Finger Smith Assessment

Finger Smith: Sexuality

       From the clip we witness a women struggling to understand and control her passionate feelings for another women. Set in thr early Victorian time period of which condemned these thoughts, the desire for two women or two men to have a relationship was looked down upon.

       In the opening scene we see the two women together one of which complimenting a dress as the second female character holds the dress up, a voice over begins this shows who is the main character in the clip, each scene fades in the transition from one to the other almost as a fantasy/ dream. As the main female character lies next to the second female of which she has feelings for she moves her hand carefully over the perimeter of her body, during the voice over she says “full of meaning” from this we can assume she is beginning to understand her emotions towards the second women. As her  hand moves it trembles this shows a variety of feelings at the particular moment fear, lust and temptation she wants to be with this person but she is prevented. Through these scenes the main female character (the voice over) has worn white gloves on both of her hands these could relate to purity and innocents, also relating towards her social class.

       The camera focuses on the movement of the main females breathing emphasising her emotions growing from every moment with the second female. Quiet sounds such as red paint falling onto her dress is increased showing her fixation on the second women; who is asleep next to a boat, puts herself in her own world away from the cruel reality of life. The splattered paint on her dress represents love, fertility or a sign of approaching danger. In this outside scene the main female continues to wear white emphasising her purity and innocents, string instruments are used in the background relating to the time period.

       We are introduced to a third character in the clip representing the reality of life he manipulates the main female character as he realises she has feelings for the second female character. He stares intensely at the main female painting as he approaches and tries to make physical contact with her she flinches showing signs of fear, he explains he will be leaving, their time together almost to an end the main female continues to focus on her painting unresponsive to his frustration.

      Non digetic music builds as the main female character stares at the second female still in position for the painting, she tells the male character to wake her so she does not burn in the sun but he refuses showing a dominant male figure, the theme of sexuality is clearly shown as the man is a dominant position in the gender ratio.

       The male character begins to understand she has feelings for the second female he approaches the main female again, she removes her white apron and begins to move towards her friend but is  soon prevented by the male character quickly grabbing her by the waist and covering her mouth, this shows an aggressive side to the man. The diegetic music is stopped as the man has her pinned against a tree.

       As he speaks about their plan (love) needing to appear realistic the man uses words to attack her, almost raping her as she is prevented from moving or responding he threatens her “she’d laugh in your face if she knew” shows he she has feelings towards another women and he twists the emotion and uses almost like a knife to punish her. She agrees to marry him this is due to this attack on her emotions, he leans towards her for a  kiss but she flinches this shows she does not agree with the common sexual partnership. He removes her glove taking away her innocents

       Overall I believe this clip strongly represents the sexual desires towards the opposite sex. With the use of slow fades and transitions to emphasise her emotions which the audience are able to see.

Discuss the ways in which media products are produced and distributed to audiences, within a media area you have studied.

      Media products such as film are usually advertised through a variety of forms used in media to attract more of the target audience also the use of contracts with other businesses such as fast food restaurants help advertise films e.g. collectable characters from a certain meal deal. With the release of ‘The Dark Knight’ Burger King released Batman related accessories with children’s meals this helped the spreading of word for the film, this idea also helped include the younger generation who could not see the film due to the age certificate.
     Another way to attract the audience to a film is the use of sell lines or quotes from the film which are meaningful such as the Joker in ‘The Dark Knight’ “let’s put a smile on that face” and the most recognisable “why so serious?” this helps relate the film to the audience as from a psychological point of view when the phrase “why so serious?” majority of the population would think of the Joker or think of the film.
     During the distribution of the film three trailers were released a teaser trailer which shows the build up to the main symbol for Batman with the most recognised voices from Bruse Wayne and Alfred, a main trailer which shows the confrontation between good and evil (Batman and Joker) by showing the audience the high technical gadgets at the hero's disposal improves the film and the development of the character from the previous film 'Batman Begins' which was a foundation to the franchise. During the trailers the audience are introduced to the most common villain from the comic book series, the Joker, he is described as only carrying lint and knives in his pockets and clothes being custom made showing he has no identity and this supports the theme of him being an outcast from society same with Batman. The film’s title doesn't include 'Batman' unlike the first film this shows how he is not the main focus but Harvey Dent being a white knight who has fallen to a dark knight. When releasing the full trailer distributors projected a large Batman symbol on a skyscraper, fans followed the sign just how Batman follows in the films with this a large crowd was gathered in time to witness the full trailer.
     The 'Dark Knight' made a profit of $67 million on the first premiere this over pasted the record set by 'Spiderman 3' with %59 million. However there was a debate on the age certificate for the film as reviews mentioned the film not suitable for children at the age of 12, parents also agreed this age should of been increased due to the psychotic nature of the Joker and his obsession with knives and terrorist schemes.

Media Mock Paper: Section B

Media Mock

Section B: Institutions & Audiences

     British film productions such as Pinewood Studios which opened their doors in 1936 Pinewood Studios was made to compete with Hollywood. This British film studio brought forth many memorable films such as ‘James Bond’ which are still being created today at the same studio. While such Hollywood films such as ‘Sherlock Holmes a Game of Shadows’ which has the support from large Hollywood producer Warner Brothers. Warner Brother’s studios was founded in 1918 and have produced such films as ‘Ocean’s Eleven’,’ Sherlock Holmes’ and ‘Harry Potter’.

     Patterns of production is crucial in the film industry production is the start producers think of an idea for a film this also includes the construction of a script and ways to fund the film, with American films e.g. ‘Sherlock Holmes’ the produces need to decide the best time to release the film this is broken down to holidays to which the public have more time off.

     Distribution focuses on the first moving image to which the public will see the distributor must use different forms of advertisement e.g. poster, trailers, billboards, radio, cinema or bus stops there will cover public areas which will heighten the attention of the public. The trailer is the strongest part as it is the first moving image to the public, there is a use of four types of trailers; a teaser trailer around a minute and a half it’s a short sample of an upcoming film would included the name of a recognisable actor/actress so the audience can be persuaded more to watch it. The main trailer uses more scenes of the key parts of a film there is a longer duration roughly around two-three minutes these would be shown in cinemas and be placed online. Short main trailer similar to the main trailer but there is a short duration usually for previews on television. Films in a foreign language films with subtitles are used as the distributor doesn’t want the audience to be put off. To create awareness of a certain film research is done by a group of participants around the age group of the target audience would be shown part of the film so the distributors would get feedback also this will allow the first word to be spread to the public this would add to the news of the film. In opening night the next three days are tracked to see where the film stands in comparison to other films on the market.

     Exhibition a survey showed that 2007 had the highest cinema figures in 40 years. This can be due to the location of the cinema and the service provided, a negative service can make the customer refuse to return to that cinema. Also most cinemas have adapted their facilities due to the rise of new technology such as 3D.

     However piracy is a large problem in the film industry. Around 77.75 million pirate DVDs are sold this takes money away from independent films however only slightly affects largely budgeted films.

     ‘Sherlock Holmes’ had a large budget some of that money was put towards posters and trailers which were effective in tempting the public. The many forms of media used to gain the publics interest the English character is mainly advertised at bus stops and on buses this adds to the films location and peaks the audiences interest as it is set in their location so the scenes are recognisable. This brings a positive effect on the distribution of the film however some methods of advertisement may be unnoticed such as advertising in newspapers, there is a significant increase to the public using internet rather than newspapers on the other hand it allows the producer to cover a large number of the population.

     Independent films such as ‘The King’s Speech’ are also successful in the film industry with a lower budget compared to ‘Sherlock Holmes a Game of Shadows’. ‘The Kings Speech’ won several awards this shows the strong point of independent films.

Gender Mock

Moving Image Analysis “Gender”

      The scene is set as a young blonde women enters a dress store, we can see by her clothing she is from a high class. The camera pans and reveals a business dressed man and a customer in a bright red coat, the colour of which can represent she is a target or a victim, the women is clearly out of place in the store as the prices are too high she mentions she is looking for a dress for her “daughter’s wedding” this is a sign of sympathy as she hopes the shop owner could make a different price. The use of sympathy shows how the women (in the red coat) feels she has less control being the customer, the shop owner does not take any notice for her reason only “a little out of your price range is it?” this shows he is experienced many customers and does not want to make this customer welcome as she is not at the same class as him or the price.
      She leaves the store, the shop owner turns and he is attracted by the size of a ring on the blonde women’s finger, his mood changes to a welcoming one, the blonde character’s smart clothing proves she is at a high class. The large size of the ring could represent wealth and power the woman becomes the powerful character in this scene. Her confident attitude shows as the camera pans up to show her beauty and rich, powerful image. So far only two women have been in the store and one man (the shop owner) this supports the gender theme of women shopping but the shop owner is the only man in the store this makes him stand out more as he goes against the male stereotype.
     The scene changes’, editing has been done to make each scene change at a fast pace this relates to the show’s title “Hustle”, that a plan has to flow quickly and smoothly. We see two male characters talking in what appears to be a gents club; they have a drink, a very smart social able scene which shows the business side to their male characters.
     We return to the blonde women and the shop owner, the camera pans upwards as she wears a dress as she ponders over the price of the fashionable dress she twists her large ring this represents her partner and shows he is involved in the decision even though he is nowhere to be seen. She agrees with the price of the dress, the shop owner begins to wrap up the dress when the women notices her ring is not on her finger, she panics saying her husband got the ring made and that “he will kill me” this shows the level of power of her husband and this makes the theme stand out more. Also shows how the material position, the ring is precious to a women and when gone becomes an over exaggerated response. This time the shop owner shows concern as he offers to help find the missing ring, the background music is louder with the use of trumpets to give a comical situation as the women runs around the store, also to show an out of control moment. The calm nature of the women changes as we see her panic this could represent with no ring she has now power as the shop owner makes a suggestion this is the first moment where the women stops and listens to another person’s view. The music stops with the sound of a needle being scratched off the record this represents her coming back into reality but without the ring. The women uses wealth to get the ring back, offering a high amount of money to whoever finds it, she leaves the store to go to a hair appointment she also wants her dress to be ready for her to pick up this suggests she is more concerned about her appearance and belongings  than her money.
     A new male character enters the store he breaks the stereotype with his reason of getting a dress for his “birds” birthday however this suggest he is also from a higher class as he knows about fashionable dresses whereas that would be most common in women. He pretends to find the ring a high pitch sound is used to tell the audience what he has also the high pitched sound is mainly used when someone has an idea, this also relates to the main title. The shop owner is interested in receiving the ring so he can claim the reward from the blond women but the new male character also knows the size of the ring must mean a rich person and he becomes interested in a reward. The two characters debate over the ring the shop owner using his authority as the ring was in his store however the male character doesn’t back down and leaves his card with the shop owner. The owner is now caught between two characters both different genders which relates to the theme, as the male character turns to walk away he counts down until the shop owner surrenders to him the camera zooms in on the male characters face, this shows like the blonde character he also knows what is happening but the audience doesn’t.  The clip ends with the male character meeting with a female character he brings a handful of money out of his pocket the women is pleased but does not show much expression this suggests she expected him to arrive with money this could relate to how men always got money from their jobs.

What Is Wrong With The British Film Industry? (Assessment)

What Is Wrong With The British Film Industry?

     

     With the independent research I have done since September I believe the British Film Industry have little flaws as their films are achieving in the popular industry. Films such as Slumdog Millionaire claimed eight awards, compared with the high budgeted Hollywood films. The British Film Industry now struggles with the amount of technology that is on offer, there is a low budget given to independent films so not enough money can be put towards special effects and celebrity actors/actresses. The movie James Bond is an independent film and includes a new British actor Daniel Craig, plans for a new film was going to be added to its history in 2011 but due to low funds the crew are having to postpone this film and is estimated to be showed in autumn 2012. Today the public are more interested in Hollywood films than independent ones from a psychological point of view; we are exposed to Hollywood films from a young age so we have high expectations from films. From these reasons there are more Hollywood films on show in British cinemas than British films.

     Even in British films there are no British actors/actresses also low advertising is done to show these films, I believe if more money is funded into independent films then there can be more of an awareness for them, this can help increase the profit. Also most British films have the same/similar story and plot with the same ending, majority of films are based around the teenage life and subjects of life e.g. drinking, drugs, gangs and dropping out of school. This can be a way of the British Film Industry aiming their movies at a new audience, the younger generation.

     On the other hand British Films have a lot of competition, most Hollywood films are creating 3D movies this is done to bring the audience closer to all the action in the films, the special feature also creates depth and realism in the film. The independent films are still surviving in the tough economy.

     The independent films have a lot to offer as most are an ordinary person’s idea brought to life; I believe more British films should be made as it is coming from the audience. Overall I support the British Film Industry as it has achieved so much in our new world of technology.

Film Industry

Media Studies Film Production on Prezi

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