In class we watched an extract of 'Misfits', we learnt about a group of characters. Three of those characters we learnt about were Nathan, Simon and Kurtis.
Nathan
Camera: Nathan comes across as confident and the biggest personality in the group, often on screen he is centralised which emphasises his stature in the group.
Sound: During the extract, Nathan makes a lot of jokes and insults the others. This shows that he is self-confident, cocky and a bit of a clown.
Mise-En-Scene: At the beginning of the extract Nathan is smoking, and throughout the extract he's seen playing a fool and mocking the others. This tells us that he doesn't really care and doesn't take much seriously.
Simon
Camera: From the camera usage, Simon comes across as a quiet and also rather disturbed individual. This is emphasised by him usually being shot from a high angle and he is usually off-centre.
Sound: Simon doesn't usually talk during the extract, but when he does he sounds very defensive and withdrawn. This makes him come across as a lonely person who finds it hard to warm to people.
Mise-En-Scene: Simon is first seen aggresively pressing his hair down while looking extremely stern, then for the duration of the extract he segregates himself from the group. This makes him come across as a lonely person who keeps his emotions and frustration inside, furthermore making him seem rather mysterious.
Kurtis
Camera: Kurtis is usually off-centre, this makes him seem as though he doesn't want to be with the group.
Sound: Throughout the extract Kurtis often mutters "I shouldn't be here", this shows how he feels he has not done wrong and therefore shouldn't be doing community service.
Mise-En-Scene: Kurtis is usually seen keeping himself to himself and half-heartedly getting on with the task given, this shows how he doesn't particularly want to involve himself with the group but he is a genuine character.
Tuesday 14 December 2010
Monday 13 December 2010
Semantics and Syntax
Semantics
- The study of meaning of different words.
- For media, it is the study of signs and symbols and their relationship for eachother.
Altman and Semantics
Genre, according to Altman, is usually defined in terms of certain signs.
Sci-Fi: Aliens, spaceships, planets, space, metallic colours.
Horror: Monsters, blood, screams, darkness, death.
Western: Cowboys, indians, taverns, cactuses, horses, guns.
Gangster: Mafias, Italian-Americans, suits, casinos, money.
Romance: Love, sex, boy meets girl, happiness, female characters.
Syntax
- The grammatical arrangement of words in a sentence.
- The syntax involves the plot and themes.
Language Of The Moving Image
Camera
Shot distance
Angle
Movement
Position
Sound
Diegetic/non-diegetic
Volume
Matching
Editing
Pace
Style
Mise-En-Scene
Lighting
Setting
Props
Body language
Shot distance
Angle
Movement
Position
Sound
Diegetic/non-diegetic
Volume
Matching
Editing
Pace
Style
Mise-En-Scene
Lighting
Setting
Props
Body language
Thriller Intro Storyboard Sequence
1. Intro starts with darkness.
2. Camera slowly begins to track down the stairs.
3. Dead bodies become visable as the camera tracks down the stairs.
4. As the camera tracks over each body, cut-scenes of that person being murdered are shown.
5. Eary music begins playing while the camera continues to track over the bodies.
6. After the camera tracks to the bottom of the stairs it slowly begins to tilt upwards.
7. The camera keeps tilting upwards until a person is seen sitting on the chair, head down.
8. The person then slowly looks up directly at the camera, blood splattered on their face.
9. The person then begins laughing as the non-diegetic music stops playing.
10. The screen suddenly goes dark again as the person's laugh continues to echo.
2. Camera slowly begins to track down the stairs.
3. Dead bodies become visable as the camera tracks down the stairs.
4. As the camera tracks over each body, cut-scenes of that person being murdered are shown.
5. Eary music begins playing while the camera continues to track over the bodies.
6. After the camera tracks to the bottom of the stairs it slowly begins to tilt upwards.
7. The camera keeps tilting upwards until a person is seen sitting on the chair, head down.
8. The person then slowly looks up directly at the camera, blood splattered on their face.
9. The person then begins laughing as the non-diegetic music stops playing.
10. The screen suddenly goes dark again as the person's laugh continues to echo.
Tuesday 2 November 2010
Thriller Genre Research
Thriller movies often follow the same conventions in terms of editing. Many thriller films use quick cuts with each of the cut varying in camera angles and shot distance.
The opening of most thriller films don't usually give most of the film's plot away, instead they tend to introduce the audience to the setting of the film and often a character.
The character(s) featured in thriller films are either 'good' characters, or 'bad' characters. The good characters are usually weak and vulnerable to the bad characters. The bad characters are usually strong, dangererous and usually set out to get the good characters, this is a common plot of a thriller movie.
The opening of most thriller films don't usually give most of the film's plot away, instead they tend to introduce the audience to the setting of the film and often a character.
The character(s) featured in thriller films are either 'good' characters, or 'bad' characters. The good characters are usually weak and vulnerable to the bad characters. The bad characters are usually strong, dangererous and usually set out to get the good characters, this is a common plot of a thriller movie.
Differentiation Between Classifications 15 & 18
Films with classification '15' are for viewers of the age of atleast 15, they do not feature as extreme content as films classified '18', therefore younger viewers are able to watch these films. One example of a classified '15' thriller film is '1408'.
Films with classification '18' are for viewers of the age of atleast 18. Content featured in these films can contain extreme violence, sex scenes, disturbing scenes and breaching of criminal law. One example of a classified '18' thriller film is 'Psycho'.
Monday 1 November 2010
Other Students' Thriller Openings Analysis
'Room To Breath'
Genre: Hybrid - Thriller/Romance
Audience: 15
Technical Ability: Level 2
This is how I graded the thriller intro after watching it, I believed it was a good plot to the intro but aslong as it's positives it also had some negatives. I classified it '15' because it was rather distressing but I think it was suitable for people aged atleast 15.
Positives:
- It had steady shots when appropriate.
- Good lighting choices.
- Appropriate editing.
- Good contrast in music.
- Good plot.
Negatives:
- There wasn't a wide range of shot distances.
- Some of the sounds weren't well timed, like the girl's scream.
- It seemed more like a film trailer rather than an opening.
What I have learned from this film opening: I thought the contrast in this opening was effectful and I could possibly include some sort of contrast in my opening.
'Unrequited Loved'
Genre: Hybrid - Thriller/Romance
Audience: 12A
Technical Ability: Level 3
This is how I graded this film opening, i believed the editing was especially good but I didn't think the opening had a good plot. I classified it '12A' because it did follow the conventions of the thriller genre with the girl cutting the paper with a pair of scissors, but it wasn't scary nor distressing.
Positives:
- Very good editing.
- It had steady shots when appropriate.
- Good use of audio and sounds.
- Good close-up shots.
Negatives:
- Very continuous.
- Weak plot.
- The girl cutting the paper with a pair of scissors was a bit of a cliché.
- Not a wide range of shot distances.
- I thought sequences were too quick.
What i have learned from this film opening: I thought the editing was very good and i thought the quick cuts were effective so I may include quick cuts in my film opening.
'Root Cause'
Genre: Thriller/Horror
Audience: 15
Technical Ability: Level 4
This is how I graded this film opening, I believed the editing was very good and they used camera effects well created a traditional black and white style which suited the content. I classified it '15' because although there was one particular disturbing scene, it wasn't presented graphically.
Positives:
- Good editing
- Good camera effects
- Good plot
- Good camera angles/shots
- Good use of non-diagetic music
Negatives:
- Continuety error
- Sometimes the camera wasn't steady
What I have learned from this opening: I thought the camera effects in this opening were good, and I might use this opening to help me incorperate some camera effects in my film opening.
Tuesday 5 October 2010
Mind Map
Thriller Genre Film Types:
- Action
- Horror
- Mystery
- Stalkers
- Phsyco
Editing:
- Fast cuts
- Jump cuts
Camera:
- Long shots/ Extreme long shots
- Close ups/ Extreme close ups
- Point of view
- Panning
Sound:
- Diagetic
- Non - Diagetic
- Dialogue
Mise-En-Scene
- Monsters
- Blood
- Knifes
- Guns
- Forests
- Graveyards
Monday 4 October 2010
Thriller Genre Research
Conventions
In terms of editing, most thriller films follow the same conventions. Many of these films use quick cuts, with each cut varying camera angles.
The opening of most thriller films don't usually reveal much of the film's plot, instead they tend to introduce the audience to the setting of the film and minimal characters.
The character(s) featured in thriller films tend to either be 'good' or 'bad'. The good characters are usually the weaker characters and are vulnerable to the bad characters. The bad characters are usually strong, dangerous and mysterious and set out to attack the good characters. Some examples of the type of bad characters featured in thriller films are; criminals, monsters, creatures, stalkers and disturbed individuals.
In terms of editing, most thriller films follow the same conventions. Many of these films use quick cuts, with each cut varying camera angles.
The opening of most thriller films don't usually reveal much of the film's plot, instead they tend to introduce the audience to the setting of the film and minimal characters.
The character(s) featured in thriller films tend to either be 'good' or 'bad'. The good characters are usually the weaker characters and are vulnerable to the bad characters. The bad characters are usually strong, dangerous and mysterious and set out to attack the good characters. Some examples of the type of bad characters featured in thriller films are; criminals, monsters, creatures, stalkers and disturbed individuals.
Thursday 30 September 2010
Film Classification Research
Films are classified and given certifactes indicating what audience may watch the film, films in the United Kingdom are classified by BBFC.
The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) is an organisation funded by the film industry, they are responsible for the classification of films within the United Kingdom.
Film Classifications:
U - this classification is suitable for all to view, although preferrably all over the age of 4. Films with this classification are morally positive and do not feature violence, horror or threatening content.
PG - (Parental Guidence) films with this classification are for general viewing but may feature some content unsuitable for young children. Under the guidence of a parent, a child of any age can watch these films but it it advised for the parent to consider if some of the content may distress more sensitive children.
12 - Films with this classification are suitable for viewers over the age of 12, they feature content which parents may find unsuitable for children younger than this age.
12A - This film classification only exists in cinemas, children under the age of 12 are not permitted to watch these films unless accompanied by an adult. Although these films are advised not to be viewed by children under this age, the child's viewing of the film depends on the judgement of the adult.
15- Films with this classification are only suitable for viewers over the age of 15, these films may feature fairly strong language, mild violence and disturbing content.
18 - Films with this classification are only suitable for adults, these films can feature anything from strong language, heavy violence, disturbing content, graphic scenes, sexual scenes and horrific content.
The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) is an organisation funded by the film industry, they are responsible for the classification of films within the United Kingdom.
Film Classifications:
U - this classification is suitable for all to view, although preferrably all over the age of 4. Films with this classification are morally positive and do not feature violence, horror or threatening content.
PG - (Parental Guidence) films with this classification are for general viewing but may feature some content unsuitable for young children. Under the guidence of a parent, a child of any age can watch these films but it it advised for the parent to consider if some of the content may distress more sensitive children.
12 - Films with this classification are suitable for viewers over the age of 12, they feature content which parents may find unsuitable for children younger than this age.
12A - This film classification only exists in cinemas, children under the age of 12 are not permitted to watch these films unless accompanied by an adult. Although these films are advised not to be viewed by children under this age, the child's viewing of the film depends on the judgement of the adult.
15- Films with this classification are only suitable for viewers over the age of 15, these films may feature fairly strong language, mild violence and disturbing content.
18 - Films with this classification are only suitable for adults, these films can feature anything from strong language, heavy violence, disturbing content, graphic scenes, sexual scenes and horrific content.
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