suggest. Using objects in crime thrillers allow the audience to put their own perspective on the the thriller.
Monday, 15 February 2010
Sunday, 14 February 2010
Saturday, 13 February 2010
Conclusion; Who are my Target Audience?
For my thriller film, the target audience will be 15 to mid-twenties. This is mainly because 1 have used teenagers in the film and people around this age tend to be quite interested in thriller and horror films. Furthermore they will be able to relate to the teenagers in the clip. The target audience will consist of both males and females as it is not aimed mostly at one gender.
They will have to enjoy watching thriller films and like the idea of not knowing whats going to happen. They will also obviously enjoy the thrill that this type of genre gives them. Existing films that they are likely to like would be The Crazies, Shutter Island, Law Abiding Citizen and Sorority Row etc. These are all other films within the thriller genre.
The guidelines for the classification 15 will contain no discriminatory behaviour, can contain drug-taking without encouraging it, a strong threat unless sadistic or signalised, dangerous behaviour should not be done in too much detail so it cannot be copied, frequent use of strong language is allowed, nudity is accepted without going into too much detail within a sexual reference, sexual activity is also accepted as long as it doesn't go into too much detail, the theme doesn't really matter as long as it is acceptable for 15 year old and violence can be used as long as it doesn't dwell on pain or injuries.
In my thriller film i will use violence through out. The soundtrack will add to the suspense and keep the viewers entertained. The use of flashing images will keep the audience hearts racing. The use of swearing and sexual content will be kept to a minimum. Overall my clip will be suitable for 15 year old but also be entertaining for audiences over the age of 18 - 25 years.
Based on my questionnaire my Target Audience 77% of my target audience was between the age group of 15-25. Both genders seemed to be interested in thriller movies. Race and cultural differences did not seem to make a difference in a persons view toward the genre. My target audience believed that props were needed to create a realistic atmosphere in the movie. Therefore i will be included props where i need them to create realism in my clip. 60% of the people felt narrative was important in a thriller movie. Therefore i want to have an exciting narrative for my movie, with different themes and elements combined together. For example i will intertwine two thriller sub genres together- supernatural and crime thrillers to create my movie. When questioning my audience on whether they prefer colour or black and white movies i was given a close to 50/50% answer, therefore i shall decide what suits my thriller better. My audience seem to favour the protagonist in a thriller movie, so i shall portray the protagonists is a sympathetic and favourable light compared to the antagonist. My target audience were very favourable to having dramatic music that matched the violent visual images and having a contemporary and modern feel to the video. I shall try to incorporate these elements in to my video.
Based on my questionnaire my Target Audience 77% of my target audience was between the age group of 15-25. Both genders seemed to be interested in thriller movies. Race and cultural differences did not seem to make a difference in a persons view toward the genre. My target audience believed that props were needed to create a realistic atmosphere in the movie. Therefore i will be included props where i need them to create realism in my clip. 60% of the people felt narrative was important in a thriller movie. Therefore i want to have an exciting narrative for my movie, with different themes and elements combined together. For example i will intertwine two thriller sub genres together- supernatural and crime thrillers to create my movie. When questioning my audience on whether they prefer colour or black and white movies i was given a close to 50/50% answer, therefore i shall decide what suits my thriller better. My audience seem to favour the protagonist in a thriller movie, so i shall portray the protagonists is a sympathetic and favourable light compared to the antagonist. My target audience were very favourable to having dramatic music that matched the violent visual images and having a contemporary and modern feel to the video. I shall try to incorporate these elements in to my video.
Based on the Interviews my target audience seemed to like crime thrillers that were based around the killers journey through the movie and how he would be caught. One of the interviews results suggests the clues and investigations create a great movie. The use of symbolisation through objects and various other techniques therefore seems like a great idea in my thriller. The locations chosen by my target audience seemed to be in isolated places or confined spaces that created a sense of fear in the victim. The target audience all liked the implication of violence in thriller videos if not the display of it. As i am a low budget media student i have decided to imply violence in my thriller instead of display it. I have also decided not to use swear words in my thriller, this allows me to widen my target audience to the age of 15 and above. Over all i found the interviews gave me indepth knowlege on what my target audience expect in a Thriller.
Friday, 12 February 2010
BBFC Classisications
The BBFC:
The BBFC is the British Board of Film Classification, it is an independent, non-governmental body. It has classified cinema films since it was set up in 1912, and videos since the passing of the Video Recordings Act in 1984. Statutory powers on film remain with the local councils, which may overrule some of Board's decisions, passing films they reject, banning films they have passed, and even waiving cuts, instituting new ones, or altering categories for films exhibited under their own licensing jurisdiction.
In 1984 Parliament passed the Video Recordings Act. This act stated that video recordings offered for sale or hire commercially in the UK must be classified by an authority designated by the Secretary of State. The President and Vice Presidents of the BBFC were so designated, and charged with applying the new test of 'suitability for viewing in the home'. At this point the Board's title was changed to British Board of Film Classification to reflect the fact that classification plays a far larger part in the Board's work than censorship.
The 12 certificate means that only 12 year old and above are aloud to buy and view the product it is on.This was introduced in 1989 when the BBFC decided that there was a need for a certificate between pg and 15. There was a big increase in the amount of films being made that where to graphic verbally and visibly that would not suit yonger children but might be suitable for young teenagers and above.
The BBFC permits the following within the bounds of the 12 certificate:
Theme: Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.
Language: The use of strong language should be rare and must be justified by context.
Nudity: Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context will be brief and discreet.
Sex: Sexual activity may be implied. Sexual references may reflect the familiarity of most adolescents today with sex education through school.
Violence: Violence must not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly indicated and without physical detail.
Imitable techniques: Dangerous techniques (examples include: combat, hanging, suicides) should contain no imitable detail. Realistic and contemporary weapons should not be glamorised.
Horror: Sustained threat and menace is permitted. Occasional gory moments only.
Drugs: Brief and occasional references to, and sight of, 'soft' drug-taking (eg cannabis) are allowed, but must be justified by context and should indicate the dangers. No instructional elements are permitted.
This is the classification for a fifteen film from the British board of film classification (bbfc).
Suitable only for 15 years and over. No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.
Discrimination:The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.
Drugs: Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example,
aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.
Horror: Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.
Imitable behaviour: Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.
Language: There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated
use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.
Nudity: Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.
Sex: Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable
unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.
Theme: No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.
Violence: Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.
Suitable only for adults No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.
ANYTHING GOES.... SEX, DRUGS, VIOLENCE...ETC
BBFC’s guideline concerns will not normally override the principle that adults should be free to choose their own entertainment. Exceptions are most likely in the Following areas:
• Where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence
• where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault
• where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ would normally be confined to that category.
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Interview Analysis
Analysis of Interviews
1. What thriller movie is your favourite and why?
The question allowed to gain a increasing knowledge of my target audience mind set, they seemed to like thrillers that were related to crime and depicted the lifestyle of a criminal, i shall try to include this element in to my thriller opening.
2. What kind of music genre and theme do you think collaborates with thriller movies?
Most of the answers illustrate that the conventional thriller music was more appropriate to use in these films as it added to the suspense and draws the viewers that are my target audience in to the film. Therefore i shall relate my sound track to the conventional music used in thrillers, with a contemporary twist.
3. Do you prefer phycological thrillers or Crime/Physical thrillers? why?
(Give examples of movies you like in this genre & why.)
Out of three of my target audiences two of them felt crime thrillers were more interesting as they felt they were more intriguing to watch. They seemed to like the journey the killer takes in killing his victims and the investigation that leads to killer being caught.
4. What kind of storyline do you like in thriller movies?
One of the Killers suggested that a mask used to cover the identity of the killer is a brilliant idea because the clues through out the movie will instead reveal small clues as to who the killer is. This makes the movie all the more interesting and more likely the audience will feel drawn to watch more. I want to use this idea in my movie to create more curiosity that will draw my target audience to watch my thriller.
5. What locations do you find most effective in thriller movies? why
(give Examples of locations in movies)
(give Examples of locations in movies)
Two of the interview results suggested the woods would be a great location to film a thriller as they are isolated, Gothic, creepy and i would not have to ask for any permission to use the film site. The Woods also create a perfect location to stalk and hunt a victim down. Another target audience suggested the graveyard would also add to the atmosphere in the movie. The olden graveyard symbolises death and decay, symbolising the killers mental thoughts.
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
Monday, 8 February 2010
Interviews
INTERVIEW's :I have interview 3 people between the ages of 15 - 25. Two male and two female to keep the interviews fair. Therefore i am covering the basic sequence of my target audience. Using different mediums such as MSN messenger and Face book i was able to gain my answers quickly and effectively.
Below are my 5 main open interview questions:
1. What thriller movie is your favourite and why?
2. What kind of music genre and theme do you think collaborates with thriller movies?
3. Do you prefer phycological thrillers or Crime/Physical thrillers? why?
(Give examples of movies you like in this genre & why.)
4. What kind of storyline do you like in thriller movies?
5. What locations do you find most effective in thriller movies? why
(give Examples of locations in movies)
INTERVIEW ONE:
INTERVIEW TWO:
1. What thriller movie is your favourite and why?
Goodfellas – because of the way the story is told threw the life of just one character and how we learn to love that character as we follow his life from a child to an adult, and from being apart of one of the most famous Italian gangster organisations to just a 'normal' person
2. What kind of music genre and theme do you think collaborates with thriller movies?
Suspenseful music to put the viewer in an anxious mood to add to the effect of a thriller
3. Do you prefer physiological thrillers or Crime/Physical thrillers? Why?
(Give examples of movies you like in this genre & why.)
Psychological as they cause more suspense as the murders seem more like torture both psychologically and mentally and leave the viewer thinking it could happen to anyone including them... an example of this is the saw series
4. What kind of storyline do you like in thriller movies?
Following the life of a criminal as it shows the life events that lead up to the murders etc. it helps build the story and a relationship between the character and the viewers
5. What locations do you find most effective in thriller movies? Why
(give Examples of locations in movies)
Woods - Blair witch project - gives the feeling of loneliness and isolation
Abandon house - Texas chainsaw massacre, gives the feeling of the unknown and not knowing what’s in the next room build great intensity
INTERVIEW THREE:
Below are my 5 main open interview questions:
1. What thriller movie is your favourite and why?
2. What kind of music genre and theme do you think collaborates with thriller movies?
3. Do you prefer phycological thrillers or Crime/Physical thrillers? why?
(Give examples of movies you like in this genre & why.)
4. What kind of storyline do you like in thriller movies?
5. What locations do you find most effective in thriller movies? why
(give Examples of locations in movies)
INTERVIEW ONE:
INTERVIEW TWO:
1. What thriller movie is your favourite and why?
Goodfellas – because of the way the story is told threw the life of just one character and how we learn to love that character as we follow his life from a child to an adult, and from being apart of one of the most famous Italian gangster organisations to just a 'normal' person
2. What kind of music genre and theme do you think collaborates with thriller movies?
Suspenseful music to put the viewer in an anxious mood to add to the effect of a thriller
3. Do you prefer physiological thrillers or Crime/Physical thrillers? Why?
(Give examples of movies you like in this genre & why.)
Psychological as they cause more suspense as the murders seem more like torture both psychologically and mentally and leave the viewer thinking it could happen to anyone including them... an example of this is the saw series
4. What kind of storyline do you like in thriller movies?
Following the life of a criminal as it shows the life events that lead up to the murders etc. it helps build the story and a relationship between the character and the viewers
5. What locations do you find most effective in thriller movies? Why
(give Examples of locations in movies)
Woods - Blair witch project - gives the feeling of loneliness and isolation
Abandon house - Texas chainsaw massacre, gives the feeling of the unknown and not knowing what’s in the next room build great intensity
INTERVIEW THREE:
Friday, 5 February 2010
Thursday, 4 February 2010
Tuesday, 2 February 2010
Comprehensive Textual Analysis
In my opinion the opening of David Fincher's Se7en, 1995, sets the genre of thriller extremely well. This is because of a variety of reasons. The scene is very busy and almost cluttered. The person in the scene is completing a variety of tasks including photo development, reading and writing, sewing and using precise instruments. The person in the scene is mostly likely carrying out an investigation. This shows the audience that the movie is from a crime thriller as police officers tend to carry out investigations to solve crimes.
Few colours are used these including red, black and white. The red is a light shade this is symbolic to blood which also presents death and violence. Red is limited throughout the scene being used in the photo development stage symbolising that the person in the photograph may be dead or is involved in violent behaviour. This adds mystery because the audience starts to wonder how the man in the photo may have come to death or how he is involved with violence. Flashes of red lasting for approximately have a second are used through the scene to add the existence of death. This effect builds up tension and draws the audience into the scene. A drop of blood is also included in the scene. The blood falls from the persons hand onto a picture of a dead man. This highlights the fact that death is a key aspect in this film. There is a high amount of the colour black used in the scene. This adds a mysterious effect. This is because black symbolises evil and darkness. This draws the reader in and encourages them to keep watching for the thrill. A high amount of white is also used. This is to make the darkness of the film stand out and may also represent the innocence of maybe the victims in the film.
The music adds even more tension to the scene and establishes genre. The music is non diegetic but includes sounds from a fire, a record scratching and from heartbeats. The sound from the fire symbolises danger which contributes to establish the genre of thriller. The sound from the record scratching adds an ear piercing effect and provides an awkward atmosphere making it almost uncomfortable to watch. The effect of the heartbeat promotes horror and the heartbeat is beating fast which shows nerves and promotes tension.
The props used, in the scene, also establishes the genre of thriller. Scissors are used which could be used as some sort of weapon promoting violence. A large amount of words are also used in the scene. This adds a complicated, busy feeling to the film. This makes the audience wonder what the character is investigating. This means it draws the audience in and makes them interesting in the film. The character is also using a black marker to cover pictures. This adds a mystery effect because the audience wonders why the character is doing this and what the involvement of the person in the picture has with the film.
The titles are white and are placed on a black background. This highlights the titles and makes it very clear. The titles are dotted around the screen throughout the clip and are well spaced out this shows that it is a cluttered atmosphere maybe the investigated has been going on for a large amount of time resulting in a lot of paperwork. The font of the titles is a note taking font. This adds the effect of mystery and quickness of note taking.
The editing also establishes genre. There are a large number of cut shots in the scene this builds up tension because it give the scene a fast pace. There is also a great deal of flashing. This almost shocks and thrills the reader building them up for what is to come in come in the rest of the film and establishing genre.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)