Finley's Analysis Of The Island

Finley's Analysis Of The Island

Evaluation:

Finley has decided to vlog his response of analysing the opening sequence of the film The Beach starring Leonardo Dicaprio. The whole idea of the vlog allows me when evaluating to write along with what he is saying, I don't need to physically look at the video, just listening to it gives the information to be able to understand the message that Finley is trying to communicate. 

Finley focus' on lighting a a lot in his commentary when speaking about the film 'The Beach' and how it represent the danger that he is going to face in his future in Bangkok, Thailand. Finely goes on to mention about iconography and how it is symbolic of/ and represents the danger that Richard (played by Leonardo Dicaprio) wants to become a part of. - this indicates Finley's in depth knowledge of iconography and how he fully understands the topic in great detail. 

My Response To Hannah Dunsdon's Analysis of Casino Royale

My Response To Hannah Dunsdon's Analysis of Casino Royale

Evaluation:

Hannah begins her analysation of the critically acclaimed James Bond film Casino Royale (which is the 21st film of 23 James Bond films). Furthermore Hannah goes on to talk about how the camera could possibly be coming from someone's eye as it is at eye level, she also goes on to discuss how the James Bond film collection is very iconic, and is recognised all over the world. Hannah discusses the fact that the hearts,diamonds,clubs and spades all link into the theme of Casino- however to improve I do feel that Hannah could have linked the iconic signs of the hearts etc on the cards could be linked into the title as well as the theme of the film. 

In her Analysis of the film Hannah has shown a strong and developed understanding into the various techniques like camera, sounds, miss-en-scene etc. 

Evaluation of Mission Impossible 2

My evaluation of Melissa's analysis of Mission Impossible 2

Evaluation: 

In Melissa's blog, she has decided to analyse the Film 'Mission Impossible 2'. Melissa briefly gives us a synopsis on what 'Mission Impossible 2' is about. In her analysis Melissa focus' on Mise-en-scene, sound, editing and finally camera techniques, then she goes on to talk about her aver all view on how these techniques (where she shows a great level of understanding on how these effects are used to create the end result) are used to improve the film and how effective they are in enhancing the end result in the opening sequence of 'Mission Impossible 2' I have learnt from reading through this blog entry analysis of the film  (having never seen the film before) that the film is set in a desert which conveys loneliness and isolation of the character, and how it could also imply that the character is peaceful and relaxed.

Evaluation of Melissa's Analysis of Se7en

My evaluation of Melissa's analysis of the opening title sequence of the film Se7en

My Evaluation: 

Melissa begins by informing us of what and why she is analysing these films. she also kindly gives us a brief synopsis; which helps informs us of why the film is called Se7en (seven deadly sins). 

In her analysis Melissa goes on to talk about camera techniques, miss-en-scene, editing and sound and how all of these different techniques are used to enhance the viewer experience. In my evaluation of Melissa's analysis I am going to focus on her interpretation on how sound is used throughout to enhance the viewer experience of the film. Melissa mentions about non-diegetic sounds and how the are made to produce a sound that sounds natural to the human ear when in fact it is not, Melissa also informs me of how screaming connotes danger and creates suspense. 

Finley's Analysis of Requiem for a Dream

Finley's Analysis of Requiem for a Dream

Evaluation:

Reading through Finley's analysis of the film 'Requiem for a Dream" it is clear to see that he has acquired extensive knowledge of iconography, editing, camera techniques and lighting etc. In this analysis Finely has talked about effects like how the darkness and how it represent despair through- out the whole film. Furthermore he goes on to comment on how the colour white on the nurse's uniform  'which has symbolic connotations of purity, which juxtaposes with the protagonist. This is a great example of how Finley has informed me on how colour effects certain meanings/ signs/ events and how it will effect the audiences perception on the protagonist. From reading this analysis I have learnt a lot.

Evaluation of Finley's Analysis of 'Homeland'

Finley's Analysis of Homeland

Evaluation: 

From evaluating Finley Harnett's analysis on the show 'Homeland' it has come to my attention that TV shows just as much as films rely on having an important opening sequence. From my evaluation I have learned that 'Homeland" is a political thriller. Before we watch the clip Finley very kindly provided us with an introductory paragraph which gives me a brief synopsis; this is extremely helpful in my understanding of the opening sequence. 

Finley then also goes into detail about the way that the archive footage get the audience thinking of those terrible events in history, which very much create's fear in the audience. the conclusion that Finley has made gives a clear indication of his understanding into the techniques used to make Homeland a 'Straightforward political thriller.' 

TAKEN (Analysis)

TAKEN

What is this film about?

The film Taken is about two young girls (Kim and a Friend Amanda) who decide to travel around Europe (Paris, France) so that they can follow a band tour around. While they are in Paris alone they encounter a young man who misleads them, they end up being kidnapped by the largest sex trafficking organisation in Europe, and eventually put on sale as prostitutes. Meanwhile back in America ex CIA agent Bryan Mills (Kim's father) Played by Liam Neeson travels around the globe from LA to Paris to hunt down and personally kill all of the people responsible for taking his daughter, he eventually returns Kim home safe to her mother (Lenore). Currently there is a new sequel to this film called Taken 2 that is currently being shown at the cinema.

Camera/ Mise En Scene

In the opening sequence of this film, we are introduced to the family through a home (style) video, this is iconic of the nineties. The camera work is edited in lots of jumps to make it seem as if it was in fact a real home video. Later on at Kim's birthday party Bryan (Kim's dad) gives her her present, soon after her mothers present arrives which is a horse, this very much links in with the first opening clip of Kim when she was 5 unwrapping her birthday present which was a plastic toy horse, this was clearly used as a sign to signify what was going to later happen in the film and making a link between the two of them.

The horse that Kim is given Denotes wealth. She comes from a wealthy family. When Brain see's this; a long shot camera technique is used to convey his emotions to the audience. Then we we see the longshot we can see the present at his feet that was intended for Kim, this indicates that his present and he him-self is inferior to her step dad, Stuart.

Editing and Sound

Throughout the opening of the title sequence of the film there is a mixture of slow and fast cuts, for instance in the very beginning of the film when it is the home video it starts of with slow cuts, however it begins to speed up very rapidly to gut out unwanted and un-needed bits of film.

Non-diegetic sound is also used throughout the opening of the film, this gives the audience the scene that at the time when the video was being recorded was such a magical moment in young Kim's life.

Taken is a Action, Crime, Thriller. 

Progress

This is a photo of what my group still has to complete by the deadline of the 19th of October. we are all taking individual tasks to even out the workload.

Primeval Essay

How Is Gender Represented in Primeval?

For this task the class was presented with a section of clip from one of the Primeval episode. In this clip there is a dead body found that is buried around ten feet deep in a forest. When excavating it a sabre-tooth tiger, once the tiger has been dealt with there is a new challenge of Mr West and Jenny (the reporter) where west threatens Jenny with a gun after she blackmails him for taking the blame for some crime he has not committed.

In the opening of the scene we are introduced to the leading male character and the leading female character (Abby). The audience would be unaware of that the female actually turns out to be the protagonist of the clip, where as it would be unusual for the audience to watch something that has a female protagonist.

In Primeval gender is presented through various different techniques, for example symbolic signs are used to give the impression that the man (leading male) is going to protect Jenny from the Sabre-tooth tiger attack, when in fact it is Abby who saves his life. During the conversation that takes place after the body is found, we see that Abby included in the conversation; however when she tries to contribute to the conversation her ideas are not taken on board by the other men in the group discussion.

Gender is also represented thought by the clothes that the characters wear, for example the man that puts the rock on top of the trap in the beginning is wearing a scarf. Now to the audience that would see the type of scarf and also a pink top that he is wearing are symbolic of the female gender (the colour pink denotes love and passion, which connotes that he is less involved in the scene). He is also wearing a leather waistcoat and Is not really suited to the occasion (not wearing the appropriate clothing) this indicates that he is not one of the main characters, this together with the fact that he does not contribute to the discussion that takes place shows that he is an smaller role in the scheme of things. On the other hand Abby wears a leather jacket and shorts which is symbolic of men, this indicates that she has a more important role, and that perhaps she has male tendencies/ characteristics (i.e. strong, brave and determined)

When we hear the roar of the Sabre-tooth it is an indexical sign (it signifies danger and we associate the roar to a tiger). Then the tiger comes in and attacks the man who is excavating a dead body from the big pit in the ground. He is low down and high camera angle is used to look down on him to make him appear small and inferior to the tiger (which in reality would be true, because the tiger is much bigger and more powerful. The camera angle is facing up towards Abby, this informs the audience that she the powerful character . The fact that Abby is look up to from the camera and the man in the hole is looked down at by the camera reiterates the fact that he is defenceless and the fact that she is the one who will eventually have to rescue him, which would be perceived to be unusual because she is the woman and it is a symbolic sign for the woman to be the one in distress, and the male gender is seen to be the dominant one.

Abby operates a large piece of construction machinery which is iconic for a man to use, however Abby manages to operate the machinery with precision this again reiterates Abby's masculinity. The leading male then sees it as his duty as a man to get the sabre-tooth away form her, but inevitably Abby has to save the day by firing a shotgun which scares away the tiger (a shotgun is a very powerful fire weapon, which is easily capable of knocking someone off their feet, however Abby does flinch when she shoots the gun which is very unrealistic seeing as she is a rather small woman and it is a strong powerful gun.

In the next scene which is located at Mr Wests' barn Jenny (the reporter) confronts West about illegally breeding. At the beginning of the conversation Jenny is very much the more powerful dominant character because she has something against him (at this point the camera is at eye level showing that they are relatively equal, but as soon as Mr West grabs his gun she immediately becomes the weaker sex, high camera angle looks down at Jenny on the floor and the camera is looking up at West which shows him as the more significantly dominant character.

In conclusion in the begging of the clip, it was Abby who tended to the the more dominant character over the other males, she had masculine aspects about her that suggested that this was the case, however in the second half of the clip we see the West become the most dominant character , which to me indicates that the viewer is meant to see that both sexes are meant to be equal, on one hand we have a weak and defenceless man in the first half and a strong brave woman, and in the second half we have a strong man and a weak, vulnerable woman.

Word Count: 903

Update

The rest of my research into thrillers will be posted later on today.

Research - Thrillers (Characters/ Themes

Thrillers

Characters and Plots

What are they?

Thrillers are determined by a certain set of conventions (i.e. Fast pace, regular action, including creative heroes who must be successful (most commonly)). Thrillers are made to excite the audience, and a sense of suspense and exhilaration. Very often thrillers are designed to to be challenge the minds of the audience i.e. Inception (psychological thrillers are designed to play mind games with the viewer.

Themes in thriller films:

• Crime
• Kidnappings
• investigations
• Heists
• Ransoms
• Revenge
• Stalking
• Obsession
• Death traps

Typical Characters:

• The film is structured around the protagonist and their thoughts/ feelings.
• The Protagonists usually face death in some way or another.
• There are almost always an antagonist.
• The protagonist and antagonist most often have conflict throughout the film.
• The characters include Criminals, victims, sociopaths, sociopaths, terrorists, police etc.
• both the protagonist and antagonist tend to be men, however this is not always the case.
• In psychological thrillers the protagonist often plays mind games or or is a victim of a mind games from the antagonist of the movie.

Primeval Analysis

Media: MCH

Notes for Primeval clip:

Section One: Talking, Sabre-toothed tiger attack.

Section Two: sabre-tooth running away. Gun shot.

Section Three: Back at the base having a discussion.

Section Four: Barn scene.

-Review the scene – reflect statements on gender

-Discuss what notes you have, technology, gender, evidence.

Men and women are not equal in this scene. Men have the power in terms of what is to be done, whereas the women are the one doing all of the work i.e. saving the main male charicter from the sabre-tooth.

The men are introduced before the women are.

In the conversation the male are most dominant, but the women are still part of the discussion.

Importance- burley man in the middle.

Female is being marginalised.

In this scene from the TV show Primeval, we see an that the males are introduced first and then the women. During the conversation that takes place the men dominate and the female (female one) is included in the discussion however her thoughts are not hear and she is marginalised. When we see this we assume that the men are the ones with the all of the power. The next part of the scene is when the leading male is attacked by the sabre-toothed tiger. At this point the female has to protect the man, this is opposite to the way that the female – male role is perceived. The man I seen to be the one who is meant to protect the female, however in the scene it is the woman who saves the man. Although the male (male one) realises that it is more or less his duty as a male to protect the woman from being attacked.