Extension Task - 'Film Noir' - Mr Bush

Film noir is a cinematic term used primarily to describe stylish Hollywood crime dramas, particularly those that emphasize cynical attitudes and sexual motivations. Hollywood's classic film noir period is generally regarded as stretching from the early 1940s to the late 1950s. Film noir of this era is associated with a low-key black-and-white visual style that has roots in German Expressionist cinematography.

Storylines were often elliptical, non-linear and twisting. Narratives were frequently complex, maze-like and convoluted, and typically told with foreboding background music, flashbacks (or a series of flashbacks), witty, razor-sharp and acerbic dialogue, and/or reflective and confessional, first-person voice-over narration. Amnesia suffered by the protagonist was a common plot device, as was the downfall of an innocent Everyman who fell victim to temptation or was framed. Revelations regarding the hero were made to explain/justify the hero's own cynical perspective on life.
Film noir films (mostly shot in gloomy grays, blacks and whites) thematically showed the dark and inhumane side of human nature with cynicism and doomed love, and they emphasized the brutal, unhealthy, seamy, shadowy, dark and sadistic sides of the human experience. An oppressive atmosphere of menace, pessimism, anxiety, suspicion that anything can go wrong, dingy realism, futility, fatalism, defeat and entrapment were stylized characteristics of film noir. The protagonists in film noir were normally driven by their past or by human weakness to repeat former mistakes.
Film noir films were marked visually by expressionistic lighting, deep-focus or depth of field camera work, disorienting visual schemes, jarring editing or juxtaposition of elements, ominous shadows, skewed camera angles (usually vertical or diagonal rather than horizontal), circling cigarette smoke, existential sensibilities, and unbalanced or moody compositions. Settings were often interiors with low-key (or single-source) lighting, venetian-blinded windows and rooms, and dark, claustrophobic, gloomy appearances. Exteriors were often urban night scenes with deep shadows, wet asphalt, dark alleyways, rain-slicked or mean streets, flashing neon lights, and low key lighting. Story locations were often in murky and dark streets, dimly-lit and low-rent apartments and hotel rooms of big cities, or abandoned warehouses. 


http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://filmsnoir.net/wp-content/uploads/2007/06/outpast1.jpeg&imgrefurl=http://filmsnoir.net/films/10-must-see-dark-delights-of-film-noir.html&usg=__uBD-lcJU24-2F_ieWwb_VdLjM0U=&h=271&w=330&sz=12&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=ydfWuxI5rQGhVM:&tbnh=127&tbnw=155&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dfilm%2Bnoir%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Dactive%26sa%3DN%26biw%3D1260%26bih%3D837%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=rc&dur=375&ei=SFriTID-DIK6hAe5wqncDA&oei=SFriTID-DIK6hAe5wqncDA&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=35&ved=1t:429,r:10,s:0&tx=102&ty=48

This image uses a filer light which helps soften the shadows in the image which may have been created by any other shadows. The still image is quite dark and there is a plain background. The light is hitting the side of the woman's face and hitting the male's face with the cigarette being reflected onto his face. The lighting used in this image is creating a shadow, this has been done by using high-key lighting which makes the image to be more realistic. 


The woman in the still image is looking onto the male in the still image and he is looking down, this connotes the romance between the characters however they have no facial expressions and we can only read their emotions through their eyes. The cigarette in the male's mouth connotes that he may be stressed and he always is looking down in the image, which connotes he may have a low opinion of himself. We can not see what the woman in the still image is wearing however the male is seen to be wearing a suit which connotes to us that he high professional .

Independent Task - Mr Bush

This image is from the film 'Stormy Weather'. It was one of only two all- black cast movies made by a major Hollywood studio in 1943. The mise-en-scene connotes to the audience that the genre of the movie is a drama. We assume that the two characters in the still image are the two main protagonists. The close up shot used in the still image shows the audience the expressions and their on their faces which connotes that there is some tension going on between them, however this could be sexual tension as they are in a bedroom, or it could be racial tension. We see the body language and the position of the two main protagonists to be awkward and the tension is connoted well, however they both have each others attention which connotes they are both confident.

Both of the protagonists in the still image are dressed respectably and elegant. The male character in the image is dressed smart which connotes that the character is in a high profession and is respected. However the woman in the still image is wearing a white dress, this connotes the woman's purity, cleanliness and innocence. Also the colour white used in the image goes well with the background colour.

The setting of the still image in the frame looks to be in a bedroom which we assume to the woman's bedroom as there are flowers and the room is tidy. The lighting in the image is quite light as the image is black and white. The mise-en-scene used in the image is very effective and connotes to the audience of what is happening in the still image frame. 

The Collector:

The film genre of this film is horror. The darkness and the villain by using Propp's theory wearing the mask in the movie connotes that the movie is a horror. We first see the protagonist planning to rob as the mise-en-scene evokes this to the audience. The character is wearing black dark clothes, and looks suspicious which connotes to us that he is a robber. The protagonist plans to rob his new employers country home, at first when we see him breaking into the house we automatically assume he his the villain in the movie, however when we see the actual villain we soon learn that the handyman is the stories protagonist who is trapped by a masked collector in a maze of lethal invention. The setting of the house connotes the house is a death trap which has been created by the villain in the movie. The props used such as the death traps connote that there maybe murder in the movie, and prepares the audience for this. The actions by the protagonist and his body language connote to us the fear he feels, which we as the audience feel watching the movie. The villain is shown using a gun which connotes again he is evil, also he is whenever shown in the movie kept in the dark which connotes the darkness of his character and how little we do know about him because he never talks and is always seen hidden under his mask. 

Four Lions:

The film genre of this movie is comedy. We first see one of the four lions which could be seen as one of the four idiots, making a video using a gun as a prop to evoke fear to the people watching it, however as soon as the character swears he is shown to be a joke and can not be taken seriously. We then are shown the setting of the place where the video is being taken, and this connotes to the audience the movie is a comedy. The setting also connotes that the movie is not to be taken seriously. The clothing of the characters present that they are group of British jihadists who push their dreams of glory to a breaking point. The body language of the characters portray that they typical stereotyped Muslims who try to bomb places. 

Inception:

The film genre of this movie is a hybrid genre. It is an Action/Sci-fi. Right at the beginning we are introduced to the protagonist of the movie. He is first shown in the light which connotes he is pure and a hero. We then go on to see men dressed into suits, which connotes to the audience that they are professionals of some kind. The movie goes on to show props used as guns which signify that the movie is an action. Different settings are showed in the movie which connotes to us the narrative of the movie moves really fast. We then see contemporary Sci-fi actioner sets within the architecture of the mind which signify that the movie is a Sci-fi. The props used to connote this make the world realistic, and which it looks could be the world one day not just in a dream. 

Twentieth Century Fox - Ms Wigley

Alvin and the Chipmunks

Alvin and the chipmunks was based on the animated series of the same name. It was directed by Tim Hill, distributed by 20th Century Fox and produced by Regency Enterprises and Bagdasarian Productions. Critics panned the film as one of the worst films of the year but was a major financial success: on a budget of $55-$60 million, it made $217 million in North America and $361 million at the box office worldwide, and was the seventh-best selling DVD of 2008, earning over $101 million.

Box Office:

Alvin and the Chipmunks was released in North America on December 14, 2007. Despite negative reviews, the film grossed $44,307,417 in 3,475 theaters its opening weekend averaging to about $12,750 per venue, and placing second at the box office behind I Am Legend, with nearly sold out showings. According to Box Office Guru, the first weekend was twice as much as Fox originally expected. Its second weekend was $28,179,556, behind National Treasure: Book of Secrets and I Am Legend. On its third weekend, it surpassed I Am Legend for #2 at the box office, still behind National Treasure: Book of Secrets.

The film closed on Thursday June 5, 2008, making $217,326,974 domestically and $144,004,149 overseas for a total of $361,331,123 worldwide, making it a huge commercial success considering the film's modest $55 million budget. The sustained box-office success of the film surprised 20th Century Fox; Elizabeth Gabler of Fox 2000 told the Los Angeles Times "I look at the numbers every day, and we just laugh." Given its budget, Alvin was far more profitable than either I Am Legend or National Treasure: Book of Secrets. According to MTV, it also became the highest-grossing talking animal/live-action cartoon adaptation until its sequel. It is also 20th Century Fox's highest grossing film domestically to be released in 2007.

Merchandise:

The soundtrack was released November 20, 2007, three weeks before the film's opening and contains new versions of old songs such as "Witch Doctor" and "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas, Don't Be Late)" (as made famous by David Seville and The Chipmunks), cover versions of songs such as "Bad Day" (as made famous by Daniel Powter) and "Funkytown" (as made famous by Lipps Inc.) and new songs such as "Coast 2 Coast", "Get You Goin'" and "Get Munk'd". The second track on the album is "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)", a remake version, without Jason Lee as the voice of Dave. However, the seventh track, the rock version of the song features Jason Lee as the voice of Dave.

The video game for this film was released December 4, 2007 for the Wii, Nintendo DS, PlayStation 2, and the PC, just ten days before the film was released. It was written and produced by DeeTown Entertainment.

A sequel was released on December 23, 2009 in the USA, December 21 in the UK and was also released on December 26 in Australia. With the exception of Cameron Richardson and Jane Lynch, all of the primary cast members returned for the sequel and the film also re-introduced the Chipettes.

To help promote the movie, merchandisers have developed a wide array of items, memorabilia, clothing, and more that appeals to many different age groups. Originally, Alvin and the Chipmunks was a cartoon targeted at entertaining children. Aware of adult interest, nostalgia, and collectors, many merchandise items have been geared toward an older audience. Here are some examples: 

Merchandise for Children

§ Plush chipmunk dolls and beanie dolls

§ Nintendo Wii and DS games

§ Coloring and activity books

§ Storybooks

§ Music albums (the movie soundtrack was released on December 1, 2009)

§ Mcdonalds Happy Meal toys

Merchandise for Adults

§ Bobbleheads

§ Posters

§ DVDs and BluRays (both movie formats released in March of 2010)

§Wall Calendars

Film Poster Analysis - Mr Bush

"G.I. Joe"

This Film poster is from the movie “G.I. Joe”. The film genre is an action movie as the protagonist Channing Tatum is wearing what looks like an armour and is holding a gun.Mise-en-scene in the film poster shows the characters holding weapons which connotes to the audience that the film is an action movie.

 The colours used in the film poster are mainly dark colours which represent the film is going to be a dark and dangerous film. As soon as we look at the film poster we are attracted to the divide in the characters. On the left hand side we see the protagonist and two other characters from the movie are in the light, however on the right hand side the characters are in dark colours which connotes that the characters on the right hand side are evil and could be the disequilibrium in the film. Also the pose of the protagonist and the women character facing back to back connotes to the audience that they are against each other and as they both are holding a gun in their hands connotes that there is also going to be a lot of risk and action in the film.

The title of the film stands out on the page as the on the poster dark colours are used. The title strikes out on the film poster as it stands out and the audience’s eyes will strike to it, as it is very eye catching. Also there is no tag line on this poster, in a way this creates a sense of mysteriousness by revealing as little as much about the movie.

The film poster uses a long angle shot because then the audience can see the background and include the characters which will set the film genre. The two men on either side of each other in the top corners of the film poster have been cropped down, so the audience can see their facial expressions which connote the mysteriousness and suspense in the film.

The target audiences for this movie are young adults and males as the movie is an action movie. The social class who would watch this movie is B, C1, C2, D, and E. 

"Inception"

The film poster is from the movie “Inception”. The film genre is an action movie, mystery. The film is clearly an action film as the characters in the film are floating around after a blast in the building.Mise en scene used in the film poster shows the character holding a gun which connotes that the film is an action movie. The characters in the film poster look successful and smart as they are wearing suits, which creates a bigger suspense as why would successful men be using guns?

The colours used in the film poster are mainly dark colours which represent the movie is going to be a mysterious and dark film. As soon as we look at the poster we are attracted to what is happening to the character in the film which connotes mystery and suspense, which engages the target audience with the film poster. The lighting in the background is shinning on to the main character in the film poster which represents he is not a bad character and the other two are possible evil characters. Also the pose of the main character in the film poster is running and trying to escape from the bad forces.

The film title stands out on the page and grabs the target audiences eye and attention straight away to the title of the film. The film title is in blood red and in capital letters, this has been done because therefore the name of the film strikes out on the page. However before the film title the name of the main protagonist in the film, Leonardo Dicaprio who plays the character Cobb in the film is mentioned. The film makers have done this on purpose as they are using Leonardo Dicaprio’s name to promote the movie. His name is in big font and the colour white, which connotes to the audience that he is a pure successful, respectable actor, after his name the other characters in the film are mentioned.  

The tag line used in the film poster creates suspense for the target audience, it is placed at the top of the film poster saying in white capital letters “The Dream Is Real”. This gives a hint to the target audience what the film may be about, and leaves them thinking. The film poster uses a long shot angle because then the audience can see the background clearly and try and make out what is happening.

The target audiences for this movie are young adults and adults, both male and female. The social class who would watch this movie is A, B, C1, C2.  Also the film poster may appeal to fans of Leonardo Dicaprio as he stars in the film and his name is mentioned.

Both of the posters are successful in being effective, however in my opinion I think that the film poster of G.I. Joe is more effective as the aspects of mise en scene, colours, lighting and shots are used well and are presented more effective. 

Media Ownership Research Task - Ms Wigley

LO: To investigate the ownership of media institutions and consider the role of public service
broadcasting in an increasingly commercial & globalised media environment.

Media texts are profit motivated. Consider this in the light of TV news. What issues does this raise?

Media texts being profit motivated could raise many issues. Media companies may only present such media which will give the company a profit. To make a profit in media, the media companies need to hit their media to their target audience, because only then will the media companies make a profit. As a result of this media companies may not include media which they think will not attract and interest their target audiences. However as a result this media companies may be misleading and therefore mislead their audience. Also today there is a lot of competition between media companies and to be successful media companies need to be making a profit.  

However as many companies are trying to take over other media companies this could result as a downfall for the media audiences because if one person or a company owns a lot of media they may be biased and put their views and opinions across instead of considering a wide range of audience. TV news shows what will target and interest their audiences. However today TV news has competition with newspapers, as TV news has to get a message/information across quickly and easily without the audience to have more work to do then listen and be engaged.

Which media companies do you think could be accused of having too much power and control in our society?

Companies that are owned by the government or by mass media companies will be accused of having too much power and control in our society. Companies owned by the government could be biased and controlative. Also companies owned by the government in media may be used purely for propaganda and informational purposes. Also they would be only targeting a specific audience that is interested in government. Companies that are government or mass owned could have a negative influence in everyday life in society, such as education and work. However companies owned by government and mass media may be misleading and biased as they might be putting only their opinions and views across indirectly.

Time Warner

Time Warner Inc. is the world's second largest media company with major Internet, publishing, film, telecommunications and television divisions after News Corporation.

Owned by Time Warner
· HBO
· Turner Broadcasting – such as CNN, Cartoon Network
· Warner Bros
· Warner Bros –  Home Entertainment Group
· DC Comics – such as Mad Magazine
· Time INC – such as Look Magazine, Women’s own.
· New Line Cinema

News Corporation

News Corporation is the world's third-largest media conglomerate (behind The Walt Disney Company and the Time Warner Company) as of 2008, and the world's third largest in entertainment as of 2009. The company's Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Founder is Rupert Murdoch.

Owned by News Corporation
·  Film - such as 20th Cenutry Fox
· Television – such as Sky Television, Fox Television
· Internet – such as Fox Interactive Media
· Magazines – such as Vogue
· Newspapers–  UK

                  The Sun

                  News of the world
                 -Australia

                         News Limited         

• Books – such as Harper Collins

Viacom

Viacom, short for "Video & Audio Communications", is a United States-based media conglomerate with interests primarily in, but not limited to, cinema and cable television. As of 2010, it is the world's fourth-largest media conglomerate, behind The Walt Disney Company, Time Warner and News Corporation.

Owned by Viacom

• Paramount Pictures Corporation
• MTV Films
• MTV
• Nickelodeon Films
• Nickelodeon Online
• BET.com

Sony

Sony Corporation is a Japanese multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Minato, Tokyo, Japan and the world's fifth largest media conglomerate with revenue exceeding $77.20 billion U.S. Sony is one of the leading manufacturers of electronics products for the consumer and professional markets.

Owned by Sony

• Playstations  -  such as psp, ps3
• Sony BMG
• TV
• Phones - Sony Ericsson
• Laptops
• DVD players

Vivendi

Vivendi SA (formerly known as Vivendi Universal) is a French international media conglomerate with activities in music, television and film publishing , telecommunications, the Internet, and video games.

Owned by Vivendi

• Vivendi Entertainment
• Island Def Jam Music Group
• Nashville Records
• Universal Music Publishing Group 
• Merchandising – Bravado
• Video Games 

Fox News, Sky News and CNN and is owned by News Corporation. 

Media Magazine Student Conference - Mr Bush

Chewing gum for the brain: Why do people talk such rubbish about Media Studies?

Why Media Studies is worth studying

Over the years there has been an increase in Media Studies. According to others Media Studies is an easy subject to pass. Media Studies is described to be a soft subject however this has been proven wrong. Media studies has been described as a “Mickey Mouse subject” by critics as many secondary school children pick it because they think its easy to pass and the school put it as a option so the school receives more points.  

Media Studies is a serious academic subject which is taken seriously and has a lot of demand. Media Studies will get more than two thirds of university graduates will get jobs as soon as they leave university. This is because employers like Media Studies Students because of they usually have the skills the employers require.

Online media, Cleggmania, and the Cowell Factor.

How do online media and convergence impact on the ways audiences and producers use and create media?

This lecture was about how democracy is today. Today online media is making the world more democratic, said by Dan Gillmer “we are the media”. One of the people who was in power Tony Benn who is former Labour MP and Cabinet Minister Tony Benn. Tony Benn always spoke about changing the world.

For A-level media today we should

·         Read all different ideas about Media

·         Pick out examples

·         Apply the reading to the examples

·         Weigh up the debate

·         Develop an informed, academic view. 

Perfecting your production work.

How to get the most out of your practical projects.

The final lecture by Pete was about how to get your coursework to perfection. He showed us a variety of work done by other students over the course of years.

These important factors will help you in your coursework:

·         Research and planning – Plan what could go wrong? Record all your planning and show the process of your “journey”.

·         Blogging and keeping evidence – A blog allows you to link to examples and ideas.

·         Ideas and getting feedback - Keep ideas simple. Have a workable concept. At all stages get feedback from other peers, teachers and even others. Also keep records of the feedback.

·         Really look at real examples – Get ideas, and will help in coursework.

·         Keep evidence if all your research – Blogging

·         Research every angle – Research different media.  

Dominant/Alternative Representations - Mr Bush

Lynx – Pied Piper (The Lynx Effect)

The advert was produced by the company “Lynx” deodorant advertising their new product “Lynx – Pied Piper”. This advertisement advertisers the product which is specifically designed for the male audience.

The advertisement represents a dominate representation of women. Different ages appear in the advert. At the beginning of the advertisement the male protagonist is represented in a dominate representation as the protagonist is not well dressed and does not look successful as at the beginning because of his body odor even the rats are running from him. The main protagonist then goes on to enter a room with professionals who are dressed smart which connotes an alternative representation of the old male and the women in the advertisement. However when the male protagonist sprays himself with the “Lynx – Pied Piper” the female who is dressed in an alternative representation becomes attracted to the male protagonist by the smell of the product. This connotes to the audience, customers and the potential buyers that by buying the Lynx product all women will follow you. The women in the advertisement are represented in a dominate representation as all of the women are following the male protagonist which relates back to real life as how they are viewed always chasing after men.

The advertisement responds to male’s everyday life as the Lynx deodorant can help the buyer get any women he wants. The advertisement also represents that you don’t have to be successful to have the women after you because of the Lynx fragrance will do it for you as shown in the advertisement.  

Nike Football – Write the Future

The advertisement was produced by the company Nike, for Nike Football. This advertisement advertisers Nike clothing and products by using successful footballers who are today idols for many males. This advertisement was released at the time of the Africa World Cup 2010.

The advertisement represents an alternative representation of men. However along side with the alternative representation of men a dominant representation is shown, that what would happen if the footballers failed, which represents how men are viewed in a dominant way today. However the advertisement connotes to the target audience that with Nike clothing and equipment you can be a successful footballer such as Wayne Rooney.

Many men today can relate to this advertisement as they would want to be successful as Wayne Rooney and earn millions rather than be a dominant view in the real world. The advertisement represents that with Nike products you can be successful and become an alternative successful male.