Monday 9 May 2016

New sci-fi idea

In my exam pre-release we were given three ideas to base our pitch on. I chose a film with the working title The Last Day. It's supposed to be set of a post-apocalyptic Earth, about an experiment to make the planet safe for human life that's gone badly wrong, resulting in the scientists having to battle to save the Earth.

My idea

The world has just suffered through a nuclear catastrophe, resulting in the entirety of Earth looking like a deserted wasteland. Scientist fear that the radiation can harm people, so experiment in an attempt to make the planet safe again. Unfortunately the experiment is tested on Dr Terry Jay, who ends up severely ill from an illness they decide to call Hyphergonia, as it has side effects that begin to show after a month. The side effects include isolating yourself, pale skin, red eyes, and eventually insanity. The insanity is so severe that it triggers violence- hence why Angie, Lara and James attempt to battle the insane to save the Earth from complete chaos, and working on trying to find another cure. The insane team up, with a leader controlling their attacks- the first person to go insane. He gets cured when he goes to harm his son and realises he can't bring himself to hurt his family. The rest of the insane are cured when Dr Terry Jay works on the cure. 
The reason it's a 12A instead of a PG like most family films, is because it contains moderate violence unsuitable for very young children. To watch the film under the age of 12, parental guidance is required so they can ensure the movie is suitable for their child to watch. The weapons used will be of the fiction genre, as weapons easily accessible to children can not displayed for my chosen age rating. There will be no use of excessive rude or discriminatory language.
My narrative structure will be a basic linear structure, with a simple and straightforward storyline so as not to confuse my younger audience. It will contain a basic binary opposite- good vs. evil (sane vs. insane). 
The pre-release asks for:-

  • Gripping narrative: the audience will be eager to find out how the insane are stopped, whether the insane will break into the lab or not. Important to fit in the U&G theory that a need that should be fulfilled by media products is the idea of entertainment and diversion. For this to be achieved, the audience need to be enticed in the storyline. 
  • Convincing characters: important to fit into the U&G Theory that one need that should be fulfilled by a media product is the idea of personal companionship (feeling close to the characters, connecting with them), and the need of personal identity (the ability for the audience to put themselves in the shoes of the characters). 
  • Convincing mise-en-scene: U&G theory surveillance and information (finding out about new things and places, scientific possibilites etc.)
  • Amazing CGI: futuristic technologies etc. (important for those in the psychographic of social climbers and explorers) 

Toderov's Theory

Equilibrium- humankind has just survived a nuclear war and scientists are attempting to make Earth safe again.
Disruption- those who tested out the experiment become insane.
Recognition of disruption- James realises his father has changed.
Attempt to repair- Angie and Lara begin working on a cure. James and his friends attempt to keep the insane at bay.
Resolution- Terry recognises his son and calms down enough to call off the attack, and a cure is eventually developed.

Sub-genres and Hybrids

A sub-genre is a smaller group within a main genre- in my case, sci-fi. My film fits into the sub-genres of nuclear disaster and mutated/genetically engineered creatures (the insane).
Hybrids are mix of more than one main genre. Mine's a mixture of sci-fi and action-adventure. This is because the action sequences give the film excitement, and the adventure conventions give my film a plot. 

Enigma Codes

Enigma codes are the hooks or mysteries that keep the audience watching the film. Trailers find a balance between enigma codes and giving information about the plot- we need enough of both to decide to watch the film. There are usually a lot at the start of the movie, all of which get solved at the end (unless the movie may have a sequel). 

Characters

  • Main protagonist- James Jay. The son of Angie and Terry (to help my movie appeal to a younger audience). On a mission to save his father. [Asa Butterfield]
  • Scientist team- Dr Lara Tab. 30 african american female (for diversity) with brown eyes and curly hair. Best friend of Angie. 
  • Sidekick- Dr Angie Jay. 28 white caucasian female with blue eyes and long blonde hair. Lead scientist in developing the cure. [Jennifer Lawrence]
  • Antagonist- Dr Terry Jay. The first human to go insane, the husband of Angie. Tall (6"2), dark brown hair and eyes. [Tom Cruise]

Monday 25 April 2016

Possible Design Tasks

Poster

Must include:
  • A title 
  • A main image
  • A slogan
  • Actor's names
  • A release date
  • Credits
  • A colour pallet suitable for the sci-fi genre

DVD Case

Front cover must include:
  • A title
  • A main image
  • A slogan
  • Actor's names
  • A release date
  • Age rating
  • Suitable colour pallet for the sci-fi genre
Back cover must include:
  • Plot summary text
  • Credits
  • Minor images
  • Similar colour pallet to the front

Website

Must include:

  • The film title in the header
  • A main image from the film
  • A video clip from the film/trailer
  • Text about the film
  • Links for; games, chat, events, news, blogs, images and clips
  • Social media links
  • Copyright information in the footer
  • Suitable colour pallet for the sci-fi genre

Storyboard

Must include:
  • Shot numbers
  • Shot duration
  • Sketches of each shot
  • Shot type (e.g. ECU, CU, MCU, M, LS, ELS etc)
  • Camera movement (e.g. zoom in, zoom out, Hitchcock zoom, pan, tilt, tracking etc)
  • Camera angle (e.g. high angle, low angle, eye level, birds eye, worms eye etc)
  • Editing information (e.g. fade to black, fade to white, continuity editing, parallel editing, eye-line match, sound bridge
  • Sound information (e.g. non-diegetic music, diegetic dialogue- quote some, voice over, diegetic ambient sound, sound effects etc)
  • If it's a trailer, put the production company logo in the first box and put the film title and release date in the last box

Terminology

Each design will earn extra marks if the correct media terminology is used. Good terms to include in an answer are:
  • Star vehicle (main actor)
  • Mise-en-scene 
  • Props
  • Genre conventions
  • Audience appeal
  • Protagonist/antagonist
  • Diegetic/non-diegetic
  • Colour pallet
  • CGI/SFX
  • Narrative
  • Genres/sub-genres/hybrid
  • Mainstream/niche audience
  • Representation
  • Ambience

Monday 11 April 2016

The Matrix Poster Analysis

The setting

The background hints towards a futuristic setting, but is very vague on giving a visual description of where they are. The setting also connotes the sci-fi genre, due to the coding on the walls. It's also very dark to represent an older audience, as they'll be more attracting to a serious, professional looking poster. Children are attracted to brighter, more colourful posters as it's more interesting to look at.

Props

They're all holding guns to connote action as a sub genre, stereotypically enticing the male gender. The other demographic group the props will typically appeal to are males in the age range of around 18-40, as they're more likely to be interested in violent scenes. The star vehicle has the largest weapon to connote his power.

Costumes

They're all wearing very dark outfits, with three of them wearing blue and the star vehicle wearing black, to emphasise his importance in the movie. The only woman on the poster is shown wearing tight clothing, as back when this movie was released females were popularly used as sex appeal as a way to attract some males to watch the movie. The female can also be used to represent the female audience, to attract a wider range of people to see their movie in cinemas.

Type of shot/camera angle

It uses a long shot, so as to display the entire length of each character. This gives the poster an opportunity to show off their outfits, posture and large props (as Keanu Reeves is holding at the front); these all help connote the genre and tone of the movie. A slightly low-angle shot is used, to make the characters appear more intimidating and powerful.

Lighting

A lot of the light is centred around the star vehicle to make him stand out clearly against the others, and to emphasise even further his importance- this is backlighting, the process of illuminating the subject from the back to make him the first thing most people will look at. 

All posters can include:
  • Film title
  • Main image
  • Institutional logos
  • Production information
  • Tagline
  • Release date/information
  • Box office lure
  • Plug
  • Rating
  • Quote/review and reviewer name
  • Website link
  • Social media logos

Thursday 24 March 2016

Media Mock Exam

Results

On the afternoon of the 11th of March I walked into the exam hall for my first ever attempt at a media exam. I left with 45/60 marks, a solid B. For my actual exam in May, the key things I need to remember are:

  • Make sure both case studies are very detailed
  • When describing the pitch of your own movie, explain the sci-fi link at the start
  • Explain the appeal of your movie
  • Include the release date and colour on poster for own movie
  • Outline advantages of advertising techniques
  • Include details of where and when trailer for own movie may be released
  • Start preparing a day before, not on the day!!
  • Think of a title and slogan for own movie before walking in to the exam 
  • Thoroughly research any details that may be necessary for the two case studies in the exam 
  • Make sure you have actors/actresses for own movie in mind
  • Use media language

Sci-fi pitch ideas

I want my sci-fi film to be capable of relating to a large variety of people, by using ideas from real life
issues modern people suffer. Bullying and racism is still a big issue in today's society, as some people still enjoy discriminating against others they deem as 'different' and 'inferior' to them. My sci-fi film will cover these aspects, with an alien joining a new school- where everyone else is a human. Some people believe that history is doomed to repeat itself, as it will in my sci-fi movie. Just like black people had to suffer prejudice and hatred for centuries, this movie shows aliens going through it too. For anyone who's had to endure anything similar to this will be able to relate to my character. One convention of a sci-fi film is that there tends to be a hero team- my alien's small group of friends who actually accept him for who he is. To help stick the sci-fi genre I'll set it in a futuristic world, with flying cars, holograms etc. 

Monday 29 February 2016

Audience Theory

Mainstream or niche?

Some science fiction films are mainstream- they appeal to a very wide range of people (e.g. Hollywood movies so they can make more money).
Some science fiction films are more niche- they appeal only to a small specific group of people (e.g. more independent and low-budget films as they're under less pressure and can take more risks).

Demographics

Demographics is one way of dividing up the audience into certain groups. Each group is assumed to have similar ideas and interests. Marketers use this idea of demographic groups to target advertising and promotion. It's based on factual information. Demographics include;
  • Gender
  • Age/stage
  • Occupation
  • Region/location
  • Ethnicity
  • Class

Psychographics

Psychographics is less about facts such as age, and more about attitudes and values. The audience can be divided up into categories like;
  • Survivors- who like security and routine
  • Social climbers- who like material wealth and status symbols
  • Care givers- who believe in 'caring and sharing'
  • Explorers- who are interested in personal growth and social change

Audience profile of a typical sci-fi fan

They would typically be a white caucasian educated male living in an English speaking country, in their late teens or early adult years. They would be middle class, and typically a student. They would be a social climber, interested in the special effects and new technologies that sci-fi films include. They would also be an explorer, excited to see what new ideas a sic-fi film can  create.

Uses & Gratifications Theory (U&G)

This is a media studies theory that tries to explain why people choose and use certain media products. The theory says that we use them to satisfy certain needs. 
  • Entertainment and diversion- taking you away from your own problems and your own world for a while- escapism, to give you excitement in your life, to stop you being bored.
  • Surveillance and information- finding out about new things and places, scientific possibilities and problems, helping you to get knowledge about science, the world and what is happening.
  • Personal identity- comparing yourself to people in films, wondering how you would act in the same situation, thinking about how you would feel about various issues and conflicts.
  • Personal companionship- getting accustomed to the characters as if they are friends; getting involved in the plot and wanting to find out what happens to people; discussing films and their issues with other people, having something to talk about with other people.

Thursday 25 February 2016

Genre Appeal

How, and why, do Science Fiction Films appeal to audiences?

Science Fiction bring something unique to the cinema screen, something imaginative and thought provoking. Each sci-fi film brings different ideas on things most people wouldn't put into consideration. With popular series such as Star Wars and Star Trek it makes people excited for things like space and time travel that could be possible in the future. In movies such as The Hunger Games, it's exciting to see a powerful female protagonist take a stand against evil in a futuristic setting that no one will recognise and be intrigued about- willing to watch more. Normal action films can get repetitive with their fighting scenes but sic-fi films have the power to be more creative and interesting, and leave their audiences with a lot to think about afterwards.

Sci-Fi and Media Language

Genre Conventions

What does convention mean?
A convention is a key ingredient in a specific genre of media text. They are the things that we expect to see in particular types of films. Examples of Sci-Fi genre conventions include:

Narrative (storyline)- 
  • robots/aliens vs man 
  • saving the world 
  • discovering a new world/race of creature 
  • intergalactic space war
  • time travel 
  • rise of AI
Characters- 
  • aliens 
  • robots 
  • mutated humans 
  • male (tends to be human) protagonist 
  • wise, older character 
  • other worldly antagonist
  • hero team
Mise en scene (setting, props, costume etc)- 
  • futuristic/new worlds
  •  dystopian cities 
  • space
  • space ships 
  • hi-tech vehicles/weapons (e.g. lasers)
  •  futuristic technology (lots of computers)
  •  colourful and strange costumes
  • uniform (human team) 
  • make-up kept basic for protagonist characters 
  • green, silver/metallic, black, neon
Themes- 
  • the future 
  • end of the world 
  • good overcoming evil 
  • victory of human ideologies over others 
  • safeguarding the human race
  • loyalty and teamwork
  • negative impact of technological advancement 
  • humans destroying their own planet 
  • the idea of a small few against a large enemy
Other- 
  • innovative special effects 
  • CGI 
  • modern/metallic looking font and graphics 
  • intense/dramatic music 
  • directors such as James Cameron, George Lucas, J.J. Abrams, Steven Spielberg