Task 2.1 Research Into Existing Products: Spectre Trailer Textual Analysis

Spectre trailer analysis

The trailer starts with an establishing shot to set the scene and give the audience a sense of atmosphere and an insight into the location of the scene. A male narrative begins as we see the festival of the dead to show the audience that he’s addressing the audience. Theme music begins to build an already existing rapport with the viewer and the film franchise. Diegetic sound of the gun loading and the explosion introduce the reader to the action early to make them intrigued as to what happens to the protagonist. Another establishing shot of London introduces the audience to James’s natural roaming ground from previous films. Reintroduction to 007 staff builds an already existing relationship between characters and the audience. The typical bond car represents all things British with the new Aston martin this is a main part of the film and previous films, it builds upon an already existing synergy with the company to sell more cars and films this generally increases profits for both films. With the matched action when James says “make me disappear” the picture shows a bleak mountainous region with another establishing shot. With the introduction of the infamous spectre log o were taken to another location and the percussion kicks in to show a heightened sense of danger. Lots of fast cuts are used to match the narrative “a place with no danger” this also matches with what we see of a man knocking someone unconscious. The music again increases in speed and volume to match the action in the scene to show the audience that the film is going to be like previous bond films which have done so well. The music takes a dark turn as James finds out that he has something to do with the criminal organisation. The narrative from the antagonist is brought in to show his power. James bond stays central throughout the trailer in the shots to show he’s the man in control and the protagonist. Over the shoulder shots are used to give you a view point as if you are in the scene. You see the antagonist with a tracking shot to introduce him to the film. A medium close up shot of the antagonist with half of his face in the shadow could suggest he’s a dark mysterious character. We see James wearing a white tuxedo which could show his innocence and purity in the sense that he’s an out and out good guy but the black trim suggest a darker side to him. Female narrative begins with matched action. Music intensifies with the action to show the audience the trailer is coming to an end with a climax.             

Task 2.1 Research Into Existing Products: Metz Theory

In Christian Metz's book titled language and cinema (1974) he theorised that genres pass through four stages of existence. 

Stage 1 The experimental.

He meant by this the phase of early films which explored and experimented with the

generic codes and conventions. Early examples of this in the horror genre are the cabinet of Dr.Caligari (1919) .

Stage 2 The classic

This is the phase in which the codes and conventions of the genre become recognised as iconic and seen as the guidelines of which the other genres should follow. Early examples of this in the horror genre are Frankenstein and Dracula (1931)

Stage 3 The parody

in this phase because the codes and conventions are widely understood and recognised people can use and mock them. This is based on the fact that the audience understand the codes and conventions from the classic stage. Examples of this within the horror genre are Scary movie (2000).

Stage 4 The deconstruction

This stage allows the genre to evolve and merge with others, so the horror genre could steal conventions from the thriller and genres become less clear cut and the rules can be broken. An example of this is the film se7en (1995) which contains elements from both the horror and thriller genre.

Task 2.1 Research Into Existing Products: Film Noir

Genre and film noir.

Film noir is a  style or genre of cinematographic film marked by a mood of pessimism, fatalism, and menace. The term was originally applied (by a group of French critics) to American thriller or detective films made in the period 1944–54 and to the work of directors such as Orson Welles, Fritz Lang, and Billy Wilder. A film noir has very specific and strict conventions, these are things such as the cinematography used this is often distorted, skewed and uncomfortable to look at in order to put the viewer at unease this reflects the tone of noir. 
these particular shots can be things such as dutch tilts, extreme close ups and low and high angle shots. locations of film Noirs is another convention as they use everyday locations to make what was happening seem ever more realistic to the viewer. Another use of mise-en-scene is chiaroscuro and high contrast lighting to add to the feel of mystery. Sound is used in film Noirs to compliment the feeling of pessimism and foreboding which was reflected in the films. Editing in film noir often follows many of the traditional crime characteristics but they are normally told non linearly. Film noirs also feature a narrative often told from the perspective of the male protagonist. Characters were also a strict convention because most of the films normally had a private eye and a femme fatale. 

A typical film of this specified genre is Maltese falcon this film is significant because it clearly shows and defines the conventions which have become linked with the genre. 

The protagonist (Humphrey Bogart) became the figurehead for films of this genre at the time. 

Task 2.1 Research Into Existing Products: 'Se7en' Textual Analysis

Se7en

Plot summary:  sadistic mass-murderer John Doe (Kevin Spacey) draws out plans for making an example of the human race by killing seven people..each one representing one of the deadly sins of which they are most guilty of….Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Lust, Pride, Envy and Wrath. Two American detectives, Somerset (Morgan Freeman) who is soon to retire, and Mills (Brad Pitt) his soon to be replacement, must track down this killer and stop him before it is too late. But the men soon realise that their own lives play a big part in Doe’s plans and what he has in store for them changes their lives forever…. 

The camera also holds a significant role in occupying the intentional mood of the audience. From the beginning to the closing stages there are continuous short takes, due to the fact not one thing is in focus for a long time creates an uncomfortable and nervous feeling of what is going to happen, but for the simple fact it is entertaining the audience will keep themselves involved. 

During the course of the sequence non continuity editing is persistently used, this stops the clip from feeling like ‘real life’ for the viewer, which would make them even more anxious as they realise that anything could happen throughout this film.  As the opening sequence goes further, superimposition is used when the character is writing. This increases the amount of information the audience needs to absorb, and with the slow motion of the page turning they can actually focus on what is happening, helping them to delve more into the storyline. Finally, the visual effect of the credits draws the audience’s attention to them, emphasising again the suspension of the film following. 

There are two types of sound techniques used in the opening sequence of the film. Non-diegetic sound is only used in the first 18 seconds of the film where the distributors logo is shown. Diegetic sound is used through dialogue and the ambient noise of the city centre where we presume his flat is located the noise features sirens which forbade things that are to come in the film, whilst also creating discomfort amongst the viewers. 

Task 2.1 Research Into Existing Products: Stereotypical Representations of Film Noir Characteristics

Fatalistic Attitudes
A character will often feel like their life is pre-ordained and that free will is an illusion. This is because at the time where film noirs were mass produced many Americans felt hopeless. Fatalism is expressed by one transgression that spirals out of control. The average citizen character makes a mistake that snowballs into much greater problems. Every attempt at correction just makes everything worse. This is often called a spider web of deceit in film noir.

Voice Overs 
Voice Overs are common in this genre. The voice-over narration film noir characteristic represents psychological reflection and introspection by a character. 

Femme Fatale
The femme fatale female archetype originates in film noir. These female characters represent independence, strength and desire, a response to the brief destruction of the demure housewife stereotype. They are often used to emphasize the fatalist attitude in that the male characters feel powerless to resist the women. Often the femme fatale will enter a love triangle with a married man. Another female role is the menaced woman. In film noir, if the main character is female she will often be tormented psychologically or physically by a man, usually a love interest.

Morally Ambiguous Male Protagonist

They are cynical, brooding and obsessive. They lead a seamy existence as private detectives, gangsters or government agents, among others. In film noir, the struggle these characters undergo often ends in failure.   

Cinematography

The cinematography reinforces the darkness in the plot and theme.  Long, sharp shadows are used in film noir as well as inky blackness. Tilted camera angles with a claustrophobic feel emphasize a nocturnal underworld. 

Gloomy Urban Sets

Film noir often takes place indoors in spaces with low-key lighting. Blinds often obscure windows. Exterior scenes include streets and alleys, dark and wet. Flashing neon signs were popular to use in film noir. These type of sets were partially due to war time scarcity. The characters will often be seen in murky streets, cheap, big city apartments or hotel rooms. Abandoned warehouses are also seen in this film noir characteristic.

Mr Judge Feedback - Provisional Mark/Level/Grade: Level 1: 5/20

In terms of an interim grade: Level 1 (5/20)

• Medal: You have added some recent posts such as a Synopsis, Some storyboards and BFI data, which is good
• 
  
• Mission: You need to go back and revisit the previous feedback, as you have not responded to a number of recommendations which is something that you need to rectify in order to progress up the levels. 
• More images, video clips need to be embedded
• More evidence of the planning, shot lists, location recces, information on characters and plot required. 

• Planning and research evidence will be incomplete; • There is minimal research into similar products and a potential target audience; • There is minimal organisation of actors, locations, costumes or props; • There is minimal work on shotlists, layouts, drafting, scripting or storyboarding; • There is minimal care in the presentation of the research and planning; • Time management may be very poor.

Please provide feedback, in the form of a new post, how and when you hope to achieve the tasks. 

	MINIMAL (L1)	BASIC (L2)	PROFICIENT (L3)	EXCELLENT (L4)	TOTAL
1.RESEARCH & PLANNING [20]	0-7	8-11	12-15	16-20	5/20
2. CONSTRUCTION – MAIN TASK [40]	0-23	24-35	36-47	48-60
3.EVALUATION [20]	0-7	8-11	12-15	16-20
TOTAL GRADE FOR FOUNDATION PORTFOLIO [100]					/100
Minus -39 = U	40-49 = E	50-59 = D	60-69 = C	70-79 = B	80-100 = A

Mr Judge Feedback

There are a number of significant posts missing, can you please go through the previous feedback and identify what you a) still ned to do b) when you propose to complete the tasks?

MR JUDGE FEEDBACK

There is no point creating posts with no content, its the content that counts We need you to publish asap.

1.   NO PRELIMINARY TASK EVALUATION EVIDENT

2.   NO BLUE VELVET TEXTUAL ANALYSIS (COULD USE BOND: SPECTRE INSTEAD)

3.   NO BLUE VELVET SCREEN GRABS IN PLACE

4.   NO BLUE VELVET VIDEO EMBEDDING IN PLACE

5.   TEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF THE OPENING OF SE7EN WITH IMAGES AND VIDEO EMBED FOR SE7EN

6.   CHRISTIAN METZ MODELS OF GENRE DEVELOPMENT – HORROR (12D ONLY) + IMAGES

7.   FILM NOIR & HISTORY OF GENRE (HSR) + IMAGES/VIDEO EMBEDS

8.   STEREOTYPICAL REPRESENTATIONS OF THRILLER/HORROR GENRES/CHARACTERS

9.   TEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF OPENING OF A HORROR FILM – WOMEN IN BLACK/SCREAM etc.

MR JUDGE FEEDBACK

Complete the following tasks ASAP 4. NO BLUE VELVET TEXTUAL ANALYSIS (COULD USE BOND: SPECTRE INSTEAD) 5. NO BLUE VELVET SCREEN GRABS IN PLACE 6. NO SE7EN TEXTUAL ANALYSIS IN EVIDENCE 7. NO SCREEN GRABS FROM SE7EN TO ILLUSTRATE POINTS 8. NO work on GENRE from Mr Rutherford

Preliminary Task Evaluation

Preliminary Task Evaluation 

The 180-degree rule is a basic guideline regarding the on-screen spatial relationship between a character and another character or object within a scene. An imaginary line called the axis connects the characters, and by keeping the camera on one side of this axis for every shot in the scene, the first character is always frame right of the second character, who is then always frame left of the first. A match on action is when you see two people exchange something from both sides and perspectives. An eye line match is when the characters eye lines are both at the same height in the scene. A shot-reverse-shot is a series of shots between two characters in a continuous fashion.

We incorporated the 180-degree rule when we filmed the dialogue between the two characters to show both perspectives. The match on action was used to show the transfer of the phone between the two characters. The eye line match was used throughout the scene but mainly when we filmed the 180-degree shot. The shot reverse shot was used when we recorded dialogue.

The film making process went reasonably smoothly, this is because we were clear with what we wanted and how to achieve this through the shots we used. The story board we had was the main structure to the film making process and made it easier for us to film. However it could have gone better if we completely stuck to the story board as at times we did not use it and improvised on what we were doing. At times the filming was made difficult as students would leave lessons to go on break, this meant that we had to get the shots we need quickly so people were not in the background of the shots.

We learnt a lot of skills on adobe premiere as we were new to this software and had chance to experiment with it. Cutting down clips was one of the most used tools and was extremely useful, this is because we would often start recording a few seconds before and after to make sure we had the right framing on our shots. Adding titles was also extremely straight forward as all we had to do is create them and then drag them into where we needed them. The tools that were on adobe premiere were very useful in making our film good  as it helped make it look smooth so it did not seem confused.

Preliminary Task