MEST2 Coursework Blog
Friday, 15 April 2016
MEST 2 Evaluation
Ladan Abdulle
2,033 words
MEST 2 Evaluation
In this evaluation essay, I will be assessing the production I
have produced with my team which consists of the members Sunny, Mandev, Rashida
and I. During the course of this period we have produced a psychological
thriller based on the lives of a group of teenagers, which eventually comes
under destruction as a murder takes place within the group. Although we have
chosen to base our film production on the ‘Urban Life’ topic, I believe that
our film has elements of several other topics such as the intensity found in
the ‘Modern-noir’ topic and aspects of the topic ‘Friendship’.
Prior to creating the extract, I decided to conduct some research
into arthouse cinema and this has contributed significantly in the finalised
product. I have looked into several arthouse films such as ‘Run Lola Run’ and
‘La Haine’ which have influenced our work greatly. By doing this research I had
a better understanding of how we could experiment with interesting camera shots
to create affective cinematography and how to play around with editing to
create different moods which have been demonstrated well in the arthouse films
I have mentioned. In terms of the narrative of the film, ‘Gone Girl’ and
‘Donnie Darko’ were major influences as they are both psychological films. This
helped us to come up with an interesting story line that incorporated elements
of the themes that run through both films. I had to also refer back to
institutional research which I have also done to make sure the film
corresponded to the brief. I discovered that the
guideline for a 15 certificate is that no theme is prohibited; however it is more based on the frequency of
specific components such as violence and strong language which creates the jump
between a 15 certificate and an 18 certificate. To ensure that the film work
followed the guideline of a 15 certificate I made sure that the script included
some form of violence and strong language. As a group we also carried out
audience research and asked our peers what their opinions were on our film
idea, as they were our prime target audience in terms of age. The feedback was
mostly positive with some advice given on how to create an interesting plot
twist that would engage the audience a bit more. I believe that the thorough
research carried out prior to starting the project was valuable as it allowed
us to have a better understanding of how we wanted our film to look and this enabled
us to move a step closer to creating a good quality film extract.
In terms of target audience, we aimed to secure the niche arthouse
market (core audience) while also having some form of appeal towards the
mainstream audience (secondary audience). The psychographic groups (Young and
Rubicam) that our audience belong to vary from the explorers to the
mainstreamers. The audience demographics for our film extract itself 16-25 year
olds and on the lower spectrum of the social classes whereas the typical
audience of an arthouse film would often be those of an ABC1 class aged 25-55
because arthouse films are quite experimental and break the boundaries compared
to high budget, multiplex cinema aimed films. Therefore, an arthouse film would
most likely be watched by someone who has greater knowledge of their
surroundings and those who are cultured. I kept this in mind when writing the script
and made sure that it was experimental and thought-provoking so it could appeal
to the niche market audience. I also made sure that it would appeal to a
younger audience too i.e. 16 year olds who aren’t necessarily from an ABC1
background and who do go to multiplex cinemas, by ensuring that a sense of
familiarity was created between the characters and the audience. I believe that
the choice of aiming an arthouse film at a mainstream younger audience while
also having the traditional niche market as an audience itself is quite
experimental. There are some advantages by trying to aim our film at an
alternative market (mainstream audience) as our film can be an introduction
into the world of arthouse cinema as it still does have the elements of a
typical arthouse film. However, a disadvantage would be the idea of losing some
of the niche market audience because the film may not seem ‘arthouse’ enough.
Nevertheless, I believe we created a firm balance between arthouse and
mainstream films.
In terms of the film extract, I believe that our arthouse film met
the key conventions of a typical psychological thriller as we were able to
create several moods through our filming techniques. The script itself was
suitable to be classified as a psychological thriller as I made sure that the
events that took place were unexpected and suspenseful such as a film of this
genre would have been. The films extract ends at disequilibrium (Todorov) in
contrast to the typical new equilibrium that is reached as the victim is murdered
rather than being saved by a hero (Propp’s theory). When it came to the actual
filming, mise-en-scene was very important as it allowed us to build onto our
characters personas. For example, with the costumes we made sure the protagonist
wore black clothing, as the colour black has connotations of evil. The location
we used reflected onto the typical suburbs within London, which creates
familiarity with the audience. We also experimented with our camera work to
create an effective and artistic cinematography. For example, the opening scene is one
continuous shot that follows a character; this was an inspiration from the
Copacabana shot in ‘Goodfellas’. We also used the vertigo shot, inspired by
Alfred Hitchcock to keep up with the creativity which is a basis for arthouse
filming. The vertigo shot was useful as it contributed to creating the
unsettling scene we were aiming for. The P.O.V shot was also vital to portray
the scene from the view of our characters; this allowed the audience to get an
insight into the characters emotions and thoughts which therefore allowed us to
show the antagonist’s dysfunctional mind. With the editing, we used different
filters such as a light blue filter to create an atmosphere which has
connotations of isolation; this was useful for the murder scene in the woods as
it created a tense atmosphere. A time lapse was also included as a transition
to imply movement of the characters from one scene to another rather than just
cutting to the next scene. With the sound, we used alternative indie music to
link back to the arthouse theme rather than mainstream music for the opening
scene. I believe we were quite successful with our filming; however we could
have improved upon it by having more professional props. Nevertheless, arthouse
films are mostly low-budget and for the sake of artistic visuals therefore it
can be justified.
Several audience pleasures (uses and gratifications, Katz and
Blumler) can be provided to the audience through watching our film extract. For
example, the target audience can have a sense of familiarity towards the
characters because they know what it is like being in a friendship group and
hanging out therefore they can see themselves reflected within the film,
especially with the location being an urban London suburb. The audience can
also experience forms of escapism as they experience entertainment. For the
older middle class audience they can be educated, as they can see what the
typical lives of teenagers are in a London suburb (apart from the murder). Overall,
I believe that filming our film extract went quite well.
Within the representation aspects of the film extract, our cast
consisted of ethnic minorities. The use of ethnic minorities for characters
such as the protagonist who is Asian, defied the idea of the majority of roles
being played by Caucasians. The fact that all the characters are teenagers
immediately creates a negative image of them as teenagers are often assumed to
be ‘getting up to no good’, which can be linked back to Medhurst’s theory of shorthand
identification. In terms of gender representation, the victim is female and the
typical representation of females being vulnerable victims is reinforced in
contrast to the protagonist who carries masculine and powerful traits. With the
protagonist, we created an alternative image of teenagers as the protagonist is
represented as being mentally unstable and dysfunctional, which is quite a plot
twist as he comes across as being charismatic and normal while still carrying
his masculine traits of power and authority over others. This however only
reinforces the negative image of teenagers unfortunately, but to a point where
his murderous actions are unexpected.
With my print work, I aimed to match the key conventions of a
typical arts centre/cinema brochure by applying my research skills into
brochures such as the BFI’s to reproduce a professional product. For example, I
have found that a majority of brochures use bold colours and follow a scheme
throughout which I have applied to my own work by making sure the colour scheme
and font were consistent. I believe that my contents page was particularly
detailed as I created a geometric outline for my image (Image 2) which I then
layered to create the effect it has. The use of different font sizes for the pages
and the subheadings was an inspiration from a magazine. I followed the
conventions of a typical double page spread for my version and wrote in column
sections. To make my spread have a modernised theme I used quotation brackets
to give my quotes a cleaner look (image 3), the use of bold italics was a
useful feature I found on Photoshop because it made the subheadings seem
edgier. The use of sponsorship logos and social media links gave my front cover
a sense of legitimacy. Perhaps I could
have improved on my print work by using a fuller image for the front cover
(image 1) to fill up the page a bit more, however I do believe that the current
image gives it a simplistic and clean look and allows the texts to be readable.
If I had done the third brief I would have created an online film
blog that fitted the theme of the film in terms of appearance, and it would be
regularly updated with content such as behind-the-scenes and also some form of
user-generated content to engage the audience. I would have used social media
and viral marketing such as Ben Drew did with his ‘Ill Manors’ campaign as a
strategy to creatively drive visitors to my film blog because much of today’s
society is on some form of popular social media. It is also much more efficient
and cheaper than running a website or using billboards. By doing this, a larger audience would be
exposed to the film and information of the film would be spread more quickly.
If the film extract was to be extended into an actual feature
length film, I would aim for there to be some form of cross-promotion with
other institutions, such as the arthouse film ‘A Field in England’. By releasing the film across all forms of media platforms
i.e. TV, VOD, and at cinemas on the same day, the film will gain recognition thus
increasing the audience interest, such as Ben Wheatley has done. This would
also create synergy with each platform, while also allowing each platform to
have its own addition benefits i.e. extras/behind the scene on DVD’s. I believe
this is a successful strategy as releasing the film across all platforms will
bring in a wider audience and will push each platform toits ultimate advantage
Overall, I believe as a group we have met the original brief quite
well for our film work as we incorporated different styles and techniques to
make sure our film was experimental and captivating. If the film product were
to be put into the media market place it would be quite successful as it would
appeal to two audiences, arthouse and mainstream. In conclusion, I believe we
worked well as a team to produce a good quality film extract that would be
suitable to be exhibited at an arthouse cinema.
Thursday, 11 February 2016
BFI notes
The Types of Theatrical Distribution:
Uses and Gratifications for national audience?
Uses and Gratifications for US/international audience?
- Art house cinemas: The BFI and independent cinemas such as Electric Cinema. They usually exhibit low budget films
- Multiplex cinemas: These are arge cinema chains such as Vue & Odeon
- Prestige: These are cross-overs of both, they are low budget films with big actors.
Institutions
Vertigo:
- Formed in 2002 for the purpose of distributing 2 short films.
- They avoid producing prestige films
- Partners with Syco (Simon Cowells comapany)
- Vertigo tends to hide its low budget
Warp:
- Formed in 2001 and started off as an electronic music label which supported challenging and experimental music
- It is a middle ground between arthouse and multiplex
- In partnership with Film Four
- Warp uses its low budget to inspire creative freedom.
Uses and Gratifications for national audience?
- Information/Education: How do other British people live? What are the issues affecting the UK?
- Social Interaction: 'Crowd Pleasures' (social viewing), Oscar nominations (conversation point)
- Personal Identification: National pride, solidarity,aspiration, glamorization,reinforcing/rejecting values
- Pure Entertainment: Spectacle, escapism, adrenaline (thriller/horror), catharsis (+emotional intensity)
Uses and Gratifications for US/international audience?
- Information/Education: historical/literary figures,contemporary celebrities/royalty
- Social Interaction:'Crowd pleasures' (social viewing, Oscar nominations (conversation point)
- Personal Identification: Solidarity with subcultures/marginalized groups rarely represented in mainstream cinema
- Pure Entertainment: spectacle, escapism, adrenaline (thriller/horror), catharsis (+emotional intensity)
United 93 Review
United 93 is a very gripping and heart-breaking film in
terms of the story line and the concept, which is based on the plane United
Airlines flight which was hijacked by al-Qaeda on September
11, 2001. The fact that it is based on a true story makes the audience feel
great sympathy for those who suffered, as the film revolves around those who
tried to regain control of the plane which eventually crashed into a field
killing all onboard. The film has no political views, but rather relives the
final 90 minutes of the ill-fated passengers and this film can be seen as a
form of raising awareness on this event.
In terms of cinematography the film is completely shot with
hand-held cameras, this only emphasises the natural feel of the film and makes
it seem more like a documentary and there is a sense of realism when watch it. I
believe the cinematography of this film is quite good as most of the shots are
able to capture the emotions and gestures of the characters, which can give out
a lot of information in a short space of time, this adds onto the tension of
the film. The editing of the film i.e. fast-paced editing also adds onto the
impact it has on the audience as fear and chaos are clearly represented. The use of sorrowful music during certain
parts of the film i.e. when passengers make calls to their relatives adds onto
the distressing atmosphere of the film
The mise-en-scene is also quite important. For example, the
cast are quite diverse from children, adults and foreigners to portray the
terrorists. This adds onto the sense of realism as the diversity of passengers
on a plane is represented through the cast they have chosen, and the fact that
foreigners have been used to portray the terrorists adds onto this realism of
the event and the stereotypes that are now part of society (foreigners are
evil, dangerous). The setting is a recreation of the plane, which also adds
onto the realism.
Overall, the director was quite successful with this film,
and the fact that it is based on a true story only adds onto the sympathy the
audience has for these passengers while also raising awareness on the gravity
of this fateful event.
Tuesday, 26 January 2016
Thursday, 21 January 2016
Work completed since 6 January
Work completed since 6 January
Any incomplete pre-production tasks?
Next steps/Action plan
Date filming will be complete?
Requirements for photoshoot next week
- Mise en scene, locations, costume, props, casting, cinematography/visuals
- Redraft of script, shot list and storyboard
Any incomplete pre-production tasks?
- None, all pre-production tasks have been completed
Next steps/Action plan
- Photoshoot on 27th Jan
- Location filming, e.g. establishing shots etc
- Getting a soundtrack sorted
- Getting props and costumes sorted
Date filming will be complete?
- Unknown yet
Requirements for photoshoot next week
- Characters/Subjects needed for photoshoot are available and able to come
- Costumes and props need to be sorted (e.g blood/murder weapon)
Double page spread feature
REPRESENTATIONS
-THE CHARACTERS IN DETAIL FROM THE WRITER OF TRANSGRESSION
Bold, intense and deeply ominous, these are just a few words that could describe the thrilling narrative of TRANSGRESSION. This couldn't have been achieved without the mesmiring characters and their persona's played by our skilled actors.
As the writer of the script, I decided to get a bit creative with characters and paid
attention to all details from their clothing to their dialogue to make sure
that a certain representation is given out towards the audience so they could
get an understanding of each character.
The main protagonist, Jason, who is the killer, has a
manipulative characteristic which he hides through his charisma and charm, it
could almost be argued that he’s mentally unstable. He desires power and
attention, something which he lacked before he brutally murdered a vulnerable
friend, Grace. His killing gave him a sense of superiority, but it also adds
onto his paranoia. He faces several conflicts such as one member of their
friendship group, Lucia, gets suspicious
about his sudden change in personality, as the lies he makes increase and
increase. Jason’s also has a very rough and not caring look to his attire. His
dark clothing links back to the negative connotations associated with dark
colours i.e. evil, danger. His lack of care is therefore represented through
his clothing, and this foreshadows the lack of compassion he will have towards
Grace when he murders her. Jason’s characteristics defy the typical
characteristics of an average male teenager hence the sudden plot twist; his
pathetic intentions to kill the most defenceless character takes all sympathies
and admiration created by the audience for him away.
Even the smaller details such as the names also went into account, such
as Grace’s name. Her name links back to the overall persona of her character,
one of goodness and courtesy. The fact that Grace also wears white links back
to her representation of being ethereal and naive. The colour white has positive
connotations and is often related to innocence and goodness which Jason stains
.i.e the blood/mud stained clothes by corrupting her and killing her.
Lucia’s character plays a major role as she is the only character
who gets suspicious of Jason’s intentions. She is quite reserved and laid back
but pays attention to surroundings in quite a lot of detail. In her dialogue
she constantly criticises Jason, which suggests to the audience she is quite
hard to please, but this also emphasises on her sharp mind as she clearly knows
something is up, however this is unfortunately dismissed.
All in all, TRANSGRESSION wouldn't have been as captivating as it was if it wasn't for the entire crew and actors who contributed greatly towards the production of the film.
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