Genre

A Genre is where it is a type of something; in this case it is all different type of films. So there are comedies, horrors, thrillers ect. So for example a western film might share in common the mise en scene, so there clothing maybe the same, the locations will look similar as well. The character will also look the same and act the same, so they may all look like cowboys with their horses living in the desert. They will also have in common the events, so have a big shoot down with big powerful guns.

On the other hand, thrillers are completely different type of genre to other type of films, as they action packed on what is going to happen next. So for example two different films ‘Se7en’ and then ‘Jaws, which are two completely different films in a way of characters, mise en scene and the narrative events. The two key difference between them both is ‘Jaws is about a shark eating people and then ‘Se7en is completely different of a psychotic cereal killer, who chases people, but how both of the story lines for both of the two films, you can see that they are two thrillers and very similar.  The two films have in common their audience response because both of them make the audience feel as if they are on their edge of their seat. They also have in common the same characters and narrative structure, because someone is opposing a threat then someone is trying to stop a treat.

As a whole thriller’s are very much the same in the way they show their character, themes, events and mise en scene. But within the thriller genre there is a high degree of similarity. From these 3 posters are so similar in the way they show the characters and events. All of these 3 posters similar in terms of characters, themes, events and mise en scene. All of these posters are shown suspicion with the characters; the events all look as if they are very action packed and that there is violence involved. All of the posters show that their outfits are very sexy and revealing which shows that the character could be defiant.

Genre helps the audience members to choose on what they want to go and see and what they are expecting with adverting. Helps them enjoy the film. Pleasure of what they are expecting but then there is also on what they are unexpected.

Genre helps production companies, as they need to find the best actors because they have got to be the right one for the part. This can be done with previous films they have done and auditions. Genre gives them a recipe to follow.

Genre is useful for distribution companies because if distribution companies understand more clearly who they are trying to sell to (because there is an existing fan base for that genre) they can target them more easily. It also helps the distribution to communicate to the audience such as on movie poster where establishing the genre is one of the key functions.

Filming the prelim.

On Friday 21^st September 2012, we did are first ever prelim. We split up in to 3 groups. I was in a group with Laura, Jane, Anna, Anastasia. The lesson before we looked at what the storyboard looked like and what idea’s as a group we had. We discussed on what the outline of the story was going to be and how it was going to work out. As a group we came up with the idea that the older sister was bullying the younger sister to draw on the precious family pictures while the parents where out for a night.

We also discussed on who is going to be doing what, so Laura and Jane where the ones who were acting. Then Myself, Anna and Anastasia were in charge of controlling the camera and directing the actor’s.

My role in filming our first prelim was controlling the camera and what positions

We had the camera. When filming I did learnt that you have got to have the camera in the right position at all time and not moving it around, as the story will not make sense when editing it.

When filming it when smoothly but we had to do a few run through to get use of the script and where the camera would best be situated. We didn’t have any problems with anything apart from the lighting, because we had a couple of lamps on set, as we were filming in was a sitting room. The problem we had was when we had started filming some of us thought that it was too dark on set and that we needed more light. But then some of us disagreed because it wouldn’t match the first shot we had done, as one would be darker than the other. We then as a group came to an conclusion that we would leave it the way it was on the first shot.

The location was fantastic, I think we were really lucky getting the set in the filming studio out of all the groups because it really brought the meaning of the story to life, you could really imagine the scene if it was a really situation.

As our props we only had family pictures, they where of course effective because if we didn’t have them the story wouldn’t make any sense and meaning of what we were filming about.

From filming the first time, I have learnt that you have got to take your time and not rush it, as you won’t have a good outcome in the end. As a group we also learnt that you have to have the camera in the right position all time, as we noticed when editing the prelim we could see the top of the set, which just looked really careless. As a group the strengths where getting on well apart from a disagreement with the lighting. I think it is vital that you get on well with you group because if not you won’t produce anything good enough. I feel the next time I film to only have 4 people in our group as there where 3 on the camera, I think you only really need 2 people on the camera and then 2 people acting. 

Prelim

Above is where it was published on to youtube so that various audience members can see on what we have created with using the camera first time round. 

Immersed- Thriller Analysis Task

In the lesson today we worked in groups to analyse how media language was used to create suspense in some student thrillers. Here's my group's analysis of Immersed.

Camera Techniques

In our second lesson with Matt, we were in the media suites. Learning all about shooting sequences. The first question we asked was 'what is a shooting sequences?' It is a series of clips altogether. It gives an illusion that they are all together at once. But really there all different shots put together.

There are all types of different shots; Wide- whole scene, Medium, close up, medium shot (waist up). All of these different shots are used by all film producers to make the film very able, as you wouldn't just film in a wide shot it wouldn't be interesting.

We learnt a few key terms in the lesson which were;
Stand by- Camera men are all ready to go.
Time code is ready to go... action
Cut- Only when directors say to.

We also learnt when filming, you should never look back at the work which you have produced as you may think that it is bad and delete it. It also waste valuable time as you could be on a set which you have paid a lot of money for. Always wait until you get back to the studios to see what you have produced.
180 rule; It is the line between the two camera which isn't there really. Only shoot one side of the circle changing direction. Don't cross the line.

Then there is the rule of the thirds, which is so important when filming because you don't always have to film in the centre it can be off. It also make the picture more interesting to look at.

After Matt showing us all the camera techniques, it was our time to show all the things we had talked about in a few seconds in some clips. We kept it very simple but showing all the techniques, using all different shots, Bex was coming into the room and answering a text message. It was all very simple, but showing all the different shots.

Camera Tutorial.

On our first practical tutorial when we to the media studio we learnt all about how the camera works.  I have never used a film camera before so all the information was new to me.

First Matt showed us how to to put the camera up, starting with the tripod. Making sure that it is all the legs are equal lengths so you don't film a wonky picture. Then we got out the camera, which is the sony NX5 digital HD camera.

Sliding the camera on so it is secure on the tripod with locking the locks. Remembering that when placing the camera on the tripod, that the black spot in the middle of the orange bubble, if not- to adjust is with the knob at the bottom of the tripod.

Now the camera is all in place and secure, we placed the battery to work the camera, then the camera should be in action to go. Matt showed us some of the dials on the camera which are very important. They were the zoom and focus, which are very important in filming as you can have all different angles of the camera. We then looked at how to white balance the camera by zooming on a white piece of paper, the reason we did this was because the camera can measure the colour of the lighting and adjust the colour to give an accurate look to the footage. Matt showed us in the lesson with opening the studio doors the light balance looked really blue, but when we adjusting it with the white paper in front it went back to the green nature look.

We then as groups played around with the camera and experimenting on what he had showed us, which was a lot of information for one lesson, but very enjoyable.

 This is the camera which we will using when filming. 

All About Me!

Hello Everyone, My name is Sophia Stanway, I am from England and I am currently living in a village Warnham which is near Horsham Sussex. I am 17 years old and learning how to drive. This is the first time I have done media as well as my first blog, so it is all new to me. My favorite type of films are comedy and romance. But I am really looking forward to doing thriller's. I have a couple of idea's on what I would like my thriller to be like, including water or something to do with the war, as they are both very effective from watching previous thrillers.