Preliminary exercise In your assigned groups, create a 30-second music video by the end of Tuesday's double lesson. In your groups, you need a choose a track from a selection and then film a variety of specified shots (as well as your own ideas). You will then edit them together into a 30-second video, learning how to use Premiere Pro and apply certain edits and visual effects.
The songs available are:
College – A Real Hero
Clean Bandit – Rather Be ft. Jess Glynne
Woodkid – Run Boy Run
M.I.A. – Paper Planes
Sam Smith – Stay With Me (Rainer + Grimm Remix)
Bastille – Of The Night
American Authors – Best Day Of My Life
The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army
Coldplay – A Sky Full Of Stars
Frank Ocean – Thinking About You
The Script – Hall Of Fame
These songs are available on the Media Shared drive: M:\Resources\GCSE\Music video audio files You MUST include the following:
A close-up
A high/low angle shot
A long shot
A handheld camera shot
A slow dissolve transition
A super-speed OR super slow-motion shot
A minimum of 10 shots
Use of colour AND black and white
Timing Today: concept and planning Homework: filming shots Tuesday: editing, exporting and screening
Homework: film your preliminary music video. Due: Tuesday
Intro + Institution (see Matrix for exemplar): Narrative theory: According to Propp's Character Theory there is a clear hero/protagonist in the film '__________.' Interestingly, in The Wolf of Wall Street, the hero is a very unsympathetic character.... Barthes' action and enigma codes work particularly well together in the trailer for Spectre. When we see bond adjusting his collar in the trailer and reaching for a discretely placed handgun, an enigma code is created for the audience. When, in the next scene, he is seen narrowly escaping a collapsing building, it is clearly an action code which denotes that we can expect much thrilling drama in the new installment of the spy thriller. We are exposed to some stunning action set-pieces in the film when... According to Todorov's theory of Equilibrium, the moment of equilibrium at the beginning of the trailer is... It becomes apparent that ______ will cause disequilibrium in the film at 0;32 in the trailer when _________________________ __________________________________________________ __________________________________________________. Representation: In terms of the representation of individuals and groups, the film '_____________' provides a very interesting case study. In the poster, [insert group] (black people, slave drivers, women, fathers, men, non-Europeans, young people, disabled people) are represented as being _________________________________. This is a common trope/stereotype that audiences would be used to. In particular, the representation of women as being very independent and strong is interesting in the film, '__________'. At 0;43 in the trailer we see a black slave rising up against a plantation owner in a particularly violent way. The representation of black people in this instance in Django Unchained is interesting because we might expect a slave to be a weaker character. Tarantino, the director, chose to make Django a character who symbolises the strong desire for revenge of the repressed community. The fact that he shoots a powerful farmer and enjoys seeing 'how he dies' shows a particularly strong representation of black characters in the trailer. This has synergy with the poster because____________________________________________.'
The Matrix is a classic Hollywood sci-fi which follows the
story of Neo: a computergeek who is given the impossible choice between reality and the parallel
universe which controls the version of Earth we mere mortals experience. I chose this film because
I am a fan of science-fiction literature and film and I think the poster
and trailer for the movie are particularly interesting. The Matrix was produced in 1999 and features Hollywood legend: Keanu
Reeves (Neo) through the dark Underworld of our version of 'reality.' It was written and directed by
the Wachowski brothers: Andy and Lana. The movie had a huge budget of
$63million but generated a healthy $171million dollars in Box Office sales
alone. It was one of the most successful films of the 1990s. It was distributed
by Warner Brothers. The central image of the poster used to promote the film
features Keanu Reaves, who is in the visual centre, holding a large automatic
rifle and wearing a floor-length black, leather coat. The iconography of
violence and science-fiction is reinforced by the secondary characters who surround Neo in the
image. The fact that the main character wears dark glasses and appears to be
looking beyond the camera towards a threat behind the viewer is particularly
effective because...
The typography...
The title...
The production blurb...
The tag-line…
The colour scheme…
Direct address…
'___________' is effective in promoting the
film because...
To complete Assignment 2, you need to write a 1,200 word essay analysing the film poster and trailer for the film you chose to study throughout this unit. The original case study research task you completed back in November is here. This Assignment 2 essay guidance might help you structure your essay but you don't need to stick to it exactly - original and effective responses will be awarded marks. One of the most important aspects of good academic essay writing is topic sentences. Make sure that you start each section with a simple topic sentence that clearly introduces what the following paragraph will address. For example:
The Taken trailer clearly and effectively establishes the narrative of the film to the audience. Applying Todorov's theory of narrative structure, the equilibrium is established in the opening 20 seconds...
In an academic essay, good topic sentences are used instead of subheadings for each section. The only exception to this is the final section analysing your own production work. You need to keep this section separate from the main essay. Remember: all of Assignment 2 is due in this week so make sure everything is in your folder. Deadline: Thursday 14 January
Your blog task is to apply our three narrative theories to the film trailer you are analysing for your essay. You need to analyse the trailer on your blog using the three theories we learned this morning: Todorov: equilibrium Propp: character types Barthes: enigma and action codes
Embed the trailer in your blog and then write your analysis in full sentences and paragraphs making specific reference to moments in the trailer.
Word count: 250 words minimum.
Example: Silver Linings Playbook
The trailer for Silver Linings Playbook uses many narrative techniques typical of Hollywood romantic comedies. Applying Propp's character theory, we have a clear protagonist or hero in Bradley Cooper's character Patrick - although Jennifer Lawrence's character Tiffany is also a major character so doesn't quite fit the role of Propp's Heroine. In many ways, she is shown to be the stronger character and it is her quest (to compete in the dance competition) that drives the narrative. Robert De Niro offers the classic Father character (and is actually Pat's father) while Chris Tucker plays the Helper role as Pat's friend. These well known character types quickly help establish the romantic comedy narrative and allow audiences to understand the main relationships within the two-minute running time of the trailer.
The film's narrative is clearly introduced in the trailer and follows Todorov's theory of equilibrium. The state of balance is the character of Pat trying to get his life back together following his spell in a psychiatric institution. The introduction of Tiffany creates the disequilibrium - along with the request to compete in the dance competition. The new equilibrium is not shown in the trailer - this is critical because even though a standard Hollywood romantic comedy narrative would suggest the couple get together in the end, the audience have to watch the whole film to enjoy this resolution.
The trailer is full of Barthes' enigma and action codes. These are designed to draw the audience in and encourage them to watch the whole film to resolve their questions. The major enigma codes the audience will ask would revolve around whether the couple get together and whether they win the dance competition. However, there are other enigma codes such as what has happened in each character's past to cause psychiatric problems - particularly concerning Pat's stay in the psychiatric hospital. Although action codes are less important in the genre of romantic comedy, there are still plenty of dramatic scenes such as the book being thrown out of the window. This suggests there will be moments of drama and tension in the film and the only way to see these resolved is to watch the whole movie.
The key notes from today's lesson: Narrative definition: (Noun) A spoken or written account of connected events; a story
Todorov: equilibrium
Tzvetan Todorov is a Franco-Bulgarian philosopher. He suggests that all narratives follow a three part structure.
They begin with equilibrium, where everything is balanced, progress as something comes along to disrupt that equilibrium, and finally reach a resolution, when a new equilibrium is restored.
Equilibrium > Disequilibrium > New equilibrium
This can be applied to almost all film narratives.
Propp: character types
Vladimir Propp was a Soviet scholar who analyzed the basic plot components of Russian folk tales to identify their narrative elements.
His theory states that there are only a certain number of characters, who crop up in most narratives.
Protagonist (or Hero)
Leads the narrative, is usually looking for something (a quest) or trying to solve something (a mystery).
Antagonist (or Villain)
Gets in the protagonist's way; rival or enemy.
Heroine
Usually some sort of ‘prize’ or reward for the hero. (Note: if your hero is female, your heroine can be male)
Father
An authority figure who offers a reward to the hero for completing their quest. That reward might be a prince or a princess or a new job or promotion.
Helper
Helps the hero - often acts as a sidekick
Donor
Gives the hero something - a clue, a talisman, a special power - which helps them complete their quest
Mentor
Teaches and guides the hero
Barthes: enigma and action codes
Roland Barthes was a French literary theorist.
Barthes' Enigma Code is a theory that suggests a text (whether that be television, film, a poster etc) portrays a mystery to draw an audience in, pose questions and, as such, become intrigued in the piece.
For instance, a murder mystery will often not reveal the identity of the murderer until the end of the story, which poses the question "Who is the murderer?"
Barthes' Action Code relates to tension: any action or event that suggests something else may happen – and therefore keep the audience engaged. A good example would be a gun being drawn - the audience know a dramatic scene will follow.
Action codes work alongside enigma codes to engage and maintain the interest of the audience.
If you're struggling to write your paragraph analysing the representation of people or groups in your chosen trailer, use the questions below to help you. Taken
How is the white middle-class male hero presented? Is this representation conforming to other representations of white men in action films? Why?
How are females represented? Are the women being rescued by men? Why?
How are eastern-Europeans represented? What might the fact the human-traffickers are Albanian suggest to the audience?
How is Europe represented? Remember, the film involves an American girl visiting Europe for the first time - is Europe presented as safe? Use specific examples from the trailer to support your points.
Suffragette
How are women represented in the trailer? What specific examples can you provide from the trailer to support his? Are traditional female roles subverted?
How are working class people represented in the trailer? How are the middle or upper classes represented? Does this reinforce or challenge traditional stereotypes?
How are men represented in the trailer? Use specific examples from the trailer to support your points.
Spectre
How are men represented in the trailer? Is this representation conforming to other representations of men in action films? Why?
How are females represented? What message might this send to the audience?
How is Britain or London represented? Is this a stereotypical representation of Great Britain?
How are European people represented? Use specific examples from the trailer to support your points.
How is social class represented in Spectre? Does it reinforce or challenge stereotypes about the British class system?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
How are teenagers represented? Use specific examples from the trailer to support your points.
How are teenage boys represented? Are the boys traditional American teenage 'geeks' or does the film subvert this notion? Why?
How are females represented? Use specific examples from the trailer to support your points.
How are white people represented? Is this typical? Why?
How is the gay character represented? Is he an outsider? Why?
The Wolf of Wall Street
How are American businessmen represented? Use specific examples from the trailer to support your points.
How are women represented? Is the film sexist? Why?
How are the 1980s represented? Is the film critical of a certain mentality or way of life? Why?
How are black characters represented? Why?
How is the idea of the American Dream represented? Does it reinforce or challenge the stereotypical portrayal of America? Why? Use specific examples from the trailer to support your points.
Frozen
How are females represented? Use specific examples from the trailer to support your points.
Does the film subvert tradition gender roles? How is the Princess different to princesses in other Disney films? Why?
How are males represented? What examples can you provide to support his?
How are fairy tales represented? Why?
Blues is the Warmest Colour
How are teenagers represented? Are they accepting of their gay friends? Why?
How are lesbians represented? Use specific examples from the trailer to support your points.
How is French society represented? Why?
12 Years a Slave
How are black people represented? Is this a fair and honest portrayal of slavery? Why?
How are women represented? Use specific examples from the trailer to support your points.
How are white men represented? What effect may this have on the audience?
Is it as simple as saying black people are represented as good and white people as bad? Why?
Django Unchanined
How are black people represented? Is this a fair and honest portrayal of slavery? Why?
How are women represented? Use specific examples from the trailer to support your points.
How are white non-American represented? Why?
How are white men represented? Why?
Is it as simple as saying black people are represented as good and white people as bad? Why?
Precious
How is family represented? Is this a stereotypical dysfunctional American family? Why? Use specific examples from the trailer to support your points.
How are black people represented? Use specific examples from the trailer to support your points.
How are obese people represented? Why
How are women represented? Why?
How is disability represented? Why?
How is American life represented? Is this the picture of American life we normally see in Hollywood films?
