-x- Spooks- Essay- Opening Sequence -x-

Throughout this essay i will be explaining what techniques the opening scene uses to appeal to a weekday mainstream audience. The essay will also focus on what the text tells us about the media insitutions involved. Also this essay will include whether the extract follows the codes and conventions of an opening scene. Lastly this essay will include how people and places are represented in the opening scenne of this 'Spooks' Tv series.

Firstly Spooks is a Tv series broadcasted on the BBC. The BBC is a public service broadcatser. This therefore means that their duty is to the public, serving to inform, educate and entertain rather thank to make a commercial profit. This therefore means that the Tv series should automatically have a meaning behind the series, and also the series should be up to the same advantage as other TV series produced by the BBC.

Media texts are constructed using a number of codes and conventions which refer to meanings portrayed byt the text. A code is a network of signs, written, visual, artistic or behavioural meanings that are culturally accepted and shared. A convention is a conduct or practice or mehtod that is commonly accpepted and has a tradition. Therefore this relates to the 'Spooks' series due to the reason that the setting shown throughout the opening is set to look as an urban type of posh area, located in London. The first shot is of a young, white schoolgirl skipping on the pavement. This therefore is a typical London tradition and is accepted as people find it normal for a young school girl to be skipping and playing about outside ehr house. This can however be contridicted as some people may have a negative view on this as they may belive there are many hazzards and dangers for a young girl to be playing near a road by herself. Also the codes and conventions used to represent the young male and female are put across as positive. For example the young couple can be seen as a newlywed couple who are hapily in love, the diea of this makes the audience want to think what will happen next and the reason to why they are so happy.

The music being played in the background of the dialogue also connotes that something bad is going to happen. The build up of the storyline also attracts the audience more. The reason for this is because the dialogue starts with the couple getting ready to go to work, eating breakfats and then finnaly getting into the car. The music seems to be slow paced and suspensful therefore making the audience believe something bad is going to happen, or keeps the audience wondering what is going to happen next.
A binary opposition can also be reflected from this opening sequence. The main reason being that the couple is seen to be loved up and also happy, however when the two other characters are intorduced the dialogue used ' they deystroyed our life' conntoes evil. This therefore shows a binary opposition as the audience dont expect a happy couple to be interferring with neagtive things. This therfore makes the audience want to carry on watching the movie and find otu what the happy couple done to the other two characters.

The main codes and conventions based upon the opening sequence, are mainly used by building up tension throughout the sequence. Firstly the main shot is a close up of a young school skipping, this therefore attracts the audience as it automatically shows the types of people that are going to be in the school. Also the voices used when there are two people in the car are close up shots of the tow characters mouths, this therefore conntoes suspision as their identity is not shown until the end of the openign sequence.

-x- Targets To Hit ATG -x-

The three targets i have chosen in order to gain my ATG are ..


> One main target i have chosen is to hand in my homework/ essays det by Ms Holiday.. the main reason being that it would benefit me as i will be gettin correct feedback from her.

> Another target i have chosen to acheive my ATG is to at least once or twice a week to take part in a previous media exam. The reason for this is so that i can be familiarised with the exam paper and it will also be a good peice of revision and practice.

> My last target is going to be foccussed on my writing skills. I feel like that is one of my weaknesses therefore i will have to work on my writing skills much more.

-x- Audience -x-

LO: To explore how media texts appeal to different audiences! ..

2 Main Points about the Media Audience ..

=D .. The media are often experienced by people alone ( cutt off from people )
=D .. Wherever they are in the world, the audience for a media text are all receiving exactly
the same thing

History .. Media can affect people in many negative ways. An example of this would be that people usually tend to go out with their friends to experience the media i.e cinemas or sometimes relaxing with friends watching the tv. Therfore if they all see a negative approach reflecting soemthing i.e a celebrity, this will mean that millions of people see this negative approach which makes the media have a superior power upon the audience.

The audience as a *Mass* .. According to many theorists, particularly in the early history of the subject, when we listen to our CDs or sit in the cinema, we become part of a mass audience in many ways like a crowd at a football match or a rock concert but at the same time very different because separated from all the other members of this mass by space and sometimes time.


The Effects / Hypodermic model .. According to this theory the media injects ideas, attitudes and beliefs into the audience.

-x- Next Best Steps -x-

Editing ..

The editing used in this short extract is mainly done in a slow pace style. The reason for this is becuase this particular scence focusses on the father taking a concentrated view to see whether or not the baby looks like one of the prisoners. Therfore the director has done this so that the audience are scattered with tension and suspense in finding out whether or not the father will find out if one of the prisoners is the father of his grandson.

-x- Self Evaluation -x-

Self Evaluation of Natasha Nti ..

Attainment : 2 . The reason for this is because there have been numerous amount of times that i haven't been in lessons and i personally think it is not up to suitable standards.

Effort : 2 . The reason for this is because i think i put more effort into the clasroom speaking and contributions to the class rather than putting as much effort into my essays and homework.

Punctuality : 1. Since this term has started i haven't been late to any lessons.

Submission and quality of homework : 1. The reason for this is because all of my homework this term has been on time.

Ability to work independently : 1 . Mr Bush this term set us independant work after wathcing certain clips and analyising them. I thought i done this quite well .

Quality of writing : 2 . I dont think it is accuratley perfect at the moment but i think in time it is going to improve.

Organisation of Media folder : 1 . Everything in my media folder is up to the dat and organised.

Oral contributions in class : 1 . I think thsi term i have contributed to the class quite well and much more than i did last term.

Contributions to your practical production group: 1 . I organised where we should meet up and i made the sneak peak trailer in our film picth to Mr Bush .

How film trailers are used to attract an audience?.. -x- .. The Chronicles of Narnia.. The Lion The Witch and The Wardorbe..

The Lion The Witch And The Wardrobe..



In this particular trailer the main aspect used to emphasize the trailer is the use of diegetic sound and the voice over. The reason for this is because they both explain to the audience what the main storyline is about. Right at the beginning of the trailer the sound of a clock is played, this straight away connotes the idea to the audience that the film is going to be about time running out or events happening with a time limit, also decision making happening within a time period.
The use of dialogue is not used until midway during the trailer; this emphasizes the use of sound during the trailer as it makes the audience figure out what the storyline is going to be about without hearing any use of dialogue. The first dialogue used in the trailer is *Impossible*. This phrase alone connotes to the audience that the film is going to be fairy tale or fantasy based, as impossible connotes fictional events happening within the movie.

The genre for this film is fantasy. There are many ways the director has used media aspects to show how the film trailers genre is established. Firstly the mise en scene plays a high role in establishing the genre. The costumes of the fighters wearing armour shield protection such as helmets connotes that they are taking part on a battle or war, however the fighters are half human and half animal. This therefore shows the fantasy genre as it is a fictional type of character. Also the use of editing establishes the genre of the film. For example there is a long shot used allowing the audience to see the setting the 4 children are in. It is also from a high view shot, this connotes how lonely the children are their idea of heroism within the film. This therefore establishes the genre being a fantasy as there are 4 children in the middle of a mountain instead of being at school or a home.

From this trailer I can straight away assume that the film is going to be family based. The reason for this is because the main characters are all children, one being around the age of 10, this therefore shows that the film will be family based because parents will be taking their children to the watch the movie.
The trailer shows that this film is worth coming to see by the writing put across saying * based on the beloved masterpiece by C.S. Lewis*, this shows that there has already been something based on the same storyline, in this case a novel. Also the phrase *This Christmas* shows that the film is worth going to see as it is coming out in the Christmas season and the snow in the trailer also connotes the festive fantasy season.

-x- Film Language Essay .. *LIFE* -x-

*..LIFE...*

Martin Lawrence
Eddie Murphy

The film I have chosen to analyse is a film called *LIFE*, with actors staring Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence. This automatically tells the audience that the film is going to be humour based, due to their stand up comedies and their other roles in films are usually humorous. Throughout this extract there are many film aspects used. Firstly I will be focusing on the opening shot used in the scene and how it attracts the audience’s attention.

The opening shot of this extract is a medium shot, this therefore automatically shows the audience the characters facial expressions and the type of clothing, this specific character is wearing. In this case the character is wearing a shirt tucked into smart trousers, this connotes that he is a wealthy man and his occupational status is very high. His facial expressions used in this particular shot are happy; due to the reason that he has just found out that his daughter has had a baby boy. However the camera movement then zooms out to a long shot, focusing upon the people he was talking to. The audience then realise the sudden change of emotions within the scene, as his wife and butler are not sharing the same joy that he was. This therefore enables the audience to think what is wrong in the household and what could be possibly be wrong with the baby or daughter. This brings up tension within the scene as the viewers are eager to know what is wrong.

After the male character walks off the audience then get to see a point of view shot, as if they were the new born baby. The male character then has a smile on his face but suddenly drop faces his facial expressions into a shocked and terrified moment. The audience therefore captures the sense of idea that something is wrong with the baby, and enables suspense and tension upon the audience as they don not know the reason behind his dramatic sense of negativity.
The shot also used for this specific scene in the extract is a close up. This is done so that the audience can relate to the characters facial expressions and see or feel what he is feeling.

In the next part of the extract the editing used is a jump cut. The reason why this is done is so that the audience doesn’t expect it. In this particular moment of the extract the audience is determined to know what has happened to the baby or what is wrong with the baby, therefore the quick and sudden jump cut to the male character shouting and showing anger and frustration towards the police officer shows that he has a high advantage and control over the police officer and is determined to find out the reason behind his troubles. In this particular case the reason being that his grandson is black. The jump cut therefore gains the audiences attention due to the reason that they are forced to focus on something very suddenly and unexpected.

The setting used in this extract is particularly based in an old century country type placed atmosphere. When the male character calls out every man, the audience then automatically gains the idea that he is at a local prison full of black men. Therefore the setting is shown to be at a prison full of men, who have committed crimes. Also the setting is seen in a very hot area, which can connote to the audience that the men work very hard in the heat, due to the amount of men that were sweating. This can also be seen as some kind of punishment. However, the male character portrayed in this part of the extract is wearing a full piece suit during the hot season, this can also tell the audience that his house and car may be wealthy, due him not feeling the heat as much as them due to the use of cool conditioning.

The lighting used in this extract differs quite variable. Firstly there is high key lighting used when the male character is filled with joyful emotions that his daughter has just had a baby girl. The high key lighting therefore symbolises his happiness and emotion. However when he goes to take a look at the baby the lighting suddenly goes into a back lighting and low key lighting. The reason for this is because there is something strange or wrong with the baby, or just a personal dislike about the baby. The low key lighting therefore emphasises the dramatic tensions and shadows used to connote something bad within the scene.

The sound used in this extract is mostly diegetic sound. This particular scene focuses on the dialogue used by the characters which can be known as diegetic sound. Also sounds such as birds singing and the car door closing comes across as diegetic sound as it comes from a source we as the audience would naturally expect that sound to come from. Also parallel sound is used within this extract towards the end as the music being played is gospel/romantic type of music, when the scene focuses on the real father looking at the mother. This connotes their love and affection towards one another.

There are close ups used in this extract when the father puts the baby up towards the prisoners faces. This is done so that the audience and father can see if there are any resemblances towards the baby and men. Also their facial expressions show whether or not they are guilty or suspicious.

The camera movement mostly used in this extract is the tracking shot. The tracking shot is where the camera follows the action along tracks laid for the purpose; this is done when the father goes to each man one by one to see if the baby looks like any of the prisoners. This also gains a point of view shot as the prisoners are looking straight at the father and so are the audience.

Overall the director has used a wide range of media aspects. Mainly mise-en-scene, lighting, sound, cinematography and editing. This has therefore leaded to the film being a successful film due to the history life behind it and the changes in society compared to modern day today.

-x- Analysis of 4 Film Stills -x-

.. Camera Angles and Their Effects ..

!* .. Honey .. *!


The Still Image From *Honey* is shown in a medium type of shot. The reason for this is so that the audience can see the characters body language and a fair amount of the mise en scene. The image shows two characters who can be to a certain extent a couple or two people in lvoe, or have a close relationship. This connotes that the film can be about trust, love and companionship.
The shot shown enables the audience to see the characters facial expressions within the shot. The woman' (Jessica Alba) facial expression is potrayed in a desribale or hopefull type of expression. This therfore shows that something important is happening that she has played a part to.
The man's ( Mekhi Phifer ) facial expressions connote joy and relief to the important scene or acion that is taken place within the scene.

!*.. Bringing Down The House .. *!


The shot used in this film still is a close up. The close up empathises the characters facial expressions and allows the aduience to see excatly what is going on. The image shows an old lady covering the eyes of a young boy. This straight away connotes to the audience that the young boy is next to or spotting something he should not see at his age, whilst the lafu is disgusted or shocked by what she is seeing. The shot therfore makes the audience want to watch the movie because the still image makes the audience want to know what the characters are witnessing. Also this still image can connote two types of genre meaning. Firstly the image can connote a horror type of film, as it can be portrayed in a way that something scary is infront of the charcters. However the image can also portay a humours type of genre. This is because the character being an old woman. and the image showing her covering a young boys eyes, can show that she never saw what he is seeing when she was that age. This connotes humour as it reflects everyday life, to when young children see things they shouldn't really see.

!*..Coach Carter..*!


The shot used in this still image from *Coach Carter*, is a medium shot, but to a certain extent can be a long shot. The reason for this is so that the audience can see the charcters body language, a glimpse of the mise en scene and the characters facial expressions. From viewing this image the audience should already get the automatic idea that the man in the suit (Samuel Jackson) plays an important role within the film as he portayed as the boss or coach of the basketball team. The image shows the rest of the characters looking up to him and repsecting his views. This therfore gives the audience the idea that the film focuses upon the coach teaching the players good from bad, or right from wrong. Also the idea that the coach is in a buissness suit at a basketball match connotes the idea to the audience that he has two seprate lives or ideas or can also connote his commitment and loyalty towards the team. This therfore shows that the film is going to be versatile or a film based on two meanings.

!*..Jumanji..*!


Again the shot used in this still image from Jumanji is a meduium shot due to the audience being able to see the charcters faical expressions as well as the home type of setting. The image shows each character looking in the same direction which conntoes concentration and empathises the point that they are looking at something evil or distracting. Also the young boys mouth is open which connotes shock.
The body language shows that each character is holding on to one another. This therfore resmebles the idea towards the audience that they are all have close relationships towards one another and are avoiding anyone to get hurt.

-x- Analysing the Cinematography of two extracts from different eras-x-

The Colour Purple .. 1985.

AND

The Pursuit Of Happiness .. 2006.

!.. The Colour Purple .. 1985 .. !

!*...The Colour Purple film was originally a novel. The story focuses on female black life during the 1930s in the United States, addressing the numerous issues in the black female life, including their exceedingly low position in American social culture..*!

The extract shows a range of shots. Firstly the shot of a close up is used in the beginning of the extract in order for the audience to connect to the charcters via their facial expressions. The white womans facial expressions are happy in this part of the extract, this can link to her costume which connotes wealth, whilst the two young boys seem grumpy and the black woman (Oprah Winfrey) facial exrpessions are shown to be sad and unfortunate. Thsi straight away connotes the difference between both ethnicities and tells the audience that the film is going to be focused upon diversities within race. eqaulity, gender and income.

The msot demanding Long shot used in this extact is when the man shouts from across the street *No*. The shot shows the man falling to the floor and the dramtic sudden amount of white people running out to help him and destroy her. The shot emphasies how alone Sophia (Oprah) is and how certain people work with certain people.

Also the main purpose and dramtic and upsetting scene of this clip is when Sophia says *Hell No* .. The white woman responds * What did you just say*. As soon as the sentence is over the lighting dramtcially drops to low key lighting. This connotes the power she has over Sophia and that something terrible is about to happen.

!.. The Pursuit Of Happyness .. 2006 .. !

!*..The Pursuit of Happyness is a 2006 American biographical film directed by Gabriele Muccino about the on and off-homeless salesman-turned-stockbroker Chris Gardner. The film focuses on the low and high point of his lfie, and also enables the audience with teachings and inspirational incidents in real life situations..*!

There are again a number of shots used in this extract .

Firstly there is a close up shot in the beggining of the extract where the audience can see Chris (Will Smith) on the phone as well as his desk and facial expressions. The idea of the shot focusing on the desk and him ebing on the phone connotes to the audience thate he is a hard working man and has plenty of work on his hands.

The use of a long shot is also used from another workers point of view. The reason for this is because if one of the workers looks through the glass window they then see Chris about to have an important conversation with important buisnessmen. Also when Chris is talking to one of the buissnessmen the audience is presented in a point of view shot which therfore enables the audience to feel and imajine themselves in Chris's shoes.

The room that they have this meeting in also connotes a sense of happiness. This is because the room is filled with high key lighting which connotes joy and wonders.

Also the use of high and low key lighting is used when Chris runs into the school or nursery where his child is staying . When his son is shown through the window sitting on the ground there is low key lighting, however when Chris lifts his son high in the air there is a use of high key lighting through the window. This gives the audience the diea that when your low down its ahrd and upsetting whereas when your high up in life your happy and thankful.

!*.. Key Differences..*!

=] .. In The Colour Purple the movement from the camera is shown focussed upon one scene to the next whereas in The Pursuit of Happyness the camera follows Will Smo#iths every move this is known as *Tracking*.

=] .. There are more close up shots used in The Colour Purple. This is so that the audience feels what each charcter feels and shows the anger that white people have upon the black woman hitting a white man.

=] .. There is much more high key lighting used in The Pursuit Of Happyness extract. This can be linked to the idea of something good happening to Chirs whereas low key ligting is used on Sophia because something bad is happening to her.

-x- Still Image and Extract Analysis Of Lighting -x-

Notorious ..

There is a mixture of lighting used in this extract for the trailer of Notorious.

Firstly there is low key lighting used specifically around the character when he is in the club, this connotes suspense enabling the audience to think that there is an absorbing story behind the charatcer therfore allowing the audience to watch the film in order for them to know what his story is.

Also when the main character is standing on the stage, there is low key lighting on him whereas there is high key lighting upon the audience. This connotes that the audience makes him who he is , they are his light and they make him a better person.

When the main character is with a woman in the trailer, which could be his lover, there is a use of top lighting. As most of the trailer is in low key lighting and some specific bits of high key lighting, the top lighting used in this specific scene shows that she is a main attraction to him and connotes their love as it shows the features of how in love they are when talking to one another and the features of their smiles towards one another.

Also when he is a child there is a use of high key lighting. This is used when he is outside walking and rapping to himself. This therfore makes the scene more realistic and depicts the scene of a sunny day. Also this is where his talent is discovered therfore maing it more of a happier and dramatic type of scene.

Still image from Wrong Turn

In this still image there is lwo key lighting and high key lighting, however to a much more dramtic extent there is low key lighting.

The low key lighting is used upon the characters portrayed as the evil type. This therfore shows how the vitim has been victimised and how evil they really are.

However, even though the charatcers are portrayed with low key lighting there is also filler light thtat brings out the props used by them. For example the knifes and blades or saws used in their hands. The reason for this is so that the audience can see what type of weapons they are using, and how they are using them upon human beings. Also backlighting is used behind the character on the elft, in order to bring out the weapon he is using.

Top lighitng is used in this still image, upon the woman lying on the table. The reason for this is to connote how normal and beautiful she was, this therfore makes the audience want to know and see how she came about to end up dead.

!... Film Noir .. !

Film Noir ..

Film noir refers to a *black film*.

Meaning that most of the film is focused upon low key lighting and certain elements of black and white.

Genres...

Gangster

Horror

Western

Film Noir focuses on the darker side of modernity. The film usually focuses on criminal acts film that involve some type of crime.

Some Noir Directors ..

> Abraham Polonsky

> Jules Dassin

> Fritz Lang

> Billy Wilder

Film Noir types of films usually focus upon a male distinctive male character who is often a victim or female-fatale.

-x- Analysis of Mise EN Scene -x-

Analysis of Mise en scene for Three Different Genres

> Horror/Action

> Dance

> Commedy


Van Helsing ...




You Got Served..




Soul Plane ..



Costume .. The costumes used in all 3 movie posters are completely different . Firstly in Van Helsing the main character wheres some kind of cape type coat which portrays that he is some kind of hero to mankind as cape jackets connote supheroes. Secondly in You Got Served poster the characters are wearing casual type clothing. As the poster shows a group of young adults showing off their talents, the clothing connotes relaxation and everyday types of scenes. Lastly the costumes used in Soul Plane are affective to the characters they play. For example one of the characters is dressed in a pilots outifit whereas the other character is dressed in a purple casual tracksuit. This therfore shows the audience that the film is consistent with different types of characters.

Lighitng .. The lighting used in both You Got Served and Van Helsing are both low key lighting. The low key lighting in Van Helsing is paticuallaly around the setting and charatcers. This conntoes mystery and suspense about the adventure the characters are set out to undertake. The low key lighting used in You Got Served is mainly focused in the backlight setting. The reason for this is to portray that when the talent is being performed it is usually at night, the ligthing can also connote that behind the talent is a dark side.
However the lighting in the Soul Plane poster is very light and bright. The film genre is also comedy, the light therfore connotes smiles and happiness.

Actors .. The actors played in Van Helsing come acrross as some kind of superheroes. The reason for this is ebcause of the clothign worn and the position poses they are standing, the posture shows that they are standing in a way to fight any evil. Also the actor that plays the main character in Van Helsing is also one of the main characters in Xmen, therfore gaingin more of a reason for people to watch the movie. In the film XMen the same actor palyed a shuperhero based character. The actors in You Got Served are shown that they are part of a team and friendship. The audience therfore gain the idea that the film is abotu teamwork and some scenes will be based upon friendship. The actors in Soul Plane make the audience think much more. The reason for this is because each character is portayed in a much more different way which connotes to the audience that the film is going to be based upon different types of people communicating with people that don't usually communicate with each other.

Make-Up .. In all 3 posters it is extremely difficult to tell whether or not the characters are wearing make up . The Van Helsing Poster is most difficult because the shot used is a mise en scene shot as it focusses on the whole setting rather than the actual characters. The You Got Served poster is however fully focussed upon male characters, sterotypically males are not sensed to wear make up, however this particular shot is very hard to notice whether or not they are wearing make up as it is not a close up shot. Lastly The Soul Plane poster dosen't show whether or not the characters are wearing make up, however there is one specific lady character who can be connoted as the sexual attraction in the movie, due to the short skirt she is wearing. Therfore the aduience may straight away assume that she wears make up in order to live up to her sexual attraction type of character.

Props .. There are no props used in the You Got Served Poster. There are however props used in both Van Helsing and Soul Plane posters. Firstly in Van Helsing the props used are weapons. This therfore straight away connotes that they will be fighting evil demons or saving man kind. The props used in Soul Plane is that certain characters are holding champagne glasses, this connotes humour as the plane will be supplying alchol and the humourous side of a plane journey being fun rather than scary.

Setting .. The setting used in all 3 posters are completley different. Firstly Van Helsing is set in some kind of dark gloomy castle. This straight away connotes the fictional purpose from the purpose that evil is usually inside a gloomy based castle. The setting used in You Got Served id in some kind of causal based hall or arena where people can show off their talents. Again this connotes the evryday life that the young youth go through today. Lastly the setting used in Soul Plane is not really shown to the extent to where the film is based. The image of the plane in the background connotes that the film is based in a plane, also the name conludes that the film is based in a plane, However the poster dosent definatly show the setting of the plane.


...-x- Still Image Analysis -x- ...

N O T O R I O U S


Costumes .. The main character being shown on the poster is wearing a suit or a tuxedo. This therfore connotes the rich and wealthy side of the charatcer and shows the audience that the film may be connected along the terms of being wealthy or linked to the theme of money and pride.
Also the genre of the film is an auto biography film based upon gangster and action. Therfore the idea of the main charatcer beign in a suit again connotes somewhat of a buissness man.

Lighting.. There is one main type of lighting in this poster. This is low key lighting. This is shown specifically around the character, this connotes suspense enabling the audience to think that there is an absorbing story behind the charatcer therfore allowing the audience to watch the film in order for them to know what his story is.

Actors.. The main character in this film is playing the role of Notorious B.i.G. The posture of his position connotes that he sees himself higher than other people or has some kind of gangster talent. Also the pose that the charatcer is doing connotes that he is showing his respect to a specific someone by saluting them with his hat.

Make - up .. In this particual poster it is hard to tell wheather or not the charatcer is wearin make up, sot he audience in relation to looking at the character are more likely to take focus into what he is wearing rather than his make up. For example his shades and hat.

Props .. The props used in this poster is the hat and shades. The hat conntoes some kind of royalty and wealth as it is worn in order to show the richness and welathy outcome of his life. Also the sunglasses connote his identity being hidden to a certain extent, the audience can therfore become aware that he has some kind of rivals or uncertainty about his life and living conditions.

Setting .. The setting is not really shown in this poster, however the tightness of the shot can
be reffered tot he audience that the film focuses mainly on this charatcer being in tight situations and making life threatning situations.


Target Audience .. The audience that this film is mainly focused at would be those who have some kind of interest in the life of The Notorious B.I.G formally known as Christopher Wallace. Also the film may be educated at those who have an ambition in the music carrer or those who enjoy ganster action type movies. The age range that this film would be related at would be 18-30 mainly due to the sex and crime type of topics.

Genre .. The film genre for this film is mainly ganster, however to a certain extent the genre of action can be linked to it. The reason for this is because the image of the main charatcer staright away connotes some type of gangster genre however the roles played in the film and the storyline behind it shows that there will be different types of action scenes throughout the movie.

Type of Shot/ Image .. The type of shot used in this poster is an extreme close up shot. The reason for this is so that the audience can see the characters extreme facial expressions.


Typography .. The typography used around this poster is used in gold. The gold therfore connotes rich wealth and the ambition to gain wealth throughout his lifetime. The tagline used in this poster is * No Dream is too Big * . This tagline therfore connotes to the audience that the film is about suceeding and believing in your dreams.


What the film may be about ? .. The film is based on the life of Christopher Walace aka The Notorious B.I.G. Therfore the film will be about his narratives about violent life on the streets and how he became the man he was.



The Offiicil Trailer for * Notorious *

-x- Institution Case Study -x-

Case Study

F a ll o u t ! ...

The Owners .. Organisations .. :) .. Fallout, is a feature-length as part of Channel 4's Disarming Britain series.

Fallout Set in London, stars Lennie James as Joe, a policeman returning to the estate he grew up on to investigate the murder of a black teenager.

Channel 4 !...

Channel 4 was first launched on 2nd November 1982. The organistaion that it is owned by is Channel 4 Television Corporation. The channel was originally founded in Wales.

Channel 4 is different to BBC And ITV as it focuses more on the mainstream side of programming rather than the society based culture. Channel 4 tends to show many American types of shows. The channel premiered shows such as Friends and ER.

Channel 4 follows the rules of the 2003 Communications Act

The Rules were as followed :

> demonstrates innovation, experiment and creativity in the form and content of programmes;

> appeals to the tastes and interests of a culturally diverse society

> makes a significant contribution to meeting the need for the licensed public service channels to include programmes of an educational nature and other programmes of educative value.

> exhibits a distinctive character

Channel 4 introduced their own personal channel called * Film4*

Film 4 Successfull Movies : ..

The Madness of King George

.. The Crying Game

.. Four Weddings And A Funeral

Developments ..

There have been many ways that channel 4 has kept up to date with the technology changes in the new media.

Firstly > Film4 has Film4 + 1. The reason for this is so that if people miss the beggining or the whole film, they can watch the film on film4+1 an hour later. This therfore gathers more audience as it allows them to have a choice to when they can watch something.

Also Channel 4 as a whole company has a organisation called * Channel 4 on Demand* .

Channel 4 on Demand, is the internet version of the company. The reason for this is that viewers can watch anything they have missed on television but instead online. This again gains more viwers as they able to explore the variety of media given to them, not only by television.

Channel 4 Finance ..
From the 31st December 2005, Channel 4's Total Revenue was £894.3 million .. £735.2 million of that money was focused on the channel itself, whereas the remainder of that money was upon * Film4* and *New Media* Such as Channel 4 On Demand.

F a ll o u t .

The film Fallout was part of Channel 4's Disarming Britain Campaign.

The Campaign Showed Channel 4 take an unflinching look at the increasing use of violence and weapons by young people on our nation's streets.

Facing up to some uncomfortable truths about gun and knife crime, the season explores the effect of this disturbing trend on offenders, victims and society at large.

The Disarming Britain season features a number of TV programmes, Films and special online features.

Fallout is a passionate and powerful reflection on race and law and order in the wake of the murders of Stephen Lawrence and Damilola Taylor.

Channel 4 also teamed up with a popular sharing web2.0 site called BEBO. The reason for this was so that young people could interact with the dangers in our society through the internet they have a popular link to.

Disarming Britain Trailer ....

-x- Peer Assessment Of Trailer Analysis -x-

Simran's Paragraph ...


http://sim92x.blogspot.com/
" The sounding that they have used in this trailer is mostly Non Diegetic, i think that they have done this to create more of an effect which grabs the audiences attention makinging them want to finish watching the trailer to watch the whole movie. They have music playing in the background through out most of the trailer with sounds of beats making it more tense as if someones heart is racing, they have also used rock/metal music which makes it seem more dramatic. Not only that but they have the odd parts were someone is speaking such as when one of the actors quote "Hello, Hello" making it seem a suspence trying to figure out who is there. "


" The Sounding used in this trailer is mostly Non Digetic and realistic to the genre of the film which is horror. The sounding being non digetic therfore creates more of an effect on the audience as it grabs their attention staright away and this allows them to want to watch the trailer until the end as well as the actual film. The rock/metal music creates a deeper impact as it has a fast pace which connotes a type of 'busy' movie, in the horror genre this connotes alot of deaths and gruesome activites throughout the film. Also the fact that rock/metal music is being played shows that the film will rleate to a horro type of music as most horror films are backed up by some kind of rock music soundtrack.

WWW > Good use of media termonology was used.

EBI > Spelling and elaborate on points with a clearer prespective.

Yasmin's Paragraph ...

http://yassiemedia.blogspot.com/

"The setting of the trailer was set in the deprived areas of west London. A reason for setting the trailer in this area is because west London is generally where most crime happens and by setting the trailer in west London it is again represented to their target audience. Also there were sum shots in the trailer where it was set in the back of alley ways; this is where most young people hang around."

" The Setting of the trailer is set in West London. The specific area of West Lodnon that the traielr focuses on is the more deprived urban areas. The reason for this is because West London is genreally where the mos crimes in Britain are taken place today, and also where there are alot of young boys aspiring to face their dreams in rapping. The trailer therfore will aspire a specific target audience such as youuth boys with a hope for a music career. Also in the trailer there were specific shots set in alley ways, this connotes the urban side and the deprived areas that the film was set in. This alos inloves the youth audience as alley ways are stereotypical place that youngsters are seen to be around."

WWW> Went into more depth about the actual settings with meaning.#

EBI> More detail and media termonology.

Jehrique's Paragrpah ..

http://jehrique-mcqueen.blogspot.com/

"Lighting used is very dim; infact I didn't notice too many special effects in the trailer at all, however the content of the trailer makes up for this. Perhaps the lack of lighting was deliberate, in order to contrast the tnterviewee's feelings about the drug.. Or the drug itself."

" The lighting used throughout the trailer is very dim and dull. This connotes the fear and dullness that drugs has upon a person. The dull lighting connotes how scary and gloomy taking drugs is and in reality shows the negative otucomes of the taking parts in drugs. This therefore enables the viewers to learn the negative outcomes of drugs."

WWW> Good linking of points.
EBI > To much of basic points, elaborate more on points and need more media termonolgy.

-x- Analysis Of * Concrete Angel * -x-

There Are Many Reasons Why *Concrete Angel* Attracts Me Personally, Furthermore There Are Many Features That Make *Concrete Angel* A Great Shrort Film. The Main Attraction In This Short Film Is The Abusive Behaviour Potrayed Against The Main Character By His Step Brother. The Topic And Crime Stories Behind Abusive And Domestic Violence In Households Nowadays Are Not Shown Or Reported, This Short Film Therfore Shows The Dangers That Invlove Poeple Suffering From Abusive Behaviour, And Also Shows How Scary And Popular Abusive Behaviour Is In Modern Society Today.

The Camera Movements In This Short Film Include A Wide Variety Of Shots. There Are Alot Of Close Ups Within The Short Film, Mainly On The Main Characters Face ( Curtis ), This Is Done In Order For The Audeince To Feel His Emotions, As The Close Ups Focus On Curtis's Facial Expresions. Also The Narrative Type Of View Is Shown From Long Distance Walks Or Slow Zooms Towards Curtis, This Shows They Story Is Based On Curtis's Life. Overall With The Subject Of Camera Shots, I Personally Thought The Close Up Shots Of Curtis's Face Inspired Me The Most As The Shots Empathised How He Felt And How His Emotions Were Portrayed Across To The Audience.

The Sound Within This Short Film Is Very Dramatic And Reliable To The Main Purpose Of The Short Film. The Beggining Of The Film Focuses On Curtis Lying In His Coffin, There Is Then Curtis's Voice Over Explaining Whether He Deserved To Die And What Kind Of Life He Had. The Voice Over Is A Symbolic And Important Key Concept In The Film As It Is A Personal Expreince And Can Also b Seen As A Real Life Story, Therefore Gaining More Viewers As Certain People May Be Or Have Experinced What Curtis Went Through. Also In Part 2 The Type Of Music Played Is Slow and Gloomy Or Dull. This Therfore Conottes The Fear Curtis Is Suffering And How Unhappy He Really Is.

The Mise En Scene Also Plays A Substantial Part In This Short Film. This Is Because It Enables The Audience To See The Type Of Setting The Film Is Set In And What Is Going On Around The Places Curtis Is In, Rather Than Focusing On What He Is Going Through, This Also Shows People That Are Going Through What Curtis Is Going Through, Whether Or Not They Are In The Exact Same Position As Him.

The Costume That Curtis And Manish(Stepbrother) Wear Are Very Formal. Throughout Most Of The Short Film Curtis Wears His School Uniform, Which shows That He Takes Part In Full Time Education. Also There Is A Sense Of Hope Because His Mum And Dad Tragically Passed Away And Curtis Going To School Shows That He Has Not Given Up On His Education And Is Determined To Fulfil His Needs In School. Manish Also Dresses In A Very Formal Way. Throughout The Film He Also Wears Some Kind Of Smart Suit, This Therefore Shows That Despite His Anger And Abusive Behaviour Towards Curtis, Manish Still Has Some Kind Of Job Or Occupation Involving A Suit Type Of Clothing.

The Lighting In The Film Connotes Each Character With A Certain Meaning. Firstly When The Camera Focuses On Manish The Lighting Is Usually Dark And Dim. This Therefore Connotes A Scary Type Of Hatred From Him Towards Curtis. The Lighting Also From Curtis’s Perspective Manish Is Seen As Fearful And A Much More Higher Gain Of Respect And Adolescence. Also The Violent Effect Of The Abusive Behaviour Taken Out By Curtis From Manish Is Shot In A Dark Setting. This Also Connotes How Serious The Matter Is And How Dark The Violent Conduct Is.

The Body Language Portrayed From Both Characters Was Amazing. I Personally Believe The Best Concept Within These Characters Was Tat Manish Was Extremely Much Taller Than Curtis Which Therefore Gained A Higher Role And Easier Target To Abuse Curtis.

The Main Make up Used in This Film Was Done in Order to Gain Bruises on Curtis’s Face from the Bruising That Manish Had Left Him.

The Setting Used In This Film Consisted Of A Home, A Funeral Home, And A School.The School Is A Crucial Setting In The Film As It Shows How Curtis Went To School In Order To Be Free From His Step Brother And The Violence, The Home Therefore Is Seen As Where He Gets Abused And The Funeral Home Shows Just How Serious Abusive Behaviour Cane Be And Just How Far Certain People Will Go. Also The Beginning Of The Film Starts With The Present Tense As It Shows Curtis In His Coffin, Therefore Enabling The Audience To Carry On Watching The Film And How Curtis Ended Up Dead. Furthermore The Film Cane Be Taken Away As a Real Life Situation And All The Settings Used Are Hide Away Places Where People Are Seriously Abused In Everyday Life.

The Title *Concrete Angel* Connotes A Wide Range of Different Meanings. Firstly The Word *Angel* Connotes Someone Of Good Will And Innocence. However Linking To The Film The Word Angel Connotes How Realistically Innocent Curtis Is And The Unfair Treatment He Is Sadly Suffering. The Word *Concrete* Connotes Something Hard And Strong And Reliable. However Linking To The Film The Word Connotes The Hard Punches Curtis Received And How Strong He Still Was To Go To School And Carry On Living His Life In Fear.

-x- Cross Media Study Research Task -x-

Film ... " K i d u l t h oo d "



Tv Show... " F a ll o u t "




Radio Drama .. "UK Black 1 XTRA"
http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/tx/documentaries/young_armed_terrified.shtml

The Three Texts I Have Chosen To Reaserch Are: Kidulthood, Fallout and UK BLack 1Xtra.
The Main Thing That All These 3 Types Of Texts Have In Common Is That They All Focus On The Young Balck Youth Of Today And The Things They Go Through In Commonly Everyday Life.

Kidulthood...

Before Adulthood comes Kidulthood..

Kidulthood Focuses On A Young Boy From West London Called * Trife * . Trife Lives On A Day To Day Struggle. He Finds Himself Trapped And Confused Between The Worlds Of His School Friends, The Girl He Loves and The Draw Of His Powerful and Dangerous Uncle.

The Film Potrays Todays Youth Culture, Involving Drugs, Guns, Kinfes, Violence and Sex. The Fiom Focuses On What Life Really Is Like For 21st Century Teenagers.

The Film Was Directed By Menhaj Huda, Produced By George Issac And The Main Actor And Also ScreenWritter Is Noel Clarke.

The Film Was Relased On march 3 2006 And Distributed By Revolver Entertainment.

Fallout...

Fallout Was Part Of Disarming Britain Project On Channel 4 In Order For Viewers To See The Increasing Use Of Violence And Weapons That Young People In Britain Today.

The Documentary/Short Film Was A One Off Spin Off And Represents Youth Culture & Gang crimes in Deprived Areas Today.

It Was Set In London And Stars Lennie James As Joe Who Plays A Policeman Returning To The Estate He Grew Up On To Investigate The Murder Of A Black Teenager.

Distributed By Channel 4.

UK Black 1Xtra..

BBC Radio 1Xtra Is A Digital UL Radio From The BBC Specialising In New Black Music.

The Radio Also Has Documentaries That Focus On The Black Community And Intervews From A Wide Range Of Black Stars Doing Well For Themselves.

How They Are All Promoted :

> http://www.channel4.com/news/microsites/D/disarming_britain/fallout.html

> http://www.kidulthood.co.uk/

> http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/tx/documentaries/young_armed_terrified.shtml

> http://www.bbc.co.uk/1xtra/

> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdoKD4gTQ2c

> On DAB Digital Radio, SKY 0137, Freeview 701, Virgin 907

The Things That All 3 Texts Have In Common Is Quite Obvious, That They All Focus On The Black Community. The Simlarity Between All 3 Texts Is That They Inlvolve Violence, Crime And Street Weapons Such As Guns Or Knifes. Kidulthood Therfore Became A Popular Film As It Focused On 21st Century Teenagers And What They Have To Go Through In Everyday Life. Also Fallout Was Very Similar To Kidulthood Which Also Made It Successful. Another Way In Which These Texts Were Similar Was That They All Had There Own Personal Wesbites In Order To Gain Viewers Too See What There Film,Documentary Or Radio Was About.

However There Are Ways That The Texts Differ From One Another. One Main Example Would Be That Fallout And Kidulthood Focus On Certain Areas Whereas The Radio Documentary Called * Young, Armed And Terrified * Focuses On Different Areas Across The UK And Different Living Conditions Throughout The UK.

" A Rapper's Ambition "

Sound ... The sound is an up beat tempo track and is played throughout the whole trailer. The beat is also linked to todays type of "rapping" as it portays "grime" which is a youthful type of music in todays society.

Timing.. The timing for this trailer is 2.06, throughout the trailer the shots and scences shown are fast and snappy, so this therfore enables the viewer to watch the whole trailer, and because it is 2.06 it dosent drag on, but instead leaves a dramatic effect upon the audience.

Language.. The langugae used in this trailer are seen as "ghetto" and "roudy" . The reason for this is because the trailer focuses on two young men who are determined to acheive there goals in rapping and in order to do so they talk and act in a certain way, and in this case "ghetto". The setting is alos shot in a deprived urban area in West Lodnon which has a bigger impact of the type of way they speak.

Camera Shots.. In this particular trailer the main shots used are close ups. This is in order to gain certain facial expressions from the characters in order for the audience to relate to them. The second main type of shot used in this trailer is "Mise En Scene". The reason for this is so that the audience can be shown what type of area the film is shot in and what type of things are around the characters.

Lighting .. The lighting in this trailer is mainly dark and dim. The reason for this is because it shows how dark the characters lives are at the moment and it automatically gives the audience the idea that the setting is an urban deprived area.

Overall the message that the trailer gives to the audiecne is that the film focuses on young people trying their best to acheive their goals and beliefs in certain talents. The music scene is also an important and popular value in todays society according to the youth. This therfore realates to the audience and gains attention to watching the film.

-x- Individual Case Study -x-

...Fallout...


Set in London, Fallout stars Lennie James as Joe, a policeman returning to the estate he grew up on to investigate the murder of a black teenager.




Fallout was written as a passionate and powerful reflection on race, law and order in the aftermath of the Stephen Lawrence and Damilola Taylor cases. Fallout has alos been adapted at a time when it has never been more important to understand why some of our youth would arm themselves and commit devastating acts of violence.

Fallout can inspire young teenagers as it can influence those who have commited crimes to step foward, and can also show the outcomes and struggles people ahve to go through after a crime has taken place.

> Represents Youth Culture & Gang crimes in Deprived Areas

Sound .. The music being played also engages the audience as this type of music known as 'Grime' is widely successful and popular to the youth audience, therfore the audience focuses on the lyrics being said throughout the trailer and makes them watch the trailer until the end.

Camera shots.. There are various close up shots on the charcters to gain their emotion and expressions. There also shots focusing on the mise en scene in order for the audience to know what type of area setting the documetary is shot in.

Lighting.. The lighting in this trailer seems to differ in different types of shots. For example the lighting is shown in a dark and dim point when diferent tpyes of violence or negative approaches occur. However most of the trailer shows scenes that are in the day rather than the night, which therfore shows a more clearer and brighter picture of the type of area and setting the film/documentary has taken place in.

Length of Trailer .. 1.18 . A short trailer, showing differnt scenes from the movie with music bein played in the background, compared to most trailers which last 3-4 minutes and show actual recorded scenes from the movie.

Setting.. The setting focuses on typical urban estates in London, but fot this particualr film it was shot in South London. It focuses on deprived estate in London and focuses on where crime often takes place and where abouts they occur. This therfore empathisies how realistic the setting is as it focuses on real life actions that take place in Britain today.