Vodcast- Slasher titles and idents

Prelim

SlasherEG: Scream 3

SCREAM 3

(Wes Craven, 2000)
PRODUCED BY: Dimension Films, Konrad Pictures,
Craven-Maddalena Films
DISTRIBUTED BY: Dimension Films (USA),
Buena Vista International (UK), Full list
BUDGET: $40,000,000
BOX OFFICE: $161,830,000 (worldwide)
RATINGS: IMDb- 5.4, Rotten Tomatoes- 36% 
WIKI, OFFICIAL SITE
OPENING SCENE: 9:05 minutes

Camera

The shot of 'Cotton' in the car is a medium close up of him on the phone to a thought of agent. The dialogue depicts the characters apparent popularity and fame with him stating he is 'the countries  number one nationally syndicated talk show host.' Once Cotton becomes aware his girlfriend is in grave danger and that the mystery caller is indeed the villain, the cinematography speeds up. First of all there is a close up of Cotton realising imminent danger, this particular shot displays more emotion than a camera angle which is further away. There are then point of view shots from the killer commencing upon Cotton's girlfriend in the shower, at this point the audience feels a lack on control and an inevitable murder seems to be unstoppable. More P.O.V shots are used when Cotton rams his way out of the traffic cue perhaps showing the panic the character must be feeling at the time. Another one is used once the girlfriend comes out the shower and finds the door opened , the camera shakily pans up and down from the lady's point of view symbolizing alarm. Perhaps the most interesting camera technique is used when Cotton's girlfriend is getting dressed and what seems a point of view shot of the killer advancing towards an isolated victim is just a technique used to make the audience falsely tense as once the loud rock music starts the girlfriend sharply turns round ignoring what the audience thinks is the 'slasher'. A low angle dolly shot is used to follow the girlfriend who is attempting to trace where the music is coming from. Considering the shot is only of her feet, the viewer now is completely unaware of surroundings above ankle height making for uncomfortable viewing only adding to the progressional tension.
Sound/Music
Even as the producer 'Dimension' is displayed there is disjointed loud freaky music unnerving the audience. Soon after shuddering ominous music plays as a perspective camera shot leers over the Hollywood sign. Once in the car, sirens are heard rushing past at great speed indicating a serious road accident, the audience is already exposed to danger and caution within a minute of the film. The next interesting sound is heard when Cotton realises his girlfriend is in danger, beeping horns are heard harassing Cotton, adding to the panic and shock of the situation, this mixed in with high pitched attention grabbing violin peice makes for a frightening vewing.
Mise-En Scene
Seconds into the opening scene the audience hears a radio broadcast of a 'multiple vehicle, multiple injury accident, an absolute mess' accident on the freeway, explaining why Cotton is in a traffic jam, but it also creates an aura of danger for the viewer to experience. To enhance terror within the opening scene, the girlfriend (who is blonde promiscuous, matching the attributes needed for a 'scream queen') is alone and isolated in what seems a rather large house. As cotton is attempting to get home to his girlfriend, an image of a dinosaur on top of a restaurant appears, this is quite an unnerving picture which potentially adds to the confusion and fright the audience and characters must be feeling at this point. The lights within the house are dimmed creating a scary ambiance.  

SlasherEG: Scream 4

SCREAM 4

(Wes Craven, 2011)
PRODUCED BY: Dimension Films, Corvus Corax Productions
DISTRIBUTED BY :Entertainment Film Distributors (UK), Dimension Films (USA) , Full list
BUDGET: $40,000,000
BOX OFFICE: $97,037,610 (worldwide)
RATINGS: IMDb- 6.2, Rotten tomatoes- 58%
WIKI, Official website

Camera
The opening scene of scream 4 starts with the accreditation of the producers 'dimension films', afterwards a medium centre shot of the telephone appears with no fade which straight away catches the audiences attention as they are thrown straight into this rather intense scene. the medium centre shot of the telephone insinuates the importance of the telephone within this scene along with the loud ringing noise the phone is making. Already the viewer has started to feel a certain amount of tension with the sharp camera work. The camera then pans across into another room introducing the new character (Trudy) within the dialogue, there are high angle shots of Trudy and low angle shots of the other girl. This perhaps suggests that Trudy has more knowledge of the apparent wrong number than she thinks she does, where as the other girl truly believes the call was a wrong number. Once it has been revealed that Trudy is being 'stalked' there is a close-up shot of the mobile phone depicting a fake picture of the stalker. The close nature of this particular shot adds tension as more information is revealed to the audience.
The next phone call is where the cinematography speeds up dramatically, each time either girl speaks the camera flashes a medium shot of that specific girl symbolising the growing tension and confusion surrounding the mystery phone calls, the camera work also speeds up to perhaps suggest a growing link that the audience may be making with Trudy's stalker and the phone calls. This also encapsulates the progression of slasher films as new slashers tend to jam-pack different varied shots in an aim for the audience to experience more, whereas an older slasher film would have longer takes. The next significant piece of camera work is the long perspective shot of the girl leaving the house from the other side of the road reinforcing the confusion

that surrounds the mystery knock at the door. Next comes an over the shoulder shot of Trudy's friend outside looking back into the house conveying a sense of vulnerability and danger.
After it has been revealed to the audience that the opening scene was a film within a film. Two more characters are introduced. An interesting piece of cinematography follows where  a long shot of a girl reaching for a mystery object outside of the audiences view, which would inevitably fill the audience with angst and tension, all the attributes needed for a slasher film.

Sound/Music
Right from the off thunder like bass music rattles the audiences ears to promote tension and angst even before the audience are settled. The music is also has tints of sharp viola like music to encompass panic and fear. An example of effective ominous 'pre murder scene music' could be the famous shower scene of 'psycho' where just as the lady in the shower is being stabbed with a knife, ear rattling high pitches of violin is heard. Also, one of the first thing the audience hears is the loud ringing of the house telephone which cements the importance and mystery surrounding the phone, linked in with the camera shot of the phone, the opening shot proves very effective. The loudness of the telephone persists throughout the opening scene as it partially shocks the viewer and instills yet more tension. The third telephone call is combined with ominous bass suggesting a progression of worry within the character as they begin to realise their lives may be in danger. For approximately one to two minutes bass with high noted piano chords is played underneath the dialogue as the girls discuss whether to open the door, this is where tension is suppose to be at its highest, although i feel as if the music loses its effect due to the length of deliberation between the two girls, the music then becomes slightly intrusive. However once Trudy's friend opens the door the music ends with a terror filled crescendo followed by silence. This is the peak of the audiences terror and the loudness contrasting with the abrupt silence depicts this.
Characterisation/Representation and Mise-en Scene
The characters within this slasher are rather stereo typical to more recent slashers, the sexually active young teenager is used as the victim within the opening scene to perhaps create more fear amongst  the audience, as the target audience is similar to the victims. The first shot depicts a red flashing light on a ringing telephone which audits danger and caution relating to the murder later on in the scene. The girl then strangely takes a knife and strokes the blade perhaps in an act of boredom however this does represent the weapon used which ultimately ends her life. Also a girl playing with such a dangerous utensil as a knife unnerves the audience adding to the progressive tension. The setting of the scene is in a home this perhaps gives the viewer a false senses of security that a murder cannot take place within their own comfort of a home. However it is also set at night, which foresees danger and the unknown. Once the girl opens the door the camera centres the door as the focal point of danger, at that moment in time the door is the only object keeping the danger away from the victims, and once it is opened the murders take place.

The Final Girl Concept

Final girl (Jamie Lee Curtis) to the right of the picture. (Halloween)

A Final Girl is used in thriller and horror films (particularly in the thrasher genre). It refers to the last woman that is alive, and consequently the last one to face the killer and ostensibly the one left to tell the story. The stereotype of a final girl is one of a girl who is sensible, academic and intelligent, concerned with school and dressed in a way which is not revealing (covered up). A typical final girl is brunette and not in a relationship. This is the opposite of a stereotype scream queen. Scream queens  are typically blonde, busty, sexually active and/or in a relationship and not overly bothered with school. The scream queen is usually the character who is initially killed, scream queens also are known for wearing bright and revealing clothes unlike the boring or unattractive outfits that a final girl would wear.

York Film Festival

On friday 9th november our media class went to york film festival. We went to 2 of the master classes, the first one being a presentation from Barry Ryan, who is head of production at Warped film. Over the past 10 years they have produced 18 films, 17 of which have been theatrically distributed, and 5 TV series. Overall they have won 6 BAFTA's. They hold one world record, for the most zombies in one place.

He went on to tell us about their future plans. Next year they will be releasing a stone roses documentary, Southcliffe, a 3 part drama, which shall be shown on channel 4. 71, a thriller which is in preperation (written by Gregory Burke and directed by Yann Demange, aswell as Destroyer written and directed by Tom Shankland.

He spoke about the effects of cinema, films at home, pirate copies and the power of supermarkets have on the company consumptions. The principal of the company is set by warp records/music which is an ever growing record labelling company. Their relationships with clients (music artists) are long term.

Warp films created the film 'This is England'. It sold 1.8 million in the box office and  180,000 saw it in the cinema. However the company think more people viewed it at home.

Each of their films is 30 days of preperation, 30 days of shooting, 150 days post which equals 210 days. 10 hours off work a day means 2100 hours per week. 18 films multiplied by 2100 hours comes to a total of 37500 hours of film making that the company has done so far.

Film economics

1 million at box office
- Exhibitors take 50%
-Distributors take their P+A which is 200k (because of promotions- posters and premiers)
-Distributor splits remaining money 50/50
-The film has to pay back all finance
-The produces get 50% of profit- still only making half of what profits are made overall

The second masterclass was a converasation between Danny Cohen and Mariayah Kaderbhai (mariayah interviewing Danny). He started the presentation by talking about how he has become a cinematographer. He initially did a social science degree then became a photographic technician, which after years of producing short films, lead him onto becoming a cinemaphotographer.

He spoke about how he

Micro Drama- finished film and reflection

The class was split into 2 groups to complete this task. As a class, we decided to do boys in one group and girls in the other. Katie, Millie, Tilly, Poppy and myself each pitched an idea for a micro drama to one another. We spoke about the positives and negatives of each pitch and then came to a conclusion on what we would film using an idea from Tilly.

We altered aspects to suit everyone and came up with a central location for the filming. We sorted out props and these were taken care of by several members in the group before the shooting in the middle of half term. We spent several hours in the afternoon filming different shots until we had appropriate amount of footage. The organisation between the 5 of us worked well as everyone was in contact with each other regularly.

We each took an important role in the filming and had planned so that each member of the group would have a specific role. Poppy filmed, Kate took on the role of a news reporter, Millie- a murderer and myself and tilly were the 2 main characters who are abducted and killed.

We had several issues when filming; the main one being the camara ran out of battery before we had finished. We got around this by using an IPhone 4s which should be similar in quality to the camara we were using. When we uploaded the footage we realised a part of it had been effected by the wind, the voice of the 'news reporter' was not very clear. As we had filmed in Ilkley park, it was difficult to get a shot where there were not people passing by or background noise/voices, however we felt it did not effect the footage too much.

Preliminary task

Assessment criteria

AS Media Criteria Sheet

Final Cut Pro X First Impressions

We were shown how to use final cut pro X by an A2 students. At first i thought that it looks very similar to Final Cut express, however when we investigated further into the uses and functions of the program, it became clear that there are different uses between the two. Final cut pro X seems more complicated and professional than final cut express and some of it is quite confusing. But i am aware there are many sources of help when figuring out how to use the software. There are vodcasts on YouTube and information is easily obtained by googling the query  Obviously, as with final cut express, practice is needed to use the program sufficiently.

Assessing a past AS film opening

Deception 



The strongest feature of this opening is the music and setting, they work well together as they build tension and make it jumpy. 

Weakest feature is that the camera is very shakey at times and some angle shots are confusing. The shadow of the camera person is visible at some points. 

Rate minimal: 
- holding camera steady 
- understanding 

Effective shots:
1. 2 shot shows relationship, medium shot
2. panning from left to right, point of view shot
3. moving point of view shot, 

Editing:
1. good transitions
2. the sound is an audio bridge

Film Opening

Star Wars- Return of the Jedi    

Director- Richard Marquand

Budget- $32.5 m

US Box office- $310 m

Opening sequence-

Company Idents-

Lucas Film THX

20th century fox





Title 0:33

Scrolling Text 1:06

2: 14

Add caption

Final Cut Express First Impressions

When initially looking at the final cut express software, i thought it seemed fairly simple and basic. After practice, it became clearer to me that using the program requires logical steps. YouTube videos can be found and information is easily obtained regarding using different aspects of Final Cut Express. I found the ways it edits videos clever and effective, the only confusion i had at first was how to import the shots and then how to export them when i had completed editing.

Media Language in other Shane Meadows Film- A Room for Romeo Brass

Film covers

A room for Romeo brass (1999) 

Budget - not available
Gross - $18,000 (USA)
-Failed to get a UK cinema release

Idents- Alliance Atlantis Communications

Film opening- 5:40

Many low budget indie films are funded by companies. A room for Romeo Brass was funded by the BBC and The arts council of England. The lack of editing in the first shot, an extreme long shot showing the rural area, which lasts for 1:10, gives the perception that it is going to be a drama. The director is introduced as 'A Shane Meadows Film', this emphasizes the directors importance in the making of the film and reflects the auter theory. An audio bridge is used to link the Non- digetic music which is played- it is up beat and gives a happy feeling, this contrasts with the setting that is dull and a run down area (this is showing the mise-en-scene.

Media language in 24/7

Film cover

Budget: unknown.

Gross: £175000

Opening- around 4 minutes
Idents- BBC films and Scala

The film starts with a long shot for about 30 seconds and it is made obvious quickly that it is going to be a serious drama. The first thing you notice, along with the seriousness, is that the film is black and white. Only one star named at the beginning of the film, along with the directors name shown as 'A Shane Meadows Film'. The background is bleak and as the next shot appears so do more names. they are bold and in capital letters so stand out well against the darker background. The next shot is showing emotion of an older man, it shows the condition he is in and causes the audience to empathize with the character. The lack of dialogue makes it difficult for the audience to understand the narrative enigma of the film opening. it is the voice over that follows that indicates the accents of the characters and therefore perhaps a clue towards the location.

This is England

This is England (Shane Meadows -2006)


Budget: £1.5mBox Office: £1.3m $320,000
Length of opening: 3.25

Producer, Shane Meadows, focuses on the social realism genre where by social issues are taken and then incorporated into the film. Certain aspects of the film are based on the personal experiences of the director. He has also directed some short films such as Deadmans Shoes, A room for romeo brass and 24:7 .The company idents that contributed to the production of the film were Warp Films, Film 4, Screen Yorkshire, EM Media, Big Arty Productions and UK Film Council.


Media language

Mis-en-scene is used to sets the mood of the film, the montage of American and UK TV and film  from the 1980's creates the setting as well as exposition which helps to establish the time period of the film . Footage from the UK which is seen as global news and significant to British ways are shown, such as remembrance days, racist attacks and campaigning for women's right.The writers and directors views on people such as Margaret Thatcher become clear from this opening scene. A sense of crime is felt with the shots of riots and skin heads. Establishing shots are used to set the scene, for example a panning shot of the old fashioned buildings and car. The majority of shots used in this film opening are medium close ups and close ups of the main character. 

Vodcast- Media Language for 8 Film Openings

In groups of 4 we had to create a vodcast. We each compared the 2 film openings we had each and then collectivly compared all 8. We looked at different conventions and spoke about which films included the particular convention and then the differences with the videsos that did not. We each concluded with an overall look at the 2 movies we had looked at each and the particular conventions within those. The main problem with our completed Vodcast is that we did not include any screen shots so it technically is not a vodcast and is really just a video.

Completed Swede and Reflection

The class was split into two groups and each group was to make a swede. Our group chose the film Taken, everyone in the group was familiar with the plot of the film and we found it easy to choose which scenes we could re-create. The film was made in school by Jake, Curtis, George, James, Dec, Dom and I. Linked below is the completed swede.

We did 5 scenes from the film to create our swede. The conversation between Kim and her father in a cafe, Kim leaving to go to Paris, the kidnapping scene followed by the telephone conversation between Bryan (Kim's father) and the kidnapper. And then lastly the fighting scene.

My favourite film

my favourite film is Taken (Pierre Morel, 2008)
here is the trailer

h

priomo poster

Brief

VIDEO: (i) preliminary exercise:

continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down on a chair opposite another character, with whom he/she then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. This task should demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180 degree rule. [we tackle this with an exercise in ‘sweding’…]




(ii) main task: the titles and opening of a new fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes.