Wednesday 19 December 2012
Stereotypical representations of race
10 most racist moments in TV - how many racial slurs can you spot?
50 racial stereoypes
The Arab
White Anglo Saxon male
Indian
Black American
British African
50 racial stereoypes
The Arab
White Anglo Saxon male
Indian
Black American
British African
Monday 17 December 2012
Case Study: Holiday homework
Watch at least one episode of either
The Wire
or
NYPD Blue
or
Midsomer Murders (full episode)
or
The Red Riding Trilogy (second one is here but you should watch the first episode first.)
When you come back, you will need to prepare a case study on one of them.
Here are two excellent case studies that yours should look like:
http://media.edusites.co.uk/article/csi-case-study/
http://media.edusites.co.uk/article/lewis-case-study/
Cover all sections thoroughly (except for the marketing section, which is optional.
There will be a good prize for the winning group. (The winning group will be the ones who convince the English department that theirs was created by a teacher, not by a student.)
The Wire
or
NYPD Blue
or
Midsomer Murders (full episode)
or
The Red Riding Trilogy (second one is here but you should watch the first episode first.)
When you come back, you will need to prepare a case study on one of them.
Here are two excellent case studies that yours should look like:
http://media.edusites.co.uk/article/csi-case-study/
http://media.edusites.co.uk/article/lewis-case-study/
Cover all sections thoroughly (except for the marketing section, which is optional.
There will be a good prize for the winning group. (The winning group will be the ones who convince the English department that theirs was created by a teacher, not by a student.)
Tuesday 11 December 2012
Gems on TV this Christmas
Almost all of these are badass films you have to watch. And they're on TV this Christmas.
Check the times, make a date.
http://www.tvguide.co.uk/topratedfilm.asp
Unmissable ones on the list:
TERMINATOR 1 AND 2 (ACTION/THRILLER - the scene I showed you with the spike coming out of the finger of the man coming out of the floor was from Terminator 2)
BLADERUNNER (SCI-FI - one of the greats)
ANGEL HEART (MESSED UP.)
GOODFELLAS (GANGSTER/THRILLER/DRAMA)
CASABLANCA (CLASSIC)
SLEEPY HOLLOW (HORROR/PARODY)
OLDBOY (MESSED UP. That fight scene in the corridor I showed you.)
THE BIRDS (Hitchcock. Creepy.)
YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (Comedy. Genius.)
ALIEN (THRILLER/SCI FI/HORROR. If you haven't seen it you haven't lived.)
GREMLINS (BONKERS.)
SPARTACUS (EPIC)
ENTER THE DRAGON (KICKASS)
ZULU (HAUNTING TRUE STORY)
DIE HARD (THRILLER)
LAWRENCE OF ARABIA (EPIC)
PREDATOR (Arnie kicking alien arse in a jungle. What more could you want?)
The Ones Miss Missed
You can't go wrong with those films. Here's a few Miss Steventon missed...
ANYTHING BY STANLEY KUBRICK.
Plus:
Thriller/ action
Hard-boiled
Heat
Don't Look Now
The Wages of Fear (French; finest exercise in suspense, ever. The first half hour is boring but worth the wait).
Rope (Hitchcock)
The Godfather I, II, and III
The Beat that my Heart Skipped (French)
Chinatown
LA Confidential
Horror
Psycho
Halloween
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974, NOT the new one)
Rosemary's Baby (wow)
The Shining
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Alien
An American Werewolf in London
The Wicker Man (original with Christopher Lee, NOT the new one)
Messed up
Seconds (1969, John Frankenheimer)
Lost Highway (David Lynch)
Mulholland Drive (David Lynch)
Performance (Nicolas Roeg)
Synecdoche, New York
Romance
When Harry Met Sally (hilarious)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (stunning)
Comedy
Trading Places
South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut
Team America: World Police
Anchorman
Rushmore
Napoleon Dynamite
The Naked Gun
Classics
Sunset Boulevard
The Big Chill
Casablanca
ANYTHING BY STANLEY KUBRICK.
Plus:
Thriller/ action
Hard-boiled
Heat
Don't Look Now
The Wages of Fear (French; finest exercise in suspense, ever. The first half hour is boring but worth the wait).
Rope (Hitchcock)
The Godfather I, II, and III
The Beat that my Heart Skipped (French)
Chinatown
LA Confidential
Horror
Psycho
Halloween
Texas Chainsaw Massacre (1974, NOT the new one)
Rosemary's Baby (wow)
The Shining
A Nightmare on Elm Street
Alien
An American Werewolf in London
The Wicker Man (original with Christopher Lee, NOT the new one)
Messed up
Seconds (1969, John Frankenheimer)
Lost Highway (David Lynch)
Mulholland Drive (David Lynch)
Performance (Nicolas Roeg)
Synecdoche, New York
Romance
When Harry Met Sally (hilarious)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (stunning)
Comedy
Trading Places
South Park: Bigger, Longer, Uncut
Team America: World Police
Anchorman
Rushmore
Napoleon Dynamite
The Naked Gun
Classics
Sunset Boulevard
The Big Chill
Casablanca
Friday 7 December 2012
Christmas homework- watch three of these films
Great films for great media students!
A list of Ms Steventons must-view films
1. Citizen Kane (1941) - ANY Orson Welles film
2. Withnail & I - comedy
3. Blade Runner (1982) - sci-fi, excellence.
4. Apocalypse Now (1979) - American epic war film – Francis ford Coppola
5. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975) – Drama – Jack Nicolson at his best
6. Amalie - Any Jean-Pierre Jeunet film, Delicatessen, City of Lost Children, feel good films, all amazingly shot.
7. Dr. Strangelove- Comedy - ANY Stanley Kubrick film (2001- Sci-Fi, The Shinning-Horror, The Killing- Thriller)
8. Pulp Fiction - ANY Quentin Tarantino film (Reservoir Dogs, Dusk Till Dawn, Kill Bill and Inglourious Basterds)
9. Big Lebowski – ANY Coen Brothers films - Fargo, O Brother Where Art Thou?, True Grit and many more.
10. Vertigo - ANY Alfred Hitchcock film
11. Some Like It Hot (1959)- Comedy - My favourite Marilyn Monroe film.
12. Breakfast At Tiffany's – Rom-com - Audrey Hepburn
13. Taxi Driver – Martin Scorsese, check out a very young Jodie foster – Any Martin Scorsese film there are too many to mention!
14. The Descent - Very clever in terms of making you feel claustrophobic!
15. Buried – Some great close up shots. Most of the film is from the point of view of a man who has been buried alive. I challenge you to watch this without getting shivers.
16. Alien – So many films reference this, it’s a must view. - A Ridley Scott, masterpiece.
17. Brazil – Robert De-Nero like you have never seen him before. Also a Terry Gilliam film great director, 12 monkeys, Monty Python's Life of Brian, Time Bandits, also amazing!
18. Being John Malkovich – Great Narrative.
19. Big fish – Tim Burton – Another great director. – My other favourites are, Edward Scissor Hands, Beetle Juice and Mars Attacks
20. Fight Club
21. Little ms sunshine – Quirky Fun
22. Raiders of the Lost Arc – Classic Action
23. This is Spinal Tap – mock-umentry
24. Memento – Thriller, Amazing Narrative.
25. Let the Right One in (2008)- Horror/Drama
26. 12 Angry Men - Drama
27. Blazing Saddles – Comedy - ANY MEL BROOKS FILM
28. The Graduate – Classic Drama
29. The Usual Suspects – Thriller
30. Trainspotting - ANY DANNY BOYLE FILM
31. Donnie Darko – Sci-fi/Thriller
32. Night of the living dead – Horror
33. Howls Moving Castle- if you like Disney you have to see a Studio Ghibli, film there are so many.
34. It’s a Wonderful Life – Mandatory viewing for the Christmas period.
Friday 23 November 2012
Thursday 15 November 2012
Monday 12 November 2012
Wednesday 7 November 2012
Monday 5 November 2012
Wednesday 24 October 2012
Homework - half term
http://beauchampcollegemedia.com/2011/11/28/two-new-extracts-for-representation-class-shameless-and-gender-holby-city/
How is the representation of gender handled in this clip?
Cover:
mis en scene
camera work
optional: sound
- Tackle the targets I gave you as feedback.
- Use key terminology from the lesson
- Argue about whether gender representation conforms to, or challenges, convention.
How is the representation of gender handled in this clip?
Cover:
mis en scene
camera work
optional: sound
- Tackle the targets I gave you as feedback.
- Use key terminology from the lesson
- Argue about whether gender representation conforms to, or challenges, convention.
Feminist and post-feminist theory
http://www.slideshare.net/wmorris/gender-representation
Please read through this, then use youtube to do the Britney Spears task at the end.
Please read through this, then use youtube to do the Britney Spears task at the end.
Monday 22 October 2012
Archetypes and stereotypes
Find an archetypal male or female character from this website.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AlwaysFemale
or this one
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Alwaysmale
Find a short clip on youtube/TV to illustrate this character.
Stereotype: A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image.
eg: 50 Cent conforms to the hip-hop stereotype of being a chauvinist gangster.
eg: The blonde women in Ken Russell films are stereotypically playful.
Archetype: An original model or type after which other similar things are patterned; a prototype:
eg 1 Frankenstein has inspired many similar monsters; he is the ARCHETYPAL zombie.
eg 2: Dracula, ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ - the ARCHETYPES of split personalities that have influenced all subsequent horror stories.
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/AlwaysFemale
or this one
http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Alwaysmale
Find a short clip on youtube/TV to illustrate this character.
Stereotype: A conventional, formulaic, and oversimplified conception, opinion, or image.
eg: 50 Cent conforms to the hip-hop stereotype of being a chauvinist gangster.
eg: The blonde women in Ken Russell films are stereotypically playful.
Archetype: An original model or type after which other similar things are patterned; a prototype:
eg 1 Frankenstein has inspired many similar monsters; he is the ARCHETYPAL zombie.
eg 2: Dracula, ‘Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde’ - the ARCHETYPES of split personalities that have influenced all subsequent horror stories.
Tuesday 16 October 2012
Wednesday 3 October 2012
Tuesday 25 September 2012
Wednesday 19 September 2012
Plot devices that feminists don't like
Plot Devices that Make You Roll Your Eyes
- a woman character is raped or is in danger of being raped -- the eternal rapability of female characters
- a female character dies in childbirth
- "convenient" circumstances prevent a female character from going through with her decision to have an abortion (cf. Robin in V, whose alien hybrid fetus's invasive vascularisation made it impossible to remove without killing her; spontaneous miscarriages and so forth) -- therefore rendering women's reproductive choices inconsequent when that oh-so-controversial subject is broached
- using female characters to voice misogynistic and/or patriarchal ideas because it would be "too obvious" to use male characters — victim-blaming, in short
- using evolutionary biology or the selfish gene theory as the primary reason a male and female character are drawn together sexually (Darwin's Radio by Bear), or why a female character cannot possibly resist the man's man that will make the best sire of her children (Lucifer's Hammer by Niven)
- the competent female needs rescuing by the man
- damsel in distress / perils of Pauline - women set up merely to be rescued
- Women in refrigerators (see http://violetcorona.blogspot.com/2006/10/women-in-refrigerators.html ) — female characters of whatever level of characterization depicted as more apt to be rescued, more in need of rescuing, more often in physical danger, deaths or physical assaults more horrible or graphically described
- innocent and universally loveable female characters that do not develop a sex drive or sex appeal until they turn evil (Doppleganger Willow from earlier in Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Fred from Angel (TV series)) — where the sex drive is correlated with the amount of cleavage/leg shown.
- alien women of ANY species will inevitably be irresistibly attracted to the only mid-30s male on a particular starship (Star Trek, I'm looking at YOU) — even if it causes an interstellar incident
- related: females of alien species always have extremely large breasts, located in the exact same location as those of human females (i.e. they look exactly like human women except for a charming set of pointy ears, forehead ridges or swirly haircut that serves only to make them more exotic to the male characters)
- a man's casual slap (or threatened slap) of a woman that is scarcely worth mentioning again in the story and apparently does not actually bother the woman; or maybe she likes it because he has now shown himself to be a real man. Seen in Frank Miller's "Sin City" (she liked it); Rob Reiner's "The Princess Bride" (He raises the back of his hand threateningly; she flinches. "That was a warning, Highness. The next time, my hand flies on its own, for where I come from, there are penalties when a woman lies."). This is entirely distinguishable from a man and a woman involved in a physical fight, as in Joss Whedon's "Firefly" between Mal and Saffron, or Buffy and Spike, or any slayer and various villains. "The Slap" is often stated plainly as a representation of patriarchy, as when the woman has crossed a boundary; the man may say he doesn't like to hit women but he'll make an exception, or she's crossed a line, etc. An obvious use of gendered violence to police patriarchal rules, present in both representations of the protagonists and villains.
- The female member of the team whose skill or superpower is (by comparison) passive, defensive, weak, or underutilized; her real role is as token or love interest to the leading male characters. (See TvTropes' Faux Action Girl)
- The trade-in granddaughter or descendant: A long-lived or immortal male starts a relationship with the hot young descendant of his former lover (or occasionally his own hot young descendant)
- Simply grabbing the upper arm or shoulder of a superheroine or female fighter renders her helpless. (See TvTropes' Standard Female Grab Area)
Tuesday 18 September 2012
Useful Links
Being successful in the media is all about what you know and who you know.
Here are some useful links to get you started with doing both!
How do people get jobs in the industry? They join websites like these.
Shooting People
Talent Circle
These websites are also useful to check out the news and events of these sites for, screenings competitions etc.
Here is a selection companies that show short films.
Animate!Animate!, the experimental animation production scheme, runs screening events and talks in London and around the UK.
www.animateprojects.org
BBC Big Screens
The BBC Big Screens show (mainly local) films and video content in major cities around the UK. They also run a touring screen during the summer which travels all over the UK to events and urban spaces.
www.bbc.co.uk/bigscreens
Future Shorts
One of the largest exhibitors of short film in the UK, Future Shorts runs short film screening events at cinemas and venues across the UK and Europe.
www.futureshorts.co.uk
Secret Cinema
This is a monthly gathering of all that love challenging and groundbreaking cinema, screening mystery films in extraordinary locations.
http://www.secretcinema.org/
Lux
Lux is a not-for-profit company promoting artists' moving image work. Lux online includes a calendar of upcoming screening events and links to filmmakers' websites.
www.lux.org.uk
onedotzero
Adventures in Moving Image: a touring international festival of moving image featuring animation, short films, motion graphics, music videos and interactive art.
www.onedotzero.com
Bug
Successor to the popular Antenna, Bug runs a showcase of music videos at the BFI Southbank. Find out about future Bug events.
www.bugvideos.co.uk
Exploding Cinema
A coalition of filmmakers committed to developing new modes of exhibition; from DIY screenings in all kinds of venues to low/no budget film tours.www.explodingcinema.org
Short & Sweet: London
A weekly London showcase of short films, music videos and animation from around the globe.
www.shortandsweet.tv
You should also be aware of all the film festivals, to know about the latest films and successes and the failures
Major International Film Festivals
Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival – JanuaryFrance | Shorts
One of the largest and most important short film festivals worldwide. Renowned for its Short Film Market, programming, events and competitions.
www.clermont-filmfest.com
Clermont-Ferrand shorts on Film Network
Sundance Film Festival - January
USA (Utah) | Shorts & Features
Alongside Cannes, Venice, Toronto and Berlin it is one of the most prestigious film festivals in the world and one of the best for establishing links in the US market.
www.sundance.org
Palm Springs International Film Festival - January
USA | Shorts & Features
This festival regularly attracts a strong filmmaking community.
www.psfilmfest.org
International Film Festival Rotterdam – January/February
Netherlands | Shorts & Features
A highly-attended festival and Cinemart, the largest co-production market for film projects. Includes experimental and visual arts programmes.
www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com
Berlinale International Film Festival – February
Germany | Shorts & Features
Considered to be one of the top three festivals in the world, alongside Cannes and Venice. Holds the prestigious Golden Bear Awards.
www.berlinale.de
Tampere International Short Film Festival – March
Finland | Shorts
A highly-regarded shorts festival and market with a focus on promoting international and Finnish up-and-coming new talent.
www.tamperefilmfestival.fi
Tribeca Film Festival – April/May
USA (New York) | Shorts & Features
Founded in 2002 by Robert De Niro, this festival has rapidly established itself as a major festival worldwide. It focuses upon New York filmmaking as well as upcoming international talent.
www.tribecafilm.com/festival
Cannes International Film Festival – May (THE BIG ONE!!)
France | Shorts & Features
One of the world's oldest, most influential and glamorous festivals. The most prestigious award given out at Cannes is the Palme d'Or ("Golden Palm") for the best film. If your short isn't one of the lucky ones to make it into competition, there is always the Short Film Corner (www.shortfilmcorner.com), the short film market and meeting place.
www.festival-cannes.org NPA: Cannes Survival Guide 2007
Oberhausen International Short Film Festival – May
Germany | Shorts
The longest-standing short film festival in the world. The festival runs a number of competitions and has a prestigious market place.
www.kurzfilmtage.de
International Short Film Festival Hamburg – June
Germany | Shorts
Well-regarded short film festival that holds a number of competitions and awards including: an International Competition for new, high-quality short film productions and a competition for international No-Budget films made without public funding.
www.festival.shortfilm.com
Annecy International Animated Film Festival – June
France | Shorts & Features
One of the most popular festivals dedicated to animation. The festival includes categories for features, shorts, student films and films made for television, the internet and advertising. The festival also includes an international animated film market.
www.annecy.org
Capalbio Cinema Short Film Festival - June/July
Italy | Shorts
An international competition for films 15 minutes or less.
www.capalbiocinema.com
Vila do Conde International Short Film Festival – June/July
Portugal | Shorts & Features
An international festival of short films, with national and international competitions for fiction, documentary and animated shorts.This festival keeps a keen eye on, and showcases, emerging trends in cinema.
www.curtasmetragens.pt
Karlovy Vary International Film Festival – July
Czech Republic | Shorts & Features
One of the most significant festivals in Central and Eastern Europe. It is also one of the oldest festivals in the world. Known for its feature film and documentary competitions.
www.kviff.com
Melbourne International Film Festival – July/August
Australia | Shorts & Features
The largest and most acclaimed film festival in Australia.
www.melbournefilmfestival.com.au
International Animation Festival – August
Japan (Hiroshima) | Animated Shorts
One of the four major International Animation Festivals (alongside Annecy, Ottawa, Zagreb). The biannual festival aims to promote animation within the Asia Pacific region.
www.urban.ne.jp/home/hiroanim
Venice Film Festival – September
Italy | Shorts & Features
The oldest film festival in the world and one of the most prestigious. Awards include: Leone d'Oro (Golden Lion) for best film and the Coppa Volpi (Volpi Cup) for best actor/actress. Participation can be dependent on invitation from the Biennale council.
www.labiennale.org/en/cinema
Toronto International Film Festival – September
Canada | Shorts & Features
An outstanding event on the festival circuit and one of the top festivals in the world. Regarded as a good festival for films to start their Oscar race.
www.torontointernationalfilmfestival.ca
Festival do Rio - Rio de Janeiro International Film Festival – September/October
Brazil | Features
Organisers describe it as "The largest and most charming film festival in Latin America".
www.festivaldorio.com.br
New York Film Festival – September/October
USA | Shorts & Features
A highly selective festival featuring emerging and established filmmakers.
www.filmlinc.com/nyff/nyff.html
Corona Cork Film Festival - October
Ireland | Shorts & Features
This festival has been championing short films for over 50 years.
www.corkfilmfest.org
Zagreb Film Festival- October
Croatia | Shorts, Features & Documentary
Relatively new film festival which includes awards (called Golden Prams) and a market. During the Festival the Student Centre transforms into a hub of festival activities.
www.zagrebfilmfestival.com
Rio de Janeiro International Short Film Festival – November/December
Brazil | Shorts
Supporting short film both in Brazil and internationally.
www.curtacinema.com.br
Major UK Festivals
Edinburgh International Film Festival - JuneUK (Scotland) | Shorts & Features (incl Docs, Mirrorball Music Videos & Mclaren Animation)
Alongside London Film Festival, EIFF is the most prestigious UK film festival. It is also the longest continually-running film festival in the world. The festival generally require premieres, so often filmmakers start their festival circuit submissions with Edinburgh.
www.edfilmfest.org.uk
EIFF shorts on Film Network
EIFF Mclaren animation on Film Network
Cambridge Film Festival – July
UK | Shorts, Features & Documentaries
One of the most popular UK film festivals, it is renowned for showing high-quality international features and shorts.
www.cambridgefilmfestival.org.uk
Cambridge Film Festival shorts on Film Network
The Times bfi London Film Festival – October/November
UK (London) | Shorts & Features
The highly-regarded festival presented by the British Film Institute. Like Edinburgh Film Festival, most of the films they show are premieres.
www.lff.org.uk
London Film Festival shorts on Film Network
Encounters International Short Film Festival (merger of Brief & Animated Encounters) - November
UK (Bristol) | Shorts
'The UK's most important short film festival' - The Guardian. It is also one of the largest UK short film festivals. The festival supports emerging and established filmmakers and is a great place for filmmakers to network with the industry.
www.encounters-festival.org.uk
Encounters shorts on Film Network
Seagate Foyle Film Festival – November
UK (Derry) | Shorts & Features
Major Northern Irish film festival promoting Irish and international filmmakers.
www.foylefilmfestival.com
Other useful/interesting sites
Mark Kermodes blog (He is the king of film reviews)http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/markkermode/
BBC's site for film and short films. You can watch films, get advice from professional film makers, or submit your films to the site.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/filmnetwork/
Internet Movie Database is excellent for finding out those questions; who was that actor in that film, or when was that film released?
http://www.imdb.com/
Want to find out what films have been nominated for the raspberry awards?
check out
www.rottentomato.com
Monday 17 September 2012
Is TV better than Film???
An interesting article that debates whether current TV programs or Films are better.
Tuesday 11 September 2012
Cultivation Theory
USES AND GRATIFICATIONS THEORY
Explanation of Theory: Blumler and Katz’s uses and gratification theory suggests that media users play an active role in choosing and using the media. Users take an active part in the communication process and are goal oriented in their media use. The theorist say that a media user seeks out a media source that best fulfills the needs of the user. Uses and gratifications assume that the user has alternate choices to satisfy their need. Theorists: Blumler and Katz Date: 1974
Agenda Setting Theory
Explanation of Theory:
The Agenda-Setting Theory says the media (mainly the news media) aren’t always successful at telling us what to think, but they are quite successful at telling us what to think about. Theorist: Maxwell McCombs and Donald L. Shaw Date: 1972/1973
Inspirational Interviews
These are extracts from some of the most important and interesting interviews of the 20th century.
Have a listen, think about how the interviewer phrases their questions.
This is the introduction to the series.
Richard Nixon interviewed by David Frost (1977)
John Lennon interviewed by Jann S Wenner (1970)
Dennis Potter interviewed by Melvyn Bragg (1994)
Diana interviewed by Martin Bashir (1995)
Francis Bacon interviewed by David Sylvester (1963)
Sex Pistols interviewed by Bill Grundy (1976)
concluding thoughts of the series
Tuesday 4 September 2012
Friday 20 July 2012
Monday 16 July 2012
Useful terminology
Granite?? Terminology for you to remember
Once you begin your media course and have been introduced to some common terminology, exploration of media forms and given insight into the structure of your GCSE or A-level, you will begin to explore the key concepts in media. Any media text is made up of GRANITE. Confused?
Once you begin your media course and have been introduced to some common terminology, exploration of media forms and given insight into the structure of your GCSE or A-level, you will begin to explore the key concepts in media. Any media text is made up of GRANITE. Confused?
- Every media text belongs to a Genre or group (a horror film, dance track, teen magazine)
- Within that text, a person, place or object is being Represented in some way, shape or form.
- The Audience for that media text will make sense of it using their personal and shared experiences.
- The text also contains a Narrative, be it a photograph of war or some bad gangsta lyrics about pimping your uncle
- The text didn't evolve from bacteria, it was constructed by a media Institution for financial purposes and has elements of their Ideology embedded within the text.
- It was produced using some Technology, be it DTP (Desk Top Publishing software) or hardware
- The Evidence is the product itself which you can then reference against other Experiences you've had with similar Media. Evaluate the work you have produced to show your understanding and to make improvements.
- Got it?!
Preliminary exerciseContinuity task
Main task: the titles and opening of a new fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes.
All video and audio material must be original, produced by the candidate(s), with the exception of music or audio effects from a copyright-free source
match on action
Cutting on action or matching on action refers to film editing and video editing techniques where the editor cuts from one shot to another view that matches the first shot's action
shot/reverse shot
Two or more shots edited together that alternate characters, typically in a conversation situation. In continuity editing, characters in one framing usually look left, in the other framing, right. Over-the-shoulder framings are common in shot/reverse-shot editing
http://classes.yale.edu/film-analysis/htmfiles/editing.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdyyuqmCW14
. Both preliminary and main tasks may be done individually or as a group. Maximum four members to a group. involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. This task should demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180-degree rule.
Main task: the titles and opening of a new fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes.
All video and audio material must be original, produced by the candidate(s), with the exception of music or audio effects from a copyright-free source
match on action
Cutting on action or matching on action refers to film editing and video editing techniques where the editor cuts from one shot to another view that matches the first shot's action
shot/reverse shot
Two or more shots edited together that alternate characters, typically in a conversation situation. In continuity editing, characters in one framing usually look left, in the other framing, right. Over-the-shoulder framings are common in shot/reverse-shot editing
http://classes.yale.edu/film-analysis/htmfiles/editing.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HdyyuqmCW14
. Both preliminary and main tasks may be done individually or as a group. Maximum four members to a group. involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. This task should demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180-degree rule.
Objectives/Superobjectives
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa9dttNx1S8
Watch this expert 'gulling'.'All good drama is about someone getting
something from someone else.'
(Simon Stephens)How does this scene satisfy that definition?
How does the scene use the techniques we have studied?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv2siftGYUI
Why do you think the film is called 'Heat'?
How does the director create a heightened
sense of tension?
What are the 2 most important lines? Character AList 5 characteristics
Choose
List 5 characteristics
A meets BA must get something out of B, obeying
an OBJECTIVE and a SUPEROBJECTIVE
DefinitionsOBJECTIVE
in the immediate scene (a letter, a kiss...) - what a character tangibly needsSUPEROBJECTIVE
needs over the whole story (love, revenge...)
Eg. - what a character ultimatelyOBJECTIVE - I need to get her phone numberSUPEROBJECTIVE
Or- I want to fall in loveOBJECTIVE - I need to give him this leafletSUPEROBJECTIVE
Jehovah's Witnesses - I want to convert him to the
Character Bera
Finding your own story....
Watch this expert 'gulling'.'All good drama is about someone getting
something from someone else.'
(Simon Stephens)How does this scene satisfy that definition?
How does the scene use the techniques we have studied?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xv2siftGYUI
Why do you think the film is called 'Heat'?
How does the director create a heightened
sense of tension?
What are the 2 most important lines? Character AList 5 characteristics
Choose
List 5 characteristics
A meets BA must get something out of B, obeying
an OBJECTIVE and a SUPEROBJECTIVE
DefinitionsOBJECTIVE
in the immediate scene (a letter, a kiss...) - what a character tangibly needsSUPEROBJECTIVE
needs over the whole story (love, revenge...)
Eg. - what a character ultimatelyOBJECTIVE - I need to get her phone numberSUPEROBJECTIVE
Or- I want to fall in loveOBJECTIVE - I need to give him this leafletSUPEROBJECTIVE
Jehovah's Witnesses - I want to convert him to the
Character Bera
Finding your own story....
Adapting a novel for the screen
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCTgUq6hzUk
Children of Men
(2006)
FADE IN:
Middle-aged FACES looking up, in quiet shock, listening...
A WOMAN'S VOICE
(upper-class English
accent)
...the world was stunned today by
the death of Diego Ricardo, the
youngest person on the planet...
1 INT. CAFE - DAY 1
MORE SAD FACES, and now we see we're in a crowded cafe.
Standing room only. Everyone staring upward, O.S.,
listening...
WOMAN'S VOICE
Baby Diego was killed in a bar fight
in Buenos Aires after refusing to
sign an autograph...
A man enters he coffee shop, making his way through the
transfixed crowd: THEO FARON (55, American), wearing a worn
suit and tie, glasses. Theo is a veteran of hopelessness. He
gave up before the world did.
Theo wedges his way through the packed bodies to the counter.
He orders:
THEO
Coffee. Black.
Next to him, a 50-year-old woman stares upward, cradling a
small dog, a tear rolling down her face. Theo follows her
gaze: an old plasma TV is mounted above the counter. A
REPORTER delivering the breaking news. Theo watches with
little interest.
WOMAN REPORTER (TV)
...He struggled his entire life with
the celebrity status thrust upon him
as the world's youngest person.
ON TV: The face of "Baby" DIEGO (18), the most famous boy in
the world, a fair-haired teenager who never lacked anything,
smiling a practiced smile.
WOMAN REPORTER (CONT'D)
Witnesses say Diego spat in the face
of a fan who asked for an autograph.
(MORE)
-----------------
Screenplay-Children_of_Men p. 2
7-1-07
WOMAN REPORTER (CONT'D)
The incident escalated into the brawl
that ended with Diego's demise. The
fan was trampled to death by the
angry crowd shortly thereafter.
Theo's coffee arrives. He lays exact change on the counter
and makes his way back toward the door, weaving through the
crowd, past people crying.
WOMAN REPORTER (TV) (CONT'D)
(solemnly)
Diego Ricardo, the youngest person
on earth, was 18 years, 4 months, 2
days, 16 hours and 8 minutes old.
2 EXT. STREET - DAY 2
Theo walks outside with his coffee. All around him, people
have stopped, their faces turned upward, transfixed by the
news. Atop some buildings, old billboard style LED screens
display the coverage. Some of the pixels are burnt out.
On a nearby wall, a mural of the country's current leader,
known only as the "Warden." A stoic visage with steely,
watchful eyes.
SUPER: LONDON, NOVEMBER 17, 2026 A.D.
Theo continues past dusty storefronts. Homeless huddle in
doorways, bundled in threadbare blankets. Pedestrians hurry
by, on their Monday morning rush to work.
Theo sets his coffee cup atop a post box. A few cars roll
by. Mostly "older" vehicles -- 2008's, a couple of 18's.
Some motorized rickshaws, a double-decker bus with metal
mesh on the windows. Bicycles. He takes a flask from his
pocket, unscrews the top, about to pour into his coffee,
when behind him
-- BOOM! A BOMB EXPLODES inside the cafe, blowing out the
windows, shaking the ground. Theo's knocked off his feet.
Smoke pours through the shattered facade of the cafe. The
counter where Theo stood moments before, simply gone. WAILS
of pain as people stagger out of the blackened wreckage,
bleeding, covered in debris. A woman splattered in blood,
holding her own severed hand.
Theo gets up, shell-shocked, hands pressed against his ears.
SHRIEKING ALARMS from nearby buildings blending with the
"Eeeeeeeee" of his ringing ears...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Writing a Film Adaptation From a BookWriting for film and for books requires two different sets of skills. Their main differences are:
1. Novels provide the reader with a window into the protagonists’ minds and emotions. The screen can only reveal this visually through the characters’ behaviour and their facial expressions.
2. Novels can illustrate intricate background detail and biographies of the characters leading through the main story. The screenplay’s average ninety minutes of storytelling is severely more restrictive and cannot allow for much of this.
3. The main body of the novel consists of narrative description and the inner thoughts of the characters with a smattering of dialogue and action. The screen contains mostly dialogue and action.
4. Novels average at 180 to 400 pages long. Screenplays average at 70 to 110 pages, with infinitely less words per page.
The Conversion from Book to a Film ScriptWith these differences in mind, much of the novel must be cut out. The following steps might help in deciding what to keep in. After reading the novel, make a note of for retention:
Making a Movie Adaptation from FictionBackground detail, lengthy descriptions, minor characters and incidentals must all go. Some screenwriters have been known to combine two characters of a novel into one within a screenplay in order to make it fit the tight format. The editing process can be quite brutal.
Making the Screenplay WorkFilm is a visual medium and therefore only the visual can be included. Description of the character and their actions must be pared down to a few words and sentences. Dialogue must be given the same treatment, without affecting the plot or losing its natural flow. Less is often more.
The Opening of the ScreenplayAs with any screenplay, the first ten pages are crucial. The opening need not begin at the opening of the book. Consider: Opening at the most dramatic scene of the novel.
Combining two or more key scenes of the novel or
Inventing a new beginning if it grabs the reader more effectively or injects more originality.
The dialogue that drives the plot.The key action scenes.The main seven characters or so.
Children of Men
(2006)
FADE IN:
Middle-aged FACES looking up, in quiet shock, listening...
A WOMAN'S VOICE
(upper-class English
accent)
...the world was stunned today by
the death of Diego Ricardo, the
youngest person on the planet...
1 INT. CAFE - DAY 1
MORE SAD FACES, and now we see we're in a crowded cafe.
Standing room only. Everyone staring upward, O.S.,
listening...
WOMAN'S VOICE
Baby Diego was killed in a bar fight
in Buenos Aires after refusing to
sign an autograph...
A man enters he coffee shop, making his way through the
transfixed crowd: THEO FARON (55, American), wearing a worn
suit and tie, glasses. Theo is a veteran of hopelessness. He
gave up before the world did.
Theo wedges his way through the packed bodies to the counter.
He orders:
THEO
Coffee. Black.
Next to him, a 50-year-old woman stares upward, cradling a
small dog, a tear rolling down her face. Theo follows her
gaze: an old plasma TV is mounted above the counter. A
REPORTER delivering the breaking news. Theo watches with
little interest.
WOMAN REPORTER (TV)
...He struggled his entire life with
the celebrity status thrust upon him
as the world's youngest person.
ON TV: The face of "Baby" DIEGO (18), the most famous boy in
the world, a fair-haired teenager who never lacked anything,
smiling a practiced smile.
WOMAN REPORTER (CONT'D)
Witnesses say Diego spat in the face
of a fan who asked for an autograph.
(MORE)
-----------------
Screenplay-Children_of_Men p. 2
7-1-07
WOMAN REPORTER (CONT'D)
The incident escalated into the brawl
that ended with Diego's demise. The
fan was trampled to death by the
angry crowd shortly thereafter.
Theo's coffee arrives. He lays exact change on the counter
and makes his way back toward the door, weaving through the
crowd, past people crying.
WOMAN REPORTER (TV) (CONT'D)
(solemnly)
Diego Ricardo, the youngest person
on earth, was 18 years, 4 months, 2
days, 16 hours and 8 minutes old.
2 EXT. STREET - DAY 2
Theo walks outside with his coffee. All around him, people
have stopped, their faces turned upward, transfixed by the
news. Atop some buildings, old billboard style LED screens
display the coverage. Some of the pixels are burnt out.
On a nearby wall, a mural of the country's current leader,
known only as the "Warden." A stoic visage with steely,
watchful eyes.
SUPER: LONDON, NOVEMBER 17, 2026 A.D.
Theo continues past dusty storefronts. Homeless huddle in
doorways, bundled in threadbare blankets. Pedestrians hurry
by, on their Monday morning rush to work.
Theo sets his coffee cup atop a post box. A few cars roll
by. Mostly "older" vehicles -- 2008's, a couple of 18's.
Some motorized rickshaws, a double-decker bus with metal
mesh on the windows. Bicycles. He takes a flask from his
pocket, unscrews the top, about to pour into his coffee,
when behind him
-- BOOM! A BOMB EXPLODES inside the cafe, blowing out the
windows, shaking the ground. Theo's knocked off his feet.
Smoke pours through the shattered facade of the cafe. The
counter where Theo stood moments before, simply gone. WAILS
of pain as people stagger out of the blackened wreckage,
bleeding, covered in debris. A woman splattered in blood,
holding her own severed hand.
Theo gets up, shell-shocked, hands pressed against his ears.
SHRIEKING ALARMS from nearby buildings blending with the
"Eeeeeeeee" of his ringing ears...
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Writing a Film Adaptation From a BookWriting for film and for books requires two different sets of skills. Their main differences are:
1. Novels provide the reader with a window into the protagonists’ minds and emotions. The screen can only reveal this visually through the characters’ behaviour and their facial expressions.
2. Novels can illustrate intricate background detail and biographies of the characters leading through the main story. The screenplay’s average ninety minutes of storytelling is severely more restrictive and cannot allow for much of this.
3. The main body of the novel consists of narrative description and the inner thoughts of the characters with a smattering of dialogue and action. The screen contains mostly dialogue and action.
4. Novels average at 180 to 400 pages long. Screenplays average at 70 to 110 pages, with infinitely less words per page.
The Conversion from Book to a Film ScriptWith these differences in mind, much of the novel must be cut out. The following steps might help in deciding what to keep in. After reading the novel, make a note of for retention:
Making a Movie Adaptation from FictionBackground detail, lengthy descriptions, minor characters and incidentals must all go. Some screenwriters have been known to combine two characters of a novel into one within a screenplay in order to make it fit the tight format. The editing process can be quite brutal.
Making the Screenplay WorkFilm is a visual medium and therefore only the visual can be included. Description of the character and their actions must be pared down to a few words and sentences. Dialogue must be given the same treatment, without affecting the plot or losing its natural flow. Less is often more.
The Opening of the ScreenplayAs with any screenplay, the first ten pages are crucial. The opening need not begin at the opening of the book. Consider: Opening at the most dramatic scene of the novel.
Combining two or more key scenes of the novel or
Inventing a new beginning if it grabs the reader more effectively or injects more originality.
The dialogue that drives the plot.The key action scenes.The main seven characters or so.
Storyboarding
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ijjl6t30Kc&feature=related
One of my favourite films - how is exposition used? How would you storyboard it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-yeI83fN6s
Watch the following clip and answer these questions:
What season is it?
Why was the Tramp shoveling snow?
Did he want something in exchange for clearing the snow?
Did the Tramp get what he set out to get?
Was the man in the house angry or happy?
Was the scene funny or serious?
Are the two men friends?
Who is the stronger of the two men? The smarter?
How were the students able to follow the story?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOrju-kgoec
Task:
Create following story
It is a windy night in the Midwest of America. A tornado is blowing.
HANK, 15, wakes up at 5.30 in the morning and is scared.
He is desperate to know if his parents are alright.
STORYBOARD THIS STORY
NB: YOU CANNOT USE DIALOGUE.
ONLY VISUAL MARKERS....
One of my favourite films - how is exposition used? How would you storyboard it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-yeI83fN6s
Watch the following clip and answer these questions:
What season is it?
Why was the Tramp shoveling snow?
Did he want something in exchange for clearing the snow?
Did the Tramp get what he set out to get?
Was the man in the house angry or happy?
Was the scene funny or serious?
Are the two men friends?
Who is the stronger of the two men? The smarter?
How were the students able to follow the story?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOrju-kgoec
Task:
Create following story
It is a windy night in the Midwest of America. A tornado is blowing.
HANK, 15, wakes up at 5.30 in the morning and is scared.
He is desperate to know if his parents are alright.
STORYBOARD THIS STORY
NB: YOU CANNOT USE DIALOGUE.
ONLY VISUAL MARKERS....
Exposition
Glossary terms
The 3 main parts of a narrative structure are: (as defined by Todorov)Equilibrium (balanced normality of world of story)Disequlibrium
problem and climax) (unbalanced world between New Equilibrium
Marker
Markers provide information to audiences
quickly and economically.
They can provide information about the :Location (geographical marker)Time or era (temporal/historical marker)Genre (generic marker)Character
Imagine you are planning the opening
shot of a film.1. How would you show that the scene
was set in the early morning?
2. How would you show your film was set in London?
3. What methods could you use to make it clear the
film is set in the 1960s?
4. How could you make it clear one of the characters
is a married policeman?
5. What could you do to show the audience they
are watching a thriller?
Where are the markers in these clips?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFG6KAd2ITI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0epB5Z6ijpk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AiCrh9_XcFQ&feature=related(character marker) (return to balanced normality at end of story)
The films of Johnathan Glazer
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zff9hVH3ptY
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qY1T4YAzs14&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rC-wPteyl6U
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IBH97ma9YiI
One of the best advert and music video directors in Britain, very unusual for his visual, kinetic style.
Early short films
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYRemE9Oeso&ob=av1n
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRBi08Z00Ec&feature=watch-now-button&wide=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEcJF0EVT54
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFLBvLxLJMI
Glossary KEY WORDS
Mise en scene
visual forms of storytelling- everything that appears before the camera;
Exposition
setting and theme - providing background to character, plot
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aRBi08Z00Ec&feature=watch-now-button&wide=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEcJF0EVT54
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFLBvLxLJMI
Glossary KEY WORDS
Mise en scene
visual forms of storytelling- everything that appears before the camera;
Exposition
setting and theme - providing background to character, plot
Evaluation Questions
Each candidate will
A podcast
DVD extras
A blog
A powerpoint
A website
or a combination of two or more of the above
In all cases, candidates should be encouraged to see the evaluation as
In the evaluation the following seven questions must be addressed: evaluate and reflect upon the creative process and their experience of it. Candidates will evaluate their work digitally, this evaluation being structured by the set of required questions below. This evaluation may be done collectively for a group production or individually. Examples of suitable formats for the evaluation are: a creative task and the potential of the format chosen should be exploited through the use of images, audio, video and links to online resources. Marks should be supported by teacher comments and may be supported by other forms such as audio or video presentations.
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
· How does your media product represent particular social groups?
· What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
· Who would be the audience for your media product?
· How did you attract/address your audience?
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product? · Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
A podcast
DVD extras
A blog
A powerpoint
A website
or a combination of two or more of the above
In all cases, candidates should be encouraged to see the evaluation as
In the evaluation the following seven questions must be addressed: evaluate and reflect upon the creative process and their experience of it. Candidates will evaluate their work digitally, this evaluation being structured by the set of required questions below. This evaluation may be done collectively for a group production or individually. Examples of suitable formats for the evaluation are: a creative task and the potential of the format chosen should be exploited through the use of images, audio, video and links to online resources. Marks should be supported by teacher comments and may be supported by other forms such as audio or video presentations.
In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
· How does your media product represent particular social groups?
· What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
· Who would be the audience for your media product?
· How did you attract/address your audience?
What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product? · Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
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