Screen Shot Analysis of our first cut.

 

This is our first shot that introduces the opening sequence. It introduces the road to the reader which makes them aware of the surroundings to a certain point. The shot following will show the actual surroundings this was just to show the codes and conventions (as in its dark with very little light which followers the codes and conventions of Film Noir.

It then goes into this wide shot of the house. To start off there is no light which then the light appears which shows the setting of this scene. It also is showing the usage of the lighting that has been used. This also is suggesting that this is a film noir.

We then go to a change of scene which seems to be a house and a alarm clock waking somebody up... This a simple but clear and understood shot.

We then go to this mid-shot of a unknown man. His name or anything about then is unknown at this point in time. It shows him waking up.

This unknown man is now getting changed- notice how he is getting changed into smart clothes... (Close up)

We then go to a extreme close up with he is putting out a fag. This yet again is showing all the right signs of a detective but also following the codes and conventions of a film noir.

We then have a low angle shot of the detective putting on a  tie. This shows authority as the camera is looking up at the detective which would suggest he is in power. Also he is putting on a tie which is the codes and conventions of a detective EG: smartly dressed.

Again the detective has now got a big coat (Trench coat looking alike) also he is getting a hat (at the point is should be clear that he is a detective because of the codes and conventions being shown.

We now have a establishing shot as we have a change of scene and if we went straight into the building the viewer would be confused into where the scene is.

Here is another character which is explained in the narrative. The camera followers the student as they walk to then go into a argument. (Panning)

We then have a mid shot of the argument.

There then is a close up of the student with another pan. We choose to use a close up because it shows how aggressive the argument is. EG Charlie putting his hand on the student.

We then have a shot talking by the lockers which yet again is showing the viewer that the scene is in a school.

The camera then pans up towards upstairs. It shows that the girl that Charlie was arguing with was watching what was being said with the student and Reece. The is the hook which will make people want to know and understand why band what's going to happen.

 

 

Link from Youtube to our first edit- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6ofrgImC68

December feedback

You are making sound progress toward producing an edit.Due to absence you are not always present to take a full part in the production.  Make sure that you take responsibility and make your input clear.

Your research and planning needs to be more thorough and you can add to blog posts to ensure that detail is there. Posts about representation and audiences is thin and you need to follow up what is covered in class with your own research and analysis.

Your film demonstrates a good knowledge of the medium and technical skill.  You should complete this  by the deadline.

Add;
Production schedule
Analysis of audiences and representations needs to be thorough

Concentrate on updating the web-log by Christmas and complete an edit.

Planning Schedule

Planning schedule-


3rd November 2014 - Planning schedule created.

7th November 2014 -Props and actors dates crossed to see when who is available and when what dates we are filming on. We got together and had  meeting to do this where we checked all dates (outside lesson time) we could meet to make sure our trailer was to the best ability we could do.

11th November 2014 - Filming everything  apart from scene 2. Once finished put all recording on to mac and save. This all the scenes but the 'home' scene which we are unable to film because its at Charlie's home address.

14th November 2014 - Normal lesson no filming.

17th November 2014 - Filming in morning and in Media lesson (Make sure clothes and props are all the same so shots don't contradict each other. We will be filming all scenes that can be filmed at school - Need to find female and male actor.

28th November 2014 - Filming out of school (Charlie and Detective) Film at Charlie's house first scene only. This was done independtly by Charlie I had no input.

1st December 2014 - Editing again making sure all editing is done so add on's can be added for example titles, voice overs and sound effects.

8th December 2014 - Add titles, voice overs  and sound effects.

12th December 2014 -  Filming need to re-done as scenes wasn't as could as possibly could of been.

19th December 2014 - Filming again scenes again to improve the first cut.

9th January 2015 - Editing all footage that has been redone. Add more credits as more people have now been added to our script. Export and upload to YouTube.

Representation of the detective in Film Noir

The Detective in Film Noir.

What does representation mean?
The representation of something of how something is portrayed. When portraying a person these factors are tenderly used.
Age
Gender
Ethnicity
Class and status
Sexuality
Physical ability /disability 

The Detective in Film noir is one of the main character which is very predictable character, he drinks, he smokes his age however NORMALLY is 40-50's. Its very uncommon to see young detective in Film noirs. The detective is wordly-wise. He knows what his talk about which gains him 'respect' or that what he thinks anyway. Really the detective is vulnerable, sly and patronising however this is because of the time period there wasn’t equality within genders so the detective often thought he was better than women which women (the Femme Fatale often uses this at her advantage) The detective shows this in the way which he speaks for example 'darling' and 'petel' which may come across as patronising for the women. Which in today's society this wouldn't acceptable because it would come across as 'creepy' ECT.


The detective in our Film Noir

Identifying an audience NEED TO BE DONE

 Why do people want to watch horror?
They want to explore that genre
Socializing with friends (big groups) 
To be scared 
To watch it for the thrill 
Exploring boundires for example sex/slut/crime

Uses and gratification theory = people use media texts to gratify certain needs.

‘Fear of the other’ – fear other things that aren’t you. Other genders, ethnicity

Audiences reception

Audiences read things differently.

Stuart Halls eboding theory

Preferred reading is the reading the director wants you to take

The opposite reading is the opposite

Negotiated reading is understanding the meaning but then arguing your own interpretation

Aberrant reading is totally wrong

Wells War of the worlds- It was recorded as an audio and then broadcasted on the radio but because there was limited media resources it caused panic as people believed everything that was broadcasted; didn't have as much humor being broadcasted as we do now (because of the story line- the earth gets invaded by aliens) Which is what people believed.

Another example of this would be by Panorama by BBC which they made a documentary on how past was made which in this documentary they said it was grown on tree's then left to dry out. People would believe this because it was broadcasted in 1957 which then there was only 2 channels that was being broadcasted on television which meant yet again people would believe this as the limited amount of media sources. Which led people to be tricked by the television.

Hypodermic needle theory

-              People believe everything they hear in the media

-              Audiences are active, they interact with media texts and not just listen to them

Viral advertising

-              Share it

-              Have you seen this?

-              Telly adverts,

T-Mobile advert

The audience reception (Stuart hall encoding theory)

Preferred advert – to suit any ages, ethnicity, any types of people, famous- ironic public people

Opposite reading – the real wedding, confusion, wouldn’t understand it

Aberrant reading – wouldn’t know who royal family or T-mobile are, don’t have cultural knowledge

Negotiated reading – could be offensive to over 60’s

Research into as video productions

In order for me to create, film and edit my 2 minute opening sequence I looked at a range of other opening sequences to criticize and praise what was good and bad about them. I have chosen to analysis this particular opening sequence as I know it has been given a high grade which is what I am aiming for. The link for this video is; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8i7MrrxVh7U
and is called on YouTube; Vindicate Film Opening Title Sequence (A GRADE) - AS Media Studies 2014.

I first would like to talk about its time. The specification of this that is 2 minutes long and this video is 2 minutes 7 which is good as they have stuck to the specification. Further more it starts of with a logo (home-made) which shows they can add titles and also make a logo for there production. You only see the logo for about 2-4 seconds which is good as it gets straight into the opening sequence. While this is happening there is a  voice over which is telling the viewers what's happened and why they are there which sets the scene for the viewers so they aren't in the dark to what it is about.

The first seconds it shows a large range of shots with also a background music setting tension. There is also more titles which they name the character within the clip. They also are wearing props which he looks like a police officer. There location is a house which they have fit a story line within the household as they have more props guns and are searching the house. The story line flows and the audience knows what happening but is also intruded to know what's going to happen.
More titles have been added for example 'directed by' and 'costume and props by' Constantly the clip is changing shots which as this is a upbeat opening sequence its suits and fits and keeps the audience watching at all times In case they miss anything.
Special effects then have been used because as they search the house the camera then goes to a gun (the eye of the gun?) watching one of the people searching the house. It then goes to the credits which say 'Vindicate' but goes from a white background to a red and then back to white with a shooting sounds this suggest someone got shots however the viewers don't know if they did the opening sequence is just portraying that.

Taking the good points from this opening sequence and using them in my opening sequence.
The use of props was very good, which made it more realistic for the viewers.
The start where they have a logo but also have a short summary of what's happening so it enables the viewer to have a limited amount of knowledge within the first 5 seconds of watching the opening sequence.


Taking the back points from this opening sequence and understand why not to use them in my opening sequence.
I think sometimes this opening sequence comes across as a trailer as there is a lot happening for the first two minutes which goes against the specification so when making my opening sequence I think I have to very carful with what footage I have in my clip.
Finally at the end there is a plain black screen for about 10 seconds which has no purpose I don't think there is any need for it so it should of been edited out.

Here is the clip I analysed.

Premiminary task

For our preliminary task we had to film a series of shots based on a narrative we had been given. The narrative of this included two characters, the first one was the typical hero and the second being the generic villain. Our aims were to create a piece of film which followed the typical action film conventions whilst following continuity.

Our final product has some flaws but we had the general idea. If we were to do it again then we would change a few things. Including some continuity issues and music editing. The continuity issues are mainly with the dialogue as we followed the 180 degrees rule.

Overall we think our preliminary task was of good standard as we followed all instructions fully and met everything in the criteria allowing us to have a good quality final product.

Story board for our FIlm Noir

 

This is our story board for planning our Film Noir.

Repesentation of the Femme Fatale in Film Noir

 The Femme Fatale in Film Noir.

What does representation mean?
The representation of something of how something is portrayed. When portraying a person these factors are tenderly used.
Age
Gender
Ethnicity
Class and status
Sexuality
Physical ability /disability

The Femme Fatale is a Film Noir is one of the main characters which is often comes across as the women who needs help, the women who has no power and often seeks attention, guidance from the detective. She's a manipulative, seductive mysterious women which her purpose or role is the film is not clear till these behaviors start being shown.

She is two faced- This is because she often portrays two 'sides' one which she is this 'women in need' and  weak she often has a problem need solving which why she goes to the male, the more strong and independent guy who will solve these problems for the Femme Fatale. However behind the back she knows what goes to happen and she has a plan which the male falls into the Femme Fatale 'web' which she draws them in with charm and seductiveness and once there are in the 'web of lies; which they are stuck which then she disposes off the male once she has gained what she has needed which makes the Femme Fatale dangerous and poisonous.

This worked and made these kind of films unique in the 40's as this is unnatural in today society as the female would be known to be a stay at home wife and not deal with anything that would lead into danger. The male would be all the characteristics of the female. For example instead of the male being the dangerous guy the female has taken over the roles. So this goes against the social 'norms' which obviously would have to be corrected towards then ending as it couldn't be seen as that happening and the Femme Fatale getting away with it. So it was often seen the Femme Fatale getting court and then leading to going to prison (of having some sort of punishment)

Film Noir script

Media – Film Noir Script

CAST

Detective Lance Bullock – Callum Prendgast

Tony Slinger/ Maroni Falcone – Charlie Bell

Bobby Slinger – Reece Mountford

Lisa Statham – Georgia Turner

SCRIPT

EXT: Scene 1 – LB’s Intro ET: 35 seconds

*Throughout this scene “I don’t want to set the world on fire by the ink spots 1941 is playing, almost as an alarm. There is an establishing shot of a house at night; the only light source is lampposts in the shot and the shot will fade in from black and will last about 3 seconds. The shot will then cut to grass blowing in the wind,

INT: Finally, close up of an alarm/radio clock that is the source of the music. A hand reaches out and smacks it down, this stops the music. The room is dark, only a portion of light is reaching the room via blinds. A man (whose face you do not show during this opening scene) sits on the end of his bed rubbing his face. A narration begins:

Detective LB:  “Todays gonna be a helluva day, Head guy Phillip J House has made sure of that, he’s been busting my balls about this for a while now, he’s got it out for me I swear. See he’s got me inspectin’ some kind of college for a Maroni Falcone, see you wanna hear a funny story? 3 murders, one of them a cop and over 15 assaults and this guy is hiding in a school would’ya imagine? Me personally *pause* I think it’s a load of crap but like I said; House may be an ass, but it’s rare he’s wrong. and so that’s where I come in, me, Detective Lance Bullock, I gots to find this guy, if there even is a guy and take him out. Easier said than done when hiding in a hoity-toity school, and better yet, word is that his men already know that we’re catching up and planning this little undercover shindig, if Maroni really is there, he’s good, but I’m better”

*Throughout this scene there are different cuts of the detective. One stumbling to the blinds and peeking out, doing his top buttons up, lighting a cigarette with a match (shisha pens and vapour) and a shot of the smoke blowing out, and finally a shot of him doing his tie up and walking out of shot, this shot should be when he says “But I’m better”

Scene 2 – TS, PS and BS Intro ET:

EXT: The shot then cuts to an EST shot of the school,

INT: OTS shot of Bobby walking down the main halls, past the stairs, then a mid-shot of him walking towards the camera (David Fincher style) with the camera on a dolly, he fixes up his tie. He pauses as he hears loud noises he looks around the corner and the camera does the same. Tony has Paddy Statham up the wall and Bobby is watching in intrigue

Lisa: Please baby I didn’t mean anything by it!

Tony:  Just get the hell out of my face

Lisa runs off upset past Bobby, Bobby mumbles: “Mrs Statham”

Tony spots Bobby and Smiles. He’s wearing a different type of Tie to Tony.

Tony: Bobby my boy!

Bobby: Uncle Maroni!

Tony Slaps Bobby

Tony: Keep your god damn voice low, it’s Tony here, and will be till I can secure a way out to Mexico, none of this Maroni business, you get me?

Bobby: Yeah sure uncle…Tony

Tony: Good any questions?

Bobby: What was that about just?

Tony: Don’t you worry your pretty little mug about that said whilst gently slapping his face walk with me boy.

They walk down the corridor, the detective walks past the shot casually but the audience don’t know it’s him as you never see his face in the first shot

Tony and Bobby walk down the corridor dolly camera again.

Tony: Reece, you’re new, you’re my nephew but you’re not special, I don’t care if you’re my son, you don’t cross family understood?

Bobby: Understood boss

Tony: I like you already.

The shot cuts to a low angle shot looking up at the detective on the balcony looking ragged and smirks.

End

v

November feedback

An intriguing twist in your script shows a good sense for the narrative and promise of an intrigiung opening sequence with a clear hook. Your analysis of codes and conventions is thprough amd inked to the Maltese Falcon showing good understanding. I think you mean sidekick.

In your evaluation and your pitch to me you will need to explain how characters are represented and how the story will develop.

You are working at level 2/3for research and planning  

To reach level you must;

Storyboard

Analyse another opening sequence perhaps from a film noir.  

Film footage

Edit, considering sound and titles to add meaning and atmosphere

 Manage your time effectively

Evaluate your preliminary task 

FIlm Noir- Script.

Film Noir- Script. (2 Minutes)

ITN; Detectives office.

The first shot is a mid shot of a tall, smartly dressed male smoking and dn an office. The shot then changed to an extreme close up of his alcoholic drink

Voiceover- ‘Here I am again drinking, smoking doing nothing, times are low, crime is low all I have is a pain in my head… and she’s about to come through the door any minute now’

The camera then pans from bottom to top of this tall all red women which enters the room.

“Hey honey I’m here”

Voiceover- “ and don’t I know it”

Detective grunts shortly after.

The camera then goes to a over shoulder shot as she speak which then goes in to a sot reverse shot.

Detective- “ I’m trying to work! What do you want?”

Women- “I have a little package for you to pick up darling, don’t worry nothing big, it’s sure to be a big surprise!”

Voiceover-“ Why is it always me that has to do fetch her parcels”

Detective then takes a long drag from his fag and takes a big gulp from his alcoholic drink.

Women-“ Here is the address be there! I don’t want you messing up like last time”

The women passes a note onto the table and then walks out. The camera stays on a mid shot of the detective and can here footsteps.

The detective then pours another drink and drinks it before leaving his self. The camera follows him as he leaves 

Fade to black 

EXT. Scene 2.

Tamworth town centre, The detective is walking towards a dark alley which has no street lights. 

Voice over- "Whats with the creepy places i have to go hmmm, well here its goes..." 

Walks down the dark alley which the detective disapeers into the darkness. 

INT. Scene 3.

The women then enters back into the detectives office. Shes searching for a file, she looks distressed. Chucking draws out, chucking files ECT. She stops and reads a file 

Women- "Got it" while she laughs to her self. "I really have got it. 

She then takes a seat and places her phone on the table and quitelty waits for it to ring...

EXT. Scene 4.
At this point its pitch back and you can only hear the background noises from the town center (EG alarms, closing shutters ECT)  a light source is walking towards the camera (The man)
In front of the camera to see a hand which then pull our a gun and fires it.
You then here someone in pain which then the main with the gun walks off and leaves the detective.

INT. Scene 5.
 Extreme close up of a phone ringing in the office. The women anwsers
Women-"Good"

EXT. Scene 6.
Then go to a bird eye view of the detective lying dead.

Film Noir

Film Noir

Characters

 

In a traditional Film Noir there will be a male detective and maybe a physic which just follows the detective around which is normally the one which gets hurt. There is also normally two types of women. 1; The femme fatale is the dangerous one which acts like the women in distress and used her beauty and charm to consume the detective, which then the detective normally falls in love with but however always come to senses and does the right thing and locks the criminals up 2; The secretary which is always there for the detective and the audience wants the detective to fall in love with but never does.

Also there is also some characters which always are the same in this genre for example the detective, his very dominant (which would refer back to the time period)  he smokes he drinks he has all the power and the damsel in distress always goes to him to sort his problems.

The women which normally is described a sex icon, close up of lips, shots of legs ECT

 

Lighting

In most Film Noirs there is often not much light this is often because when they first started creating Film Noirs there was a low budget which meant there didn’t have the facilities to have big open sets and have big lighting, it was filmed in tight spaces which was often lit by one light. This means they have to make the most of the lighting they have; that’s why you often see shadows. It also carries on the theme of the genre because the it like the viewer is in the dark (virtually) which then ties in with the location and weather (Read further)

Sound

Sound effects; Non diegetic sound is often used to reflect the atmosphere of the location. This could be heavy breathing, sudden noises, discordant and grating music used to make the viewer feel uneasy. There is sometimes if not done by sound an introduction to the first scene either done through voice overs or text on the screen. The voice over could be talking as someone over watching or someone’s thoughts EG the detective.

Mise En Scene -Costume-

This also links in with props and the ‘traditional detective’ for example the detective is smart he wears a suit but with a trench jacket. Then there’s the women which dress very smartly and seductively to consume the men once they approach to draw them in and use there charm to get their attention.

Props-

The typically props in Film Noirs are

·         Guns

·         Red lipstick

·         Smart suits with ties

·         Trench coats

·         Hats 

·         Cigarettes

·         Smart polished shoes

·         Alcohol

Location-

Locations are normally everyday locations with low key lighting to make it more lifelike however (also to follow on anything which would be filmed in the studio with low lighting because it would look right going from light to dark. It was also normally filmed in dark claustrophobic, gloomy appearances with single light source (Again referring to the low budget and small sets)

This was set in urban towns which made it more interesting for the viewer.

Also is often damp/rain in their locations to make it more mysterious for the viewer which also sets a tone and a mood.

Language

The language in Film Noirs is very traditional (Back to the time period that Film Noirs first become famous in) for example there is a lot of pet names which men wouldn’t be able to use now. For example; ‘good girl’ ‘sweetheart’ ‘darling’ and ‘precious’

Narrative

The narrative is which creates a relationship between the plot and the story for example voice overs and flashbacks are persistent and narrative elements of film noir. Narrative brings time and memory back together. The voice over is used to update if the viewer didn’t catch what happened what’s going on.

Iconography

These are the things that the audience expect to see (What makes it a Film Noir)

For example the bad girl with a gun (Femme Fatal) there are also other aspect such as the detective typically smoking and drinking that he also wears a hat and has a car with a black shiny body. Fog, darkness, empty alleys and danger.

Use of camera

In Film Noir there are often simple but effective camera angles and this again leads to the low budget and sets they had restricted them from using many camera angles. The shots also normally refers back to who’s in charge, showing the male from a low angle and again showing how the female is using her charm to the detective EG close up of lips and panning legs ECT. Other angles using are establishing shot, wide angle, mid shots, close ups and extreme close ups.

Analysing The Maltese Falcon- Showing the codes and conventions of Film Noir.

This is the first scene of The Maltese Falcon which is giving the viewer an insight/ introduction to what they’re going to watch. This can either be done through a voice over either belonging to the detective which explains his feelings or a narrator which updates the viewer to what's happening throughout the film. Notice how it is in black and white with is very traditional for a Film Noir.

 This is an establishing shot, this is telling the viewer where they are; a detective agency (by the writing on the  window) and also looking through the window where it is set. (San Francisco)

Here you can say a lot about character for example he is the detective in a tradition clothes, very smart looking and smoking and that he is in his office.

Here is the femme fatale, note how she dresses very wealthy but when she speaks she speaks with an English accent this is showing wealth and the divide in-between the two classes. This also would seduce the detective into believing what she says. Also note how the lighting is coming from once source.

Now there is a close up of the damsel in distress, look how worried she looks, all this to make the detective believe her story.

Now this is a classic shot of a Film Noir, There is one source of lighting which is from the front, the rest in pitch black which creates suspense for the viewer, there is also a prop with is the gun commonly used but you cannot see who’s shot the gun with then intrigues the viewer.

 Here yet again there is only one source of lighting for two people making it dark and mysterious for the viewer. There is the constant reminders that there detectives by the way they dress. There is also someone looking in at the detectives into the far distance which intrigues the viewers and also it is not clear who it is because of the distance and the lighting which makes the use of the lighting more effective.

 

Here is a newspaper headline, which is cleverly showing the viewers what happened without making it long winded; explaining it word for word. This is a simple but effective way of emphasising and getting a point across.

(Skipped to ending)

Here this is the ending of the Film Noir which I talked about the bad guy having to end up with a punishment and this is showing her punishment she was the femme fatale and now it looks like she’s in a lift however if you think about the this shot very close you will see that the shot is suggesting that she is behind bars. She also looks very guilty and isolated which suggest she is going to prison.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Se7en

The introduction starts with a mid-shot of one of the detectives (Morgan Freeman), he's getting dressed; here is a clue about the genre/what it’s about because he’s wearing a shirt and tie (very smartly dressed which narrows his job down; Which would be what the viewer is thinking) You then see him walking at a crime scene with a top hat and a long jacket (Props; This gives a clue to who he is... A detective because of the way how he dresses, the 'typical' uniform for a detective. There is then a low angle shot which is showing authority and who is in charge which obviously would be the detective. Further to this he going on to talk about 'the kid' asking 'did the kid see it' (Background information someone has died and he is at the crime scene) This shows he cares about a lot not only the death of the man but also the children. Another man enters and then introduces his self as detective mills (Brad Pitt)

The camera at a low angle then follows both of the detectives as they walk then changing two a two shot; again showing authority, who is in charge and who has power. Also to take note of the setting and the weather. The weather is gloomy and raining. There has just been a death which they all tie in with each other. Its dark, raining and now showing much happiness in the intro as of yet.

The shot then changes completely changes and goes to Morgan Freeman in a bedroom alone reading books; this shows that he is intelligent and not just that it shows how he works too compared to the other detective (Brad Pitt) he talks a lot and tells him to look as Brad talks a lot. There is a clash in personality. It also shows that he is alone and as this is his last detective case it must have an impact on him to be alone and see all the troubles in society. He has trust issues and no one to talk. He then goes on to put a pendulum on to help him sleep, this shows his troubles further that his career has affected him that much he cannot sleep at night. You then hear Non-diegetic sound with has been put there to show the effect it has had on him. The setting of this scene is in a city centre which it its self is very loud, busy and keeps him awake further. There’s sirens, people talking and screams which links in with his career. You then keep swapping between an extreme close up of the pendulum and Morgan Freeman trying to sleep.

That scene is then finished by dissolving into the opening credits. Which is superimpose a selection of images (visual clues) within the credits itself. This also gives clues away of what is about to come for example there are plans, (diary ect) The going to someone cutting their skin off to muddle with finger prints, the thing murders would do. This gives an insight to the viewer of what’s going to be happening in the film without giving too much away. There images and short clips which are combined together are mostly extreme close ups which gives detail and the viewer can easily analyse what they can see. Which can open the viewer’s imagination.