Learner Response

WWW: You pick out some good aspects from the production and your assessment of the strengths and weaknesses is pretty honest and accurate.

EBI: However, you haven’t completed the task – there are only 400 words here and 500 was the absolute minimum. Written English is poor in places – I don’t think you have proof-read this work and overall this lack of attention to detail is extremely disappointing. In fact, I’m starting to become quite worried you will underachieve in Media – this is way below what we expect and your Film Language assessment was an E grade. A pattern is developing that you need to actively address – if you want a good grade in Media you need to change the way you work and do it quickly. For this evaluation, you write a lot about the process but don’t analyse the production as a media text. For the real evaluation in March you must consider the impact on audience and deconstruct the aspects of film language in detail.

LR: 

• I will need to re-read over my work.
• Make sure what I talk about is more detailed, e.g, the different aspects of film language.
• I need to consider the impact of the audiences.
• Instead of writing about the process, I need to analyse the production as a media text. 

Arthouse Film Institution Research

Production: Independent film studios

1. 

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind - This film was produced by 'Focus Features'. It had a budget of $20 million and grossed over $70 million worldwide.
Donnie Darko - This was produced by 'Flower Films' it had a budget of $3.8 million and made $7.6 million.

Boyhood - The producer of this film was 'IFC Productions'.  The film's distributor, committed to a film budget of US$200,000 per year, or $2.4 million over the 12-year shooting period. 

Babadook - The production company of this film was 'Causeway Films' and it was distributed by 'Entertainment One IFC Films Icon Productions'. The budget for this film was $2 million.

Oculus - The company that produced this film was 'Blumhouse Productions' and the budget for this film was $5 million.

2.

Focus Features – Fifty Shades Of Grey, Promised Land, Brokeback Mountain.

IFC Productions - My Big Fat Greek Wedding, Land of Plenty, The Other Woman.

Causeway Films – Babadook.  

Blumhouse Productions – Paranormal Activity, The Purge, Insidious.

3. 

• Focus Features – Focus' most successful release in North America to date is Brokeback Mountain (2005), which earned $83,043,761 at the North American box office. Focus' most successful international release is Burn After Reading (2008), which earned $161,128,228 in gross revenue. 
• IFC Productions - IFC have produced many successful movies. President of IFC Entertainment Jonathan Sehring said: “Many of our most successful VOD titles are those that might fall under the Midnight label – not just films that are straight up horror, erotic arthouse or genre films but also ones that shock audiences, push boundaries and stir up controversy. 
• Causeway Films  - Causeway's most successful film was the psychological thriller 'The Babadook' 
• Blumhouse Productions – Blumhouse Productions have many successful low budget films, the main ones include Paranormal Activity, The Purge, Insidious and many more horror films. 

Existing Product Research

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

This scene is quite unusual, as we think the man is actually talking to someone, but at the end it's revealed that nobody is actually there. He may of lost the woman in some sort of way and is missing her, and therefore is hallucinating to think that she is actually there. Even though, he's engaged/soon to be married, he still seems to want her. She seems a bit mysterious as she says, 'too many guys think I'm a concept or I complete them or I'm going to make them alive'. Which may suggest she's been in a lot relationships. Furthermore, he must really like her because he said "I thought you were gonna save my life". 
The camera work in this scene is unusual, as it's handheld throughout the whole scene. This would intrigue the audience more, as they would feel more intrigued/more involved with what's happening. The scene starts off with a close-up and then slowly goes into a medium shot. The director may of done this to show the intimacy of both characters and then as they start talking it fades out into long shots. However, there are still some close-ups throughout the scene. For example, when she's touching his shoulders and the camera goes behind the bookshelf. It helps convey the intimacy of them. The editing of this scene is quite straightforward and I think the director did this to help us keep up with what's actually happening between both characters and not to be distracted with the editing.
 Furthermore, the actor isn't dressed very well, he looks quite scruffy, which may suggest he is going through a rough time without her. The actress seems quite distracted with the work she's doing and she's constantly walking around. However, the actor seems to always have his eyes on her and follows her to wherever she's going. In addition, there's no non-diegetic music in the background and this helps create a more serious atmosphere to the scene. 
Finally, I think the target audience for this film would be a 15, because it seems quite intimate and there was some swearing in it. 

Donnie Darko

In this scene I can tell the male actor is at some sort of therapy session. The jump-cut to the flashback in the beginning may suggest that he at therapy because of the girl he was on the trampoline with. Other than the one jump-cut, there is only straight cuts from the boy to the therapist. The pace of the cuts is neither fast or slow, and this helps the audience keep up with whatever the boy and the therapist are discussing. Also, the fact that it isn't very fast paced emphasises the emotions of the boy.There is also juxtaposition due to the continuous use of the eye-line match of both characters looking at each other. The lighting in this scene is very dim, and this helps create a sombre/depressing theme. Furthermore, the male actors body language and facial expressions help show the audience that he may be depressed, as he isn't sat up right or smiling. In addition, as both characters are talking, the camera slowly zooms in and goes into a close-up.I think the director may of done this because as the camera zooms in, the conversation also gets deeper. Right at the beginning, there is a birds-eye-view shot of the boy and girl on the trampoline, and there is non-diegetic music being played. This carries on as they are initially talking in the beginning, but as the conversation deepens and becomes more serious, it fades out and then there is no more music. I think this film would be targeted for a teenage audience and for people who enjoy psychologically based films.

Boyhood

This clip starts off with an establishing shot and then the camera movement is panning down to a birds-eye-view shot of the car. There is then a tracking shot of the car which then goes into a medium shot of the guy in the car. To start of this scene there is non-diegetic music. As he's in the car there's POV shot of him looking out into the road. There are also a couple of straight cuts from a shot of him in the car, to a shot of the car driving, which may of been taken using a crane. The pace of the cuts aren't very quick, which sets a slow pace for the rest of the scene, Also, the non-diegetic music is quite slow and peaceful.  Furthermore, as he's driving there's a crane following the car and there's continuous long shots of the car. There is then a long shot of the actor filling up his car which cuts into into a medium shot. In addition, there is another POV shot as he takes pictures. Also, as he's taking the picture there's a couple of medium shots of him. There's another establishing shot as he arrives at the school which turns into panning shot as he pulls up. The male actor looks quite scruffy due to what he's wearing and his hair looks quite messy too, which may suggest he's been on the road for quite sometime. I think this film would be targeted at teenagers, mainly 15 and above. 

Babadook

This scene starts off with a long shot of the actress walking into the room, it then goes gradually goes into a medium shot as she slowly walks down the steps with the camera following her. As she gets closer to the male, she gets closer to the camera, and this turns into a close-up of her. There is then another medium shot of both characters hugging. Furthermore, as soon as the male character says "You just need to bring me the boy" the actress instantly retreats away from him and the camera slowly follows her. Also, as soon as this happens the lighting automatically fades and cuts into a medium shot of the male actor and she runs into the darkness, there isn't a lot of lighting throughout the rest of this scene and I think the director may of done this as it helps create a more sinister atmosphere. Throughout the scene there are mostly just straight-cuts, which aren't too fast or too slow, which keeps us intrigued as we don't know whats going to happen next due to the uneven pace of the cuts. The beginning of this scene starts off quite slow, however, once she realises that the male actor has been possessed by the demon, the pace begins to pick up and get more sinister. There is both non-diegetic and diegetic music in this scene. There is an example of non-diegetic music when the actress is crawling along the floor and we can hear drums in the background, the director may of done this to create suspense. In contrast, we can also hear diegetic sounds in this scene. An example of this is when she runs up from the basement and the lights begin to flicker and burst. We can also hear the sinister buzzing when the demon is near. Furthermore, there is a tracking shot when the actress is on the floor crawling and this is taken in a medium shot. There is then a close-up of the actress right at the end, which then turns into an extreme close-up of her eye. There is then a sound bridge when there's a woman screaming the next shot is of the TV. 

I think this film would be targeted at teenagers, 15 and above. 

Oculus

This scene starts off with a medium close-up of the male actor, with a diegetic alarm going off in the background. However, as this alarm starts to fade out there is a long shot of him sitting on the floor. The next scene is of the girl, and this also starts off with a medium shot. Throughout this scene, there are multiple long shots and medium shots. Furthermore, when the young girl see's her mum through the mirror, there is non-diegetic music being played and this carries on until the male actor presses the button to release the weapon, and the music cuts off instantly. A low sombre piece of non-diegetic music starts up again once he realises what he has done. There is then a POV shot as he looks into the mirror and see's the girl dying. In this moment there is a close-up  of both characters, and I think the director may of done this in this specific moment as it captures the audience more as we see more emotion from both characters. In addition, during this scene, there are multiple jump cuts to flashbacks of both characters when they were younger. This is continuous throughout the whole scene. There is then an extreme close-up of the guy once the girl dies, and in this moment there is both diegetic and non-diegetic music being played, the diegetic sound being the police sirens, we know this sound is diegetic as we can see the flashing lights from the police car. Right until the end, there are flashbacks to when both characters were kids and along with this there is non-diegetic music being played, the music chosen throughout this scene is parallel to this scene as it's quite sombre and sinister. I think this film would be targeted at an teenage audience as it doesn't really seem suitable for young kids, as there's some gory parts, and I don't think an older audience would really enjoy a horror film like this. Also, in terms of a gender based audience, I think it would be balanced.

Preliminary Production Evaluation

Our preliminary exercise went well, as it fit all the requirements of the brief. It included dialogue, match on action shots and POV shots. The script was included and very easy  to follow. We also did an over the shoulder shot, however, it wasn't shot very well as there was a lot of dead space. The narrative was very easy to follow and understand. Also, the editing of the shots were all edited well together. We used different angles and shots which made the scene look more appealing and a bit more professional. The dialogue itself was very easy to hear,however, it wasn't very professional and it could've been a bit more detailed to make the scene seem more natural and flow better. The music chosen was parallel to the scene which also helped created drama and tension. The choice of music made the scene seem a bit more comical and not so serious. The use of the music in the beginning made the scene flow more, whereas if there was no music, it would look a bit weird. 

 Nonetheless, there were some mistakes in our preliminary exercise. For example, as me and Aliza were talking there was a slight humming noise which was quite off putting. Some of the cuts looked odd and it didn't flow as well, some of the shots and dialogue could've been longer. Also, as mentioned before, the over the shoulder shot didn't really work either. Due to these mistakes, we would have to do more planning and try a few more shots as this exercise wasn't planned very well. Also, the dialogue wasn't detailed as well and therefore, didn't look professional/natural. 

 Furthermore, as Aliza left the room to end the scene there was no music in the background and which looked a bit odd, as there was music in the beginning and to finish it off, there wasn't. Through the character of Aliza and the dialogue we can tell she's quite 'bitchy' and confident, as she sits up confidentially and is seen as intimidating. In contrast to the way I'm sitting, huddled up and not so confident. The acting could've been better to make the production seem more natural and professional. Overall, we managed to meet the majority of the requirements, even though there were some mistakes. There were some good shots, the dialogue was clear and easy to listen to and the narrative was simple and easy to follow.     

Preliminary Exercise - Planning

Location: School D Block
Sequence of events:

• Girl walking up the stairs 
• Girl opening door 
• Girl going through the door 
• Girl going into classroom
• Girl sitting down opposite another girl 
• Other girl starts talking 
• Conversation between two girls 
• Girl stands up and walks away 

Actresses: TBC 

Script: 

Girl walks up the stairs and opens the door. She enters the classroom 

and sits opposite her friend

Girl 1: I was expecting to see you here

Girl 2: Were you now? 

Girl 1: I need to talk to you

Girl 2: Go on I'm listening (fiddling with nails)

Girl 1: I saw you the other day with Sandra. So I never knew you liked that girl, when did you become friends ey?

Girl 2: I swear it's not like that. It's not what it seems

Girl 1: K (rolls eyes and gets up and walks away)

Shot List: 

• Close up of feet walking up the stairs 
• Medium shot of her walking 
• Medium shot of her back 
• Medium shot opening the door 
• Close up of her hand as she opens the door (match on action)
• Long shot of her walking through the door 
• Medium shot of her back 
• POV shot of her looking at her friend in the classroom 
• Medium shot of her about to sit down 
• Close up of her hand pulling out the chair 
• Medium shot of the two 
• Over the shoulder shot over girl 2
• OTS over girl 1 
• Medium shot of them both exchanging 2 lines of dialogue 
• OTS of girl 2 
• OTS of girl 1
• Low angle shot of girl getting up and walking away 

Editing Task

This scene is from the film, Into The Blue. It starts of quite calm as both cars pull up and this is shown as a wide shot.  We can automatically tell that the guy chasing the three characters in the car is the villain as he is carrying a gun and the way the other characters are desperately trying to get away from him. This scene is quite tense due to the fast pace editing and the sudden jump-cuts that completely divert our attention to the next shot. Furthermore, the non-diegetic music being played also creates a tense atmosphere as the car chase is happening. This music is parallel to the scene as it helps create tension and it's something we would expect to hear in a moment like this. In addition, the use of the tires screeching adds a feel of urgency and chaos. As the character Jared begins to reverse back into the other car, there is a crane being used to film both cars reversing back out of the alley way. This gives the audience a better view of what situation the characters are in. As the car Jared is in drives away, in the beginning, and turns into the alley way, panning is being used to keep up with the drivers. The use of panning also adds pace and excitement to this scene. Similarly, there is another use of panning as the car crashes into the other passing civilian. Right at the beginning, there's a long shot of both cars pulling up. There is then a big close up of the characters in the cars. There is also a POV ( point-of-view) shot as the character Jared is driving down the alley, and the camera goes from a shot of him to what he's looking at. There is then a close up of the tyres and then there's a big close up of the name on the car. Throughout this scene, there are various jump-cuts, the director may of done this, to link to the fast movement of the cars and add drama and tension. Throughout the whole scene, there is fast paced music, which is parallel to the scene. The director may of done this to make the audience feel the tension in the scene and keep them intrigued with the scene. Furthermore, there are also a couple of eye line matches. For example, as the character Jared is speeding down the alley way, there's a shot on him looking out to the road and then there's a shot of the road. To conclude, this is a very fast paced scene, the director uses a lot of cuts to show this. Also, the use of the fast parallel music helps make this scene more intense. The director may of added this specific piece on music as it adds to the intensity and keeps the audience captivated in whats's happening. 

Cinematography

The beginning of this scene starts off with a high angle shot and zooms into the streets, which then goes into a medium shot of the paper boy. This then goes into a close-up of the newspaper. There is then medium shots of people walking on the streets. The camera then goes back to a high angle shot which then zooms into a specific house. As the alarm clock goes off the camera goes into a close-up of the actresses eyes. There is a low angle shot as she puts her slippers on. The camera goes into an over-the-shoulder shot as the actress is looking into the mirror. Furthermore, as she looks into the fridge, the camera goes into a POV (point-of-view) shot. There is another over-the-shoulder shot as she turns on the TV. In addition, the camera goes into a POV shot as the actress looks at her reflection in the window. The camera goes into another high angle shot as she stops on the street and dances. It then zooms out from a close-up as she's sitting on top of the truck and as it stops the camera goes into a low angle shot.  Finally, as the song finishes it zooms out from a medium shot and then goes back in as the school bell goes off, and ends in a the scene in a high angle shot, like the beginning.

Sound Analysis

                                                   
                                                                         Hancock


This scene starts off with non - diegetic,  music which is quite calm and relaxed, this is non - diegetic as the characters can't hear this music playing in the movie. However, the scraping of the glass as Hancock pulls it out from under the bench is diegetic. Also, the explosion as Hancock flies off is  diegetic, in contrast the music being played as Hancock is flying non - diegetic and is a completely different type of music genre, in comparison to the beginning, which sets the tone for the rest of the scene. Furthermore, the non - diegetic music being played in the background is parallel to the scene, as its quite rebellious which matches the actions of Hancock. Even though there is non - diegetic music being played as Hancock is flying, there is also diegetic sounds being played at the same time, for example, you can hear the sounds of the birds screeching, along with the aeroplane's engine. Once, again music that is quite playful is is resumed as the car comes to a stop, and sets a comical theme for the rest of the scene. Finally, even though its quite faint, you can still hear the news reporter from the aeroplane, which is also diegetic. 


Furthermore, there is contrapuntal music played in the beginning. This is contrapuntal as it doesn't really fit in with the scene. Its quite western and this scene was shot in the city, therefore is seen as contrapuntal. In addition, the music being played as Hancock is flying is parallel, as its portrays what kind of man Hancock is, as its rebellious music, Furthermore, it sets quite a sets a fast pace for the rest of the scene. 


In addition, I don't think there's a sound bridge in any part of this scene. As the music is played as soon as the visual image has change, and there isn't any smooth transitions, and none of the other sound effects are played before the next scene.

Film Language: Lighting

There is low key lighting in this image to create shadows. The key light is coming from the back on the left hand side ( our view ), to create a shadow on her face. In addition to this, there is also back lighting creating a silhouette  and not a lot of filler lights have been used. Also, the smoke creates a mysterious and dramatic atmosphere.

This image also uses low key lighting, as there is a lot of darkness and shadows around her. Her face is mainly lit which suggests that there is a top light being used. The use of only a top light being used creates a theme of glamour and romance. 

The lighting used in the image is high key lighting as there aren't many shadows being created. However, there are shadows under the characters eyes, which suggests that top lighting is being used. The use of this top light creates an aggressive facial expression.

  This image has low key lighting, also there is lighting coming from the right hand to create a shadow on the actors face, also there is lighting coming from the back to show the rain. In addition, there's some sort of light showing the gun, which may be a filler light. The use of low key lighting helps to create a dark/scary theme. 

In this picture low key lighting is used, also there is a key light coming from the left hand side creating a shadow across the woman. There is no back light as the shadow is well shown. Even though, the picture is lit quite well, the use of no filler light emphasises the shadow and makes it look less realistic.

This image uses high key lighting, the lighting from the window is being used to make the scene look more natural. The use of the blinds and the light coming through them makes the picture look more realistic. 

The only lighting used in this image is a back light to create the silhouettes on the floor, this creates a dramatic and mysterious picture. 

This picture has low key lighting, and no key light is being used in this picture as the shadow is very contrasted and well shown. The use of this lighting makes the picture more mysterious and dramatic. 

There is high key lighting being used in this picture, as it looks quite realistic and natural. There is top lighting being used as her face is well lit. Back lighting is being used as well as filler lights, as no shadows are being created, which emphasises a more natural look. 

This picture has low key lighting, there is a key light coming from the right hand side to light up the characters face which also creates a shadow on the wall of the character at the back. However, the picture doesn't have much light which creates a very dark atmosphere. 

This picture has high key lighting, despite the shadows at the back. There is a key light coming from the left hand-side creating a very dim silhouette on the wall at the back. There is a filler light being used, to create a more realistic and natural image.  

Mise-en-scene

Mad Hatter - Alice In Wonderland.

One of the main characters in Alice In Wonderland is the Mad Hatter. The size differentiation between Alice and the Mad Hatter suggests there might be a fantasy theme in the film. In addition, the way the Mad Hatter is dressed conveys this may be a fantasy as we wouldn't see someone dressed like this in everyday life. Also the dark lighting creates an uneasy atmosphere along with the sinister building at the back and Alice's and The Mad Hatters facial expressions. Even though nothing looks normal, these two characters are having a tea party, which may imply there is something unusual. 
. 

                                   The Maze Runner


The main character in this film is Thomas ( Dylan O'Brien ) and the story is based upon a group of people trapped in a glade and they try to escape through a maze.

This scene starts off  quite tense and fast moving and therefore sets a dramatic pace for the rest of the film. The dark lighting and lack of colour in the beginning sets a thrilling and intense atmosphere. Also, the loud sounds of the machines churning makes everything seem more thrilling and scary. As well as the sounds of the machines in the background, there is a build up of dramatic music which sets a feel of danger. In addition, the way both characters are dressed conveys they have been in some sort of trouble or don't have the right facilities to dress nicely, as they're dressed in a scruffy matter. They are also wearing backpacks and carrying weapons which suggests they may be in some sort of danger. Both characters look quite scared and they're both running for their lives trying to escape. Right at the beginning the pace starts off quite slow and then as soon as they start running the music starts and everything gets more intense. 

                                    The Strangers
                              

This film is about two couples going away for their honeymoon, and end up being terrorized by three masked killers. 
This scene immediately gives off a sinister feeling, due to the eerie music being played in the background and the sound of metal being scraped on the floor continuously. This begins to get more intense as the distressed looking actress gets up slowly and gets closer to the window. The use of the knife emphasises the fact that shes in danger and makes the scene seem more intense. More so, the actress has a distressed facial expression throughout the entire scene and her shallow breathing creates tension and a spine-chilling atmosphere. 
Furthermore, as soon as she sees the masked person behind the window the sudden dramatic sound sends a horrifying shock to the audience and makes it even more scary. The use of the record player playing in the background and the continuous banging creates more intensity to the scene and adds to the sinister atmosphere.  

                               Alice In Wonderland

As soon as this scene starts you can tell its a fantasy, due to the characteristics and the surroundings. Furthermore, you can tell that this a wacky/funny film, mainly because of the fun music and comical singing in the background. In addition, you can tell this is a fantasy, as you wouldn't see tea pots singing and dancing in everyday life. The main character Alice, doesn't seem taken back by this and joins in  which adds to the theme of fantasy. 
In addition, the use of fireworks at the end creates a happy atmosphere. The facial expressions of the characters convey to the audience that this is a wacky film, along with their colourful costumes. 

Film Language Analysis  

From this poster, I can tell that this film is quite futuristic, as the images portray this.Furthermore from this poster I can till this film has a sci-fi theme to it due to the colours used in this poster.

Genre- Sci-fi 

Target Audience- 18-40

From this poster I can infer that this film may be based on multiple horror stories, due to the writing on the t-shirts. Furthermore, I can tell this is a comedy, from the film review at the top "Absolutely hilarious". 

Genre-  Horror/Comedy

Target Audience- 16-20, mainly aimed at young teens. 

This poster creates a quite dark and dramatic atmosphere due to the dark colours  . Therefore, the story line of this film may have a serious plot. I can also infer that this film is foreign due to the title. 

Genre-  Drama/Thriller 

Target Audience- 20-30, targeted mainly at an older audience. 

This poster doesn't give much of a story line, but I can infer that this boy has discovered something down a hole that might be dangerous or scary due to the title name "I'm Not Scared". Also, the title name is big and bold to make the poster seem more dramatic.

Genre- Thriller/Drama

Target Audience- 16-30

Due to the lack of colours used in this poster implies this film may be quite dark. Also the title name "Sin City" conveys the story may be based on multiple rebellious acts, this is supported with the images of the guns clearly shown on the poster. 

Genre- Thriller/Drama 

Target Audience- 18-30, mainly older audience. 

From this poster I can tell this film is about Pirates, due to the title along with the skull and ship that relates to Pirates. Furthermore, it looks like quite a dark film, as the poster has a lack of colour in it.

Genre- Thriller/Fantasy/Drama

Target Audience- 16-25

The title of this film implies this film is based upon romance, the bright colours convey a happy atmosphere. Also, the male and female are in the center of the poster, which implies the film will mainly revolve around them two. Furthermore, the poster conveys that the two main characters are from completely different backgrounds, due to the Taj Mahal on the right side, and a view of America on the other side. The reviews also suggest that the film is quite comical yet romantic at the same time.

Genre-  Rom-Com/Drama

Target Audience- 16-30

This poster doesn't show a lot about the story line. However, it does  gives off a dark and serious atmosphere due to the lack of colour, and the actors serious expressions. Furthermore, I can infer the main character is the woman as shes in the center of the poster. Also, due to the what the woman is wearing may suggest its about something involving sport.

Genre- Drama

Target Audience- 16-40