Status Update

Our Group:

Blitz, Shivum, Hussein, Abdishakur

Initial Ideas:

A teenage boy (16 years old) comes home to find that his house seems peculiar. The lights are off, the furniture is a mess and his brother isn't home. He finds a briefcase on his dining table then his land line rings and a voice speaks,
"I have your brother and for you to get him back, you need to complete the following task"
The boy is then is terror and anger. He takes his weapon from his drawer and walks out the house.

Link

http://blitzmediagb.blogspot.co.uk/

Tutorial

1. Analyse more teen oriented tv programmes for research; consider 4oD

2. Research 'Bullet Boy'

3. Re-think title - research E4/BBC 3 example

4.Think about casting for minor roles

5.Location shots of main setting

E4 and BBC3 History

BBC 3

When did it start broadcasting?
BBC 3 launched on the 9th February 2003.


What was the critical reception?
The  reception for BBC was good, however the has gained a lot of competition with channels like ITV and E4.


Any controversial moments?
There has been controversy created from BBC presenters. For example, John Humphrys, who said the channel should be shut down in the face of budget cuts. John Sweeney has also been criticised for some of the content on the channel.

What genre of programmes is the channel best known for?
BBC 3 is best known for the drama and reality shows.

Notable success
Sun, Sex and Suspicious parents is something that people tend to watch because the target audience of young people tend to relate to this programme as their personal lives are portrayed on screen.  


Audience
The channel needs to be disciplined about focusing on the young (16-34 year-olds), people who are young in spirit and mindset. Through this, it implicates that BBC 3's target audience is 16-34 year olds.  


Brand values
he psycho-graphic groups who would be involved in watching the BBC 3 shows would be reformer as they wish to become more aware about the world they live in. In particular an reformer is usually associated with personal growth, value for time and is very anti materialistic. BBC 3's programmes allow viewers to become more independent as the documentaries they stream allow people to appreciate the natural simplicity of life. The brand values they would be associated with is happy families as this is something they take into consideration deeply.

E4


When did it start broadcasting?
E4 launched on the 18th January 2001.

What was the critical reception?
E4's critical reception was good by the British public. They are typically known for lazy people who sit at home only watching TV. It also launched a Rep of Ireland service in June 2002 which has become the second most popular non terrestrial channel.

Any controversial moments?
Yes, in an episode of skins, there was a pub brawl which included a flare being set off in a pub. E4 has suffered with the advertising regulator for previous campaigns to promote Skins.


What genre of programmes is the channel best known for?
E4 is best known for Drama's targeted at 15-35 year olds such as: 
- Ugly Betty
-Misfits
-The Big Bang Theory
-The Inbetweeners
-Friends

Notable success

E4's 'The Inbetweeners' has gained great success over the years of its broadcasting. This is because of the humour in the programme and also because the audience form relationship with the 4 protagonists in the show.


Audience
Through research, it is presented that E4 viewers are predominantly young and upmarket, but they're also fashion conscious, sociable, connected, regular internet users and tend to use advertising as one of their many information sources. 

Brand values
The psycho-graphic groups who would be involved in watching the E4 shows would be mainstreamers or aspirers as they wish to become something different. In particular an aspirer is associated with image and appearance, and would prefer an attractive being rather than the quality of their contents. Watching E4s programmes will allow them to keep updated with the latest trends. The brand values that they would be associated with are beautiful women and luxurious lifestyles.

Research and Planning

Mise-en-scene

The costume of the driver was just casual which generates enigma codes about the character as he is represented as really laid back with the whole situation. This is also seen as he is listening to the basketball commentary. The costume of the two robbers were the stereotypical all black which the ski masks.

Majority of the lighting used in this sequence was low-key. This really accentuates the criminal behaviour that they are partaking in. Also the low-key lighting really showed that the characters are untrustworthy.

The facial expression of the protagonist driving seems to be really monotonous which really makes him an ambiguous character as the audience struggle to read him as a person. The monotonous facial expression also creates an anticipation towards the film as a whole. The two robbers seen are wearing ski masks which inhibits the audience from seeing their facial expression. However, as they are constantly fidgeting, it shows how they are nervous and fearful.

The setting of this scene is the city. This sets the film up to be a neo-noir film through the urban, city environment. Also, the setting makes the setting very unpredictable because the city is too broad and general for the audience to implicate what the plot could possibly be so a sense of anticipation is created with the setting.


Editing

The editing through the waiting for the robbers is slow to really show tension and also allows tension to build. When the pursuit happens between the helicopter and the cars the editing speeds up to increase tension and also creates anticipation .


Cinematography

 There is a high angle shot of the city which shows the audience the setting of the scene. The medium shot of the protagonist really allows the audience to identify with him as they are able to see his facial expression. Also, the use of the low angle shot on the driver really shows the audience that he is the protagonist as it presents him as a very powerful character. Also, as there is a shot reverse shot when the helicopter is in pursuit of him which helps further build tension. Also, when the cop car and him are stopped at the traffic lights there is a shot reverse shot which also helps build the tension as it is almost like a duel.

Sound

There is a back beat playing throughout the whole scene which creates a sense of anticipation. The music playing is also diegetic sound. The commentary of the basketball and the police radio also builds tension because both stations are contrasting which helps build tension within the scene. The police radio builds tension because it updates the audience as to the situation of the robbers. Also, when they are spotted it really acts as the climax and when they lost visual on the robbers there is a sense of relief.






Mise-en-scene

The attire of the characters seen seems to allow the muscles of the characters to be seen through the use of the vests. Furthermore, the costumes of the characters really show that they are very active people as they are wearing jogging bottoms and sporting clothes. Also the costumes are really make the whole thing feel very modern as they are dressed in a very trendy manor.

The lighting is really high-key. This lighting could be used to show the energy and enthusiasm of the characters seen. Also, the high-key lighting really enables the scene to feel very joyful and celebration-like.

The facial expression of the characters seen are shown to be really passionate about dance and performance. The facial expression really give their performance emotion which allow the audience to really feel the performance of the dancers.

The make up of the character seem really sweaty which really accentuates the muscles of the characters seen. Furthermore, the sweat really creates the scene to be realistic because of the tropical, sunny weather that is there in the setting of the place.

The setting is coast-side somewhere tropical and sunny. This really adds to the joyous atmosphere created by the dancing. The sunny, tropical setting also creates the initial impression of the movie to be very positive, light hearted and enjoyable.

Cinematography

Majority of the shots used is long shots to enable the audience to see all the dance crew. The use of the long shot is very effective it allows the audience the whole body of the dancer which allows the audience to feel the energy of the dancers. Also, there is also various match-on action which allows the scene to have some sort of movement.

Sound

The initial music playing of the percussion is non-diegetic music, as it is at a fast tempo, it really creates a sense of anticipation as the music cant help but build tension. Then when the time is right the music drops which acts as a signal to the audience that something is going to happen. Next the DJ plays music to which the dancers are dancing to. This is diegetic music. The music used is contrapuntal as the beat is really heavy and full of energy, This suits the dancers as they are really energetic.

Editing

The pace of editing throughout this sequence is really fast. The editing really portrays the energy and the enthusiasm of the characters in the scene. The main transition used is cut transition this keeps the flow of the sequence really natural.




Mise-en-scene

The costume of the prisoner was all white which reflects the calmness of the character as well as the calmness of the scene. The all white costume also acts as an oxymoron because the connotations of white it purity as well as without blemish whereas this character is in fact a serial killer. The two guards are dressed in their usual attire of the prison guard uniform. As Hannibal Lector beats these two guards to death, it also shows how he is against those in authority and against the law.

The lighting used in this scene is key-lighting. This allows the scene to look realistic. Also, the use of top lighting really creates harsh shadows on his face really allowing him to look evil and sinister. Furthermore, the lighting around the set is low-key. This is really effective as it makes the scene feel secluded from everywhere else which gives the scene a really tense and uneasy feel.

Through the build up of the scene, all the characters' facial expression seem calm and collected. However as through the dramatic irony, the audience know Hannibal has the key, it really creates an anticipation amongst the audience as they know that the guards are bound to die and he is bound to escape. During the attack on the guards, the facial expression of the guard handcuffed to the cell is sheer terror and fear. This really accentuates what horrible things going on in the scene like, Hannibal biting off the inner mouth of the guard and Hannibal smashing the second guard to death.

The appearance of the prisoner seems like he is well looked after which again portrays his state of calm. When the attack occurs, Hannibal comes out with blood all over his mouth which creates a really graphic and gory image. This truly shows the demented and twisted state of the character. Also, it really terrifies the audience and really accentuates that the genre of the film is a gory horror.

The props used in this scene such as the pepper spray and the baton really show how dangerous Hannibal Lector really is. Additionally, the paintings in his cell of a woman holding a lamb really show the calm state of the protagonist. Also, the painting has religious connotations as in The Bible, Jesus Christ was also called the lamb of God which is a contradiction of ideas as he is serial killer. This could also present the twisted state of mind this character has.

The setting is a prison cell which shows how he is a criminal and is highly dangerous. Within this scene, he escapes the prison which creates both enigma codes and action codes. The audience start to wonder who will be Hannibal's next victim and will he be caught or not and it the reader anticipate action as the police are bound to find out they will want to catch him and imprison him again.

Sound

The sound of the orchestra playing in the background also helps build tension because it shows how the state of mind of the character is somewhat calm even though he is imprisoned which could show how he is sinister and shows no remorse for the crime that he committed. So the slow classical music playing is contrapuntal as you wouldn't generally hear classical music in a prisoners cell. However, when the prisoner is beating the guards to death, the music changes dramatically from calm to very loud, diminished and distorted. The music playing during the attack on the guards was non-diegetic whereas the calm classical music was diegetic as we see the CD player in the cell.    

Cinematography

There are many uses of panning in this sequence, this allows the pace of the scene to be really slow which creates tension and anticipation. Also there tracking shot of the prisoner being revealed from behind the curtain really allows the reader to feel that they are in the scene. Also, it feels that the reader is experiencing the escape with him which really creates entertainment. The use of the close up of the prisoner allows the audience to see his facial expression which in this case was calm. It implicates to he audience that he is a sinister character through his demented facial expression. The close up of the weapons that the guards were readying shows the audience that the prisoner is really dangerous which enables the audience to gather that he is untrustworthy and a criminal. When the camera closes-up on the key in the prisoners hand, it acts as an action code as the audience knows that he will be escaping shortly. Also, the dramatic irony really allows the tension to build amongst the audience as they will want to find out if his escape is going to be successful or not.

Editing

The editing throughout this scene is fairly slow paced, this helps build the tension within the scene. The slow paced nature of the scene also portrays the calm and relaxed state of mind of the protagonist. However, when the guards are being beat up and when he is escaping, the editing and cut transitions in the scene get significantly faster. This shows how it is the climax of the scene.




Mise-en-scene

The costume of the protagonist is all black, black has the connotations of evil and death. This could show how this hero is somewhat unorthodox as the audience wouldn't associate a hero with the connotations of black. The thugs are dressed in casual clothes and also clothes that make them seem that they are foreign.

The lighting throughout this scene was low-key lighting. This also enables the build up of tension as the atmosphere created with low-key lighting is mystery and tension. Also there are use of key lights which make the characters appear very natural. Also the low-key lighting show how the thug is somewhat wealthy as the lighting makes the setting look and feel luxurious.

The facial expression of the protagonist throughout thescene is monotonous and also relatively clam. This shows how he is composed but also, there is more to him than he is showing. Its really allows that character to be ambiguous and very mysterious through his reserved manor.

The make up on the characters is barely noticeable which creates a natural feel to the scene but when the fighting occurs, there is a considerable amount of bloodshed. This really shows the anger and pain of the hero as he leaves the thugs in a terrible state, blood everywhere. This really allows the audience to see what the hero is capable of.

The props used in this scene like the ornaments on the desk and the varnished desk really make the setting of the scene seem luxurious and also show the thugs to be wealthy. The other props that are used are the weapons used by the thugs. This really shows how they are involved in criminal behaviour and they are really dangerous people.

The setting in this scene feels really luxurious through the lighting and the ornamentation which shows the thugs to be notorious and a force to be reckoned with. The setting also shows how the thugs have power, authority and wealth through the luxurious setting.

Cinematography

Through the dialogue there are close up shots of the protagonist and the thug, this allows tension to build. Also there are close up of the weapons of the other thugs around the room which shows how there is danger. It also builds tension as the life of the protagonist is danger because of the weapons.
Through the dialogue there are uses of low angle shots on the protagonist which really show him as a strong, powerful character. Before the fight scene, there is a zoom from a long shot all the way to an extreme close up to his eye. This really allows the audience to identify with him as from the extreme close up, there is a point of view. This is effective as it sutures the audience into the narrative.

Sound

There is non-diegetic music playing throughout the background of this scene. This creates an atmosphere of mystery and suspense. The layers of instruments in this scene thickens as the scene progresses which enables the build up of tension. As the fight scene is about to happen, there is a sound of a heart beat which is effective as it shows the audience something is going to happen. As the the hearts beats faster it shows how he is getting more adrenaline and ready for combat. As the fight scene happens there is a distorted guitar sound which is parallel as it really shows that there is violence and there is destruction.

Editing

The editing of this scene is relatively slow to enable the build up of tension. Majority of the transitions used in this scene is cut which gives the scene a more natural feel. The slow paced editing also reflects the composed nature of the protagonist. Before the fight scene the transition between the extreme close up of his eye to the thugs is a fade in which is effective really sutures the audience into the narrative as they see the room from his perspective. Also before the fight scene there is a slow-mo of he protagonist eyeing his targets. This also allows for the build up of tension





Mise-en-scene

The rappers and the audience are wearing baggy clothes which give them a rugged look. This shows how they are from a lower social class as their attire doesn't look as presentable. Also the rugged look of the rappers show that they could be involved in criminal behaviour as the connotations of what they're wearing is that they're crimenals

The lighting used is low-key lighting. This makes the scene feel really dangerous and mysterious which gives the scene some reslaism

The facial expression of the character of them shouting really presents them to be wild which is also parallel to the setting of the scene.

The setting of this scene is an underground rap club. This shows how the characters are from the street and are less educated and are from lower social class.

Cinematography

During the rap battle the camera pans between the two rappers which mimic how the audience will look at them as if they were at the venue too. When Eminem was rapping, there was a use of a low angle shot which makes him seem powerful and with authority. The camera also pans from the rapper to the audience which shows the perception of the rapper too. Also there is the use of over the shoulder shot which creates a binary opposition. There is also a high angle shot of the audience which makes them seem smaller and less powerful.

Editing

The editing is relatively slow which really allows the scene seem like some sort of duel and the cut transitions make the footage seem fluid which makes it natural.  

Sound

There diegetic sound of the crowd really show how the place they are in is really underground as the crowd is really rowdy. Also, it really captures the atmosphere of an underground club which creates realism. The hip-hop music really shows the time frame that the film is set in as it sounds old school,

Representation.

African American hero/protagonist
White American police commander
Muscular, skinheads in the prison
White housewife


The protagonist/hero is Will Smith, an African American but his role in the plot is to be an unorthodox superhero. In this film he plays a hero that is an alcoholic and doesn't act with the greatest safety around the civilians which challenges the stereotype of what a hero usually is(Dyer). Furthermore, he is an unpopular hero amongst the public and gains negative publicity within media corporations. This could be a dominant representation because this happens in various other films such as Spiderman and The incredible Hulk.

The white American police commander has a house, kids and a wife which is a dominant representation as he fits reinforces all the stereotypes. Also, as he is a character in power, it shows a dominant representation because white Americans are generally in power this isn't a negative stereotype so Perkins' theory could be applied here. Furthermore, the relationship between Will Smith, the hero, and the cop, is that the cop is relying heavily on the hero to stop the villain and save the day. This is a dominant representation.

The muscular skinhead in the prison that every cell mate fears is a really stereotypical as they are usually the ones that are intimidating (Dyer). However, Will Smith, the protagonist, stood up to him which a stereotype in film plots as the protagonist usually brings about change.

The children in the neighbourhood are reinforcing the stereotypes of kids in the neighbourhood because there was one child with the glasses, the nerd, one chubby guy and the big kid, the bully. So this representation of children in the neighbourhood is dominant.

The wife was showed to be a stay at home wife. This is a really traditional woman as traditionally, woman were expected to stay at home, cook, clean and look after the children. The wife in this film fits the traditional expectation which shows how its a dominant representation.

Gender Representation

In this clip there is a moment where there is a crowd of people and a woman tells Hancock off for drinking. As there are even men around, this empowers women as this doesn't present them as sex objects but presents them as confident and also with some authority as she is the one scolding him. This challenges Mulvey's theory of 'the male gaze' because of this powerful representation of women. Also, there is a part when there is an injured police woman. This empowers women as well as shows them to be helpless. Empowers them because it shows the audience that women can take on roles are traditionally male. But as she is injured, it could show that they aren't cut out for jobs that men usually do as she is shown to be helpless. This agrees with Mulvey's theory as this shows that she is just there to be looked at and to be rescued. On the other hand, the audience sees Gill's theory of the female gaze. This is because when Hancock is reformed, he is given a superhero costume which is described as 'tight'. This shows how he is also used to be looked at as the 'tight' suit appeals to the female audience. Berger's theory of men acting and women just appearing is seen in this trailer because majority of the dialogue in this trailer is between men. So the lack of female dialogue shows that majority of the acting is with the men and so women are only used for men to look at. When the woman tells Hancock off for smelling a liquor, the director included this to show the audience that women have voices too and that they also have a level of authority, this part is included to empower woman. This could show Levi-Strauss' theory. 

Preliminary feedback

TASK. The preliminary task for us to get into groups of no more than four members and to film a sequence with a character walking across a room, opening a door and exchanging a few lines of dialogue with another character. Also, we had to incorporate the following film techniques: 180 degree rule, match-on-action and shot-reverse-shot. The 180-degree rule is a basic guideline regarding the on-screen spatial relationship between a character and another character or object within a scene. Cutting on action or matching on action refers to film editing and video editing techniques where the editor cuts from one shot to another view that matches the first shot's action. 

Shot reverse shot is a film technique where one character is shown looking at another character (often off-screen), and then the other character is shown looking back at the first character. 

  

WWW. Our group incorporated the 180 degree rule which made sure that the audience wouldn't be disorientated. Furthermore, our group also incorporated match-on-action in our production to make the transitions feel more natural and also allows the scene to flow very nicely. During our planning, we completed the script of our production to according to the correct format which made it seem very authentic. Also we included a shot list which allowed our group to work more efficiently during the filming as we had pre-planned what we were going to do. We also completed a story board. This transferred our ideas of the scene on to paper which allowed our group to work more creatively. Our group filmed the footage in the drama studio so it enabled us create low-key lighting which made the scene feel and seem more sinister.   

EBI. In order to improve our production we should have focused our camera better. This would allow our production to be clearer and look more professional as the footage would be easier for the audience to see. Also, the sound quality of our production could also have been clearer. We could have done this by using the mic provided instead of relying on the internal camera microphone. However, being better organised could have sorted the situation with the microphone as we should have got the microphone that was low batter back and have got it replaced. Furthermore, our production should have followed the brief of opening a door and walking across the room however we did involve a dialogue which was part of the task. Moreover, we could have followed and completed the shot list that we had constructed. This could have enabled our production to have a variety of shots which could have improved our production dramatically.         

Representation photoshop

 Two Photoshop collages offering the dominant and alternative representations for a certain group or place.

Alternative

Dominant