Sunday 27 February 2011
Saturday 26 February 2011
Thursday 24 February 2011
Sunday 20 February 2011
(Pre-Production) Production Log - Week 4
My British Social Realist opening sequence needs to target the age range from 16-24. Through the Reception Theory, the similar the cultural background and life experiences in a film, the more the audience will understand it. After discussing these issues with my partner, we decided to follow the theme of growing up, aspiration and conflicts between teenagers. This is because around the age of 16 and above, teenagers begin to decide on their future career and try to aim towards their goal. Therefore this opening sequence would appeal to that age range. The main character is a girl who dresses like a 'chav' which makes people think they have no career intentions and just want to loiter around the streets. This is common in Britain these days and this film would target mainly females who want to prove people wrong. This opening sequence could also appeal to boys who may be in a similar situation.
The video below is a quick trailer of 'Fish Tank' which has inspired me to do my opening sequence following the themes of growing up, aspiration, conflicts between teenagers and of the working class. The girl is seen as a 'chav' and gets into a lot of trouble but she aspires to become a dancer but keeps it to herself. This has had an influence in my opening sequence for a girl who is similar, but instead, she will be aiming for her dream to become an actress and show that she can do it to everyone.
I have learnt that some social realist films such as Bullet Boy, This Is England and Fish Tank have been funded by the UK Film Council. They target a niche audience, mainly British who live a similar lifestyle as they may find it interesting how they cope with their own lives. They follow themes which happen nowadays such as gang culture, violence, drugs, ethnicities and British politics which British people find appealing. The biggest institution in UK which produce British Social Realist films is Film Four. Their films target different niche audiences depending on gender, ethnicites or social class. For example, East is East portrays the difficulty in half-caste children with parents coming from two different backgrounds. It shows the conflict between the two cultures through comedy to get a message across to parents, so they understand the situation of their children.
This will inform my production because I have a better understanding of the locations to be used and most importantly, the characters and their roles. I would need to make sure that the characters will be appealing to teenagers. I am also able to follow similar themes and conventions which British Social Realism use to show what life is actually like for teenagers and the difficulties they face.
The video below is a quick trailer of 'Fish Tank' which has inspired me to do my opening sequence following the themes of growing up, aspiration, conflicts between teenagers and of the working class. The girl is seen as a 'chav' and gets into a lot of trouble but she aspires to become a dancer but keeps it to herself. This has had an influence in my opening sequence for a girl who is similar, but instead, she will be aiming for her dream to become an actress and show that she can do it to everyone.
I have learnt that some social realist films such as Bullet Boy, This Is England and Fish Tank have been funded by the UK Film Council. They target a niche audience, mainly British who live a similar lifestyle as they may find it interesting how they cope with their own lives. They follow themes which happen nowadays such as gang culture, violence, drugs, ethnicities and British politics which British people find appealing. The biggest institution in UK which produce British Social Realist films is Film Four. Their films target different niche audiences depending on gender, ethnicites or social class. For example, East is East portrays the difficulty in half-caste children with parents coming from two different backgrounds. It shows the conflict between the two cultures through comedy to get a message across to parents, so they understand the situation of their children.
This will inform my production because I have a better understanding of the locations to be used and most importantly, the characters and their roles. I would need to make sure that the characters will be appealing to teenagers. I am also able to follow similar themes and conventions which British Social Realism use to show what life is actually like for teenagers and the difficulties they face.
Friday 18 February 2011
(Pre-Production) First Idea for Opening Sequence
As part of my task, I had to come up with a summary of an idea of my opening sequence in no more than 25 words.
A young teenage girl from East London has dreamed of being famous all her life. Will she be able to make her dream come true?
A young teenage girl from East London has dreamed of being famous all her life. Will she be able to make her dream come true?
Saturday 12 February 2011
(Pre-Production) Production Log - Week 3
I have learnt various narrative devices which could be useful for my opening sequence. I found that there are many ways in which films can follow a story. In the image below, it is the various narrative devices used in films. Most of them can be used in British social realist films and can make them more interesting and draw the audience in. It is also important that films have narrative structures so that the audience can follow them easily and not get confused.
A British social realist film can have flashbacks in the opening sequence such as Adulthood because it may seem more interesting for the audience of what may have happened in the past.
It is also an ellipse as it is denoted by the term 'six years later'.
This will inform my production because I would want to use a couple of the narrative devices in order to make it interesting for the audience to watch as well as easy for them to understand. I would probably make a timeline for my opening sequence to keep the shots and actions organized. Music is an important element in an opening sequence because I would need my opening sequence to create dramatic tension and set a mood for the audience. By looking at the opening sequence for Adulthood, it might be a good idea to use flashbacks at the beginning to give the audience more information of what is going to happen and how it relates to the past. The audience is then able to have a better understanding of the context of the film.
It is also an ellipse as it is denoted by the term 'six years later'.
This will inform my production because I would want to use a couple of the narrative devices in order to make it interesting for the audience to watch as well as easy for them to understand. I would probably make a timeline for my opening sequence to keep the shots and actions organized. Music is an important element in an opening sequence because I would need my opening sequence to create dramatic tension and set a mood for the audience. By looking at the opening sequence for Adulthood, it might be a good idea to use flashbacks at the beginning to give the audience more information of what is going to happen and how it relates to the past. The audience is then able to have a better understanding of the context of the film.
The methods I might use in my opening sequence would be probably be a restricted narrative to make it look realistic and show what life is actually like for the main character. It would also be interesting to use the non-linear device as flash backs or going in the future but I would have to make sure it won't look confusing for the audience. If this is the case, then the linear narrative would have to be used.
(Pre-Production) Analysing Sound in British Social Realism
As part of our task, we had to analyse the sounds and it's effects in an opening sequence. I have decided to analyse sound for the British social realist film 'Bullet Boy'. In the video below, I have added annotations for the opening sequence up to 2:15.
The impact this research has had on my opening sequence is that I would need to add music which will create moods for the audience. I find that this is important because it helps them understand the context of the film better as well as the role of the main character. I would probably need to use a mixture of high notes and low notes to create tension on my opening sequence. I also found out that ambient sound is important in social realist films because it makes it seem more realistic, so I would take this into consideration.
The impact this research has had on my opening sequence is that I would need to add music which will create moods for the audience. I find that this is important because it helps them understand the context of the film better as well as the role of the main character. I would probably need to use a mixture of high notes and low notes to create tension on my opening sequence. I also found out that ambient sound is important in social realist films because it makes it seem more realistic, so I would take this into consideration.
Tuesday 8 February 2011
(Pre-Production) Institutional Information For Opening Sequences
I decided to look into the opening sequence for 'Catch me if you can' as part of my research.
I then created a timeline for this opening sequence and captured the credits shown, actions seen and the music played.
By referring to the timeline I created for the opening sequence, I found out that the production company names and logos must be at the beginning before introducing the actual opening credits. The film opening credits begin to introduce the names of the actors in the film and then the directors, editors and producers. These credits were introduced with the mise-en-scene, which gave me the impression of the roles being played by the actors. By doing this, the audience is able to gain more information about that the film is going to be about and get to know the characters already. Music was also played throughout the entire opening sequence. There were various instruments played as well as a mixture of low and high notes. This creates suspicion for the audience as well as setting a 'mood' for them. For example, the low notes could signify misery. The title of the film 'Catch me if you can' was introduced 44 seconds within the opening sequence, this is because it relates to the mise-en-scene where an animated police car was chasing a taxi. This audience is able to pay more attention to this and understand the context behind the title more.
I then created a timeline for this opening sequence and captured the credits shown, actions seen and the music played.
By referring to the timeline I created for the opening sequence, I found out that the production company names and logos must be at the beginning before introducing the actual opening credits. The film opening credits begin to introduce the names of the actors in the film and then the directors, editors and producers. These credits were introduced with the mise-en-scene, which gave me the impression of the roles being played by the actors. By doing this, the audience is able to gain more information about that the film is going to be about and get to know the characters already. Music was also played throughout the entire opening sequence. There were various instruments played as well as a mixture of low and high notes. This creates suspicion for the audience as well as setting a 'mood' for them. For example, the low notes could signify misery. The title of the film 'Catch me if you can' was introduced 44 seconds within the opening sequence, this is because it relates to the mise-en-scene where an animated police car was chasing a taxi. This audience is able to pay more attention to this and understand the context behind the title more.
There were a few terms in the credits which I did not understand and would probably need to take it into consideration for my own opening sequence. I looked the terms up to see what their jobs are:
Executive producer - Handles business and legal issues and are not involved in any technical aspects of the film making.
Co-executive producer - Second in seniority to executive producer.
Screenplay - A script made for a film including dialogue and descriptions of characters and sets.
The impact this research has had on my opening sequence is to create my own timeline because it will help keep it organized and easy to understand. I would also add my own production logo at the beginning and introduce the director and producer names before the actors. I would probably place it on the mise-en-scene because the audience may understand the roles of actors better. Later on in the opening sequence, I would add the film editors, music editors and costume designers as I noticed from my research. Overall, it had given me an idea of the certain times I'd need to add in music, actions and credits.
Sunday 6 February 2011
(Pre-Production) Production Log - Week 2
By looking at social realist codes and conventions, it has given me an idea of what needs to be included in my opening sequence. I have also learnt that there can can be more than one themes in a social realist film. For example, Kidulthood introduced the following themes in it's opening sequence: school bullying, crime, chavs, violence, gangsters and relationships. I have also learnt that handheld camera movements, real locations and natural lighting are important elements in order to make a film realistic as it will make the audience feel like they are involved in the scene. Also British people in social realist films usually wear casual everyday clothing which anyone can pick up from a shop so I would take this into consideration so that my opening sequence can therefore relate to a British audience.
Kidulthood is one of opening sequences I looked at to get an idea of what makes it British:
My research on a few British social realist films will inform my production because I will have more of an idea of what I need to consider including in my opening sequence. For example, I would keep the lighting natural because I want to keep my opening sequence realistic. I would also need to think about the dialogue and the language which would appeal to a British audience. Camera work is also important, so I could consider including a handheld shot to create a dramatic effect and in order to involve the audience as if they are in the scene.
After researching various opening sequences, alongside Kidulthood, I found that Fish Tank was particularly influential. This is because it was filmed near where I live in Baking & Dagenham and I am familiar with the locations. Also I can understand the regional language and accents because it relates to similar experiences I might have had. The opening sequence also didn't have much editing so it felt like I was following the character in the scene.
I will conform to conventions because I have gained knowledge by researching opening sequences that they introduce more than one theme. I will also need to start thinking about the various conventions such as camera work and props which will be needed in my opening sequence to make sure it will be appealing to a British audience.
Saturday 5 February 2011
Thursday 3 February 2011
(Pre-Production)Conventions of British Social Realism
Themes
How it is used in British Social Realism: Developments throughout a situation and where the whole film follows on a story of a particular kind.
Example: Bullet Boy - Gangster, crime, drama, fights between gangs and the relationship between these 'gangsters' and the police. Violence because of the guns involved. Teenagers are also being judged. His little brother is aspired to be like him when he's older like a 'criminal' - not a good influence. The boy has nobody and his mother cannot handle his situation.
Representation of Gender
How it is used in British Social Realism: Usual men and women roles - what they spend their time doing. Domination, masculinity, single parents, only sometimes give positive views, not fulfilling roles as parents, encouragements.
Example: The Full Monty - Six unemployed men become strippers to earn money.
Representation of Ethnicity
How it is used in British Social Realism: Racism - actively aggressive, tensions between ethnicites, discrimination, judgemental, struggle living between two different cultures, use of humour to get a point across, sympathetic.
Example: East Is East - Children have a white mother and a Pakistani father. They live in Manchester and the father wants to control their lives by getting them married to Pakistani girls but one of the boys already has a white girlfriend. "Mum! The paki's are here!" - considered offensive.
Representation of Class
How it is used in British Social Realism: Underclass and working class living in council estates, aspired to achieve something and get out of their current situation, mainly see negative views - not much positive, not always showing what life is really like, shows them to be scums but it is not always the case.
Example: Football Factory - A man who is nearly 30 and says his life is boring. He is working class and says "he's no different" to anyone else because he takes drugs, has sex, drinks alcohol, 'lives for the weekends' and does beat up people. This mainly gives a negative view of the working class. He enjoys football.
Mise-en-scene
How it is used in British Social Realism: Natural/dark lighting, grey colours - not bright, council estates, real settings, streets, dirty environment (not perfect), not in studio, casual everyday clothing because anyone can pick it up from a shop, messy houses, hoodies.
Example: Billy Elliot - Natural lighting, industrial estate, broken fence, bushes not cut down in a while, school uniform, others doing actions in the background, boy practices ballet in bedroom and kitchen.
Music & Sound Effects
How it is used in British Social Realism: Ambient sound - birds, police sirens, cars, people shouting, hardly uses non-diegetic music, uses urban music from that area, mainly diegetic music
Example: Made In Britain - Rock/metal/punk music - aggression, crime, troublesome, main character looks like a punk so the music keeps with the character, set in a real court room as someone speaks it is fuzzy and echoes, use real sound affects, very little talking in the background.
Camera Shots & Editing
How it is used in British Social Realism: Handheld, shaky, rough to follow lives of characters and as if we are in the actual scene watching them, mainly documentary, not much editing involved - makes it flow more and the conversations, long takes, quick cuts.
Example: This Is England - Hand held camera shot as boy attacks a man, a few quick jump cuts to show an action happening, close up shots of the boy and man talking to show their facial expressions and reactions. Long shot of environment - it is dirty, there are puddles, tyres on the floor. Expansion of time as they jump into the water for fun.
Dialogue
How it is used in British Social Realism: Swearing, British accents, slang based in the regional area, we don't always understand some words but we can guess, dialect speech, choice of language.
Example: Kidulthood - "Are you dizzy blud?!" "I'm gonna bang 'em up you understand me" "Who wants a sket like you" "It's cuz you're so buff yeah..."
How it is used in British Social Realism: Developments throughout a situation and where the whole film follows on a story of a particular kind.
Example: Bullet Boy - Gangster, crime, drama, fights between gangs and the relationship between these 'gangsters' and the police. Violence because of the guns involved. Teenagers are also being judged. His little brother is aspired to be like him when he's older like a 'criminal' - not a good influence. The boy has nobody and his mother cannot handle his situation.
Representation of Gender
How it is used in British Social Realism: Usual men and women roles - what they spend their time doing. Domination, masculinity, single parents, only sometimes give positive views, not fulfilling roles as parents, encouragements.
Example: The Full Monty - Six unemployed men become strippers to earn money.
Representation of Ethnicity
How it is used in British Social Realism: Racism - actively aggressive, tensions between ethnicites, discrimination, judgemental, struggle living between two different cultures, use of humour to get a point across, sympathetic.
Example: East Is East - Children have a white mother and a Pakistani father. They live in Manchester and the father wants to control their lives by getting them married to Pakistani girls but one of the boys already has a white girlfriend. "Mum! The paki's are here!" - considered offensive.
Representation of Class
How it is used in British Social Realism: Underclass and working class living in council estates, aspired to achieve something and get out of their current situation, mainly see negative views - not much positive, not always showing what life is really like, shows them to be scums but it is not always the case.
Example: Football Factory - A man who is nearly 30 and says his life is boring. He is working class and says "he's no different" to anyone else because he takes drugs, has sex, drinks alcohol, 'lives for the weekends' and does beat up people. This mainly gives a negative view of the working class. He enjoys football.
Mise-en-scene
How it is used in British Social Realism: Natural/dark lighting, grey colours - not bright, council estates, real settings, streets, dirty environment (not perfect), not in studio, casual everyday clothing because anyone can pick it up from a shop, messy houses, hoodies.
Example: Billy Elliot - Natural lighting, industrial estate, broken fence, bushes not cut down in a while, school uniform, others doing actions in the background, boy practices ballet in bedroom and kitchen.
Music & Sound Effects
How it is used in British Social Realism: Ambient sound - birds, police sirens, cars, people shouting, hardly uses non-diegetic music, uses urban music from that area, mainly diegetic music
Example: Made In Britain - Rock/metal/punk music - aggression, crime, troublesome, main character looks like a punk so the music keeps with the character, set in a real court room as someone speaks it is fuzzy and echoes, use real sound affects, very little talking in the background.
Camera Shots & Editing
How it is used in British Social Realism: Handheld, shaky, rough to follow lives of characters and as if we are in the actual scene watching them, mainly documentary, not much editing involved - makes it flow more and the conversations, long takes, quick cuts.
Example: This Is England - Hand held camera shot as boy attacks a man, a few quick jump cuts to show an action happening, close up shots of the boy and man talking to show their facial expressions and reactions. Long shot of environment - it is dirty, there are puddles, tyres on the floor. Expansion of time as they jump into the water for fun.
Dialogue
How it is used in British Social Realism: Swearing, British accents, slang based in the regional area, we don't always understand some words but we can guess, dialect speech, choice of language.
Example: Kidulthood - "Are you dizzy blud?!" "I'm gonna bang 'em up you understand me" "Who wants a sket like you" "It's cuz you're so buff yeah..."
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