BLK feedback

Super choice of clips Aarti and such high quality analysis. Good idea to choose such different clips for comparison, well done. Please add that link though!

The Sixth Sense

I also analysed a short clip from the Sixth Sense in which the camera is used to create a different effect and atmosphere in comparison with the Mama Mia trailer.

In the first film clip of the sequence a slight High angle MS has been used to show the weeping boy, Cole, as weak vulnerable and victimised. At 0.13 there is a LS to reveal the surroundings of the dark red tent in which the boy looks small and in danger. There is then a High angle shot of the tent itself from the outside as if the boy is being spied on.

The next film clip makes great use of CUs and BCUs for effect. As the camera slowly zooms in to the boys face, the BCU enables the audience see his expression and emotions very clearly. We can see his eyes filled with tears and his expression shows that he is terrified and extremely troubled. This sort of shot helps the audience feel his emotions and sympathise. There are also CUs of the Bruce Willis showing his curiosity as he listens carefully.

In the next clip the director has used a handheld camera to make it look as though although it seems to be a totally ordinary day, there is something not quite right, and seems as though something is about to happen. The handheld effect also creates the effect that someone is watching them and that someone else is present. It then cuts to a CU of the boy’s sweaty handprint next to the untouched bowl of cereal, which makes it seem more creepy and abnormal.

The Mamma Mia Trailer

I have analysed a few shots in the Mama Mia trailer to see how some of the practical work we have been doing in class, is used in reality and for what purposes. As it is a trailer a montage of snappy shots are used and therefore although there is less camera movement, a range of different shot types have been used.

The opening shot is a MCU of dancing feet and legs. This enables the audience to focus on the legs and therefore not revealing much to the audience but introducing the elements of dance song and colour to the film. The camera is also on ground level showing the synchronisation of the dance step.

It is followed by a High angle VLS which enables us to see the crowd of people dancing. Here the VLS is useful in showing lots of detail, so the building n disco like lights around the set and the High angle is useful in showing many people densely packed in a small space. It also gives u an overview of the general atmosphere and happy tone of the movie. There is then a MLS of people’s arms in the air holding the main character whose back is facing the audience, before being first revealed in MCU. This enables us to see her expression, which shows she is is extremely enjoying herself, young and carefree, but also her hand gestures and positioning, being flung upside down.

The trailer then sets the scene with a lovely but quick crane shot showing that the story is set on a beautiful island. This is clear from the mis-en-scene present in the ELS showing the sparkling sea framed nicely by the mountains on either side, as well as the white Greek island building and trees. Here the director has nicely used a frame-within-a-frame Therefore an ELS and Crane shot can be used to show the surroundings and to set the scene.

At 0.25 there is an OTS which shows the main character revealing a secret to the boy. This can be used to leave the audience curious as to the young man’s reaction to this secret, and therefore anxious as to what will happen next. It also shows Amanda Seyfried’s shocked expression whilst revealing her new findings.

At 0.26 there is an example of a two shot and a slight pan as the two friends step backwards in shock. The two shot makes it obvious that after her boyfriend, she only has two other close friends.

At 0.36 there is another High angle shot which enables us to the wooden floors and white steps again showing it is set in a hot country. We also see the mother falling down looking quite vulnerable and clumsy from above.

At 0.39 there is also a Low Angle shot of the three men and it is also a POV shot as we see Meryl Streep’s two legs on either side (frame-within-a-frame). This clearly shows her dilemma of having had three men in her life who have all come back. All three have moved on and progressed in their lives as we see them looking quite dominating, but they all seem to be looking down at her as if she still has not changed her ways.

At 0.46 there is a reverse track shot showing the motion of car driving towards the camera. Here it gives us the glimpse of the swirling and sandy roads, maybe somewhere near a beach resort.

At 1.13 there is a tilted frame to enhance the craziness of the characters who seem a bit tipsy in their fancy dress costumes.

At 1.48 the director has used a whip pan from Meryl Streep to Pierce Brosnan showing how they are in love again as they glance at each other as well as to fit the fast paced movement on the dance floor and add to the excitement.

BLK feedback

Excellent analysis and reflections on your horror shot - super work Aarti!

Please can you go back through your blog and label your posts. Also can you add a link to the main foundation portfolio blog. Please add some chosen film websites to your links list as well.

Film Distributors’ Association Notes

1) Release of a film –

· Marketability- who the movie is going to appeal to- Audience?
· Developing a campaign for that audience
· How the film would do in the box office
· How much money should be spent on marketing
· Set an appropriate budget
· Promotion – 3rd Party
- Media partners (radio, newspaper)
- Premier ( publicity)
· Advertising Costs- (Outdoor posters, television, radio, newspapers, online)
· ‘Who the audience is and the best route to reach them’


2) Target Audience –

· Identify and focus on them
· Look at previous research and results
· Research who they are, how to reach them and where(for example teenagers are more likely to see adverts on the internet)
· Different ages react differently


3) P&A Budget–

· All costs of prints of the film
· Also includes technical elements (e.g. Shipping)
· Advertising costs – designing posters, press ads, TV spots, cinema trailers- where to advertise?
· Consider how best to use the money
· Target market- where will they see the advert- (TV, Online, radio)



4) Marketing Plan–
· Main Method of publicity is through
-Advertising (more expensive- (magazines, newspapers, TV, radio, internet)
- Press- support of the director and cast-
-place features (stories about the film) in newspapers and magazines
-Interviews with directors (TV shows and radio)
· Outdoor advertising (also expensive)- billboards, busses and bus shelters
· Word of mouth- set up screening programmes and show film for free
-It can make or break a film- Key strategy especially when you do not have enough money for huge advertising (e.g. specialised films)

· Internet- email, viral campaigns(e.g. funny film clip provoking interest)


5) Link between-

· Step 1- convince exhibitors (cinemas) to take films
- this is especially difficult with more independent films


6) Test screening-

· Screenings done in advance with target audience
· They can fill in questionnaires about the film in the end
· Some people held back after (focus group)- talk more in depth about the what they liked and disliked.
· Based on this, Studios may change the movie slightly (e.g. the ending)


7) Opening weekend-

· Three day figure (opening Friday, Saturday and Sunday)
· Monday morning (make or break?)- the film has to have made more money than any other in that cinema as a rotation
· Lowest- film is taken off
· Holdover- how much money you made in that weekend determines whether or not you get another play date


8) Positioning Audience-

· Define audience
· Does the film have a specific genre- Thriller, horror, comedy?
· Specific age group?
· Specific directors and actors your audience might know (cine-literate audience)


9) Competition-

· Enormous amount of films- how will yours stand out? What makes your adverts more exciting
· Specific times are busy (e.g. autumn half term- good for children’s movies who are on holiday, and its cold to go out anywhere)
· Consider holidays, weather (more outdoor advertising in the summer for example)


10) Word of Mouth-
· When it happens, depends on the movie
· If you know the response will be good and you have the movie early:
- Work with media partners (newspaper, radio, TV, even cinema chains to run advance screeening programmes for free (e.g. have tickets in the heat magazine which you cn ring up to get)
· They will tell their friends
· Research shows that what friends tell their friends (word of mouth) is an important part of making the descision to go and see a film
· When you get the movie late, reply on the opening weekend- it is then upto the public
· Their views of the film are reflected in hoe long the movie plays for

11) Film Trailers-
· Key to selling the film
· It is the publics first and genrally only exposure in cinema to what they're actually going to buy into in the actul environment
· It should have the right impact and message
-the way in which graphics, sound, overall concept of film is portrayed

12) Digital Marketing-
· Viral marketing- creating something which you send to someone and is passed on
· Most effective is Word of mouth

13) Persuading Cinemas
· Convincing exhibitors (actual cinemas) to take the film

14) Piracy-
· escalated in the UK over the last 5 years
· 2006- piracy counts for 20% of all DVD sales in UK
· Bargain or ripped off by inferior quality?
· Money may be going to criminal elements that people are not always aware of

Horror Still Shot Analysis

1) Describe your Shot and Identify in what way it could be seen as representing ‘Horror’

This is a MLS Shot of a boy lying down however it has been made to represent horror through the use of low key lighting, the characters facial expression and the use of shadows. The key to creating a horror shot was the low key lighting making it dark and mysterious. This makes it seem like the character is in some sort of basement, and therefore a conventional horror setting. It also makes it seem like night time. The most obvious aspect is the actor’s expression showing fear and shock as if about to scream, which also connotes horror. His body language also shows how is scared and holding his face in defence and as if taken by surprise. He is lying down which makes him the victim and vulnerable. He is dominated by the shadow of a claw which makes it seem as if a monster character is also present. The shadow is above his head making it seem threatening as if about to attack. The fact that you can only see the shadow and not the monster itself creates suspense as used in horror shots. The tight frame connotes entrapment and makes it more claustrophobic which also represents horror.


2) What did you actually do to achieve the effect?

To achieve this dark mysterious effect we had to use two small artificial lights. One was used as an under light to light up the character’s face so that the characters facial expression could be seen clearly, but also to create a shadow on one side of his face making it seem slight distorted. The second lamp was used from above to distort the size and shape of someone’s hand creating the shadow effect of the claw. We used a plain board in the background to create the shadow on and blocked out all natural light by the curtains. We made the character look victimised by standing on a chair when taking the shot and therefore changing the camera level.

3) What is successful about your shot?

I think this shot is very effective in creating the idea of a victim and monster although we only had one actor on set. The shadow of claw looks quite realistic as if about to grab the victim, and looks extremely creepy. Here the shot makes it very clear to the audience as to who the attacker is and who the victim is. I also think the horrified facial expression is very successful in creating the perfect atmosphere for horror clearly portraying the overwhelming fear of the character. The lighting also gives the character’s face a red tint, successful portraying horror as red is usually associated with blood and danger. The darkness successfully creates suspense and mystery as the audience are unaware of the setting, also makes the shot more sinister.


4) What would you do differently in hindsight?

I would improve the lighting using a stronger contrast to distinguish the shadow from the darkness and the character and make it stand out more. I would also shine more light on actors face so his facial expression can be seen properly rather than his arms and body. Better use of under-lighting would also make the face look more distorted. I would make the shot more tightly framed so that there is less empty space on the left hand side and top so audience can focus better on the character and shadow above. I would also change the characters costume making it only one colour as it is too busy at the moment, distracting the audience from the main focus of the shot. A female or younger male actor would also make a better victim as they are usually more vulnerable. A higher angle shot would also make the actor look more victimised and the shadow more dominant and scary.

THR feedback

Hey - well done Aarti - a great start!

Ms Thrasher's Shot Sequence Analysis

1)
-MCU High angle shot (slightly tilted frame)
-Low key lighting to create mystery and add to tension
- Black and white image- suspense
- Characters face is lit by artificial lighting- expression can be seen clearly
- Character looks worried
- body language- holding a gun up defensive
- male white adult- seems to be directly addressing the audience involving them and arousing curiosity as to who he is actually pointing the gun at.
- central within the frame with no-one/nothing else around him- director wants us to focus on the actors actions and emotions
- Costume- formally dressed with shirt and tie, long jacket)



2)
-VLS- establishing the setting of a peer and the water underneath.
- introduces a second character to the scene-makes it exciting
-we purposefully see the back of him to create suspicion in the audience.
-High angle shot- man holding gun down- shows character standing as authoritative, powerful and threatening.
-Tilted frame
-He wears a long gangster jacket
- Low key lighting shining mainly on the character lying
- His body language portrays himself as a clear victim
- The VLS makes him seem exposed and defenceless although he has a gun.

3)
- VLS from the side- establishes the scene a bit more and from a different perspective (we see their profiles)
- shows buildings and peer as well as the night sky- adds to mystery
-introduces two more characters:
-another victim- girl tied up-kidnapped
-another intimidating man
-The man with the gun looks even more menacing as he moves closer to victim
- Low angle shot- shows the two men as if standing on a platform(stage) - men of importance and status.
-Only see the back of the little girl- makes audience curious as to who she is as well as curious about her connection with the man lying on the floor looking at her- a relative maybe (e.g. Father)
- We could read this image as if the two men are chasing a criminal who has kidnapped a girl- this is because the two men seem formally dressed as police/detectives
- Alternatively the man on the floor could be trying to save the girl but the other two men need her as part of their mysterious plan.

4)
- LS- only three of the characters in frame
-Low angle- camera has zoomed in slightly since previous shot
-Man holding gun up again as though about to shoot- tension
-He is dominant in this shot as he is the only one standing up.
-gives audience more information showing more of the background and what the man is pointing at- it seems as though he is telling the two men some secret information.

- misty sky in the distance adds to the mystery.

5)
- CU of girls face
- Nothing in the background so we focus on her facial expression and emotion –sad, frightened, and her reaction to what is going on- crying- This can be read as if the two are possibly shooting a family member or someone she loves.
-High angle shot slightly from the side- girl looks small, vulnerable and victimised
-audience sympathise with her.
- Low key lighting- lights half her face creating a shadow on the other half- makes her tears more obvious as her eyes sparkle looking watery.

6)
- VLS- camera now moved directly in front of the peer
- All four characters in shot and the buildings on either side nicely frame them in the middle (frame within a frame)
- Man lying down looks completely still- we assume he’s been shot therefore lying dead
- The man bending over him looks as if he is checking whether he is alive or not.
- Smokey bright light in the background as if to connote the success of the two men in the way one stands before it, and the smokiness could also connote the mystery behind this scene.
-The girl is looking up- frightened.