Wednesday, 10 March 2010
Miss Berry
How does Todrov (theroy) and propps narrative apply to the two film texts you have studied?
Monday, 1 March 2010
Essay for exam
What have you found interesting in the representation of gender of the film you have studied
Monster (2003) directed by patty Jenkins is about a former prostitute who is convicted and executed for killing men in the late 1980's and early 1990's this film conform to the representation of gender through crime and prostitution. The representation of the main protagonist is a southern woman Aileen Wuornos who travel around prostitution for money yet this style of living soon brings her to trouble as one her men "costumers" abused and nearly tried attempted killing on her caused her to use self defence which later led her to more serial killings of innocent people.
The beginning of the film shows non-linear narration of Aileen's childhood days around men/boys. This represent of gender of bi-polar characters. This bi-Polo characters would allow insight to the audience of her first encounters of prostitution making them sympathise for the protagonist. This is shown through the mise-en-scene as through out the film Aileen was poor treated by her "costumers" one persific scene was when Aileen was in the car and was about to be raped the southern state of America is mostly dominated by white man.
This was very interesting when the director was representing the main protagonist and her own ideology through out the filmportriat Aileen as a unstable killer who from her traumatic past of abuse, soulitude and negative dominace from men, goes on to murder men more brutally as an act of punishiment to the intorolance of society then protection.
Monster (2003) directed by patty Jenkins is about a former prostitute who is convicted and executed for killing men in the late 1980's and early 1990's this film conform to the representation of gender through crime and prostitution. The representation of the main protagonist is a southern woman Aileen Wuornos who travel around prostitution for money yet this style of living soon brings her to trouble as one her men "costumers" abused and nearly tried attempted killing on her caused her to use self defence which later led her to more serial killings of innocent people.
The beginning of the film shows non-linear narration of Aileen's childhood days around men/boys. This represent of gender of bi-polar characters. This bi-Polo characters would allow insight to the audience of her first encounters of prostitution making them sympathise for the protagonist. This is shown through the mise-en-scene as through out the film Aileen was poor treated by her "costumers" one persific scene was when Aileen was in the car and was about to be raped the southern state of America is mostly dominated by white man.
This was very interesting when the director was representing the main protagonist and her own ideology through out the filmportriat Aileen as a unstable killer who from her traumatic past of abuse, soulitude and negative dominace from men, goes on to murder men more brutally as an act of punishiment to the intorolance of society then protection.
Tuesday, 9 February 2010
lesson and homework for Ms Berry.
Themes and issues for London to Brighton (social realism):
Economical poverty, Crime (underground), Sex, Drugs, Violence’s, Prostitution, Child trafficking, Run away child, Abusive parents/background, (British) Real Life Stories, Depression, Everyday hero, hard luck, Finding your true self, To (in the new equilibrium) be content about yourself, Homeless. This is mostly represented as a negative view to life in Britain mostly where economical areas hit the hardest.
They would have to:
Live with crime, Shocked, Scared, In fear, Leading the underground crime, traumatized, astonishment, dangerous, powerful, Dominate/submissive, police corruption, Fraud, Stealing, Drug dealing, know of family members that can bring harm to them or the family.
Does Todorov’s theory work with London to Brighton:
In my opinion I believe that it doesn’t fit into the Todorov’s theory this is because of the non linear also the fact that the narrative doesn’t show there past life such as Kelly’s teenage live. We start with the equilibrium with the city name London and the time in white letters on a black background this is the most normality showed as it then suddenly cuts to a young woman and girl bursting into a communal. They are in hysterical fits creating enigma code to way they are hiding in a dirtied graffiti toilet the first question is who they are running away from to be hiding in a grimy toilet. This is to be a bleak opening mostly known in social realism however to new spectators, this can either make them feel uncomfortable or interested on the way the directors portrayed the opening scene. Yet the non- linear narrative of flash backs keeps the spectators in a waiting game to the end of the film.
The ending once again subverts to Todorov’s theory as a British social realism film compared to the Hollywood endings, everyone getting what they wished for and the antagonist being either killed or close. These (or most) British films only ending with most things going back to normal or the new equilibrium in this case Joanne was reunited with her grandmother, Stuart getting his revenge on Derek for his father death and Kelly having to go back to being a hooker, since that is all she knows.
Economical poverty, Crime (underground), Sex, Drugs, Violence’s, Prostitution, Child trafficking, Run away child, Abusive parents/background, (British) Real Life Stories, Depression, Everyday hero, hard luck, Finding your true self, To (in the new equilibrium) be content about yourself, Homeless. This is mostly represented as a negative view to life in Britain mostly where economical areas hit the hardest.
They would have to:
Live with crime, Shocked, Scared, In fear, Leading the underground crime, traumatized, astonishment, dangerous, powerful, Dominate/submissive, police corruption, Fraud, Stealing, Drug dealing, know of family members that can bring harm to them or the family.
Does Todorov’s theory work with London to Brighton:
In my opinion I believe that it doesn’t fit into the Todorov’s theory this is because of the non linear also the fact that the narrative doesn’t show there past life such as Kelly’s teenage live. We start with the equilibrium with the city name London and the time in white letters on a black background this is the most normality showed as it then suddenly cuts to a young woman and girl bursting into a communal. They are in hysterical fits creating enigma code to way they are hiding in a dirtied graffiti toilet the first question is who they are running away from to be hiding in a grimy toilet. This is to be a bleak opening mostly known in social realism however to new spectators, this can either make them feel uncomfortable or interested on the way the directors portrayed the opening scene. Yet the non- linear narrative of flash backs keeps the spectators in a waiting game to the end of the film.
The ending once again subverts to Todorov’s theory as a British social realism film compared to the Hollywood endings, everyone getting what they wished for and the antagonist being either killed or close. These (or most) British films only ending with most things going back to normal or the new equilibrium in this case Joanne was reunited with her grandmother, Stuart getting his revenge on Derek for his father death and Kelly having to go back to being a hooker, since that is all she knows.
Saturday, 23 January 2010
The brief for my film study coursework is a 3-5 minute sequence equivalent to 10-25 shots we should use little or no dialogue clearly connoting the genre with visual meaning to the spectator. The theme of the genre is horror thriller where the spectator is show the ending of the equilibrium to the disequilibrium (from the Todorov’s theory) The area I was responsibility for is mise-en-scene where I had to decide how the spectator visually see the setting such as the main production design being set in the park ect. The genre can depend on the importance of the area of micro elements since my group is creating a horror most of the film that conforms to the conventions of a horror would be mostly non diegetic sounds i.e. tension violin music or a sound motif for when the antagonist enters the scene. Since the mise-en-scene was the easiest to achieve in the amount of footage and time we had to represent the other three micro elements for example using different movement and angle (tracking, panning and worms eye view) from cinematography this different, interesting effects would keep the audience intrigued.
Most of the general feedback was good they understood what was happening and where it was filmed. Rebecca quotes “the tension built up well, the sound was effective however some takes were a bit too long yet overall was good.” leigh-anne also agree by this with the understanding of the plot and the personality of the characters. Yet due to the first draft the sound track lacked since the middle part didn’t fit in the sequence to suddenly jumping into another piece this rough cutting made it confusing to the spectators.
The opening scene fades into the schoolgirl leaving the premises of the school. This establishing shot tells the spectator that she is the main focus this can be shown by the rule of third when she cross pass the main gate, the position of the gate closes of any distractions which narrows our attention to the girl. The tunnel scene illustrate the school walking alone towards the tunnel her being by herself can connote a sense of loneliness this can be a side view to the audience demonstrating a connection between the ghost and the school girl.
The scene follows with the schoolgirl ending up at the park. We are shown a pov shot of the park scene being shown to be empty this can create a suspicion to the spectator of normally during the daytime the park would be filled up with mothers and children. This however is the opposite the spectator by now will be anticipation for the climax as the rising tension makes it seem to be realistic. Until the music change for the ghost scene this introduction to a new character denote the visual differences between the school girl reserved personality and the ghost unexplained story to how she gets there.
The conventions of a horror and thrillers for sound is shows to be eerie when the victim enters the disequilibrium scene the mise-en-scene would be gritty / grey lighting to show a more realism outlook there is also supernatural elements such as the antagonist being a ghost, such films like “The Grudge” and “the Ring”.
Include audience feedback the tension and the suspension from the atmosphere gives the spectator a feeling of “impending doom” for the school girl, this was done by showing the equilibrium/disequilibrium.
We did meet the brief expectation by fulfilling my role of mise-en-scene by going on a scouting with my group to base the main scene I had also brought make-up to create a more visual meaning of the contrast from the ghost and the school girl (same actress) due to the busy schedules from my other piers we had to use our own group. I had also asked the actress to bring in certain clothing’s to represent the character for example the most visual character was the ghost wearing black and white clothing’s conforms to supernatural beings wearing Plain colours this can show little life or emotions inside them this can also make the spectators thinking why the ghost ending in a children’s park and if she had problems when she was in the living.
The improvements that I would of done was to show more interesting aspects of cinematography by using different shots like Arial view or low racking of the schoolgirls feet. I would also make a better sound track by layering more sounds when it came to the dramatic scenes for example there is silence until it cuts to the first introduction of the ghost on the swing the dramatic sound would then come in to indicate to the audience the climax of the disequilibrium.
Most of the general feedback was good they understood what was happening and where it was filmed. Rebecca quotes “the tension built up well, the sound was effective however some takes were a bit too long yet overall was good.” leigh-anne also agree by this with the understanding of the plot and the personality of the characters. Yet due to the first draft the sound track lacked since the middle part didn’t fit in the sequence to suddenly jumping into another piece this rough cutting made it confusing to the spectators.
The opening scene fades into the schoolgirl leaving the premises of the school. This establishing shot tells the spectator that she is the main focus this can be shown by the rule of third when she cross pass the main gate, the position of the gate closes of any distractions which narrows our attention to the girl. The tunnel scene illustrate the school walking alone towards the tunnel her being by herself can connote a sense of loneliness this can be a side view to the audience demonstrating a connection between the ghost and the school girl.
The scene follows with the schoolgirl ending up at the park. We are shown a pov shot of the park scene being shown to be empty this can create a suspicion to the spectator of normally during the daytime the park would be filled up with mothers and children. This however is the opposite the spectator by now will be anticipation for the climax as the rising tension makes it seem to be realistic. Until the music change for the ghost scene this introduction to a new character denote the visual differences between the school girl reserved personality and the ghost unexplained story to how she gets there.
The conventions of a horror and thrillers for sound is shows to be eerie when the victim enters the disequilibrium scene the mise-en-scene would be gritty / grey lighting to show a more realism outlook there is also supernatural elements such as the antagonist being a ghost, such films like “The Grudge” and “the Ring”.
Include audience feedback the tension and the suspension from the atmosphere gives the spectator a feeling of “impending doom” for the school girl, this was done by showing the equilibrium/disequilibrium.
We did meet the brief expectation by fulfilling my role of mise-en-scene by going on a scouting with my group to base the main scene I had also brought make-up to create a more visual meaning of the contrast from the ghost and the school girl (same actress) due to the busy schedules from my other piers we had to use our own group. I had also asked the actress to bring in certain clothing’s to represent the character for example the most visual character was the ghost wearing black and white clothing’s conforms to supernatural beings wearing Plain colours this can show little life or emotions inside them this can also make the spectators thinking why the ghost ending in a children’s park and if she had problems when she was in the living.
The improvements that I would of done was to show more interesting aspects of cinematography by using different shots like Arial view or low racking of the schoolgirls feet. I would also make a better sound track by layering more sounds when it came to the dramatic scenes for example there is silence until it cuts to the first introduction of the ghost on the swing the dramatic sound would then come in to indicate to the audience the climax of the disequilibrium.
Wednesday, 20 January 2010
Lesson for Bullet Boy and London to Brighton
Review highlights of Bullet Boy and London to Brighton
The view London review 3/5 stars
Overall:
Luke Fraser and Ashley Walters "Is equally good as Curtis and both characters are so like able that you spend the second half of the film holding your breath because your scared something bad will happen to them".
The director Saul Dibbs " direction is excellent" with co-writer Catherine Johnson have a "good ear for dialogue and their well written script gives Bullet Boy an authentic London film".
Indie London.co.uk review 2/5 stars
The review first starts of as" the British gangster movie has becoming something of a tired genre of late". Yet carry's on with " it fulfills most of the criteria for the genre, it does so in a refreshingly sincere manner that makes the journey it takes viewers on well worth the undertaking".
"his use of violence is more suggested too thereby hinting at its psychological effect more than dwelling on the thrill of the kill".
BBC review
"a sensation look at an incendiary subject, Bullet Boy really hits the mark".
overall all reviews see the ideology (crime genre) in a different by Saul Dibbs directing they have manage to "possesses a Grim of inevitability" the impact of living in East London gives you little option of how you want to live your live this "engaging drama that transcends it familiar material thanks to impressive performance and assured direction".
London to Brighton
BBC review
"the British crime flick gets a double-barrelled shot in the arm. London to Brighton is a brutal and brilliantly assured debut"...."world beatinly gr, it'll put through the wringer, but you won't regret the journey"
"London to Brighton doesn't sacrifice realism for momentum. The dialogue, Performances and us of low-life locations keep a rigorously tight check on credibility".
Sight and Sound.
"London to Brighton's synopsis, populated by prostitutes, pimps and dynastic gangsters makes dispiriting reading".
"The scene in which she discusses the terms of her prostitution to Duncan with Derek and Kelly in a Waterloo cafe is a small masterclass in building tension through implied motivation: only Kelly is honest enough to betray her true feelings about the nature of the transaction".
overall London to Brighton shows of underground dealings of violent prostitution and crime gives sympathy from the audience to the two female characters having to rise from a pessimistic beginning to a unexpected high at the end.
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
Slumdog Millionaire Research Task
Task: To research the film Slumdog Millionaire focusing on the British Film Industry
BACK UP ANSWERS WITH QUOTES/RESEARCH/WEBSITES
You need to find out -
Basic info:
Release Date
9 January 2009
Director
Danny Boyle
Co-director -Loveleen Tandan (India)
Production Company
Celador films and Film4
Distributor
Pathe pictures international Fox searchlight pictures Warner Bros pictures
Production Budget
$15,ooo,ooo
Advertising Budget
Main filming locations
India, Mumbai
Genre
Crime Drama Romance
Male lead
Dev Patel
Female lead
Freida Pinto
Writer
Simon Beaufoy
Who do you think the target audience is? Why? (Mainstream or niche?)
This film was targeted at adults around the age of 24-35, working and enjoys romantic films- who are often going to the cinema. A mainstream film.
What do the budgets tell you about the film?
This film started off as a small cheap film with only $15million to spend on, however the outcome gross turn into 31.6million twice as much when they started. This can show to the audience that you don’t need a lot of money.
Slumdog is classed as a British film, why?
Slumdog is classed as a British film as the director is from England, whatever the film is it will be based on the original background of the director .
What are the criteria for classifying a film as ‘British’?
It will have to be funded by a company in the British industry.
How was the film received? (research critics reviews/awards won)
Slumdog Millionaire’, a film so upbeat and colourful that, by the time you’re relaying its infectious air of optimism to friends, you could forget that it features orphans, slaughter, organised crime, poverty, enslavement and police brutality.
How was the film advertised? (Where? How long for?)
Commercials, side of buses and newspapers/magazines for two months with the tag line “Love and money.... You have mixed them both”.
Why do you think the film was so successful?
The story was focused on most people’s dream: winning a large amount of money to make their life better. This would make the audience having gratification of being in his place.
Helpful websites:
Internet Movie Database: www.imdb.com
Sight & Sound magazine: http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/
Guardian film reviews: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film
Official Slumdog site: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/slumdogmillionaire/
Wiki info on Slumdog: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slumdog_Millionaire
Review site: http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/m/slumdog_millionaire/
UK Film Council: http://www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk/
BAFTA: http://www.bafta.org/
Task: To research the film Slumdog Millionaire focusing on the British Film Industry
BACK UP ANSWERS WITH QUOTES/RESEARCH/WEBSITES
You need to find out -
Basic info:
Release Date
9 January 2009
Director
Danny Boyle
Co-director -Loveleen Tandan (India)
Production Company
Celador films and Film4
Distributor
Pathe pictures international Fox searchlight pictures Warner Bros pictures
Production Budget
$15,ooo,ooo
Advertising Budget
Main filming locations
India, Mumbai
Genre
Crime Drama Romance
Male lead
Dev Patel
Female lead
Freida Pinto
Writer
Simon Beaufoy
Who do you think the target audience is? Why? (Mainstream or niche?)
This film was targeted at adults around the age of 24-35, working and enjoys romantic films- who are often going to the cinema. A mainstream film.
What do the budgets tell you about the film?
This film started off as a small cheap film with only $15million to spend on, however the outcome gross turn into 31.6million twice as much when they started. This can show to the audience that you don’t need a lot of money.
Slumdog is classed as a British film, why?
Slumdog is classed as a British film as the director is from England, whatever the film is it will be based on the original background of the director .
What are the criteria for classifying a film as ‘British’?
It will have to be funded by a company in the British industry.
How was the film received? (research critics reviews/awards won)
Slumdog Millionaire’, a film so upbeat and colourful that, by the time you’re relaying its infectious air of optimism to friends, you could forget that it features orphans, slaughter, organised crime, poverty, enslavement and police brutality.
How was the film advertised? (Where? How long for?)
Commercials, side of buses and newspapers/magazines for two months with the tag line “Love and money.... You have mixed them both”.
Why do you think the film was so successful?
The story was focused on most people’s dream: winning a large amount of money to make their life better. This would make the audience having gratification of being in his place.
Helpful websites:
Internet Movie Database: www.imdb.com
Sight & Sound magazine: http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/
Guardian film reviews: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film
Official Slumdog site: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/slumdogmillionaire/
Wiki info on Slumdog: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slumdog_Millionaire
Review site: http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/m/slumdog_millionaire/
UK Film Council: http://www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk/
BAFTA: http://www.bafta.org/
Sunday, 27 September 2009
Who runs hollywood: Homework.
Who runs hollywood?
Question 1) How is the audiences in hollywood powerful?
Question 2) How is the institution powerful?
give evidence from the text and quote
Without the audiences in Hollywood becoming involved and spending money at the cinemas, Hollywood would not become as successful as it is today. At the end of the day Hollywood will have a product that they would like to sell, in this particular case films and the supporting merchandise. Due to the global economy there has been a slight drop in the viewing public spending money on watching movies at the box office showing that things are changing and people want "to consume good quality films at home". The power people behind the Hollywood studios make a region of $25 billion a year from moviegoers. However, if the money spending public believe that the film is not going to be any good either through the trailers or the reviews then the film will be a tremendous flop; for example, in August 2003 "Gigli" starred by Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, a romantic comedy that had flopped all around the world. As it was a massive flop, it came under fire from people reviewing the film and had won in total seven Razzies for "Worst Comedy of Our First 25 Years." Although it did have the rare comment "This isn't a good film, but, when set alongside the likes of Dumb and Dumberer and Legally Blonde 2, Jen & Ben offer less pain." A rare positive, as opposed to less negative, review came from Amy Dawes of Variety".
The audience does not have it all their own way though as Hollywood can be very manipulative, with the power and money at their disposal to promote actors to stardom and the films they are currently starring in. If the viewing public has become intrigued by a certain actor, raising their profile then Hollywood will try to obtain the services of that actor at a hugely inflated price as they know the gross profits for the films and merchandising will greatly increase. An example of this is Julia Roberts who won an Oscar for her film Erin Brockovich; “Julia Roberts has immense power because studio executives will approve almost any film she makes, knowing her presence will guarantee good box office”. However, once the actor has achieved fame and power, they then become part of the system where they able to call the shots and decide on what they will or won’t do and who they prefer to work with.
In conclusion, I think the relationship between audiences and Hollywood executives shows a symbiotic bond where they depend on each other to provide entertainment and funding to continue with entertainment. Because of the influence of Hollywood, the entertainment industry in other countries has increased in leaps and bounds such as “City of God” made in Brazil, hugely popular, and nominated for four Oscars. But it is still down to the public who will decide if the film they have seen has captured their heart and imagination and part with hard earned money to support the industry.
Question 1) How is the audiences in hollywood powerful?
Question 2) How is the institution powerful?
give evidence from the text and quote
Without the audiences in Hollywood becoming involved and spending money at the cinemas, Hollywood would not become as successful as it is today. At the end of the day Hollywood will have a product that they would like to sell, in this particular case films and the supporting merchandise. Due to the global economy there has been a slight drop in the viewing public spending money on watching movies at the box office showing that things are changing and people want "to consume good quality films at home". The power people behind the Hollywood studios make a region of $25 billion a year from moviegoers. However, if the money spending public believe that the film is not going to be any good either through the trailers or the reviews then the film will be a tremendous flop; for example, in August 2003 "Gigli" starred by Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez, a romantic comedy that had flopped all around the world. As it was a massive flop, it came under fire from people reviewing the film and had won in total seven Razzies for "Worst Comedy of Our First 25 Years." Although it did have the rare comment "This isn't a good film, but, when set alongside the likes of Dumb and Dumberer and Legally Blonde 2, Jen & Ben offer less pain." A rare positive, as opposed to less negative, review came from Amy Dawes of Variety".
The audience does not have it all their own way though as Hollywood can be very manipulative, with the power and money at their disposal to promote actors to stardom and the films they are currently starring in. If the viewing public has become intrigued by a certain actor, raising their profile then Hollywood will try to obtain the services of that actor at a hugely inflated price as they know the gross profits for the films and merchandising will greatly increase. An example of this is Julia Roberts who won an Oscar for her film Erin Brockovich; “Julia Roberts has immense power because studio executives will approve almost any film she makes, knowing her presence will guarantee good box office”. However, once the actor has achieved fame and power, they then become part of the system where they able to call the shots and decide on what they will or won’t do and who they prefer to work with.
In conclusion, I think the relationship between audiences and Hollywood executives shows a symbiotic bond where they depend on each other to provide entertainment and funding to continue with entertainment. Because of the influence of Hollywood, the entertainment industry in other countries has increased in leaps and bounds such as “City of God” made in Brazil, hugely popular, and nominated for four Oscars. But it is still down to the public who will decide if the film they have seen has captured their heart and imagination and part with hard earned money to support the industry.
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