Sunday, 23 November 2014

2.4.1&2 Task: In depth plan for essay including all points, introduction and conclusion

Look at the examples and use the structure

Exemplar 1

Hypothesis: "Independent films represent women as strong and independent where hollywood films do this but have to reinforce the fact that women need a man to protect them."

Point 2: Rebellious Attitude
Analysis: These scenes show the beginning of the rebellious attitude that Katniss and Snowhite possess and gain through their journeys. In 'The Hunger Games', this scene shows her independence and strength against the Capitol, and how she takes risks to achieve the best result; it almost foreshadows the rebellion she will lead- this is where it starts. She is capable on her own and she does not need a man to help her through it. In 'Snowhite and the Huntsmen', it shows how she does not trust anyone and she is already wielding a knife against the Huntsmen- she is strong and brave and won't be used and manipulated by anyone- she can stand up for herself; this is a contradiction to the fairytale.  However even after this display of her strong womanly independence you witness her following the huntsmen with a desperate display of body language because she obviously does not want to be left on her own- this yet again reinforces the importance of a man.
 
MICRO: The use of camera angles on these women protagonists is eye line, medium shot- as if for the female audience to relate to them, they also are not made to be seen through a 'male gaze' which adds to their strength and independence that is portrayed.

 Exemplar 2

P: Second Chances
E: Get a Life (0.00 - 0.06) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7vyrudcgOQ










    Creating a new memory (0.00 - 2.00) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w6587Hx2gR0











A: The idea of second chances is brought up in both Scott Pilgrim and Eternal Sunshine, Scott literally gets a second life after he is defeated by Gideon which is created through visual style to complete Scott's development as a character by earning self respect for himself with his second chance. In Eternal Sunshine Joel believes that if he can create a memory of Clementine he can preserve it until morning and still remember her for a second chance. Visual style helps create this new memory making Joel the size of a child but still looking like his adult self which reinforces the films hyper realistic setting.
S: Through mis-en-scene animation is used to create a second life for Scott to reinforce the hyper realistic video game setting. However, in Eternal Sunshine props have been used to make Joel appear smaller than he is, and costume is used to dress Joel as a child to reinforce the idea to the audience that Joel is in a dream state.

Feedback:

Very thorough. You have a good conclusion here and have backed this up with relevant examples that juxtapose purposefully.

Extend your analysis now into the MICRO aspects of the comic book style (the 'D' notes coming out of the bass etc..) and the discontinuous editing in ESotSM.

Use key film terms to extend your language, consider her hair and make up - both these films relate heavily to identity and subcultures which may in fact explain a lot.

Also bring into your conclusion the influence of authorship - the directors both developed their style of filmmaking from music videos - consider if this is relevant in your style or narrative conclusion.

Working towards an A  

Monday, 10 November 2014

2.2 Narrative comparison V and CoM

Stock Characters:
http://leighmediaasfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/children-of-men-characters.html
http://leighmediaasfilm.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/narrative-3-characters-propp.html?m=0

How do the texts compare in their use of Narrative to communicate messages?

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B6hk0WVDZfsiUS1ER3hGV1QwdUE/view?usp=sharing





http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twcKoAQ7HIg


Sunday, 2 November 2014

2.1.1&2 Children of Men Vs V comparative Style, Themes, Genre


Starter: Kee & Theo War Scene
How did we feel about the film? Preference to V? Why? What type of film? Challeging?

CoMen Analysis and Conclusion stations:
Find me out everything you can about Children of Men in 5 minutes

Critical reviews (imdb, rotten tomatoes)
  • Production company and country of origin
  • The Director: Alfonso Curan (Style and Themes of previous films)
  • Any interviews or articles written about the film
  • The use of 'Long Takes' throughout the film
Create Meaning in your mentor pairs:

Task 1: Mood Board of the Themes of the film
5 x DYSTOPIAN THEMES – MOOD BOARD > MESSAGES – WHAT IS THE FILM 'SAYING' THROUGH ITS PLOT/CHARACTERS > ADVERTISING?

Task 2: Genre Mood Board of the conventions of which genres
GENRE – WHAT CONVENTIONS BLENDING? (COLLAGE)> STOCK CHARACTERS FROM THE GENRE > TO WHAT EXTENT IS THIS A THRILLER OR A SCI FI?  > ENIGMA CODE & IS THIS SATISFIED?


Task 3: Stylistic Mood Board to define the style of the film
STYLE – HOW DOES IT VISUALLY CREATE DYSTOPIA? (9 KEY SCENES) > HOW/WHY DOES IT USE THE LONG TAKE? > HOW DOES THIS AFFECT HOW THE AUDIENCE RECEIVES THE MESSAGE OF THE FILM?


SESSION 2: 
Objective: To compare the use of Style, Themes and Genre as devices to communicate messages and values in V and CoM.

Task: Create Meaning
Use the mind maps HERE & notes from yesterdays to BUILD on the resources below. 

1. Themes (example)
2. Messages & Ideas/Values (example)
3. Genre (example)
4. Style (resource)

Your task is to Add to this by selecting and embedding:
  • Examples of other scenes in CoM
  • Examples of Comparative scenes with V

to complete the essay structure grids here, with your analysis:




Apply to demonstrate:
Write your conclusions (1 paragraph) using the following resources - make connections between the message and the purpose of the films
  • How the 2 texts compare (sim & Diff) in what they are trying to 'say', how they go about its and what institutional type of film (Hollywood vs Indie)?
Homework: Prelearning
Read over the students notes on CHN and here

Assessment Next weeks starter:
Stock Characters - identify them, and their purpose in the film's narrative (cause/effect)

Homework - Preparation for Module 2

Task 1. Exam Film 2: Children of Men (2006) 
Watch Children of Men £2.50 – (or free here) make notes on:
a) Dystopian Themes (Mood Board - do not use still from the film, use google images) 
b) The Messages & Ideas the film is trying to communicate (Mind Map & The 3-4 Key Scenes you have chosen from the film that demonstrate this)

Read over the Guardian Review link to help you

*Tip - pay particular attention to the Opening and the Long Take during the uprising
 
 
Task 2. Coursework Section A: Textual Analysis 
Select 2 films (1 Hollywood, 1 UK or Independent) of your choice for textual analysis from same Genre (Horror) and prepare to deliver a 5 min Presentation to the class on either the:
  • Style (how they create a different visual look - camera shots, editing, set designs, sound effects, special effects, lighting etc)
  • How the story is told: character roles and problems to overcome, how it resolves the story/what lessons are learned, how this affects the audience & creates meaning
  • How they use genre conventions (how do they blend expectations or iconography with other genres, ie are the zombies slow and undead or attack quickly and more insane?)
  • Representation of men or women or any social groups (could apply male gaze?)
  • Themes & Messages
  •  
     This should include your key 3-4 scenes from each to compare and contrast
4. See the list of support hypothesis to choose from and consider which would form the basis of your Thesis Statement
 
This is what you will be producing by the penultimate week for Module 2 assessment: http://aaronfilmstudies.blogspot.co.uk/2013/12/textual-analysis-how-are-modern-day.html