Evaluation Question 1- Tasha Reynolds

In what way does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?

Short Films- Forms and Conventions:

Characters- Normally have 2-3 characters in a short film as this allows the viewer to relate to them in a short amount of time.

Twist- Plot twists are very common as it makes the film more interesting.

Duration- Short films are between 5-10 minutes long.

Situation- The circumstance that occurs is relatable to the audience but it is then flipped or exaggerated to intrigue them.

  

Narrative

·         Restricted narration- Subjective- Point of view- Personal perspective

·         Unrestricted narration- Objective- Overview (e.g. long shot)

·         Omniscience- All knowing and seeing- Creates dramatic irony

·         Narration- voiceover and audio- personal perspective

Todorov’s theory of Classic Narrative

·         Linear- Chronological with/without closure- classic and organised

·         Not applicable to Non-linear narratives (e.g. flashbacks- non-chronological)

Todorov’s Model  

1. Equilibrium- All is well

2. Disruption- Disturbs

3. Confrontation- Recognition and attempts to deal with issue

4. Resolution- Resolved

5. New equilibrium- new normal/aftermath

Roland Barthes theory of Action and Enigma Codes

·         Enigma codes- A mystery in a text- Questions raised- The spectator is motivated to find the answer by close and active engagement with the narrative

·         Action codes- Tells us that an action will take place- Enables us to engage actively by predicting the plot (e.g. flickering light; spectator predicts a ghost)

Vladimir Propp’s theory of Morphology of the Folk Tale (1928)

Character types:

·         Hero- Seeks something

·         Villain- Blocks hero’s quest

·         Donor- Provides magic object

·         Dispatcher- Gives hero message/new information

·         False Hero- Pretends to be hero

·         Helper- Supports hero

·         Princess- The reward/Object of Villains scheme/Any gender

·         Princesses Mother or Father- Rewards hero

These types help us predict and understand characters actions and help predict narrative development.

Claude Levi-Strauss’s theory of Binary Oppositions

·         Good vs Evil

·         Protagonist vs Antagonist

·         Action vs Inaction

·         Active vs Passive

·         Stereotypical vs Original

Chris Vogler’s theory of The Hero’s Journey (1992)

Linear narratives are a useful way of assessing the success or failure of a protagonist in terms of their narrative goals.

·         Call to adventure

·         Crossing the threshold

·         Reward

·         The road back

·         Return with the elixir

Genre

Character Stereotypes- Archetypes

Rick Altman  

Semantic/visual codes- communicate meaning- iconography

Syntactic codes- Narrative structure and theme (e.g. typical; themes, binary oppositions, characters, disruptions etc)

Steve Neale

Repetition and Variation- genres are copied but also developed and challenged

 i) Short films that you have watched

Consider what the typical features are of short films. This does not have to be original work, use your short film analysis from September and even last term to help you in this process.  

Short films that I have watched:

(Links below)

·         The Manipulated Living

·         A Social Life

·         Too Quick to judge

·         No Offense

What are the typical features of short films?

Genre conventions-

Character Stereotypes- Archetypes

No Offense- This short film uses prime examples of character stereotyping throughout the film. This is due to the fact that the films genre is categorized in the area of comedy and has used the style of parody within it to create a comedic outcome due to over exaggerating certain conventions.

This is an example of a character stereotype used in this short film as the two male characters are both playing the part of ‘neighbours’ with one another.  When analysing the social norms and values that a ‘neighbour’ should abide by when interacting with one another, it is to be polite and make small talk. These are common social norms placed within our society in which these two characters are recreating at the beginning of this sequence.

This last scene shown at the end of the short film focuses on the stereotypes associated with black culture. The character of Dale is positioned as an archetype due to the fact that the action that he portrays in this scene; ‘dropping the mic’ is stereotypically a reference to a concept used in black culture. 

Rick Altman 

The action that’s taken place is an example of a semantic code due to the fact that it’s meaning is to communicate humour for effect.

Steve Neale

This film No Offense is an example of how genres are copied but also developed and challenged. By using the phrase “No offense” they exaggerate the phrases intentional meaning and therefore develop and challenge it.

David Buckingham

As a result of this film being a hybrid it allows for there to be variation and individualism within the genre as they are challenging stereotypical genre conventions. Therefore allowing the genre to change and express new aspect’s within it.

Using the genre of Social Realism

Too Quick to Judge – This short film uses many examples of the genre ‘social realism’ through the themes used and the way the characters portray and deal with them.

In this short film we are presented with two main characters that have different stories and backgrounds. The genre of social realism is used through the issue presented; the fact that the female character is deaf is in itself a real life issue that many people have to live with. So the fact that this film covers the concept of what it’s like to have a disability helps justify its position as a social realism film as this is a topic that is both relatable and realistic.

David Buckingham

This short film is good in the perspective of reinforcing Buckingham’s point about how “genres are moulded by society” as the actions that take place are a realistic interpretation of how people in our society might react with these issues presented in the film. This therefore “moulds” the genre to fit in a social realism category.

Narrative conventions

The Manipulated Living- This short film is a good example of how narrative conventions are used in short films as it uses both Todorov’s and Barthes theories of narrative.

Todorov’s Model 

 This short film is a good example of Todorov’s model referring to narrative structure. For example the film begins with the young boy sleeping peacefully in his bed, this refers to the Equilibrium as all is well.

Then the boy is woken up by loud noises coming from another part of the house. This startles the boy as you can see in his facial expression.

Not long after viewers can see footsteps outside of the door; blocking the light coming through(action code).

When suddenly a drunk, angry male figure strides into the room grabbing the boy in an attempt to rape him. This refers to the Disruption part of the model as the Equilibrium had been demolished.

After a series of jump cuts that fade in and out, a young man storms in with a bat hitting the drunken mad over the head in order to prevent him from hurting and molesting the young innocent boy. This part refers to the Confrontation as there has been recognition of the Disruption and the young male is attempting to deal with this issue.

Shortly after the young man then threatens the antagonist to prevent him from ever hurting and abusing the little boy ever again.

He also promises the boy that the man will never hurt him again, this refers to the Resolution as the issue has been resolved.

As the young male leaves he tells the young boy that he “can wake up now”, which is followed by a medium close up of an older man (most likely an older version of the little boy) waking up in bed as if he has just had a nightmare (the scene we have watched).

Towards the end of the film the man goes into the room the find the ‘hero’ that saved him from the drunken man, standing in the room. His reaction to seeing the man is pleasantly surprised; suggesting that this is the New Equilibrium as normality has been restored after waking up from his nightmare this is due to the fact that everything is now at peace.

Todorov’s Model 

1.       Equilibrium- All is well

2.       Disruption- Disturbs

3.       Confrontation- Recognition and attempts to deal with issue

4.       Resolution- Resolved

5.       New equilibrium- new normal/aftermath

Roland Barthes theory of Action and Enigma Codes

·         Enigma codes- A mystery in a text- Questions raised- The spectator is motivated to find the answer by close and active engagement with the narrative

·         Action codes- Tells us that an action will take place- Enables us to engage actively by predicting the plot (e.g. flickering light; spectator predicts a ghost)

The short film uses Enigma Codes accurately as the ending of the sequence when you find out that the scene with the drunken man was a dream. This causes the audience to question the sequence and find out more information about why and when it happened.

Barthes theory of Action Codes is also used in this short film during the scene when we can see the drunken man’s footsteps outside the door.  This action code tells the audience that someone is about to enter the room and therefore creates panic and enigma amongst them. It also causes them to engage actively as they know something is about to happen from seeing those shoes.

ii) Your Own Short film

Apply the same process to your own Short film.

Identify similarities and differences between your own and existing short films

Refer to theory (eg narrative and genre theory) throughout.

My own short film-

Similarities and Differences

Genre conventions-

Character Stereotypes- Archetypes

 In our short film we to have used character stereotypes to some extent but we have also challenged and developed this type of genre convention as well.

For example, the two main characters Amy and Ashlee are stereotyped in various ways:

·         They have a very close bond and advise each other with fashion and beauty advice, which is what stereotypical ‘girlie’ girls are like.

·         They are also shown gossiping about their other people their age which is also a common stereotype amongst teenage girls

·         Amy clearly doesn’t get along with her mum which is evidenced in various parts of the film; stereotypically teenagers are known for not getting along with their parents

·         They have the same dress code; girls are stereotyped to dress the same

How we have developed and challenged these stereotypes:

At the beginning of the film a lot of viewers may start to predict in their minds that the film is just going to be about the life of two stereotypical teenage girls. We have positioned viewers to think this way by using the stereotypes above as a diversion from the real topic that’s shown later in the film. Later in the film we realise that Amy has been imagining her sister this whole time as a way of coping wither her death and a distraction from her torment of being bullied and isolated. Through using this plot twist we have challenged these character archetypes by deceiving the audience.

How we have used the genre of Social Realism in our short film:

·         Through basing the storyline of our film on realistic and relatable issues that a wide range of people suffer from on a daily basis. Such as bullying, disassociation and loneliness.

·         We have put these issues into a real life setting and environment which therefore makes the audience relate to the issues easier as it’s in a situation that they are familiar with e.g. school or home-life.

How we have used theory concepts:

Steve Neale

Repetition and Variation- genres are copied but also developed and challenged

We have used a typical genre by choosing ‘Social Realism’ however we have developed this by interbreeding it with a hybrid of ‘Psychological-social realism’.

Roland Barthes theory of Action and Enigma Codes

·         Enigma codes- A mystery in a text- Questions raised- The spectator is motivated to find the answer by close and active engagement with the narrative

We have used Enigma Codes by not giving away the plot twist as we played the theme out through presenting the protagonist walking to the Graveyard. This therefore create enigma as the audience with be wondering why she’s going there or who’s gravestone that it.

 Narrative Conventions:

Todorov’s Model 

1.       Equilibrium- All is well

2.       Disruption- Disturbs

3.       Confrontation- Recognition and attempts to deal with issue

4.       Resolution- Resolved

5.       New equilibrium- new normal/aftermath

Our film is an example of Todorovs model as it starts with the two characters chatting in Amy’s room; this is the Equilibrium as all is well.

The Disruption occurs when Amy faces the class bullies as they pick on her, this is then followed by the Confrontation as Amy attempts to deal with this by phoning Ashlee and escaping from the situation.

This is then resolved when the two girls are having fun in Brighton. After the Amy realises that she can’t keep imaging that Ashlee is still alive this would then be the New Equilibrium as it’s a ‘new normal’.

b) Ancillary Task One – Film Poster.

i) Film Posters that you have analysed.

Identify the main conventions of Film Posters – both content and layout conventions.

No need to be original here – if you met earlier deadlines in the research process, you can transfer this work into this section.

Illustrate with Screengrabs / images.

Short film poster's are have analysed:
(Links below)

• Break My Bones (2016)
• The Lonely Road (2014)
• Grizzly Man (2005)
• Requiem For A Dream (2000)

Forms and Conventions of a short film poster:

·         Billing block; actors, director, producer, institutional information 

·         Production company logo

·         Film/media critics; The Times, The Guardian

·         Film festivals/source of promotion; Edinburgh Internatonal, Toronto

·         Title; bold and clear, most often positioned horizontally

·         Protagonist included in image; main focus of positioning, without giving away the plot

·         Lighting/Colour scheme/Setting/Font; all helps connote film genre

ii) Your own Film Poster

Apply the same process to your own Film Poster.

Identify similarities and differences between your own and existing short films

Refer to theory (eg narrative and genre theory) throughout.

Forms and Conventions of my short film poster:

·         Billing block; actors- Emily and Hannah Sharpe/Sharon Reynolds  director, producer, institutional information- We designed our own billing block with our own production information in. This made the billing bock seem more realistic and credible for the formality of the poster.

·         Production company logo- We made our own production logo to support the branding and professionalism of our production company. We decided to include a figure of a bear as its memorable and will therefore stay in peoples minds so they will remember our company.

·         Film/media critics; Little White Lies and Timeout- We wanted to include LWL's as a critic of our film poster as it made sense since they were already reviewing our film. We also used Timeout as a critic as we wanted to include a well established publication.

·         Film festivals/source of promotion; Sundance, Tribeca- We selected these two film festivals to support our film as they are both highly popular festivals and therefore are a great source of promotion and marketing for the film. With Sundance having more than 46,000 attendees in 2016 and Tribeca being a successful film festival since early 2002.

·         Title; bold and clear, most often positioned horizontally- The style of the title is designed using the font; Shorelines Script. We wanted to use this as it resembled an individuals handwriting and thought that it could relate to the character as the film is based from her point of view. So by choosing this title we made show that it linked to the film as well. The format of the title is quite thin so we could have tried to make it slightly thicker. However, I made show that the title was positioned across the whole horizontal top section of the poster as this fits the standards and conventions of most short film posters.

·         Protagonist included in image; main focus of positioning, without giving away the plot- We wanted to include both the characters within the ,main image of the poster as it helps to express their close bond that they have between one another.

·         Lighting/Colour scheme/Setting/Font; all helps connote film genre- When editing this poster I wanted to make sure that the lighting was clear in promoting the type of mood and atmosphere we wanted to get across to the spectators. For instance, the sky is a warm relaxing colour with the blue see very distinct and calm in the background. The main visual setting on the beach connotes peacefulness and privacy as is very secluded. Whereas we wanted this to be contrasted with the bright, vibrant lights and attractions that you can see in the near distance.

c) Ancillary Task Two – LWL Review.

i)     What is LWL? Who reads it?

Little White Lies is a publishing company that produces film magazines. It has been in use since March 2005. Their target audience are males and females of a middle class background aged 25-35.

Identify the conventions of both layout and Language in the film reviews of LWL and justify these-

The language in which Little White Lies write in is formal, honest and informative. The critics are very knowledgeable and confident in what they are talking about. Whether that be about the graphics used, the themes and issues discussed or about other similar film relations.

ii)   Explain how you have followed the conventions of LWL – both Layout and Language.

As shown and stated in this screen grab above we have imitated the exact same layout design of little white lies.

We have done this with the:

• Rating system
• Page number size
• 'Reviews' text
• Image
• Title
• Institutional information
• Main text

How we have followed LWL's Language conventions:

When writing our review for LWL’s we decided to separate the review into three sections, so that we would each write two paragraphs. This was followed by a draft but in our when writing up our final sections we knew what each part needed to include:

·         Six paragraphs

·         Emily as an actress; her previous films and what genres she has starred in before this one

·         Emily and Hannah’s relationship as they are sisters in real life and how this supported their performance as sisters on screen

·         The directors style; previous work, how our style stands out and the genre of film

·         Plot summary

·         Representation of social groups; similarities and differences- repetition and variation

·         New style for both the director and actors for this style of genre

·         Current issues; raw, realistic and modern

Content:

·         Must not be biased

·         Chatty and formal

·         Rating = 3 or 4

·         Around 500 words