Friday 20 November 2009

Research the development of sound technology on Hollywood in the 1920:

A sound film is a film with synchronised sound to go with it. The first public exibition of a sound film took place in paris in the 1900. The first commercial screening of movies with fully synchronised sound took place in New York in April 1923. After this, films with synchronised dialogue were known as talking pictures or "talkies". One of the first "talkie" films was The Jazz Singer in 1927.
With talking films growing more popular, the demise of live cinema musicians and orchestras was drawing nearer. This period also saw the development of the first practical magnetic sound recording system, the magnetic wire recorder. They were effective but the sound quality was poor so they were mainly used for voice recording.

Sunday 15 November 2009

Analysis of still image: Lighting:


In this still image, we see a number of lighting techniques. One of these include extreme low-key lighting. By using low-key lighting, there is a very strong contrast between light and darkness which creates an effect of chiaroscuro.Another interpretation of using low-key lighting is that it connotes that this character has a deep and dark personality. Top lighting has also been used in this still image to show the actors facial features and seeing as the setting is in a bathroom, the lighting is expected to come down from the top. Since this film is shot in neo film-noir style, everything is black and white and the plasters are highlighted so audiences can identify this genre. Another interpretation would be that the top lighting is making the plasters light so that emphisis that the character hurt is more obvious.

Saturday 14 November 2009

Analysis of still image: Mise-en-scene:

Mise-en-scene:

Costume:
In this still image is one the main protagonists, Vincent Vega (John Travolta) as he opens a briefcase wearing the attire of an everday business man. In this film he works as a hitman so it is appropriate for him to be wearing a suit. By seeing this, we associate him to being in a respectable profession which is most likely a dominant reading in this case.

Props:
The props in this still image are quite interesting. We see a cigarette in his mouth with suggests that hes suppose to be the cool and collected character. The cigarette could also suggest that he may be an antagonist.

Actors:
The only actor in this image is John Travolter.

Setting:
The setting seems to be in a room. This is connoted by the wall in the background with the fridge there aswell. The fact that this still is set in a room further connotes that the room that he is in is his or another perons.

Make-up:
The make-up Travolta is wearing seems to be very little. It seems that hes got a little on to make him look slick, a stereotype of almost every hitman in a movie.

Analysis of still image: Mise-en0scene

Friday 6 November 2009

Cover work: Poster analysis:Mainstream:


Terminator 2: Judgement Day:

(1)What do you think the film is about and what the storyline might be?

The picture on the poster connotes that this movie is not to be taken lightly and will involve a lot of action. The picture also connotes that this man on the front is on a mission and must complete it. The storyline will revolve around this man on the front, most probably the protagonist. He may be on a mission that would include a path of violence and/or revenge. The man holding the gun also suggests that may also be the antagonist aswell.


(2)Genre?

Reffering to the points made above, this movie will have the genre of action. The character in the poster mainly suggests this seeing as he is holding a shotgun.


(3)Target Audience?

The target audience for this movie is most likely 18-30 years old. I think this will be the target audience becuase this movie may only be suitable for these ages and heavy action is bound to attract a more male oriented audience than female.


Cover work: Poster analysis:Art House


Raging Bull:
(1)What do you think the film is about and what the storyline might be?
The picture on the poster connotes that the film is going to be about boxing seeing as we see what seem to be the protagonist's buised face and ropes thats appear to belong to a boxing ring. There can be many storylines related to boxing, mainly a story about a young athlete trying to rise in the ranks of boxing.

(2)Genre?
If this movie were to be about boxing, the obvious genre would be action/drama.

(3)Target audience?
I think the target audience for this movie would be 15-35 years old with the audience being predominatly male. Why it would be mostly men is becuase the art of boxing and fighting would appeal to men more than women.



Thursday 5 November 2009

Film Language: Film poster analysis

Bride and Prejudice:
(1)What do you think the film is about and what might the storyline might be?
The picture on the poster connotes his film is going to be about an indian marriage to a white man. Seeing how this is not often seen, this film will tend to be "unique" compared to original romantic comedies. The title of this film relates to the famous novel Pride and Prejudice, where a traditional English marriage takes place.

(2)Genre?
The title and picture obviously connotes that the genre of this movie will be a romantic comedy. On the poster there is a quote from a reviewer saying this movie is, "spectacular,romantic,funny and so sexy.." This is also a give-away that this movie will be a romantic one.

(3)Target audience?
The target audience for this film would be 12-30 years of age with the audience being predominantly female. The reason why the target audience would start so young would be becuase RomComs usually appeal to girls young and old and these films glorify love and romance. In media, these feelings usually relate to females.

Million Dollar Baby:
(1) This film poster connotes that this film is about fighting and action seeing as the women on the front is wearing a vest which suggests that she is ready for action and also she looks quite muscley which reinforces fighting theme. The storyline might be about a women who has lost something so she has to get it back by fighting. The two men might be protagonists.

(2) The genre for this movie will obviously be action/drama. The themes of this movie will be violence and maybe revenge which are both connoted by the title. The title has a large sum of money in it, and in movies large sum of movies usually lead to dangerous situations.

(3) The target audience would be from 18-30 year olds with mixed gender audiences. The reason why the audience would be mixed gender is because men are usually attracted to violence and action while a female protagonist may attract female audiences.

Sin City:
(1) This poster is obviously associated with violence seeing as almost all characters are holding guns. This film would be about old fashioned cops and robbers or maybe about gangs. The storyline may be about vigilantes or maybe criminals on the run. The title connotes a very adult theme for this movie becayse the word "sin" can be associated with all sorts of immoral things.

(2) The genre of this movie will again be action. The theme of guns on this poster proves this and the characters even look quite serious as if they have a set goal in mind.

(3) The target audience for this movie would be 18-25 year olds and the gender audience would most likely be men. The reason for this is becauase violence usually draws in a male crowd and Jessica Alba in a suductive pose also suggests that there will be sexual themes in here to attract men more. Also 18-25 year olds might be fans of Frank Miller's graphic npvels.

Pirates Of The Caribbean:
(1) The title and picture of this poster already suggests that this films will be about pirates and their adventure through the Caribbean. The storyline may be about pirates on the run and run into many inconvieniences on the way. This storyline will also include some fantasy elements becuase the poster shows what appears to be a giant sea monster.

(2) The genre of this movie would be action/adventure/fantasty.

(3) The target audience would be from children to adults of all ages. The reason for this is becuase this movie contains comedic scenes, action, romance and fantasy. This movie also has famous actors including Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp.

Monday 2 November 2009

Course Evaluation

(1)How well is the course organised?
I would grade the organisation of the course a 2. The reason why I would give it a 2 is becuase I think this course will offer me a lot in terms of preparing me for the exams and seeing as it already has then I hope the rest of the course will carry on like it currently is.

(2)How interesting is the content that is covered?
The content that is being covered is very interesting. I find it interesting becuase it's given me a lot of insight into the workings of modern day media. The most interesting content I think we've covered is demographics becuase when using demographics you can see which media applies to which group. I would rate the content a 1.

(3)How useful are the handouts?
I find the handouts somewhat useful. I don't use them much seeing as I rely more on my notes but when I do take a glimpse at the handouts, I find that they are full of useful information that always get straight to the point. I would rate the handouts a 3.

(4)Have the lessons been well-paced?
I would rate this area a 2. This is a rating of 2 becuase I feel that the lessons are going at the right speed so that I learn everything that the lesson has to offer. I feel that there is no rush therefore I feel that there is no need to rush my work and I have enough time to think my classwork through.

(5)What is the standard of the teacher's presentation/subejct knowledge?
I would say that the standard is a 1. I feel that the teacher definatly knows what there is to know about media and knows what the student needs in order to pass exams. The presentation is also very good becuase everything is well presented and looks very professional and also look efficient in teaching.

(6)How well has the course met your expectations?
I would rate this particular area a 2. Seeing as I have never taken media before, I didn't know what to expect but the course seem efficient in teaching so far and I have learnt a lot. I am also sure that the course teacher will provide us with the right equipment when it comes to the practical work.

(7)Have the extra-curricular events been useful?
I feel that the extra-curricular events have been very useful in particular the media awards. By going to the media awards I have seen the expectations and I will try to deliver them. By going to the awards, I have also seen many techniques that can be used when it comes to practical work. I would rate this a 2.

(8)Has the macguffin blog been useful?
I would rate this last area a 1. I'm rating this a 1 because using this blog is a new experience all together and using it is also fun. Posting work up on the blog also gives a sense of new independance.

WWW:
-Powerpoint presentations
-Sample videos and trailers
-Group work

EBI:
-More practical lessons
-More class debates
-Less handouts