A2 Work

Explanation of 4 phases

(1)    By experimental we mean the phase of early films which explored and experimented with horror themes in its narrative

-        
  Films such as Caligari (1919) and Nosferatu (1922)

This is because they helped formalise the narrative conventions of the horror film in its earliest phase.

(2)    By Classic we mean the phase of films which established the narrative and conventions of the horror genre in its most successful & defining period.

(3)    By parody we mean films that have mimicked the horror genre in some comical way.

-          Films such as Scary Movie (1998) Carry on screaming (1968)

(4)    Deconstruction – maigmating intro sub-genres and supernatural horror

Christian Metz

Research into existing products

Music videos

3 types of music videos

1. Performance based music video – bands – u2/The rolling stones etc.

2. Narrative based music video – Ed Sheeran (A Team)

3. Astract/Artistic – Surrealists – Somebody I used to know

Around 1978 new techniques evolved.

Evaluation

Q1. In what way does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real life media products?

My film challenges the form and conventions of my chosen film type which is film noire. I feel as if I have succeeded in challenging the codes and conventions of a typical film noire because of a few little aspects.

The first one being the fact that the Detective in my film is black, and the usual stereotyped Detective is usually white; another film which challenges the codes and conventions of a Detective kind of film is Se7en where Sir Morgan Freeman plays the role of a Detective alongside Brad Pitt. The film se7en is about Two detectives, William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) and David Mills (Brad Pitt) search for a serial killer who bases each kill on one of the seven deadly sins, it a long film which leaves the audience on edge throughout however in the end the truth is exposed.

However, the only difference between my film and Se7en is that my film is a film noire movie and is connoted to be based in the 1970’s and Se7en is based in the modern times and has an old Detective working with a young Detective. Straight away as soon as the film starts I illustrate the Warner Bros lion to suggest that my film is going to be a film noire and to show that I understand the codes and conventions of a film noire because I understand that the Warner Bros were massive in the film noire industry.

The fact that my Film is a mixture of Film Noire and Detective thriller shows that I understand how to make the perfect Detective film which has elements of both action and aspects of a Film noire with the Femme Fetale and the typical setting which in this case will be an office with shadows rooming around the room and all the props such as a hat and a suit I have to show the realness.

 

 The two screenshots below show the similarities between my Detective and the Detective in se7en, in my opinion there is a massive similarity; the way we are both dressed formally, with hats a suit and tie. This screenshots shows my understanding of Detective films. It shows that my film was influenced by the film se7en. I feel this is a positive aspect because the similarity works well; although my film has a different story to se7en.


Secondly, another aspect in my film which uses a form of codes and conventions of real life media is the way that I have the Warner bros logo at the beginning of film, I did this to show that my film is based in the older days (1920's) and I have tried to imply how Detective's were back in the older days. The logo is also effective because it connotes that I understand how the film film noire works and what it symbolises in a film. The logo helps the audience understand that the film is based in the older days as it is created by the Warner Bros. The Warner Bros were brothers who filmed back in the 19's. They had a small studio meaning that they made their settings dark so that the audience couldn't see their surroundings. The Warner Bros were very successful and had a massive contribute towards the upbringing of film noire. Which is why i am maintaining their success by basing my film on them and their work.

The words used by Detective Fortune are very modern film noire statements with words such as 'sweetcheeks' 'sweetheart' etc. I have used these words because they signify that I understand and have tried to develop the conventions of a film noire film where the Detective and the femme fetale are verbally seductive towards one another. I feel this is beneficial and impacts the film because it maintains the genre of the film as well as keeping it entertaining. The words are also used because the Detective feels as if he has to be the comfort barrier for the femme fetale who supposedly is darkened by the absence of her sister and her husband. I feel I have used this technique very well.

Production feedback

You use an appropriate production logo for Warner Brothers with accompanying jazz music which indicates the genre.  You have made your own music track using garage band which shows commitment and a desire to explore the available software.  I think a visual logo rather than an audio sting for the ‘Shadow production’ would be more appropriate but it shows creativity and the shot of a shadow of the detective in black and white is an arrestingly visual opening. The film title is intriguing and the voice-over adds another element of intrigue. The codes and conventions of the genre are followed clearly using music and mise-en-scene.  A range of camera shots are used and a script allows you to plan and storyboard a scene that is conventional for the genre.  An exterior scene ends the sequence which shows development  of the narrative   There are a range of transitions and creativity has been shown in the use of shots. There are elements of excellence in the production which suggest that this meets the criteria for the lower end of level 4 49/60

Final feedback

Fortune, you have worked methodically on the film building up a variety of layers to your edit which has taken time but you have endeavoured to explore the possibilities of the software.  there are a number of very good element to your planning such as the script which shows an awareness of codes and conventions of the genre.  There are still some gaps, however which you can rectify now so that you do not lose marks.

Answer all the evaluation questions fully and ensure all research and planning is evident.

Complete and publish

My Name is Fortune

Final Cut

Coursework feedback

You have been making steady progress with the film and now need to complete an edit so that I can mark a a final copy.  Your attention to detail is commendable. Ensure that you manage your time effectively to achieve the deadline.

Audience theory

Without an audience there isn’t much point in producing a text, so we can start this thorny topic by saying that the audience is crucial. If the text appeals to the audience then it is a successful text. If the audience doesn’t respond, then the text has failed. Nobody makes any money and actors and media people are all thrown out into the snow to starve with their entire families, dogs, cats and Filofaxes. Audience has a massive impact on everything nowadays, for everything i.e sports matches, tv, and general life. Audience is needed and pays a vital role in the process and progress of the aspects i've just listed.

Audience reception theory has come to be widely used as a way of characterizing the wave of audience research which occurred within communications and cultural studies. This falls into categories which Stuart Hall Encoding theory created and they are:

-        Opposite reading – People oppose to the general idea.

-        Negotiated reading – Understand the thing however may find it offensive or informal.

-        Aberrant – Just don’t understand the context.

This links to Panic which is caused by mass media (the radio for instance)

All media texts are constructs, meaning that they are third person and not 100% true or reliable. This is why there is always drama and commotion caused by media texts, they are good to read however not always 100%.

There is also the hypodermic needle syringe theory a contains passive media and also the syringe theory is named that also because it’s like the message is like a drug.

T-Mobile advert shows some hints of active audience and viral advertising. The advert itself is effective in a way that it brings thoughts and meanings as it’s a good example of audience reception. It has a powerful meaning and has been conveyed in a good manor.

For my media film I have chosen to do a film noire Detective film filled with action and thrill. A film very similar to mine is the film The Maltese Falcon, which is Detective based with the typical Femme Fetale seeing the Detective about her problem. So to explore this further; below is an image showing a YOUGOV profiler of The Maltese Falcons;so on this it shows the kind of age group which The Maltese Falcon is mostly watched by, which is 60+ and since it's an old film this fact is backed up, also it shows the social grade of the people who watch it, quite a high grade. Then it also shows the top regions of who watches it, and in this case is Central Scotland, South Coast and North East. There is further detail about the profiles of people who watch it the most, such as lifestyle, personality, brands, entertainment, online and media. These will narrow it down even more to who watches and the kind of person they are. However this profiler is not all accurate, because my film is very similar to the Maltese Falcon however my age group is lower, it is 25-40 so it is targeted for young adults to middle aged people. Also the social grade will be lower than ABC1.

Uses and gratification theory

Firstly, 

The uses and gratification theory of the horror genre and a horror film comes under categories. And these theories come under:

-        Exploring (scenarios)

-        Thrills of the film.

-        Socialisation with friends, getting together and watching the film at a friend’s house

-        The idea of being scared and how it gives of a thrill.

-        Adrenaline rush

-        Fear of the other – Different to others, can be represented upon : 1. Age

   2. Class and Status

   3. Gender

   4. Sexuality etc.

Most of the theories on media explained about the effects media had on people. It is the theory which explains of how people use media for their need and gratification. In other words we can say this theory states what people do with media rather than what media does to people. Also this theory is contradictory to the magic bullet theory which states the audience is passive. According to uses and gratification theory, it is not so people make use of the media for their specific needs. This theory can be said to have a user/audience-centered approach .Even for communication (say inter-personal) people refer to the media for the topic they discuss with themselves. They gain more knowledge and that is knowledge is got by using media for reference. There are several needs and gratification for people they are categorized into different categories.

• Cognitive needs
• Affective needs
• Personal Integrative needs
• Social Integrative needs
• Tension free needs

Cognitive needs:
People use media for acquiring knowledge, information etc., Among the audience some of them have intellectual needs to acquire knowledge this is not common to all only certain people have their need, each person have a different need for e.g. quiz programs on TV, in order to acquire knowledge and information you will watch news to satisfy the need, search engines in the internet, they make use of these to gain more knowledge. Particularly for the internet search engine they can browse for any topic under the run with no time restriction.

Affective needs:
It includes all kinds of emotions, pleasure and other moods of the people. People use media like television to satisfy their emotional needs
The best example is people watch serials and if there is any emotional or sad scene means people used to cry.

Personal Integrative needs:
This is the self-esteem need. People use media to reassure their status, gain credibility and stabilize. so people watch TV and assure themselves that they have a status in society for e.g. people get to improve their status by watching media advertisements like jewelry ad , furniture’s ad and buy products, so the people change their life style and media helps them to do so.

Social Integrative needs:
It encompasses the need to socialize with family, friends and relations in the society. For social interaction now a days people do not seems to have social gathering in weekend, instead they do such social interaction using media like the social networking sites like my space, facebook, orkut etc to satisfy their need.
Another example is you may not watch the particular serial regularly but because your friend watching, you also start watching so that you have common topics for discussion.

Tension free needs:
People sometimes use the media as a means of escapism and to relieve from tension
For e.g. People tend to relax watching TV, listening to radio and for satisfying their need for entertainment there by relaxing from all the tension, people watch films, films on TV etc
Note: The needs are individual in nature, and how u satisfies the need is individualistic.
E.g.: That’s why some watch news to relax and some get more tension by watching news, Program is same but people use it for different needs.
Taking TV today, most people watch reality shows because

• It is more realistic
• For entertainment
• Interesting
• New concepts (different from other programs)
• In a way you can participate
• Controversy, people crying
• Sensationalism

The above reason is why we watch and how we use not because it’s popular.

Criticism of Uses and gratification theory :

• The uses and gratification theory does not consider the power of media

• More audience-centered

• Positive point of the uses and gratification theory is it focuses attention on individuals in the mass communication process.

In my opinion my film will under the tension free needs category because it has a target age group of 25-40 and I feel as if people who are in that age category are the ones who tend to relax watching TV (especially on weekends) they listen to the radio a lot (going to and from work) and use their spare time to relax as much as they can. They will find the film entertaining, interesting sensational and controversial.