Sunday, 6 December 2020

Our horror movie trailer

30/11/20

 Firstly in class we watched the trailer for 'A quiet place'. We studied the trailer and noted down some things such as the camera work, music etc to see how it makes it a successful horror movie trailer. We were then told we were going to create a trailer such as the one used for 'A quiet place'. We were first instructed to go into groups, I went with Nancy and Ruby. Then we were given cameras to use when filming our trailer. We were free to roam around the school grounds and take shots to put in our trailer. 

We first went into the tunnels as it was the perfect place for a horror movie setting as it was very dark and dingy. Our first shot we took was of this door in the tunnel. Someone had accidently put red paint on the wall with their hands so it looked like blood which was perfect. We took a few more shots in the tunnel then moved up to the triangle where we took a few shots there. We went into the trees where we took some shots of us running through them with not much time to see who it was so it added mystery. When we arrived back in the media room we were worried we didn't film enough and that the trailer would be shorter than 45 seconds, it turns out that our trailer was much longer than 45 seconds and was in fact almost 2 minutes! We put all our shots together and started the editing on Wednesday.

2/12/20

On Wednesday we started work on the editing. We decided to do the trailer on the movie template and not the trailer template as we thought that it would give us more creative freedom. We started with cutting down some of the shots we took as some of them dragged on for a little long and cutting them a down a bit may add some dramatic effect. Secondly we added the music, from the large library of music we chose some horror based instruments and stretched it out a long the movie. Next we added some text, so far we have only added a few text scenes but we hope to add more.

Monday, 23 November 2020

Cuffs: Q1 and Q2

 PREP Watch this extract of Cuffs on Clickview: chapter 5 

Answer the following 2 exam questions on your blog:

Analyse how camerawork is used in the extract to create meaning. Refer to at least two examples from the extract in your answer. (5 marks) 

2. Analyse how far the extract creates a humorous view of policing. In your answer you must:

  • analyse aspects of the extract using examples to support your analysis

  • make judgements and draw conclusions about how far these aspects create a humorous view of policing. (10 marks) 

Example of how to answer on camerawork:
    •   sweeping aerial shot of Brighton pier connoting a glamorous seaside location

    •   bird’s eye view of the small police car driving through

      the streets of Brighton on a call-out, carrying connotations such as danger, excitement, and urgency

    •   the use of an over-the-shoulder shot of the beach sign, as we arrive at the sign at the same time as the police officer, connoting surprise and anticipation of what is to come

    •   slow pan / track of the new recruit police officers as they are introduced to the audience connoting authority and power

    •   high angle long shot of the beach scene showing the police officer outnumbered by the group of men on the stag do

    •   any other relevant analysis 

    • Question 1:

    • Firstly, one piece of camera work are the shots used between the conversation of Blake and the woman who spat in his face. The camera shots used are shot reverse shots, so it quickly cuts back between Blake's face and the woman. The quick shots and editing make the conversation seem fierce and severe with a dizzying feel. This isn't a normal conversation between two friends, but is between two enemies. Basically it's not an average conversation.

    • Secondly, the extract uses over the shoulder shots with Ryan and Jake when they are talking to the teenagers, so as you see Ryan shouting at the teenagers you can see jakes befuddled and somewhat intimidated look, this shot shows us that Jake needs to become stronger and face up to these things and also tells us that he is also somewhat weak.

    • Question 2:

    • The way the humour is presented in cuffs is certainly an acquired taste . Some may find it hilarious while others may find it awkward. Firstly, there is a scene of a woman running away from the police holding what we presume to be stolen goods. When Jake comes close the woman starts undressing and screaming, implying that Jake was abusing her. Some might find this funny because of the fact she's faking it. Jake shows his lack of experience through his performance as it's happening, this may be amusing to some. On the other hand some may find this awkward or even quite disturbing in a way, this is known as dark humour as it's making a joke out of a serious topic. Dark humour like this can often be seen as offensive or just down right horrible in some cases. The idea of what the woman wants people to think as she screams is very serious and to the people it has actually happened to, it can be quite traumatising, so this is dark humour.

    • Secondly at the police station, as they try to figure out the criminal's heritage, the make a quick joke about how one of the officers is Italian by saying "You've got a bit of Nona's lasagne stuck between your teeth", making the joke that lasagne is a traditional Italian dish, it is also seen as stereotypical for an Italian person to be eating lasagne just as it is for an Italian person to be eating pizza. The food in Italy is one of the things people remember most about Italy, so the joke may be funny to some.

    • In conclusion, the extract successfully presents two different kinds of humour, and while the dark humour may be offending to some, to a few it can still be funny.


    Monday, 16 November 2020

    The Observer news paper

     Examples of women being represented in the new paper

    In a copy of the observer from 2018 a woman is shown with her fist in the air, bringing enpowerment and strength along with her image, unlike the woman seen from the 1960's who looked quite timid and were really only shown for the image and appearance rather than her brains, on the other hand the other woman is seen as almost a strong protester in a march so she was being shown for her social impact rather than her looks.

    A different way in which woman used to represented in the news paper

    Unlike in the modern day Observer, the old copies printed in the 1960's represented women in a much different way to how they are now. Similar to way in which women were represented every where else in the media, the news papers didn't care much for the women themselves but only cared for their looks, unless said women is well known or royal such as queen Elizabeth II. For example, on one of the papers from the 1960's a friend of Paul MCcartney is seen with a caption saying "My face and I" telling us that article is about her looks and appearance. This was normal for the time but now that would be seen as stereotypical saying that women only care about looks.

    Example of the cold war being mentioned

    On the copy of the Observer from the 30th of October, there is a small heading titled "America accused of spy frame-up". Around that time the subject of the cold war would've been a common subject among news papers, as it represents and updates us about the growing tensions between the US and the Soviet Union. It was accusation after accusation about how the Soviets were sending spies into the US and other countries. The first episode of the Avengers referenced these with shady looking people in a town which was usually deserted, the perfect place for spies.

    Examples of domestic disasters

    On the copy of the Observer from the 6th of November, one of the smaller headlines read "Man flees from police guard in hospital", also stating that in order to fool the guards, he placed books under the covers of his bed in the shape of him in order to fool the police guards. This shows that the police clearly have a lack of competence or at least that is what the public would think anyway and can almost be seen as a joke.

    Example of European disaster

    On the copy of the Observer from the 6th of November, it states that a plane had crash landed in the middle of the French Alps. seven people we aboard the plane and unfortunately it was almost impossible to find them.

    Tuesday, 10 November 2020

    gratifications for video games

     Blumler and Katz state that video games are used as means for gratification. One way in which video games are used as means for gratification is escapism. A way to escape reality and join a the world they want to. The lego plays out as if its replaying events from the movie letting any child playing imnerse themselves and make them feel as if they are in the movie, giving a new perspective you wouldn't see in the movie.

    Another way in which it serves as gratification is how games can be seen as a way to relax. Give them something to spend time on and give Lego enthusiasts something to do that can satisfy them. Compared to other types of media, video games are the most time consuming. Video games often take at least 3 hours to finish which is far longer than a movie for example but also video games have a lot of involvement making video games seem like better of an investment in time. 

    Friday, 16 October 2020


    camera angles in music videos

     One way in which music videos display media language is through camera angles. The way camera angles are handled in music videos can tell you a lot the video's theme and the vibe it's trying to give off. For instance, in Sk8ter boi by Avril Lavigne, the camera angles are very exaggerated and shaky with very high or low angled shots when Avril is singing or fast shaky camera movements for when a group of people are running to emphasize the chaos going on. The camera also cuts very quickly, making it harder to process what just happened and helps create a messy, rebellious and messy feel just like the teenagers/young adults that are shown throughout the video. the fast cuts also add mystery. As the song goes on we are told a story about a girl and a boy who are complete opposites of each other. Near the start of the video we only get one shot of what these two look like so most of it was left up to your imagination. On the other hand the camera angles in Teenage dirtbag are a lot less chaotic and crazy compared to Sk8ter boi. This is because the setting and story of Teenage dirtbag is a lot more simple and common with the American high school setting.  Unlike the rebellious streets and alleyways, the school setting implies rules and a more organised manner, hence the more simple and straight camera angles. The camera angles Sk8ter boi just wouldn't work in a high school setting especially since the story and characters within it are seen more often and with slower pace to them, e.g. the shot of the jocks walking down the hallway feels more slowed down to emphasize their intimidating nature. The slower motion also helps the audience catch up and understand what's going on. Overall the two music videos have very different kinds of camera work but both work equally work well in helping with the story and setting.

    Monday, 12 October 2020

    Pop and Mojo comparison

     




    PREP How is media language used on the front cover of MOJO? In each point, compare how differently We Love Pop uses media language.

    Copy / paste the title and words below into your blog, then complete the document in your own words:

     

    Comparison of media language in MOJO and We Love Pop

    The layout of MOJO is more simple which connotes (=has associations of) appealing more to the target audiences eyes, middle aged people are more likely to buy less colourful and cluttered magazines.By contrast, the layout of We Love Pop is more messy and colourful which connotes to catching the target audiences attention, it has a lot more pictures of the people featured all messily placed.

     

    The typography of MOJO is more simple which connotes (=has associations of) there are less fonts dancing around the cover making it all fit together nicely. By contrast, the  typography of We Love Pop is more random which connotes to being a lot more un focused but every font catches you and makes you read it. Basically being random like the generation it’s appealing to.

     

     

    The colour palette of MOJO is limited to mostly having dark colours .which connotes (=has associations of)this makes the band look more eye catching with the brighter colour compared to the rest of the cover but also makes them look more intimidating. By contrast, the colour palette of We Love Pop is bright and colourful which makes it seem visually noisy and loud. The colours are trying to steal your attention.

     

    The language of MOJO emphasises the bands prime time whereas the language of We Love Pop is more focused on the pop stars lives then their music specifically.

    Sunday, 11 October 2020

    The Cuffs cast

     

    Cuffs: the cast                                                                   Jess N

    Jacob Ifan (Jake Vickers)

    Amanda Abbington (Jo moffat)

    Shaun Dooley (Carl Hawkins)

    Alex Carter (PC Lino)

    Ashley Walters (Ryan Draper)

    Robbie Gee

    Eleanor Matsuura (Donna Prager)

    Andrew Hawley (Simon)

    Peter Sullivan (Chief)

    Paul Ready (DI Felix Kane)

    Clare Burt (Debbie)

    Bhavna Limbachia (PC Misha)

    Pippa Nixon (Alice Gove)

    Tuesday, 22 September 2020

    The Avengers, the first five minutes

     

    During the first five minutes of The Avengers a lot happens. Firstly it starts off with a panning shot from the beach to the ocean, then to a shot showing a man, supposedly a fisher man holding a knife before looking out into the distance to see a black dot approaching the shore. As the black dot moves closer to the shore you start the make out what it is. It turns out to be a walking bin bag and a man breaks free. The man is dressed like a typical gentleman, dressed in a suit and tie and a bowler hat. He goes to ask the fisher man directions to little Baisley then promptly leaves with a few parting words of it’s going to rain. Then it cuts to London with Mr Steele going to miss Peele’s apartment and ringing the doorbell to see a frightening looking peephole made to look like an eye with thick eyelashes, this is somewhat used as an eye catcher as it is weird and quirky but also unexpected. Mr Steele enters the room to find miss Peele practicing her fencing. Mr Steele tells her to straighten her wrist and to put her weight on the other foot. Mr Steele and miss Peele have a fencing match where mr Steele dances around the room to avoid her attacks but ends up getting caught anyway showing us how strong and flexible and shows her feminine power.

    02 news: representation

    1 which women are represented and how they are represented?  Women are under represented in the 1960s Observer which reflects a patriarchal ...