AS MEDIA STUDIES http://samwardmediadho.tumblr.com/
FOUNDATION PORTFOLIO HORROR FILM RESEARCH PLANNING EVALUATION
EXAM
AS MEDIA STUDIES WHO ARE WE? Miss Hopkins – Head of Dept. Ms. Burns – Media Teacher Mr. Bennett – Media Technician What does the department expect? Students Attitude • Team players • Sharers • Confidence • Resilience • Keeps to deadlines • Pro-active
Teachers Attitude • Positive • Helpful •
Strong subject knowledge
• Resilience • Keeps to deadlines • Pro-active
EUIPMENT: • Treated with care and respect • Signed out and back in • Returned on time in the same condition it left • Do not lose memory cards • Pick a mac and work on it for the year if possible
AS MEDIA STUDIES What do you have to achieve? FOUNDATION PORTFOLIO: • A DVD • COMPLETED BLOG of research and planning • EVALUATION 100 marks in total
EXAM: TEXTUAL ANALYSIS of a TV Drama •
•
Discuss the ways in which the extract creates representations of (gender, class and status, age, sexuality, disability and ability, ethnicity) using the following; camera work, editing, sound and mise en scene. 50 marks
AUDIENCES AND INSTITUTIONS case study • •
Discuss the issues raised by institution's need to target specific audiences. 50 marks
THE RESEARCH MARKSHEET Prezi ISSUU Voice Overs BLOG Macro Elements / Symbolic C&C’s Micro Elements / Technical C&C’s Textual Analysis X3
VLOG
Key Films / History of the genre Sub-genres x3
Relevant, C Grade (What?) BASIC INTRODUCTION to yourself and the course. Add a photo and the name of your production company.
Sustained, B Grade (How?) PROFICIENT Explore each section of the course by adding pages for RESEARCH, PLANNING, PRODUCTION (making of the film).
Perceptive, A Grade (Why?) EXCELLENT Design make sure the work is attractive and looks professional. Create a production company logo and introduce your whole group and their roles.
Introduce the key elements (Character / Setting / Narrative) what must they be like for your genre choice. Introduce the key elements (Sound / Camera Work / Editing / Mise en Scene) what must they be like for your genre choice. The Ring The Descent Your own choice. Explain why these films are DEFINITELY the genre of your choice. Use your notes form in class.
Link these to actual films – include directors names and dates they films were released (include screen shots or embed video clips). Link these to actual films – include directors names and dates they films were released (include screen shots or embed video clips). Analyse how EACH of the conventions / elements have been used to evoke fear or tension. Comment on the Directors names and release dates.
Explore WHY these C&Cs are used to create either fear or tension – what are their effects on the audience?
Refer to what in your opinion are the Extend your dialogue by using clips most important C&C’s / Elements. from films to add a voice over to You must record your voice. showing where your choices have been used successfully. Use google images to represent the Comment on their importance within key films or a timeline of your choice film history (controversy or of genre. popularity – imdb.com) Use google images to represent the Screen Shots from films within the genres of your choice. sub-genre.
BBFC
Screen shot the BBFC website and analyse the main differences between 15 and 18 certificates.
Questionaire
Research into target audience – ask closed questions about what C&C’s / elements audiences want to see within a film of your Genre choice.
Film openings
Marked?
We will complete in class as a wholg group.
Analyse HOW these C&Cs are used to create either fear or tension – what are their effects on the audience? Include links into your analysis to other films – how are movies using the C&C’s similarly / differently/ more effectively than others. Why? Comment on the BBFC rating what is it and why, who is the target audience? Express how you may apply these C&C’s / elements to your final production and why. Refer to financial costs and how much money the films made when released into the cinema. Post a comment about how each may use different C&C’s / elements
Analyse the key words (eg Moderate and Graphic) what does this difference actually look like on screen?
Judge how the BBFC criteria influences the technical C&C’s / micro elements, the level of fear within the audience and it’s financial intake.
Print Screen your questionnaire on a live social media website (ASK AS MANY PEOPLE AS POSSIBLE TO ANSWER).
Analyse the results and create another VLOG comparing your new research to what you previously considered to be the most important C&C’s / elements
DEADLINE = 19/12/2014
All work must be uploaded to your blog by this point!
THE HORROR GENRE
CODES AND CONVENTIONS
OBJECTIVE: HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU ARE WATCHING A HORROR FILM? MACRO / MICRO SYMBOLIC / TECHNICAL
CHARACTER CODES
(SYMBOLIC / MACRO
ELEMENT) Horror films always without fail feature a protagonist and an antagonist. • • • •
This must occur in order for any ‘horror’ to take place. The antagonist can be supernatural or human. The protagonist can be anybody, be it an adult or a child. The audience follow the protagonist and support their side – usually the morally good.
‘The Unlikely Hero’ • audience suspects to be the antagonist
The Sex Appeal/The Irritant • 1st to die The Final Girl • confronts the killer • vulnerable & weak – female masculinity
PROTAGONIST CONVENTIONS
Son or Daughter • child starts to change • they find it easier to believe the unbelievable
‘Paranormal Children’ • often do not speak • manipulated by a greater evil
‘Stupid/immoral teenagers’ • will die
NARRATIVE CODES & CONVENTIONS (SYMBOLIC / MACRO ELEMENT) Generally, horror movies follow these specific narrative devices: THE HERO: The one on the quest and the one who will eventually save the day
THE VILLAIN: The antagonist of the film who causes the disequilibrium THE HELPER: A person who helps the hero on their quest THE VICTIM: At the mercy of the villain THE DONER: Someone who has something special which will help the hero These devices are often seen in all horror movies.
NARRATIVE CODES & CONVENTIONS (SYMBOLIC / MACRO ELEMENT) Psychological Slasher
type horror films usually involve a psychopathic killer stalking and killing a sequence of victims in a violent manner – often with a cutting tool, for example, an axe or a knife Slasher films can also overlap with the crime and thriller genre These films usually result in everybody dying and the killer escaping. A Nightmare On Elm Street is a good example of a slasher type horror film.
Gothic
horror films are quite different. This is a type of story than contains elements of Goth and horror; it may have romance than unfolds within the horror film, but it usually is suspenseful. Let Me In follows the plot of a dark twisted love between vampire and human. The two usually would not fit together but find a way.
horror films usually rely on characters fear, guilt, emotional instability and sometimes the supernatural.
In many cases a horror can involve a family of some sort moving to a new
house/location.
It then unfolds throughout the film that the location has a bad history of murder/death. Slowly the protagonists we follow start to play out the same plot as the previous residents of the house.
A common occurrence in a horror film technology
failing
– for example the car breaking down. This can leave the characters stranded in unknown, isolated territory.
LOCATION CODES • Anything that connotes isolation or being alone. • Places with “dark” history • Everyday settings are used in horror films. This gives the effect that it could happen to the viewer! ‘Cabin in the woods’ • No phone signal • Open to attack
‘Asylums’ • Psychotic characters • Torture
LOCATION CONVENTIONS ‘Haunted House’ • Badly lit and dusty • Have a dark history
‘Deserted cities’ • Isolation • Paranoia
‘Underground tunnels’ • Mortal danger • Claustrophobia
PROPS/SIGNIFIERS CODES & CONVENTI (SYMBOLIC / MACRO ELEMENT) WEAPONS •
One key feature nearly always used in horror films, especially with a slasher, is a weapon. Depending on the time period they can range from a cross bow to a chainsaw.
•
Weapons can be held by both the antagonist and the protagonist – attack or defence.
•
The final girl is usually equipped with a weapon.
•
These weapons illustrate how vulnerable the human body is to the audience and in how many different ways one can die.
LOST?MISSING • In many horror films the protagonist gets lost in some way. Fog is a popular use for the character to become disorientated. The use of this block us from seeing anything but the protagonist and what the film wants us to see; there are no other details to distract us. This state of confusion orientates the viewer into the protagonists emotion and stress. It is almost as if we are transported to a different location as nothing can be seen. •
It is then that something emerges in the fog, often abstract at first.
•
Usually another character in the film pulls the protagonist from the confusion and the illusion disappears.
PROPS/SIGNIFIERS CODES & CONVENTIONS DOLLS/CHILDREN
(SYMBOLIC / MACRO ELEMENT)
• Dolls are used in many horror films to signify horror. Weapons can be held by both the antagonist and the protagonist – attack or defence. • The final girl is usually equipped with a weapon. • These weapons illustrate how vulnerable the human body is to the audience and in how many different ways one can die. • This could be because they signify children and illustrate the torment the child is going through but on the exterior. It could also show a broken child or the time difference from a previous resident. • The idea that the dolls are supposed to be for children but instead look scary has become a common occurrence in certain types of horror films. • Drawings by children are also regular in otherworldly type films. • The illustrations can become precursors to later on in the film.
REPRESENTATION (SYMBOLIC / MACRO ELEMENT) AGE / GENDER / SEXUALITY / RACE / CLASS / CULTURE / RELIGION
AUDIENCE
(SYMBOLIC & TECHNICAL
ELEMENT) What is the BBFC certifictate of the film? How has this affected the horror types and decided the target audience of the film?
DIEGETIC & NON DIEGETIC SOUND CODES and Conventions. (TECHNICAL / MICRO ELEMENT)
• In most horrors low pitched music is used to build up intensity. • A loud shocking noise matches when antagonists pop out. This technique is used in all sub-genres of horror. • In some cases the sequence can go completely silent in order to build suspense. This makes the contrast of a loud non-diegetic noise, or the introduction of a diegetic noise such as a phone call more shocking. • The tone of a phone going dead or just ringing is very ominous in horror films and often crops up in the genre. • This also works the other way round – when the antagonist calls the protagonist, a mysterious voice on the other end of the line that we cannot see. This is a key feature in The Ring.
CAMERA WORK CODES and Conventions. (TECHNICAL / MICRO ELEMENT)
OVER TO YOU……
EDITING CODES and Conventions. (TECHNICAL / MICRO ELEMENT)
OVER TO YOU……
MISE EN SCENE CODES and Conventions. (TECHNICAL / MICRO ELEMENT)
The arrangement of everything that appears in the framing – • Lighting actors, lighting, décor, props, costume – is • Make up • Casting called mise-en-scène, a French term that means “placing on • Framing stage.” The frame and • Locations camerawork are also considered • Props part of the mise-en-scène of a movie. In cinema, placing on • Costumes the stage really means placing on the screen, and the director is in charge of deciding what goes where, when, and how.
THE PLANNING MARKSHEET Relevant, C Grade (What?) Sustained, B Grade (How?) BASIC PROFICIENT Follows the precise format that Explore action matches – use the exam board asks - This task more than one and make sure Prezi there is no dead time. NO ISSUU should demonstrate match Voice Overs on action, shot/reverse shot CAMERA WOBBLE Preliminary task – THE MEETING Initial ideas
Developed idea
Final idea
Timeline Detailed timeline.
and the 180-degree rule.
Explore three different ideas for your final video – write a short synopsis for each (title and plot) Pick one of your initial ideas and introduce the key conventions you plan to use (micro / macro).
Three different ideas – three different sub genres.
Link this to actual films – include directors names and dates they films were released (include screen shots or embed video clips). Really sell your idea now and State the sub-genre of your film show off everything that you – explain how this will be know about your genre – how obvious to the audience. Explain whether you are doing a has all of your research last montage, heavily edited piece or term influenced this idea? non-linear if needed. Comment on each scene step Include pictures. by step. Discuss micro elements How will you use editing explain what shot types will be techniques to enhance the used in each scene. tension or horror in each scene?
Intro to actors
Who are they in real life – age / Primary Photos. sex / occupation?
Costumes / make up / hair / props Locations
What? How? Why?
Primary and Secondary Photos
Google maps and explanation of how they will enhance the tension / horror (micro / macro).
Primary photos of the exact location(s).
Shot list /
Perceptive, A Grade (Why?) EXCELLENT Design use creative titles and music to finish the film. Blog it along with a short evaluation / commentary of the task.
COMPULSORY
Explore how your ideas are linked to your market research (survey results) Analyse HOW you will use the C&Cs to create either fear or tension within your narrative / plot. Constantly refer back to your market research / survey results. BBFC quotes – what certificate and why?
Discuss macro elements. How will the diegetic / nondiegetic sound enhance the tension and horror in the scene? Comment on Mise en scene! Who are they within your narrative – why are they suitable? Compare and link to actual films / fashion / theatre (dates and directors / artists) Video footage of the exact location(s) that you intend to film in.
THE BLOG
How to complete your EVALUATION (20 marks) • You have 7 questions which you have to complete to fulfil the requirements of the evaluation. • You must NOT simply write an essay but should exploit as much technology as you can to produce this evaluation.
• You should construct a PREZI that includes slide share and You Tube clips that you have made, Pintrest or any electronic way to help present the information that you are developing.
Q1. In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? Could easily be completed by a voice over on your actual production, you need to cover 3 paragraphs here. Q2) How does your media product represent particular social groups? Again could easily be completed by a voice over on your actual production.
Q3) What kind of media institution might distribute your media products and why? THIS could be achieved by using a power point with screen shots of the websites etc your film could be part of.
Q4) Who would be the audience for your media product? FILM SOME RANDOMS SAYING THEY REALLY LIKE YOUR FILM AND WHERE THEY THINK THEY COULD SEE IT. Q5) How did you attract/ address your audience? PROVIDE DETAILED EXAMPLES from your work, screen shots, props/costume lists Q6) What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing the product. This is a VERY important three paragraphs since the justification for the marks comes directly from the detail you provide here.
Q7) What have you learnt from the preliminary task to the final product? This is a VERY important three paragraphs explaining how bad you were and how amazing you are now!