How has technology impacted the film industry?

Some of the reasons why technology has impacted the film industry are...

• Cheap digital cameras make film more accessable to everyone, this also means that films are made by a wider range of people
• HD cameras ensure that films are of better quality, they are made in a shorter period of time and even the less professional productions look a high standard in terms of picture quality
• The modern day global popularity of YouTube has allowed non professionals to distribute their films, this has also allowed the creaters to recieve feedback on their production. However, the quality is not always the same as if it were watched on a big screen for example in movie theatres
• Mobile phones have allowed cheap and easy distribution. allowed feedback to be given, however they lack quality
• New technology has helped film makers as it has reduced the number of errors made in film production as the film is designed better
• Film makers are able to use technology to advertise their products and search for a market segments
• Piracy and illegal downloading has created competition for the film industry
• They constantly need to update and expand to provide the audience with a new exciting experience
• Alternative forms of online exhibition create competition

Attack The Block Marketting Campagin

Attack the Block

Film Industry: Big Talk Productions

Big Talk Productions is an English film and television production company based in London and established in 1995 by Nira Park. In October 2007, Big Talk's film arm, Big Talk Pictures completed a development deal jointly funded by Film Four and UK Film Council under which it developed Attack The Block, and in September 2009 the company completed a financing and distribution deal with StudioCanal in order to expand its role within the film industry.

Big Talk productions has grown since its launch. Kenton Allen, the former BBC Creative Head Of Comedy, became Chief Executive in September 2008 as part of an investment from BBC Worldwide, which became a shareholder in the company. Now, it has an array of original TV comedy and drama with all the major UK broadcasters.

One of the films Big Talk have made is Attack The Block. The storyline consists of a group of teenagers from south London that have an aim to protect their 'block' from an alien invasion. This film was written and directed by Joe Cornish, produced by Nira Park and James Wilson and distributed by Sony Screen Gems.The film had an estimated budget of $13 million and a gross revenue of $1,024,175, the amount customers actually pay the company when making their purchases.

Another film under Big Talk Productions is Shaun Of The Dead Staring Simon Pegg and Nick Frost which was released in 2004. It was written by Edgar Wright and Simon Pegg, directed by Edgar Wright and produced by Nira Park. It had an estimated budget of $4,000,000 and a gross revenue of $13,464,388, distributed by Universal Studios.

Paul, released in 2011 was directed by Greg Mottola and written by Simon Pegg and Nick Frost. It had an estimated budget of $40,000,000 and had a gross revenue of over $37 million, distributed also by Universal Studios.

Life Cycle Of A Film

In order for a film to be created there must first be an idea as to what the film is about, a storyline in which it will follow and the genre of movie that it falls into along with the ideas and experience it is trying to give the audience taking into consideration who the target audience actually is. The idea can originate from the director, writer or could be based on a story which has been in the media before or a well known event.

As the creation of a film moves past development, it enters the stage of pre production. During this stage of the life cycle of a film, the casting is completed, the crew are hired, costumes are designed and the sets are being made. If the film however is shot on location, the location is scouted and contracted in order for the shoot to take place. The film is divided into scenes according to location requirements. The scenes are not shot in the order in which the audience sees them on the screen, the director has a sotryboard which they follow depending on the locations and actors which are available at the time. It is possible for a film to be dropped during this stage of development due to reasons such as loss of a vital cast member or any disruptions which means completing the film can not occur.

During post production, the raw filming is edited. Music is added at this stage, and any scenes which were unclear are re-filmed. The sequence of difference stages within the post production stage are the rushes, rough editing, final editing, music, first copy, censor formalities, distribution, publicity and screening. It is effectivly the final step in the making of a film.

A dostributor of a film will analyse a schedule as to when and how the film will be released. Finding a 'light week' to release the film will ensure that there will be both screen space and adequate collumn inches in the press allocated to any potential release. Finally, the distributor will try to position the film, avoiding other films with a similar release date and traits, for example storyline. After the release date is set, investments are made in the materials and marketing campaign to support it. Prints and advertising represent most of the investment, after paying initial fee for the rights and can range from £1000 to over £1 million for a release of a film in the UK. The studio makes a licensing agreement with the distribution company. the distribution company then determines how many prints of the films to produce. The company then shows the movie to prospective buyers representing cinemas. The buyers then negotiate with them on which movies they decide to lease and the terms of the agreement. The prints are sent to the cinemas a few days before the opening day, and the movie is shown for a specified number of weeks, depending on how well it sells. At the end of its showing, the cinema sends the print back to the distribution company and makes payment on the agreement.

Exhibition is the retail branch of the film industry. It doesn't involve the production or development of a film but its public screening, to paying customers in a site devoted to such screenings such as the cinema. The exhibitor sells the experience of a film and as a result of them having power over how the films are presented to the public, they have considerable influence over the box office success and the reception of the film. The buyers then negotiate with them on which movies they decide to lease and the terms of the agreement. The prints are sent to the cinemas a few days before the opening day, and the movie is shown for a specified number of weeks, depending on how well it sells. At the end of its showing, the cinema sends the print back to the distribution company and makes payment on the agreement.

How is the representation of gender constructed? - Primeval

The clip of Primeval challenges and questions the typical role of both the male and female. Towards the beginning of the clip there is a scene of the main girl driving a digger. This job would stereotypically be taken care of by a man, however it is presenting her as more independant character. The digger is used as a symbolic prop, to emphasise destruction and to highlight the fact it is the girl who is controlling it. Through out the entire clip; she is wearing a black leather jacket, and her outfit over all is particularly for comfort in comparison to a fashion statement. This look which she has been given represents her as a person of authority, someone who has a vital role within the programme and a person who belongs and is part of the team she is working with. Approaching the final scenes of the clip, the woman appears to have a confident posture and body language , this also challenges the role of the female as it appears she is in demand. However, she is wearing make up and at one point states the fact she is wearing her 'best coat' this in itself forfills the stereotype of a woman. The pace of the editing is at a reasonably fast speed as it is emphasising tension and panic, one scene after another, putting the audience in their position.

Alternation between long shot and mid close up occurs when the main girl is driving the digger. This use of these techniques is to equally show her emotion and also to give perspective to the scene so that we are able to take a step back and look for ourselves. Just before the main man goes across the zip wire, a mid close up of him is used so that we are able to view his emotion, this is of both anxiety and adrenaline. As he attempts to run from the fast approaching animal, a low angle shot shows him about to venture up the ladder in order to escape it, or lure it over. The 180 degree rule is applied in the shooting scene, as the woman and the man converse, this rule ensures both characters are facing in opposite directions, appearing as though they are having an actual coversation when the film goes on screen. High angle shot is used as the sabertooth leans over the ditch. this shows the male is in less control in this particualr instance.

A soundtrack is continulously playing across the time span of the clip. It is often fast pace creating a feel of tension and telling the audience that something is about to happen. It also creates an atmosphere that characters are acting against the clock. One use of sound effects is the sound of gunshots near the end, the idea is to get the audience to feel frightened for the woman and she is staring down the barrel of a gun. The dialogue between the characters is quite confrontational and direct as they want to figure out a solution to the fear they have just faced. The women have equal amount of input in terms of the dialogue displaying equal gender roles.

How does editing help construct a representation of disability?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auSAGvpM7W8&feature=youtu.be

The clip uses continuity editing throughout to ensure a smooth transition between shots which is logical. At the very beginning of the clip, the boy's disability is brought to the audience's attention, the camera begins at a low shot when the boy is speaking and then raises as the dad says his line, this emphasises the fact the boy is 'lower down' than his father and relies on him for care and support. Another camera editing technique which is used is shot-reverse shot and the over the shoulder shot. This technique is used to show the conversation between the call girl and the boy's dad towards the start of the clip and shows the audience the scene from the eyes of the call girl as she asks for the form. Another example of a shot-reverse shot is when she is locking the door. This technique is followed by the use of cut on motion. As the dad lifts the boy and begins to lower him to place him on the bed, the shot cuts to a scene of him actually on the bed, this distracts the audience from any editing cuts which may have been made.

Analysis of sound and representation of disability

Having analysed the clip, it was apparent that there was a frequent use of non diagetic sounds. The sountracks and sound effects which had been applied to the scenes contributed to an atmosphere of tension and awkwardness.


For the first couple of minutes of the clip, a soundtrack was absent. This was most likely intentional as it caused the scene to become extremely uncomfortable for the audience. Another reason for its absense was because it enabled the audience to be put in the shoes of the characters and feel for themselves a setting of silence.


Another observation of the clip was the dialogue used. The frequent use of short and snappy lines made for a feeling of wanting to skip to the reason why they were there in the first place, and to avoid having to engage in coversation. Unfinished sentences also created an awkward setting. One example of this is when the call girl went to the lock the front door, by unfinishing the sentence she was trying to say, it showed the audience that she was fearful to explain herself as to why she wanted to lock the door to start with. Frequent pauses between characters lines helped build up a sorrounding of tension and added to the quiet ambience of the appartment. Due to the fact the character's voices were quite timid, it drew the audience in and encouraged them to wait in anticipation to what the next line would be. How the dialogue was presented constructed empathy for the characters, mainly the disabled boy, who we felt sorry for, for the situation he had to go through to experience what a boy of his age would.


In order to emphasise the sound of the locking of the door, a microphone would have been placed over or near it to ensure the audience was aware of its significance. The heightened sound of the lock showed that the boy felt unaware and anxious.


A sound bridge began in the scene of the dad waiting in curiosity in the car and continuted to the scene of the boy and the call girl on the bed. The music was expressing an emotion of anticipation as well as an emotion of sadness. Despite the fact it was approaching a love scene, the boy appeared to be vulnerable due to the call girl's dominance and the fact he had placed himself in this situation.


Overall, the idea of the clip is to force the viewers to feel awkward and uncomfortable, just like the characters and to express a build up of events although the audience was fully aware of the reason the boy arrived at her appartment.

Analysis of camera work

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTQDipfN8JA&feature=results_video&playnext=1&list=PLFB82E5E1AA5FBC19
The opening of the clip is an example of a Dolly shot. This is a small, smooth movement across the set, setting the scene. The next technique which they have used is an over the shoulder shot. This shot in this particular scene points out the fact Amy has come to him for advice or help emphasising her inferiority. This continues on to a pan of the courtyard and into a medium long shot. The pan of the courtyard scans over the scene, enabling the audience to get an idea as to where the characters are situated and also confirming that as Amy stated she needed to ask the boy something, that this was not an appropriate time. The medium long shot of Amy framed her from head to knee, enabling the audience to catch a glimpse of her costume which in itself gave us an idea as to her role and age within the clip.
As Amy sat inside the car, the mood of the scene and her facial expression automatically told us that there was a sense of confusion. At this point, the camera did a close up shot of her, displaying her face and upper body, however still showing the audience a little of the sorrounding, we were still able to see that she was sat in the car which was a vital prop in the upcoming scenes. At this point, ,the audience can only assume something bad is about to happen. The next scene is a wide shot of the car crash. This emphasises a change of location aswell as allowing us to have a clear view of the car accident and the impact it had on the area sorrounding it, or how it appeared to the characters. The next shot is of the headmaster. This is a medium long shot, from head to knee letting us view his costume to remind the audience of his authority by the way he is dressed.
When Amy's guardian discovers she hasnt sat a single exam, the mood heightens. The use of camera work helps us to identify this. The shots alternate between Amy and her guardian, emphasising the height difference, he is after all a lot taller and this embraces his power over her, it also helps the audience to see how angry and dissapointed he is by 'looking down' on Amy. This is followed by a close up two shot, it allows us to see the emotion on their faces and to see how vulnerable Amy is at this time, this scene wants all our attention to be on feelings at this point. A long shot of the headmasters office helps set the scene and change of location, it allows us to be drawn into the situation and almost feel a sense of power as we observe the high class decor of the room, emphasising a serious moment in time.
As the two adults converse, this is displayed as a low angle shot, this gives a sign of authority like we are looking up to them and take into consideration what they are saying. The camera tilts towards the first goodbye note as Amy packs to leave, this creates a sense of disorentation and drama. The camera then pans to the next letter, a slow movement. Then, it zooms onto the photograph, this focuses our attention on this particular image and in this instance shows what she is leaving behind.
As we approach the end of the clip, the camera takes a seat outside of the window peering in. This allows us to see events through the eyes of Amy and understand how she feels, pushed out. Despite the camera framing inside the window, we are still able to see the window frame, reminding us of the windows importance, and how Amy chose to remove herself from that situation.
When her guardian is informed about her exit, the camera returns to his eye level to show the guilt he feels and to experience it through the eyes of him.

Analysis of Mise En Scene displaying represetation of age

Our task was to analyse the Mise En Scene in the clip, finding the ways in which it showed a representation of age, paying close attention to the costumes of the characters, the setting, the props which were used and the character's body language.

One observation of Mise En Scene was the costumes. Near the start of the clip, the girl is dressed in casual clothing, showing a sign of youth, she is not dressed in any sort of work clothing or any elaborate wear, but rather dressing for comfort. It also appeared that the headmaster was clothed in traditional, sophisticated clothing for example a sweater which would usually be linked with an elderly person, someone of authority or with intelligence to a certain degree. His grey facial hair also offers a clue to his age, and therefore his superiority over the girl as he discovers her address and demands to take her back.

Another observation of the clip was the setting and location of the scene. The location plays a huge role in the feeling and mood of the scene, and also helps the audience to engage and become part of the clip they are viewing. One setting in particular which represented age was the headmaster's office. It may not be taken into consideration at first, however if the decor is closely observed you will find that it emphasises the age of its owner. A large room, with oak panneling shows a sign of greatness as it can be referred to a bulding of power such as a palace and a more expensive arrangement in comparison to that of a person in their youth. One of the scenes is based around the crash which the girl has caused, this shows a sign of carelessness on her behalf.

At the beginning of the clip, the audience are shown a group of men carrying hammers and other building eqiuipment, this shows a sign of masculinity and domination, that of a fully grown adult compared to someone in their teens, a person with a respectable role. In the headmasters office, the girls carer is offered a drink of brandy, which is a high class drink as opposed to beer or soft drinks which would be offered in a less authoratative scenario. As the girl prepares to be sent away, we a shown a quick scan of her bedroom. Here, objects such as teddy bears and girly decorations can be found, as well as a child-like writing style on her going away cards which she has left. All these clues tell the audience that she still has very child like manner as well as interests.

The final section of the Mise En Scene is the body language. As the girl confirms that she 'passed her test first time' we can instantly see she was hesitant to answer which shows she is trying to take on skills which she is not able to do, such as driving. As she enters the car with a blank stare at the controls, the audience can see she feels anxious and confused as she continuously repeats them as if she is unsure. This is yet another instance when she shows her true age. After crashing the car, the headmaster arrived and pointed his finger at her, as if to remind her of the damage she has caused, this is also a sign of authority. Automatically, she runs to her carer for comfort, like a small child unable to fight their own battles and instead gain support from their guardian.

Overall, the clip is a good representation of age as it shows the inferiority of a teenager in comparison to her carer. It shows her to be defensless and dependant on those around her to guide her through troubles.

Analysis of video clip - Age/Tennage stereotypes

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9txb4LYEFHo

I chose this clip from Waterloo Road as i believe that it represents teenagers in a particular way as a result of the storyline and the setting.

Waterloo Road is fixated on the idea of a typical public school filled with the sterotypical teenager from a broken home. The clip shows two teenage girls in the toilets of their school disgussing taking drugs later that night with friends. The scene from this British drama emphasises teenage law breaking and curisosity to take drugs in order to fit in. It makes it appear as though all teenagers have had an experience with a drug related issue.

Teens are often stereotyped as people that get pleasure out of anti social behaviour and are often linked to parties and drug use. The dialogue between the two girls in the cublicle shows them to be unaware of the dangers they could face, as if to say teenagers often dont know what situations they get themselves into. The typical audience of the drama are around this age group and therefore it is a priority that it appeals to them.

Key concepts within media studies

Some of the key concepts within Media are Media language, representation, audience and institutions.

Media language involves a range of different concepts such as cinematography. Cinematography involves different uses of camera work and technique such as its positioning and the different angles it is placed at in order to create different shots and images within a film. Another aspect of the Media language is editing, which involve special effects and transitions. Special effects within a film help bring a scene to life. Sound is another Media concept which includes diagetic and non diagetic sounds. Diagetic sound meaning the noise and sounds which the characters hear themselves such as the scripts they are performing, or the directions coming from the director. Non diagetic sounds on the other hand are sound which only the audience of the film itself can hear, these include soundtracks and background music to help create tension and suspense within a film, or to emphasise a sad scene. Mise en scene is a term used to describe the things involved on a film set, these include the costumes that the actors and actresses are wearing and even the lighting.

The concept of representation means how a certain type or group of people are portrayed on screen. This relates to sterotyping, an opinion we get on a certain group and a belief that they are all alike based on how we view one member or an idea we are given from others. Certain groups which may be portrayed differently within a film may be based on gender, age, ethnicity and religion.

The audience within the Media are the people that view the finished product after it has been distributed and exibited. Institutions within the Media are the producers, the people that create the film, the distributors and the exibitors, people such as cinemas which put the film on display.