The Alliance - Soundtrack

Soundtrack

War films usually either have fast paced music or slow paced music, this is because it can add effect to certain situations. Fast music  will create the effect that it is a serious or dangerous situation.
For our war film we are going to be using fast paced music to add the effect of the chase and near death situations more dramatic and more intense.

Age Certificates

Age Certificates

Age certificates are used so that people of young ages that may get access to content they find upsetting or scary are blocked by not being allowed to see it as they are warned.

U Certificate Logo

The U certificate means that the film is Universal.This means that the film is likely to be suitable for those four years old and older. However it is hard to predict whether there will be sections of films with a Universal rating that won't upset a member of the audience. The language used within a Universal rated film isn't explicit,the most extreme language they will use is 'HELL'.
The only sexual behaviour that is included in these films is kissing and cuddling. They don't include or focus on sexual behaviour or references or jokes about sexual behaviour. In these films there is likely to be very mild violence as this can upset the viewer. When ever there is terror the protagonist normally will resolve it quickly and without suing weapons, even when the antagonists using weapons. This shows them that using weapons doesn't help but in fact it will make you lose. There will also be no anti social behaviour as this may influence the viewers to re-create these acts. Although people think all U rated films are all children films... they're actually not.Most U films contain happy endings.If people want to find out more on age certificates for U rated films go to British Board of Film Classification.

PG Certificate Logo

The PG certificate means that Parental Guidance may be needed. This is as the viewers may be too young so may find something stressful or upsetting. There isn't much violence or bad language. This will only be something such as bullying and the bad language will have to be used in context and will have to be delivered in a suitable way, the words or phrases that might be used are some such as 'SON OF A BITCH'. There is can be very brief references towards sex but this happens in very rare occasions. There may be a slight amounts of violence in a PG film but it wont be very graphic and it wont be heavily focused on.

12 Certificate Logo

12A Certificate Logo

Four our film we would want a 15 certificate.  This would mean that...

Progress Targets

On return we begin the post production stage of our journey and editing begins from the onset - make sure you are video blogging and keeping your page relevant and up to date.  Make sure you have evidenced all the following areas of focus over the break to maximise your marks for research and planning.  The numbers reflect the amount of posts expected, at least.  You are capable of exceptional attainment here - grab it!

  Research

•Genre Research 10

•Soundtrack research (non copyright music) 1/2

•Costume and location research – google earth and pictures you’ve taken. 1/2

•Actors and props photos and interviews 3/5

•Audience Research and Profiling (typical audience member and similar films) 1

•Uploaded YouTube videos of openings – analysed 15/20

•Opening titles analysed in detail – font researched 1

•Analysed Film Openings from from your genre in particular 5/10

•Institution research (Paramount etc) 1

•Certificate research 1

  Planning

•Own film idea brainstorm 1

•Own film treatment 1

•Relevant Online Tutorials and Comment 4/5

•Documenting of influences on production 1

•Shot lists 1

•Consideration  of representation in your film and stereotyping – use theory from G322. 1

•Questionnaire (and feedback) Get some feedback on your initial ideas!

•Diary of filming/editing etc with photos and screen grabs

•Mood board 1

•Script 1

•Practice titles created and uploaded 1

•Storyboard – animatic.1

Progress Target Setting

Group

In order to complete and evidence all of our research and planning my group need to: Make the story board into a video, record our film, take images of our location, make props and make up. We also need to find or make costume.

Me

In order top make progress towards completion of my research and I planning I need to complete/be responsible for taking pictures of the locations eg Ashtead common. Also I need to send the moodboard images to the rest of the group.

Make up/effects

FAKE BLOOD

for our war film we are going to need to use fake blood

Here is a tutorial in order to make your own fake blood: 

We will need this as it will allow us make the war film look more realist. It will make it look like we have been shot or heavily beaten up. It will make the audience feel like they are watching a real war unfold and can feel the pain and torture that the soldiers are going through. 

This fake blood is non toxic. This is good as it will not cause us harm and we will be able to wear it on ourselves for a long time, this is good as we may need to redo many scenes and create multiple seens. If our blood was to magically look different the audience would notice and realise that it is fake and may no longer follow the story.

The fake blood is easy to make and is reasonably cheap for such a large quantity. This may be needed as there will be many seens of violence which is likely to make it a 15 or possibly an 18

Locations for a war film

Locations

THE WOODS - the woods is a good area as it gives the outdoors feel, you can get muddy and hide behind things such as trees and bushes which will allow you to get your enemy without getting spotted. 

BROKEN/ABANDONED BUILDINGS - These are good as they can allow you to show one of the soldiers being captured and possibley interigated

ARMY HQ - this is more aiming to being sneaky and entering the enemies base and stealing their information in order to get the upper hand 

War

Our film

For our film that we are planning on creating, we are making it a war genre. These are good genres as it can contain gripping story lines with unexpected twists and turns and horrible situations. All though war films can be fast paced, lots of shooting and violence... There can also be sad parts. This is like 'war horse' this is about a horse that gets taken to war from its loving owners. There tends to be something that is precious like a family member or pet which will die. Many war films are based on true stories, for example American Sniper. This is about a cowboy that disagrees with terrorism and feels he should do something about it, this causes him to go out to war and be known as a man that is amazing with a gun.

Connotations 

Connotations of a war film is that they're based in horrible run down areas of poor countries, however in war films you do also tend to have someone back in the home country being worried. There's always guns involved in a war film, else it will be very bad and their is always lots of military equipment and tanks causing huge explosions and making it more of a destroyed country.

The Alliance - Moodboard

Camouflage Jacket

I have selected a camouflage shirt for the mood board as this will be one of the main things that we will be using in our war film. Sterotypically camouflage is seen in war films as this is relevant as they are used in real war situations as it allows them to hide from their enemies. This would help in our films circumstances as we are going to be based in a woodland area (Ashtead Common)

Pistol

I have put in a pistol into the moodboard

Sniper

The Alliance - Actor Interviews

The Alliance - Actor Interviews

In this video we are doing interviews with two of our main characters. The one on the left is the main antagonist, and the guy on the right is one of our main protagonist. 

In this interview they were asked what role we are playing within the film, Cameron mentions that he is going to be playing a secret agent/solider. Oliver mentions that he is going to be a mercenary.

What will we be doing in the film, Cameron mentions that he will be running around and will be killing multiple mercenaries. Oliver then mentions that he will be playing multiple roles as he will be getting 

Film Analysis - Woman In Black

Film Analysis - Woman In Black

Opening

At the beginning we can see three girls sitting down playing with dolls, old fashioned dolls are seen as creepy and are likely to be possessed, this can also be seen in Chucky. Chucky isn't a stereotypical old fashioned doll but he is still creepy and possessed, Annabelle is also an old and possessed doll. These dolls seem easy to posses so it is likely that these dolls will cause these three young girls to do something bad which may lead to death.

Setting

The setting is a creepy old looking house, these are also typical cliches of a horror movie. It has old windows and plain walls. There is also old china mugs and saucers.

Camera

the camera shows them all turning around and looking up. this is as if there was a massive creature that is persuading them to do something... this thing is them jumping out the window.

Film Analysis - Montana

Opening

At the beginning of the film, you don't actually see Montana, you see a Serbian commando. he has been captured by a a force that shouldn't be messed with. In one area is the Serbian commando and the other is his son and wife. This is a flashback from his life that will tell us what the story line will based upon.

Setting

The setting is scene in a military camp as they are all wearing uniforms and it looks like they're out in a dangerous environment like war. They have them all in a dark room where the mother and kid are left hanging as they're about to die.

Sound

We hear the child whistling, which is digetic sound, so that the father, the Serbian commando, can hear that his family are about to die. After this you hear gun shots which means its too late. You also hear music, which is non-digetic, which adds tension to the scene to see whether he will escape in time to save his family and to escape the camp as well.

Research and Planning

You need to evaluate your preliminary task and revisit feedback.  There needs to much more evidence of analysis for you to achieve your target grade.

What are you doing here?

Preliminary Task

G321 Preliminary Material | Using Film Techniques

Godfather Opening Scene

Use of Camera: We get a black screen at the beginning, this add the effect of a mystery as we can't tell who the character is that is narrating. This also means that we can't figure out the story line of the film. We then get a close up  of a man, this allows us to see what this character looks like in a high amount of detail. We later on get a medium shot of him, this allows us to see his body expressing that he is stressed and is also upset.

Use of sound: At the beginning of Godfather we hear slow paced trumpets. This adds he effect that it could be building up to something big or  it may be a celebration. After the music we get a males voice narrating over the top, this makes us think that the main character of this film is likely to be a male. We can tell by the sound of his voice that he is angry due to the volume and intensity but can also tell he is upset as he is quivering whilst talking.

Use of titles: The film title at the beginning of the film shows us the name in very bold font, this is to make it stand out. The picture of someone using puppet strings shows that this film may be about an individual controlling others in order to get what they want.

Mise en Scene:  He is wearing a very smart suit. This makes us think that he may be very rich and an important powerful character. Normally when we see people in suits in a dark location with a foreign accent we normally tend to think of them as the antagonist for the film.

Editing: The camera starts to slowly zoom out, this is good as it will all us as the audience to see the background in which the character is in and to see what they are doing.

What we find out about the story: We don't find out a lot in the opening scene to the Godfather but from what the main character is staying we find out about a girl who has been beaten and that this man is very angry and upset about it. Therefore i think this film may end up being about a man who is trying to get revenge.

What find out about characters?
We don't find out a lot at the opening scene about the characters but what we do find is that the main character is talking about something that has previously happened and that he may be an aggressive but also emotional person.

who is the target audience and why?
The target audience may be adults as it seems to have a slightly confusing story line but also makes references to severe violence so may stress young viewers.

Continuity in filming

Continuity in film

This is a crucial in filming this is because this will allow the audience to escape from current life and feel as if they are living in the world of the film. If they are not to follow the rules then they will break up the story. 

Shot reverse shot

The Phantom Menace Opening Scene

Use of Camera: At the beginning of Phantom Menace we get a long shot, at first its of a space craft and then we follow it and it allows us to also see planet earth. This already indicates to us that this film is likely to be a Sci-Fi. We also know this as Star Wars is iconically known for being a Sci-Fi. After this we find ourselves inside the spacecraft, we can see all the characters with an over the shoulder shot, which contains 4 characters. We get a long shot in order to see two of the characters in clocks be welcomed by a silver robot. We then get a medium two shot, this allows us to see the two men having a conversation.

Use of sound: We hear the sound of an aircraft, this supports the evidence that it is taking place inside space. We hear non-digetic sound, this is the music playing in the background as the spaceship is flying towards the base. It sounds as if it is trying to build up to something big due to the speed and strength of the orchestra.

Use of titles:

Mise en Scene: At the beginning we get to see the location in which this film is going to take place, we are seen this with an establishing shot. We then see the clothing of the characters, they are all wearing cloaks, these are good as it will allow them to hide their identity and it will also be easy to distinguish them from the antagonists. Once they have landed their aircraft we see they have landed in a base, they may be here as they are trying to say safe.

Editing:

What we find out about the story: The story of the Phantom Menace 

What find out about characters?

who is the target audience and why?

Opening Two Minutes Analysis

Analyse opening two minutes by considering some of the following areas of focus: What do we find out about the characters? What do we find out about the story?  How are titles used?  How is music used to create mood? What camera shots or uses of camera stand out for you and why? Is the editing fast paced or slow paced and why? What can be said about location, props and costumes?  Make sure you use some key media terminology and show your enthusiasm for a range of genres in  your writing.

Genre Analysis - Romance

Genre Analysis - Romance films

Romantic conventions

There are many cliches in romantic films, one of the most commonly used story lines is that there is an ugly unpopular girl that tends to have a crush on the most popular guy in school. In the end she will end up getting a chance to go out and fall in love and live happily ever after.

When we think of the cliches we normally think of there being a lot of kissing, which is to be expected as it is a romantic film and is about love, there is normally a best friend that is weird or may even portray her best friend. 

 

Genre Analysis - Horror

Genre Analysis - Horror films

Profile Post

Target Audience

The target age would be teenagers and people in their 20's. This is why most horrors are rated 15 or 18 so that they allow teenagers to watch their films if they were always rated over 18 then they would not be able to see the film.

Opening Scene Analysis

Mission Impossible 2 - Rock Climbing Opening Scene

The starting seconds of the opening two minutes is a long shot. In this long shot you can see a man climbing up a big rock. This seen shows us that he is lost in the middle of know where.

Trailer Analysis Guidance

Consider the following key questions about mise-en-scene and camera composition to analyse film openings: What costume do characters wear and what are the key connotations? What body language is used by characters and to what effect? What are we shown by proxemics (how far apart characters are) and what is communicated to the audience? How is lighting used and what effect does it have? What settings are there and how are they established? What is said and how does it make the audience think or feel? What key shots are used and to what effect? Aim to analyse three film openings using key terms and concepts learned in your G321 and G322 studies.

Shot types

Main shot types of Batman: The Dark Knight (TRAILER)

One of the the main shot types is a birds-eye view of a city (Gotham) this is so that we will know where the film will be taking place, in the Dark Knight the joker is trying to take over the city.

The second main shots are close ups. This is where they introduce each of the main characters and we get too see who are the heroes and who is the villain.

The next is a long shot. This lets us as the viewers know that there is a love interest. This is because there is a man and woman standing on a balcony.

Genres

Genres

I would have to say my favorite type of genre is Cartoon/Animated. This is because I like how in these Cartoons they're able to do impossible things you can only imagine doing. For example in the Unbeatables, football table players are able to move and become real and join in a real football game which is clearly impossible. I think this genre allows there to be more exciting and interesting story lines.

Brad Bird is the director of Incredibles. He knows what to involve in an animated movie. He added impossible things such as people with super powers. They also defeat the idea of logic as there is no police and they have super powers which is highly unlikely.

Genre	Conventions	Film titles
Horror	Murder, death, screams, traps, blood, tense music, stupid decisions	Scream, Nightmare on Elm Street, Paranormal Activity
Comedy	Funny, slapstick, dark humour, witty, wordplay	Superbad, anchor-man, hot fuzz, TED
Cartoons	Impossible things, poor logic, humour, excitement	Cloudy with a chance of meatballs, unbeatables, monsters Inc.
Action	Explosions, car chases, hero, villain, death, guns	Fast and Furious, Dark Knight, Die hard
Sci-Fi	Space, futuristic, made up planets,	Star Wars, Gravity

The Journey Begins

Congratulations on starting your journey towards becoming a creative and reflective film producer! Start your journey by commenting on your favourite genres and your reasons for being a fan - aim to explore conventions of genre and profile a notable director!

Cameron Dentus

What is your favorite film and why?

My favorite film has to be Cloudy with a chance of meatballs 2, I like this film because I felt it was very unique and I am quite a big fan of Cartoon films. Some people may say its childish and random but I really like it and its something I can always watch over an over again.

Who is your favorite director and why?

I would have to say James Cameron is my favorite director. I think this because his film 'Avatar' was amazing and it took him so long to produce this film.

Do you have a favorite genre?

I wouldn't be able top say i have one specific favorite but I would say that Cartoons, Horrors and Comedies would be my top three, I don't normally watch films for their genres, I tend to watch them if they are good or have good reviews.

What film release are you anticipating?

I am excited for Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, this film comes out in 19/9/15. This is the lead on from the first maze runner which I found amazing. From the trailer I have interpreted that it is much more action packed and more sudden death moments to keep me on the edge of my seat. 

What was the last film you saw and what did you think? 

The last film I saw was called 'Pants on fire'. This film was about a teenage boy which lied about a lot of things to get out of detentions, being late and to make himself act like a hero. Later on in the film the people and scenarios that he had made up came true but it was actually just his sisters acting group playing the roles of the things he had lied about. Overall I found the film okay, its had a pretty basic story line and there wasn't anything that kept me on the edge of my seat. I also didn't find it funny. I found it mildly entertaining so would give it a 3/10 overall.