Objective:To be able to identify the purpose of credits within a thriller film.
What's the purpose of ilm credit:
- Gives away the genre (text/ font)
- Introduces the cast
- Shows the title of the film
- Introduces the directors of the film (producers)
- Introduces the production companies
Idintify:
- The colours used
- The style of credits
- The use of generic convections of a thriller film
the order of appearance of the film 'Natural Born Killers'
White plain bold text with black shadows. But theres a red background and this could represent blood.
We watched a video from youtube of a grpup of students who made opening credits for a film. Here is the video:
Red was used to represnt blood and the style of the credits were like blood drops. This would show us that there is going to be blood in the film. This is a generic convention as blood may show danger or pain. The sound brought tension and created suspense. The sound created this by making the sound increase in tension. First the credits start with the production company then the actors. After this is the editiors and productors. Finally the writters and the directors of the film were shown. This will help me in my own producttion because now i know the order of the list of production crew in my film such as the editors and the producer.
We then watched the opening of seven. The colours of the credits was white, sketchy and flickering. The sound used was a rocky beat that slowly brought tention through the whole opening credit. First the main actors were shown. The most famous actors were shown, then the title. After that was the creator and the producers. The producers are shown last to show importance.
In films production always come up first, director of the film. Then the most famous actors get put up first, then less famous.
I then analysed a film called 'Panic Room'. The colours of the credits were white. The font was big 3-D capitals. The style of the credit was plain and bold. First the production company came up. After this was the few most famous actors in the movie, then straight after was the title of the movie. The size of the movie was larger than the other text. The camerawent from left to right to show the title of the film.
Objective: To be able to identify the generic convection's of an opening sequence within a film in particular.
Opening sequence is presenting the title, key production and cast members through a few scenes. Films make opening scene for their films because they need to introduce their audience to what the film will be about. This is important because they need to show their audience to many things such as what actors are going to be in the film. In the opening sequence we see the location of where the film will take place. This will help the audience to come up with a genre of the film. For example in a dark forest, the genre is likely to be thriller. But in the day time in the city will most likely be romance. This will help me in the opening of my film because by using the correct conventions of a thriller film, my audience will be able to decide the correct genre of my film; this will make my film a success.
Generic convection's of a thriller:
- Low key lighting
- Sound
- Straight cut
- Opening credits
- Establishing shot
- Lighting
- Set the genre/characters and setting location
We then watched the following of the two opening sequences from the films 'sex and the city' and 'twlight'. We had to identify the following points:
- Narrative of the film
- The characters
- The location
For 'Sex and the city' the narrative is about romance. Before this came out as a film, it started as a programme. So if you didn't know, Carries (the main character) put the audience to speed about how they got into the position they're in now. Her and her friends life goal was to find love so this tells us that the narrative romance. But before the narrative came location. The location is new york city. In the opening sequence, all the main characters were shown. The credits are sparkly, pink and bright. This shows that this film is aimed at females and it gives us an idea of how the characters personality are.
For 'Twlight' the genre is thriller. The narrative of the film suggested that something bad is going to end up happening to the girl because of the sudden chase of the deer. The location was a small town near a forest. This is a generic convention as it is an isolated habitat which gives it a more mysterious feel. There is a voiceover during the opening sequence which tells us what happened before and how the character got in the position she is in now. This vioceover allows the audience to understand more what is going on. Bella (the main character) is going to live with her dad; we know this from the voiceover narration.
The opening sequence of my choice is my bloody valentine 3d. Here is the video of the beginning of the film:
From watching the opening sequence of this film i can tell that the genre of this film is horror/thriller. The narrative of the film firstly shows numerous newspapers with different headlines with images relating to whats happening. As the newspapers were changing past each other, there was voices about the headlines; some were news reports and others were people encouraging people to stay calm. This shows us that something isn't right and something is going to go wrong in the film. The location of the film is in a hospital at night. The characters is a man that has just come out of a comma and is going to kill people, we know this because there is blood on his shirt. This will help me in my own thriller film because its shown me that there is other ways to give the narrative instead of just dialogue.
Learning objective: to understand the purpose of film certification and to apply your understanding to your own thriller film.
Lesson outcomes: Students will understand what a film certificate is and explain its purpose with detail and their own knowledge.
Film censorship is the age rating for films (target audience)
Film Certification
U- Universal These films should be suitable for audiences aged four years and over. These films should should be positive and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror; this means that there will be no use of weapons or drugs. The theme should be appropriate to a younger audience. There would be no use of bad language because this is aimed at young children. These types of films will contain to sexual content or activity. There may be kissing but nothing more sexual than that. The violence would be as much a threats, nothing else.
PG- Parental Guidance Recommended
This is when films may have some scenes that is unsuitable for children. The theme may be about crime or domestic violence etc. Although these issues may be more serious, there is still no sex or full on sexual context. There is only mild bad language and moderate violence. Because this is still aimed at children, there is no use of illegal drugs and horror would not be intense.
12- Suitable for people over 12 Films with this certificate use strong language like 'Fuck', but isn't used a lot; also the strong language must be justified by context. There can be some nudity and sexual activity There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood. Weapons and drugs if used must be justified by context and should indicate the dangers should not be glamorized.
12A- Suitable for people over 12. Any younger should be accomplished with an adult. This came about when spider man was released. Before Spider-Man's British theatrical release in June 2002, the BBFC gave the film a '12' certificate. Due to Spider-Man's popularity with younger children, this prompted much controversy. The BBFC defended their decision, arguing that the film could have been given a '15'. In late August, the BBFC relaxed their policy to '12A', leading Sony to re-release the film.
15- Suitable for people over 15With this certificate there may be use of strong language, but this is rarely acceptable e.g "cunt"; if this continues then it may be unacceptable. Extremely aggressive strong language isn't accepted. Nudity and sexual activities may be portrayed but without strong detail, although there can be strong verbal references to sex. Violence and horror may be strong but shouldn't inflict on pain and injuries. Scenes of sexual violence shouldn't be strong but brief. There's no emphasis on the use of easily accessible lethal weapons e.g knives. Drug taking may be shown but must show that it is unacceptable; the film must not promote or encourage drug use. My thriller film will be towards a 15 certificate. This is because the audience can relate to the characters more as they’re around the same age group.
18- Suitable for people over 18
There are no constraints at this level on theme, language, nudity or horror. The Board however, cut or reject the following content:
Any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts which is likely to promote the activity. This includes also instructive detail of illegal drug use
The more explicit images of sexual activity - unless they can be exceptionally justified by context
These divisions have employed from nearly 85 years of censorship. Censoring films started to be used during the 90's. There have been laws set by the BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) about what is allowed to be shown on a television. There are guidelines that film makers have to follow whilst making a film. As i am making a thriller film i need to be aware of these guidelines. Certificates are given to movies to control the appropriate footage that is used in the film for a certain target audience. From this research i will be able to decide on the most appropriate certificate right for the opening of my thriller film. I need to be aware that i don't have a budget in making it; all props and things needed for my film will be paid for from me and my groups own money. This means that me and my group need to be able to think of ways to create suspense with minimum resources.
Lesson objective: To be able to show an understanding of what Narrative theory is.
Lesson outcomes All: will be able to describe the different points of the theory (E)
Most: will be able to explain the different theories with appropriate examples (C)
Some: will be able to use media language effectively to discuss the purpose of narrative theory with a variety of examples (A)
Narrative is the organisation given to a series of facts; we connect events and make interpretations based on those connections. As we seek a beginning, middle and end. Each text becomes part of the previous and the next through its relationship with the audience.
Narrative convection's are series of codes and convection's that need to be considered in order to find meaning of narrative:
- Genre
- Character
- Form
- Time
Narratives do not take place in real time but may telescope out. For example an 80 year life being condensed into a two hour biopic.
We consider "the time of the thing told and the time of the telling."(Christian Metz Notes Towards a phenomenology of Narrative)
Vladmir Propp- Russian critic published his Morphology of the folk tale in 1928. He argued that all fairy tales were constructed of certain plot elements, which he called functions, and that these elements consistently occurred in a uniform sequence. Characters according to Propp, have a narrative functions; they provide a structure for the text. Soviet cinema produced excellent films.
Star wars is an example of a film that covers the Propp theory. This is an epic space opera franchise.
Characters that perform a function
The Hero- a character that seeks something. In this film Luke Skywalker is the Hero.
The Villain- who opposes or actively blocks the hero's quest. In this film Darth Star was the villain.
The Donor- who provides an object with magical properties. Obi-Wan is the donor as he gives Luke his fathers light sarbre.
The Dispatcher- who send the hero on his/ her quest via a message, Obi-Wan is the dispatcher.
The False Hero- who disrupts the hero's success by making false claims. Here is the false hero.
The Helper- who aids the hero. Han was the helper who helped Luke kill the Darth Star.
The Princess- acts as the reward for the hero and the object of the villains plot. Leia was the princess.
Her Father- who acts to reward the her for his effort. In this film there is no fater but in other films there will be. Even though there is no father, this film will still count as using Propps theory.
Actions as functions of narrative
The stages for the Propp theory are Preparation, complication, transference, struggle, return and recognition. The preparation stage is where a community or family is in an ordered state of being. The complication is where the villain harms a member of the hero's family then the hero plans action against the villain. The transference is where the hero is given a magical gift and soon arrives at the place he can fulfil his quest. The struggle is between the hero and the villain. The return is when the hero accomplishes the task and returns. Then the recognition is when the hero is rewarded.
The preparation stage of this film is when a character called Luke Skywalker is happy at home on the farm with his aunt and uncle, although he would like to go to flying school.
The complication stage of this film is while meeting Obi-Wan, the empire (under orders from Darth Vader) has killed Luke's family. The empire have also kidnapped Rincess Leia. Luke agrees to travel with Obi-Wan to rebellion and therefore revenging himself against the empire.
The transference stage of this film is when Obi-Wan gives Luke his father's light sabre and tells him he must learn the ways of the Force and become a Jedi.
The struggle stage of this film is after the fight with the Epire Luke and Han rescue Leil, Obi-Wan fights Darth Vader but is killed
The return stage of this film is when The Millennium Falcon with Luke, Leia, Han, Chewie and the Droids with Darth Star plans escape and return to the rebel base. Luke and the other pilots must destroy the Darth Star before it is in range to destroy the rebel base. Luke, with spiritual help from Obi-Wan and the force, manages to destroy the Darth Star; he is helped by Han.
The recognition stage of the film is when Luke and han are given medals for their part in destroying the Darth Star.
So these characters are important in the film because it helps us as a audience to understand the stages taking place. Shrek 2
Identify the different characters that you see, what is the importance of these characters
Hero- Shrek is the hero in this film. He seeks too get his love of his life Fiona back. This is an important character because he is the main character and this is shown by the narrative being about him trying to get the love of his life back.
Villain- The fairy Godmother is the villain as she opposes the hero by giving King Harold a love portion to put into Princess Fiona's drink so she will fall in love with her son Prince Charming and not Shrek. So this makes the False Hero Prince Charming who is the Fairy Godmothers son as he deceives Princess Fiona to believe that he is Shrek so she falls in love with him before she sees the real Shrek. These characters are important because they help show the obstacles the hero had to go through to get his Princess back
Dispatches- The puss in boots is the dispatcher as when he is unable to defeat Shrek he tells him to go to the Fairy Godmothers potion factory to steal a potion that he believes will restore Princess Fiona's love her him. This is an important character as he helps the hero with ideas to win back the love of his life Princess Fiona.
Princess- Princess Fiona is the Princess of the film as she is rewarded for the hero at the end of the film. This character is important because she is shown at the beginning of the film. Also she and the hero are in love.
Father- Fiona's father King Harold is protective over his daughter Fiona and will go to great lengths to make sure she has the best. This is an important character as he helps with the narrative by showing how much a father will do to save his daughter from what he thinks is the worst.
The helper- The donkey is the helper of the film as his is there to help the hero and support the hero. He is important because he is the Hero's bestfriend and they help eachother at all times.
Overall these characters are important because it sets up the narrative.
Todorov Theory
Tzvetan Todorov simplified the narrative theory allowing a more complex interpretation of film texts with his theory of equilibrium and disequilibrium. He argues that narrative involves a transformation. The character or the situation are transformed through the progress of the disruption.
There are five expected stages the narrative can progress through:
1. A state of equilibrium (All is as it should be; a calm period)
2. A disruption of that order by an event, this causes a disequilibruim.
3. A recognition that the disorder has occurred.
4. An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption
5. A return or restoration of a new equilibrruim.
An example of this is in the film The Shining. The equilibruim is reached in two ways. One is through the scenery of the mountainous terrain which doesn't seem to give much away about the story and gives the film a calm start. Secondly the colour is blue which gives a calm vibe to the film. In the rest of the film there is a disruption, but in 11:42 we see part of this disequilibruim.
Another example of Todorov's theory is in the film Misery.Before the car crash (disequilibruim) we as a audience see the character fine carrying on with his daily life.
Thriller film because if I use this then the audience will understand it more and will be use to how the film flows. But since I'm only doing an opening sequence, I wouldn’t need to worry about this because I'm only doing 2 minutes of a film.
Objective: to be able to show an understanding of how mise-en-scene is used to create meaning.
Outcome: All: will be able to explain one element of mise-en-scene. Most: will be able to identify 5 elements of mise-en-scene with examples. Some: will be able to identify 5 elements of mise-en-scene and will also be able to use media language effectively to explain examples.
Mise-en-scene is a french term meaning 'what is put into the scene or frame' or everything in a scene that you see.
The elements of mise-en-scene:
1. Setting and Props. This is the background of where the scenes takes place. This is important because it helps the audience to decide on what the genre is. When thinking about my thriller film i need to be aware of where my setting is going to be. In the example on the left, the setting looks scary because to the misty atmosphere. Props is the objects used in the scenes. These are usually used to help follow the narrative. With my thriller film i would need to think about what props i would need to use and how it would benefit my audience with the narrative
2. Facial expressions and body language. This shows how a character is feeling at the time. Face expression can make the audience feel a certain way. For example in the example the lady looks scared. This may make the audience feel sorry for her as something bad might be happening. Body language may show how a character is feeling or thinking. foe example in the example the lady's hands are infront of her face. This shows that she is scared or worried. So the audience recognises how a character is feeling by their body language and their face expression. So in my thriller film i need to make sure that my characters are no only acting correct but also have the correct face expression. This will add more emotion to the audience because the audience will understand more on what's going on.
3. Costume, hair and Make-up. Costume can indicate a characters personality, social status. It also tells us when the film was set and in what culture. For example in the first picture from the film Alice In Wonderland, the costume gives out a happy person with a bright personality. The costume with the bow may show respect or authority. This will also show that the film was set in the earlier times. In the second picture, the costume gives out a deadly look; like the person in the costume looks like a zombie. This type of costume will be used mainly in thriller films or horror films. This is because the costume looks scary and might scare children. The make up makes the character looks deadly. In the third picture there is no costume but the make up looks like this person has just been bitten by a vampire. This make up shows blood so this is a generic convention of a thriller film. So this will be useful in my thriller because i can make the characters look a certain way to make my audience feel a certain way.
4. Lighting and colour. Lighting can help give a scene have a certain look to it. It can look more realistic with high key lighting or look more dramatic with low key lighting. Lighting can also be used to highlight a certain object, character or change a characters appearance. The first image above is an example of low key lighting. As you can see the scene looks more dramatic and gives a vibe that something bad might happen; this creates suspense. In the second picture, there is high key lighting. This makes the scene from Bruce Almighty look more natural and real. so in my thriller film i need to be aware of the type of lighting my scene will have; weather it will be low key or high key. This will make the audience either be in suspense or normal.
5. Positioning of characters and objects within a frame. This will show how important a certain character or object is in a scene. If a character is positioned in the foreground, the audience will assume that they have some importance in the scene. The positioning of objects can direct our attention to a particular area. If characters or objects are positioned evenly on each side of the scene we get a balanced feel to the shot. This makes the audience feel settled and at ease. This will help me in my thriller film because i helps me to understand what position of the characters will make the audience feel. For example if all the characters were at one side of the room in a scene, the shot is imbalanced and the audience gets an unsettled mind. If i was the director of my film, i will be able to indicate relationships between different characters. For example two characters arguing placing them at either side of the scene shows their hate towards eachother.
In the early days of cinema, make up was used to highlight facial features. Make up was very heavy as black and white film stock could not register detail very well. Here is an example.
Chiaroscuro means contrast between light and dark.
In the lesson we had to do a quick sketch of a scene and add all the five elements of mise-en-scene. Then we swapped with the person next to us and we had to guess the genre and the narrative of the sketch. This helped me to understand that mise-en-scene is very important because it will help the audience in determing to genre of the film. With props, will can make an assumption of the narrative of the scene.
Connotation means to imply. We did an exercise where we had to determine a emotion from a colour.
In the lesson we then had to analyse photos from kill bill and reservoir dogs when the lady is standing with the sword in her hand and when the two men are at gun point with one man down. Here is the pictures:
She's in yellow and everyone else is in black. This may show that she is danger to everyone. This may also shows that everyone around her is dark and sinister while she is bright and positive. Although the way she is positioned shows that she is ready to start trouble. The left leg forward with the sword in her hand shows she isn't afraid. The make up is pale and her hair looks like its washed out, this may show that she doesn't care about her appearance.
The props such as the wooden chairs and the ladder shows that the location of the image is at a warehouse or an abandoned building. The suit is messed up, done up loosely and has blood which may show this is a action genre and they may be murder in the film. The positions of the characters may show the importance of them. The serious facial expressions with the guns facing each other shows that this is life or death.
We watched the opening of Natural born killers
The purpose of opening scenes is to leave the audience wanting more and to give a narrative.
Mise-en-scene is important whilst making a thriller film because the props and the setting used helps the audience determine the genre. For example using a knife and a dark forest as a prop, it would most likely be used for a thriller film.
