LO - To critically analyse body language and facial expression. Body language The way a character is positioned towards the audience. It can be anything from the characters movement, actions or the way they present themselves. The Body language of a character can tell you a lot about the type of person the character is in the film, This is because of the way they present themselves or act which could be conventional to other films within the same genre. Body language of an Antagonist
Confident
Dark
Physically Strong
Mysterious
Superior
Heart-Less
Just by looking at the jokers body language you can tell he is a Protagonist as he has a devious but confident look about him. he is not physically strong which could suggest that he is far superior than most people and uses his men to do his dirty work for him. Body language of an Protagonist
Quite
Has good intentions
Handsome
Focused
Strong
Just looking at this image of Rambo you can instantly tell he is physically strong which is what you expect most Protagonist to be. From looking at his body language you can tell he is very powerful and is full of courage just by the way he is pushing out his shoulder and chest. He has open arms which suggest he is comfortable with being approached by someone who is willing to communicate with him. Lastly, just by looking at his eyes you can instantly tell he is focused and ready for the task ahead him.
Facial Expressions
Facial expressions are the characters emotions that are portrayed to the audience. These emotions are shown when the audience look at a characters face and the meaning it creates. The facial expressions of a character can tell you a lot about the type of character as facial expressions are a clear indicator on how a person feels. This is presented by the way a person may express themselves.
The camera then zooms into her face to capture her face, This is done to capture the emotions created by her facial expressions as she is going through a stage of shock. Conclusion Learning about body language has helped me as i now know how they effect the audience. When doing my Thriller trailer i will now make sure every character has doing body language so that the audience can see what kind of person he is. I will also make sure all my actors use different facial expressions as a reaction to different events then do a close up of there facial expressions so that my audience can try and interpret how that person may be feeling.
What is Iconography? The iconography is the images and symbolic representation that may be associated with a person or an object. For example, you'd associate broken widows, empty boxes and loads of dust with a abandoned warehouse. For example, the iconography you'd associatewith a factory:
Loud Noises which is generated from all the machinery that are in a factory.
Machinery which are used to create the factory's output.
Cranes which are used to transport heavy materials in and around the factory.
Due to safety hazards factory's are known to be very organised to prevent accidents.
Plastic/Metal/Wood Materials.
Face mask which workers wear.
Of course, there are many more objects you'd see in a factory however, these are some of the main elements you'd associate a factory with. It is also conventional to see things like that in a factory as you wouldn't expect to see gym equipment's and people working out in a factory for example.
Kill Bill Example
In my opinion, Iconography is used well in the fighting scene in Kill bill in which Uma Thurman starring the bride.
The location and props were used correctly as the fight scene took place in a dojo and everyone had a sword equipped which is what you'd expect to see in a dojo. In addition, the masked offenders Uma Thurman were fighting were all wearing the same black suit outfit and due to the large numbers of them the audience can easily tell that they are the antagonist as Uma Thurman was wearing a bright gold outfit which stands out against the mystery men's whom all were also wearing marks. The response this has on the audience is that the scene causes the audience to start asking questions and trying to guess how Uma Thurman will succeed against those several athletic men. Conclusion I've learned about the different locations and iconography and how they affect what goes on in a scene. I am know able to identify all the different features of iconography and how they are used to give a film meaning.
What is BBFC? BBFC is a experienced regulator that serves a social function of protecting people from harmful moving images. The BBFC provides public information to keep them informed and advised on what they or who ever in their care goes and view in the cinemas. The BBFC helps to protect vulnerable members of the public from harmful and unsuitable content while doing there best to respect the public's decision.
Different Age certificates
U - Universal
The age certificate U is short for Universal and and basically means the film is suitable for everyone to work even Pre school children for an example. All Universal rating films offer reassuring positive counters to any horror or violence scenes that were just witnessed. The Smurfs is an example of a Animated film rated Universal.
PG - Parent Guidance
This age certificate means that children ages eight and over are able to watch it without being accompanied by an adult as the film should not disturb the child in any way however, parents are warned that some children may be sensitive to some content that has been shown. Brave is a PG film which was released August this year.
12 & 12A
12 A and 12 are exactly the same classifying category's as they both don't allow children below the ages of 12 to watch any content from the film as the material may upset children and also many parents find the material unsuitable to a child under the ages of 12 years old.
12 A
The 12 a category exist only for films that may be viewed in the cinemas. Children no younger than the age 12 are allowed to watch 12 A films unless they are accompanied by an adult. Adults take their child to watch 12 A films as they may believe the film is suitable for that child to watch.
12
The category ''12'' exist only for video works and it is the adults responsibility that their child does not buy or rent a video that is rated 12 without there permission as some of the content may be disturbing to some children exposed to such material.
15
This age certificate means no one below the ages of 15 are able to watch the film, the same rules also apply when it comes to buying or renting videos. Reason being is there is a lot of controversial topics that some views may find disturbing or harming.
18
No teenagers below the ages of 18 are allowed to watch a 18 film in the cinemas as the content that is shown could harm individuals or even have a change in their behaviour. A lot of 18 rated films have very strong sexual scenes as well as violence, illegal drug use and more.
Material most 15 & 18 films contain:
Violence
Sex
Nudity
Horror
Drugs
Discrimination
Strong language
Imitable behaviour - Behaviour which could be copied.
How the 12A age certificate came about.
The age certificate 12A came to about from the hole spider-man controversy. As most viewers filed in complaints that spider-man (2002) had to much violent materials and was not suitable for children aged eight and over. Therefore BBFC took the complains on board and gave the film a 12 rating however, this ignited another spark in argument that spider-man is a comic book hero that most kids grew up looking up to and it would be unfair to not allow children to watch it. BBFC Then changed the age certificate from 12 and created 12A age certificate which meant children could only watch the film while accompanied by an adult.
What ratings thrillers tend to get? Most thrillers tend to receive an age rating of 15 as the content the film contains are either disturbing or too harmful for those younger than the age rating. Some contents that may contribute towards a thriller film getting an age rating of 15 and above are the likes are violence, nudity and strong language.
Film regulation I personally beleive all films should be given an age certificate requirement as this allows us to protect people from inappropriate and disturbing content that they shouldn't be watching. For example, a 6 year old watching Saw. This could have a long-term effect on the kid.
Conclusion
I discussed about all the different age certificates and what were the requirements to watch a film with a certain age rating, And also I identified the different contents films with a certain age certificate may contain. Looking at the different age certificates and the materials they contain has allowed me to have a better judgement on what my thriller age certification will be and how i'll be able to make the trailer appropriate for the audience i'm targeting.
In addtion, while visualizing my thriller trailer i can say that from my comparision to all the different types of film materials i will give my trailer a 15 due to the use of realism in my thriller which may be seen as disturbing for some viewers.
What is film censorship? Film censorship is when a film is re-edited to either cut out or change some scenes as the content it shows is considered harmful to the public. A film can either be banned from a country or asked to be to cut a few times so that the content is not too disturbing and the BBFC are happy with it. Role of BBFC Funded by the film industry, BBFC is responsible for the national film classification of the united kingdom. Their job is to protect the public from any harmful and offensive content that could potentially harm any members of the public by stopping it from being released into the cinemas until changes are made to the film.
What and why things get censored? Films get censored to keep the audience away from content that is seen as too disturbing, even in some cases films are sent back to the editing stage due to religious reasons or the representation of real life events for e.g. a film that is identical to the Madeleine Mclaren kidnapping story.
Contents of a film that will get censored
Violence
Sex and Nudity
Sexual Violence
Shock
Religion
Animal Cruelty
Language
Drug abuse
Realism
Films that could potentially corrupt the young and influence people to commit violent acts.
Difference between a film Banned/Cut.
When a film is Banned it will then be removed from the cinema viewing due to harmful or offensive contents thats in the film. This is usually done solely to protect the public from any harmful material that they'll be exposed to watching the film.
A example of a banned filmed is the Cannibal Holocaust is a Italian horror film that is banned to this day in over 50 different countries as the film material is seen as too disturbing.
When a film is sent to be Cut the film is then either edited to change certain scenes or just completely remove the scenes that are considered harmful. This is done to make the film more appropriate for public viewing.
For example, the Exorcist which released in 1973 was sent to cut some scenes or be banned from cinemas. Although the film made some changes the film was still banned in many different towns and countries across the world as the film was described as '' horrifyingly scary ''. The Exorcist eventually passed the British Board Of Film Censorship (BBFC) and was given a age rating of 18 however, the film wasn't available in the UK until 1990 when it finally got the all clear pass from the BBFC.
The Forna vs Kermode debate Channel 4 broadcasted a short season of programmes about censorship. During these programmes some of them were a case fighting for censorship while others were fighting against censorship. Aminatta Forna who is a Journalist and TV broadcaster was fighting for censorship. While Mark Kermode the famous film critic was fighting against censorship. Arguments Aminatta Forna came up with in her case for film censorship.
Words and images that are used in some films can potentially stir racial hatred.
Public associate themselves with different characters and some may even put themselves in the situation the character is in.
Acts seen performed in different films can encourage people to carry out those acts in real life e.g. rape, robbery, murder.
Film breaks down different barriers e.g. a film about a women getting raped then enjoying the rape.
Arguments that Mark Kermode came up with in his case against film censorship.
As human beings we all know what is right and wrong in a film but we watch it anyway.
Sex doesn't occur during the making of films so there's no need to censor it.
everyone has different reactions to what they see.
Policing films is impossible, films don't intend on encouraging people to commit crime acts instead they just show them realistic situations or events.
In my opinion, i support Aminita Forna argument as she looks at the long consequences and suggest a film without censorship could influence a lot of people to do what they see on screen. for example, robbery seen in films could be acted out in real life.
And also when most people are planning to go and watch a film they first watch the trailer and trailers don't reveal everything that the film contains.
Kermode's debate on the other hand, sounds like he is relating everything in the aspect of how he views thing instead of the audience. For example, he states since sex doesn't occur during a film, why censor it? this clearly suggest that he considered how the public may react to certain scenes.
Conclusion This censorship lesson has really helped me get a better idea of what i want to create in my opening of a thriller sequence It has also made me aware of all the different contents that can cause a film to get banned or cut. From Forna's and Kermode i was able to see both views of censorship then come to a formal decision on which one i support. In addition, looking at these two arguments i now have a better understanding on what some people may consider suitable and unsuitable and the effects it has on the audience.
Analysis Of Scream Opening A thriller is a genre that is made to create a chilling feeling amongst the audience, most thriller films are designed to keep the audience on their toes during the main parts and often use low key lighting and loud sounds to scare/shock the audience. The opening scene of scream shows the protagonist who is a young girl believed to be in her teens attending high school as she later refers to her boyfriend who is on the ''football team''. The girl is first seen as friendly and in a happy mood but that is soon portrayed to be vulnerable and scared. In addition, we are at first able to hear the antagonist's voice through the home phone that the young girl answers throughout the opening scene, the voice of this mystery character sounds as he is a middle age man trying to impersonate a young boys voice who's at the age of 10 for example. The mystery character over the phone also comes across to be friendly and outgoing as he was having a casual conversation with the young girl until he stated person facts of the young girls life e.g. her name, at this point that is when the soundtrack changed into something more serious which suggest tension would then start to build.
Opening Scene Plot The opening scene of scream tells the audience what the story may be about, A high school student named Casey answers a flirtatious phone call from a mystery character which at first seems friendly as he continues to ask the girl questions. The situation escalates and tension slowly starts to build amongst the audience as the mystery character's phone call turns aggressive and threatening as he threatens to take her life. He then reveals that the girls boyfriend Steve is tied up outside and if she does not answer a question about horror movies right he will then kill her. Steve is then murdered when the young girl fails to answer the question right, Casey later fails to co-operate with the mystery caller. She is then attacked and murdered by mystery masked killer, leaving her body hung by a tree and parents who just arrived home in shock as they witness the gruesome reality of there murdered daughter. Location and setting The opening scene is set in a girls house who lives by the looks of it in the country side far away from any close neighbours as we see what it looks to be farmed crops and oak land forest. The scene actually starts in the girls house then later escalates to just outside her home as that is where she is attacked then murdered. In addition, just by looking at the house the audience can straight away be reminded of the genre of the film, this is because of the connotations which may come with the house such as Scary, danger etc...
Skip To 1:05
Narrative
The opening scene to this clearly shows the genre of the film, which is a horror/thriller. We can tell by the atmosphere and the creepy
voice on the phone the girl answers. Even when the killer kills Casey's boyfriend we still cannot see his face as he is a mystery masked man which may have the audience assuming he is going to go on a killing spree later on during the film, specifically target teenagers However, from this the audience can also infer that this is more of a horror movie as it is all maybe too predictable.
I believe this follows Vladimir Props theory as this is a layout of a traditional Beginning, middle and end movie.
How are micro-elements used conventionally in the opening of Scream?
Cinematography
Both Zoom shot and reaction are both used in the scene when the mystery character says something to Casey that changes her hole mood towards the Phone call. The mystery character on the phone says to Casey ''Because i want to know who i'm looking at''. The camera then instantly zooms into her face to capture her reaction to this comment, this is when the soundtrack changed to create a more chilling and dark atmosphere and also tension started to build. This is done to capture the emotions created by Casey's facial expressions as she is going through a stage of insecurity and shock.
A medium shot was used when Casey picks up and the phone and begins yelling at the mystery caller while she was completely forgetting about the popcorn that she had on the stove which was clearly done as the smoke shows. This suggest that as she was so rapped up in her conversation on the phone with this mystery caller she forgot about the popcorn as she is terrified, She also kept walking around which is another sign of paranoia.
Another reason why this mid shot was used it to let the audience focus on Casey's body language. As she was standing straight only using her arm to hold the phone against her face suggest that she was serious and the once friendly conversation escalated into her fearing for her life.
Reaction and zoom shots are also used when both Casey's parents notices her body hanging from beneath a tree. The zoom shot was effective here as it allows the audience to put themselves in that situation and would allow them picturing there own child in that situation which would of had most of the audience feeling sympathy for both Casey's parents.
These two camera shots are both conventional to a thriller film as it allows the audience to get a close up view of the characters facial emotions. This can then make them feel sympathy for the character as it allows them to put themselves into the characters position. Dolly Shot
The dolly shot is used in this scene when Casey's punches the masked attacker in the face and makes a run for it outside. The Camera then zooms out as it captures Casey's hole body along with a bit of her garden it moves backwards and begins to move side ways as it follows Casey's running movements. The camera follows Casey as she tries to make a run for it but then the scene changes as she spots her parents car approaching.
1:07-1:18
Soundtrack
Most of the sound in the opening sequence was Diegetic sound as you hear the phone ring at the start of the film. This counts as Diegetic sound as the noise the ringing phone produced is what you'd expect to her and not a cry of a baby zebra for example.
Non-Diegetic sound is used when the background music starts to slow down and become more dark. This builds tension and helps to outlines or remind the audience that this is a thriller/horror film.
On screen sound is when there is sound in a scene and you can see where its coming from. The part where Casey begins to talk on the phone to the mystery caller is a on screen sound as that is Casey's voice that is being portrayed, and also when you hear the boyfriend squealing while he is tied up against a chair is another example of on screen sound.
Off screen sound is when there is sound in a scene but you cannot see the source of the sound. For example the mystery characters voice over the phone to Casey is a off screen sound as the audience could only hear his voice and not see who was talking at the other end of the phone.
Iconography
The clothes that are worn by Casey in the opening sequence of scream suggest that the film fashioned her clothes as we would dress 10 years ago. We can also infer this as she is wearing a cardigan, fluffy trousers and no socks which suggest that she is at home as you wouldn't expect to see someone at someone else's house without at least sock on.
We can also tell that this film was set in america as the accents of the character and also the clothing Casey's boyfriend was wearing, which was a football jumper with american footballers wear. In addition to this, Casey also states that her boyfriend ''Is big and players football''.
The phone that the mystery caller rings and Casey answers suggest that this film was not a modern day set film. We can tell as the phone seems to be very old just by looking at the colours used which are dull colours. As the mystery caller then recall Casey on her wireless phone then suggest that the phone Casey was using before must be even older as it weren't even wireless.
Many people also noticed that to heat up the ready made popcorn Casey placed it on the stove. Whereas, nowadays
most people would just pop it into the microwave. Which is another way that suggest that this movie was not a modern day set as the popcorn making method is out-dated.
Thriller Elements
The opening sequence of the film scream shows the audience different horror elements which all relate back to the film logo which is a blade. a example is when Casey begins to play with a kitchen knife while she was on the phone to her first seemed friendly mystery caller who she assumed was prank calling her, as she was on the phone this created a horror element. Another example of this is when the situation already escalates and the mystery character asked her a question about a phrase a character in a horror movie used. She mentions the right movie but the wrong character However, the movie she mentioned the killer also used a knife as the weapon to murder his victims.
Conclusion
In my opinion, the opening sequence to scream was well put together and it was also very slow paced to build up tension amongst the audience until the point where the tension escalated and the background music began to play a sound soundtrack to create a dark atmosphere. All appropriate sounds where used to take real effect and camera angles and shots. For example the reaction shots were used in great effect as it captured the emotion on the Casey's face.
From looking at this movie opening it has allowed to me start thinking about the different conventions i will use in order to make my thriller conventional and appeal to the audience. I thought the analysis of scream was also very effective as it allowed myself to take down idea's in which i can replicate into my own thriller.
Identify how costume is used to represent different characters.
Evaluate how costume is used to create meaning and responses.
Purpose of Costume
Costume has a huge affect upon how someone see's a film and their judgement of other characters which are mainly judged from first expressions.
Costumes can also reflect the different tones in a movie for example, a dark production theme scene will have dark coloured clothes unless there is a specific purpose of the bright colour costume in a scene as that.
Some costume are exaggerated to emphasize the silliness of the scene for example guys in clown suits playing poker.
Costumes & Different relationships
Some costumes create different relationships between characters or even group of characters. For example the scene below shows you 5 guys wearing a full suit of black which suggest there are the antagonist, attacking a man in a white shirt. This suggest the man in the white shirt is the protagonist as they are known to wear bright coloured clothing. In addition, the audience wouldn't expect to see 5 protagonist characters attacking one antagonist which makes it easier for them to identify who is who.
I'm Legend Costume Analysis
The costumed used in these scene is casual clothing which suggest that Will Smith's character (Robert Neville) may have been caught up in some kind of war which leads to him fearing for his life which could be the reason why he is walking around with a gun.
The costume Robert Neville also tells us a little bit about where he lives. By the clothes he is wearing you can instantly tell he lives in modern day as he is wearing a black leather jacket, a grey casual t-shirt with matching trousers and shoes, and also a strap back which is normally used for those who are going to work or somewhere important e.g. interview. Conclusion Looking at all the different costumes and understanding how they represent the character has allowed me to pick out suitable costumes for the characters who are going to be in my thriller.
The camera then zooms into her face to capture her face, This is done to capture the emotions created by her facial expressions as she is going through a stage of shock.
