Thriller Micro Elements

Sound

Earlier in the year we created an opening for a Thriller. One of the micro elements that was included was use of sound. We created a soundtrack that we thought fitted the whole sequence. It created quite an eerie and mysterious vibe, this is an example of non-diagetic sound. Another example of non-diagetic sounds is the sounds we used for the transitions for the flashbacks. We also used diagetic sounds, like the sound of the train at the beginning, and footsteps. We used visceral sound when the man is hit. This technique is used to emphasise and focus on certain sounds.

Editing

We edited the flashbacks to be viewed in black and white, so the audience could understand that it was in the past. This worked well along with the transition sound, to create a fluent change. Another editing technique we used was changing the speed of clips. We cut up a number of clips, in which we sped up and slowed down. This built up tension throughout the sequence, leaving the viewer on edge. We used simple opening credits which appeared by the side of the appropriate character. At the end of our sequence, we paused the film whilst the character was in 'mid-punch'. We created a break in the music to go with this. At the same time, our opening title 'Rependo' appeared on the screen.  

Mise-on-scene


Straight away, a scary isolated setting and location is put in place. This instantly informs the audience that something is not right. Costume is very important in our video, as it creates a hierarchy. Will, the obvious antagonist, is dressed in smart informative clothing, whereas Saul is dressed in bloody cheap clothes. We used make-up on Sauls face, to show he had been beaten and was in danger. The lighting in the scene is completely natural and dull. We purposely filmed in the evening to emphasise the eeriness, as darkness is associated with the Thriller genre.

Cinematography 

We used many PoV shots in our opening. The first PoV was in the view of the antagonist. This PoV shot is very strong and focuses on the protagonist. Afterwards, the next shot is in the PoV of the protagonist, and you can instantly tell the character can barely hold himself up. When the character does manage to look at the antagonist, he is looking up from a low angle. This shows that he is in a weak position.

SFX


We only used a couple of special effects, a fake gunshot and a stunt with the punch in the face. The gunshot made the death of Will's brother more vivid and realistic, as well as the punch.

My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding

1.Should images in your case study be censored - if so why?

There has been clouds of controversy over this program and whether some things in it should be censored.  One camera recording in the series that has received, probably, the most controversy of all was a shot where girls as young as 6 were dressed in skimpy clothes dancing like R&B dancers. The main reason for the controversy was the fact that the shot was inappropriate as young girls shouldn't be put on TV in this way. However other Gypsy communities have hit out saying its a misrepresentation of their culture and will create friction. I agree with both sides to the argument and feel that it shouldn't be shown on TV... in that way. The program is a documentary and should show what it sees it should also make obvious to the viewer that the actions on screen are specific to that certain culture and not create a generalisation of all Gypsy cultures.

2.If you think your case study can have a negative effect on collective groups. Could it have a positive effect?

I believe the program can and already has had a negative effect on Gypsies all around the UK. There have been reports if Gypsy children being teased and mocked at school by other pupils, about the program. This is unfair and only the program and the way it has been made is to blame. However there could be a good side to this program. The awareness of Gypsy/traveler culture has been raised. Issues surrounding the eviction of Gypsies, which can be very traumatic, have been documented and discussed on the program. This has lead to a better understanding and empathy toward the culture.

3.Do you agree that your case study could influence someones behavior?

Yes I do agree with this statement. People may act differently toward Gypsy communities and have already acted differently. Cases of business and contracts involving Gypsies have fallen through and been canceled and the program has been blamed as it has scared off customers.

To what extent is human identity increasingly mediated?

 - Fish Tank: It creates a 'grubby', poor identity for people living in council estates. The audience would take it as literal which relates to the theory of Marcuse. Marcuse believes we follow what the media say and accept what you see and believe it.

- The main characters of Fish Tank are known as lower class which relates to the theory from Stryker.  The family in the film would be considered as common and create there own identity which is Strykers theory. The theory relates to the film as it develops a consistent identity of a family.
Are you being served? Gives the impression that younger people are unintellectual It also creates a overly camp image of the man hinted to be homosexual.

An education is increasingly mediated as the audience are easily effected by the change in emotions from Jenny. This follows Althusser's theory as the film controls the audiences feeling towards Jenny. The theory means we take their representations to be reality which is what happens to Jenny as at the beginning we see Jenny as a naive young girl then becomes a confident, poised girl then falls back to be naive and confused.
 

Coronation Street represents an image of a poor person in the 1970s through the character of Tommy. His costume gives the impression he is lower class and he is always filmed whilst drunk and being cheeky. what you see from Tommy matches Marcuse's theory.

Fish tank

Is Connor a father figure to Mia?

I think for most of the film Connor acts as a father figure. As she looks up to him as an authoritative figure around the house. She doesn't want to let him get close as we get the impression that there have been men in and out of the family. However there are times when she let him get close, a certain warmth towards him. He encourages her to pursue her one interest, dancing. This is a typical fatherly quality that the family lacked due to the mother having a bad attitude to her children, due to unknown reasons.

Do your decisions from the article changed after seeing the film?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_Tank_%28film%29

I think the article is close to the film however certain aspects you cant get from the article such as the understanding of why she is like she is (Mia). Her bringing up was clearly a struggle with her mum regretting she ever had her. Knowing she isn't wanted in the house she wonders around the streets not knowing the wrongs and rights. Mixing with the wrong people and falling out with her friendship group.



What does the film say about British families?


The film portrays British families as lower-class and parenting responsibilities at an all time low. With no real authoritative figure in the house, the children are left to run their own lives making wrong decisions. The film illustrates a 15 year old girl trespassing in a unused flat, drinking and violence in the street. Giving the impression to other culture that this is typical of a British family.

An Education Question

How is Jenny typical of an British teenager?

Jenny was shown to be a typical teenager in many ways. Jenny comes across as very much in charge when it come to family. She bosses her parents about and is very cheeky to them at times. However she does show respect for her parents. This is probably less common in this day and age. Jenny is seen to be strongly influenced by older men. She acts older when she is with David and his friends which shows her trying to be mature. At this age British girls often try to look up to older female role-models. However unlike all british teenagers she knows exactly what she wants to do however is affected by personal/family relationships.

Draw similarities and comparisons between the representation of Britain you see here and in Alfie.

Similarities between the Britain you see in Alfie and An Education is that they are very strict on how people will think of them, they believe that values should mould the lives of those involved. Another aspect is that women do not seem to have as much as an involvement in serious matters except of course when Jenny realises whats happened to her chances of university and while speaking to the head teacher. However a point that would back up the statement above would be that when Danny and David go into the house to take the map, she is rudely told to get back into the car.