Juno Filming & Editing Task

In today's lesson, we produced story boards presenting the scenes we have to film for the Juno task.  We then edited our film to try and match the original Juno opening scene as good as we could.  I have then evaluated my Juno film task by answering the questions provided to us from our media teachers.

My Group:
In my Juno film task group was Max Duffy, Jordan Fowler and myself.  Jordan was in charge of the filming, Max was in charge of the editing and I was in charge of being Juno.  As a group, we planned what we were going to do and all partook in creating the story board.

The Storyboard:
In the story board we created, we had 12 scenes to film with each scene having a certain length of time we would film it for.  As well as this, each scene of the storyboard has information about what shot we needed to film, for example the first scene was a 'long-shot'.  Adding on to this, each clip of the storyboard had information of what was going on in each scene, of what myself as Juno had to do for the film including a simple sketched picture of what it may look like.

Our Juno Film:

                                                          
Evaluation:

How did the filming go?
The filming went very well and the film turned out to be very successful.  As a group we worked hard and got on well with each other which made it easier.  We did not need a lot of takes in each scene, but we always did an extra take just in case the first take wasn't good enough or a mistake occurred which we wouldn't have known about.  However, as being the character of Juno myself, i think my confidence of acting out this character wasn't high enough, therefore i think i need to improve on this.  The timing of each scene we did was near enough perfect, an odd couple of scenes could have been altered or filmed again to get the right timing, yet we did not have enough time to do this.

Was your storyboard accurate?  
The storyboard could have been improved by adding in more specific detail of each scene.  The timing was right on each take of the storyboard, each shot was correct.  Yet, I think that more detail could have been added on the storyboard of what Juno had to do to make the film look more similar than it already was.

What were your strengths and weaknesses in the group?
The strengths in our group was that we all got on well with each other and each member would listen to each others ideas for the film.  We all worked very hard and concentrated on the aspects that needed to be improved.  We weren't always serious with the film, we all had a laugh making it more comfortable to work with each other.
The weaknesses in the group was that we may have rushed the filming a bit which is why we had to edit some clips in slow motion so it would match the original Juno film.  However, we did not have a lot of time to film it anyway making it harder for us to take our time filming.

Did you get all the footage you needed?
We got all the footage we needed apart from one piece.  This was right at the start when Juno walks behind the tree and then the picture of the film turns into a cartoon edit.  However, Max edited a tree into our film to make it match the Juno film and also made the one scene of me walking slow motion so it all came together smoothly and the correct timing was applied.

What technical skills either camera or premiere did you learn? How does it compare to the original?
In premiere I learnt how to merge on clip with another smoothly using different transitions.  This was very effective as it would make the whole film flow smoothly throughout.  With the camera i learnt how to zoom in and out whilst filming which was another skill that helped the film to run smoothly.  My film compared to the original was different but also similar.  It was in time for most of it, the shots were exactly the same as the original, however the cartoon edit was a different effect to the original yet it was the only one we had available to use.

What went well?
The filming went well and ran smoothly, we only forgot to record one piece of footage but had all the others done perfectly.  The editing was the most difficult part but it was successful and effective in the end.  Working as a group together went well itself, we all got on well and had a laugh.

What did you learn?
By doing the Juno film task, i got used to using the programme premiere when editing my piece as it is very difficult to use.  I also learnt that you have to have a lot of confidence to act out a character of a film even if its without any dialogue.  Adding on to this, I learnt all the different shot's involved when filming and how to film these shots.

What will you take with you to your next production?
I will take with me many things, including more confidence when acting, more specific detail involved in the storyboard and spend more time on filming if I can.

Big/Small Budget

Independent vs. Mainstream Films

With the big and small budget films, there is a huge difference in the actual films themselves.  The small budget films take under the name of an Independent Film, whereas the big budget films have a name called the Mainstream Films.

Independent
The Independent films have a budget of under £25 million, as the production of the film costs a lot less.  This is in fact a lot of money, yet when it comes to producing a film, it is not a lot of money.  These films tend to make the audience think more and ask questions, and they have an art/cultural  expression to it.  Independent films also have limited distributions as they are not as commonly liked as much as mainstream films are, therefore they are rarely shown at multiplex cinemas and are hard to look for.  In a stereotypical view of the audience they attract, they tend to target an older age of men and women, as the films may have more traditional views and concepts to it, rather than modern more up to date story lines.
An example of an independent film is Biutiful.  Below is the film poster of the film including the star rating, the actors involved and an image.  The genre of this film is Social Realism and it is a Mexican/Spanish production, created in 2010 and directed by Alejandro Innaritu.
There are a number of key features that make this film independent, one being there is no non-diegetic sound with frequent periods of silence.  It was felt by the audience that the camera was hand held whilst filming many scenes of the film.  It had a complex narrative, as the audience had to think about what was going on during the film, there are many more features but the main ones have already been displayed above,

Mainstream
With the Mainstream films, they don't actually have a budget, as it tends to excel over the limit placed anyway, they also have a hue budget as the production value is a lot higher than independent films.  These Mainstream films make you laugh, cry and are also associated with commercial success.  These films attract mass audiences and different mainstream films have different target groups who attract to different films.  Historically and commercially, the film industry is controlled by Hollywood and the Big Six; who tend to produce mainstream films for mass audiences.  The majority of the time, mainstream films have huge stars in them who most people want to go and see, therefore this makes it more entertaining and attracts the youth.
An example of a very well-known Mainstream film is the James Bond film Casino Royale.  Below is the film poster of the film, including the actors names and an image of the famous Daniel Craig.  The genre of this film is Action Adventure and it was made in 2006.  This film was distributed by MGM and Columbia Pictures.
There are a number of key features that made this film mainstream, one including the production values were so high due to the multiple camera technology that was being used. There was a glossy mise-en-scene, studio and location shooting.  Its key focus was on the entertainment values, making sure it would appeal to all types of mass audiences, also having to live up to its reputation of being a Bond film.

Institution

In today's lesson we learnt about Institution and independent vs. mainstream films.  We learnt about the Big Six, which are the top six production companies in the world.

What is Institution?
 A media institution is a company who owns large mass of media, such as; television, radio, publishing, movies and the internet.
September is a bad month for films, this is because it is the end of summer and not many new films are being released. From October to February it is award season, this is for critically acclaimed films. However this is in the US, especially awards such as the Oscar's. Christmas time is when we start to see new blockbusters appearing and we get the typical festive film release. February to Summer time is when the new blockbusters start to come out again, it is one repeated circle.

The Big Six

Warner Bros (San Andreas, Magic Mike XXL, The Hobbit and Gravity)

 Sony (22 Jump Street, The Interview, The Walk and Pixels)

20th Century Fox (Gone Girl, Taken 3, Maze Runner and The Fault in our Stars)

Paramount (Transformers, Mission Impossible and Area 31)

 
Disney (Inside Out, Cinderella, Maleficent, Marvel and Frozen)  

Universal (Straight Outta Compton, Jurassic World, Ted 2 and Pitch Perfect) 

There are also some 'Mini Majors':

 Lionsgate (The Hunger Games, Saw and Twilight)

 






MGM (RoboCop)

 






Dream Works (Home and Big Hero) 

 

Film Language

In today's lesson, we learnt about the different language/actions/useful techniques film editors and producers use when shooting a film regarding Camera, Movement, Mise En Scene, Editing and Sound. We were taught acronyms to help us understand these concepts.  After this, we then analysed a few clips using this language in order to help us understand how the producers did the same.

Camera

F - Frame

A - Angle

M - Movement

Frame:

ECU - extreme close ip
CU - close up
MS - mid shot
MLS - medium long shot
LS - long shot
ELS - extreme long shot

Angle:

Low Angle - Worms eye view (camera filming on the floor)
Level Angle
High Angle - Birds eye view

Movement:

Pan left to right
Tracking shot
Stedicam
Hand held - action
Zoom in and out

Mise En Scene

C - costume
L - lighting
A - actors
M - make-up
P - props
S - setting


Boyz N the Hood

At the beginning of this clip, there is sounds of gunshots, screaming and swearing in the background.  However, it is not very visual at the start which automatically makes the audience wonder if there is a shooting happening or is it just a representation of these characters every day lives?  The first image to appear in the film is a 'STOP', bright red warning sign, which the camera zooms into, this can symbolize many things, which is why it could be seen as a Semiotic.  We are then introduced to the first four characters to appear in the film who are carrying out a casual conversation of the shooting last night as if it was a daily occurrence.  The director of the film deliberately dressed these children in baggy clothing and also showed walls covered in graffiti to symbolize the stereotypical view of them living in a rough, desolate area. 

When the children are on their way to school, they come across a crime scene; covered in bright yellow police tape targeting by passers not to enter.  However, the children duck under the tape and walk into the crime scene where the shooting obviously happened.  This shows that they are not afraid of what is in the crime scene nor the possibility of getting in trouble for trespassing in the first place.  Inside the crime scene is gunshot marks on posters, holes in the wall where someone 'got smoked' and blood on the floor, however, the children act completely casual and relaxed when they notice these things, implying it happens so often it becomes normal for them to experience that.

Soon into the film, there is a classroom filled with African/American children and one teacher who is white.  One young boy makes a remark to the teacher about what she was explaining, then soon after has the cheek to tell her that he can teach the class.  Through this action, we as an audience see that this young boy might have been brought up in a background where manners and good behavior was never disciplined.  This young boy and another begin to feud with one another, swearing and calling each other nasty names in front of the whole class.  This suggests that because of this confrontational manner they have, it immediately comes to mind that their backgrounds/families may also have this nature.  When the argument breaks into a fight, their fellow classmates encourage them on whilst the teacher is trying to separate them.  By the encouragement of their classmates, this again shows how often this occurrence happens and that they find the situation funny.

The final scene we analysed in 'Boyz N the Hood' was presented in an extreme long-shot showing the young boy walking home from school.  On his way home, the boy stumbles past a gang having a fight on the streets in broad daylight.  This scene in the film signifies the danger that happened on the streets, whereas a usual fight would have been in the dark where the victims are less likely to be spotted.  Again, this presents the area the boy lives in is dangerous and that the year this film was filmed, crime in society was high.

The scene then finishes by switching from a close up shot of the boy to his mother on the phone to his teacher at home.  The teacher automatically thought his mother was uneducated and unemployed, suggesting most mothers at the time were guilty of that.  As well as this, because of the trouble her son would cause, the teacher thought that his upbringing at home was poor and a reflection on his behavior at school.

Cape Fear

In today's lessons we watched the opening scene of cape fear.  It was set in a jail with daunting music playing in the background which matched the images displayed on the screen.  From the start of the scene, the camera wasn't cutting it was tracking, it showed the mans back before we saw his face and on his back was a tattoo with a picture of the crucifix and 'truth' on the left hanging off it and 'justice' on the right.  This displayed a picture of a set of scales also implying that he may be religious.  As well as this, in his jail cell was pictures stuck on the wall of old fashioned people with medals on their jackets, implying aspects of military.
The camera then gradually moved down the wall, displaying books relating to fitness and politics.  The camera was tracking the whole time and moved out of the jail cell with the bars passing in-front of the camera.  The man then exits his cell with the camera not even cut yet and walks out of another door in the same building, this is when the camera then cuts.  A graphic match is then carried out by a gate closing, then going to the next scene with a gate opening.
This cut is very smooth and effective.

Evaluation/Feedback of Film Pitch

Feedback from A Bird's Life





Both the feedback sheets are quite similar in some ways, yet they are different in other aspects.  they both thought the title was 'boring' and 'simple', therefore this shows its not catchy enough for people to remember the title of the film, so we will need to change it.  From both the feedback sheets, we got a 9 for how interesting the characters were in the film, this was one of the aspects that was really thought through,therefore we were proud of this mark.  The enigma was marked really high in both feedback sheets, which meant that people would want to come and watch the film, therefore this is the most important part of the film.  As, if the enigma was awful, no one will want to go and watch the film.
However, in the first feedback sheet, the film was said to not be different at all, whereas in the second feedback sheet, the film scored a mark of 9, instead of 2 like the first.

Film Pitch

In today's lesson, we were put into groups and told to choose at random a genre and a target audience.  With this, we had to create a film pitch including all the aspects a film pitch would include.  As a group, we then had to present it to the class and they would evaluate our presentation and rate each element of the presentation out of 10 and give written feedback.
 

Representation

In today's lesson we learnt about Representation in Media.  We learnt how characters, people and objects are portrayed by us, the audience.  It is all down to personal view and opinion.  However, the media take something that is already present and represent it to us in the way that they choose too.

Stereotypes - A fixed, over generalized belief belief about a particular group or class of people.  It is a 'visual shortcut' and/or an assumption of someone.  An example of a stereotype is someone saying that 'all blondes are unintelligent'.

Archetypes - The 'ultimate stereotype'.  It is a typical character, an action or situation that seems to represent such universal patterns of human nature.  An example of an archetype is a 'blonde bimbo' who is known portrayed as well-groomed, stiletto heels, fake tan and full frontal make-up.

Countertype - It is a representation that changes traditional stereotypical associations of groups, people or places.  It is simply the opposite of a stereotype.  an example of this is a person saying 'all religious people are kind'.

The main aspects a person will get judged on is the acronym called CAGES:

1. Class; Job, Money and Religion
2. Age; Elderly and Immaturity/Maturity
3. Gender; Male, Female and Transgender
4. Ethnicity; Race, Colour and Religion
5. Sexuality; Straight, Gay and Lesbian

Laura Mulvey and The Male Gaze Theory

This theory is known for the belief that women are placed in the media for men's pleasure; mainly because men make the media.

Stereotypical Picture vs. Reality

This is a picture of a stereotypical picture of a Frenchman vs. an actual Frenchman

This is another picture of an actual Arab vs. a stereotypical picture of an Arab

Applying the Representation Information


What/Who is being represented? - One thing that is being represented clearly in this film trailer is violence. This is clear as there are scenes which involve drugs, police cars and knives. 

People who are being represented in this film are young adults and teenagers. 

How is it being represented? -   Violence is represented in this film by the use of weapons, drugs and fighting. As these things are being represented by young adults and teenagers we can tell that they are potentially troubled or are involved with a gang. 

How is the representation made to seem 'true', 'common sense' or 'natural'? -  These representations look real and true by making the characters look like real troubled teenagers. This is done by the wearing messy school uniform and clearly getting in with the wrong crowd of people. The representations also look real because because the film is set in a rough part of London which we know because of the skyline. 

The theory of semiotics -  In this film trailer there are signs drug use, this could mean that they are potentially drug dealers which would mean they are dangerous people. From this trailer we have an idea of who the main character is as there is one voice which is playing over the different scenes. 

Audience Questionnaire

What do the following films mean:

Film?
A short story captured with images and videos, creating emotions and feelings towards their audience.

Movie?
A motion pictured displayed/shown in a cinema attracting certain target audiences.

Cinema?
A place where many people go to watch films/movies displaying at that time.

Industry?
The commercial institutes of film making, where all the films are made, produced and then sent off to the cinemas and placed on the web and TV all around the world.

My Top 10 favourite films?
1. Taken trilogy
2. The Holiday
3. Tangled
4. Fast and Furious 7
5. Step Brothers
6. Love Actually
7.The Longest Ride
8. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
9. Bridesmaids
10. Elf

What do they have in common?
My films are a bit of a mix of genres and story lines.  There is chick flicks, comedies, romance, action, fantasy, Christmas films and Disney cartoon.  However, most of the films i have chosen as my top 10 all have a love story in it.  My favourite genre would be a romance, i love how the love stories end up so perfect, but it also alters a persons mindset that most love stories in films happen in real life, when they usually don't.

How do you find out about a film?
I find out by twitter, the TV and talking to my friends.

What makes you want to see a film?
 If the trailer attracts me and makes me want to watch more of the film then this is what makes me go and see the film.

How do you know what to expect from a film?
Sometimes with certain films, mostly romances, you can tell what is going to happen throughout the film, yet by the trailer and the genre of the film you can also tell what the film will be about.

What are you paying for when you buy a cinema ticket/rent a DVD?
When buying a cinema ticket, i am paying for the experience of watching a film with surround sound, high quality picture and a social event all at the same time.  Watching a film in the cinema is a much better experience than buying/renting a DVD.

Where do you watch films?
I sometimes go to the cinema to watch a film if there is a new one come out i am interested in.  Otherwise i will watch them on the sky store on the TV or on Netflix on my computer.

Are there some films you have to see at the cinema?
Yes, every one of The Hunger Games i have watched at the cinema, this also includes the recent Harry Potters and all the four Twilights.

How many industries can you name?
Warner Bros, 20th Century Fox, Paramount, Universal, Disney, Lionsgate and MGM.

Audience

In today's lesson we learnt about the film industry, the audience within it and an acronym to remember when analyzing
uses and gratification.

Audience Acronym:

P - Personal Identification

I - Information

E - Entertainment

S - Social Interaction

What is Personal Identification?

This is when a person can personally and thoroughly relate the film to them self, whether they have been through a similar experience or seen an event, or just have relate to it mentally.  It is identifying the model of a persons behaviour, finding reinforcements for personal values and just gaining an insight into ones self.  If a person does experience this during a film, it will attract them more deeply to the film compared to those who haven't.

What is Information?
Information is factual knowledge you gain from a film after watching it that you didn't know before you had watched it.  Therefore, this could be in any type of films, more so documentary films as this constantly feeds out information about a persons personal life and the events happening in it.  If a person receives a lot of information whilst watching a film then they are more likely to understand the moral of the story and much deeper information about what is going on.

What is Entertainment? 
The majority of people who go to watch films are purely for their own entertainment, wether its Horror, Thriller, Romance, Action, Sci-fi and many more.  If the film provides entertainment for the audience then it will benefit the film producers, providing them more profit and more recommendations to go and watch the film.

What is Social Interaction? 
 Social Interaction is where people use media and films in social situations.  For example, if you were to go and watch a new film out in the cinema, you would then go back and tell your friends and family about the film.  Therefore, this will benefit the film production as you are then recommending the film which means those people will go and watch it also, evidently causing a chain of people to do the same thing.  As well as this, our generation today have grown up using social media on a daily basis, therefore, reviews and opinions of a new film out will be expressed on social media, which is almost a way of advertising a film.

Applying Barthes Theory

The film opening i have chosen to apply Barthes theory to is The Prestige.
 
 
The Hermeneutic/Enigma Code

There are multiple questions that the audience ask/what I have asked when watching this clip of The Prestige. Below are an example of a few:

Who is the man?

Who is the little girl?

What does the bird trick have to do with the stage one?

Why is the man trapped inside a tank?

Why can't he get out if he is a magician?

The Proairetic/Action Code

The action in this opening scene instantly creates suspense and mystery for the audience. The action starts off slowly and builds up to an intense ending to the first scene in The Prestige. The scene starts off with two magic tricks happening in one, and ends with both of them having very different outcomes. The bird in the first magic trick is freed and the man in the second magic trick is trapped. This is an example of binary opposites - the theory of Levi Strauss.

The Semantic Code

There is a deeper meaning within the opening scene.  As their is two tricks being shown at one time, they are both so similar yet so different which is what makes the film opening very parallel.

The Symbolic Code

The props/symbols in the opening scene of The Prestige are the magician's hat at the very beginning of the clip and the bird.  The hat symbolises the theme of the whole film, in this case magic and the bird symbolises the freedom but also captivity within the film.  Captivity because the bird is locked inside the cage and freedom because he returns again free from the cage. 

The Referential Code 

 A person may have to know that magic is either believable or not depending on who believes and who doesn't.  If a person does, this makes the film more realistic and creates a lot more suspense when something is so real.

The Four Narrative Theorists

In today's lesson, we observed and analysed the four main narrative theorists and learnt a lot of information about each famous one.


What is a Narrative?
A Narrative is a way of retelling something that has happened before.  It is often in words, yet sometimes it is mimed.

Who are the four main Narrative Theorists?
1.  Roland Barthes
2.  Todorov
3.  Vladimir Propp
4.  Levi-Strauss

Roland Barthes

Roland Barthes

Barthes' has five Narrative Codes which are represented in many films.  These codes include; Hermenutic/Enigma codes, Proairetic/Action code, Semantic code, Symbolic code and Referential code.

The Hermenutic/Enigma code consists to a mystery within a text.  Throughout the text there are clues dropped in order to attract the audience but no answers are given.

The Proairetic/Action code refers to the action installed in the text which initially adds suspense to the events occurring.

The Semantic code applies to the additional meanings involved in the text.  This implies that their is an additional meaning to their literal text.

The Symbolic code is relevant to the symbolism in the text.  And therefore, the symbolisms in some texts can have two meanings which could relate to the Hermenutic code.

The Referential code refers to anything a person may need to know outside of the text, which is also known as context, which can be historical, scientific, cultural or present knowledge.

Todorov

Todorov

This Theorists suggests that in each passage there are 5 stages:

1.  Equilibrium (state of normality)

2.  Disruption of Equilibrium

3.  The main protagonists recognises the disruption of equilibrium

4.  Restoration of equilibrium (the protagonists restores equilibrium)

5.  New Equilibrium 

Vladimir Propp

Vladimir Propp

This Theorists suggests that every film has the same 8 characters in it:

1.  The Hero

2.  The Villan

3.  The Donor (helps the hero by providing them with an object)

4.  The Dispatcher (sends the hero on their way)

5.  The False Hero (falsely assuming the role of the hero)

6.  The Helper (gives support to the hero)

7.  The Princess (the reward for the hero, but also needs to be protected from the villan)

8.  The Princess' Father

Levi-Strauss

This Theorists simply suggests that they are binary opposites in every movie.  An example of this is 'good and evil', 'old and young' and 'pretty and ugly'.

Premiere

I was absent on the day my fellow classmates made their 'dancing bears' video, therefore i have evaluated the programme 'Premiere' and put it this early on my blog in replace of the dancing bears.
When editing the films we make in the class, we use a programme called premiere which enables us to edit and upload the separate clips we have recorded in order to make short films.
I have used this programme for my Juno film and it let me do many things from changing the effect on every clip to altering the speed of the clip.  Premiere is a really useful piece of technology which is easy to use after you get the hang of it.  As well as the aspects i have already mentioned, we can also put in music in the background and edit out the sound of a clip we may not want the background sound to be in, this makes certain films, especially music videos more smooth and effective.
However, it can at times be really slow and also freeze a lot which doesn't help when you have limited time in a lesson to complete certain editing work.  As well as this, another weakness of premiere is that it can sometimes be difficult to add in still pictures onto a video, it begins to come crackled and the quality of the image is poor.  This didn't help with the Juno task, as personally in my own edit i needed to add a tree onto the video to match the original video as much as i could, and the tree moved in a different position twice when it should have stayed in one place.  Therefore, this could be an improvement for the programme.

Opening apply DISTINCT

Taken 2



This clip was embedded from the film Taken 2.  This scene consist of the young girl (Kim) trying to locate her father who had been kidnapped.  Kim is hiding in a cupboard at the start of the clip as there was men looking for her in revenge of what her father is capable of.  Her dad (Bryan) calls Kim and explains how to locate himself with a map, a pen, a grenade and a clever mind.  It is obvious Kim is completely shook by what she has already experienced and is still in shock due to her fathers abduction.  During this clip, there are many close up shots which make the scene more realistic for the audience.
Bryan is trying to stay calm whilst explaining to his daughter where to find him, he talks in a low-key, quiet, simple voice trying to fit in a lot of information to his daughter at once.

Harry Brown

In today's lesson we analysed many films that had a selection of different genres.  One of the film scenes we analysed was the opening scene of Harry Brown.  The character in this clip all have a 'gangster' like persona.  There is a group of boys who are clearly the main characters in the film, all surrounded on young boy, portraying a bully-like nature about them all.  Due to the fact a group were surrounding one boy, it becomes clear that this harassment may be related to drugs and money owed.
The scene starts with a group of boys peer-pressuring a young boy to smoke some sort of drug through a glass bottle.  However. the boy doesn't inhale it properly causing the other boys to force him to take another puff.  You can see by the young boy's face in the clip that he is worried, scared and feeling uncomfortable in the situation he has somehow got himself into.  The setting of this part of the clip is very dark and gloomy which gives a sense that the film will be dull, dark and maybe even depressing.  As well as this, the camera angle is filmed as if one of the characters is filming it, which gives the audience the feeling that they are in the film giving them a wider perspective of the atmosphere created in Harry Brown.
The next cut of the clip is a scene of two boys, most likely from the group we saw earlier on in the clip, on a motor-bike, screaming, shouting and swearing in the middle of a park.  Continuing on, there is a mother on her own in the ark pushing a pram, with a child in it.  The two boys on the group drive past her, then turn-around and get out their gun.  They fire three shots at the mother, with the third one hitting her right in the head.  This goes to show these boys have no empathy or feelings or even any morals.  This may reflect on the background they might have been brought up in.  After the boy shoots the young mother, they race off in their motor-bike scared that they would get caught for the crime just committed, cross the road and get hit by a truck.  The camera angle at this time is as if the boy on the bike was filming it, therefore when they got hit by the truck, it felt as if you were on the bike due to the angle of the camera.  This if filmed this way to ensure the audience get an inner-feel of the film and the events happening in it.


Clueless
The setting of this film opening is in a suburb in America. The first part of the scene is set in a modern house - indicating the wealth of the family.  The theme of this film opening is a Teen-romance, comedy.  One of the only prominent icons in this scene is Cher's (the main character's) car. It tells the viewer that she is a part of a wealthy family and that she normally gets as she pleases. You could argue that the opening text is an important icon, with the use of bright, Disney-like colours reflecting the atmosphere of the entire film; upbeat and youthful. In this scene, we are introduced to the main character by a voice-over narration. The majority of characters in this film are teenagers as the film is set mostly in a school (told in the opening scene).  Cher's high-pitched and young voice reflects her characters innocence and virginity. The tone in which she says "Daddy" indicates that she is a 'Daddy's girl' and uses it to her advantage in order to manipulate him into buying her clothes, etc. She seems proud of this.  Cher's brightly coloured clothing in this scene draws instant attention to her. Perhaps this is intended to show that her character is always in the spotlight.  The lighting in this first scene is immaculate, representing Cher's perfect life of popularity and wealth.

From this information, I concluded that the genre of Clueless is a comedy. This is because there are multiple comical lines in the opening scene's dialogue and due to the upbeat feeling of this scene, I already know that there are positive themes to this film.

Semiotics

What are Semiotics?
Semiotics are the study of signs, and anything which stands for anything else. We read images and pictures in an attempt to decode them and to make sense of what they mean to us. Semiotics are used in film posters for viewers to get an inside view of what the film is about if they analyse closely, this then plays a big part in our decision whether or not we are intrigued to watch the film or not from the film poster.

Denotation - What we see when we look at an image.

Connotation - What is understood from an image when we look at it in closely detail.

In our lesson today, we learnt the process of denotation and looked at four different coloured squares and made comments on what objects or feelings occurred when seeing these colours.  

Blue
Calm
Ice
Cold
Boys
Sadness
Cleanliness
Strength

Red
Love
Anger
Evil
Blood
Passion
Heat
Desire

Green
Nature
Lucy
Fertility
Anxiety
Loneliness
Peace
Growth

Yellow
Warmth
Creativity
Sunshine
Joy
Betrayal
Boring
Unusual

Semiotic Analysis - Southpaw

I have chosen to analyse the film poster 'Southpaw'.  The two main characters are Billy Hope, played by Jake Gyllenhaal and Maureen Hope; played by Rachel McAdams.  It is obvious that they have some type of connection with one another as they are close together, with Maureen's hand clasped round Billy's neck and his hand placed just below her bum.
The fact they both have there eyes closed suggest that their connection is so deep that they can almost interact physiologically.  This also symbolizes the unity they share with each other and also that they deeply care about one another.  Both foreheads are touching together, again expressing the solidarity for one another.
The expression on both of their faces shows that they are in deep thought whilst connecting with each other.  Neither of the characters have a smirk on their face which would make the film seem more light-hearted, however due to the serious expressions they are giving off, this conveys the film is going to be profoundly moving and maybe heartbreaking.
The fact that the poster shows Billy's veins popping out of his arms, back and forehead suggest he is tense and not relaxed; this interpretation will most likely reflect the narrative of the film.  However, other people may portray his veins in a way that he works out a lot and it becomes natural for his body to exaggerate the view of them.
Billy has a boxing glove on his right hand, which automatically catches the audiences' eye, making them realize that the film involves boxing.  To add on to this, the film title is called 'Southpaw' which is a well-known boxing move, this again reflects on the movie itself.
The film poster is a dull, grey colour which gives off the denotation that the film may mirror a heartbreaking, depressing narrative.  However, the actors/actresses surnames are in the colour yellow which adds warmth and light to the poster, giving off the image that there will be hope and aspiration included in the film.
When we connotate this picture we can read it in many different ways.  At the bottom of the poster is similar to a sub-heading which says 'BELIEVE IN HOPE' in bright yellow.  When analyzing this quote, the word hope is the main characters second names.  This could mean two things, it may be telling us to believe in the characters in the movie or it could also be telling us to believe in ambition and desire and even just simply hope.

Genre Tasks

With this photo, you can see Jordan walking towards where Evan is kneeling and hiding from him.  You can also see that Evan is obviously waiting for someone, in this case Jordan.  However, as the audience we know where Evan is yet Jordan doesn't.  Therefore there is DRAMA being created as the suspense is rising to see what reaction the collision of Jordan and Evan will be.



With this image, Maisie and Jordan are staring into the distance, maybe looking at their future together.  ROMANCE is evident in this image as they look shy but happy to be around around each other.



With this image of Maisie, Jordan and Evan, they were all lying on the floor in an unconscious position.  This creates a feeling of death, which could be linked to all genres, but most commonly drama, thriller and action.