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Wednesday 26 November 2014

Downton Abbey-Textural analysis.

Mise En Scene:

  • A major part of Mise En Scene that is used to establish Class and Status is costume. Costumes are used as a way of differentiating between class i.e upper and working class.
  • In the clip there are many instances of extravagant costumes and styles of uniforms being used, the working class servants all have uniform like clothes on (i.e all black) whereas the upper class characters have more extravagant, colourful costumes.
Editing:

  • Editing is used again as a way of defining class. The lower, working class servants of the abbey are often displayed in scenes that have very basic, quick transitions 'shot-reverse-shot' 'fast-paced editing' and 'cuts'. This kind of editing makes the viewer feel as if they are working a lot more and that they seem a lot more rushed.
  • This enforces the general belief that the poorer, working class work much more harder than upper class people (especially in this time period).
  • When editing is used well in situations such as the servants room where they are all working, the actors in the scene don't actually have to do anything other than move around. If there were no cuts then the actors would have to attempt more complicated choreography to seem as if they are physically doing more work.

Sound:

  • Most of the sound included is diegetic sound i.e the bell board, this also infers to the audience that the working class servants are rushed and have no respite.
  • When the higher part of the house (upper class 'section') is on frame, the non diegetic and diegetic sound is more tranquil or calm, this shows and implies that they have a more laid back life. 
  • When in the lower parts of the house (working class) the non diegetic sounds are 'harder' 


Camera shots

  • After the establishing shots at tyne beginning of the clip that 'set the scene' and show the stately home and the wealth surrounding it.
  • In the servants kitchen where they are all working the shot is usually a mid-shot that is just static. to get a good view of the room the shot changes  regularly (editing). 

Thursday 6 November 2014

American beauty-mise en scene


Mise-En-Scene- 

Framing- The wide angle of the photo displays the emotional distancing between family. The positioning of the characters also shows the awkward tension believed to be present.

Colour- The red flowers embody love and anger simultaneously. The blue of the curtains also displays a 'cold' loathing between characters.

Costume- Very formal dress, shows they wish to impress the others and that they are a 'well off' family. 

Lighting- lighting focuses on the flowers and the girl in the middle, this both excludes the parents either side of her and 'boosts' the emotion that the towers represent.

Body language and facial expression- the characters display visual signs of stress and anger i.e. clenched fists, eye 'rolling' e.t.c. The girl looking at her father has the facial expression of impatience and patronising condescendence.

Hair and make up- very formal and serious. mostly conservative make up except the girl's black eyeliner which shows a hint of rebelliousness.

Props- The orientation of all the items on the table is mostly symmetrical which shows a formal setting and the family pretending to enjoy themselves having a 'family' dinner which is more like a night at a restaurant.  

Wednesday 29 October 2014

Disability in the media-The Inbertweeners.







  • Why is the clip funny? Because the frisbee hitting the dis-abled person is unexpected and it creates a very awkward situation.
  • How is the disabled girl being represented? As a victim that is helpless.
  • Are we meant to laugh at the disabled person? No, you are supposed to laugh at Will and feel sorry for the girl. You're also supposed to laugh at the situation itself as the disabled person is helpless and can't do anything.
  • Are they the 'butt' of the joke? Initially yes, you are laughing at the disabled person because if it wasn't a disabled person it wouldn't be funny. However, as the situation unfolds you become more embarrassed for Will and begin to laugh at his misfortune and not that of the disabled woman.
  • How do you think disabled people respond to this? some people will find it funny and laugh with most of the people who view this clip, or they will take offence at the fact that it is a disabled person that is hit.
  • Are we as a society cultivated to think we should pity the disabled? yes, however media do not follow these rules of society. If this event was seen in public, the majority of people would help or seek to comfort any disabled person that is hurt. Also     when the people playing football see the disable person in distress, they rush over to try and protect her. This shows chart people in society don't usually look 'down' upon disabled people as lessors, more as people who need extra care.

Wednesday 15 October 2014

The seven key areas of audience and institution avengers assemble research. Part 7.


1)The ways in which the candidates’ own experiences of media consumption illustrate wider patterns and trends of audience behaviour.


Usually, people go to the cinema to see specific films. Now however people are going out less and less due to economic pressures and a rise of ticket prices. This means audiences are waiting to see blockbuster films when they come out on DVD or 'On demand'. Avengers assemble saw 25.6 million tickets sold after release at cinemas, this compared to spiderman 3 which sold 22 million tickets isn't as a high an increase as you'd expect from such a successful film. spiderman 3 (2007) made $890,871,626 Box Office, no where near as much as Avenger assemble's $1,518,000,000. Avengers assemble sold the most amount of Blu-ray DVD's in 2012 (250,000) and was downloaded 13.7 million times on 'ITunes' within the first 24 hours (a record). These statistics show more and more people are watching films from home, not at cinema's.

This is mainly negative as not only do audiences fail to appreciate the full experience that film makers go through to create in movies, they also deny profits to movie producers meaning they have less money to put into new movies. However the franchise still sells copies and people that may not be able to afford to go to the cinema (employment, large families e.t.c) can still enjoy the end product and show their support for the franchise.


Friday 10 October 2014

Gender Representation and textural analysis.




Camera angles/movements:
Within the first scene of the clip the 'over the shoulder' angle is used several times. It is used as a way to try and make the audience feel sympathy for the female character who is trying to get the help of the male character, and allow the audience to feel included in the drama.

The camera is purposefully shaky as a way to make you relate to the characters rushed movements.

When the male character is reviewing the case notes, there are lots of 'close up shots' so you can physically see his determination and concentration.


Thursday 18 September 2014

Children of men: Car Scene





Camera angles:



Starts with a 'mid-shot' which displays emotion and allows the audience to connect with the character much easier.

As the entire scene is a single take within a car, there are several 'over the shoulder' shots and 'POV' shots that sort of include the audience in the character's activities.


Editing:


as it is a single take scene there aren't many transitions etc. but some C.G.I is obviously present as the filming took place on a raised chassis not in an actual car.


Sound:


It is very good the way they've made the talking sound a bit muffled etc. so they sound as if they are talking in a car.


Mise En Scene:


The car is a bit grubby which plays with the fact that 'children of men' is set in a post apocalyptic, dystopian society were luxuries are few. This is also enforced when the car is attacked by some form of marauding bandits.






I believe this film is targeted at anyone over the age of 16 who is interested in a crumbling society or wants to get a look into a sterile future and observe some of the issues we may face.

Friday 12 September 2014

Representation of me






Representation of ME

What group do I belong to? (uk tribes)

custom pc
Real Gamers- Not only do I play games, I am involved with the community. Modding, indie developed games and a custom designed pc is what puts me into this ‘tribe.’

Steam Wallpaper
 Icons- Gabe Newell and Mike Harrington, they produced the ‘valve corporation’ which is the stepping stone from which ‘steam’ was released and is now the largest online ‘shop’ and ‘community hub’ for all games, gamers and game developers. 

Thursday 4 September 2014

5x5


5 favorite films:

  1.        Batman The dark knight- The perfect combination of comic superhero, and dark grim crime drama is epitomized in this film.
  2.       Pirates of the Caribbean (all of them)- one of my favorite movie franchises, due to its setting and the in depth, original characters like captain jack sparrow.
  3.             Star trek (2009)- I am in love with the star trek ‘universe’ and the whole ideas of being able to explore space. I think the sheer scale and awe of this film is top quality and the story line is good for both new watchers and orthodox ‘trekkies’ alike.
  4.            The snatch- a British film in which four different calibers of gang struggle through their own problems without realizing how interlinked they all are to the end goal which they are all trying to obtain.
  5.       Dredd- Based on the British sci-fi anthology 2000AD, it is about a dystopian world in which the entire law is carried out by a single creed of people; the judges. As judge, jury and executioner the judges are the ultimate crime fighting soldiers. The most renown of whom is judge Joseph dredd. Made by British film director Pete Travis it combines blockbuster quality and the style of acting that greatly depicts the original comics.


I believe these are all films of great post-ed quality, scripting and acting which is why I have chosen them as my 5 favorite films.
5 favorite T.V series:
1.      Game of thrones- not needing any introduction, game of thrones is the best written and seamlessly executed TV series I have ever witnessed. Its constant plot-twists keep you guessing and even though most of the credit goes to the author; George R.R.Martin the screen writers have achieved a lot by translating it to television.
2.      Vikings- it is unique, original and historically accurate. Possibly my favourite T.V historical drama or T.V series ever.
3.      Luther- the grimmest, most psychological crime drama I’ve ever seen but also the most enjoyable to watch. The modern Sherlock Holmes; Detective Chief Inspector John Luther sets away solving some very disturbing crimes in a race to save citizens of modern London.
4.      Silicon valley- When you accidently write the most ground-breaking algorithm in modern history, you’re going to attract attention from a few billionaires.
5.      Peaky blinder’s- historical drama based on the true story about a famous, Birmingham family gang the peaky blinder’s. The set and realistic acting ensure this reaches my top 5.


These are all both well-written and perfectly executed.
5 favorite bands:


1.      San cisco- a small scale indie band, they are both musically competent and have very good, songwriting ability. My favorite song is probably ‘Fred Astaire’ from their album ‘san cisco.’
2.      Frank turner- a singer-songwriter from Essex, London. He performed at the opening ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics and is a very talented writer and enthusiastic performer of songs. My favorite of his songs is ‘to take you home’ on his ‘love and ire song’ album.
3.      Mumford and sons- a world renowned band that stun global audiences with enthusiasm, musical skill and original combinations of instruments. The song of theirs’ I listen to the most is ‘dust bowl dance’ in from their debut album ‘sigh no more.’
4.      Of monsters and men- are an indie rock band that have produced many bestselling songs and their acoustic style is very calm and creates happy moods that make you feel good. Personally, I believe their best song is ‘dirty paws’ from ‘my head is an animal.’
5.      Muse- this band is unrelated to almost all other music I listen to, classed as symphonic rock it is also a band not many people enjoy listening to. However, to me their songs are timeless and I enjoy listening to music from all of their albums. Currently, my favorite song is ‘feeling good’ from muse’s second album ‘origin of symmetry.’


These are the bands I have in all my playlists and I fail to get bored of them. It is (in my eyes) due to their musical and lyrical exelence.
5 favorite actors/actresses:
1.      Benedict Cumberbatch- most famous for his role in the BBC T.V drama; Sherlock. Is a very good actor in my eyes due to his ability to impersonate a character so completely. He frequently alters mannerisms in subtle, yet character defining ways.
2.      Heath Ledger- the late heath ledger as ‘the joker’ in The Dark Knight literally altered my perceptions of movie acting and character interpretations. He got so in depth with his character that unfortunately, it caused him to have sever night terrors and overdose on sleeping medication. Many people also believe his role in ‘the imaginarium of doctor Parnassus’ also contributed.
3.      Johnny Depp- a very talented and world famous actor, most commonly known for his role as ‘captain Jack Sparrow’ in ‘Pirates of the Caribbean.’
4.      Jennifer Lawrence- both a very talented actress and a very down to earth, ‘real person’ that displays characteristics of ‘normal’ people. For example, during her Oscar award acceptance speech, after tripping up the stairs on her way to the stage she proceeds to mock herself and it is attitude like this that I believe is lacking in show-business.
5.      Emma Watson- she fulfills the perfect depiction of Hermione Granger.


These Actors are all of a high caliber due to their ability to adopt mannerisms not of their own, this is what separates the good from the amazing.
Top 5 books:
  1. I,Robot: by Isaac Asimov, it is a collection of 9 short stories set in a futuristic world in which robots are common place. The short story ‘liar’ was the basic storyline upon which the movie was based but in my opinion is much better as its key points were dumbed down in the film to branch out for a wider audience
  2. The forever war: by Joe Haldeman is another sci-fi novel and encompasses many issues of events like the Vietnam war in a futuristic setting. The main character William Mandella is a space marine and upon returning home after being conscripted into the ‘united nations exploratory force’ finds that he has lost touch with everything as he has been in space for decades. He returns to earth several times and see’s how the world gets worse and better with global famine and civil war. After being promoted to general he gets his own squad that were all born over 400 yeas after he has. They speak, act and think differently to a point the whole human race is replaced by clones. He faces very in depth social issues but manages to prevail.
  3. Gone; is a book in a series by American author, Stephen king. It is about a small town on the coast of America that becomes enveloped in a giant orange bubble shortly after all inhabitants over the age of 15 disappear. After a few days of partying, looting and mayhem the remaining children become scared as they lack leadership and support.
  4. Hunger: the next book In the series shows them facing more serious issues like starvation and the power going out. Key figures in the new community begin to scare other as they develop powers. I believe these books appeal to me so much as I genuinely get lost in the books and a world I feel I would thrive in.
  5. 1984: although I have stated I enjoy losing myself in books, this book is a polar opposite. Reading this book makes me happy to live in the society that we do. As well as creating a horrible, distopic world, George Orwell has also challenged philosophy such as; if something is only alive in your memory, did it really happen. It questions like this that I enjoy answering.


Books are gateways into the minds and imaginations of some of the most interesting people on the planet, even though they are going digital through the means of kindle’s etc., I believe books and the stories inside them will remain a main part of the world around us for some time to come.