When deciding who to chose to act in our film it was very difficult. We had to rely on availability and someone who could the ideal part. The level of acting also had to be taken into consideration so we decided to look for people who studied drama or had a history in it. For the male we decided to ask someone called Leo Hitchcock, we felt he was suitable for the part as he looked like a typical male detective. He was also very easy to dress the part as he worn a suit on a daily basis due to the schools dress code. However, we did supply a hat to accompany his look. Also his acting was very good as he performed a confident approach to his part, he also given that cocky atmosphere which surrounds the character. This is the portrayal we wanted the detective to have so we collectively decided that he should be the main character within our opening sequence of Beneath the Beauty. Secondly for the female femme fatale, we again taken into account the same qualities for the female character, making sure she fit all aspects of this role. Meaning conventions such as a vulnerable posh woman who is in need however also this beautifully, malicious and manipulating character who the detective ends up falling for. The bar attender didn't need as much as preparation as the others, we decided to just pick them on availability as they only featured in the opening sequence for a shirt period of time.
Thursday, 20 November 2014
Monday, 17 November 2014
The Detective
The Detective is represented as a strong powerful man who is moped into a whirlwind of love and heartbreak. He appears to be shown as someone many people would know of, due to his roughed edge he is someone people know about whether it is because of a good cause or a bad one... The way he portrays himself is strong, and full of power. People would be intrigued by his presence. However, holding all this power there are flaws, he is somehow vulnerable yet doesn't show it often. He leads a life he isn't proud of, they way he has acted and what he has seen has taunted him for years. After years of horrific cases being landed on top of him he is believed to be the only person with the initiative to undertake them and produce sustainable results.
After dealing with the case of his true love, he feels betrayed finding out what she has done could only break his heart a million times. Someone he trusted, opened his soul to find it was someone who wasn't themselves. A false name, a false identity she worn for weeks while he feel deeper in love to lead to with heartbreak and misery. He has to let her go, destroying himself after the truth is revealed he knows he cannot live this way.
Mise-en-scene
They usually wear stereotypical formal clothing, including trench coats, hats and suits. This particular type of clothing is associated with superiority. Their scenes usually involve a series of props including a standard glass of whiskey and a cigarette in their hand. These props can create a mixture of reactions, one assumption I create is that the detective is run down or he is not happy with his life so he has turned towards these addictions.
Cinematography
When the detective is being filmed he is shown as a superior character, meaning that some of the shots used on him will show this. They will be placed slightly beneath him so the camera is looking up to him. These types of shots are putting the audience in a frame which shows that the person holds dominance and most likely somebody that everyone knows about whether it's positive or negative.
Sound
His accent is noticeable hearing it once you will feel like it is familiar. His common American accent demonstrates a sense of hospitality and realism, that he is someone who is local and approachable. The people within his area know whom he is as he carries this detective stamp on himself.
After dealing with the case of his true love, he feels betrayed finding out what she has done could only break his heart a million times. Someone he trusted, opened his soul to find it was someone who wasn't themselves. A false name, a false identity she worn for weeks while he feel deeper in love to lead to with heartbreak and misery. He has to let her go, destroying himself after the truth is revealed he knows he cannot live this way.
Mise-en-scene
They usually wear stereotypical formal clothing, including trench coats, hats and suits. This particular type of clothing is associated with superiority. Their scenes usually involve a series of props including a standard glass of whiskey and a cigarette in their hand. These props can create a mixture of reactions, one assumption I create is that the detective is run down or he is not happy with his life so he has turned towards these addictions.
Cinematography
When the detective is being filmed he is shown as a superior character, meaning that some of the shots used on him will show this. They will be placed slightly beneath him so the camera is looking up to him. These types of shots are putting the audience in a frame which shows that the person holds dominance and most likely somebody that everyone knows about whether it's positive or negative.
Sound
His accent is noticeable hearing it once you will feel like it is familiar. His common American accent demonstrates a sense of hospitality and realism, that he is someone who is local and approachable. The people within his area know whom he is as he carries this detective stamp on himself.
Audience
When identifying the audience it is important to use the uses and gratification theory, this is when people use media texts to gratify certain needs. For example in a horror movie there are many reasons to why people watch it, horror's create fear, thrill so when watching the person is trying to gratify those feelings to challenge how scary it is building adrenaline for themselves. Due to these reasons this is why horror films are aimed at teenagers, teens are at the point where they want to explore boundaries and within these boundaries is the concept of fear. Horror films become an event for people to find out their different reactions compared to there own. The term 'Fear of the other' could be used to describe this because people fear what they don't know and things that aren't like themselves. This could range from ethnicity, age, gender, disability to aliens or different supernatural creatures.
Audience Reception:
When people view something everyone interprets it differently. Stuart Hall produced an encoding theory where he identified 4 different types of readings, these include:
The preferred reading - reading a piece of footage the way the director wanted you to
The opposite reading - reading the footage in a different way to what the director wanted you to
The negotiated reading - understanding what the director wanted you to read the footage but not viewing it that way
The aberrant reading - Not understand it and creating a completely off topic explanation
In War of the Worlds an audio file from the radio is played. It told viewers how aliens were attacking the country this created panic across nations and people became worried. The media construct something to fool an audience. Another video that was broadcast by Panorama BBC where spaghetti grew on trees. The video would of been more effective in 1957 because at that point there were two channels, as the information they get is limited from these two channels they are most likely to believe what they saw in the media. Meanwhile nowadays due to the internet and a wider range of channels it would be more difficult to fool the audience.
Hypodermic needle theory:
This theory is based on the media placing stories that the audience will believe. A passive audience is on which they do believe the stories that the media publish without research further etc. However an active audience interact with the media text and look further into the content. Another type of audience is sophisticated because they have different viral advertisement meaning they're more likely to look deeper into the story.
T-Mobile Advertisement:
- A preferred reader who see that the advert is aimed at all ages
- A opposite reader would think it's the royal family instead of people acting their part
- A negotiated reader would understand the aim of the advert is to suit all ages and to be funny however. they didn't find it funny
- A aberrant reader wouldn't have the cultural knowledge to understand it
Audience Reception:
When people view something everyone interprets it differently. Stuart Hall produced an encoding theory where he identified 4 different types of readings, these include:
The preferred reading - reading a piece of footage the way the director wanted you to
The opposite reading - reading the footage in a different way to what the director wanted you to
The negotiated reading - understanding what the director wanted you to read the footage but not viewing it that way
The aberrant reading - Not understand it and creating a completely off topic explanation
In War of the Worlds an audio file from the radio is played. It told viewers how aliens were attacking the country this created panic across nations and people became worried. The media construct something to fool an audience. Another video that was broadcast by Panorama BBC where spaghetti grew on trees. The video would of been more effective in 1957 because at that point there were two channels, as the information they get is limited from these two channels they are most likely to believe what they saw in the media. Meanwhile nowadays due to the internet and a wider range of channels it would be more difficult to fool the audience.
Hypodermic needle theory:
This theory is based on the media placing stories that the audience will believe. A passive audience is on which they do believe the stories that the media publish without research further etc. However an active audience interact with the media text and look further into the content. Another type of audience is sophisticated because they have different viral advertisement meaning they're more likely to look deeper into the story.
T-Mobile Advertisement:
- A preferred reader who see that the advert is aimed at all ages
- A opposite reader would think it's the royal family instead of people acting their part
- A negotiated reader would understand the aim of the advert is to suit all ages and to be funny however. they didn't find it funny
- A aberrant reader wouldn't have the cultural knowledge to understand it
The Femme Fatale
The Femme Fatale
The femme fatale is an interesting character to analyse in terms of representation of gender because of the way she presented as a female character. She defies conventions, twisting men around her little finger, all she cares about is the power and money she gains from her actions. She is a problematic character because she does not fit the stereotypical women who do domestic chores and are housewives, she goes out and manipulates people with her power. The femme fatale is the spider, using her persuasion and intelligence to build a web, she catches the fly (this being the male character) and uses him to get what she wants. When first featured she is presented completely different, she is crying out for help, in detective films the main story line used is that someone that she loves has gone missing, this story starts a recipe for disaster. The detective who is presented patronizing
She is a single minded, independent woman who lures people in due to her alluring, desirable characteristics. She is cold and has no feelings, she doesn't understand love and because her aim is to manipulate people, her purpose is to gain money, power instead of a typical woman who's main purpose is to fall in love and proceed to have a happy fulfilled future with a big family. At the end of a film the femme fatale using is involves in an accident or sent to prison. These types of endings happen to cause drama, to show that the one he adored has been taken away from this and a lot of the time this is because of a good reason. She has been persuasive, cold, and seductive towards him when the only thing she really wanted was the dominance. She did not considered the feelings and emotions of the male, this was not something that was important to her.
The femme fatale wears a particular costumes. She is represented as a beautiful woman dressed in expensive clothes, she looks the part and acts the part with usually a strong British accent. The British accent usually associated with upper class people
In many Film Noir's a femme fatale is a significant character, as my opening sequence is following the conventions of a Film Noir is it important that the key features are used. My opening sequence is a detective Film Noir, so using a femme fatale was important thing to do.
The femme fatale is an interesting character to analyse in terms of representation of gender because of the way she presented as a female character. She defies conventions, twisting men around her little finger, all she cares about is the power and money she gains from her actions. She is a problematic character because she does not fit the stereotypical women who do domestic chores and are housewives, she goes out and manipulates people with her power. The femme fatale is the spider, using her persuasion and intelligence to build a web, she catches the fly (this being the male character) and uses him to get what she wants. When first featured she is presented completely different, she is crying out for help, in detective films the main story line used is that someone that she loves has gone missing, this story starts a recipe for disaster. The detective who is presented patronizing
She is a single minded, independent woman who lures people in due to her alluring, desirable characteristics. She is cold and has no feelings, she doesn't understand love and because her aim is to manipulate people, her purpose is to gain money, power instead of a typical woman who's main purpose is to fall in love and proceed to have a happy fulfilled future with a big family. At the end of a film the femme fatale using is involves in an accident or sent to prison. These types of endings happen to cause drama, to show that the one he adored has been taken away from this and a lot of the time this is because of a good reason. She has been persuasive, cold, and seductive towards him when the only thing she really wanted was the dominance. She did not considered the feelings and emotions of the male, this was not something that was important to her.
The femme fatale wears a particular costumes. She is represented as a beautiful woman dressed in expensive clothes, she looks the part and acts the part with usually a strong British accent. The British accent usually associated with upper class people
In many Film Noir's a femme fatale is a significant character, as my opening sequence is following the conventions of a Film Noir is it important that the key features are used. My opening sequence is a detective Film Noir, so using a femme fatale was important thing to do.
Monday, 10 November 2014
Research into previous AS Media opening sequences
Strengths and Weaknesses of previous media products:
The majority of videos watched I found they all held these strengths and weaknesses. Looking at previous work allowed me to grasp the common errors making sure that when I produce my opening sequence none of these problems occur, and if they do they will be resolved quickly.
The majority of videos watched I found they all held these strengths and weaknesses. Looking at previous work allowed me to grasp the common errors making sure that when I produce my opening sequence none of these problems occur, and if they do they will be resolved quickly.
Friday, 7 November 2014
Storyboard
STORYBOARD
1. The first shot is called an establishing shot. This is used at the start of many films, this was one of the reasons why I decided to put these at the beginning of my film opening. Establishing shot's also give viewers a clear idea of where the following scene would be filmed in. It allows audiences understand what genre the film could lead into for example: if the establishing shot was of a city this could suggest a lively action film, or a crime film.
2. The second shot is cut to the detective sitting at the bar. A voice over is placed over this scene to build up a story line. Audiences are informed on the emotions of the character and a background on his life. After receiving his drink and processes his surroundings he spots them femme fatale.
3. In the third shot the femme fatale has approached the detective and there is a close up. This shows audiences the details in the face and the emotion behind it. The femme fatale look worried, anxious she has come over to the detective to express how she is distressed.
4/5. To build up the dialogue in the scene. Shot reverse shot's are usually placed to show a conversation between two people, so putting these shots hear felt appropriate for the scene.
6. In the sixth shot is begins in a new setting. This is in a office, firstly it begins focusing on the telephone then panning out to show the rest of the room. Props will be set up in this shot to reveal elements of the character. For example: an ashtray will be placed next to the camera to live up that stereotype that detectives smoke. Other props will be used to show off his career, these include: pens, notepads, desk light, documents and so on.
7. In the seventh shot the whole of the desk and man is captured in the frame, he is sat relaxed at his desk looking miserable. This conveys that he is tired of the same routine everyday and no longer wants to be in the career.
8. (There is a knock on the door) In the eighth shot 'the princess' who works as a receptionist for the detective walks into the room, a long shot is place to show the whole room.
9. There is a close-up of the detective as he looks up to see who has just entered his room. When he see's who it is he address her with 'hello little one' these has been deliberately put into the scene to show he a dominant character and can talk to people how he pleases.
10. In the tenth shot there is a close up of the receptionist, this is because she is talking about something she is worried about so usually a close-up would be the best way to represent this as you're able to see the emotion in her face.
11. In the eleventh shot there is a close-up of the newspaper that the receptionist put down, the close-up shows what the headline reads. The headline is the enigma of the story it hooks people to watch the rest of the film
12. The twelfth shot was kept very simple with just a close-up of the detectives face looking at the newspaper and being shocked. After a fade to black is placed and the title sequence appears.
1. The first shot is called an establishing shot. This is used at the start of many films, this was one of the reasons why I decided to put these at the beginning of my film opening. Establishing shot's also give viewers a clear idea of where the following scene would be filmed in. It allows audiences understand what genre the film could lead into for example: if the establishing shot was of a city this could suggest a lively action film, or a crime film.
2. The second shot is cut to the detective sitting at the bar. A voice over is placed over this scene to build up a story line. Audiences are informed on the emotions of the character and a background on his life. After receiving his drink and processes his surroundings he spots them femme fatale.
3. In the third shot the femme fatale has approached the detective and there is a close up. This shows audiences the details in the face and the emotion behind it. The femme fatale look worried, anxious she has come over to the detective to express how she is distressed.
4/5. To build up the dialogue in the scene. Shot reverse shot's are usually placed to show a conversation between two people, so putting these shots hear felt appropriate for the scene.
6. In the sixth shot is begins in a new setting. This is in a office, firstly it begins focusing on the telephone then panning out to show the rest of the room. Props will be set up in this shot to reveal elements of the character. For example: an ashtray will be placed next to the camera to live up that stereotype that detectives smoke. Other props will be used to show off his career, these include: pens, notepads, desk light, documents and so on.
7. In the seventh shot the whole of the desk and man is captured in the frame, he is sat relaxed at his desk looking miserable. This conveys that he is tired of the same routine everyday and no longer wants to be in the career.
8. (There is a knock on the door) In the eighth shot 'the princess' who works as a receptionist for the detective walks into the room, a long shot is place to show the whole room.
9. There is a close-up of the detective as he looks up to see who has just entered his room. When he see's who it is he address her with 'hello little one' these has been deliberately put into the scene to show he a dominant character and can talk to people how he pleases.
10. In the tenth shot there is a close up of the receptionist, this is because she is talking about something she is worried about so usually a close-up would be the best way to represent this as you're able to see the emotion in her face.
11. In the eleventh shot there is a close-up of the newspaper that the receptionist put down, the close-up shows what the headline reads. The headline is the enigma of the story it hooks people to watch the rest of the film
12. The twelfth shot was kept very simple with just a close-up of the detectives face looking at the newspaper and being shocked. After a fade to black is placed and the title sequence appears.
The Script
FILM NOIR
By Harriet Watson and Rebecca Campbell
FADE IN
ESTABLISHING SHOT
INT. BAR – NIGHT
DENNIS DALE orders a
drink from the bar as he reminisces on his previous state.
VOICE OVER: Forty
three years and I've seen it all, murder, prostitution, gunshot to the head.
They call me Dale, Detective Dennis Dale… I thought today was going to be a
good day, until I met her…
DENNIS DALE spots the
femme fatale as she enters the bar, mesmerised by her beauty she captures him
looking at her. She prances through the bar taking the attention of everyone
around, until she comes face to face with the Detective.
FLORENCE: Oh,
Detective my sister has been taken I need your help.
DENNIS DALE: Calm
down precious, just tell me slowly
FLORENCE: Okay, (quick
breathing) I was at home reading my book, it was late, and I heard a bang. My
sister had fled; I had no idea where she was going. She hasn't yet returned…
It’s been a whole day I’m so worried Detective what if she has been killed?
Kidnapped? Anything…
DENNIS DALE: We
will find her sweetheart, are you sure there isn't anything else? Anywhere she
would have gone?
FLORENCE: Well, I
don’t think so. Please Detective I don’t know what to do.
_____________________________________________________________________
FADE OUT
FADE IN
INT. DETECTIVES OFFICE
A close up of the Detective’s
belongings are shown. He is sitting in his office thinking about his case. Dennis
Dale is sitting at the desk as KATHERINE (the secretary) walks in.
KATHERINE: Sorry
to bother you Detective but I have something for you
DENNIS DALE: What
is it little one?
KATHERINE: I have
the newspaper here, an article you should see
KATHERINE places the
newspaper on the table it reads ‘YOUNG WOMAN PRONOUNCED DEAD AFTER GUN SHOT TO
THE HEAD”
SCENE FADES OUT WITH A CLOSE UP OF DETECTIVE LOOKING
SHOCKED
END OF OPENING SEQUENCE
Wednesday, 5 November 2014
November feedback
You are working at level 2/3 for research and
planning
Targets
Film
Risk assessment
Edit
Consider sound and titles to add meaning
and atmosphere
Manage your time effectively
Produce a schedule
Pitch your idea
Publish the post about 'Blue Velvet'
Monday, 3 November 2014
Preliminary Task
The preliminary task was designed to learn the basics of filming. It given me a greater understanding of the technical difficulties when beginning to film for the first time. These include: using a variety, not breaking the 180 degree rule, make sure the sequence follows smoothly etc.
I began filming the sequence outside, I was to demonstrate that the boy is in a relaxed simplistic environment outside when he receives a text, the enigma of the sequence is that viewers what to know what is on the phone or what the boy is running to or from? As this was a mini sequence I wanted to explore a variety of shots starting with a long shot. Long shots are usually used as a consistent back shot, what I mean by this is that it has the whole of the scene filmed in that long shot, however to create a flow of shots, separate clips are filmed than places within the long shot clip which has everything on. I found this technique in filming very helpful as it allowed to to understand where the different shots should be implemented into the sequence.
The 180 degree was very difficult at first, this was due to knowing where to put the camera throughout shots. However, practicing these shots helped me develop my skills better before doing my final sequence.
When editing this clip I decided to use Abode Premiere, this was due to it being one of the good software on the Mac computers. I imported all of my work into the software and edited by dragging the clips into the sequence bar and cutting them with the razor tool. Although what I did was quite simplistic compared to other things you could do on the software as it was one of my first times conducting a sequence which was flowing and structured I felt it given me a great set of basic skills for when I use the software in the future. I also looked into other things I could do the project to make it better, some of these included fade to black transition, this I decided to out at the start if the clip so it doesn't just jump into the clip straight away. I also looked at other features on the software however decided against using them. These features I found could be very helpful to know about in case again I use them in my future film.
Overall, doing the preliminary task was very helpful for developing basic skills of using a camera, whether it was exploring the variety of shot types or using the tripod carefully and steadily. It also taught me that planning was very important as many of these shots were placed in the spot and as you can see in the sequence there is not much of a stricter ending which should of been there. If I did get the opportunity to film this but again I would definitely consider planning out a storyboard before hand however this has been helpful because it has given me the guidance I needed to help develop my filming ability further.
I began filming the sequence outside, I was to demonstrate that the boy is in a relaxed simplistic environment outside when he receives a text, the enigma of the sequence is that viewers what to know what is on the phone or what the boy is running to or from? As this was a mini sequence I wanted to explore a variety of shots starting with a long shot. Long shots are usually used as a consistent back shot, what I mean by this is that it has the whole of the scene filmed in that long shot, however to create a flow of shots, separate clips are filmed than places within the long shot clip which has everything on. I found this technique in filming very helpful as it allowed to to understand where the different shots should be implemented into the sequence.
The 180 degree was very difficult at first, this was due to knowing where to put the camera throughout shots. However, practicing these shots helped me develop my skills better before doing my final sequence.
When editing this clip I decided to use Abode Premiere, this was due to it being one of the good software on the Mac computers. I imported all of my work into the software and edited by dragging the clips into the sequence bar and cutting them with the razor tool. Although what I did was quite simplistic compared to other things you could do on the software as it was one of my first times conducting a sequence which was flowing and structured I felt it given me a great set of basic skills for when I use the software in the future. I also looked into other things I could do the project to make it better, some of these included fade to black transition, this I decided to out at the start if the clip so it doesn't just jump into the clip straight away. I also looked at other features on the software however decided against using them. These features I found could be very helpful to know about in case again I use them in my future film.
Overall, doing the preliminary task was very helpful for developing basic skills of using a camera, whether it was exploring the variety of shot types or using the tripod carefully and steadily. It also taught me that planning was very important as many of these shots were placed in the spot and as you can see in the sequence there is not much of a stricter ending which should of been there. If I did get the opportunity to film this but again I would definitely consider planning out a storyboard before hand however this has been helpful because it has given me the guidance I needed to help develop my filming ability further.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)