Sunday 22 November 2009
Codes and Conventions of a horror film.
Their are a number of codes and conventions that appear in a horror film.
Setting - generally a horror film can be set in any location. However there is a theme that runs through the setting, usually they are dark, isolated places where people would not necessarily choose to go/be, as this gives off the scary, "horror" feel of a film. In trailers i have watched examples of settings are: woods, big, old mansions and "normal" civilian houses set at night.
Props - props that are used in a horror film are: weapons, that are used to commit the crimes i.e. knifes, guns, crucifixes. Fake blood is used to show the injuries sustained by the victims and the extent of the crime. Heavy make-up i.e. face paints can be used to hide the identity of the villain an example of this is the Joker in Batman. Masks can also be used to do this.
Colours - The typical colours used in a horror film are red and black. Red is often associated with blood, death and love and black is associated with mystery, darkness, death, all of these are main themes of a horror film. These are used through, clothes of characters (usually the villain is in black or red), the setting usually contains these colours and the props.
Sound -
diegetic = this is always used, examples of this are general speech or stereotypically in a horror film screaming.
non diegetic = this is added post production, it is normally sounds that cant be made naturally during filming and need to be technologically enhanced. i.e. a strong heartbeat
sound effects = sounds that cant be made naturally as they are invented. E.g. a wolf howling
sound bridge = music or a sound that links two scenes together
voice over = generally a narrator speaking over and through the trailer, are very popular in all kinds of trailers, especially used in American made films. A voice over explains the narrative further and adds to the whole ambiance of the trailer.
Camera -
establishing shot = at the beginning of a scene, it sets the scene and if used at the beginning of the trailer shows the equilibrium.
close up = this shows detail of a person, this is very important in a horror film/trailer as it shows the victims face and emotions normally when they are being killed, so this allows an audience to feel close to them. Also used when a villain is found as the close up reveals there identity.
mid-shot = this shows general action and is the main shot used most of the time throughout a trailer
long-shot = this shows setting and surroundings which allows an audience to feel more involved.
POV = would mainly show the victims point of view, as the audience would mostly put themselves in their position, not that of the villain.
Themes and Narrative structure
- death
- murder
- mind games
- torture
- supernatural goings on (ghosts/curses/zombies)
Representations of Characters
Villain - cunning, clever, strange, troubled, twisted, in control, ecentric, crazy and holds on human compassion or remorse. In a trailer of 'Batman' that I analysed the villain was the majority of these characteristics and was easily recognisable because of this.
Victim - helpless, stereotypically an attractive female, attracts danger, weak and scared
Setting - generally a horror film can be set in any location. However there is a theme that runs through the setting, usually they are dark, isolated places where people would not necessarily choose to go/be, as this gives off the scary, "horror" feel of a film. In trailers i have watched examples of settings are: woods, big, old mansions and "normal" civilian houses set at night.
Props - props that are used in a horror film are: weapons, that are used to commit the crimes i.e. knifes, guns, crucifixes. Fake blood is used to show the injuries sustained by the victims and the extent of the crime. Heavy make-up i.e. face paints can be used to hide the identity of the villain an example of this is the Joker in Batman. Masks can also be used to do this.
Colours - The typical colours used in a horror film are red and black. Red is often associated with blood, death and love and black is associated with mystery, darkness, death, all of these are main themes of a horror film. These are used through, clothes of characters (usually the villain is in black or red), the setting usually contains these colours and the props.
Sound -
diegetic = this is always used, examples of this are general speech or stereotypically in a horror film screaming.
non diegetic = this is added post production, it is normally sounds that cant be made naturally during filming and need to be technologically enhanced. i.e. a strong heartbeat
sound effects = sounds that cant be made naturally as they are invented. E.g. a wolf howling
sound bridge = music or a sound that links two scenes together
voice over = generally a narrator speaking over and through the trailer, are very popular in all kinds of trailers, especially used in American made films. A voice over explains the narrative further and adds to the whole ambiance of the trailer.
Camera -
establishing shot = at the beginning of a scene, it sets the scene and if used at the beginning of the trailer shows the equilibrium.
close up = this shows detail of a person, this is very important in a horror film/trailer as it shows the victims face and emotions normally when they are being killed, so this allows an audience to feel close to them. Also used when a villain is found as the close up reveals there identity.
mid-shot = this shows general action and is the main shot used most of the time throughout a trailer
long-shot = this shows setting and surroundings which allows an audience to feel more involved.
POV = would mainly show the victims point of view, as the audience would mostly put themselves in their position, not that of the villain.
Themes and Narrative structure
- death
- murder
- mind games
- torture
- supernatural goings on (ghosts/curses/zombies)
Representations of Characters
Villain - cunning, clever, strange, troubled, twisted, in control, ecentric, crazy and holds on human compassion or remorse. In a trailer of 'Batman' that I analysed the villain was the majority of these characteristics and was easily recognisable because of this.
Victim - helpless, stereotypically an attractive female, attracts danger, weak and scared
Wednesday 18 November 2009
Deadly Sins
Deadly sins
Sound of school bell.
Camera pans across classroom showing 5 students at their desks looking extremely bored. Showing their individual character through various actions eg: basketball player in his uniform playing with a ball. Geek reading. Goth listening to loud music, class clown lying back trying to distract others. A camera pan, until BIANCA is in the frame. She wriggles looking frustrated and angry until she leaves her seat.
Long shot of her walking out the door. She looks at herself in the door window to see her reflection. Camera bounces back to her and shot turns to a point of view shot, of her walking down the corridors to the toilets.
She opens the toilet door (close up of her hand) and walks towards the sink. She runs her fingers through her hair, while doing so she looks in the mirror and sees a figure of a person in black behind her in the mirror. She turns her head around seeing no one there. She panics and slams all the cubicle doors open to reassure herself that no one is around.
She returns back to the sink were she washes her face. She looks up into the mirror and begins to cough; gradually blood starts to come out of her mouth.
BIANCA
(Panicking making weird hand gestures)
ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH
She stagers towards the doors to exit the bathroom,
BIANCA
(Whilst staggering)
Help!
Shot of her staggering holding on to walls leaving blood marks. As the previous figure appears behind her watching her.
Sound of school bell.
Camera pans across classroom showing 5 students at their desks looking extremely bored. Showing their individual character through various actions eg: basketball player in his uniform playing with a ball. Geek reading. Goth listening to loud music, class clown lying back trying to distract others. A camera pan, until BIANCA is in the frame. She wriggles looking frustrated and angry until she leaves her seat.
Long shot of her walking out the door. She looks at herself in the door window to see her reflection. Camera bounces back to her and shot turns to a point of view shot, of her walking down the corridors to the toilets.
She opens the toilet door (close up of her hand) and walks towards the sink. She runs her fingers through her hair, while doing so she looks in the mirror and sees a figure of a person in black behind her in the mirror. She turns her head around seeing no one there. She panics and slams all the cubicle doors open to reassure herself that no one is around.
She returns back to the sink were she washes her face. She looks up into the mirror and begins to cough; gradually blood starts to come out of her mouth.
BIANCA
(Panicking making weird hand gestures)
ARRRRRRRRRRRRRRGH
She stagers towards the doors to exit the bathroom,
BIANCA
(Whilst staggering)
Help!
Shot of her staggering holding on to walls leaving blood marks. As the previous figure appears behind her watching her.
Sunday 8 November 2009
Step up (Drama/crime)
In class we was set homework to research our chosen themes for our title and opening sequences this will help us to make a successful and effective film;
As Step up ties in with our chosen theme which is Drama i thought Step up would be a good example;
Plot
Tyler Gage (channing tatum) is from the wrong side of the tracks, caught up in a world of drugs,violence and crime. After leaving a party Tyler and his two friends end up outside the maryland school of the arts they break in and findthemselves in the theatre where they destroy the set. the boys are busted by a rent a cop and he grabs Mac, tyler tackles the cop telling mac and skinny to run and is taken to court the next day he is made to serve community service at the scene of the crime........
Director:Anne Fletcher
Hear from the director herself;
17 Again
At 17 Mike O'Donell was on top of the world; he was the star of his high school basketball team, and was a shoo in for a college scholarship. And is dating his soul mate, Scarlett. But on what's suppose to be his big game wherein college scouts are checking him out, Scarlett reveals that she's pregnant. Mike decides to leave the game and asks Scarlett to marry him which she does. During their marriage, Mike could only whine about the life he lost because he married her. So she throws him out. And when he loses his job, he returns to the only place he's happy at - his old high school. And while looking at his high school photo, a janitor asks him if he wishes he could be 17 again and he says yes. One night while driving he sees the janitor on a bridge and apparently jumps in and he goes after him. When he returns to his friend, Ned's house, where he has been staying, he sees that he is 17 again. He decides to take this opportunity to get the life he lost.
Director: Burr Steers
Hear from the director himself;
Love and basketball
In 1981 in L.A., Monica moves in next door to Quincy. They're 11, and both want to play in the NBA, just like Quincy's dad. Their love-hate relationship lasts into high school, with Monica's edge and Quincy's top-dog attitude separating them, except when Quincy's parents argue and he climbs through Monica's window to sleep on the floor. As high school ends, they come together as a couple, but within a year, with both of them playing ball at USC, Quincy's relationship with his father takes an ugly turn, and it leads to a break up with Monica. Some years later, their pro careers at a crossroads, they meet again. It's time for a final game of one-on-one with high stakes.
Director: Gina prince-bythewood
Heres a trailer;
ATL
As four friends prepare for life after high school, different challenges bring about turning points in each of their lives. The dramas unfold and resolve at their local rollerskating rink, Cascade.
Director:Chris Robinson
Heres a trailer;
As Step up ties in with our chosen theme which is Drama i thought Step up would be a good example;
Plot
Tyler Gage (channing tatum) is from the wrong side of the tracks, caught up in a world of drugs,violence and crime. After leaving a party Tyler and his two friends end up outside the maryland school of the arts they break in and findthemselves in the theatre where they destroy the set. the boys are busted by a rent a cop and he grabs Mac, tyler tackles the cop telling mac and skinny to run and is taken to court the next day he is made to serve community service at the scene of the crime........
Director:Anne Fletcher
Hear from the director herself;
17 Again
At 17 Mike O'Donell was on top of the world; he was the star of his high school basketball team, and was a shoo in for a college scholarship. And is dating his soul mate, Scarlett. But on what's suppose to be his big game wherein college scouts are checking him out, Scarlett reveals that she's pregnant. Mike decides to leave the game and asks Scarlett to marry him which she does. During their marriage, Mike could only whine about the life he lost because he married her. So she throws him out. And when he loses his job, he returns to the only place he's happy at - his old high school. And while looking at his high school photo, a janitor asks him if he wishes he could be 17 again and he says yes. One night while driving he sees the janitor on a bridge and apparently jumps in and he goes after him. When he returns to his friend, Ned's house, where he has been staying, he sees that he is 17 again. He decides to take this opportunity to get the life he lost.
Director: Burr Steers
Hear from the director himself;
Love and basketball
In 1981 in L.A., Monica moves in next door to Quincy. They're 11, and both want to play in the NBA, just like Quincy's dad. Their love-hate relationship lasts into high school, with Monica's edge and Quincy's top-dog attitude separating them, except when Quincy's parents argue and he climbs through Monica's window to sleep on the floor. As high school ends, they come together as a couple, but within a year, with both of them playing ball at USC, Quincy's relationship with his father takes an ugly turn, and it leads to a break up with Monica. Some years later, their pro careers at a crossroads, they meet again. It's time for a final game of one-on-one with high stakes.
Director: Gina prince-bythewood
Heres a trailer;
ATL
As four friends prepare for life after high school, different challenges bring about turning points in each of their lives. The dramas unfold and resolve at their local rollerskating rink, Cascade.
Director:Chris Robinson
Heres a trailer;
Thursday 5 November 2009
Coach Carter (2005)
Genre: Drama, Basketball
Plot
Coach Cater was inspired by a true story, an inspirational account of controversial high school, portray of human courage and conviction is about overcoming the obstacles of your environment and showing young men a future that stretches beyond gangs, prison, drugs and yeseven basketball. Paramount pictures presented a MTV movie in 2005 produced by Thomas Carter and written by Mark Schwhan and also John gratins. Inspired by the life ken carter describing himself as a “little guy from Macomb, Mississippi, Ken Carter grew up with seven brothers and sisters. When his family moved to Richmond, California, carter played basketball from 1973-1977 for the same high school which put Richmond on the news and also put Carter in the headlines.
Making it real
When the film makers involved in “Coach Carter” got together to make a film inspired by Ken Carter’s life, one thing was eminently clear- the man wasn’t just an advocate for education, he also really knew basketball. To that end, it was very important that every basketball scene looked authentic, and to make that happen, Mark Ellis of reel sport was brought on the serve as basketball coordinators for the film.
Music
“In putting together this project, we screened the film for a broad range of artist we felt would connect with the theme and heart of the movie” says Andrew Siater “ the result is a soundtrack that truly reflects and supports, and has become emotionally inseparable from the film. It is a tribute to how the artists were by the movie’s power and honesty.
Awards
3 wins& 14 nominations
Plot
Coach Cater was inspired by a true story, an inspirational account of controversial high school, portray of human courage and conviction is about overcoming the obstacles of your environment and showing young men a future that stretches beyond gangs, prison, drugs and yeseven basketball. Paramount pictures presented a MTV movie in 2005 produced by Thomas Carter and written by Mark Schwhan and also John gratins. Inspired by the life ken carter describing himself as a “little guy from Macomb, Mississippi, Ken Carter grew up with seven brothers and sisters. When his family moved to Richmond, California, carter played basketball from 1973-1977 for the same high school which put Richmond on the news and also put Carter in the headlines.
Making it real
When the film makers involved in “Coach Carter” got together to make a film inspired by Ken Carter’s life, one thing was eminently clear- the man wasn’t just an advocate for education, he also really knew basketball. To that end, it was very important that every basketball scene looked authentic, and to make that happen, Mark Ellis of reel sport was brought on the serve as basketball coordinators for the film.
Music
“In putting together this project, we screened the film for a broad range of artist we felt would connect with the theme and heart of the movie” says Andrew Siater “ the result is a soundtrack that truly reflects and supports, and has become emotionally inseparable from the film. It is a tribute to how the artists were by the movie’s power and honesty.
Awards
3 wins& 14 nominations
Selena. (1997)
Selena. (1997)
Written and directed by Gregory Nava; the story of a girl who had the spirit to believe in a dream and the courage to make it come true. For One Brilliant, Shining Moment...The American Dream Came True. Discover the true story of one of America's brightest stars...that faded too soon. Nava had further directing success in 1997 with the film selena, starring Jennifer Lopez, who was nominated for the golden globe award for Best Actress. Selena was produced with the participation of the Quintanilla family, and her father Abraham is the executive producer of the film. One scene features Chris Perez playing the guitar for the family using closeup footage of his hands and the shot was filmed specifically for the movie
Written and directed by Gregory Nava; the story of a girl who had the spirit to believe in a dream and the courage to make it come true. For One Brilliant, Shining Moment...The American Dream Came True. Discover the true story of one of America's brightest stars...that faded too soon. Nava had further directing success in 1997 with the film selena, starring Jennifer Lopez, who was nominated for the golden globe award for Best Actress. Selena was produced with the participation of the Quintanilla family, and her father Abraham is the executive producer of the film. One scene features Chris Perez playing the guitar for the family using closeup footage of his hands and the shot was filmed specifically for the movie
Research on your chosen genre
Our target audience is aimed at the age range of 15-25 this is due to the theme which is drama and romance, we also aim to target both genders male and female as the chosen themes can appeal to both genders.
The fighting temptations
Drama films mostly depend on in-depth development. For example dramatic films include a very large spectrum of film genres crime drama, legal drama, historical drama, comedy drama, melodrama, romance or even tragedy. One director that conducted a drama film is Jonathan Lynn who based a lot of his films on comedy. Jonathan Lynn and Antony Jay created and wrote every episode of the acclaimed BBC political comedy series Yes, Minister, and Yes, Prime Minister. The series received numerous accolades including three BAFTA (British Academy) Awards, two Broadcasting Press Guild Awards and two Pye Television Writers Awards.The cast is loaded with singing stars such as: Shirley Caesar, Faith Evans, Angie Stone, Melba Moore, Ann Nesby, The O'Jays, Montell Jordan, T-Bone, Zane, and many others.A New York advertising executive (Cuba Gooding, Jr.), who is about to land a big account, has his life shaken up when it becomes known that he has lied about having a college degree. After being fired, his life is further shaken by his debtors who had counted on paying after landing the account. Having to go on the run, he is called back to his southern town roots, when his great aunt dies. At the reading of the will, he learns he has been asked to assume the mantle of choir director of his great aunt's church and if he can get the choir in the Gospel Explosion in Atlanta, he will inherit stock worth $150,000. Unfortunately the choir leaves a lot to be desired and he has to start recruiting. Among others, he gets three prisoners to join. More importantly, he gets a "sinner" (Beyonce Knowles) from one of the local night clubs to join. While initially scorned and resisted, nonetheless her voice wins everyone but the hardcore church busybody.
The fighting temptations
Drama films mostly depend on in-depth development. For example dramatic films include a very large spectrum of film genres crime drama, legal drama, historical drama, comedy drama, melodrama, romance or even tragedy. One director that conducted a drama film is Jonathan Lynn who based a lot of his films on comedy. Jonathan Lynn and Antony Jay created and wrote every episode of the acclaimed BBC political comedy series Yes, Minister, and Yes, Prime Minister. The series received numerous accolades including three BAFTA (British Academy) Awards, two Broadcasting Press Guild Awards and two Pye Television Writers Awards.The cast is loaded with singing stars such as: Shirley Caesar, Faith Evans, Angie Stone, Melba Moore, Ann Nesby, The O'Jays, Montell Jordan, T-Bone, Zane, and many others.A New York advertising executive (Cuba Gooding, Jr.), who is about to land a big account, has his life shaken up when it becomes known that he has lied about having a college degree. After being fired, his life is further shaken by his debtors who had counted on paying after landing the account. Having to go on the run, he is called back to his southern town roots, when his great aunt dies. At the reading of the will, he learns he has been asked to assume the mantle of choir director of his great aunt's church and if he can get the choir in the Gospel Explosion in Atlanta, he will inherit stock worth $150,000. Unfortunately the choir leaves a lot to be desired and he has to start recruiting. Among others, he gets three prisoners to join. More importantly, he gets a "sinner" (Beyonce Knowles) from one of the local night clubs to join. While initially scorned and resisted, nonetheless her voice wins everyone but the hardcore church busybody.
Sunday 1 November 2009
Skin Deep
My adaptation.
i chose to adapt my story skin deep to donkey skin as they include the theme of love and confusion.
Plot
Amy had never really fit in with her family from a young age she was always singled out at school and at home all Amy really wanted was to be loved. As years went by Amy started secondary school and was pressured by her peers to drink, smoke and do thing which wasn’t sensible and also suffered with anorexia. At the age of 15 Amy met a handsome young man whose name was Sam and they instantly fell in love, Amy wasn’t very used to being cared for and became dependent on Sam. At the age 16 Amy fell pregnant with Sam’s baby which left Amy with mixed emotions on how she going to tell Sam. As days went by, months went by and as time went by Amy found it harder to tell Sam, so she ran away and went back to her old ways of smoking, drinking and now also dealing with drug. 6 months later Sam was distraught and full of anger and confusion decided to search for Amy his one and only true love. 1 month after Amy was seen by a lake sitting on a bench where Sam approach her and set his eyes on her pregnant child numerous questions entered Sam’s head, Sam burst into tears and ran away. And now Amy was left thinking that she has to bring up a child as a single parent, she was afraid but most of all frustrated and wanted to hurt Sam. 2 months went by and the baby was born it was a girl, she was spitting image of Sam. Amy was still dealing with the fact of being a single parent and wanted revenge so she wrote a letter to Sam informing him that the baby had been born and that she was called Sarah. The letter also included an invitation to the celebration of Sarah’s birth, what he didn’t know was that it was an invitation to his death. Amy stabbed Sam and left him for dead Sam managed to reach for a phone and dialled 999 but died hours later in his hospital bed. Due to Amy’s childhood she was never told what was right from wrong and paid for her actions in the future. Amy was jailed for life and was sentenced with man slaughter, as for her baby Sarah was put into a foster home and eventually lived with her foster family who showed Sarah the love her mother Amy never had.
The firebird and princess vasilisa (Russian)
A royal huntsman found a feather of the firebird and, though his horse warned him against it, picked it up. The king demanded that he bring him the bird. The huntsman went to his horse, who told him to demand that measures of corn be spread over the fields. He did, and the firebird came to eat and was caught. He brought it to the king, who said that because he had done that, now he must bring him Princess Vasilisa to be his bride. The horse had him demand food and drink for the journey, and a tent with a golden top. With it, they set out to a lake where the princess was rowing. He set up the tent and set out the food. The princess came and ate, and drinking foreign wine, she became drunk and slept. He carried her off.
Princess Vasilisa refused to marry without her wedding gown, from the bottom of the sea. The king sent the huntsman for it. He rode the horse to the sea, where the horse found a great crab and threatened to crush it. The crab asked the horse to spare it and summoned all the crabs to fetch the wedding gown.
Princess Vasilisa refused to marry without the king ordering the huntsman to bathe in boiling water. The huntsman went to his horse, who charmed his body. He bathed in the boiling water and became handsome. The king went to bathe in the same water, and died. The people took the huntsman as king instead, and he married the princess.
Theme:love/ romance/loyalty
What:king gives demands to huntsman and overall the king wants to marry princess vasilisa but the huntsman and princess vasilisa end up marrying instead.
Character:king, huntsman, horse and princess vasilisa
setting: Forest, Lake and the kings castle
Plot:when princess vasilisa refuses many time before marrying the king, and the king dies and marrys the huntsman instead.
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