Evaluation

Evaluation
Our group did a thriller clip that lasted a few minutes. Our intention was to include a number of camera shots and codes (symbolic/technical) we had previously learn about and link it to our storyline.
We used panning on the characters when something bad was about to happen; we did this because we wanted to build the suspense as the audience shares the view of the character.

We used a variation of still images which showed how a character had died - this created the slightly dramatic effect that we wanted because it was quite abrupt so it shocked the audience.
Other groups assessed our work and agreed that
we needed to improve on the following things:

• Steadiness of the camera
• A clearer storyline (e.g. HOW did the characters die and WHY?)
• Louder conversations to avoid muffled sounds as the audience may miss important information.

Things we did well:

• It was funny to watch
• There was a Good use of camera shots and angles e.g. a lot of close-ups and over the shoulder.

H/W - FILM NOTES & Evaluation (for Fri 9th Oct 09

FILM 1 : Star Trek (2009)
Genre: Sci-fi
Intended Audience: 12a ( kids aged 12 and anyone older, probably aimed at males in particular, all classes and ethnicities)

Technical & Symbolic Codes used & how they are used: technical -beeping noises of machines at start of film and the panning of the spaceship sets the scene, muffled walkie talkie sounds, symbolic & technical: sharp,mysterious music; symbolic: lighting shines on character as he hears important news, this could highlight the moment in the film as well as the non-diegnetic music, costumes: space suits - lets audience know current setting, flashing lights: could be used to symbolize a crisis

Conventions: dim lighting to create tension, space ships,mysterious music, fire effects, aliens (or deformed looking creatures), setting is usually in outer space, machines in the space ship,flashing lights (which also come in horrors/thrillers)

Institution: Spyglass Entertainment & Bad Robot Productions. Distributed by PARAMOUNT PICTURES



FILM 2 : When Harry Met Sally (1989) Genre: ROMANCE

Intended Audience: 15 (mainly teenagers as well as those over 15)

Technical & Symbolic Codes used & how they are used: technical & symbolic: jazzy music, piano at start -> jolly happy music to get audience into mood of film maybe?, costume: old woman at beginning is wearing white blouse and pink skirt, pink could symbolise her love for her husband; the girl at the beginning is wearing a yellow shirt with a black cardigan and yellow symbolised happiness but the black cardigan which is covering her could denote that there is an obstacle that is stopping her from being completely happy, technical: fast panning around the couple kissing, could be used to suggest how they are so in love they are oblivious to everyone and everything around them OR it could show that because the panning is fast, that the love is not really LOVE as the moment is being hurried...audience is able to share this passionate moment, symbolic: girl shows hurt facial expression when she sees couple kissing - denotes feelings of jealousy or heartbreak.

Conventions: usually upbeat and cheerful sounding music , "i love you", kissing, a boy and a girl/man and a woman who share an interest in each other, heartbreaking moments, themes of jealousy,conflict,denial

Institution: Castle Rock Entertainment, Nelson Entertainment. Distributed by Columbia Pictures

FILM 3: I Now Pronounce You Chuck And Larry (2007) Genre: Comedy
Intended Audience: 12a ( kids aged 12 and anyone older, aimed at all genders, all classes and ethnicities)

Technical & Symbolic Codes used & how they are used: symbolic and technical: music at start is happy and upbeat and slightly random - makes you wander how it is relates to the film plot, technical:ringing fire alarm - diegetic sound. the red alarm is zoomed in on as well, this warns us there is going to be a fire as well as the characters; the colour red is symbolic for: danger also

Conventions:bright colours, musical alliteration, silly music in the background, a happy ending, gags (visual comic effect like falling over), jokes and people mocking each other, usually a serious character and a very comical/silly character that clash,emphasis of stereotypes

Institution: Happy Madison Productions, Shady Acres Entertainment. Distributed by Universal Pictures.

FILM 4 : BOUNTY (2009) Genre: Western

Intended Audience: 12a ( men and young men 12 and over, any class or ethnicity)

Technical & Symbolic Codes used & how they are used: Technical and symbolic - Musicat start suspicious, mysterious - creates tension, curiosity. Technical - diegetic sound such as horses galloping, Desert-like setting, there is a mid shot of the sun shining in the sky - could be symbolic code for : dream,hope; sunlight gleaming through cracks in a dim room - could be symbolic code for obstacles in way of dream. Symbolic: Man wearing black suit and hat - symbolises his dark personality - could be an evil character, 'wanted' poster zoomed in on - marks the moment for the audience.

Conventions: Costume: Cow boy hats and pants, guns, rope,violence,Desert-like settings, bartender, WANTED signs on posters

Institution: Stage Ham Films. Distributed by Barnholtz Entertainment

FILM 5 : Orphan (2009) Genre: Horror

Intended Audience: 15 ( teenagers and older, no particular race, gender,class)

Technical & Symbolic Codes used & how they are used: symbolic & technical: Sinister,
sharp music in background whilst woman is screaming from labour pains, blood dripping on the hospital floor, doctor room is black only lighting is on bed and woman who is screaming - darkness - symbolises her fear as she is hearing unbelievable news; technical codes: chainsaw

Conventions: Blood,gory images, deformed people/creatures, screaming, banging and other unpleasant sounds, dark gloomy environments; traumatizing events

Institution: Dark Castle Entertainment,Appian Way Productions. Distributed by Warner Bros.

02/10/09

FRIDAY 2ND OCTOBER - PERIODS 1-4 (MR RILEY)

In todays lesson we watched a clip of Pyscho a famous thriller film and analysed it in class.
We went over what codes & conventions means and highlighted different examples of it in the film and then after this we did mini essays of our analysis. In our mini essays we included information such as the music used and what it symbolised, the clothes the characters were wearing etc.
Then we peer assessed our work and were given a comment by whoever marked it on how we could improve it.