analysing thrillers

Anatomy of a Murder

The opening of the film uses cartoonised body and uses close ups on different parts off it. This is not very graphic and its quite simplistic which gives the impression that the film isn't going to be extremely violent even though it is about murder. We get an impression that it could possibly be quite light hearted. Also using the body it makes it clear that the film is going to be about people being killed as we are shown all the body parts seperately. This clearly links in to the title. The font they use is a white sans-serif font. This makes it quite informal which links into the sense that the film could be lighthearted. Using white subverts our expectations. White connotes to innocence and purity which is not something that is at all related to murder. However, it is written on a black/grey background which relates more to murder as black can connotes to death and danger. The music used is quite upbeat which is contrapuntal. It yet again subverts our expectations of a film about murder, it is quite disturbing that the music is so happy when the film is going to be about people getting murdered.

Se7en
The establishing shot of the film is a close up on the pages of a book. This suggests it will be quite a significant item in the film as it is an image used constantly throughout the opening. Also throughout the opening they use quite a few close ups on the hands which suggests they are also quite important. They are busy doing things and they grate off their own fingertips which adds a sinister mood to the film almost immediately. The music used goes really high pitched at some parts of the opening. This adds to the tension which is being built by the sinister images being shown. It is quite jumpy which adds to the impression that this film is going to be scary. It is parallel sound, we would expect this music to be used in a horror film. Lots of sharp silver objects are shown throughout the opening like the scissors and the needle. This adds a sense of danger and helps to build the tension, also the implements are very clean which could show that they are well looked after or that they are new either way they are going to do their job properly and professionally. Just like in Anatomy of a Murder they use white font on a black background. The white stands out on the black which juxtaposes, it gives the impression that innocence doesn't belong in the film and that purity isn't going to be shown. This emphasises the horror genre of the film.

Grand Prix
They uses a sound bridge right at the beginning of the film the lion roarign turns into the sound of a car reving. This instantly lets us know the film is about cars and racing. It also flows smoothly straight into the film which gives it a sense of continuity. The establishing shot of the film is a close up of the car exhaust. This confirms to the viewer where the reving sound came from. They also use close ups on the tyres and other parts of the car which shows that everything is new which makes it look like this is a professional race. One of the drivers is in a white tracksuit which gives the impression that this character is quite innocent and he will race fair. Compared to drivers in black tracksuits which could be implied that they will be more relentless to win. Yet again the film uses a white font on a black background(this appears to be a common feature of thriller films) which makes the writing stand out so all of our attension first of all is on who is going to be in the film. They clearly thought that telling people the actors and film producers was the most important thing to start the film with.

Sound and Editing used in Thrillers

Sound:

Sound is used in thrillers to help the audiences understanding of what is going on. Sounds are used to evoke characters feelings and emotions and get a response from the audience. It is also often used to symbolise both the protagonists and antagonists movements in the scene. By carefully using the sounds employed in the scene it creates the right mood and atmosphere and in the context of the thriller genre, helps to build suspense and tension.Thrillers are typically noisy and they uses lots of diegetic sound throughout the film. Common sounds include bangs, ticking and screams, they use these sounds to build tension and to create suspense. These sounds are normally heard by both the audience and the characters and they are normally very jumpy. Non diegetic sound is also used in thrillers. They sometimes use a steady drone which puts the audience at unease. Also as the action increases in the film and the tension builds the music speed up and increases in unison. Hitchcock used sound in a very new way than was typical at the time. For instance in Blackmail he demonstrates ongoing tactics, such as: withholding sound from the viewer to pique curiosity which is shown in the murder scene http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POMvKwfBVWo, there is no sound during the murder and we can’t see what is happening which leaves us wondering what exactly is going on. It subverts our expectations of a murder as we would expect lots of screams but we don’t get anything. He also exaggerates sound as a form of narrative emphasis and creating tension through both ambient noises and silence. Further, in a world where music was the dominant form of narrative accompaniment, he stripped music score away from his scenes and instead used the act of singing (and whistling) as a suspense device. Lastly, Hitchcock’s manipulation of human speech ranged from technical malfunctions of telephone calls to dizzied audio abstraction of the characters’ subjective thoughts.

Editing: 
To create tension thrillers use pace. Fast cutting can help to create suspense. The pace of the shots usually go in unison with the music. Cross cutting is a common editing technique used cutting between the victim and their threat. This sequence normally ends when the two individuals or groups meet in a final climax. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KmptU7vEkNU . This clip from inception is an example of cross cutting. The editing creates tension in the film because we see the same character in two different places going through dangerous things in both places. His life is in danger in both places which creates tension for the viewer because we don't know if he is going to survive in both of the situations. Motivated cuts are often used in thrillers to make the audience want to see what happens next. A motivated cut is when a character is looking out of shot with an expression on her face that makes the audience want to see what she is seeing. This is a very good technique to use and an example of this is in the film The Silence of the Lambs when the women is looking at the board and it makes the audience want to see what she is looking at. 

editing

basic editing task is a task in our class where we have to make a 90 second short film including the following:

This is an example of a shot reverse shot:

A shot reverse shot is a technique used where one character is looking an another character and then that character is shown looking back at the first character. The 180 degree rule shows us they are looking at each other when they are talking.

Alfred Hitchcock

"Alfred Hitchcock is undeniably one of the most influential filmmakers to ever live. His auteur style and challenging film content/ experimental style are still studied by film scholars today. Throughout his lifetime, Hitchcock made over 50 featured films in the span of six decades. Known for his practical jokes on set and morbid fascination with black comedy, he made an impression on everyone he worked with. Here are twenty-three trivia facts about arguably the most important film artist to live."

Alfred Hitchcock's first ever films were silent movies. His silent films were called:

• The Lodger- (1926)- one of his earliest thrillers was "the lodgers"; this was a film about a serial killer- opening with the death of someone made in 1927. This would be something that audience were not desensitised by at this point as people hadn't seen thrillers like this.
• The Ring- (1927)
• Easy Virtue- (1927)
• Champagne- (1928)
• The Farmer's Wife- (1928)

In an interview  of Hitchcock he said how he created emotions without sound, and working with what he had. 

shotlist

180 degree editing rule

When filming you must not pass the 180 degrees line because it will disorientate the audience as when they go to look at one character from the other they will both look as though they are facing the same way. 

"In film making, 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 will always be frame right of the second character, who is then always frame left of the first. If the camera passes over the axis, it is called jumping the line orcrossing the line." - wikipedia 

starwars analysis- how is evilness created?

How is evilness presented in this scene?

In the media text we are introduced by an evil establishing shot of the old man sitting at a table with the natural light of the city behind him, emphasising his “protagonist” character by showing him in a moralistic/ less evil light. From this shot we assume him to be a antagonist which soon deteriorates as the scene develops. To follow there is a low angle shot of Anakin landing his aircraft, connoting his superiority within the scene which could symbolise him being an antagonist/ protagonist of the scene. Within the beginning of the scene Anakin is represented as an antagonist which, deteriorates through the scene’s development. Anakin being an antagonist is signified through the lighting within the start, Anakin’s face is lit up with the lighting on his face which dims throughout the seem as by the end the audience see him with dim lighting which could be a connotation of the evilness building on him throughout the scene. Moreover, when Samuel L Jackson and the old man fight Anakin shows emotions of being distressed by this which connotes him to be an antagonist. Evilness is also presented through the respect Anakin has for the protagonist when he is knelt in front of him looking up to him in the end shot, as though he is begging to him. This shot ends the scene which a connotation that evilness has developed from start to end of the scene through the change in Anakin’s attitude towards evil. The two contradictory shots from the establishing to the end shot would juxtapose one another and heighten his change for the audience.

During the fight scene it becomes clear to the audience that what they’re doing isn’t significant is away from the outside world which is symbolic of the idea that what they’re doing is hidden, thus evil. Moreover, during the fight there is several close up shots to the faces of the characters showing the anger on their face/ evilness growing as they become angrier throughout the conflict. Towards out of the fight when Samuel L. Jackson is thrown out of the window an aerial shot is used to pan the vastness of the city which is an emphasis on the evilness of the man throwing him out into the city. As well as this the powerfulness of the man is connotated through how far he throws the man through the pan shot used to emphasise this. Throughout the fight the two characters use bright light sabres, the bright colours of the weapons against the dark scenery could connote evil and sinister.

When Samuel L. Jackson inflicts some sort of “spell” upon the older man, his face becomes old and withered, with non-humanistic characters; this connotes evilness as the character becomes something unusual to the audience, much like traditional evil characters for example the Devil. By the end when Samuel L. Jackson is out of the scene, it becomes apparent that the scene becomes a lot more fake, in that the scene is only lit up by artificial light which connotes fakeness, the authority the old man has is wrong, therefore the respect is wrong thus reflecting upon the idea that the two are being evil.

The sound within the scene is significant through the choice of diagetic and non diagetic sound. For example the old diagetic sound of the man’s voice is significance because it sounds non humanistic and “evil” through the extent of its deepness. The non diagetic however is significant as the music used is typical of “evilness” in the upbeat, fast yet horror style. Moreover tension is built in the fight scene through the use of the fast pace, creating excitement for the audience. When the man is thrown out of the window, an “evil” horror type sound music is used to emphasise the evilness that has just occurred within the scene.

Evil is presented is potent within this media text as the audience see it influence the actions of those involved in a negative way, presented through the mise en scene, camera angles, lighting and sound. Evilness is significant within Anakin and the old man “protagonist”.

codes and conventions

possible feeling a thriller could create:
tension
anxiety
uncertainty 
suspense
anticipation.

iconography:
cars
weapons
fast paste 
editslow 
lighting

themes:
assassination
crime
spies
terrorism
supernatural
events
mind games

characters:
stalkers
spies
assassins
psychotic characters
convicts

From this research our group can concur that for our opening we will need to include certain type of 
camera angles and editting in order to create a thriller. For example in order to create tension in our
thriller we will need to use quick jump cuts and low angle shots as well as dark lighting. Whereas to
create anticipation we will need to use long shots for the audience to feel suspense. 

typography

Above are some fonts that can be used in thrillers,usually used for the title of the film.  In the title sequence they also use quite simple/minimalist fonts for names in the opening,some of the minimalist texts are animated with the style of the movie.

Our group feels that the font above would be most suited to a psychological thriller as it is similar to that which is used in shutter island-

The block and bold typography is to the point and professional, which we would like to reflect on our thriller opening. 

Possible movie titles using the chosen font:

                 

Done by Prentice Johnson- This analysis of typography is going to be important throughout our choice of target audience and thriller type. For example when we get our research and choose the target audience it will alter how to the typography will look- for example if we were to use a thriller that was based on psychology we would be looking for font that is clear and block as this will reflect upon the mind and is what a person would expect to see for that type of thriller. Yet if you were to look for a horror thriller the font maybe more abstract in order to represent writing written in blood for example. This research will be a big part of our opening as the writing that is written on the screen throughout the opening will bring the thriller together.

Film Noir

What is noir?
Film Noir began in the 1940s and was one of Hollywood's original, artistic movements.

During and immediately following World War II, movie audiences responded well to this original,In 1946 a Paris retrospective of American films said that during the war there was a significant increase in popularity towards visually darker and more sublime films. It was then made that “film noir” ”or "black film" is a new type of Hollywood product.

Few, if any of the artists in Hollywood who made these films called them “noir” at the time. But the vivid co-mingling of lost innocence, doomed romanticism, hard-edged cynicism, desperate desire, and shadowy sexuality that was unleashed in those immediate post-war years proved hugely influential, both among industry peers in the original era, and to future generation of storytellers, both literary and cinematic.

To this day the debate goes on as to whether “noir” is a film genre, circumscribed by its content, or a style of storytelling, identified by its visual attributes. The debate — in which there is no right answer — is only one of the things that keeps noir fresh for successive generations of movie lovers.

Questionaire

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1GP7AD1w5HYSk0TCMnl-6XSkVduOCIc3bCtbSBfzP0W0/viewform


We will use this questionnaire in order for our group to have an insight to what our target audience should be as well as analysing which people like which sort of thriller and openings. For example from our questionnaire we could find out that boys at the age of 10-15 enjoy horror thrillers the most, which will help us to classify our thriller opening. 

What is a thriller?

(Done by a member of my group)

For my group I had to research what is a thriller?
This is what I found out:

If a thriller were to be defined strictly it would be said to be a genre with a single goal; to give the audience “thrills” and keep them on the edge of their seats as the plot develops to a climax. These are types of films known to promote intense excitement, suspense, a high level of anticipation, ultra-heightened expectation, uncertainty, anxiety, and nerve-wracking tension. The tension usually arises when the main character(s) is placed in a menacing situation or mystery, or an escape or dangerous mission from which escape seems impossible. Their lives are usually in danger because they are unknowingly in a dangerous situation.

Thrillers are often hybrids - there are lots of varieties of suspense-thrillers:

• action- or adventure- thrillers
• sci-fi thrillers (such as Alien (1979)
• crime-caper thrillers (such as The French Connection (1971)
• western-thrillers (such as High Noon (1952)
• film-noir thrillers (such as Double Indemnity (1944)
• even romantic comedy-thrillers (such as Safety Last (1923)

The horror gene is also very closely related to the genre of thriller. They create tension and suspense and take the viewer through agony and fear.

Characters in thrillers include convicts, criminals, stalkers, assassins, down-on-their-luck losers, innocent victims (often on the run), prison inmates, menaced women, characters with dark pasts, psychotic individuals, terrorists, cops and escaped cons, fugitives, private eyes, drifters, duplicitous individuals, people involved in twisted relationships, world-weary men and women, psycho-fiends, and more. The themes of thrillers frequently include terrorism, political conspiracy, pursuit, or romantic triangles leading to murder.

Alfred Hitchcock had a huge influence on shaping the modern genre of thriller. He manipulates his audience’s fears and desires and allows his viewers to associate with the representation of reality that faces the characters. He often places an innocent victim into a strange or life threatening  situation by mistaken identity, misidentification or wrongful accusation. He often used a “red herring” to catch the viewers attention. Also known as a McGuffin which would drive the plot forward. It initially appears to be very important but it intentionally misdirects the audience, it then quickly fades into the background and ends up being trivial, irrelevant, or incidental to the film's story. For example: The 39 Steps (1935): the nature of the 39 Steps, and the smuggling of secret plans (vital to the country's air defense) out of the country and Psycho (1960): the stolen money, the $40,000 wrapped up in a newspaper in the motel bedroom.

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From this research I can see that it is going to be important choice for our group to choose which type of thriller opening we will do, and what contributes to each thriller, therefore changing the type of opening it will be.

coursework- certificate ratings

For our coursework, 2 minute opening to a thriller, it is important that we research the restrictions certain certificates have. In order to decide which rating we want our thriller to be based on and what our target audience is, we need to research the boundaries 15/18 films have. From: http://www.bbfc.co.uk/sites/default/files/attachments/BBFC%20Classification%20Guidelines%202009.pdf we could find out the rules of each certificate.

 2009. 
15 
This film is not suitable for any under the age of 15. People under the age of 15 can buy or rent a 15 rated film.

 Discrimination
 The media text can’t encourage discriminatory language or behaviour.

 Drugs
 Drugs can be shown as a whole but you cannot promote or encourage the use of them. Showing the misuse of solvents and alcohol are unlikely to be acceptable due to them being easily accessible.

 Horror
 Horrors can be “threat” and “menace” but sexualised and sadistic is unacceptable. Imitable behaviour hanging, suicide and self harming should be shown in detail as it could be copied. Easily accessible weapons can’t be “glamorised”.

 Language
 Strong language can be justified if in the right context. If repeated the strongest language this could be seen as unacceptable.

Nudity
 Nudity is allowed in educational sense and in a non sexual sense. Nudity is allowed in sexual scenes but not in detail

 Sex
 Sexual activity is allowed but without detail. this includes sexual references,Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

 Theme
 No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds

Violence
 violence can we strong but not in infliction. Sexual violence is allowed but mildy. The strongest “gorey” violence is unlikely to be acceptable.

18
The BBFC says that an adult should be able to choose their own entertainment  but expectations are most likely for the following:
 “• where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence
 • where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society – for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault
 • where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in ‘R18’ works, and in ‘sex works’ (see below) would normally be confined to that category. In the case of video works (including video games), which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films. Sex education at ‘18’ Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted. Sex works at ‘18’ Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed ‘18’. Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the ‘R18’ category. Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at ‘R18’ is also unacceptable in a sex work at ‘18’.”

Based on the imformation we have found out we want our thriller opening to be a.........

Camera Shots

Aerial shot: an above shot which looks down upon the scene. This shot is used to emphasise the vast/ grandness of the scenery.

Tracking shot: Where the camera moves to follow the movement of the character of object. Used to emphasise the importance of the character/ object in this part.

Tilt shot: camera is stationary but moves up and down; making the view look vast/ grand.

Pan shot: Stationary, but moves left or right. Showing off the scenery.

Post Production and Sound

post production: the parts that are added in after the filming stage.

Parallel sound: sound you expect to hear, matching what is on screen.

Ambient sound: sound that matches the scenery/ location.

Foley sound: everyday sounds that are added to a certain clip.

Sound bridge: Music carries on from one scene into the next.

Semiotics revision

50 cent on the album cover:

• The signifier is the cap which signifies his urban edge moreover reinforced by the text of "g unit".
• low camera angle makes him look more masculine and intimidating. 
• the lighting is used in order to make his chest and stomach look even more masculine.
• slashes drawn over his arms are used to connote anger and violence.
• the text at the bottom says "parental advisory explicit contents" which connotes the violent language or the lyrics however the cross presents binary opposition.
• The dark look of 50 cent, dressed in black and white has binary opposition against the white background with a pattern around the edge.
• The combination of his attire and fighting gloves connotes he's "ready to fight"

How is 50 cent represented?

Within the image of 50 cent, he is stood with a low angle shot to connote intimidation. Moreover emphasised by the lighting to enhance his masculinity.Furthermore the artistic slashes within his muscles are used to reinforce his size. His urban image is connoted through his attire; the hat signifies his urban edge, which is reinforced through the text "g unit. Moreover 50 cent is wearing fighting gloves, which suggests his urban, gangster, "ready to fight" attitude. The use of the "parental advisory explicit contents" connotes the violent nature of his lyrics which is in binary opposition tof the cross chain worn around his neck, as it is a signifier of morals and religion. 

Audience Theory

Media texts are aimed at a target audience which can depend on:

• age
• gender
• race/ ethnicity/ cultural background
• interests/ hobbies
• experiences
• class
• regional identity
• disability

1. the effect model or hypodermic syringe
2. the uses and gratification model
3. reception theory

these 3 theories are applied to help us have a better understanding between text and audience.

Primary- actually engaging with the media consciously, for example putting on the radio and listening. Primary is the same as an active audience.

secondary- also doing something else for example having the radio on while going about doing chores.

tertiary- engaged in the media yet on a subconscious level, you would know that its there but you don't take any notice. Also known as a passive audience.

The effect model

The effects model is an idea within media to present the consumption of media texts:

• Imitation- is the idea that the audience passively take in what the media texts are presenting and therefore copying what they see as they see it as the 'norm'.
• Desensitisation- The media texts no longer have the desired effect that they should as the audience have become used to what they are seeing- for example on screen violence.
• Catharsis- watching media as an escape. Often audiences use catharsis to watch programmes such as Eastenders in order to make themselves feel better and have an escape from their life problems. 

Media signs around the school

In our lesson we were told to look around the school to look at the signs. From doing this, I have taken into consideration all the posters and "media" that I subliminally take in without realising. The signs around the school are going to be aimed at teachers therefore they need to be short and to the point as well as relevant:

• tidy litter
• racism
• bullying
• smoking
• equality
• vandalism 
• "coughs and sneezes spread diseases"
• respect our school

All this media is used to try and improve the school environment. As the audience I was aware of the sort of things that signs would say but hadn't noticed them particularly- which is therefore suggesting the subliminal effect signs have. 

How concepts fit together?

All we have learnt within media is relevant to one another. All these concepts are linker to make a bigger picture, which ultimately is Media. Firstly we focused on genre which as a whole is the overview of Media which links to all films and TV programmes to question whether genre exist as it has evolved to such an extent over time. However everything within Media is a RE presentation of that we see in the real world; for example characters, story lines, emotions, stereotypes etc. All this factors which are relevant to make a media text are all used from representations and what we associate with what. Therefore throughout the things we are learning with media for example, narrative theory, these are all still a reflection of the representations.

SHIELD trailer analysis

Establishing shot:
Looking down upon the city

camera angles:

• High angle shot upon the government, connoting they're not a strong as they are perceived.
• close up on faces of the characters, tells alot about them, their emotions and what characters they will play within the film.
• low angle shot: used with the heroic characters- foreshadows their role.

Black suits vs casual

• Black suits show the weaker characters
• casual dress her the "superheros"

this subverts against our expectations of the reflection of their attire against their roles within society. We would expect the characters dressing in the smart black suits to be the slick, heroic characters yet in this case the audience is seeing more "normal" people becoming the heros.

mise en scene

• A lot of technology and machinery which could connote to the audience that the film will be sci-fi and superhero.
• The way the government is dressed in the dark suits with their "sleek" look, shows their sinister nature and influences the audience to feel dislike. 

How far do you agree with the comment that mass audiences are still passive recipients of media texts?

Passive thought within media is the mass audience subliminally/ unconsciously taking on the opinions and beliefs that the media inject. Censorship is used within media to prevent the mass audience being exposed to explicit contents. The Hays Code was introduced in the 1920s as they recognised their responsibility to mass audience to prevent explicit contents as media could inject audiences with thoughts that go against society and traditional views. For example it was unacceptable for Media to show such things as; white slavery, ridicule of the clergy, misusing the American flag and misusing words such a Christ, Lord or God in a rude way. Although we are not faced with same views that are unacceptable, our mass audience are still given restrictions on what we can watch- for example certain music videos are given an age restriction. As well as this "Watershed" within television is the time in which adult contents can be broadcasted; in the UK it is 9pm as this a time in which we expect children will be asleep. The reason why children are restricted to see this contents is because the Media are aware that they can subconsciously influence the audience to believe what is acceptable. Moreover we have been injected with the Media's perception of positive and negative stereotypes; genders views are different as mass audience has been told what is right and wrong for each gender.

I agree that mass audiences are still passive recipients of media text, to an extent because we are still given guidelines of what we should and shouldn't watch due to the influence it can have over a person subliminally. Moreover we have been desensitized as a mass audience to certain things which, if the Media did not show we wouldn't- for example violence.

Discuss the ways in which Cameron has used Binary Opposition to create meaning in Titanic

 In this extract from titanic, Cameron uses binary opposition from the start in order to show the division of class through the use of colours within the ship, the establishing shot is a view of the titanic. The ship is black on the bottom and white on the top, we see the lower class escorted onto the bottom of the boat which is symbolic of their class. Whereas, the upper-class are put onto the white of the boat which is symbolic of cleanliness, better facilities and being more important than the lower deck. Moreover Cameron’s use of colours to distinguish between classes is apparent through their clothing colour, Rose is entering the boat wearing white and purple; purple symbolising royalty and importance. Jack however is wearing dirty, scruffy clothing. This contrast and the use of iconography here is important to connote class; by Jack wearing a flat cap we assume him to be of the working class.

Binary opposites are used through Rose and Jack’s arrival onto the boat; Rose enters the scene in a gold plated car with her while gloves on which symbolises elegance and wealth, as well as being helped out of her car along with her family. Straight after this shot the camera jump cuts into a scene of a window panning into the bar where jack is, the window could show a division from Rose and Jack as their lives juxtapose one another. The camera zooms into a bar where you see Jack playing a gambling game around a table to win the tickets to the Titanic last minute. Jack is dressed in rags with a rolled up cigarette in his mouth which further represents his class. Jack is sat around in a bar with people of the same class as him which suggests the idea that the classes wouldn’t mix. When Jack wins the tickets he is running through the crowd, dodging people to get the boat in time which is binary opposite to Rose as the crowd move out of the way for her, the audience is made to realise the importance of class, emphasising the division of Rose and Jack.

When Jack and his friend enter the boat he is asked if he had been “checked” which signifies the lack of trust, symbolic of their class. Conversely when Rose and her family enter the boat they are allowed on without questioning moreover, allowing their pets on without checks; this emphasises the treatment of the lower class and highlights the binary opposition between Jack and Rose’s class. The non-diegetic music used within the establishing shot of the Titanic is heroic and emotional as though the Titanic was seen as a miracle, which is used in order to help to audience emphasise with the characters excitement. The introduction to Rose and her family is slow, classic music which could symbolise the purity and moralistic nature of their family. Contrastingly to Rose, Jack is introduced with Irish folk music which symbolic of drinking and bars therefore reinforcing the stereotypical expectations of the lower class.

Sound

Music can be important in the scene to increase the intensity or pace of the scene and make the audience feel a certain way- for example an up beat loud piece of music for an action and computer generated for a science fiction. 

Diegetic sound:

sound that comes naturally from the scene- for example a sound that is made from a prop, moving chair.

non- diegetic sound:

sounds that aren't natural to the scene, for example a Will narrating the story of an Inbetweeners episode, voice overs and soundtracks.

Horror Genre

Genres are forever changing in order to keep the audience interested. If a genre was to continue making the same films over and over the audience would be come desensitised and no longer interested-

An example of this is the horror genre over time:

1930-40
Dracula, Frankenstein and werewolves

60s
psycho

70s
slashers

80s
Nightmare On Elmes Street

90s
teen horrors

Representations

methods:

• colours
• clothing
• camera angles
• facial expression
• scenery
• make up
• audio
• lighting
• body language

Darth Vader is presented as the antagonist through the setting and props:

• appears out of smoke
• dead bodies on the floor
• stormtroopers all carrying guns but Darth Vader has no weapons. Power- leader shows importance.
• white setting is futuristic which reflects of the science fiction genre.

facial expression and body language 

• walks in, puts his hands on his hips, looks down at the corpse 
• higher than everyone else 

lighting and colour

• walks through the smoke/ distraction
• different colours costume

The characteristics of the scene all contribute in order to create a story and genre which is something that I should consider when trying to make my 2 minute opening. When making my opening I need to analyse every feature because it is in such a small section of time it is important to convey the appropriate message to the audience through the setting, props, facial expression, body language, lighting and colours.

We looked at a scene in 'Kiddulthood' which used camera angles in order to represent emotions of the characters-


A high angled shot-
looking down on the character, can make the character appear vulnerable or weak

a low angled shot
where the character is shown from below. This can make the character appear more powerful or threatening

a two shot
shows two people together, this can be used to show a relationship between two people or a conversation

a long shot
shows that someone is isolated and alone or can be used to show a building and set the scene. when a long shot shows a scene it is called an establishing shot.

a close up shot
could show the emotions of a character or their thoughts

an extreme close up 
could be used in a situation to show the hightening of tension.

a mid shot
shows most of the character and can be used for conversations or close action scenes.

point of view shot
camera is as if that character is holding it.

Representation is the way people, groups and cultures are shown by the media. Media shows us the truth but an interpretation of the truth.
Semiotics. This is the study of sign systems which allows us to understand how meaning is being created...

a signifier is what the object is itself for example 'rose'. Yet an actual image of a rose and the fact that it symbolises love and passion is the signified.

Semiotics is the study of sign systems which allows us to deconstruct media texts to understand how meaning is being created. A sign is the smallest element of meaning. Signs will be group together to create large units of meaning. These are called codes, which can be decoded or interpreted.

Denotation
The sign denotes- the literal meaning of a sign

Connotation
The sign connotes- the interpreted meaning of a sign or signs.

For example: a rose denotes natures flowers but in the context could connotes the growth, love or passion.

This is useful for our opening as it shows that by putting certain objects into the scene it can imply a certain message about what the audience are to take from it, for example we could include stereotypical romantic props like a rose if we were to make a romance.

Narrative Theory

Narrative- how is the story being told?

explores the conventions of:

• Genre
• Character
• Form
• Time

Linear structure

• Beginning

Audience introducred to the characters and the initial story.

• middle

Events occur and the story builds. 

•  end

closure.

open structure

the audience are left to wonder what happens next time and make sense of it themselves. An example of an open structure film is inception. 

Closed structure

Definite ending- clear conclusion for the audience.

Circular structure

The narrative begins at the end events (often with the climax) the audience are taken on a journey arriving back where they started. An example of this is pulp fiction.

Narrative theorists

Propp- Narrative driven by characters mostly, heroes and villains. 

Barthes- Narritive was created by a series of codes- these codes are: action codes, enigma, semic, symbolic and cultural.

Todarov- Narrative goes from a state of equilibrium back to an altered sense of equilibrium.
Levi- Strauss- describes narrative theory as a conflict between binary opposition. Focusing on binary opposites to emphasies the roles.