The Movie Business

Read the articles to widen your understanding of audiences and institutions.

Don't forget to take notes.

Click on the title to take you straight to slideshare or you can zoom in on the article directly below.

The Movie Business

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Research Project

After the holidays you will get back on track with your individual research projects.

Most people seem to be doing some type of British cinema for their practical which also ties in nicely with the study of This Is England.

Don't forget your research project needs to be about either

NARRATIVE
GENRE
REPRESENTATION

If you haven't looked at it already, look at the trailer for Fish Tank, a British drama made last year by Andrea Arnold about a 15 year old girl.

This seems to share similarities with some of yours and contains interesting ideas about representation of gender and teens.

Article: UK producers get their share

Click on the image for another useful article regarding the funding of British films:

Article: a route to funding

Click on the image to go to the screendaily article about the funding of British films.

Revised Timetable

After the holidays the week will look like this:

Monday: Practical lesson: Final deadline for completed trailer is now Feb 12th

Tuesday: MS4 (working towards the exam)


Wednesday: MS4 (working towards the exam)

Thursday: Focus on the Research Project

Funny Games: Gender Essay

TITLE:

Explore the ways in which your chosen texts reinforce or 

challenge typical representations of gender.

REMEMBER:

- PEE

- Use specific examples from the text

- make reference to other texts to reinforce your idea

- Make sure this is a thorough explanation of the topic area

- Don't just rely on class notes

DEADLINE: Monday 7th December

New indies could renew awards

Click on the image to read the full article from ScreenDaily.com

The effective closure of Miramax Films come January further depletes the supply of quality drama to US, and indeed, global audiences.

CNN article homework

FOR TUES 1st Dec

Read the CNN article handout given in class.

This outline the increasing appeal of independent films

1) Write out your own dictionary of terms/words



2) Using the article, your own research (sources to be named) and your own examples, answer the question:


Why has the meaning of independent changed?

Keep watching trailers

Another trailer I have found which may interest you is this. It's quite fast paced but some nice shots. Check it out for your selves:

don't forget you can comment on this blog or add clips to your own if you see something inspirational...

Feminist Film Theory

Here are the class notes on representation of women in relation to Funny Games.

A2 Media Case Study2

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Glossary of terms

Media Glossary

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Have a look at this. You should be reasonably confident with most of these but it's a good idea to test you knowledge and get used to using them in your written work.

Independent Films Task

Investigate recent American independent films.

You should be exploring actors, directors, production companies, budgets, reviews, etc etc

Remember to cross reference your sources. These sites are only a starting point for you (click of the images)

This is all helpful for the exam so keep all our notes.

Pick 3 to talk about in detail in relation to the definition of an independent film.

You will be marked on your ability to explore the topic thoroughly and evidence your sources.

Guide to Video Making

In Januay last year the Guardian produced a guide full of tips on how to make your own films. This ranged from basic techniques, to advice about editing and sond plus some ideas about creating special effects, using a camcorder effectively and performing basic camera moves.

This is very useful. I have a copy for anyone who'd like to borrow it to photocopy.

If you click on the image, it'll take you to an online version.

Composition

One of the key things you need to think about when you film your shots is what is in the frame, the angle you have used and how it is all put together.

Click on the diagram of the Rule of Thirds to check out this link which will help to tighten up your composition. The internet is packed full of helpful hints on framing, filming and getting your shots right.

MAKE SURE YOU RESEARCH THIS AS WELL TO MAXIMISE YOUR MARKS!

Timing is everything

Your task is to make a 3 minute trailer so from watching other trailers, you can see, you need to filming quite a lot!

Watch as many trailers as you can so you can see how the pace often builds towards to end. Another good exercise is to count the shots they used and take notes of the various angles they chose to use from certain scene.

Notice when the captions are used and what they say.

As we are now studying Funny Games, I'd though we'd start here...

Filming Techniques: 180 Degree Rule

Match on Action
A match on action, a technique used in film editing, is a cut that connects two different views of the same action at the same moment in the movement. By carefully matching the movement across the two shots, filmmakers make it seem that the motion continues uninterrupted. For a real match on action, the action should begin in the first shot and end in the second shot.

A cinematographic technique which states that the camera must remain on the same side of an imaginary line, perpendicular to the camera's viewpoint, from which the establishing shot is taken. The 180 degree rule is an important element of the continuity style.



180 Degree Rule
Imagine two people standing face to face. Draw a line from the centre of the top of Person A's head to the centre of the top of Person B's. Now extend this line to infinity on both the x and y axes, dividing the two people bilaterally. To follow the 180 degree rule, the camera must, in each sequence of shots, stay on one side of this line. If this rule is not followed, the characters will not appear to be addressing each other and the cinematic illusion will be broken, as the viewer's sense of perspective is disrupted.

Locations

Take photos of your intended locations or just went you're out and about, take pics of interesting things you see that might be useful.

These images were taken at Edgbaston Reservoir. A potentially great location.

Cross media campaigns: Juno

For a small film Juno was widely advertised and had a "fantastic campaign that manages to walk the line between being one that appeals to indie-minded audiences and being one that has mainstream appeal."

Click on the teaser poster to read more about it and to add to your notes on how the film industry markets films.

Homework: Viral Marketing

Part 1: List as many ways as you can in which films can be marketed?


Part 2: Read the photocopied article on Viral Marketing in Total film as well as carrying out your own research into the term.

Part 3: Find your own example of viral marketing for a film. This is a good site to see which films are coming out soon http://www.comingsoon.net/ but you may be able to find your own.

DEADLINE: Monday 9th November

Important dates for the diary

Get a Voki now!

Blogging!

Hi

On the right hand side of this blog you can see I have added links to your blogs. Now you need to follow each others, especially those in your groups. If you can't see your blog there, it's because you're yet to email me your URL.

You know the sorts of things you should be adding to your blog so let's get going!

Representation of Black Characters

Click on the links below to take you to sites that will be useful for further research on the subject:

Stereotypes in Black Films

An Interpretive History of Blacks in American Films

Narrative Theory

In preparation for our focus on film narrative this week, check out this article on film theory:


Narrative theory notes

Interesting film...good idea?

I think this looks good and seems quite simple and effective. This is what we need to be thinking about in preparation for the practical work.

THE HIGH CONCEPT MODEL

The High Concept is an academic model, represented as a ten-point formula described by Wyatt (1994), which we can use to try to explain how Hollywood makes big budget films.

1.Post-generic film making
(use of hybrid genres)

2.extended montages
(fast paced editing and use of music)

3.design reflecting advertising styles
(marketed in a way to attract a fan base)

4. easily replicated in publicity
(self contained scenes easily used as trailers)

5. formal excess
(style over content)

6. music track interrupts narrative
(looks and sounds good)

7.self-concious allusions to tv and film
(pleasure of recognition, does not add meaning necessarily)

8.detached appearance of stars
(reference made to stars outside narrative)

9.hyperbolic physiques and action
(obvious exaggeration)

10.ironic distanciation
(idea that stars parody themselves or other stereotypes)

Trailer List

Here is a list of films (in no particular order) that could be useful to you in generating ideas. These can be useful for getting story ideas, looking at alternative genres to horror and thriller and will hopefully broaden your horizons....

Check them out and see what you think.

If you find any more you think are good, post your ideas on each others blogs! The ones in red are the ones that are quite interesting...

Graden State
Juno
Somerstown
Brick
Disturbia
Afterschool
The Box
Bullet boy
Ratcatcher
Fish tank
Dead Man’s shoes
Falling Down
Son of Rambow
1 Hour photo
CRIME trailers:
Insomnia
Narc
Gone baby gone
Get Carter
Rock n roller
Seven

MS3: Making a movie trailer

Rain of Madness

COOL VIDEOS – SHORT ANIMATIONS

Media Glossary

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