Classwork

Introduction

Here's a mini introduction about myself and my interests in media ;


http://prezi.com/_8nioonm8mih/copy-of-me/

Character Types - Shrek

·         The hero- usually male, is the agent who restores the narrative equilibrium often by embarking upon a quest (or search). Propp distinguishes between the victim hero, who is the centre of the villain's attentions, and the seeker hero who aids others who are the villain’s victims. The hero is invariably the texts central character.

·         The villain- who usually creates the narrative disruption.

·         The donor- gives the hero something; it may be an object, information or advice, which helps in resolution of the narrative.

·         The helper- aids the hero in the task of restoring equilibrium.

·         The princess (the victim) - is usually the character most threatened by the villain and has to be saved, at the climax, by the hero. The father's (who in fairy tales was often the king) role is usually to give the princess away to the hero at the narrative's conclusion. He may also despatch the hero.

·         The dispatcher- sends the hero on her or his task (who can typically be the princess father)

·         The false hero - appears to be good but is revealed, at the narrative's end, to have been bad Characters can fulfil more than one sphere character type, for example; a princess may also be a helper.

Eg: Shrek

The hero - Shrek

The Villain -  Lord Farquaad

The Donor - Donkey/Dragon

The helper - Donkey

The princess- Princess Fiona

The dispatcher - Lord Farquaad

Genres

Sub-Genres:

Many genres that have sub-genres with their categories e.g : Crime & Gangster (genre) - 'Bad girl movies' (sub-genre)

Hybrid Sub-Genre:

More than 2 genres put together e.g : Romcom

HORROR GENRE:

This horror film fits into horror genre conventions; the film contains one of the conventional horror themes which is 'supernatural.' The characters in the film involved, are creepy children that are used/involved; the film is featured in small community/haunted houses and isolated places.

The cinematography is used in Paranormal Activity involve both low and high angle shots, hand-held camera to put the audience in an uncomfortable position, P.O.V (point of view) shots are used from the victim's perspective. The music used is usually slow and creepy which helps build the tension and non-deigetic sound is also used in certain scenes to create tension.

ROMCOM GENRE:

Monster-in-law follows the traditional rules of a ROMCOM convention; the film has a three part structure, a boy and girl meet, they fall out in the middle of scene and a torn apart, and are later reunited and fall in love. Something comes inbetween the couple which causes them to break up or distsant themselves from one another, throughout the film they realise that they're made for each other and they get back together.

The main character (girl) in the film is a loveable character, and down to earth so the audience are able to connect with them.

Throughout the majority of the film lighting is bright which creates a postive/happy atmosphere. The lighting used in this genre of film usually reflects the tone or mood of a certain scene.

The setting of the ROMCOM follows teh usual ROMCOM conventions, the main settings in this film take place in places such as; beach, park and character's homes.

My Genre Convention:

CRIME&GANGSTER ;

• A gangster ( bad guy)
• Girl (romantic interest)
• Gangs
• The boss
• Fighting is involved
• Gun violence
• Criminal activities
• Death

Camera shots

EWS(Extreme Wide Shot): Extreme wide shot is usually used as an establishing shot, the shot is captured from far back from the subject that it isn't visible.



Medium Close-up: Half way between mid shot and close up
Extreme close up: Extreme close up shows major detail

Very wide shot: The subject is visible (barely), but the emphasis is still on placing him in his environment.


Point of view shot: view from the subject's perspective

Weather shot: Weather itself can be used as the main subject, it can be used as background etc
Two shot: A shot that include to two people in the frame.
Over the shoulder shot: Look at the subject, from over the other person's shoulder
Cut in: Another part of the character is shown in detail

 Mis en scene

This image is a medium - close up, so we're able to see his facial expression, costume and prop. The mis en scene shows the character is facing towards and looking directly at teh camera, with the gun pointing straight towards it; this puts the audience in an uncomfortable position.
The gun in his hand isn't in that much focus, the gun being out of focus causes us to concentrate on his face and his expression more. The highkey lighting in the image implies that he is the good guy, his costume also gives off the same impression, and shows that he has some sort of authority; on the other hand the fact that his top button is undone, suggests that he's a good person that's been caught up in some sort of situation.

Mis en scene - 3D Software

I used a 3D imaging softtware to help create my own mis en scene setting briefly, I decided to do something very simplistic. In this image I wanted to show a farm house, and a farmer with his daughter. I done this by choosing appropriate costume for the characters, and suitable props.

Match - on - action

A match on action shot is when a shot is cut from one to another, the editor cuts the shot to another so that it matches the previous shot.

Shot reverse shot

A Shot reverse shot is when one character is shown looking at another character that is usually off-screen. It's made to give the impression that they're looking at each other, since the character is facing the opposite direction.

Editing Techniques

The Dark Knight

The Dark Knight being an action film uses a range of editing techniques to bring the genre to life. At the beginning there's a panning shot used; the panning shot is used to grab the audience's attention at first. The long duration of the shot conveys the intensity of the scene, and creates tension. The genre then starts to take up it's conventional roles, the pace of the editing starts to increase; cross-cutting is used between scenes to show the action happening.Fast cutting is also used to show the transition from scene to scene. Continuity is used; match on action, 180 degree, and shot reverse shot.

Film Reviews

                                                               
                                                                Menace II Society

                                   

Menace II society is a film based on black teenage youths living in the streets of Los Angeles. The film is narrated by the main character Caine Turner whose 18 years old, who talks about his life being a drug dealer and a car thief. His best friend O-Dog whose known as a viscious thug, gets into an altication with a couple that own a local store, who accuse both him and Caine of attempting to rob the shop. Out of anger O-Dog shoots the shopkeeper and his wife and then decides to rob him. Caine and O-Dog are hired by a local hood Chauncy, for a car insurance scheme but are caught in the process and arrested by police, a detective attempts to link Caine to the store killings by matching fingerprints. Caine is then released and continues to hijack cars, and begins to enjoy the 'hustler' lifestyle.
Throughout the duration of the film we begin to see how the effect of Caine's new life effects himself as well as others around him. His cousin and one of his crew members, he's also shot at twice, the first time he survives but the second time which happens at the end of the film he is fatally wounded.
The genre of this film is Crime/Drama, which is not only portrayed through the storyline, but also through the use of certain cinematic techniques .

The editing used in this film help portray the genre of the film; continuity editing is used throughout the film. The pace of the film is particulary fast, which supports the action scenes in the film which involve, shooting, fighting, and driving. However slow motion pace is also used, the slow motion builds tension in certain sequences. The continuity editing helps carry the narrative forward, 180-degree is used when characters exchange dialogue and shot reverse shot. Flashback are also used during particular parts of Caine's narration in the film, flash effects and different transitions; fades, wipes and dissolves portray the past events and the passing of time as he's explaining. Eliptical editing is another technique used in the film, jump cuts, cut away, cross and inter-cutting were used; these support the action that is taking place within the movie. The cross-cutting helped build suspense between the group when Caine and his cousin were attacked, and his friends were on their way to meet them.

Overall the storyline of the film was very effective, loads of teenagers could relate to certain scenes in the film. As the viewer I felt that I could relate or have some sort of feeling towards the characters which is an important aspect to have in a film; even though the film is more than 10years old watching it never seems to get old.

                                                            
                                                              Madea's big happy family

Madea's Big Happy Family is a comedy drama film based on a family trying to come together during the illness of Madea's niece Shirley whose dying from cancer and has less than 4-6 weeks to live. Shirley is desperate to get all the 3 of her kids Byron, Tammy, Kmberly and their family to come around for dinner so she could announce the news, but due to on-going conflict between the children she can't seem to get them to get along and stay for dinner. With nothing seem to be working out another family member Aunt Bam decides to call upon Madea to help get Shirley's kids together. The first night Madea manages to get them to come for dinner an intense arguement occurs between Tammy and Kimberly, the arguement ends with Byron finding out that Kimberley who thought was is sister is actually his mother.

Even though there's a serious storyline behind the film, but there's also comical moments in film involving Madea which I continuously find hilarious. Not only is it the obvious funny situations in the film that show it's a comedy, but also the mis en scene thats involved. The lighting is very bright throughout which gives it a postive feel, also the character's costumes are bright and colourful. Apart from the cinematic techniques, some of the character's acting was over the top such as Sabrina whose Byron's ex-girlfriend and the mother of his child, her over the top acting also brought the funny concept to the film.

Madea's big happy family is one of my favourite films because it's a comedy that has a very serious stroyline line with an important message. Having this could position the audience to not only have a good time but learn something whilst watching it.

My Popular TV shows

Xfactor

The X Factor is a music competition to find new singing talent; this has been one of my popular shows since it aired in 2004. Being a constant and popular viewer of The X-Factor I've seen many changes, from the level of talent, to the judges, and presenters being changed. The X Factor is a reality show, which makes it even more exciting since we see aspiring singers from the public audition in front of thousands including the judges, being ordinary people from the public we could never know what to expect from their auditions which is what makes it even more fascinating.

Misfits

Misfits is a comedy-drama television programme, it's Britsh Science Fiction based on young youth offenders sentenced to community service, each of them gain a supernatural power which they obtained from an electrical storm. How the storm happened is still unsolved. The reason why I enjoy the show because the plots and storylines are intriguing each time, and as a viewer it positions me to keep engaged in the programme. The characters being british youths makes the show even relatable, also the fact that it's science based which isn't very popular to teens, but by making it into a comedy-drama contradicts the stereotypical view on science/supernatural. Each of the characters have different characteristics, which varies with the audience, and as a viewer we're able to have a certain connection with any one of the characters.

Geordie Shore

Geordie shore is a reality tv show based on young adults from Newcastle living together; the show mostly concentrates on partying, fights and relationships. Being a reality tv show makes this one of my favourite programmes, as you never know what to expect each episode. Another reason why I enjoy this show is because the cast being reality stars, makes them even more relatable as a viewer; the programme itself is entertaining and unpredictable which keeps me constantly tuned in.

Teenagers in the media

Editing

I had to work my way through a powerpoint based on editing, and the different techniques involved. My first task:

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The images I used show a woman being followed by a man, who then ends up stealing her handbag and running away with it; she's then shown panicking and calls the police. The police then spot the suspect and then start chasing him, which then leads to him being arrested.

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Here are some of my favourite music videos that involve transitions such as, cuts, fades, wipes and dissolves.

                                                 

Title Sequences          

                       

Task 1

Task2
Hansel & Gretel: Witch Hunters

What is the genre of the film?
- The genre of this film may be an action/horror
Explain how the style supports the genre of the film?
-The use of fire throughout the title sequences, and the fact that fire symbolises danger.
How does it introduce to the film?
-Imagery of the newspapers with headlines, which describe the storyline of the film.
How does it draw you into the film?
-Concentrating on the headlines and images in the newspaper draws me in, as it makes me want to find out more about the film.
What type of transitions are used by the editor?
-Mostly fades and cuts are used throughout the sequence.

 Se7en

-What is the genre of the film?
- The genre of this film is a horror
-Explain how the style supports the genre of the film?
The style of the title sequence was shaky which gives a sense of discomfort.
-How does it introduce to the film?
The different types of images used
-How does it draw you into the film?
The flashes, fast pace and the music used.
-What type of transitions are used by the editor?
Cuts and Jump cuts
Drive

 

  

-What is the genre of the film?
Based on the title sequence itself, I would've assumed that this film was maybe a drama or romcom. However the actual genre is crime/drama.
-Explain how the style supports the genre of the film?
The style was italic and pink
-How does it introduce to the film?
The main aspect of the film is introduced, throughout the title sequence the main character is seen driving around.
-What type of transitions are used by the editor?
Cuts and Jump cuts Dissolves and fades