Assignment 9 - Previous Coursework

The coursework that appeared to be effective was, "Bastion of Blood" and "Ends of Deceit".

Bastion of Blood - 49/60 - A

Ends of Deceit - 38/60 - B/C

Bastion of Blood appeared to be effective, because it clearly conveyed the roles of characters throughout its diverse use of shots. Some of the shots used include: aerial, wide and close-ups. Throughout the wide range of shots, (as well as non-diegetic sound (music) - which was used to build up tension for the audience when there was parallel action), the characters were clearly portrayed in a way that was clear for the audience urged to know what happens next. This was enhanced by use of professional props as well as location. For the audience, this appeared to emphasize realism which increases the tension and gives meaning for the audience.

Ends of Deceit is effective and was a different video to the first as it involved a dog as the main subject rather than a person. This caught my attention and was different because it pushes narrative enigma's upon the audience as to who or what is the cause of the death. 

The effectiveness of the end-product is brought upon the theme - innocence and evil. This is a main strength of the video which makes the audience able to feel sympathy as well as become curious to find out more. The high ambient sound used at the end enhances the emotion felt by both the audience and, in the video, the dog. This is effective for the audience as they feel sympathy immediately for the dog which reinforces the theme of innocence (the dog) and evil (the culprit or cause).

Assignment 6: Third movie

The 3rd film i researched was King Kong

What I've learnt:

-Away from safety and comfort increases tension

-Uncharted land is going into the ‘unknown’

-Bringing a big monster is the worst idea

-Big threats can happen and can cause thee loss of life.

Having the roar of king Kong and the woman's face shows that she is scared of ‘whatever’ it is

Showing the busy city first can make the audience at ease.

Showing both the dinosaur and king Kong in the same frame shows the scale of the big monsters compared to a human 

Assignment 6: Second movie

The second movie I researched was cloverfeild.

What have I learnt:

Set in a city with a big population

Shows the people in panic (scared of the monster)

The monster is mysterious because you don’t see it

Showing the statue of liberty's head being thrown shows the size of the monster

Not letting the audience see the monster gives them the creativity to make it up. But also gives the film more tention

Showing all the people running one way shows where the danger is even if it isn’t on screen.Showing all the people running one way shows where the danger is even if it isn’t on

(Research) Assignment 6: First movie

I watched the film Godzilla.

I learnt the following things:

-Set in a city

-Masses of people

-Destruction happens

-A big monster is the protagonist

The woman holding the child shows sympathy towards them however shows the realism of the situation because it affects all ages in the world of the movie.

This shot also shows the threat the monster brings to peoples safety

This shot shows how much destruction the monster has caused.

(Further Research) Assignment 7 - Zombies: Undead #5 - 'Dead Snow'

     I watched the trailer/clips for 'Dead Snow'.

Analysis:

       

       From the trailer and clips, I learnt that:

• An isolated location is chosen to emphasize the focus on the zombies and the group of people.
• Serious tones are used with context - World War II, Hitler, etc.
• The antagonists become increasingly stronger and become out-numbered.
• Gender stereotypes are reinforced - majority of characters are women who are victims.
• Tactical from both sides - narrative enigma as to who will make it out alive.

Gender stereotypes portrayed as conventional

Women portrayed as weaker and as victims a lot of the time.

Well equipped in isolation

However, the zombies outnumber them

Invasion gets increasingly worse - increases tension to the audience and makes them wonder if they will get out alive or find help.

Close-ups used to connote the viciousness of the zombies.

Suggests that they get more violent as they start to fight back and that they are fighting by themselves and protecting themselves solely.

(Further Research) Assignment 7 - Zombies: Undead #4 - 'Zombie Undead'

     I watched the trailer/clips for 'Zombie Undead'. 

Analysis:

       

       From the trailer and clips, I learnt that:

• The team's job to get rid of the zombie invasion and escaping from their increasing numbers.
• Teamwork is an essential part of the film - working together to overcome the problem.
• Canted angles are used to convey uncertainty, tension or difficult times.
• The antagonists increase in numbers and makes it one-sided.
• The audience questions how they will overcome the problem more and more towards the end of the trailer.
• The antagonists usually surround the protagonist/s unexpectedly which make it difficult for them to escape.

Team is called to help remove the problem but can become one-sided when the zombies increase in numbers.

Unexpectedly attacks the protagonists, taking them out one by one - increases tension and raises a narrative enigma as to if they will not find a solution.

Filming from a POV increases the tension for the audience as it positions them in that moment - emphasized by the makeup and screaming (diagetic sound) involved.

Canted angles make the audience feel the tension, uncertainty and makes an uncomfortable atmosphere.

(Further Research) Assignment 7 - Zombies: Undead #3 - Zombieland

     I watched the trailer/clips for 'Zombieland'. 

Analysis:

       

       From the trailer and clips, I learnt that:

• Teamwork is an essential part of the film - working together to overcome the invasion of zombies.
• Humor used in the story to ease the tension of the scenes and to make it less mainstream to other zombie/monster films.
• The antagonists become increasingly stronger and become smarter.
• Gender stereotypes are reinforced - stronger, braver characters are men and less brave, victims are women.
• The antagonists usually surround the protagonist/s and make it difficult for them to escape.

Role of gender suggests that men have a role of bravery while women are seen as love interests.

Chases are made more tense by the blood, makeup and effects on the zombies in the central part of the frame.

Women seen as the victims as they can be perceived as weaker, and therefore an easier target.

(Further Research) Assignment 7 - Zombies: Undead #2 - 'Thriller' (short film)

     I watched the trailer/clips for 'Thriller'. 

Analysis:

       

       From the trailer and clips, I learnt that:

• females are portrayed as weaker, easily scared and an easy target.
• the antagonists become increasingly stronger and become one-sided for the girl.
• The protagonist mannerisms suggests she is easily scared and is an easy target for the antagonists.
• Antagonists get in the way of the two's love - man taken away from the girl
• The antagonists usually surround the protagonists and make it difficult for them to escape, which reinforces the danger and establishes the common atmosphere in this genre.
• The plot revolves around the protagonists trying to get away from the monsters when one of them transforms after saying he's "different". The remaining protagonist attempts to escape from this living nightmare.

Two protagonists are alone and are in the midst of the night

Transformation into a zombie - close-up of the girl conveys her emotional state - mortified. Reinforces the stereotype of women being portrayed as weaker and easily emotional.

More zombies increase the danger to the protagonists

Protagonist is chased by the antagonists - common convention of this genre

Protagonists surrounded by the monsters and has no escape - shows her complete emotional state of confusion and fear.