Self Evaluations - Mr Bush

Self Evaluation

·         Attainment -  2

I think that my attainment in media has been fairly good, as I’ve never done media studies before.

·         Effort – 2

I think that I could put more effort into my media work, as sometimes I leave it to last minute which affects my grade.

·         Punctuality -  1

Throughout the term I have been on time to my lessons and handed in work in on time.

·         Submission and quality of homework - 2

I think that the quality of work could be better as I leave my homework to the last minute however it is always on time.

·         Ability to work independently - 2

I usually can work independently which I did in my film language essay however when I don’t understand a piece of work I tend to ask other class members for help.

·         Quality of writing - 2

I think that the quality of writing is quite good, I try to mention key media terms as much as possible, however I tend to write in long paragraphs which I need to divide up.

·         Organistaion of blog - 1

My blog is quite organised as in the title of my work I always mention which teacher the work is for. Also I have organised my blog that Ms Wigley’s work is in the font colour red and Mr Bush’s pink and all my work is up to date and in order.

·         Oral contributions in class – 2

I think that I could talk more in class using key media terms. 

www:  - I mentioned and learnt new key concepts
             Kept my work organised
             Put alot of detail into my work

ebi: -    Write in shorter paragraphs
            Do not leave homework to last minute
            Contribute more in class

ns: - Overall, the scene from the 'Dark Knight' movie was successful because the audience knows what is  going on in the scene because the techniques that are used throughout the scene. The scene creates our opinion about the Joker and sutures the audience into the movie as we are left wanting to see more after the scene has ended.

New Moon Analysis - Ms Wigley

1,Media language: What techniques does this trailer use to presuade an audience to see the film?

The "New Moon" trailer uses a range of techniques to persuade the target audience to see the film. The "New Moon" trailer uses camera angles to help us engage with the characters in the trailer. We see a range of high angle of shots of the female protagonist Bella. These shots connote to us that she is less superior than others and is vulnerable after Edward has left her. We see different medium shots of her when she is in contact with other humans characters this connotes that she is controlled by others in the film and gives us an insight to the main character and how she is feeling. We identify with Bella by the different camera angles and engage with her character which connotes to the audience how she is feeling. The crane shot of Bella on the mountains by herself connote to the audience that there is some kind of danger present in the second film in the Twilight Saga. This again persuades the audience to see the film as we are interested and worried about the protagonist. Also the continuous editing connote the narrative of the film and movement of the characters allow the audience to understand what is happening. This again allows the audience to relate to the characters. Also the use of the shot-reverse-shot persuades the audience to watch the film as we can see what the characters are feeling. The colour of black used in this trailer connotes "darkness" and encourages the audience to find out what is happening in the film also this foreshadows events yet to occur in the film. The use of dark colours reflects sadness and creates mystery and suspense which again persuades an audience to see the film. The digetic sound in the background, fast and harsh creates tension that something is going to happen. The false ending leaves the trailer in a cliff hanger as the silence engages the audience as we are not sure what has happened, as we are ambiguous. Also the genre of the film persuades the audience to watch the film as it is a hybrid-genre of fantasy and drama.  


2. Representation: How is gender represented in this trailer? 


In this trailer men are represented to be high in society. The eye colour of the Voltori's connote that they are high in the society of Vampire's. Also when Jacob saves Bella connotes that men are higher than women in the film as we see a shot of Bella looking up to Jacob. Jacob is shown in high angle shots after he changes in the trailer. This portrays to the audience "the new larger Jacob Black" and we are then forced to make different attitudes towards the character. Also the shots of Jacob attract a male audience to look like him as this is connoted threw high angle shots. However in this trailer Women are represented to be low in society and this is connoted to the audience through the protagonist Bella. We see through the trailer Bella gains power but men in the trailer will always be higher than her. We see Bella to be weak and vulnerable as she is seen through the trailer to be taking advice or listening to other characters. This connotes to the audience that she doesn't have a mind of her own as it had been taken by Edward which shows that men are more powerful and dominant. However Bella is represented to be fearless of life as she jumps into the sea, to see Edward proves that women need men, which represents that in the film men are the stronger sex. 


3. Audience: What target audience would be attracted to this film?


The target audience that would be attracted to this film is girls as they are the primary audience as a love theme attracts the target audience. However an secondary audience such a young males would be attracted to this film, because of the violence and the protagonist Bella. Also a audience that would be interested in vampires as there is a sci-fi element in the film. Also more female characters would be attracted to this film from reading the books therefore the film as more of a female appeal. Also as there are two dominant male characters in the film, attract a female audience. Females can also identify with the protagonist Bella as her emotions are all over the place because of a boy which relates to the target audience as that may be how they are feeling. The film would also attract a white audience as the majority of the characters in the film are white characters. Also aspires as there is a love triangle as both Jacob and Edward both are attracted to Bella and both want her. The social class that would be attracted this audience would be middle class of C2, D and E. The age of the target audience that would be attracted to this film would be around 13-26. 


4. Institutions: What Hollywood values can you identify in this trailer?


There are many Hollywood values in this trailer. The trailer uses well known actors which a Hollywood film uses. Also there are majority of white actors and big cast used in this trailer connotes that the film is a Hollywood film. The company that produced the film "Summit Entertainment" quote in the trailer "from the world wide best seller" this connotes that only best sellers are Hollywood films. The editing, special effect by Tippett Studio and different shots connote that film is a high budget film. Also the setting  of the film in the mountains in Vancouver connote that the film is a Hollywood film. The cars used in this trailer promote the car  connote class which Hollywood films can afford. 

Film Language Essay - Mr Bush

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79HJj9PewU8&feature=related

The scene is from the film 'Dark Knight'. This scene is when the Joker crashes Bruce Wayne’s party. In the scene we are revealed the second scar story of the Joker’s scars.

The genre of the film is a hybrid genre as it consists of action, crime and thriller. This connotes to us that there may be conventions of possible action, crime and thriller in this scene. The sound that we hear from this scene connotes the hybrid genre, also we hear non – diegetic sound which sets an enigma code to the audience and foreshadows that something bad is about to happen, which gets the audience ready. We then hear a gunshot from the Joker's gun which satisfies the audience as that is what they expect to see from a hybrid genre of action, crime and thriller and connotes danger to the audience. Also at the end of the scene the Joker shocks the audience as he shoots the window and throws Rachel out which again satisfies the audience and leaves the audience wanting more. The non – diegetic music in the scene is parallel and it is what the audience expects to hear as it accompanies the scene. Also the non – diegetic sound creates suspense which is one of the conventions of a thriller. The Joker uses a knife to threaten the old white male character and Rachel and intentionally reveals his second story on how he got his scars, this also creates suspense, danger and makes the audience want to know what is going to happen to Rachel. The use of the knife again satisfies the audience as it is what they expect. The fast pace music towards the end of the scene compliments the fighting scene and again satisfies the audience and also creates suspense. The non- diegetic sound builds up to the arrival of the Batman and connotes the chaos and emotions in the scene. The diegetic sound that comes from the scene creates more suspense as the dialogue of the Joker and the Joker’s and the Batman’s actions during the fight creates suspense and makes the audience aware of what is happening in the scene.

The use of the camera movement in the scene directs the audience’s attention. The camera movement in this scene sutures the audience into the scene as we engage with the main characters. The use of panning movement engages the audience with the Joker as the camera moves around him and we see medium shots of him walking around the room looking for Harvey Dent. The use of the medium shot encourages the audience to identify with the Joker, as he is one of the main characters in the film.  When Rachel comes into the scene and talks directly to the Joker we are shown a long shot of her which engages the audience with her and also the audience can see what is around her. The use of the shot – reverse – shot shows us the reaction of the Joker when he sees Rachel and connotes to the audience that something bad is to happen as Rachel is Harvey Dent’s girlfriend. When the Joker has his knife in Rachel’s face a close up shot is used, by the Joker’s actions that we see in the close up brings his story about his scars to life. This again engages and sutures the audience into the scene as we wait to see what the Joker is going to do. Also through medium shots, and the camera movement around the characters connotes to the audience the chaos around the room as the Bruce Wayne’s party guests are scared and petrified which forces the audience to suture into the scene.


The mise-en-scene that we see in the scene connotes the chaos and the mood of the scene and also connotes to the audience what type of character the Joker is. The actions of the Joker engage the audience with him and encourages the audience to identify with him. Also the clothing that the Joker is wearing connotes to the audience that he is evil and is a bad character. However the clothing that Rachel and the party guests are wearing and where the scene is set connotes to the audience that Rachel and the guests are high class people and are professional and respected as they are wearing smart suits and respectable dresses. The use of the clothing in the scene juxtaposes the Joker and the other characters in the scene which connotes to the audience that the Joker is from a low class, villain. Propp’s theory also connotes to us that the Joker is the villain in the scene, however Rachel is the princess and the hero, who is the central protagonist is the Batman. The body language of Rachel and the old white male character that we see at the beginning of the scene connotes fear that is in the scene. Also the facial expressions shown through the close up shots connotes fear and chaos that is present in the scene.

The underlighting in the scene makes the characters in the scene look glamorous and connotes that the party guests are wealthy and from a high class. Also the low – key lighting used in the scene creates the darkness around the Joker, which again connotes to us that is a dark evil character, and again sutures, us into the plot of the film, and also creates suspense and mystery.

London to Brighton Trailer -Ms Wigley

Trailer Analysis - London to Brighton 

1. Media Forms: How does the trailer use media language to establish the film's genre?

The trailer of London to Brighton uses media language to establish  the films genre to the targeted audience. One way the trailer does this, is through the reviews that the film has been. Two of the reviews mention the genre of the film. "Blistering raw, utterly compelling drama" - The Times, another review quotes "Brutally raw thriller, with sharp serrated edges" - Film Review. This connotes to the audience that the film is an hybrid genre, a mixture of drama and thriller and attracts the target audience. The fast paced tempo music connotes the excitement of an thriller genre. Also the editing and the quick cutting connotes that the film is a drama genre. The close up shots show the facial expressions, reactions and emotions of the characters which is typical of a drama genre. The use of the close up shots of the protagonist while she is in the car and when she is being lead away by an old male connotes fear and she looks puzzled as she doesn't know what is going on around her.  Also the lipstick on her lips connotes that she is young, innocent as it hasn't been put on properly. this also sends out an engima code that the film may be distubing for some. It also connotes her lose of innocence as she being led away. 

Another way media language is used to establish the film's genre is by the use of low - key lighting which connotes "dark" events which again establishes the film's genre is thriller. Also the use of the gun shot at the end connotes that the film is an thriller and creates an enigma code of what you may expect in the film, also as the film is a thriller it makes the audience jump and is unexpected which is one of the conventions of thriller. The location of the film connotes the film genre to the audience. In the trailer we see run down shots of the location, tube-stations and public toilets which connotes the drama and thriller genre as the two characters look scared and petrified and are moved by something that bad has happened, the shot of the expressions also foreshadows bad events are yet to come . Also the fast paced music connotes the plot is moving on. The music establishes the film genre of the film as the soft, piano music playing and then suddenly the harsh thriller music connotes the troubles and the hybrid-genre of this film. 

2. Media Representations: How is gender represented in the trailer?

In the trailer gender is represented in a negative way. Women in the trailer of 'London to Brighton' are represented to be powerless as they are carried, beaten and threaten away by men which connotes women in the film are powerless, stupid and worthless. However this also connotes that men are in power and are represented in a dominant representation. Women are represented to be rough as the protagonist at the beginning of the trailer is trying to make money outside the tub station as she is a run away. They are represented to be weak as they are threaten to get in the car. Also we see the two protagonists smoking which connotes that they are under stress, and do not have a high status.We also see the female protagonist drinking which also connotes that she is under stress and that bad events are yet to come. The red lipstick used by the protagonist and when the she is led away by a man looking helpless connotes that she and the other female character are sexually promiscuous prostitutes. Also when the protagonist is offered a job at the beginning of the trailer the protagonist cannot say no as she is helpless and needs money to survive. Also women in the trailer are portrayed in a stereotypical manner as they are they lack moral values. In the trailer women come across to be desperate, vulnerable, assured and are portrayed to be a sex symbol.  

However on the other hand, in the trailer men are represented in another way. Men throughout the trailer are shown to be physically leading and controlling women. We see this when in a medium-shot  the protagonist is led away helpless by the old male character this connotes that men are dominant in this film. Also the low angle shot of the male character connotes that they are dominant. Men are represented to be wealthy which is connoted through the cars they have, the suits they wear and the money the character offers to the protagonist. Also the long-shot of the old male leading the two protagonists into his house connotes the wealth as the house is modern. The use of the guns by the males in the trailer connote that they are dangerous and to be feared. Also the harsh tone of the male characters connote that they are in power. 

3.Media Institutions: In what ways is the film 'London to Brighton'  typical of a low budget British film?

In many ways the film ' London to Brighton' is typical of a low budget British film. The trailer connotes to the target audience that the film is a typical low budget film as they characters used in the film are unknown which connotes that the film is a low budget. Also the locations used in the film connote that the film is a low budget, as the locations are not glamours, run down and the makers do not have to create a location.The locations used such as the tube station and the toilet do not cost money to use, which connote the film is a low budget. The reviews that the film has been given connotes to the audience that film is a British film and is a low budget film as the reviews have been given from unknown papers and also Big Issue which is for runaway people, "Reminds you just how good British cinema can be" - The Scotsman. Also the picture quality of the film connotes that the film is low budget as there are lack of special effects that you would see in other high budget films. The make-up, hair and costume of the characters connotes again that the film is low budget. 


The accents of the characters, locations and the reviews connote that the film is a British film. Also the trains, and the 20 pound note held in the male character connote that the film is a British film. However as the film is a low budget film and is filmed in real locations you as the audience can believe the film scenario actually happening and may be able to relate to it. The film is disturbing, realistic and gritty which would not attract Hollywood audiences, however as the film is a low budget film it can afford to take risks. 


4. Media Audiences: In what ways does the trailer promote the film to its target audience?


The trailer in many ways promotes the film to its target audiences. One way the film trailer does this is by the reviews that the film has been given. "The best British film of the century" - Big Issue. The reviews from British paper The Times, Film Review and Big Issue. Also Big Issue is connected with homeless people which promotes the film. Also as the film is a British film it attracts it's audience. The film is targeted for an adult audience between 16-34, and classes D and E.