Friday, 30 January 2015
Year 10 Film Pitch
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Film Idea
Task: Create your idea for your potential, original film. It needs to be an Action Adventure film that will appeal to a teenage target audience (male or female). You need to pitch your film idea thinking about the following ideas:
- Title
- Main Characters and why they would appeal
- Outline of the plot
- Unique Selling Point - what makes your idea stand out?
Add your idea to your images from last lesson and try to present it as a real pitch. Here are some examples...
Questions you should ask yourself:
- Is there a clear sense of narrative structure about your plot (beginning, middle and end)?
- Have you included detailed ideas about the main character(s)?
- Are there suggestions as to who could play the main characters?
- Is the film's genre clear - does it follow the conventions of Action Adventure?
- Are there references to other films?
- Is the overall concept clear?
Wednesday, 21 January 2015
Year 10 Film Poster Evaluation
What would you do differently to improve your poster idea?
Evaluations need to include:
1. Your first draft mock up
2. Deconstruct your poster - label what conventions you have used. (For example: Key Image, Title, Slogan and Billing)
3. Representation - explain your key image and its appeal to the target audience.
4. Genre - what film genre is your poster for. How is this made clear through your design decisions? Explain the film's Unique Selling Point.
5. What went well and what would you change next time to improve your product? Did you find anything difficult when making the poster?
Tuesday, 20 January 2015
Year 11: Q1 Example Answer
The narrative in the extract fits the action adventure genre in various ways. There is a battle between the good and evil which is conventional of the genre, the protagonist (Nic) is shown as confident and able to fight because it’s almost like a one-man army. He is up against more ‘villains’ which makes him outnumbered as they have more weapons too, which again is conventional of action adventure, because it emphasizes his victory (or defeat) in the end.
Another way the extract fits the genre of action adventure is making Nic, the protagonist, independent and confident. The fact that the protagonist is chewing gum in the close-up at the beginning ‘shows’ his confident attitude as if he wasn’t expecting a difficult battle but has come prepared with weapons/objects and team.
Another way the extract fits the genre of action adventure is making Nic, the protagonist, independent and confident. The fact that the protagonist is chewing gum in the close-up at the beginning ‘shows’ his confident attitude as if he wasn’t expecting a difficult battle but has come prepared with weapons/objects and team.
Year11: Q2 Example Answer
Soundtrack
The soundtrack is notably used to create effects for the audience which fit the genre. For example, the introduction of Nic Angel is combined with a majestic soundtrack which emulates the hero’s power and status. This is regularly used in the genre to emphasize the power of the protagonist to the audience. The soundtrack also crescendoes, which aims to create tension which will be subverted by the inevitable convergence of characters. Western sounds are also used to create the effect of hybridizing comedy with action as the audience recognizes the cliché. In addition, it also serves to imply there is an upcoming fight scene where the characters will ‘draw’ weapons, reminiscent of Western films. The soundtrack also abruptly stops to mimic the surprise of the audience at Butterman helping Nic Angel.
Editing
Editing is also utilized in different manners to create effects which help to heighten the action. For example, editing is very slow-paced at first to create a tense atmosphere which again hints at an upcoming convergence. The editing then speeds up, and cross-cutting is used frequently to help to bring together the characters in an imminent fight-scene, and the fast editing builds-up to the action, heightening tension. The cross cuts then start to match the soundtrack to emphasize tension, and the cut pace is momentarily slowed down when Nic delivers the line ‘Morning’ before speeding up again. During the fight shot-reverse-shot editing is used to show the conflicting emotions of antagonist and protagonists, and discontinuous editing is used to mimic the chaos of the situation.
Mise-en-scène
Mise-en-scène is predominantly utilised at the start of the extract, with Nic on a horse to make him higher-up, to the effect of conveying his power and presence. In addition, Nic features a distinctive costume, to further isolate him from the antagonists and make him stand-out to the audience. The conventional set-design of English suburbia creates the effect of comedy when the tranquility is displaced for action, as it is unexpected to the audience. The props also mainly consist of weapons, providing a catalyst for action, which also creates comedy by satinsing the genre through having excessive amounts of weapons. Lighting is natural simply to create the effect of realism in the town.
Camerawork
Camera devices are extensively used to connote ideals and create effects. For example, a high-angle shot is used on the school children to show their obedience and Nic’s power over them. In addition, many mid-shots and close-up shots are utilised before the action to portray the characters’ fear. An establishing shot is also utilised near the start to depict the quiet suburbia, which is then displaced when the action begins. During the conflict, a handheld camera is employed when the glass window breaks to mimic the chaos and disorientation the fighting creates. In addition a focus pull is used to bring the armed old lady into focus, and similarly the camera zooms in to the sidekick near the start, both the establish the character importance.
The soundtrack is notably used to create effects for the audience which fit the genre. For example, the introduction of Nic Angel is combined with a majestic soundtrack which emulates the hero’s power and status. This is regularly used in the genre to emphasize the power of the protagonist to the audience. The soundtrack also crescendoes, which aims to create tension which will be subverted by the inevitable convergence of characters. Western sounds are also used to create the effect of hybridizing comedy with action as the audience recognizes the cliché. In addition, it also serves to imply there is an upcoming fight scene where the characters will ‘draw’ weapons, reminiscent of Western films. The soundtrack also abruptly stops to mimic the surprise of the audience at Butterman helping Nic Angel.
Editing
Editing is also utilized in different manners to create effects which help to heighten the action. For example, editing is very slow-paced at first to create a tense atmosphere which again hints at an upcoming convergence. The editing then speeds up, and cross-cutting is used frequently to help to bring together the characters in an imminent fight-scene, and the fast editing builds-up to the action, heightening tension. The cross cuts then start to match the soundtrack to emphasize tension, and the cut pace is momentarily slowed down when Nic delivers the line ‘Morning’ before speeding up again. During the fight shot-reverse-shot editing is used to show the conflicting emotions of antagonist and protagonists, and discontinuous editing is used to mimic the chaos of the situation.
Mise-en-scène
Mise-en-scène is predominantly utilised at the start of the extract, with Nic on a horse to make him higher-up, to the effect of conveying his power and presence. In addition, Nic features a distinctive costume, to further isolate him from the antagonists and make him stand-out to the audience. The conventional set-design of English suburbia creates the effect of comedy when the tranquility is displaced for action, as it is unexpected to the audience. The props also mainly consist of weapons, providing a catalyst for action, which also creates comedy by satinsing the genre through having excessive amounts of weapons. Lighting is natural simply to create the effect of realism in the town.
Camerawork
Camera devices are extensively used to connote ideals and create effects. For example, a high-angle shot is used on the school children to show their obedience and Nic’s power over them. In addition, many mid-shots and close-up shots are utilised before the action to portray the characters’ fear. An establishing shot is also utilised near the start to depict the quiet suburbia, which is then displaced when the action begins. During the conflict, a handheld camera is employed when the glass window breaks to mimic the chaos and disorientation the fighting creates. In addition a focus pull is used to bring the armed old lady into focus, and similarly the camera zooms in to the sidekick near the start, both the establish the character importance.
Year 11: Q3 Example Answer
Throughout the extract, characters are portrayed stereotypically and atypically to connote and celebrate different values and ideals. For instance, the representation of age is predominantly unconventional, as it doesn’t follow the stereotype of older people being weaker and calmer. This is shown through the elderly women with a machine gun, who is represented as a powerful, and a threat to Nic. Similarly, most of the adults fighting Nic are fairly old, and so their uncharacteristic representation of using extensive violence perhaps celebrates older people, but also creates humour as there counter hegemonical role is unexpected. The only main stereotype of age is the hero being fairly young.
Gender is also mainly utilised counter-stereotypically, as the genre stereotype of women is to be weaker and less violent and less powerful than men, however, the female antagonists the same violence and power as the male ones, therefore celebrating and connoting gender equality. The fact that women are equal to men also make the hero’s role harder and so his success even more impressive. Again, the only stereotypical representation of gender lies in the hero – he is male, strong and dominant – which are dominant features.
Race and Nationality are not represented prominently – except for the fact that it is an all-white cast, and this representation is stereotypical to the setting of a rural English town. In addition the hero is English, which therefore is patriotic in celebrating England – the country in which the film was produced. The town is similarly stereotypical as it is quintessentially English – pubs, schools and bunting – and the stereotype of the ‘stiff upper lip’ is represented through the antagonists’ serious emotions and nuances such as the ‘one school child’ sign. Finally, the police are mainly represented counter-stereotypically – although Danny Butterman at first fits the lazy, sluggish stereotype – this is subverted by the counter stereotype of him and Nic being powerful and successful in the conflict. This is suprising to the audience and hybridizes action with comedy. The sidekick is also stereotypically portrayed through his overweight build, making him more endearing and vulnerable for the audience. Similarly, the hero is stereotypically represented as powerful, male, calm and violent – thus fulfilling the expectations of the target audience.
Gender is also mainly utilised counter-stereotypically, as the genre stereotype of women is to be weaker and less violent and less powerful than men, however, the female antagonists the same violence and power as the male ones, therefore celebrating and connoting gender equality. The fact that women are equal to men also make the hero’s role harder and so his success even more impressive. Again, the only stereotypical representation of gender lies in the hero – he is male, strong and dominant – which are dominant features.
Race and Nationality are not represented prominently – except for the fact that it is an all-white cast, and this representation is stereotypical to the setting of a rural English town. In addition the hero is English, which therefore is patriotic in celebrating England – the country in which the film was produced. The town is similarly stereotypical as it is quintessentially English – pubs, schools and bunting – and the stereotype of the ‘stiff upper lip’ is represented through the antagonists’ serious emotions and nuances such as the ‘one school child’ sign. Finally, the police are mainly represented counter-stereotypically – although Danny Butterman at first fits the lazy, sluggish stereotype – this is subverted by the counter stereotype of him and Nic being powerful and successful in the conflict. This is suprising to the audience and hybridizes action with comedy. The sidekick is also stereotypically portrayed through his overweight build, making him more endearing and vulnerable for the audience. Similarly, the hero is stereotypically represented as powerful, male, calm and violent – thus fulfilling the expectations of the target audience.
Representation - Edge of Tomorrow
Q 1. Explain two ways the characters and/ or events fit the action adventure genre.
Use examples from the extract. [10 marks]
Layout as follows:
Explanation 1...
Explanation 2...
Q 3. Discuss the ways in which people are represented in the extract.
Refer to stereotypes in your answer.
Use examples from the extract. [20 marks]
Year 11 Edge of Tomorrow Characters
- Tom Cruise as Major William Cage
- Emily Blunt as Sergeant Rita Vrataski
- Bill Paxton as Master Sergeant Farell
- Brendan Gleeson as General Brigham
- Kick Gurry as Griff
- Dragomir Mrsic as Kuntz
- Charlotte Riley as Nance
- Jonas Armstrong as Skinner
- Franz Drameh as Ford
- Masayoshi Haneda as Takeda
- Tony Way as Kimmel
- Noah Taylor as Dr. Carter
Year 11 Action Adventure Representation Task
Make notes on the representation of the main characters from Edge of Tomorrow using the following headings:
- costume
- hair
- make up
- props i.e.: gadgets, weapons, vehicles etc
- settings
Are the representations of the female and male characters stereotypical of action adventure movies? Make sure you explain your answer. Use the notes you made under the above headings to help you.
Wednesday, 7 January 2015
Year 10 Film Analysis: Spiderman High School Fight Clip
How are teenagers represented in a different way in this high school fight scene?
Task:
1. Watch the clip and make notes on how the scene is edited together.
2. Answer the question, using your notes to support your ideas. Write it up as an essay (Word document) and save it in your media folder.
Think about Audience Appeal when considering the question. How does this film appeal to the Target Audience?
How has Peter Parker changed from the first time he appears in his school setting? What similarities are there between the first scene where he stands up to Flash the bully? Why would the audience enjoy seeing him as the action hero? Was does it suggest about what teenagers can do and why would this engage the target audience?
Task: Add these ideas to your answer.
Tuesday, 6 January 2015
Year 11: Representation in Action Adventure Film
Conduct research into the representation of male and female characters in the action adventure genre
- find five examples of male and five examples of female characters (only one of each can be from the teen/ action adventure/ fantasy/ superhero genre)
- Pick the characters from different films
- Write about
- costume
- hair
- make up
- props i.e.: gadgets, weapons, vehicles etc
- settings
Possible films:
- The Bourne Ultimatum
- Skyfall
- The Hurt Locker
- Elysium
- Edge Of Tomorrow
- Black Hawk Down
- Lucy
- Divergent
- White House Down
- The Expendables
- Taken
- Fury
- Hercules
- Noah
- Dawn Of The Planet Of The Apes
- Transformers: Age Of Extinction
- Godzilla
- Pacific Rim
- World War Z
- The Equalizer
- John Wick
- The Hunger Games
- Clash Of The Titans
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