My Progress

What Have I Learnt in the First Half-Term in Media?
I learnt many things in media examples include the following:
team work
understanding more vocabulary by making notes in lessons and researching words I wasn't sure about in a book called "Media Studies - Applied"
My Strengths Through the Course!
I was organised and managed my time wisely with my other subject, as I got all the work done by the deadlines, by making To Do lists
I am punctual to lessons and my attendance level is high, I have only missed one lesson as I went on a geography trip, but I caught up with the work, which also shows my maturity, because even though I wasn't in for three days, I still stayed on top of the work load.
My Weaknesses Through the Course!
Punctuation, is a big problem throughout my essays and posts on the blog.
I struggle to understand the following concepts - Indexical, Symbolic and Iconic, so I will ask my teacher to recap over them, as I've already asked my group, but they don't know either. Therefore once I am confiedent about the meanings of the words I will tell them.
Targets to improve
I need to start proof reading my work aloud, so I can able the reader to breath in sentences by using commas and not writing capital letters in the middle of my sentances.
to revise over words that I struggle with by asking a teacher as my group doesn't understand.
Overall progress!
I think I have made a good start to the course over the past six weeks, and I hope the efficencey of my progress contines for the rest of my A-levels

Scince I wrote the above I asked; Mr Ford about the words I didn't understand and so he explained the words to me again. I found that I understood what they meant but just got a bit mixed up. I have now acknowledged that indexical is what we associate things with for example a saber-tooths roar is indexical as the audience understands that a tiger like animal is coming. Also symbolic is something that has a sign like a colour picture or letter therefore a collection of signs signify something for example a skull and cross bone - this could be interpreted differently according to the viewers cultural background as some people could think it would mean toxic and others pirates. Lastly iconic is something or someone that is referred to a genre e.g. a prop setting or actor.

Doctor Who - Editing



In this lesson I learnt about editing, but in more detail, because I learnt that we can get more marks talking about editing than camera angles, as it is more interesting. We reviewed a scene from doctor who and analysed the connotations from the edited aspects of the clip.

We got into groups and wrote a paragraph on the camera shot we were given and told to link it to the representation of gender. we then moved around the room evaluating other peoples paragraphs with the post-it notes.

Firstly we individuality wrote notes about the editing and sound from the Dr who extract above.

We were then put into groups to make up a paragraphs about how the sound and editing used in the extract we watched and how it represented gender. This helped us see other peoples writing skills and; and then add to our own ideas.

Next we evaluated the other groups paragraphs as sir put a photo of them on the projector the following criticisms came up:

Ensure that you open paragraphs with a clear point, referring back to the area of representation that you have been asked to write about 

Avoid run on sentences - clear grammar and punctuation adds to the clarity of your analysis 

Avoid description; ensure that there is evidence of technical analysis in every sentence 

Use key terms frequently and accurately 

Make sure you know the difference between 'dentotation' and 'connotation' 

Try to make links between the different technical features. This demonstrates a deeper level of understanding. 

Notes Evaluation on Jane Eyre

In this lesson we watched the opening of Jane Eyre and I learnt a large amount of information about connotations of camera angles, editing, and mise-en-scene. For example, the director edited the film through cross cutting;  I learnt that a diegsis is a dream of fantasy of a character in this case Jane Eyre as it is from her point of view. Also he uses rapid cuts to quicken the pace and build tension. 

I then learnt about sound and the positioning of the characters on the screen though the camera. I learnt that usually the protagonist has the most screen time.

Main Task

The titles and opening of a new fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes. All video and audio material must be original, produced by the candidate(s), with the exception of music or audio effects from a copyright-free source.

This is a link to the mark sceme for our thriller opening we will be making this is what the reasearch is for~:

http://learning.chalfonts.bucks.sch.uk/file.php?file=%2F278%2FAS_Portfolio_Mark_Scheme.pdf

Therefore, this is what the my group have been doing; research which will be used for directing our own thriller opening, for  our course-work. However,our exam will be based on reviewing a clip of a film or series.

In this lesson we learned what words are best to use and those that shouldn't to make our essays the best that they could be. For example it is better to use words like connote or denote, instead of suggests, because we will pick up 10 marks in the exam if we use technical language correctly, in the relevant context.

Groups Research

Below is what parts of research the group assigned each other:
Connor- Survey
Scott- Certificates 15 and 18
Victoria - Louise- Thriller itself and Sub-genres
Loua-Thriller Genres and Hybrids
Evaluation

Loua's research is really good, as it is very detailed. However, the detail shown is mostly about sub genres which isn't what her task is,  so she may have missed the point a bit, as she was supposed to write more about Hybrids, but the part about genres was great. Also, the spelling and gamma was used correctly.

In my opinion, Scott's research is very detailed for the certificate of 15 but could elaborate for the certificate 18 section. Spelling and grammar is all correct, it is all to the point and easy to understand. Overall, good effort.

Survey

I think that there are a variety of questions in Connors questionnaire however they are to specific and could sometimes refer to put an "other" box to tick with a dotted line so the person has the choice to show something that suits them better.

Also I think in the survey there should be a question about what thriller sub-genre they prefer so we get an idea of our target market.

Some questions may not be relevant for example "who do you watch thriller films with?"
People probably think that thrillers are both slow paced and fast paced as the anticipation is built through long pauses and then quick cuts, fight scenes and chasing scenes create anti-climaxes.

These are the results for the survey, that say our target audience is 16 plus, they prefer 18 rated films, but don't see that many films a month which means our results could be slightly unreliable, as they aren't as experienced at watching films of this rating certificate. However, Connors research is great as it looks like he has done a lot of work and spent a load of time over it.

Connor's Thriller Reviews

Evaluation!

This is what I learnt from Connors research I may have changed a few things because my opinion is slightly different also I have changed the spellings as there were a few mistakes. Also he kept to putting lighting under camera angles instead of mise-en-scene.

Fight Club
Camera Angles ~ Minimal long shots coveys the director wanted to show importance and detail by using mainly close ups and pans e.g. the film starts by zooming out of the barrel of a gun which is positioned in the narrators/protagonists mouth. The camera follows the bullet to show that it is from the shooters point of view who creates tension, as the viewer never realizes who the shooter is because the camera doesn't reveal his face as he or she is above frame which also builds suspense. Once the scene transition back in time, the viewer acknowledges that the male protagonist is of lower status as he is positioned in a lower frame than the other characters therefore he is of less importance.

The editing conveys that the structure of the film starts at the end because scene one ends and we go back in time to the beginning for the narrative. There is a good pace between cuts so the audience can absorb the information the film is giving them.

Mise-en-Scene~ the lighting is quite dark which builds suspense and creates tension as it connotes isolation which is how the male protagonist is probably feeling; isolated  The gun is a prop which connotes power because a gun is a weapon sand so is indexical to war because war refers to politics. The two scenes juxtapose each other because after the flash-back it confuses the audience as he was running quite a normal life in the setting of an office and it intrigues the audience to how he ended up where he was at the end of the film.

Sound~ The non diegetic background sound was an electric which had a face pace connoting lots of action and suspense building and a hollow that reinforces the tension because of the isolation  There is limited diegetic sounds at the very beginning, but then in the office phones ringing and faxes beeping.

The Prestige

Mise-en-scene ~ The lighting in the clip is quite bright which reinforces the reaction of the the two characters of happiness as their facial expressions convey them smiling which is juxtaposed considering they were just arguing. They were wearing top hats and suits connoting that the film has been set in the 1900's, this is reinforced through props of the lanterns and no cars.

Print Screen of Connors blog

Camera Angles~ A low angle shot establishes a character of a magician connotes that he is an important high status. The audience can see the male protagonist at eye level. There is a range of close ups so that the audience can gain detail of the facial expressions of the people having an argument. Next there is a zoom in camera movement of a huge apparatus as it zooms into the machine tension is built because the size connotes fear. The shot reverse shot of the to people shows their reaction to the machine.

Sound - There is a diegetic sound of birds twittering which makes the pace quite slow because of the low volume and unhurried speed which is quite heart warming. However this is juxtaposed by the unnerving non diegetic violin which is very high pitched creates suspense  which is reinforced as the volume of the diegetic electric brace progressively increases.

No Country for Old Man 
The first shot was a minute and a half of an establishing long shot of the sunrise in a desert so the audience could acknowledge the setting was most probably rural Texas. Then there is a close up of the front of a police care connoting that this is probably a crime thriller. Next there is a long shot of a desert road emphasis how big the journey ahead is and how alone and isolated he is which ids reinforced as there is a slow paced pan at eye level, mid shot of a police officer,leading to the next camera angle of a high-shot as the policeman being strangled by the isolated man, who is facing the camera which conveys who the villain is and who is in control; of a higher status through strength guy looking because he looks bigger and stronger, to the audience from this position of the camera. A range of close ups for example the villain washing his hands in a sink, while the hand cuffs dig into the villains skin and makes his wrists bleed it unnerved the viewer’s because he does this at a slow pace his reaction calm and relaxed – Juxtaposing situation and reaction

Mise-en-Scene:
Prop police car, connotes enforcement of law
Policeman taking a man to the back of the car and putting him in, signifies a bad guy
The gas canister which the policeman talked about to another officer on the phone.
Uniform of the law enforcement, looks like rural Texas.

Shoe marks from where the officer has been struggling to break free from the bad guy.
Hands cuffs on the villain, develops idea captivity but is juxtaposed by the fact he can strangle the police officer freely without emotion; as facial expression strangled man scrunched up, is juxtaposed by the villain blank face on, just the expression of strength being used
Limited variation of lighting, because the only time low-key was used, was in the police car when the bad guy was in, as the camera looked into the car, the back of the car was very low key, to emphasis evil from the villain.

Diegetic sounds include:
Wind blowing iconic to the beginning of thriller films
Bang of gas canister as that connotes its importance in the film.
Rusty old door opening and closing reinforces the iconic sound of thrillers
Footsteps running as he panics and tries to escape it increases to pace
Out of breath as the villain and the man wrestle it reinforces the pace
An exhale from the man connotes he’s dead

Evaluation of Scott's thriller openings

Introduction
I learnt many things in Scott’s thriller reviews and below is what I have learnt, while interpreting my own opinion into it:

Se7en
There are a large amount of extreme close-ups of camera angles, in the beginning of the film Se7en to convey detail of the twisted clips. The shot also shows viewer a hidden mysterious character that remains unidentified, but body parts of this figure are seen captivating the audience. The extreme close up of the word ‘God’ is shown to the viewer being cut out of a dollar bill connotes that the character is religious because god is indexical to the Christian faith. This is then reinforced throughout the film the use of the ‘Seven Deadly Sins’ as punishment and in the antagonist’s judgement of his victims.
The editing at the beginning of the film has a very rapid pace, because it has several dissolve transitions to connote an atmosphere of confusion. The director uses a special texture effect which gives the entire sequence a washed-out sepia-like tone. The general colour used connotes lack of emotions and feelings giving the connotations of a feel of apprehension, for the narratives dark subject matter. The credits flicked in and out unsettling the audience.

The non-diegetic background music used is a remix of Nine Inch Nails ‘Closer’. Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project which is associated with dark and gruesome imagery, because it reinforces the fast pace and, The music used is gritty and reflects the overall disturbing tone of the film. The non diegetic sound is very scratchy almost as the sound of a pen scratching against paper. This adds to the effect of unsettling feel.
Mise-en-scene- Also flashes of red appear which connotes danger as it is indexical to blood reinforcing the connotations in the opening sequence of se7en, lots of quick paced unsettling images are shown as each shot reveals dark icons and movements. This reinforces the unnerving emotions Props - The amount of pages of notes and a scruffy hand writing in ink connotes the male protagonist is a hard worker and his obsession in research. Film roll and scissors connotes the setting -man is in laboratory or basement which has connotations of a thriller doing work, this could give the impression that the character is dodgy and mysterious. Thread and needle- This emphasizes the precision and commitment this character has also the needle is shown in an extreme close up to emphasis pain and torture so the audience cannot see anything else. Notebooks and newspapers- This connotes that the character could be investigating crime scenes or is just fascinated by them, either way he is presented to be sinister.

The non-diegetic background music used is a remix of Nine Inch Nails ‘Closer’. Nine Inch Nails is an American industrial rock project which is associated with dark and gruesome imagery, because it reinforces the fast pace and, The music used is gritty and reflects the overall disturbing tone of the film. The non diegetic sound is very scratchy almost as the sound of a pen scratching against paper. This adds to the effect of unsettling feel.
Mise-en-scene- Also flashes of red appear which connotes danger as it is indexical to blood reinforcing the connotations in the opening sequence of se7en, lots of quick paced unsettling images are shown as each shot reveals dark icons and movements. This reinforces the unnerving emotions Props - The amount of pages of notes and a scruffy hand writing in ink connotes the male protagonist is a hard worker and his obsession in research. Film roll and scissors connotes the setting -man is in laboratory or basement which has connotations of a thriller doing work, this could give the impression that the character is dodgy and mysterious. Thread and needle- This emphasizes the precision and commitment this character has also the needle is shown in an extreme close up to emphasis pain and torture so the audience cannot see anything else. Notebooks and newspapers- This connotes that the character could be investigating crime scenes or is just fascinated by them, either way he is presented to be sinister.

Memento

Mise-en-scene

One of the main props throughout the beginning is the Polaroid photo because by concentrating on the image for that amount of time it denotes that the picture and its contents of the dead man is very significant to the rest of the film. The image relates to the title of 'Memento' as photos are normally mementos of things that have happened to remember. The dead man is obviously one of the main characters in the film which is narrated, as well as the holder of the picture. The glasses (another key prop) are owned by the man who is dead, stands-out against the blood splattered tiles, in the setting of the photo, as this connotes intelligence and a naive innocence as well because it appears that the man was an innocent victim because he couldn't see without his glasses, when he was killed. This is juxtaposed with the young looking murderer, Leonard Shelby (Guy Pearce) who looks exceptionally sad, suggesting that looks can be misleading.

Editing

The really distinguishing section of editing used in the beginning of the movie is that the structure is reversed as the director tells the viewers what happens at the end. Even though the beginning is rather short, the opening scene gives imperative information for the people watching. The beginning shows that Polaroid pictures are really significant to the rest of the film. It also makes the spectators pay attention when they next see another Polaroid further on in the movie. In addition, each cut is fast to give off a tense atmosphere; this could connote importance on the violence of the beginning with short, sharp and quick cuts.
Camera
Most of the beginning of Memento the camera angle is at extreme close up of a hand with a Polaroid picture of a man lying on the ground dead which is quite gruesome because of the blood covering the walls, the bullet, the glasses and the dead man’s head. This forms an intense closeness with the picture and the viewers as it controls the outlook of anything else making the audience’s attention completely on the photograph and the image in it. The reason the director used this shot was to show the stillness as it is extremely unsettling because of the detail of blood and a dead man. Therefore the audience can truly understand the murder because of the clarity and detail as extreme close up shots is used.

Sound

In the first scene the spectators are intrigued with a non-diegetic high pitched string tone that stops after the camera flashes. This tone builds up as more instruments join in, which produces a sense of anticipation throughout the beginning, this is an iconic sign of a thriller. The strings form an extreme melancholy atmosphere to the movie, which produces an unnerving comparison to the intense imagery seen in the scene. This could connote that the killer feels remorseful and guilty because of what he has done. The strings also get progressively high pitched increasing the feel of expectancy and accelerate the emotion as well. Diegetic sounds include the Polaroid being shaken, the camera noises, the bullet rattling across the floor, the grabbing of the gun and the man shouting “What?!”. These sounds are used collectively to generate a disturbing feel because of the growing climax during the opening. All of these diegetic sound stands-outs as the background music are contrasting. This makes the sounds clearer to the audience building tension. The constant sound of the Polaroid being moved is very frightening because it is so continuous. The scratching of the bullet is intimidating because of the high pitched screech produced as it goes across the floor. Lastly, the unexpected loud gun shot is shocking, because of the quiet background music at that time, it makes the audience jump, which is expected in thrillers.

Twelve Monkeys
Mise-en-scene:
The structure of the film is that it starts at the end. Setting in an airport which could connote panic and urgency rushing to travel. the gun in man’s hand connote danger fear and power because it is indexical to war because it’s a weapon and war is to do with politics. The costume could connote that the couple were going on a exotic warm holiday as were wearing Hawaiian themed clothing. The shot has a bright lighting which could connotes that the scene is a dream or diegesis. The mise-en-scene increases the sympathy and emotion as the man dying man puts his bloody hand on the woman’s face as she holds onto it. The boy had a different facial expression, as on one hand, before the boy seemed shocked and scared whereas in the final shot of the opening scene his face connoted he felt the same pain the woman did and looked at them with a slight give the impression of being confusion.

Camera- The director uses an extreme close up of a little boy’s face which only shows his eyes. Nolan does this to confirm the detail of the boy’s emotion in the eyes of fear and shock to the observers as if he has seen something dreadful. The boy’s eyes move around the location trying to understand the situation for a bit. This then fades white then into a slow motion clip of a man being shot in an air port trying to run away, this is a Point of View shot from the little boy’s perspective. Still in slow motion, the man falls to his knees dramatically this is in medium camera angle. The female protagonist emerges on screen which is also in slow motion running up to the man who is dying and sobs in grief the audience sympathies with her as it connotes that the female protagonist is the man’s partner. The slow motion is edited on afterwards and conveys the melancholy and emotion in the atmosphere. The camera then continues to shows the man fall to his knees slowly, making the audience empathizes with the character. This also makes the audience pay attention straight away because there is so much action at the very beginning. After that the angle of the camera moves back to a close up of the boy being held back gently with a hand on his shoulder, this signifies the innocence of the little boy. Next the camera returns to the point of view shot of the boy watching the woman grieve over the shot man. The camera slowly zooms into a close up shot of the woman’s face seeming distraught. Finally, the camera switches back to the boy with a close up of his face so the audience can see his reaction of sadness in detail.

Sound:
Opens with the diegetic sounds of a gun being fired shock to the viewer a woman screaming “No” dramatically. Most sounds fade out until the viewer can clearly hear the non-diegetic sound of a plane boarding time being called out on speakers re-enforcing that they are in an airport. here is also a non-diagetic sound of slow violin music playing over the top with no diegetic sounds despite the constant airport announcement playing in the background. This reinforces the level of emotion the director is trying to communicate in this opening shot.

Conclusion
I think that Scott's analysis is great because of the in depth detail!Also, there are no spelling mistakes as it was all correct. However it could be more to the point in some aspects e.g camera angles, and for the sound he needed to use more technical language e.g. Diegetic/nondiegetic, but great work and this will most definitely help our group create a thriller opening.