The
film I have chosen to analyse is ‘One for the
money’ a comedy released in 2012 directed by Julie Anne Robinson. The narrative focuses on one of the theories which is Vladimir
Propp’s theory about the different characters in a film such as the hero in this film would be Katherine Heigl as the protagonist who tries to resolve the problem, the villain as John Leguizamo who struggles against the hero who usually captures the princess for the hero to save, the donor
as Patrick Fischier who prepares the hero such as giving them instructions. Although
the hero is this film is a female she is somehow captured by the villain but saved by the magical
helper who helps the actual hero in their
quest for insistence in this film that would be Joe Morelli played by Jason
O’Mara. Propp’s theory is linked to Levi-Strauss theory too as his theory is about the binary oppositional in a film which links to the film
as all the characters have a role. So for an example of Levi-Strauss theory would be the hero
and the villain in the film.
Stephanie who is played by Katherine Heigl has lost her job
and out of cash therefore turns to her cousin in desperation for a job at his
Bail bonds. Stephanie wants to catch the highest stakes bail jumper called Joe
Morelli who is played by Jason O’Mara who has escaped from jail for murder,
moreover to have seduced and dump Stephanie when they were in high school. She
practices to be a bounty hunter to catch Morelli and eventually catches him
however realises the case against him doesn’t add up but a spark between them
start to appear as they work together to catch the villain.
The film clearly begins with the Todorovs
theory as he believes in the equilibrium,
disequilibrium and the new equilibrium theories. The beginning starts
off with a clam atmosphere, introducing the characters which are the equilibrium of the film, but in the middle of the film
the disequilibrium theory is introduced by the hero revealing the villain,
or action which disturbs the hero such as destroying Stefanie’s car in the film by
the villain. Hence the disequilibrium
the conflict between the hero and villain increase causing the new
equilibrium to start were the hero and villain
comes to terms to sort out the problem, moreover for this film Stefanie
confronts the villain Jimmy that he is the
murder however attacks her however her come back after all the bounty hunting
training she has overcome her nemesis and wins the battle making her the hero and
revealing Morelli is innocent.
Lastly the theory of Barthes is enigma
codes which are scenes in the film to grab the audience’sattention to make them think or left guessing
for what happens next, it allows the audience to
ask questions to them to guess what could happen next in the film. Enigma code is used in the film ‘One for the money’
when Stefanie tries to resolve the murder as Morelli wasn’t the suspect this
made the audience think who could be the
murderer making them think who is the villain.
This theory keeps the audience
amused, attracted and focused on the film as they would like to find out what
happens next.
Fish Tank was directed by Andrea Arnold born April 5th 1961 she is an Academy award winning film-maker and former actress from England. She retired as a television presenter and studied directing which then she produced live action short films. As a director she has directed six short films called Milk 1998, Dog 2001, Wasp 2005, Red Road 2006, Fish Tank 2009 and Wuthering Heights 2011. All these films are Independent British films which have been advertised but as much as the worldwide films.
The characters in this film are Katie Jarvis as Mia Williams the troubled 15 year old teenager who has a passion for hip hop dance, Kierston Wareing as Joanna Williams an abusive mother, Rebecca Griffiths as Tyler Williams who is Mia’s younger sister, Michael Fassbender as Connor O’Reily who is Joanne’s boyfriend, and Harry Treadaway as Billy who is Mia’s friend. Katie Jarvis had no acting experience, she was cast for the film by one of Arnold’s casting assistance, and she is an ordinary person who was found arguing with her boyfriend at one of the scenes in the film. Arnold however used a familiar face in her film Michael Fassbender who is known for his action movies such as x-men, Haywire and Shame series.
The main character in Fish Tank is Katie Jarvis as Mia Williams, she plays a strong dominant teenager who has a passion to dance, her life is just a mess as her mother Joanne is an irresponsible abusive alcoholic, and she has a little sister called Tyler. Jarvis acting is very whelming as she had no experience of acting before she was chosen to act in this film by one of Arnold’s assistances when she saw Katie arguing at a station with her boyfriend. Her acting really engages with the audience especially the target audience who are teenagers; hence they would understand the story of Mia Williams in the film. Mia is a strong independent girl however falls for her mother’s boyfriend played by Michael Fassbender. Fassbender is a well-known actor and volunteered to help Arnold with her film by existing in it.
The story explains the hard violent lifestyle Mia lives in, she lives in a council estate in East London with her single mother Joanne and younger sister Tyler. Mia is an anti-social girl who practices hip hop dance on her own in a deserted flat nearby. Along with all her troubles she comes across a horse which look unhealthy and trapped, she tries to free the lonely horse however is attacked by two men who are the horse’s owner. Later on she returns back to the traveller encampment to free the horse again but bumps into another man who explains the horse is dying and is ill, and starts to talk to Mia as a friend. Mia soon discovers that her mother has a boyfriend called Conner O’Reily, a handsome, attractive man who takes Joanne, Tyler and Mia into the countryside to spend some quality time. The next Mia see’s a flyer about club seeking dancers she tells Conner and he encourages her to apply and borrows a video camera from him which she then later sent them a video tape of her dance routine. Later that night Conner and Mia are late up and things turn into bad were Mia and Conner have sex which is an secret, leaving Conner to leave the next morning dumping Joanne. Mia is upset and angry and rushes off to Conner’s house in Chadwell St Mary and comforts him but he talks to Mia explaining that he cannot see Joanne again and drops her to the train station to go back home. However little does Conner know that Mia came back and sneaked into his house finding out that he has a family and betrayed her? Soon Conner and his family come back so Mia rushes to the back window and escape but take their daughter who was playing outside to scare Conner and his wife she returns the girl back home as night falls. Conner is furious and tracks Mia down, she attempts to run but Conner catches up and slaps her walking away without saying a word. A new day, Mia’s audition day, she goes to her audition were she realise that the competitors were dressed up in a revealing erotic way with heavy make-up and danced on a pole, she immediately found out that the audition was for erotic dancers and is disappointed were she plays the music but walks off the stage upset. Mia is fed up with her life and sees Billy her friend on the way back and asks for the horse as it was not there, sadly it had died causing Mia to collapses onto the floor crying her eyes out. Billy offers her to come Wales with him so she returns back home to pack her stuff and says bye to her mother Joanne. Her mother is upset and angry but all three of them Mia, Joanne and Tyler share a dance together before she leaves to Nas CD ‘Life is a Bitch’. Last seen together in the film she says goodbye to her sister Tyler and gets into the car with Billy, Tyler waving goodbye as Mia looks back at her sister and life setting off to start all over again with a bright new life in Wales with Billy.
The genre of the film falls under drama as it is telling us the audience a life of a 15 year old teenage girl with a very hard lifestyle. This film is a 15 certificate; I think this is a perfect target audience as most teenagers would like to watch this film. I think it would connect more with them by the language and cinematography used whereas an older audience aged 50+ wouldn’t be into these films as it focuses on a teenage girl.
WWW - Your answer to Q1 picks out some excellent details and shows good knowledge of film language.
EBI - Q2 on representation needs work: Too much of your answer simply describes the clip. You needed to discuss the representation of Americans/foreign people here.
LR - Write an extra paragraph for Q2 on the representation of foreign people.
1. All the Institutions involved in the production of Fish Tank. List them with a summary of what their contribution to the film was. Fish Tank was filmed in the Miardyke Estate in Havering directed and written by Andrea Arnold and distributed by IFC Films. The film was funded by three studios the BBC Films, Kasander Film Company and the UK Film Council. The production of the film involved Nick Laws, Kees Kasander, Christine Langan, David M. Thompson alongside the editor Nicolas Chaudeurge and cinematography by Robbie Ryan. The film was a low budget film of only $3 million which was located in the United Kingdom; the main characters starring in Fish Tank are Katie Jarvis as Mia Williams a troubled teenager who has a passion for dance, Kierston Wareing as Joanne an alcoholic irresponsible mum, and Michael Fassbender as Connor O'Reily who is Joanne’s boyfriend.
2.
Two other Independent British Film production companies – their “brand”, as
well as current and previous productions.
British National Studios is located in
Borehamwood, Hertfordshire England. The founder of this studio was john Maxwell
who based the operation at the studio from 1927 to 1933. The studio was later
sold to Lew Grade’s company called Associated Television in 1961 however they
were forced to sell the company to the BBC as it was part of the UK independent
TV restructuring of 1981. Overall it is currently being used by the BBC since
1927.
A Lime Grove studio was built in a
street called Lime Grove in Shepherd’s Bush, west London, north of
Hammersmith. The complex was used by the
BBC from 1949 to 1991, however the complex studios was closed in 1991 and
demolished in 1993.
The BBC Films has produced and co
produced some of the most successful British films of recent years such as Fish
Tank, street Dance 3D, A cock and bull story etc. The head of BBC Films is Christine Langam who
is responsible for the development and production of the business, BBC Films co
produce around eight films a year.
3. Out of the three Production Companies you have
researched, which do you see as most successful and why?
Out of the
three production companies I have researched, I think the BBC Films production
company will become very successful. I believe this because the other two
productions i have researched have become owned by the BBC Films production
making them a larger company. They have the British National Studios and the
Lime Grove Studios under BBC Films making them have more films under their
studio. Furthermore the BBC is a well known popular company which is more
modern and recognizable therefore the company I think would run for very long
with upcoming films ahead.
4. How much
Fish Tank cost to produce (its budget)?
Fish Tank
was produced with a budget of $3million.
5. Film budgets – find 5 films made for £5 million pounds or less – what types of films are feasible on this budget? Here are five films that I have researched which has a budget of less than £5 million pounds. “Rocky 1976” is an American sports drama film with a budget of £1.1 million the film was directed by John G. Avildsen starring Sylvester Stallone as the main character. The second low budget film is called “Brothers 1997” a Russian crime film directed by Aleksei Balabanov and starring Sergei Bodrov, Jr. With a budget of $10 000 which was in Russian language. The third film is called “The Zombie Dairies 2006” this was a British independent horror film directed by Kevin Gates starring Russell Jones, the film was produced with a low budget of £8 100. The forth film is called “El Mariachi 1992” an American action film directed by Robert Rodriguez starring Carlos Gallardo the films budget was $7000. Lastly the fifth film is called “Le Fear 2010” a British comedy film directed by actor Jason Croot and also starred in the film, the budget of this movie was £1 900. All these films have different genres comedy, action, sports, crime and horror you would expect these genres to have high budgets especially an action film with explosions however as these films have low budgets they would have used less equipment and technology.
6. Research one other way that British films are funded. Are there any
similarities or differences?
Independent
British films are mostly funded by the BFI. This company support UK film makers
who produce independent films.
7. What is the target audience for Fish Tank?
The
certificate of this film is 15 therefore the film is based upon teenagers and
young adults. The film has aspects of a typical troubled teenager and what they
would do, to relate to the audience. Most of the characters in the film are teenagers
and some adults have been framed as the dominant people such as Joanne’s
boyfriend. The main character in the film is a female who is independent
therefore mostly the female audience will be able to connect with the
characters feeling.
8. Research the mainstream 16–25
youth cinema market and decide which 3 genres are most targeted at them and
justify your decisions with your research.
The three
most popular genres that I have researched are Romance, comedy and horror. I
think this suits the target audience because teenagers and young adults tend to
watch a Varity of films especially romantic films where the there would be a
higher popular of females than males. Comedy because it relates to both genders
and is a popular genre to the age group. Lastly Horror because I think an older
audience wouldn’t be interested in this particular genre as they would rather
watch a family film whereas teenagers would with their friends.
9. Who is the main distributor of Fish Tank?
The
distributor of Fish Tank is by IFC Film, this company distributes independent
films and documentaries, and it is an American company based in New York owned
by AMC Networks.
10. How was Fish Tank funded?
The film
Fish Tank was funded by the BBC Films and The UK Film Council. These were two
studios supporting the film as a domestic warning to the audience. The film was
released on 11 September 2009 taking a total of £332,488.
11. What is the role of a film distributor? Are
there any differences between distribution in the US and UK?
The role of
a film distributor is to give the film a good reputation by the films
intuitions. This is to appeal to the audience and make them want to watch the
film, however there is a big difference between the US and UK distributions. As
in the US films are promoted and known worldwide hence they have a higher
budget whereas an Independent British film would only be distributed in the UK
as it is a low budget film.
12. How was Fish Tank
promoted (when it was released in 2009)?
Fish Tank
was promoted at a 62nd Cannes film festival in France on May 14th
2009.
13. Compare this with a big budget blockbuster.
What are the main similarities and differences?
Big budget
blockbuster films are seen worldwide as they are promoted by good
advertisements, reviews to attract their target audience. Blockbuster films
tend to run longer in cinemas than independent British films. This is because
of the low budget towards the British films therefore there is less awareness
of the film being released.
14. How does the trailer for Fish Tank hook
audiences into the narrative and pose questions that the film will answer?
Identify 3 ways/techniques.
The Fish
Tank Trailer has many effective ways of attracting the audience by the use of
cinematography; there are lots of point of view shots of the main character,
showing us what the female character is going through and what she sees, the
lighting effect is very effective as there are lots of low key lighting used in
the middle of the trailer to the end showing us dark images/shadows of someone
this could suggest sadness, fear or evil towards that character. There is an
establishing shot at the start of the trailer showing us where this film is
based which is an estate where she lives in a flat. The camera movement used in
this trailer is all hand based as the director wants to make the film personal
as if it is happening in front of them, it gives a more realistic view towards
the film. The trailer is slow paced at the beginning with high key lighting
however changes into a faster pace of edits and low key lighting making the
audience think. This therefore creates enigma codes about the film, making the
audience want to watch it.
15. Analyse the trailers for 2 different films
(from different genres). Are there any differences in the way they hook the
audience into the narrative and pose questions that the film will answer?
Identify at least 2 similarities and 2 differences.
Silent Hill revelation is a horror film directed and written by Michael J. Bassett. This film is certified 15 meaning the target audience is aimed at teenagers and young adults as they are more likely to watch a horror film. The edits and camera shots used in trailer attracted the audience’s attention as the pace of it increases within the sound effects making the audience amused and thinking. The main character who is a female is venerable and scared as the starting of trailer shows her having a bad dream and illusions. There is dialogue of the girl’s voice making the audience think creating enigma code. The low key lighting used in trailer creates tension as the sound effects starts to pace up, this connotes evil, darkness and something bad is going to happen as this is a horror film. The trailer tells us what the storyline could be about however the characters in the trailer show them as being captured therefore the audience would want to watch the film to see what happens.
Hangover 2 is an American
comedy film directed by Todd Phillips. This film is certified 15 as there as
some contents of bad language and offensive therefore the target audience for
this film would be teenagers 15 and above and young adults as they would watch
these types of comedy movies more than the upper class audience. The trailer
starts off with non diegetic music with establishing shots of where the film is
set which is Thailand. This trailer has lots of effect of lighting such has
high key lighting showing the characters facial and body expressions to make us
the audience laugh as it is a comedy film. The main characters are three men
who travel to Thailand for one of their weddings however end up in Bangkok
after getting drunk the night before, there are individual shots of the characters
showing their problems and what they have been through when they were drunk.
The trailer involves inappropriate language and behaviour alerting the audience
this is a film for the age group certified. The storyline clearly tells us that
the main characters are on a mission to look for a boy around Bangkok but
unexpected events happen to them therefore the audience would like to watch
this as it would create enigma code making them think what is going to happen
to them characters to make the audience laugh.
16. How does the trailer for Fish Tank balance plot
and spectacle?
The trailer
shows us a dominant female characters view to her lifestyle and the people
around her, the use of the edits and negative imagery make us memorise the
events taken place and want us (audience) to watch it to see what happens. The
audience can relate to this character as she is a teenager living aspects of a
teenagers life, her voice is used mostly in this trailer making it different to
any other British film where there would be a male character being the dominant
star. The audience therefore would want to watch this film as it is different
and interesting to find out more about the storyline of this troubled teenager.
17. How do the trailers for your other films
balance plot and spectacle? Identify at least 2 similarities and 2 differences.
The two
trailers I have chosen above balances the plot and spectacle by the storyline
given in both trailers, which attracts and persuades the audience to watch the
films. Both trailers give us different atmospheres giving away the genre of the
film and making the audience interested, the first trailer shows us low key
lighting and intimidating music which makes the audience uneasy and frightened
whereas the second trailer is much different as it has mostly high key lighting
and enjoyable exciting music making the audience attracted and want to watch
the film. Both trailers make the audience have enigma code making the audience
think and want to watch it.
18. Think about the certificate of Fish Tank (15 certificate).
Research film certification and outline what is deemed acceptable for this
certificate. What is the difference between a 15 certificate and an 18
certificate?
The 15 classification allows certain discriminatory language or behaviour,
there would be disturbing bloody imagery and strong imagery will be permitted
by the context in which it is presented. There may be nudity and dangerous
behaviour portrayed in 15 certificated films and sexual content justified for
example for a horror film there would expected scenes such as blood, gruesome,
bad behaviour, sexual content and strong language throughout the film. A film
with strong sexual content can be classified a 15A this can involve abusive or
aggressive behaviour or drugs.
However an 18 certificate film would have more intimidated scenes and is
applicable for older viewers as the scenes in the film would leave imagery in
your head which can be negative. There also can be more sexual exposure or
violence portrayed which will be disturbing for younger viewers as it would not
be age appropriate therefore it is significant to classify films with
certificates for the audience to know what type of film it could be and should
be suitable for their children and other viewers.
Top 10 Grossing Films In 2012 Taken 2 - $49,514,769(Action)
Hotel Transylvania - $27,053,395(Animation)
Pitch Perfect - $14,846,830(Comedy)
Looper - $12,116,001(Sci-Fi/Action)
Frankenweenie - $11,412,213 (Animation)
End Of Watch - $4,004,071(Crime/Drama)
Trouble With The Curve - $3,829,153(Drama)
House At The End Of The Street - $3,756,023 (Thriller)
The Mater - $1,861,703 (Drama) Finding Nemo (3D) - $1,624,536(Animation)
Top 10 Grossing Films In 2011 Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2 - $381,011,219 (Fantasy)
Transformers: Dark of the Moon - $352,390,543 (Sci-Fi/Action)
Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 - $281,287,133 (Romance)
The Hangover Part 2 - $254,464,305 (Comedy)
Pirates Of The Caribbean: On Strager Tides - $241,071,802 (Period Adventure) Fast Five -$209,837,675 (Action) Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol - $209,397,903 (Action) Cars 2 -$191,452,396 (Animation) Sherlock Holmes: A Game Of Shadows - $186,848,418 (Adventure) Thor -$181,030,624 (Action/Adventure)
Top 10 Grossing Films In 2010
Toystory 3 - $415,004,880(Animation)
Alice In Wonderland - $334,191,110 (Family/Adventure)
Iron Man 2 -$312,433,331 (Action/Adventure)
The Twilight Saga Eclipse - $300,531,751 (Romance)
Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 1 - $295,983,305 (Fantasy)
Inception -$292,576,195 (Sci-Fi/Action)
Despicable Me - $251,513,985 (Animation)
Shrek Forever After - $238,736,787 (Animation
How To Train Your Dragon - $217,581,231 (Animation)
Tangled - $200,821,936 (Animation)
The top genres of 2010 are animation and adventure movies as there was five animation movies released in the top 10 box office chart and two adventures movies. However 2011 was a Action/Adventure year as there were more movies in the top 10 related to this genre such as Fast Five in sixth place, Mission Impossible:Ghost Protocol in seventh place etc.
This year 2012 I think that the popular genres is Action/Adventure and animation movies as the films called Taken 2, Looper, Hotel Transylvania and Frankenweenie are at the top of the box office chart. The film Taken 2 and Looper have become big movies since they have been released as a action/adventure top films, furthermore animation has become popular this as there are number of animation movies released this year too like Hotel Transylvania and Frankenweenie. The genre that has been least popular this year I think is the romantic genre as there are none in the top 10 box office chart.
Beyonce's 'Heat' perfume ad was banned from daytime TV by the advertising standards authority as there were concerns over its sexual imagery. Beyonce is represented in a hot seductive way and her body and facial expressions are too sexually provocative to be shown during daytime TV as young children will see the ad. The commercial appeared on ITV, Channel 4 and music channels however the ASA suggested the ad to be seen after 7:30pm for the appropriate target audience to watch this ad. The ASA received fourteen viewer complaints and took action however the manufacturer claimed that the commercial's music matched Beyonce's movements and it was not over-ally sexually than American music videos.
Big Fat Gypsy Wedding Ad Banned
There were four poster ads of the new up coming documentary of 'Big Fat Gypsy Wedding' the ad featured the word 'Bigger, fatter, Gypsier over the images of a boy looking directly at a camera (Right Picture) and two young teenagers wearing low cut bra tops (Left Picture). The ad was to inform the audience that the documentary is back with more entertainment which appeared on Channel 4, however viewers found it offensive as there were young girls shown in revealing costumes, furthermore some viewers found it racially offensive too as in how the gypsy community was being presented, misleading people on how gypsy community's are. As a result the ad received 372 complaints. The ASA banned the ad as judged it would not be to everyone's taste however was unlikely to cause serious offence.
Virgin Media Ad Banned
Another Virgin Media commercial has been banned for misleading there product again regarding broadband speeds, the ad features David Tennant who walks in and says "Don't you just hate it when you're watching something online and it buffers, and this symbol appears?" he then picks up a baseball bat at smashes the buffering symbol and then says " Ah. that's better. Now from Virgin Media, you could say bye-bye to buffering with super-fast fibre-optic broadband" The ASA assigned this as misleading as violated three sections of the BCAP code and received eighteen complaints.
Film Noir was created in the early 1940's to the late 1950's, where films where based on stylish Hollywood crime dramas especially attitudes and sexual motivation, which associated with low key black and white.
I Wake Up Screaming (1941) Trailer
Film
noir are films that associate with low key lighting mostly as you are
unable to see the actor’s full face clearly, there are shadows to give away
that it is a low key lighting shot. Furthermore a high key lighting is when you
are able to see an actor’s full face with full focus on lighting on them, where
you cannot see any shadows on them. This trailer mostly emphases a mixture of
low and high key lighting however I can see mostly low key lighting being used.
At the start of the trailer it is an establishing shot of people walking in and
out of a building then slowly zooms into a paper boys face where they use high
key lighting to show the boy’s face, it then skips to a different scene where a
women runs into a man, I think low key lighting has been used here as
I cannot see the both off the characters face properly
and there are lots of dark shadows in the background.
At 0:26 of the trailer it shows a group off high class people
which strongly advises they are rich, high key lighting has been
used to emphasis they are important as a camera flash appears while the women
shakes another women's hand and I can also tell by the costumes they are
wearing. At 0:30 strong low key lighting has been used because the scene is
totally dark and you are unable to identify the characters, furthermore this
suggests the characters are up to something. At 0:38 and 0:41 high lighting has
been used to show who the characters are there are no shadows to be seen
therefore it is a high key lighting. At 1:15 to 1:32 of the trailer it shows
three characters in car travelling this whole clip low key lighting
has been used as the scene is very dark and shadows are produced, you are also
unable to see the characters full face properly.
The still image above shows a man with a cigarette and a women standing with a gun, the scene obviously suggests it is to do with crime a film, also low key lighting is used to show something is going to happen a sense of darkness within the characters. The man is standing as the main focus of the image where you can't see his face properly as there are shadows around him covering half of his face, his body expressions shows that he is thinking about something. The women in the back also looks mysterious as she is standing with a gun, her body and facial expression also show she is up to something, hence the gun connotes a blood, death, a bad impression on the character. There is enigma code used in this image as it would make the audience think what is going to happen as the women has a gun and the man is standing calmly. The low key lighting is very effective in this still image as it tries not expose the characters especially the women in the back with the gun, moreover you are unable to recognize the gun which makes the audience think the women character is very mischievous and up to something.
