Wednesday, 14 January 2009
Re-Written paragraph on essay.
However, in this petrol station, there had been many cuts and zooms onto customers faces, which gives us as the audience the impression that something unexpected is imminent. By contrast, there is then a slow-fade to one of the customers faces who happens to be playing on the games machine. This again gives the audience the impression that all seems well, and to a certain extent creates a character enigma, which is when the audience know something the characters don't, which inevitably creates tension.
Tuesday, 13 January 2009
Self Evaluation on Media
Self Evaluation on Media- Term 2
Since being given a stern warning on my frequency and quality of my homework, I have been much more organised and have given in every homework since, which i believe is a major improvement seeing as i have the worst homework record.
My attendance is still very good and have continued to attend the vast majority of lessons, which is something i am very proud of.
Since being given a stern warning on my frequency and quality of my homework, I have been much more organised and have given in every homework since, which i believe is a major improvement seeing as i have the worst homework record.
My attendance is still very good and have continued to attend the vast majority of lessons, which is something i am very proud of.
Monday, 5 January 2009
Media Essay on Freedom Writers
Media Essay on
THE FREEDOM WRITERS
The Freedom Writers is an emotional, fascinating film and stars one of the best actresses around in Hilary Swank. Hilary Swank begins teaching English in an broken inner city school in Los Angeles, and the school is predominantly full of gang affiliated, disgruntled, stubborn and emotional Black African-Americans. Subsequently, it results in “Ms. G” as the students call her, struggling to get the respect of the class. However through persistence and will, she earns this respect by doing various things, one of which was by bringing in a World War II survivor to really waken them up and open their minds on what really is struggle.
I had analysed a 2-3 minute of a certain scene of the film. I had chosen to analyse this part of the film as I believe it was the most emotional and contrasting scene of the film. One afternoon, when school had just finished the class seemed happy and motivated, and the lighting contemplated this as the lighting used was Daytime/High-Key Lighting, this lighting connotes happiness and presents the characters in a good way to the audience.
Before that particular scene cuts, one of the key things I picked up on was that the mise-en-scene was of an extreme long-shot of the school in the background, and there was a diegetic sound of positive dialogue amongst the students, and these students seemed ecstatic and joyful, this use of this diegetic sound lets audience familiarize and engage themselves with the setting. This is very important, as it shows these unfortunate students in a different light, which could change the audience’s perception of these students, as these teenagers are into gangs, drugs and many other crimes. However just before this scene cuts, there is a close-up on the face of the supporting actress and she was not as happy as the other students, as the facial expression could be interpreted as worried or uncertain of something.
Mise-en-Scene is a French term meaning “what is in the scene”, and refers to everything you see within the frame. There is an acronym called CLAMPS which refers to the elements of mise-en-scene and what you see in the frame, these are: Costume, Lighting, Actors, Make-up, Props and Setting.
Mise-en-Scene can set a certain atmosphere and mood of a certain scene, and can effect audience’s perceptions on things, e.g. a dark room with low-key lighting and a man may connote something mysterious and suspicious. However in Freedom Writers when school finishes the mise-en-scene is showcased in a good way to the audience. This positive mise-en-scene and scene slowly fades into the next scene which is a dark and isolated petrol station in the city. The slow fade used may connote something dramatic and unexpected taking place.
This is a major contrast from the previous scene, where all seemed well and there had been many cuts and zooms on the students faces. This may have been done to show their facial expressions and also lets the audience in on how they should be feeling at a certain point. In addition, the sound in this petrol station scene was diegetic to begin with, with the sound of cars driving by and the engine of a car pulling up at the petrol station. This could have been done to give the audience a feel for what the setting and the atmosphere is like.
In addition, when this car pulls up at the petrol station, the lighting used was low-key (dark) this can connote mystery and creates suspense for the audience as to what may happen next. Also, as this car pulls there is diegetic sound of Rap/Gangster music coming from the car, this can be called a parallel sound, due to the fact there are Black teenagers in the car, and is a sound we would be expecting to accompany this scene.
As this car stops, there is a medium shot on a specific door which has tinted windows, this brings suspense to the scene as it engages in the audience as to who is going to emerge from this suspicious car. There then is a slow fade into the inside of the petrol station, this may connote something dramatic and possibly violent occurring.
However, in this petrol station, there are many cuts and zooms onto customers faces, which gives us as the audience the impression that all seems well inside this petrol station. By contrast, there is then a slow-fade to one of the customers faces who is playing on the games machine. This particular customer seemed frustrated at losing the game, and the slow-fade used complements this well as possibly it could connote something bad occurring around this particular customer.
Also, the events that had been taking place outside the petrol station with the suspicious car, all help to build tension and anxiety for the audience, as to what exactly is going it happen next.
In addition, this tension and anxiety the audience are feeling are increased as there is another slow-fade to the suspicious car outside and there then is a close-up of the same car door. The close-up to the car-door increases their anxiety as to who is in this car, also what I had noticed was that there was a sound-bridge throughout this whole scene of this same diegetic Rap/Gangster music from this same suspicious car. The connotations of this are that something of a criminal action taking place at some point of this scene, also the slow-fades are effective in building up this assumption as they create tension and anxiety, this could also be called sutured as the audience are stitched to the narrative. By contrast, in the petrol station many of the customers seem happy and content; this can be called a character enigma as we the audience know something the characters may not.
So, as there is a medium shot on this particular door, this is done to show exactly who it is and what who is about to emerge from the car, which again adds to this tension. The car door then suddenly opens, there is close-up on the bottom of the door, this is done to shows the leg and foot of the person, and the audience then start to make assumptions on who it is, which again engages the audience due to this suspension. So, as there is a close-up a foot emerges as this character begins to get out of the car, the shoe is a trainer which can connote a male wearing these. However there then is a cut, and there then is a close-up on the side of the door, where a hand emerges and it a female hand with a feminine ring on. This again adds to the anxiety of the audience as there are many close-ups, resulting in the audience not getting a proper feel of what is going on.
Eventually, there is a long-shot and the lady that emerges is the same supporting actress from the previous scene. Which were cheerful students exiting school; however it is the same actress who ends that particular scene with her worried and unconfident look. This is called Continuity Editing, where shots are logically placed so that one event follows another, and helps the flow of the film and makes it easier for the audience to engage and follow the film. As the woman emerges, she is still worried and uncertain of something, and she then looks at the petrol station, and there is a shot/reverse shot of her looking at the boy who was frustrated with the video game.
This makes us as the audience identify with her and how we should be feeling at the present moment. Additionally, there is a close-up of the hand of the woman with a cloth, as she removes the cloth there is a very-slow fade and there then appears a gun. This slow-fade helps build tension, and puts questions into the audience’s heads as to why she is carrying a gun. As these events are taking place, there is still a parallel/diegetic sound of the Rap/Gangster music from the car; also this still was the sound-bridge throughout the whole scene. This complements the scene well as this
Rap/Gangster music, can connote violence and crime which is exactly what is about to take place. So as the woman unleashes the gun, there is an extreme close-up of the trigger of the gun as she clicks twice, the hand of the woman was clean and pure, and you do not normal associate woman and guns, which goes against conventions of a gangster type movie. After opening fire, there is a long-shot from outside the station and demonstrated the damage that had been done to the petrol station. The sound then changes to a slow, melo and classical sound which can connote something tragic and sudden; this then becomes the sound bridge for the remainder of that scene.
There is then a slow-fade and there was a close-up of the frustrated boy in the petrol station, the slow-fade used on this occasion can connote something sad and tragic. The new sound-bridge of this slow classical music, links well with the slow-fade as they both contribute to the tragic event that had taken place. The slow-fade to the boy was a close-up on his face and was laying there powerless with blood pouring from this face.
In Conclusion, Freedom Writers is an emotional and conflicting film which shows the everyday lives of these uneducated and stubborn students, there were many fades in the scene I had analysed this can connote mystery, anxiety and suspense for the audience as to what is going to happen next. Additionally, it engages the audience with the scene.
THE FREEDOM WRITERS
The Freedom Writers is an emotional, fascinating film and stars one of the best actresses around in Hilary Swank. Hilary Swank begins teaching English in an broken inner city school in Los Angeles, and the school is predominantly full of gang affiliated, disgruntled, stubborn and emotional Black African-Americans. Subsequently, it results in “Ms. G” as the students call her, struggling to get the respect of the class. However through persistence and will, she earns this respect by doing various things, one of which was by bringing in a World War II survivor to really waken them up and open their minds on what really is struggle.
I had analysed a 2-3 minute of a certain scene of the film. I had chosen to analyse this part of the film as I believe it was the most emotional and contrasting scene of the film. One afternoon, when school had just finished the class seemed happy and motivated, and the lighting contemplated this as the lighting used was Daytime/High-Key Lighting, this lighting connotes happiness and presents the characters in a good way to the audience.
Before that particular scene cuts, one of the key things I picked up on was that the mise-en-scene was of an extreme long-shot of the school in the background, and there was a diegetic sound of positive dialogue amongst the students, and these students seemed ecstatic and joyful, this use of this diegetic sound lets audience familiarize and engage themselves with the setting. This is very important, as it shows these unfortunate students in a different light, which could change the audience’s perception of these students, as these teenagers are into gangs, drugs and many other crimes. However just before this scene cuts, there is a close-up on the face of the supporting actress and she was not as happy as the other students, as the facial expression could be interpreted as worried or uncertain of something.
Mise-en-Scene is a French term meaning “what is in the scene”, and refers to everything you see within the frame. There is an acronym called CLAMPS which refers to the elements of mise-en-scene and what you see in the frame, these are: Costume, Lighting, Actors, Make-up, Props and Setting.
Mise-en-Scene can set a certain atmosphere and mood of a certain scene, and can effect audience’s perceptions on things, e.g. a dark room with low-key lighting and a man may connote something mysterious and suspicious. However in Freedom Writers when school finishes the mise-en-scene is showcased in a good way to the audience. This positive mise-en-scene and scene slowly fades into the next scene which is a dark and isolated petrol station in the city. The slow fade used may connote something dramatic and unexpected taking place.
This is a major contrast from the previous scene, where all seemed well and there had been many cuts and zooms on the students faces. This may have been done to show their facial expressions and also lets the audience in on how they should be feeling at a certain point. In addition, the sound in this petrol station scene was diegetic to begin with, with the sound of cars driving by and the engine of a car pulling up at the petrol station. This could have been done to give the audience a feel for what the setting and the atmosphere is like.
In addition, when this car pulls up at the petrol station, the lighting used was low-key (dark) this can connote mystery and creates suspense for the audience as to what may happen next. Also, as this car pulls there is diegetic sound of Rap/Gangster music coming from the car, this can be called a parallel sound, due to the fact there are Black teenagers in the car, and is a sound we would be expecting to accompany this scene.
As this car stops, there is a medium shot on a specific door which has tinted windows, this brings suspense to the scene as it engages in the audience as to who is going to emerge from this suspicious car. There then is a slow fade into the inside of the petrol station, this may connote something dramatic and possibly violent occurring.
However, in this petrol station, there are many cuts and zooms onto customers faces, which gives us as the audience the impression that all seems well inside this petrol station. By contrast, there is then a slow-fade to one of the customers faces who is playing on the games machine. This particular customer seemed frustrated at losing the game, and the slow-fade used complements this well as possibly it could connote something bad occurring around this particular customer.
Also, the events that had been taking place outside the petrol station with the suspicious car, all help to build tension and anxiety for the audience, as to what exactly is going it happen next.
In addition, this tension and anxiety the audience are feeling are increased as there is another slow-fade to the suspicious car outside and there then is a close-up of the same car door. The close-up to the car-door increases their anxiety as to who is in this car, also what I had noticed was that there was a sound-bridge throughout this whole scene of this same diegetic Rap/Gangster music from this same suspicious car. The connotations of this are that something of a criminal action taking place at some point of this scene, also the slow-fades are effective in building up this assumption as they create tension and anxiety, this could also be called sutured as the audience are stitched to the narrative. By contrast, in the petrol station many of the customers seem happy and content; this can be called a character enigma as we the audience know something the characters may not.
So, as there is a medium shot on this particular door, this is done to show exactly who it is and what who is about to emerge from the car, which again adds to this tension. The car door then suddenly opens, there is close-up on the bottom of the door, this is done to shows the leg and foot of the person, and the audience then start to make assumptions on who it is, which again engages the audience due to this suspension. So, as there is a close-up a foot emerges as this character begins to get out of the car, the shoe is a trainer which can connote a male wearing these. However there then is a cut, and there then is a close-up on the side of the door, where a hand emerges and it a female hand with a feminine ring on. This again adds to the anxiety of the audience as there are many close-ups, resulting in the audience not getting a proper feel of what is going on.
Eventually, there is a long-shot and the lady that emerges is the same supporting actress from the previous scene. Which were cheerful students exiting school; however it is the same actress who ends that particular scene with her worried and unconfident look. This is called Continuity Editing, where shots are logically placed so that one event follows another, and helps the flow of the film and makes it easier for the audience to engage and follow the film. As the woman emerges, she is still worried and uncertain of something, and she then looks at the petrol station, and there is a shot/reverse shot of her looking at the boy who was frustrated with the video game.
This makes us as the audience identify with her and how we should be feeling at the present moment. Additionally, there is a close-up of the hand of the woman with a cloth, as she removes the cloth there is a very-slow fade and there then appears a gun. This slow-fade helps build tension, and puts questions into the audience’s heads as to why she is carrying a gun. As these events are taking place, there is still a parallel/diegetic sound of the Rap/Gangster music from the car; also this still was the sound-bridge throughout the whole scene. This complements the scene well as this
Rap/Gangster music, can connote violence and crime which is exactly what is about to take place. So as the woman unleashes the gun, there is an extreme close-up of the trigger of the gun as she clicks twice, the hand of the woman was clean and pure, and you do not normal associate woman and guns, which goes against conventions of a gangster type movie. After opening fire, there is a long-shot from outside the station and demonstrated the damage that had been done to the petrol station. The sound then changes to a slow, melo and classical sound which can connote something tragic and sudden; this then becomes the sound bridge for the remainder of that scene.
There is then a slow-fade and there was a close-up of the frustrated boy in the petrol station, the slow-fade used on this occasion can connote something sad and tragic. The new sound-bridge of this slow classical music, links well with the slow-fade as they both contribute to the tragic event that had taken place. The slow-fade to the boy was a close-up on his face and was laying there powerless with blood pouring from this face.
In Conclusion, Freedom Writers is an emotional and conflicting film which shows the everyday lives of these uneducated and stubborn students, there were many fades in the scene I had analysed this can connote mystery, anxiety and suspense for the audience as to what is going to happen next. Additionally, it engages the audience with the scene.
Wednesday, 10 December 2008
Analysis of two film extracts from two different eras (20 years min)
This is an still extract from the highly-rated boxing film Rocky and this particular extract is the 1st of the sequel. The lighting used here is mainly high-key particular on the characters which can be done to show their facial expressions and their body language, also the rest of the mise-en-scene is low-key lighting which makes them the main figure and very dominant. Their is alot of fast cuts and edits this is done to build tension and create an up-tempo flow to the fight to make it look realistic. Also the fast tempo cuts makes the audience feel more interested as they dont know what it going to happen next so the up-tempo flow to the game is exciting for the audience.
This is an extract form the movie Ali, I have to analyse this film to make it go well with the film Rocky, and to show contrasts and similarities. Similarly to Rokcy their is alot of high-key lighting used particularly when the fighting is going on which can portray hope for the fighters as to see who wins, also similarly to Rocky the rest of the mise-en-scene is low-key which can connote mystery and suspense as to what may happen next and portays the actors fighting as the main dominant figure, as to where all the interest is at.
Analysis of 4 film stills.
This is an still image from the film Gladiators. Gladiators is one of the most popular movies of all-time as is also an oscar winner. This particular still is a medium shot this may have been done to show the characters facial expressions and to let the audience in on the mise-en-scene that is being showcased. This image portrays the actor (Russell Crowe) to be powerful and very dominant as his body language also indicates to the audience his great staure. Their is also daytime footage used in this image which can connote natural and elegance, and also portrays the setting as elegant and nice. The props used also links well with the title "Gladiators" as the sword used connotes ancient and classical which again links to Gladiators.
This is an long-shot of Batman, as we can see all his features also the audience can also see the mise-en-scene around him which gives them a sense of belonging and interaction with the film, which can keep them interested. Also there is low-key lighting used which can mystery and suspense for the audience, ad also helps to create their own ideas about the characters through lighting. As Batman is a hero however the lighting portrays him as a villain which goes against conventions. 
This is an still image from the highly successful film Simpsons movie 2. This is a long shot as we are able to see all of the characters features also as the audience we are also able to see the mise-en-scene involved, also this long-shot helps the audience to develop an understanding of the environment. The lighting used is mainly high-key which portrays this family as happy and joyful and playful. 
This is a still image from the oscar-winning movie Million Dollar Baby. This is a medium shot as we are only able to see half of the actresses figure, as the main focus is on her and her trainer. We are not able to see the mise-en-scene but however can still tell the what the scene is. The main lighting used is high-key lighting this is used on the characters faces to make them the main focus and try to make them stand-out, the rest of the mise-en-scene is low-key lighting which connects with this well.Monday, 1 December 2008
Extension task 2- image and extract
This is an still image from the film noir genre.
The main lighting used here is high-key lighting which can connote happyness and mystery, also puts pictures in the audiences heads about who is the hero and the villain, however when the small occurence of low-key lighting is used it used on half the characters faces, which can connote mystery and suspense for the audience, also the contrast of lighting in one picture is the description of the term Binary.
Also the main source of lighting used is back lighting, this is done to show the Binary in the characters faces and creates shadows however this is countered by Filler light, also the Binary infers to the audience that both of these characters may be villains as the dark clothing also suggests this.
ANALYSIS OF DOUBLE INDEMNITY (1950) Billy Wilder
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkecXdR8t94
At the first few several seconds of this extract i was able to identify that there is a lot of high-key lighting used which can connote happyness and joy, also infers to the audience that they could be the hero or heroine.
However at 25 seconds of the extract, during the intercourse the main lighting used is low-key lighting which can connote a sense of uncertainty and mystery, and slso is a kind of juxtaposition as smoke also occurs when they are having intercourse and possibly suggests that they are villains.
Monday, 24 November 2008
Media 3 Extracts
VIEWING OF THREE EXTRACTS FROM FILMS
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (COMEDY)
After analysing a brief extract of Forgetting Sarah Marshall, I was able to pick up on many things within the mise-en-scene.
The extract I analysed had featured a lot of daytime footage, which can connote happiness and pureness, which is suitable for the type of film it is (comedy), also the lighting went well with the setting of the film which is Hawaii which is a hot and exotic island, also daytime-footage can also connote the lack of evil in the actors/ress’s as it gives a friendly feeling to the atmosphere.
The setting of Forgetting Sarah Marshall is in Hawaii, which is renowned for being exceedingly hot and wonderful. The setting of the film goes well with the genre of the film as comedy is known for being refreshing and stress-relieving and the setting of the film compliments this really well, as Hawaii also connotes this.
Also the actors/ress’s suit the movie really well and the genre of the movie, for example Russell Brand plays a key role in the film and he known for being a comical character with a bright personality and he suits the genre of the movie very well. The costume’s of the character is standard and normal, as they are harmless characters the costumes they wear go well with this as it is a more relaxed choice of clothes.
Scarface (GANGSTER)
Scarface is one of the most famous films of all-time, the gangster genre is very different to what I had previously analysed (Comedy) and I shall be picking out these differences.
The lighting used in Scarface is more low-key which can connote mystery and suspense with very few daytime footage used, this can connote the lack of happiness and joy in the actor/ress’s lives and connote the lack of happiness in the film in general, instead the low-key lighting can create a scary and frightful atmosphere. The only time daytime footage or high-key lighting is used in the film is when the main actor is spending time with a member of family, and low-key lighting is used when a crime or an offence is committed, the contrast in lighting can connote the two different lives one is living.
The costumes worn in Scarface is more reserved and formal, as the main dress code is dark suits which can connote mystery and almost business-like, the dark suits also connotes a sense of something being reserved and not giving a lot away.
Terminator 2 (SCI-FI)
Terminator 2 is also a very famous film and is very different to the two movies I had previously analysed.
The lighting in this film is mainly low-key; this connotes suspense, mystery and a certain level of uncertainty. The low-key lighting used compliments the genre of the film (SCI-FI) really well as sci-fi is known for being gloomy and mystery, and the constant use of low-key lighting creates a sense of something unexpected is bound to happen which creates a frightful atmosphere.
The costume of the main actor (terminator) is half-human half-robot like, as the strong metal on his body creates a sense of super humanity about the person, as he seems very unreal.
Forgetting Sarah Marshall (COMEDY)
After analysing a brief extract of Forgetting Sarah Marshall, I was able to pick up on many things within the mise-en-scene.
The extract I analysed had featured a lot of daytime footage, which can connote happiness and pureness, which is suitable for the type of film it is (comedy), also the lighting went well with the setting of the film which is Hawaii which is a hot and exotic island, also daytime-footage can also connote the lack of evil in the actors/ress’s as it gives a friendly feeling to the atmosphere.
The setting of Forgetting Sarah Marshall is in Hawaii, which is renowned for being exceedingly hot and wonderful. The setting of the film goes well with the genre of the film as comedy is known for being refreshing and stress-relieving and the setting of the film compliments this really well, as Hawaii also connotes this.
Also the actors/ress’s suit the movie really well and the genre of the movie, for example Russell Brand plays a key role in the film and he known for being a comical character with a bright personality and he suits the genre of the movie very well. The costume’s of the character is standard and normal, as they are harmless characters the costumes they wear go well with this as it is a more relaxed choice of clothes.
Scarface (GANGSTER)
Scarface is one of the most famous films of all-time, the gangster genre is very different to what I had previously analysed (Comedy) and I shall be picking out these differences.
The lighting used in Scarface is more low-key which can connote mystery and suspense with very few daytime footage used, this can connote the lack of happiness and joy in the actor/ress’s lives and connote the lack of happiness in the film in general, instead the low-key lighting can create a scary and frightful atmosphere. The only time daytime footage or high-key lighting is used in the film is when the main actor is spending time with a member of family, and low-key lighting is used when a crime or an offence is committed, the contrast in lighting can connote the two different lives one is living.
The costumes worn in Scarface is more reserved and formal, as the main dress code is dark suits which can connote mystery and almost business-like, the dark suits also connotes a sense of something being reserved and not giving a lot away.
Terminator 2 (SCI-FI)
Terminator 2 is also a very famous film and is very different to the two movies I had previously analysed.
The lighting in this film is mainly low-key; this connotes suspense, mystery and a certain level of uncertainty. The low-key lighting used compliments the genre of the film (SCI-FI) really well as sci-fi is known for being gloomy and mystery, and the constant use of low-key lighting creates a sense of something unexpected is bound to happen which creates a frightful atmosphere.
The costume of the main actor (terminator) is half-human half-robot like, as the strong metal on his body creates a sense of super humanity about the person, as he seems very unreal.
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