A geeky girl joins a new school and is taken in by the popular people. There is a party when the popular girls give the geeky girl a makeover, due to this the ‘head’ bitch’s boyfriend falls for the geeky girl. The ‘head’ bitch finds out and plans to make the geeky girl’s life hell. Lots of pranks happen to the geeky girls and because of this the geeky girl becomes friends with the loner guy who the popular people have bullied in the past.
The geeky girl and the loner prank the popular girls and the girls do the same to them. The films ends with a school dance (prom) where the geeky girl gives a meaningful speech about how looks aren’t everything. She is announced Prom Queen, at the dance the popular boy asks her out however she realises that she loves the loner guy. The popular girls learn from their mistakes.
Thursday 27 January 2011
Wednesday 26 January 2011
A Guide to Paramount Pictures
The production and distribution company that we have decided to work with is Paramount Pictures.
We have chosen this organisation because they are considered to be one of the top-grossing movie studios, another reason why this is a suitable company is because they have produced and shown many successful films of our genre (teen romantic comedies).
An example of a successful Paramount Pictures produced teen romantic comedy is Mean Girls. Other films that have been successfully produced by Paramount Pictures are Forrest Gump (1994), Transformers (2007) and Iron Man (2008).
All of the films we have mentioned are well known and the company has a good reputation within the industry, therefore this allows our film to have a good chance at having success.
Paramount is a vertically integrated organisation and the significance of this is that the majority of the money will go to one company meaning that they will gain more profit allowing us to do the same.
Examples of successful teen romantic comedies distributed by Paramount Pictures are Clueless (1995), Pretty in Pink (1986) and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008).
These films tie-in well with our genre, as they are all successful teen romantic comedies and are distributed by Paramount Pictures.
We have chosen this organisation because they are considered to be one of the top-grossing movie studios, another reason why this is a suitable company is because they have produced and shown many successful films of our genre (teen romantic comedies).
An example of a successful Paramount Pictures produced teen romantic comedy is Mean Girls. Other films that have been successfully produced by Paramount Pictures are Forrest Gump (1994), Transformers (2007) and Iron Man (2008).
All of the films we have mentioned are well known and the company has a good reputation within the industry, therefore this allows our film to have a good chance at having success.
Paramount is a vertically integrated organisation and the significance of this is that the majority of the money will go to one company meaning that they will gain more profit allowing us to do the same.
Examples of successful teen romantic comedies distributed by Paramount Pictures are Clueless (1995), Pretty in Pink (1986) and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging (2008).
These films tie-in well with our genre, as they are all successful teen romantic comedies and are distributed by Paramount Pictures.
Wednesday 19 January 2011
Monday 17 January 2011
Sunday 16 January 2011
Monday 10 January 2011
Textual Analysis: 10 things I hate about you
Distributor: Touchstone Pictures
Codes and Conventions
The non-dietetic sound is mostly through the use of instrumental and well known artists. For example when Kat goes into the guidance counsellors’ office instrumental music would play to signify that Kat has entered the room so the counsellor looks up from her laptop. Well known artists music signifies a change in time/setting/location. The diegetic sound has been used through the use of dialogue; many of the characters speak words that aren’t commonly known, for instance the word ‘backer’ is used when Michael describes Joey. This use of slang reinforces the stereotype that teenagers all speak in this way.
A stock setting for teen rom-coms is a high school due to it being a main part of their life. 10 things I hate about you is set in America however the characters are seen mostly in a high school, another setting that a few of the characters are seen in are an instrument shop and Kat’s house. The stereotypes that are included with an instrument shot are based on ‘rockers’, which is what Kat or the character of Patrick can be described as. Naturalistic, high key lighting is used thoroughly throughout the film as it allows the audience to relate to the characters more easily as well as creating verisimilitude.
Characters such as Kat and Patrick wear more thorough costumes in order to reflect their personality, for instance Patrick is seen wearing leather trousers which echo’s his need to be different from everyone else. The character of Bianca is seen wearing floral dresses/tops as well as a pink jacket. The colour pink encodes the character to be very feminine, since pink is considered to be a feminine colour. The guidance counsellor is also seen wearing the colour pink frequently throughout the film.
Characters
As I’ve found through the codes and conventions the characters within the film are stereotypical for the genre of teen rom-coms. Towards the start of the film there is a scene where Cameron is told about all of the different social cliques in the school. These stereotypical groups are reinforced through the use of Mise en Scene, specifically though the use of costumes; this helps the audience to identify each social group. For instance a ‘goth’ is seen during the film and his genre is identifiable due to his spiked black hair and black meshed shirt.
Propp’s theory of characters can be applied to this film however since there are many deeper storylines throughout the film only certain characters can be identified. For example Cameron is portrayed as the hero as it is his idea to get Kat and Patrick together. Bianca may be considered as the princess since he is Cameron’s reward at the end of the film. The character that is represented as the mentor is Michael since it is him who explains the different groups to Cameron and it is him to helps him get together with Bianca. The villain of the film is Joey as he wants Bianca to himself and punches Cameron for going to prom with her.
Narrative Structure
The film follows a linear narrative structure with a clear beginning, middle and end. Todorov’s theory can be applied to this film:
Equilibrium: Cameron moves to a new school, where he is given a tour and sees Bianca
Disruption: Bianca’s father forbids her to date and forbids Kat going to her college of choice
Recognition of disruption: Cameron asks Bianca out on a date but is told she is not allowed to date unless her sister does
Attempt to repair disruption: Michael and Cameron look for a boy that will date Kat, so they ask Joey to help them
Disruption: Joey offers to pay Patrick to date Kat but with intentions to date Bianca, without Cameron knowing
Attempt to repair disruption: Patrick and Kat go out on a date
Disruption: Cameron goes after Bianca but she is too interested in Joey
Disruption: Bianca is not allowed to the prom with Joey unless Kat has a date
Recognition of disruption: Kat and Bianca talk about Kat’s past with Joey
Attempt to repair disruption: Patrick and Cameron go to the prom with Bianca and Kat
Disruption: Joey tell Kat that Patrick was paid to go out with her and then Joey starts attacking Cameron
Recognition of disruption: Kat leaves the prom, whilst Bianca hits Joey for attacking Cameron
Attempt to repair disruption: Kat writes a poem in English explaining that she doesn’t hate Patrick
Reinstatement of Equilibrium: Kat and Patrick go out again whilst Bianca and Cameron go out together
Technical Aspects
Mid-shots are used frequently throughout the film to not only show characters costumes/reactions to one another but to also highlight relationships with each character. For example when the characters of Cameron and Bianca are becoming closer due to his French tutoring, a mid-shot would be used in order to show how close they are becoming physically.
Close-ups are used recurrently within the film in order to show a character’s reaction or to focus on one character instead of another in a scene. For instance a close up of Patrick is used when he speaks the line “You telling me I’m not pretty?”, this use of close up showed the audience just how intimidating this character is for other characters.
Straight cuts are used regularly throughout the film in order to create verisimilitude for the audience. This allows the audience to be drawn into the narrative and feel for the characters compared to if the film was continuous. Tracking movements are used a lot as the characters are always moving, an example of a tracking shot is when Michael is showing Cameron the different groups around the school and as he is explain them the camera is following them.
Sunday 9 January 2011
Textual Analysis: Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Codes and Conventions
The non-diegetic sound is mostly through the use of voice-over, a recurring jingle of instruments or songs by well known artists. The voice-over creates a connection with the audience because they are thinking and feeling the same as the character who is doing the voice-over, in this film it is the character of Georgia. The jingle of instruments is used to signify a significant scene or feeling that the character of Georgia has, similarly the music by well known artists is used to emphasise the significance of a moment such as Jaz deciding to sit with her boyfriend instead of the ‘Ace Gang’, it also helps keep the audience entertained.
A stock setting for teen rom-coms is a high school since it is a major part of their life. Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging shows their characters in a high school however the majority of scenes are at the main characters house. Another setting that is shown frequently is the Eastbourne pier which creates a sense of area for the audience since it isn’t a fictional place. Naturalistic, high key lighting is used throughout the film as creating verisimilitude.
Most of the characters seen throughout the clip are wearing their uniform since they spend most of their time at their school. When you do see the characters in their own clothing they tend to wear an item of pink, such as pink scarf, pink top or pink tights. The colour pink encodes these characters to be very feminine since pink is known as a feminine colour. However characters such as Georgia tended to wear darker clothes after she’d fallen out with her best friend, these colours of clothing reflected her mood for that period of time.
Characters
Through the codes and conventions that I’ve found for this film there are stereotypical characters that fit the genre. Towards the start of the film there are two girls who are known as the ‘bully’s’ of the school, this is shown through the way they wear their ponytail on the side of their head. The character of Lindsay is seen as the ‘preppy’ stereotype due to her wearing short skirts, tight tops and heels. It is hard to distinguish more developed stereotypes due to the film being centred around once character and her group of friends known as the “Ace Gang”.
Propp’s theory of certain characters can be applied to this film, for example Georgia is portrayed to be the heroine as willingly tells her mother they should move to New Zealand in order to be with their father. An exception to Prop’s theory is that Robbie may be considered as the princess since he is Georgia’s reward at the end of the film. The character that could be considered as the mentor is Jaz because it is her that tries to help Georgia get together with Robbie and she always helps plan Georgia’s birthday party at the end of the film. The villain of the film is the character of Lindsay as she wants Robbie to herself and changes the date of her birthday party so it is the same as Georgia’s.
Narrative StructureThe films follows a linear narrative structure with a clear beginning, middle and end. Todorov’s theory can be applied to this film:
Equilibrium: Georgia and her friends start a new school year and see Robbie and Tom for the first time
Disruption: Georgia’s father gets offered a job in New Zealand and the “Ace Gang” see Robbie holding hands with Lindsay
Recognition of disruption: Georgia realises that she needs to ‘mature’ and kiss someone
Attempt to repair disruption: Georgia goes to Peter Dyer’s for “snogging lessons”
Disruption: Robbie and Georgia kiss but Robbie goes to “sort some things out”
Attempt to repair disruption: Georgia goes out with Dave in order to make Robbie jealous
Disruption: Georgia has an argument with both Jaz and Robbie over Dave
Recognition of disruption: Georgia decides to reinvent herself and move to New Zealand
Attempt to repair disruption: Georgia goes to apologize to Robbie and they end up holding hands
Disruption: Lindsay books her party the same day as Georgia’s
Recognition of disruption: Georgia cancels her birthday party
Reinstatement of Equilibrium: Georgia is thrown a surprise birthday party by her mom and Jaz, her dad has returned home for good, Robbie and Georgia are officially together
Technical AspectsLong shots are used frequently throughout the film in order to show numerous characters, characters surroundings and certain actions that these characters are doing. For instance a long shot is used when Robbie and Georgia are standing up to leave the beach towards the end of the film, this creates the effect that these two characters should be the only ones of importance at that time. Mid-shots are used frequently throughout the film to not only show characters costumes/reactions to one another but to also highlight relationships with each character.
Close-ups are used recurrently within the film in order to show a character’s reaction or a specific object/movement that a character has done. For example when Georgia and Robbie are about to kiss a close up is used on both of them. Another example of a close up is after Georgia accidentally shaves part of her eyebrow and her reaction is reflected in the mirror. By showing her reaction in a mirror it encodes her to be vain, since mirrors are associated with vanity a stereotype connected to teenage girls.
Straight cuts are used regularly throughout the film in order to create verisimilitude for the audience. This allows the audience to be drawn into the narrative and feel for the characters compared to if the film was continuous. Jump cuts are also used to change the scene or to show something of importance to a certain character, such as Robbie looking into the distance and then a jump cut to Georgia and Dave so that the audience know that Robbie is looking at them.
Codes and Conventions
The non-diegetic sound is mostly through the use of voice-over, a recurring jingle of instruments or songs by well known artists. The voice-over creates a connection with the audience because they are thinking and feeling the same as the character who is doing the voice-over, in this film it is the character of Georgia. The jingle of instruments is used to signify a significant scene or feeling that the character of Georgia has, similarly the music by well known artists is used to emphasise the significance of a moment such as Jaz deciding to sit with her boyfriend instead of the ‘Ace Gang’, it also helps keep the audience entertained.
A stock setting for teen rom-coms is a high school since it is a major part of their life. Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging shows their characters in a high school however the majority of scenes are at the main characters house. Another setting that is shown frequently is the Eastbourne pier which creates a sense of area for the audience since it isn’t a fictional place. Naturalistic, high key lighting is used throughout the film as creating verisimilitude.
Most of the characters seen throughout the clip are wearing their uniform since they spend most of their time at their school. When you do see the characters in their own clothing they tend to wear an item of pink, such as pink scarf, pink top or pink tights. The colour pink encodes these characters to be very feminine since pink is known as a feminine colour. However characters such as Georgia tended to wear darker clothes after she’d fallen out with her best friend, these colours of clothing reflected her mood for that period of time.
Characters
Through the codes and conventions that I’ve found for this film there are stereotypical characters that fit the genre. Towards the start of the film there are two girls who are known as the ‘bully’s’ of the school, this is shown through the way they wear their ponytail on the side of their head. The character of Lindsay is seen as the ‘preppy’ stereotype due to her wearing short skirts, tight tops and heels. It is hard to distinguish more developed stereotypes due to the film being centred around once character and her group of friends known as the “Ace Gang”.
Propp’s theory of certain characters can be applied to this film, for example Georgia is portrayed to be the heroine as willingly tells her mother they should move to New Zealand in order to be with their father. An exception to Prop’s theory is that Robbie may be considered as the princess since he is Georgia’s reward at the end of the film. The character that could be considered as the mentor is Jaz because it is her that tries to help Georgia get together with Robbie and she always helps plan Georgia’s birthday party at the end of the film. The villain of the film is the character of Lindsay as she wants Robbie to herself and changes the date of her birthday party so it is the same as Georgia’s.
Narrative StructureThe films follows a linear narrative structure with a clear beginning, middle and end. Todorov’s theory can be applied to this film:
Equilibrium: Georgia and her friends start a new school year and see Robbie and Tom for the first time
Disruption: Georgia’s father gets offered a job in New Zealand and the “Ace Gang” see Robbie holding hands with Lindsay
Recognition of disruption: Georgia realises that she needs to ‘mature’ and kiss someone
Attempt to repair disruption: Georgia goes to Peter Dyer’s for “snogging lessons”
Disruption: Robbie and Georgia kiss but Robbie goes to “sort some things out”
Attempt to repair disruption: Georgia goes out with Dave in order to make Robbie jealous
Disruption: Georgia has an argument with both Jaz and Robbie over Dave
Recognition of disruption: Georgia decides to reinvent herself and move to New Zealand
Attempt to repair disruption: Georgia goes to apologize to Robbie and they end up holding hands
Disruption: Lindsay books her party the same day as Georgia’s
Recognition of disruption: Georgia cancels her birthday party
Reinstatement of Equilibrium: Georgia is thrown a surprise birthday party by her mom and Jaz, her dad has returned home for good, Robbie and Georgia are officially together
Technical AspectsLong shots are used frequently throughout the film in order to show numerous characters, characters surroundings and certain actions that these characters are doing. For instance a long shot is used when Robbie and Georgia are standing up to leave the beach towards the end of the film, this creates the effect that these two characters should be the only ones of importance at that time. Mid-shots are used frequently throughout the film to not only show characters costumes/reactions to one another but to also highlight relationships with each character.
Close-ups are used recurrently within the film in order to show a character’s reaction or a specific object/movement that a character has done. For example when Georgia and Robbie are about to kiss a close up is used on both of them. Another example of a close up is after Georgia accidentally shaves part of her eyebrow and her reaction is reflected in the mirror. By showing her reaction in a mirror it encodes her to be vain, since mirrors are associated with vanity a stereotype connected to teenage girls.
Straight cuts are used regularly throughout the film in order to create verisimilitude for the audience. This allows the audience to be drawn into the narrative and feel for the characters compared to if the film was continuous. Jump cuts are also used to change the scene or to show something of importance to a certain character, such as Robbie looking into the distance and then a jump cut to Georgia and Dave so that the audience know that Robbie is looking at them.
Textual Analysis: Mean Girls
Distributor: Paramount Pictures
Codes and Conventions
The non-diegetic sound is mostly through the use of a voice-over. This creates an instant connection with the audience by allowing them to feel and think as the same character who is doing the voice-over, in this case Cady. The diegetic sound has been used through the use of dialogue; many of the characters speak words that aren’t commonly known throughout England, for instance the word ‘fetch’ is used throughout frequently. This use of slang reinforces the stereotype that teenagers all speak in this way.
A stock setting for teen rom-coms is a high school due to it being a main part of their life. Mean girls is set in America however the characters are mostly seen in a high school, another setting that the characters are seen in are a mall and the characters houses. The stereotypes that are included with a mall is that teenage girls love shopping and gossiping with one another. Naturalistic, high key lighting is used thoroughly throughout the film as it allows the audience to relate to the characters more easily as well as creating verisimilitude.
Most of the characters seen throughout the clip wear colourful clothing, especially “The Plastics”. For instance the majority of their outfits include the colour pink encoding them to be very feminine, since pink is considered to be a feminine colour. Characters such as Janice and Damien wear more thorough costumes in order to reflect their personality, for instance Janice wears dark clothes and has black hair which echo’s not only her personality but her need to be different from everyone else. The character of Cady begins to have numerous costume changes, especially when she becomes a part of “The Plastics”; she begins to wear pink clothes and short skirts which are all connotations of stereotypical female clothing.
Characters
As I’ve found through the codes and conventions the characters within the film are stereotypical for the genre of teen rom-coms. Towards the start of the film there is a scene where Cady is told about all of the different social cliques in the school, there are: cool Asians, varsity jocks, burnouts and many others. Point-of-view shots being used during this scene allow the audience to feel as though they are learning about the cliques as Cady does. These stereotypical groups are reinforced through the use of Mise en Scene, specifically though the use of costumes; this helps the audience to identify each social group.
Propp’s theory of certain characters can be applied to this film, for example Cady is portrayed as the heroine as starts to divide the students’ different cliques by breaking and sharing her spring fling crown. An exception to this theory is that Aaron may be considered as the princess since he is Cady’s reward at the end of the film. There are two characters that are represented as the mentors and they are Janice and Damian; they are considered as the mentors because they are the two characters that accept Cady when she first joins the school and help her form a plan to sabotage Regina. The villain of the film is the character of Regina as she wants Aaron to herself and blames Cady for creating the ‘Burn Book’ and posting flyers of it around the high school.
Narrative Structure
The film follows a linear narrative structure with a clear beginning, middle and end. Todorov’s theory can be applied to this film:
Equilibrium: Cady is home-schooled by her parents whilst living in Africa
Disruption: Cady moves to America where she attends public school
Recognition of disruption: Cady realises that no one at her new school like her
Attempt to repair disruption: Janice and Damian befriend Cady and tell her about the different cliques
Disruption: Regina gets together with her ex boyfriend, knowing that Cady likes him
Attempt to repair disruption: Janice makes a plan to destroy Regina
Disruption: Janice, Damian and Cady begin to sabotage Regina in various ways
Recognition of disruption: Regina blames Cady for creating the ‘Burn Book’
Attempt to repair disruption: The school makes the girls do exercises to help trust one another.
Disruption: Regina, in a rage, runs out into the road and gets hit by a bus
Recognition of disruption: Everyone blames Cady for Regina being hit by a bus and ignore her
Attempt to repair disruption: Cady wins mathletes, becomes spring fling queen but shares her crown
Reinstatement of Equilibrium: The girls become equals with one another and Cady goes out with Aaron
Technical Aspects
Mid-shots are used frequently throughout the film to not only show characters costumes/reactions to one another but to also highlight relationships with each character. For example when the characters Aaron and Cady are becoming closer emotionally, a mid-shot would be used in order to show how close they are physically. Similarly this can also be seen when Cady is getting closer to becoming part of “The Plastics”.
Close-ups are used recurrently within the film in order to show a character’s reaction. For instance a close up of Cady is shown when Janice is referring to her changing into one of “The Plastics”, this helps the audience see the finer details of her change. A close-up of a character looking into a mirror, specifically Cady, is used to show the changes she undergoes to become “The Plastics” leader once Regina has left. The mirror symbolises vanity, which is a stereotype associated with teenage girls particularly girls of the ‘preppy’ stereotype.
Straight cuts are used regularly throughout the film in order to create verisimilitude for the audience. This allows the audience to be drawn into the narrative and feel for the characters compared to if the film was continuous.
A Cinderella Story - Opening
00:00 – 01:53
Sound
Non-diegetic sound is heard from the very beginning of the distributor logo’s, the music heard is instrumental which keeps in theme with the fairytale opening. The music increases once a castle is first seen by the audience however there is a voice-over on the top of it speaking the line “Once upon a time”, which also keeps in theme with the fairytale opening. The voice-over is used frequently throughout the clip in order to tell the story of the characters past. The diegetic sound is parallel to what is happening on screen, for instance the noise of cars on the road when the characters are driving.
Editing and Framing
The characters are positioned in the centre of the frame so that the audience’s attention is drawn to them the most. The font of the titles keeps in with the theme and the edits of fade in/out help keep the audience’s attention on the text as well as the background behind the text. The light speed edit from one scene to the other, such as from the batting cage to the diner, help keep up with the voice-over as well as creating continuity so the audience doesn’t become confused.
Camera Shot and Movement
A tracking movement has been used to show the mountains before the castle is seen and it is used to show the father running after his daughter, this movement keeps up with the idea that the voice-over is living her in own fairytale as well as keeping up with the action. Zoom out has been used from the snow globe to the daughter and father to remind the audience that the castle isn’t the actual setting for the narrative, from this a long shot has been used over the city to show the audience the real setting for the narrative. A crane shot is used over the car when the characters are driving to show the audience a closer view of the setting as well as the two characters together. The pan movement has been used to show the diner and its relevance to narrative and characters. This movement is used showing a woman carrying glasses to some children at a birthday party; this could suggest that the female doing the voice-over could be one of the characters at the party reinforcing the relevance and importance of this place to that character.
Mise en Scene
Naturalistic lighting of the sunlight and lamps within the diner create verisimilitude, so the audience feel as though what they are watching is real. The setting is shown through the use of camera shots and movement however the diner could be an important setting for the narrative and possibly a meeting place for the teenagers since it is stereotypical for teenagers to have a meeting place where they get together to gossip. It is hard to distinguish the different stereotypes that will be seen in this film due to the opening being set in the past however the clothes/props/child’s body language and gestures are all explained through the voice-over.
Clueless - Opening
00:00 - 01:00
Sound
The non-diegetic sound in the clip begins from the moment the title sequence appears, although its volume increases once the stars appear on screen around the Paramount logo. The song is appropriate for the genre (teen rom-com) since it is “Kids in America” by Kim Wilde; the song begins to fade once the chorus has been sung however when the female character says the line “normal life for a teenage girl” through the use of a voiceover, the song changes completely. The diegetic sound within the clip is of the characters laughing throughout the various scenarios we see them in since it encodes them to be fun loving characters.
Editing and Framing
Simple edits have been used for the title sequence, for instance the text comes from three directions; bottom, left and right. The certain words leave from the same directions apart from the words that came from the bottom; they leave from the top end of the screen. A lot of jump cuts have been used in order to show the different scenarios however the majority of these scenarios are repeatedly shown throughout the opening. The characters are positioned in either the left hand or right hand side of the screen although the exception is when the female blonde character removes her hair from her face, as she is doing this she is positioned in the centre of the frame.
Camera Shot and Movement
A mid shot has been used of the female blonde character walking with shopping bags however it is also a tracking movement on her, this allows the audience to get a feel for the environment she is in and what sort of character she is based on her clothes. A crane shot is used to show the car travelling underneath it; it also shows the four characters that the audience will expect to be in the film a lot. Handheld camera movements have been used frequently throughout the clip which creates the effect of the characters being unaware that they are being filmed, it is used specifically during the pool scenario and when the characters are sitting on stools. A zoom out has been used to show the girls walking down the corridor which gives the audience a sense of the characters surrounding and clothes to determine what ‘stereotype’ they belong too.
Mise en Scene
Naturalistic lighting is used, such as sunlight, when the characters are outside either in the jeep/shopping/by the swimming pool. Artificial lighting coming from overhead lamps is used when the characters are inside, for instance when the characters are sitting on the stools inside or when the blonde female character is in her bedroom. The characters are seen in a high school in one scenario which is an iconography of a teen rom-com however you get a sense that the characters are rich due them being in a private swimming pool as well as the blonde character having a walk-in wardrobe. Another factor that adds to the characters being rich is through the use of props, the characters are seen driving down the road in a jeep which suggests they are from a wealthy background since jeeps used to be seen as expensive cars. The characters are seen walking down the corridor laughing with one another signifying that they are close and by seeing a character paint her nails by the edge of the pool connotes these characters to be of the ‘preppy’ stereotype.
Sound
The non-diegetic sound in the clip begins from the moment the title sequence appears, although its volume increases once the stars appear on screen around the Paramount logo. The song is appropriate for the genre (teen rom-com) since it is “Kids in America” by Kim Wilde; the song begins to fade once the chorus has been sung however when the female character says the line “normal life for a teenage girl” through the use of a voiceover, the song changes completely. The diegetic sound within the clip is of the characters laughing throughout the various scenarios we see them in since it encodes them to be fun loving characters.
Editing and Framing
Simple edits have been used for the title sequence, for instance the text comes from three directions; bottom, left and right. The certain words leave from the same directions apart from the words that came from the bottom; they leave from the top end of the screen. A lot of jump cuts have been used in order to show the different scenarios however the majority of these scenarios are repeatedly shown throughout the opening. The characters are positioned in either the left hand or right hand side of the screen although the exception is when the female blonde character removes her hair from her face, as she is doing this she is positioned in the centre of the frame.
Camera Shot and Movement
A mid shot has been used of the female blonde character walking with shopping bags however it is also a tracking movement on her, this allows the audience to get a feel for the environment she is in and what sort of character she is based on her clothes. A crane shot is used to show the car travelling underneath it; it also shows the four characters that the audience will expect to be in the film a lot. Handheld camera movements have been used frequently throughout the clip which creates the effect of the characters being unaware that they are being filmed, it is used specifically during the pool scenario and when the characters are sitting on stools. A zoom out has been used to show the girls walking down the corridor which gives the audience a sense of the characters surrounding and clothes to determine what ‘stereotype’ they belong too.
Mise en Scene
Naturalistic lighting is used, such as sunlight, when the characters are outside either in the jeep/shopping/by the swimming pool. Artificial lighting coming from overhead lamps is used when the characters are inside, for instance when the characters are sitting on the stools inside or when the blonde female character is in her bedroom. The characters are seen in a high school in one scenario which is an iconography of a teen rom-com however you get a sense that the characters are rich due them being in a private swimming pool as well as the blonde character having a walk-in wardrobe. Another factor that adds to the characters being rich is through the use of props, the characters are seen driving down the road in a jeep which suggests they are from a wealthy background since jeeps used to be seen as expensive cars. The characters are seen walking down the corridor laughing with one another signifying that they are close and by seeing a character paint her nails by the edge of the pool connotes these characters to be of the ‘preppy’ stereotype.
Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging - Opening
00:00 – 01:55
Sound
The clip is mostly diegetic sound however the little use of non-diegetic sound begins from the moment the Paramount logo has finished, since the music is instrumental it doesn’t overpower the dialogue. The diegetic sound is mostly dialogue between the characters, such as the father and daughter and characters at the fancy dress party. The other use of diegetic sound is when Georgia knocks over the plates and cups from the table, these sounds parallel what is happening in the film world. The line “boys don’t like girls for funniness” encodes these characters to always be after the approval of boys, reinforcing the ideology of women being dependent on men.
Editing and Framing
Straight cuts have been used to show the two characters talking, the daughter and father in the car, to a long shot of the pair. This shows the surrounding and the two characters in order for the audience to get the connection between the pair. Another example of a straight cut is to show the reactions of the other characters once Georgia has entered the party room. The characters are positioned in the centre or the left hand side of the frame, however once the audience see the characters at the party, there are people completely filling up the frame. The titles that are seen fade in and out of the screen as well as being at the bottom of the frame; this allows the audience to focus on what is happening on the screen without being distracted by the titles.
Camera Shot and Movement
A tracking movement has been used to follow the car and character outside of the car down the road, this movement is appropriate to what the characters are talking about. A long shot is then used to show the setting although a road is shown it could indicate that this is where the majority of the film will be set. Mid-shots have been used to show the characters in their costumes as Georgia is walking past and the characters that Georgia is talking too. Close-ups have been used, particularly at the party scene, in order to show the different characters reactions to Georgia’s costume. From this a tilt movement has been used to follow Georgia walking through the room up to her part of the costume where one of the characters hits her with their prop.
Mise en Scene
Naturalistic lighting has been used in order to create verisimilitude, so the audience feel as though what they are watching is real. A lot of Georgia’s reactions are sad due to the characters laughing at her when she enters the room in her olive costume however the olive costume could connote that her character wants to stand out but she realises her mistake once she arrives at the party. It is hard to distinguish the different stereotypes that will be within the film but it is clear who the “villain” of the narrative will be due to her laughing first once Georgia has entered. Although the characters are in costumes, the majority of them are wearing short skirts, low tops or short dresses which are stereotypical of girls wanting to be seen.
Friday 7 January 2011
10 things I hate about you - Opening
00:00 – 01:52
Sound
The little use of diegetic sound within the clip is of a girl shouting “Hey!” to another character who has ripped down a poster; this encodes this character to possibly be academic. The sound of the cars driving and ripping of paper when a female rips the poster parallels what is happening on the screen. The diegetic sound starts from the moment the Touchstone logo appears, the song changes once the female in the red car drives up next to the characters in the blue car. The song change to “Bad Reputation” overpowers the first song playing but it also links with the concept of teenagers being; trouble, troubled or in troubled.
Editing and Framing
The transition from a pencil drawing into the setting of a city has an artistic effect which could imply that one of the characters is artistic therefore the opening reflects them. By having the title fade in and out as well as looking though it is scratched onto a desk, ties in with the idea of the opening reflecting a character. When the characters in the blue car pull up they are situated on the left hand side of the frame whereas when the character in the red car pulls up she is situated on the right hand side, which could symbolise that the two different types of stereotypes do not like each other and do not mix with one another. Jump cuts recur throughout this clip, for instance a cut is used from the female character in the red car to the four characters in the blue car to show a contrast in outfit as well as their reactions to each other. A jump cut has also been used from the two cars to school which could indicate that this setting is going to be seen a lot throughout the film.
Camera Shot and Movement
A crane shot has been used of the two cars at the crossing, showing the difference between the cars which could also connote that the four characters in the blue car are of considerably more wealth than the other character due to them driving a convertible. Another use of the crane shot is at the beginning of the clip showing the surrounding city which allows the audience to get a sense of where the characters are located. Pan movements have been used regularly throughout the clip, for instance a pan is used from the crane shot of the city to the characters in the blue car. This allows the audience to not only see the setting but also see the various characters walking along the street. Another pan movement is of the girl in the red car to the characters in the blue which shows a contrast of their outfits and gestures. Close ups have been used to show the characters reactions to one another as they are next to each other in their cars. Tracking movements have been used to follow the character in all black to poster, which could connote that this character is going to be important for the narrative.
Mise en Scene
The character in the red cars clothes being black could connote that she is of the ‘goth’ stereotype in addition to this the red colour of her car connotes lust and desire, things that generally associated with goth’s. The characters in the blue car are all wearing flowery tops or jumpers which encodes them to be of the ‘preppy’ stereotype also the blue colour of the car is a connotation of purity, the opposite of a ‘goth’. The shot of the high school also shows a variety of stereotypes such ‘jocks’ due to the use of hockey sticks. Naturalistic lighting from the sun creates verisimilitude for the audience, instead of it looking fake therefore taking away the effectiveness of the film.
13 Going on 30 - Opening
00:00 – 02:00
Sound
The non-diegetic sound within the clip starts from the moment the Columbia logo has ended and it begins to fade once the first line of dialogue has been spoken, “move it dorkus”. Once the dialogue has began an instrumental version of the song being played for the opening is in the background, however the volume increases once the female character has said her name. This technique is repeated when the same female character speaks again after the title. The diegetic sound is expected for the situation you first see the characters in, which is of the pupils queuing up to have their picture taken. Another use of diegetic sound if of the photographer telling the female character what to do, the photographer is also pronouncing the female characters name which prompts her to repeatedly correct him, this encodes the teenager to be feeling misunderstood a lot of the time.
Editing and Framing
The edit of fade in is used a lot during the title sequence, along with the text being a pink colour and glitter against the background, the title keeps in theme with the genre of teen rom-com. Dissolves have been used for the actors names as well as the glitter background to the backdrop for the photo shoot, this sets up for the scene about to happen. A fade to black and then to ‘Jenna’s’ photograph creates the effect that it is from the camera that has been used. Another fade to black is after the title for the film has been on screen, the title being this far into the film reminds the viewer of what they are watching. Straight cuts have been used between the photographer and female character as well as when the female character is picking up her photograph, this creates verisimilitude for the audience. By having the titles in the centre of the frame it allows them to grab the audience’s attention and by having the characters in the centre of the frame in addition to them taking up the length of the frame, it directs the audience’s attention to them.
Camera Shot and Movement
A close up shot of the female character when she is picking up her photograph allows the audience to see her reactions to her photo. Zoom in and zoom out’s are used frequently during this opening, for instance a zoom in has been used on the female characters photograph to emphasise to the audience how embarrassing the photo is for her. An example of a zoom out has been used from the female’s face to then showing the rest of the room, this allows the audience to get a feel for the situation/surrounding the character is in. The zoom out then leads into a long shot of the room to show the different types of characters that are queuing for their photograph to be taken, this gives the audience to get a chance to see the different stereotypes within the film. Tracking movements have been used to follow the female character down the hall therefore reinforcing the typical iconography of a teen rom-com.
Mise en Scene
The costume and props that the female character is wearing encodes her to be of the ‘geek’ stereotype, for example the high backpack and braces. The colourful jumpers that the female character is wearing both contain the colour pink; reminding the audience that they are watching a genre of film that is aimed mainly at females. The setting of a high school is what is expected for this genre of film. The lighting within the clip is mostly artificial, either coming from the photography lamps used for taking the pictures or from the lamps overhead in the school corridors. Although there is some natural lighting assuming to be coming from the glass doors that lead into the school.
Wednesday 5 January 2011
Introduction
As a group, we have decided to base our artefact about the genre of teen romantic-comedies (teen rom-coms). In order to create a successful opening, we have researched numerous openings and films that fit into this genre, by doing this it allows us to create an opening that will fit the conventions that this genre holds.
Welcome
Welcome to the world of blogging. Remember to keep it interesting and up to date during your production work.
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