Target Audience

A particular group at which a product such as a film or advertisement is aimed, normally separated by age so children and adults.

Comedy - would be aimed at probably teenagers or young adults if its films like American Pie or Step Brothers as they tend to contain adult humour and sexual references. However a film like grown ups are more aimed at family as the filmed is centred round several families.
Horror - Mainly horror films are aimed at teenagers. As above, so below and cabin in the woods use a complete cast of young adults which will definitely appeal to teenagers, also they are a group of friends which can be related to by teenagers who watch horror films with their mates.
Action - This is definitely family orientated films like the golden compass, Indiana Jones contain and variety of ages in their cast and have a lot going on to interest everyone, they are seen as typical movies you would watch as a family.
Drama - This can be a teenager and adult aimed genre, they tend to be more complicated and try to be parallel to life so are more relatable to an older audience. Drama can be based on relationships between characters so hard to understand by children.
Romance - Can be aim at young adults and mainly the female gender.
For my target audience I was thinking of a young audience of teenagers.
I'll attract my target audience by using young actors so they appeal to teenagers and using appropriate music.

Dialogue

Dialogue is whatever the actors are saying in a film. Dialogue is not necessary for the opening two minutes of a film and many successful films don't have dialogue. Dialogue can give away a lot of the plot and mean that good acting skills are required to make it look professional and effective.

Dialogue is useful to explain the story and create a connection between two characters, it can also mean body language and expression becomes more important and noticeable. Dialogue, for example in comedy is essential for humour or in romcom to show the relationship between the two main characters. Dialogue can destroy an atmosphere or mood that has been created, also if acting isn't professional lines won't have the desired effect they are supposed to.

In this scene from wolf of wall street there is little to no dialogue used. It is what makes the scene so funny, unusual and hard to take your eyes off. Because there's no dialogue we have no idea what's going to happen and really can appreciate the skill of the actors.
In the horror/ action film dark knight there's a dramatic tense scene which is created by the lack of dialogue, between the Joker and several other groups of people. Anticipation is built up over what's going to happen and we see that even though the Joker is completely outnumbered he has control in this situation over these people who would normally have the control.
In my own work, without quality acting, dialogue would have less effect and I would like to avoid, I'd prefer to use narration or monologue because then the scripted is controlled and I don't have to worry about the way the two characters are together.

Character Profile - Lara Croft

Lara Croft is an iconic because she is a strong independent female competing in a male dominated role. We she her as strong, a completely badass and very good looking making her an instance role model for the female sex. This is added to by the fact she defeats the villains and comes out on top. Lara is almost a female version of James Bond, she is just as confident and has the same cool  and strong presence. She is fearless and determined while remaining calm and composed, showing her female dominance surrounded by male characters. They make the narrative and storyline very unpredictable because she's a closed off character. She is unpredictable, mysterious and has high barriers so we don't learn much about her in the opening but eventually they breakdown as the film goes on.

Character Profile - James Bond

James Bond is an iconic character because he represents the high class British male and appeal to women as well as being a role model for men. He is presented almost as a God and made to be perfect he's fit, charming, confident and a womaniser this makes him a role model and an idol for men. He is the hero in the story who always defeats the villain and gets the girl. His excellent physique mixed with his confident charm makes him desirable to women and therefore likable. The villain is always presented in a bad light making James seem better and means most people forget his out of line behaviour. The way Bond is always with an elegant, sophisticated and strong woman can make him seem even more Godly and of high status. They add excitement a humour to the narrative by being able to charm the audience and being confident means his cheeky one liners have more impact. We discover the first layer of James Bond in the beginning, he is always introduced first and shown in the thick of action, doing what we expect. It's not until later on that see the true depth of his character.

Character Profile - Jack Sparrow

I don't think characters are important for the first 2 minutes of a film. Many films characters aren't introduced until later on and the first thing many films will focus on is introducing a setting. However an audience likes to follow a character through the film and the earlier they are introduced the better connection and understanding the audience have. If characters are introduced it is the beginning its very important how they are presented, as the audiences' first impression can effect their opinion of the character for the rest of the film.

Jack Sparrow is such a iconic character because he is able to connect to the audience, the humour, charm and lack of sense in the characters actions make him enjoyable to watch. Jack is very much alone through the films so empathy is created with the audience. He is unusual and mysterious on screen and very likeable as the protagonist of  the films.  His sense of humour in dealing with tricky and dangerous situations makes him a likeable and admirable character but also how he is with other characters he is often betrayed by them and isolated that it creates sympathy. As the main character the audience can build a bond with Jack and understand the depth of his character compared with other characters in the films. He reacts differently to certain characters with the female ones there's a flirty relationship, most characters use Jack for their own personal gain as Jack has his own purpose and aim making the other characters seem like the villains in the story. We learn a lot of about the character from the start and instantly like him as he grabs our interest.

Narrative

The narrative is the way a fictional or non fictional story is told in media texts.

Comedy- This genre tends to follow a simple narrative, its aim is to be funny not complicated. We tend to start with being introduced to several different characters and we see them go through different situations, building up a relationship with these fictional characters. Next something tends to go wrong, for example a dispute between some of the characters before an eventual make up and a happy, united ending to make you feel good.

Horror - A horror narrative can often be based around characters normally a victim, a predator and a hero. The audience is left guessing and not much of the narrative is given away. We normally follow the victim through a stressful and scary experience. there tends to be a few deaths in a horror film and a last battle between the hero and villain.

Action - In an action film we follow the good guy, hero through a constant battle with the villain. They normally get out of a few tricky situations, rescue a damsel in distress. The narrative in action can sometimes be predictable. Normally late on we see the hero get captured by the villain for which he somehow escapes and kills the villain. The audience form a attachment to the hero but not villain as they are always presented in a bad light.

Drama - In drama there is more of an attempt to create emotion and relatable characters. Characters are more complicated and developed than stereotypes. They tend to fail and make mistakes and presents life as it really is.  The narrative is driven by the types of characters and their reactions to the situations.

Romance - In romance it's important that a connection between the viewer and characters builds throughout the film to cause the audience emotion. The narrative is however just as important because it's causes these characters to meet and interact, it can really shape the story. The narrative can often be given away in the beginning of the story, by the presentation of the characters.

Analysing Soundtrack

Horror
Music is used to build up tension, it normally starts of rather quiet with long pauses between the sounds. The use of staccato helps create an atmosphere which can escalate and increase in suspension as the mu gets louder, quicker and more dramatic. Some soundtrack use a piano to create an eerie feel to the listener. They are distinct, cold sounds which fit with the generic features of horror, its important the music creates suspense so the watcher anticipates something scary is to come.

Western
All western soundtracks have a similar sound to classify that genre. There's typical a use of traditional instruments like cowbells or a acoustic guitar. They traditional have lyrics and are rather upbeat linking to the action in the genre.

Sci-Fi
All the soundtracks were bold, dramatic and loud. They use a orchestra to make the music seem to surround us a create a new world, which is important for sci-fi is set normally on a different planet. The music is very large scale to empathise the importance of the setting.

Romcom
This genre has typically used popular songs that are upbeat and have lyrics. To create a happy mood and make the watchers feel good. The use of famous, known songs is important as it makes it relatable and they are normally pop songs because everyone knows the words.

Film Language - Genre

I filled in this grid to help understanding of what makes up different genres and start thinking about what genre I would like my opening to be and therefore what I should include.

Sound - Ratcatcher opening sequence

 

At the start of Ratcatcher we see an abstract image which is hard to understand and distorted. The sound is a main influence on this effect. We hear a distant noise of what could be children on a playground but because it's in the background a faint it doesn't seem important to the boy or is outside the room. We also hear a diagetic sound which could be in his head. This makes us question whether we are hearing sound as him or as an outsider watching him. There's a real abrupt change when it moves on to the next shot, there is a harsh short sound of the slap which brings us out of a sort of trance and into reality. This is a clear foreground and ambient sound contrasting to the previous distorted sound and has been exaggerated. Sound is used to tell  us whether we are watching something from a distance as in Ratcatcher we see the boys playing from a window and the outside sound is muffled and faint and we hear noises from inside the room. This contrast to when we see a close up because the sound is clear and louder. Certain sounds can be exaggerated to empathise the importance of what's happening for example in Ratcatcher when the boy pulls out his trousers as an act of defiance against the mother and the splashing in the water which hints at the boys deaths. 

Anaylsis of Sound - Hunger

 



Diagetic sound - Is sound that is in the story for example dialogue and ambient sound.
Non-diagetic - Is put in during editing for example the soundtrack or a voiceover

 

 

In the clip from hunger we experience the last hours of Bobby Sands life in prison. Throughout the clip we hear little dialogue meaning their are several long scenes in silence, these are only interrupted by sounds within the story, diagetic, which have been artificially exaggerated becoming more noticeable and symbolic. For instance the sound of the doors and keys is very distinct reminding us he's in a prison which also seems very ironic because he can't escape and has imprisoned himself in his body. Also they can symbolise him going through stages towards death. The harsh, metallic sound combined with the close angle shots creates the mood of enclosure and him being caged.
The flashback is the only part which has non-diagetic sound and is used to connect the scenes of past and present as well as his breathing. The non-diagetic sound is very intense and reminds us this is in his mind. The fact it focuses on him running suggests he feels free and this is also hinted at by the birds we hear throughout the scene outside the window and in the woods. This also symbolises that death is his freedom, this is also shown by the camera shots as he is carried away from the camera when he's dead, leaving the prison and towards the camera when he's alive. His breathing through the clip is often heighten and exaggerated, but when we hear his last breath it's faint and long representing him letting go of life because it's deliberately different it is more noticeable.

 



Costume

We were given two dolls one male, one female and a set of clothes to design two characters for a particular genre. I picked out the drama, this is quite a wide genre so I had a lot of choice. I went with ordinary clothing which didn't stand out but explained the characters situation.  I chose to dress my female in a flower patterned dressed and sunglasses and the man in a shirt with palm trees on; I also added a suitcase as a prop and put wedding rings on their fingers. My idea was that they had just got married and were now going on their honeymoon to Hawaii where something would happen.

The Duff - anaylsis of costume

The Duff's main character, Bianca is deliberately dressed in baggy, dull and unflattering clothes compared with her friends who where more colourful and noticeable clothes. Throughout most of the film she wears denim and a checked shirt.  Bianca's clothes barely change and appear very similar. This is to reflect the storyline and that her friends are suppose to be pretty and more attractive then her and she is the duff. Her clothes also reflect the idea that she doesn't care about what other people think of her appearance and she just wears what is comfortable. The main male character is always shown in tight shirts to empathise his muscles and jeans, this fits with his captain of the football team and hottest guy in school look. The classic pretty, popular and slutty girl is always wearing mini skirts and tight tops to reference her status of a bully and her self righteous attitude.

Game of Thrones - The Ruins of Valyria

 

The setting starts very dull with same colours and appears very uninteresting. The landscape is very flat and plain but also open and distanced suggesting the boat is alone. This setting deliberately focuses all the attention on the boat, to help this the boat has the only colour in the setting with the red sail. Though there are thick clouds we don't feel there presence because they are high and a light grey to show the vast amount of space in the setting. The boat appears to be large compare with what's around. The inside of the boat is also rather clustered with fishing nets and equipment contrasting from the setting shown outside.

The setting drastically changes as they enter old Valyria, the tall black, solid buildings over shadow the small, flimsy, insignificant boat. The building remains are shown on each side looking down on them. This starts to build an atmosphere of entrapment and anticipation as tension rises. The clouds change becoming black and creating a looming presence over the boat, while showing the light clouds behind them. As the dark consumes them we see a dragon this could be a warning as it flies towards the light or to symbolises the next setting change.

As they sail under the bridge the black water and two walls along with people dropping down from above we feel a sense of claustrophobia on the boat showing the fear reflected by the characters. All light is lost when Tyrion goes into the water and all space is gone from the original setting.

Analysing Settings

The Duchess

The Duchess clip uses 4 different settings to show a change in mood and atmosphere. Before the first setting the camera travels under an archway this is a metaphor for us looking into her life so we see the following settings as she does and we experience her mood and feelings. The first setting is a crowded, busy street crammed with people and noise. We see people trading goods and running along with the carriage showing the life outside the carriage which she is separated from and we get a mood of longing from her. This is a long shot to create a real high contrast between outside and inside the carriage. The wide angle shot and busy streets highly contrast to the small and quite interior of the carriage.
The setting changes to a wide and spacious view of a courtyard. it is very empty and silent compared with on the streets and suggests her separation with the rest of the world and the walls of the courtyard acting as a cage or prison trapping her to her new husband. The archway at the beginning and end of this setting symbolise a new atmosphere. In the courtyard her mood changes to ore while still being intimidated by her surroundings.
Inside the hallway her feelings change to more of unknowing and uncertainty as well as feeling overwhelmed, there's also a sense of realisation shown by the grand, tall large setting which makes her look small and insignificant.
The bedroom is completely unrelated to the other settings because it is small and dark. The mood is completely changed to feel claustrophobic and slightly sinister creating the start of tension building up, adding to this is that the main colours in the setting is black and red which tends to mean danger. The contrast between the small, dark, intimate room and the grand, white courtyard shows how the director has used the settings to reflect different sides of their relationship.

The Last King of Scotland

The mission station appears as any normal building made of wood, only one story and is a pale brown colour. the room we first see is completely black apart from the window which is a square of light, this show that change is about to happen when he turns towards the light. This setting appears very basic and rural. Through the car journey we start by seeing vibrant green mountains and a very rural setting, then it progresses into a village with basic huts still very natural. Then the setting completely changes to a city with tall, white buildings lots of noise and people. This totally contrasts with the mission station in several ways, for example the colour goes from natural browns and greens to article white and very sterile and man made. The buildings become grand, tall and the foreground of the setting, where at the mission station they blended into the background.


Settings - Mise en scene

         Settings give us three main incites into what we are watching. First the mood and atmosphere, for example a setting which has little lighting or colour can create a mysterious, scary and cold feeling to the viewer this is important to create tension and fear in horror movies. The setting is also important for us to tell the time period of the media text, for instance if the setting was  modern we are likely to see modern technology and cars compared with an old fashioned setting which would probably see a piano and a horse drawn cart. The final thing a setting can show us is the genre of the text, an example if the setting is abstract or set in outer space the genre is most probably science fiction.


Any furniture is old and mostly broken

The setting of a poor a destitute couple in the 17thC is likely to have a lack of furniture and they're probably living in one room. I imagine there's insufficient light which would reflect there mood of hopeless and desperate, I doubt there would be many if any personal items, showing their low status.

For a middle class couple in 1940s I would have a fire place and lots of candles in the setting, a bookcase containing well read books also some photos of family and friends to create a sense of life and pleasant atmosphere.



Money and passport to show the
 setting is temporary

A spy is likely to have a plain and simple setting with a distinct lack of personal items like photos for a setting to create a atmosphere of mystery around the character. there might be several passports and money lying around or in a safe and, of course a hidden room full of weapons these show the modern time period of the text.

A businessman or women is likely to have a untidy setting with a noticeably large desk covered with paper work and expensive desktop or laptop a lot of empty wine glasses and takeout packs lying around this sets a mood of importance about the character. There's probably business clothes like suit jackets and a posh leather briefcase.

Students are likely to have more character to their setting than say a spy, I would imagine lots of study books and sports equipment, posters on the walls, the setting is very messy with empty beer bottles and pizza boxes. These suggest a modern time period and an intrigued mood into the students busy life.
Comedy- The setting is likely to be more colourful and cluttered with more going on than others.
Horror - Dark setting will little objects or colour, its likely to be small and seem almost claustrophobic.