Film Language Test

Mark: 41/48
Grade: A  (MTG+1= Credit×2)

WWW: Excellent, clear, fluent style, giving detailed examples.
EBI: Each question could have included an additional feature

1. Actors' movements
2. Camera angles
3. Use of dialogue
4. Pace of editing

LR: Write a couple of sentences on each of the above

1. Actors movements: The vast difference in the actors' movements show the difference of their positions in the film. As the protagonist has very minimal movements in comparison to the man in the black coat shows that the protagonist has less power in this scene and is very vulnerable. The movements also further supports his strained facial expressions, showing that he is in pain.
2. Camera angle: The protagonist is mainly shot from a high angle which makes him to look less powerful in comparison to the man in the black coat, who is often shot from low angles, which gives him power.
3. Use of Dialogue: There was not much dialogue used throughout the clip which shows that the clip is very mysterious as many of the enigma codes that have been created, has not been answered. Also, the dialogue is in a very quiet tone which contrasts the climactic music being played in the background. This further shows the audience that the genre may be mystery.
4. Pace of editing: The pace of the editing is slow at first, as the focus on a particular thing lasts for a while. The editing supports the pace of the dialogue and what is happening in the clip as these are also slow paced. This creates tension and anticipation for the audience but the editing is slightly sped up when the main action of the fire spreading, occurs, which also keeps up the audience's interest.

How is the editing used to create drama and tension in the opening scene?

The editing used in the scene made small little actions, a lot more important such as the part when the cigarette was dropped on the fire. The scene was slowed down from the point when it fell to the floor and made the flames spread again. This allowed it to emphasize the importance of the flame and how it led to the explosion. Also, at the end of the scene, when the camera focused on the rope, there was a dissolve used to change the scene. The dissolve allowed there to be a smooth transition from one scene to another scene. The editing also does not follow the protagonists eyeline to the man in the black coat to avoid showing his face. This raises tension and the audience's curiosity as to who this man is. The pace of the editing is slow at first, as the focus on a particular thing lasts for a while. The editing supports the pace of the dialogue and what is happening in the clip as these are also slow paced. This creates tension and anticipation for the audience but the editing is slightly sped up when the main action of the fire spreading, occurs, which also keeps up the audience's interest. The overall editing was very continuous and followed a linear story line. This created drama and tension as the audience were in suspense to see what happened after each small scene.

Dependency theory

1) What do YOU primarily use the media for: entertainment or information? (Or something else?)

I primarily use the media for entertainment but I do also greatly use it for information.

2) To what extent do you feel we are dependent on the media?

I feel that we are very dependant on the media as we rely on media to help us carry on with our daily routines. Media is the main source of finding current news and other important relevant information. Without newspapers, radio or news channels, it would be very difficult for society to find information on current news. We also rely on media for entertainment. Most households own TVs and computers and use these electronics to access the media such as watching TV shows or using social networking sites. Communication is also heavily dependant on media as people use social networking sites such as Facebook, which allows them to communicate with people who live in a different country without spending money on sending letters. 

3) Has our dependence on the media changed over the last 10 years? How?

Over the last 10 years, we have become more and more dependant on the media that in some cases, it will be hard to function without it. The media has become part of our everyday lives and helps us with complete many tasks relating to our school life and work life. As technology has continued to advance over the years, certain media texts can be accessed in several different forms such as being able to read books on computers, phones or tablets. Since media has also become a lot easier to access, more people have become dependant on it. Smart Phones have probably the biggest factor that changed our dependency on media especially since most smart phones gives easy access to media which attracts users to use it constantly.

4) Read this Telegraph article – does this support Dependency theory? What is your personal opinion on this issue? 

Four out of five young people feel 'lost' without internet

This article supports Dependency theory as it shows that young people, after growing up with internet, are fully dependent on it and without it, they would feel anxious and lost. Especially since everyone are able to access what is seen on TV, on the internet,more people prefer the internet over the TV. Also the different things that can be done on the internet are almost unlimited and therefore, it would be very difficult to function without it. I think it is very understandable why many people would feel lost without the internet as it allows people to access most media in one place.

Audience theory

Playing violent video games for just 20 minutes a day can encourage aggressive behaviour.

This article links with the Hypodermic needle model as it tells the readers that the type of games they play can affect their behaviour. Studies show that playing a violent video game such as Call of Duty, will result in gamers having an increase in aggressive behaviour and playing non violent games such as racing games will not have this effect. This fits in with the Hypodermic needle model as the article is trying to present humans as passive beings who have no control over their actions and therefore will be affected negatively by playing a violent video game.

Jamal Edwards: Amateur film-maker turned multimillionaire

This article fits into the two step flow model as it shows that after Jamal Edwards began to get a small amount of attention after filming his friends rapping and singing, he soon began to film up and coming rappers and singers instead along with established stars. With more familiar and recognizable singers and rappers, Jamal Edwards got thousands of hits. This shows that the familiar celebrities for the public, acted as opinion leaders, creating the perception that these celebrities fully support Jamal Edwards, resulting in his rise in popularity.

Uses and Gratifications Theory

Diversion:

The X Factor fits in the diversion category as it gives entertainment that the audience can tune into every week and therefore becomes part of their routine.

Personal Relationships:

Pretty Little Liars fits into the personal relationship category as the series has been running for over 4 years which has allowed the audience  to create a relationship with the characters, allowing them to sympathize and empathize with the characters.

Personal Identity: 

EastEnders, to some extent, can fit into personal identity as audiences can relate to certain situations that occur in the show, even though many events are made to be over dramatic.

Surveillance:

BBC News fits into the surveillance category as it informs the audience on all the current news and other information that may be highly relevant in our day-to-day lives.

Audience theory- two-step flow

The Two Step Flow:

The two step flow summary is the theory of opinion leaders using the media to influence audiences.

In my opinion, I think the two step flow theory is still very relevant in today's society as people such as celebrities have a big impact on audiences' opinions on different types of media. As celebrities have great followings and massive fan bases, there is a huge number of people who think take a lot of interest in their opinions, which may have a positive or negative impact on certain media texts.

TotalBicuit, The Cynical Brit, is a you tube blogger who gives his opinions on different video games. He is fits into the two step flow theory as he has a wide fan base with almost 2 million subscribers and influences their opinions using his you tube videos. Subscribers watch his videos to find out whether the particular game he reviews, is worth buying which further shows how much influence he has over his subscribers. Although TotalBicuit, The Cynical Brit, is someone who only gives his opinions, many people rely on his opinions to tell them whether they should buy a game or not as he can be considered as a  celebrity with his huge fan base. 

Britain's most influential tweeters

Stars of music, TV and sport dominate the list of the top 140 most influential tweeters in the UK in 2013

This article shows that  One Direction and other popular celebrities, have a greater twitter following than many important politicians. This shows that in comparison to politicians, successful celebrities have a greater impact on what the public thinks as 
more people follow them on twitter, a social networking site that allows people to 
openly express what they think. It fits the two step flow as it shows that, through 
twitter, celebrities influence their fans with their particular views and opinions.

Preliminary Exercise - Shot List

Shot number	Description	Filmed?
1	Tracking shot of scientist walking up the stairs.
2	Extreme close up of the door handle-opening.
3	180 degree rule-conversation between accomplice and scientist.
4	Close up of the box.
5	180 degree rule. Accomplice is talking. Camera faces him.
6	180 degree rule. View of them both talking.
7	Box gets slid across the table whilst talking.
8	Close up of accomplice’s facial expression.
9	Close up of the box opening.
10	Glow from the box, doesn’t show what’s inside.
11	Close up of scientist’s face with the top of the box shown-looking into the box.
12	Long shot of accomplice’s kicking the chair back.
13	Close up of scientist’s face. 180 degree rule.
14	Accomplice gets scientist up against the wall.
15	Close up & shot/reverse shot of Accomplice to Scientist back to Accomplice.
16	Accomplice walking out of the room-pan from Scientist’s point of view.
17	Scientist calls him back. Shot of Scientist calling.
18	Accomplice looks back at Scientist.
19	Close up of the cash being put on the table.
20	Scientist’s face-medium shot. Fades out

Preliminary Exercise - Script

THE SCIENTIST WALKS UP TO THE DOOR- OPENS THE DOOR AND SITS DOWN OPPOSITE HIS ACCOMPLICE.

SCIENTIST

Give it to me

Accomplice

I’m fine, thanks for asking

Scientist

Don’t play games with me. I want it now.

Accomplice

Okay

UNDER HIS BREATH

Accomplice

What happened to manners?

SLIDES BOX ACROSS THE TABLE TO THE SCIENTIST. THE SCIENTIST OPENS THE BOX AND LOOKS EXCITED BUT THEN CONFUSED

Scientist

Is this it? This isnt enough

Accomplice

Wht dont you get it?

Scientist

You want your money don’t you?

Accomplice

Yeah… I want double.

Scientist

Double?

SMALL LAUGHTER

Scientist

Don’t make me laugh

Accomplice

I’m not doing it for any less

RISES SUDDENLY

I’m out there risking my neck…

STOPS SPEAKING

Accomplice

You know what, I’m not doing this anymore, I’m done

ACCOMPLICE WALKING TOWARDS THE DOOR

Scientist

Wait

PUTS MONEY ON THE TABLE

END

Preliminary exercise- Key skills

Match on Action

The different actions such as the doors closing and the falling blocks are shown to be continuously happening, but it is presented using different shots following each action continuously.

Shot/ Reverse/ Shot

There is a constant shot/reverse/shot of the chipmunks and the girl and sutures the audience into the conversation.

180 Degree Rule

The camera is constantly on the right side of harry and does not change to the left side, which means it obeys the 180 degree rule.

Psychographics: pair presentations

Who you are working with: Daine

Psychographic group: Aspirers

Example couple:

- Stacey and Daniel 

-   Stacey is at a fashion college and she works part time at the till at "Next" and she is aspiring to be fashion designer. Daniel is studying Drama and performing arts at college and works part time backstage at a theatre and is aspiring to be an actor. 

- Stacey, in her free time, enjoys watching fashion shows and shopping at a lot of designer shops to broaden her sense of fashion. Daniel likes to go to theatre productions and attend workshops in his free time.

Media Consumption:

Print- Stacey sometimes reads the fashion articles in the metro, but she prefers fashion magazines such as "Vogue" and "ELLE" Stacey reads these on her tablet. Daniel doesn't read newspapers often, but reads online reviews of plays on his laptop. 

Broadcast- Stacey likes Channels such as Sky Living where she can watch Britain's and America's Next Top Model and The Face UK and US. Daniel likes drama genre' programmes such as Boardwalk Empire and Downton Abbey. He also watches Sky Arts quite often to watch theatre. Both of them own a sky box. 

E-media: Stacey owns an iPhone 5C and Daniel owns the Samsung Galaxy Note 2. Stacey owns a second generation iPad and Daniel owns a dell laptop. Stacey visits websites like Fashion union and social networking sites like Facebook and Instagram where she posts pictures of fashion trends. Daniel looks up critic's websites on theatre performances such as "Timeout"



Young and Rubicam psychographic test

My test result was Status with my second one being Escape. I mainly agree with my test result as I believe that status is way to show how much a person has worked hard to get to the position they have. Although I agree with my first result being status, I don't completely agree with my second result being escape.