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10/12/2012
Mr Molloy's Group
Two tasks were due today: the Juno opening and the 9-frame analysis of the Seven opening. George managed to do a good job on the Seven analysis - no one else has posted either task. Leena, your last post was over a month ago. What's going on?
08/12/2012
AS Treatments - Very well done to you all!
I have been so impressed with the level of thinking and planning.
Here are the videos: (embed your respective vid into your blog)
07/12/2012
Thriller Generic Conventions
Thriller conventions ( with thanks, to Longroadmedia who posted this
originally on their blog.)
Obviously, many thrillers these days are hybrids ie. they draw from more than 1 set of conventions. However, it is still possible to create a list of thriller conventions. Consider the list below in your analysis and technical construction of a thriller:
Thriller Generic Characteristics
The narrative centres around a crime eg. a theft or a murder.
The protagonist is fallible and has an 'Achilles heel' that is exploited by the antagonist.
The title of the thriller may relate to this weakness eg Vertigo and Insomnia.
The protagonist will be seen 'in peril' in one or more scenes before the resolution.
The antagonist ensnares the protagonist in an increasingly complex web, until the protagonist feels isolated and helpless.
The narrative presents ordinary situations in which extraordinary things happen.
Micro elements combine in a build up of suspense. ( Micro means film elements like camerawork, sound, narrative, genre, mise-en-scene, lighting, costumes, actors and facial expressions, etc.)
Themes of identity are common: mistaken identity, doubling/doppelgangers, amnesia.
Themes of seeing, reflection and mirroring. Manipulation of perspectives, visual McGuffins, and optical illusions are common.
The audience of a thriller is placed in the ambiguous position of voyeur. Voyeurism can also be a theme and the objectification of female characters is common especially in earlier thrillers.
A series of/ one important enigma(s) are/is set up in the opening sequence of the film, is further complicated during the first part of the film and only resolved at the very end.
Obviously, many thrillers these days are hybrids ie. they draw from more than 1 set of conventions. However, it is still possible to create a list of thriller conventions. Consider the list below in your analysis and technical construction of a thriller:
Thriller Generic Characteristics
The narrative centres around a crime eg. a theft or a murder.
The protagonist is fallible and has an 'Achilles heel' that is exploited by the antagonist.
The title of the thriller may relate to this weakness eg Vertigo and Insomnia.
The protagonist will be seen 'in peril' in one or more scenes before the resolution.
The antagonist ensnares the protagonist in an increasingly complex web, until the protagonist feels isolated and helpless.
The narrative presents ordinary situations in which extraordinary things happen.
Micro elements combine in a build up of suspense. ( Micro means film elements like camerawork, sound, narrative, genre, mise-en-scene, lighting, costumes, actors and facial expressions, etc.)
Themes of identity are common: mistaken identity, doubling/doppelgangers, amnesia.
Themes of seeing, reflection and mirroring. Manipulation of perspectives, visual McGuffins, and optical illusions are common.
The audience of a thriller is placed in the ambiguous position of voyeur. Voyeurism can also be a theme and the objectification of female characters is common especially in earlier thrillers.
A series of/ one important enigma(s) are/is set up in the opening sequence of the film, is further complicated during the first part of the film and only resolved at the very end.
29/11/2012
Narrative 1 - Independent Study for week beginning 3/12/12
1. Find out about Vlamidir Propp's CHARACTER ROLES (some help below). Make some notes on your blog and try to apply the theory to a film you know well, giving a brief explanation for each character.
Vladimir Propp developed a character theory for studying media texts and productions, which indicates that there were 7 main character:
The villain (struggles against the hero)
The donor (prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object)
The (magical) helper (helps the hero in the quest)
The princess (person the hero marries, often sought for during the narrative) [NOT NECESSARILTY A LITERAL PRINCESS]
Her father ( who rewards the hero)
The dispatcher (character who makes the lack known and sends the hero off)
The hero (or victim/seeker), reacts to the donor, weds the princess
The false hero or usurper or anti-hero
2 Read the article I distributed. You will also find it really useful as it focuses on the role of the HERO in films. It will take you at least 2 or 3 readings. Make notes of what you've leanrt and questions about what you don't understand (if anything).
3. Peer-assess the other group's video on Narrative (embedded below) + embed your own into your blog. Make sure to point out What Went Well and Even Better If. Be as specific as possible in you EBI please. Refer to theory and/or Terminology that might be missing or might lack clarity. This is an important way in which we assess your learning.
NOTE: Lisha and Priyesh did not quite finish theirs. Leena's voice disappears for a bit (be careful not to block the microphone in future)
Vladimir Propp developed a character theory for studying media texts and productions, which indicates that there were 7 main character:
The villain (struggles against the hero)
The donor (prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object)
The (magical) helper (helps the hero in the quest)
The princess (person the hero marries, often sought for during the narrative) [NOT NECESSARILTY A LITERAL PRINCESS]
Her father ( who rewards the hero)
The dispatcher (character who makes the lack known and sends the hero off)
The hero (or victim/seeker), reacts to the donor, weds the princess
The false hero or usurper or anti-hero
2 Read the article I distributed. You will also find it really useful as it focuses on the role of the HERO in films. It will take you at least 2 or 3 readings. Make notes of what you've leanrt and questions about what you don't understand (if anything).
3. Peer-assess the other group's video on Narrative (embedded below) + embed your own into your blog. Make sure to point out What Went Well and Even Better If. Be as specific as possible in you EBI please. Refer to theory and/or Terminology that might be missing or might lack clarity. This is an important way in which we assess your learning.
NOTE: Lisha and Priyesh did not quite finish theirs. Leena's voice disappears for a bit (be careful not to block the microphone in future)
Work for Mr Molloy's group - due Monday 10th December
1. Finish and upload your Juno recreation.
2. Complete a 9-frame analysis of the opening of Seven. Pick 9 interesting frames from the opening.
Discuss each one with reference to camera shots, mise-en-scene, and titles thinking about what the different elements of each shot might signify and trying to relate each shot to the conventions of the thriller genre. (This might mean you need to do some more research into the thriller genre.)
2. Complete a 9-frame analysis of the opening of Seven. Pick 9 interesting frames from the opening.
Discuss each one with reference to camera shots, mise-en-scene, and titles thinking about what the different elements of each shot might signify and trying to relate each shot to the conventions of the thriller genre. (This might mean you need to do some more research into the thriller genre.)
22/11/2012
Work for Walker/O'Shea's group - Foley artists
Have a look here
Using the link above write a blog post about your understanding of Foley artists and adding sound during post production.
Try to answer the following questions:
-What/who are Foley artists? Why are they necessary?
-Give 5 examples of ways that Foley artists re-create diegetic sound
-Evaluate and comment on your own use of creating Foley-esque sounds.
What was easy/difficult? Why? What did you do to create the sound/why did you have to do this?
How might knowledge of Foley sounds be implemented into your thriller openings?
Please complete this by Monday and then we can upload your examples during the lesson.
Using the link above write a blog post about your understanding of Foley artists and adding sound during post production.
Try to answer the following questions:
-What/who are Foley artists? Why are they necessary?
-Give 5 examples of ways that Foley artists re-create diegetic sound
-Evaluate and comment on your own use of creating Foley-esque sounds.
What was easy/difficult? Why? What did you do to create the sound/why did you have to do this?
How might knowledge of Foley sounds be implemented into your thriller openings?
 |
| Some of the early 'Foley' artists at work. |
Please complete this by Monday and then we can upload your examples during the lesson.
18/11/2012
Independent study/ Home learning
Please make sure you catch up with everything and evaluate / assess your videos on Genre.
You also need to make use of the PPTs on Genre, particularly on Thriller Subgenres.
Complete lesson notes, upload to blog.
Continue your research on Thriller Conventions and add to your notes.
Watch Thrillers, at least the openings, making use of The Art of The Title website. Start screen-grabbing interesting ideas / camerawork etc.
You need to start thinking about your project...
PS: Reminder - Add labels to your post and a Labels List gadget.
Redraft and improve your work as you go.
You also need to make use of the PPTs on Genre, particularly on Thriller Subgenres.
Complete lesson notes, upload to blog.
Continue your research on Thriller Conventions and add to your notes.
Watch Thrillers, at least the openings, making use of The Art of The Title website. Start screen-grabbing interesting ideas / camerawork etc.
You need to start thinking about your project...
PS: Reminder - Add labels to your post and a Labels List gadget.
Redraft and improve your work as you go.
12/11/2012
Film Poster cliches
Genre films often rely on fairly typical film posters for their promotion.
Want to see?
Here are some examples: (Click on the picture to take you to many more examples or go click here for a slightly different gallery)
Want to see?
Here are some examples: (Click on the picture to take you to many more examples or go click here for a slightly different gallery)
A
Investigating generic conventions
You will be completing NICCS grids on Blade Runner, The Bourne Identity and one other trailer from the list below.
Generic Conventions AS task
Secondly, you should post your class notes on Genre. Why did you learn? What are the debates around genre? What is the importance of star association with a genre? What can we look for to identify a genre?
What about the triangular relationship?
You could write some bullet points to sum up your responses.
Generic Conventions AS task
Secondly, you should post your class notes on Genre. Why did you learn? What are the debates around genre? What is the importance of star association with a genre? What can we look for to identify a genre?
What about the triangular relationship?
You could write some bullet points to sum up your responses.
09/11/2012
Home Learning: Update and Redraft (due in week starting 12.11.12)
As you know, your blog is the record of your work - that is what we are marking for Research and Planning (up to 20 marks).
It is therefore natural that you would want to redraft and improve your work. Please feel free to do so. Use the advice given and the targets set. Ask, email, tweet me if in doubt.
Some of you need to spend time completing or improving the analysis of two thriller openings. Some of you need to complete or REDRAFT the Thriller moodboard so that it shows your understanding of the generic conventions.
ADDITIONALLY, START FOCUSING ON A SPECIFIC THRILLER SUBGENRE THAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN AS BASIC RESEARCH TO INFORM YOUR OWN FILM OPENING. This could include a list of films, screengrabs, research into typical narrative and characters, film posters for that subgenre etc... Be imaginative and creative. You could use Prezi to put this together.
FINALLY, don't forget to upload your work on film opening titles (timeline).
It is therefore natural that you would want to redraft and improve your work. Please feel free to do so. Use the advice given and the targets set. Ask, email, tweet me if in doubt.
Some of you need to spend time completing or improving the analysis of two thriller openings. Some of you need to complete or REDRAFT the Thriller moodboard so that it shows your understanding of the generic conventions.
ADDITIONALLY, START FOCUSING ON A SPECIFIC THRILLER SUBGENRE THAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN AS BASIC RESEARCH TO INFORM YOUR OWN FILM OPENING. This could include a list of films, screengrabs, research into typical narrative and characters, film posters for that subgenre etc... Be imaginative and creative. You could use Prezi to put this together.
FINALLY, don't forget to upload your work on film opening titles (timeline).
Home Learning Task: Self- and Peer-assessment on classwork (due in week starting 12.11.12)
Here are the different outcomes you have produced so far.
Please watch your group's work again, embed the video(s) into your own blog and bullet point:
- What Went Well
- What could be improved/clarified
- What is missing.
I would encourage you to watch other groups' work and assess them in the same way. And remember it was only the first lesson on Genre. You will become more fluent with the terminology!
Leena, Lisha, Priyesh:
Romina, Roshni, Andrew:
And:
Nikki, Kelly:
Please watch your group's work again, embed the video(s) into your own blog and bullet point:
- What Went Well
- What could be improved/clarified
- What is missing.
I would encourage you to watch other groups' work and assess them in the same way. And remember it was only the first lesson on Genre. You will become more fluent with the terminology!
Leena, Lisha, Priyesh:
Romina, Roshni, Andrew:
And:
Nikki, Kelly:
Coursework Research: Genre and Genre Theory (independent study - due in week starting 12.11.12)
Here is a selection of useful PPTs to help you with this key media concept.
Read them to consolidate your understanding, including the different ways in which Thriller sub-genres are categorised.
Make sure you start with the first two - focus on Charles Derry's way to categorise thrillers.
By the end, you should have an excellent grasp of thriller subgenres and their generic conventions.
Read them to consolidate your understanding, including the different ways in which Thriller sub-genres are categorised.
Make sure you start with the first two - focus on Charles Derry's way to categorise thrillers.
By the end, you should have an excellent grasp of thriller subgenres and their generic conventions.
Genre theory from HeworthMedia
Genre Theory from MissMoore866
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