Thursday, 28 February 2013
Wednesday, 27 February 2013
Feedback on our opening idea
Positives:
- Unique
- Good storyline
- Fits with genre
- Good music
- Went straight into the action
- Interesting
- Powerful
- Already set out
- Overstretched ourselves
- No budget
- Need to think about the plot a bit more
- Making it look good
- Making it look like opening credits
Wednesday, 13 February 2013
Video planning
Cast: James as superhero, Ryan as villain, Beth as friend (in photos)
Location: Theatre (if we can book it)
Costumes: Beth- normal clothes, James- classic superhero costume, Ryan- Dark clothes, mask/balaclava
Makeup: Ryan- Dark eye makeup, James- Face makeup
Script:
Lighting: Dark and moody
Camera and editing: Beth
Directing and producing: All of us
Mise en scene and props:
Video diaries of planning and location shots: Beth- theatre scenes, Ryan- photo scenes, James- final scene
Evidence of everything you do whilst shooting etc: Video diares, photographic evidence (before and after makeup)
Location: Theatre (if we can book it)
Costumes: Beth- normal clothes, James- classic superhero costume, Ryan- Dark clothes, mask/balaclava
Makeup: Ryan- Dark eye makeup, James- Face makeup
Script:
Lighting: Dark and moody
Camera and editing: Beth
Directing and producing: All of us
Mise en scene and props:
Video diaries of planning and location shots: Beth- theatre scenes, Ryan- photo scenes, James- final scene
Evidence of everything you do whilst shooting etc: Video diares, photographic evidence (before and after makeup)
Classification categories
The age classification categories are as follows (according to the BBFC):
U - Suitable for all
PG - Parental guidance
12A - Cinema release suitable for ages 12 and over
12 - Video release suitable for ages 12 and over
15 - Suitable only for 15 years and over
18 - Suitable only for 18 years and over
Here are some comic book films and their BBFC ratings:
Superman Returns: 12
Batman Begins: 12
Hulk: 12
Scott Pilgrim Vs The World: 12
The Avengers: 12A
Catwoman: 12
Wonder Woman: PG
The most popular comic book films were all rated 12, according to the BBFC, this is the description of the rating 12:
The BBFC's Guidelines state that there may be strong language (eg 'f***') at 12 or 12A, but it must be infrequent. The context of the strong language is important. Aggressive uses of strong language may result in a film or DVD being placed at the 15 category. There is some allowance for puns on strong language at this category.
There may be moderate language (eg uses of terms such as ‘bitch’ and ‘twat’ at 12 or 12A).
Any discriminatory language will not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language (for example homophobic or racist terms) is unlikely to be passed at 12 or 12A unless it is clearly condemned.
From this, we can conclude that most comic book films may have some strong language, so they are not suitable for young children, however, the language won't be frequent and therefore can be viewed by people 12 years and up.
U - Suitable for all
PG - Parental guidance
12A - Cinema release suitable for ages 12 and over
12 - Video release suitable for ages 12 and over
15 - Suitable only for 15 years and over
18 - Suitable only for 18 years and over
Here are some comic book films and their BBFC ratings:
Superman Returns: 12
Batman Begins: 12
Hulk: 12
Scott Pilgrim Vs The World: 12
The Avengers: 12A
Catwoman: 12
Wonder Woman: PG
The most popular comic book films were all rated 12, according to the BBFC, this is the description of the rating 12:
The BBFC's Guidelines state that there may be strong language (eg 'f***') at 12 or 12A, but it must be infrequent. The context of the strong language is important. Aggressive uses of strong language may result in a film or DVD being placed at the 15 category. There is some allowance for puns on strong language at this category.
There may be moderate language (eg uses of terms such as ‘bitch’ and ‘twat’ at 12 or 12A).
Any discriminatory language will not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language (for example homophobic or racist terms) is unlikely to be passed at 12 or 12A unless it is clearly condemned.
From this, we can conclude that most comic book films may have some strong language, so they are not suitable for young children, however, the language won't be frequent and therefore can be viewed by people 12 years and up.
Tuesday, 12 February 2013
Websites of upcoming films and how they attract their audience
Here are the websites for some comic book films coming out in 2013:
Iron Man 3:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1300854/
http://marvel.com/ironman3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Man_3
All of these websites attract their audience because they all describe the plot of the film in great detail, this will attract the audience because they will be able to see what the film is about and whether the plot sounds as good as the other films. They also all give a cast list, this way the audience can see who will be starring in it from the old films and what new actors will be in it, this could attract the audience because if they see that an actor they like is playing a role in the film, they'll be more likely to watch it.
Thor: The Dark World:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1981115/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor:_The_Dark_World
http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/730006/2013-movie-preview-thor-the-dark-world/
Again, all of these websites give a detailed explanation of the plot of the film, list the characters and they also show some photos of the making of the film, this will attract the audience because they will feel like they're viewing exclusive content, and if they like the look of the film they will be more likely to watch it.
Iron Man 3:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1300854/
http://marvel.com/ironman3
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_Man_3
All of these websites attract their audience because they all describe the plot of the film in great detail, this will attract the audience because they will be able to see what the film is about and whether the plot sounds as good as the other films. They also all give a cast list, this way the audience can see who will be starring in it from the old films and what new actors will be in it, this could attract the audience because if they see that an actor they like is playing a role in the film, they'll be more likely to watch it.
Thor: The Dark World:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1981115/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thor:_The_Dark_World
http://www.g4tv.com/thefeed/blog/post/730006/2013-movie-preview-thor-the-dark-world/
Again, all of these websites give a detailed explanation of the plot of the film, list the characters and they also show some photos of the making of the film, this will attract the audience because they will feel like they're viewing exclusive content, and if they like the look of the film they will be more likely to watch it.
Typical soundtracks/music for your genre
In comic book films, the music throughout the films vary a lot. There is always a lot of tense music during action and fight scenes, slow music during the romantic scenes, and sometimes depressing music during the sad scenes.
Here are some examples of the music used in different films:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ac4xamCIgY (Spiderman theme)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1rBZIzr49k (Wonder Woman theme)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOlJtLNgMZY (The Avengers)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9XcvVoScH0 (This is the music used in the introduction of Cat Woman)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8Jb9eJ6tts (Batman (The Dark Night Rises) theme)
All of this music is very similar, as it starts off quite calmly and slowly gets more intense. This is to introduce the film slowly and then make it seem more interesting and exciting.
Here are some examples of the music used in different films:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ac4xamCIgY (Spiderman theme)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1rBZIzr49k (Wonder Woman theme)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FOlJtLNgMZY (The Avengers)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c9XcvVoScH0 (This is the music used in the introduction of Cat Woman)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H8Jb9eJ6tts (Batman (The Dark Night Rises) theme)
All of this music is very similar, as it starts off quite calmly and slowly gets more intense. This is to introduce the film slowly and then make it seem more interesting and exciting.
Costumes
The costumes of Spiderman, Wonder Woman and Superman are all made up of mainly blue and red, whereas the costumes of Catwoman and Batman are all black. Another detail in these costumes are that Spiderman and Wonder Woman show their faces, but Spiderman, Catwoman and Batman all use some sort of mask to hide their identity. Even though all of these characters are good, their costumes are very contrasted in both design and colours.
Most stereotypical superhero costumes have a lot of the same features, such as:
- Some sort of mask
- A cape
- Gloves
- Boots
- A symbol or logo
- A belt
Not all of these costumes above have all of these features, but we can still tell that are still in superhero costumes, because, for example, Catwoman and Batman both cover their faces, but they are still heros, and Wonder Woman, Catwoman and Batman don't have any sort of logo on their costume, but again they are still heros and not villains. Even though not all of these costumes are the same, we still know that they're superheros.
Catwoman and Batman both wear all black, this is because they go around mainly at night and it makes it easier for them to not be spotted, and since neither can fly, they need to be more disguised when they are roaming around the city.
Spiderman, Wonder Woman and Superman all wear red, blue and white. Since they are all American, it makes their costumes seem very patriotic and as if they're representing America and proud of their country.
Posters and how they attract their target audience
The poster for 'Superman Returns' is quite simple but still says a lot. The clenched fist that Superman is holding shows that he is powerful and ready for whatever he has to face. The background shows that danger could be coming, as it looks like the waves are coming towards the city, this could suggest that Superman will have to save the city in some way. The colours are mainly blue, red and gold/yellow, the yellow and red colours are the colour of the Superman logo, so we immediately know what the film is, even if the title wasn't on the poster, we'd still know the film just by looking at the logo and the colours of the logo. The font of the title is very plain, it is all in capital letters and in bold, this shows that the film is serious, if the font were more 'curly' and fancy, it wouldn't make it seem like such a serious film, as the font would give it more of a childish/comical effect.
The poster for 'Batman Begins' is quite different to the poster for 'Superman Returns' this poster looks a lot more dark and dull. Batman is stood in front of the Sun, which could suggest that he has a dark side to him, since he is stopping the light from shining through. The font on this poster is the same as the font on the Superman Returns poster, it is very bold and simple, this is so it doesn't draw attention away from the poster itself. The names of the actors are at the top of the poster, but the font isn't too big, this is because if the text took up a lot of room on the poster, it would draw the audiences attention away from the poster and what it is advertising.
Opening Titles Idea
The opening
titles starts off with a fight between the superhero and the villain, in which
there are lots of quick, short cuts and a mixture of close up and mid shots. In
the background there will be some epic, intense music to reflect the situation.
After about 15 seconds of fighting, the superhero falls to the floor and is
almost defeated, the villain goes in for one more attack, this part is a low
angle shot looking up at the villain, we will use slow motion in this part to
build up suspense, just before the superhero is about to get hit, the scene
freezes and it goes into voiceover from the superhero. In the voiceover, he
will say something along the lines of ‘I wasn’t always like this, I used to be
a normal person... just like you.’ We then go into a series of snapshot photos
that are in black and white to show the audience how he used to live, over the
top will appear the credits, which will be in bright colours to contrast the
black and white pictures. The music overlapping this part will be quite dull to
reflect the life the superhero used to have when he was normal, yet the photos
will show that he was very lonely and give a depressing effect to this part.
Real audience tastes and trends – use social media to get feedback on likes/dislikes
I asked 4 people on Facebook the following questions:
What is your favourite comic book film?
Who is your favourite superhero?
What is your favourite power that a superhero has?
What would you name a supervillian if you had to create one?
List 3 characteristics that you'd like a superhero to have?
Here were their answers:
What is your favourite comic book film? 300
Who is your favourite superhero? Iron Man
What is your favourite power that a superhero has? Being rich
What would you name a supervillian if you had to create one? Doctor Richterr
List 3 characteristics that you'd like a superhero to have? Telekinisis, lots of money and good eyebrows
What is your favourite comic book film? Batman
Who is your favourite superhero? Superman
What is your favourite power that a superhero has? Time control
What would you name a supervillian if you had to create one? Doctor Hellbent
List 3 characteristics that you'd like a superhero to have? Kindess, a good body and good sense of humour
What is your favourite comic book film? The Avengers
Who is your favourite superhero? Thor
What is your favourite power that a superhero has? Control of elements
What would you name a supervillian if you had to create one? Mistress Obsidian
List 3 characteristics that you'd like a superhero to have? Honour, selflessness and uniqueness
What is your favourite comic book film? The Avengers
Who is your favourite superhero? Thor
What is your favourite power that a superhero has? Flying
What would you name a supervillian if you had to create one? Lucifer
List 3 characteristics that you'd like a superhero to have? Badass-ness, determination and a secret weakness
From asking these questions, I have found out that The Avengers was the most chosen for the favourite comic book film, and Thor was the most chosen for the favourite superhero. I have also found out that people look for a good personality in superheros, and don't just want someone who is good looking, this is because it makes them seem more like a real person
From asking these questions, I have found out that The Avengers was the most chosen for the favourite comic book film, and Thor was the most chosen for the favourite superhero. I have also found out that people look for a good personality in superheros, and don't just want someone who is good looking, this is because it makes them seem more like a real person
Production and distribution companies
Marvel
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. Marvel counts among its characters such well-known properties as Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor, Captain America and Daredevil; antagonists such as the Green Goblin, Magneto, Doctor Doom, Galactus, and the Red Skull. Most of Marvel's fictional characters operate in a single reality known as the Marvel Universe, with locations that mirror real-life cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
DC
DC Comics, Inc. (founded in 1934 as National Allied Publications) is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment, a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner. DC Comics produces material featuring a large number of well-known characters, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, the Flash, Aquaman, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Green Arrow, Black Canary and the Martian Manhunter, along with such superhero teams as the Justice League and the Teen Titans, as well as antagonists such as Lex Luthor, the Joker, Darkseid, the Riddler, Catwoman, Brainiac and the Penguin.
Marvel Entertainment, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company, is one of the world's most prominent character-based entertainment companies, built on a proven library of over 8,000 characters featured in a variety of media over seventy years. Marvel utilizes its character franchises in entertainment, licensing and publishing. Marvel counts among its characters such well-known properties as Spider-Man, the X-Men, the Fantastic Four, Iron Man, the Hulk, Thor, Captain America and Daredevil; antagonists such as the Green Goblin, Magneto, Doctor Doom, Galactus, and the Red Skull. Most of Marvel's fictional characters operate in a single reality known as the Marvel Universe, with locations that mirror real-life cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago.
DC
DC Comics, Inc. (founded in 1934 as National Allied Publications) is one of the largest and most successful companies operating in the market for American comic books and related media. It is the publishing unit of DC Entertainment, a company of Warner Bros. Entertainment, which itself is owned by Time Warner. DC Comics produces material featuring a large number of well-known characters, including Superman, Batman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, the Flash, Aquaman, Hawkman, Hawkgirl, Green Arrow, Black Canary and the Martian Manhunter, along with such superhero teams as the Justice League and the Teen Titans, as well as antagonists such as Lex Luthor, the Joker, Darkseid, the Riddler, Catwoman, Brainiac and the Penguin.
Audience, profit and reviews
Genre- Comic books
Films like these did very well in regards to profit and reviews:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0848228/business?ref_=tt_dt_bus
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1345836/business?ref_=tt_dt_bus
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0371746/business?ref_=tt_dt_bus
Whereas films like these didn't do as well:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0311429/business?ref_=tt_dt_bus
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091225/business?ref_=tt_dt_bus
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348150/business?ref_=tt_dt_bus
A lot of comic book based films got good reviews, for example:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/aug/26/scott-pilgrim-vs-the-world-review
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/mar/31/kick-ass-review-film
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/9403551/Batman-The-Dark-Knight-Rises-first-review.html
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/avengers/review/314291
These 2 comic book films, however, didn't get very good reviews:
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hulk/
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/howard-the-duck
Films like these did very well in regards to profit and reviews:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0848228/business?ref_=tt_dt_bus
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1345836/business?ref_=tt_dt_bus
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0371746/business?ref_=tt_dt_bus
Whereas films like these didn't do as well:
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0311429/business?ref_=tt_dt_bus
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0091225/business?ref_=tt_dt_bus
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0348150/business?ref_=tt_dt_bus
A lot of comic book based films got good reviews, for example:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/aug/26/scott-pilgrim-vs-the-world-review
http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/mar/31/kick-ass-review-film
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/film/filmreviews/9403551/Batman-The-Dark-Knight-Rises-first-review.html
http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movie/avengers/review/314291
These 2 comic book films, however, didn't get very good reviews:
http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/hulk/
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/movie-reviews/howard-the-duck
Checklist
Task
|
Done and blogged
|
An analysis of two film openings looking at the different shots that
are used: annotate them exactly, shot by shot.
|
|
Conventions of your chosen
genre – with lots of video
evidence. Make sure evidence is embedded properly into your blog posts.
|
|
Analysis of a range of opening credits – ensure that you
look at when certain names come up (i.e. director, producer etc). Look for a
pattern. Use this as a template http://cmdiploma3.blogspot.co.uk/2009/10/homework-for-6-11-october.html
|
|
Research into production and
distribution companies associated with your genre
|
|
Research audiences who are
attracted to your genre – look at
IMDb statistics
|
|
Research into real audience
tastes and trends – use social media
to get feedback on likes/dislikes
|
|
Research into average ratings
for your genre: look on some statistical websites e.g. http://industry.bfi.org.uk/weekendboxoffice
|
|
Research into posters and
how they attract their target audience
– look for motifs and conventions
|
|
Research into websites of
upcoming films and how they attract their audience
|
|
Research into classification
categories
|
√
|
Research into costumes
|
|
Research into typical soundtracks/music
for your genre
|
|
Research into sound design
|
Thursday, 7 February 2013
2 film openings
For our main piece, we have picked comic books as our genre of film. We are looking at 2 different film openings from this genre. The first film we're looking at is Superman
0:02: Alexander Salkind presents
0:09-0:20: Main characters
0:21: A Richard Donner Film
0:28-0:33: Superman logo
0:34-0:40: Superman (title)
0:41-2:14: Character names
2:15-2:22: Procudct Designer
2:23-2:30: Photography
2:31-2:35: Editor
2:36-2:41: Music
2:42-2:45: Sparkler effect
2:46-2:50-:The creators of Superman
2:53-2:58: Story by...
3:00-3:04: Screenplay
3:04-3:12: Names of the people who did the screenplay
3:13-3:18: Creative Consultant
3:20-3:24: Associate Producer
3:25-3:30: Executive Producer
3:31-3:37: Produced by...
3:48-3:44: Directed by...
The next one is Hulk (2003)
0:00-0:21: Universal introduction
0:23-0:33: Marvel logo
0:43-0:46: Universal pictures presents
0:47-0:50: In association with Marvel Enterprises
0:53-0:57: Company productions
1:00-1:02 An Ang Lee Film
1:04-1:05 Hulk
1:08-1:46: Character names
1:47-1:50 Casting by...
1:55-1:58: Music by...
0:02: Alexander Salkind presents
0:09-0:20: Main characters
0:21: A Richard Donner Film
0:28-0:33: Superman logo
0:34-0:40: Superman (title)
0:41-2:14: Character names
2:15-2:22: Procudct Designer
2:23-2:30: Photography
2:31-2:35: Editor
2:36-2:41: Music
2:42-2:45: Sparkler effect
2:46-2:50-:The creators of Superman
2:53-2:58: Story by...
3:00-3:04: Screenplay
3:04-3:12: Names of the people who did the screenplay
3:13-3:18: Creative Consultant
3:20-3:24: Associate Producer
3:25-3:30: Executive Producer
3:31-3:37: Produced by...
3:48-3:44: Directed by...
The next one is Hulk (2003)
0:00-0:21: Universal introduction
0:23-0:33: Marvel logo
0:43-0:46: Universal pictures presents
0:47-0:50: In association with Marvel Enterprises
0:53-0:57: Company productions
1:00-1:02 An Ang Lee Film
1:04-1:05 Hulk
1:08-1:46: Character names
1:47-1:50 Casting by...
1:55-1:58: Music by...
Tuesday, 5 February 2013
Sci Fi Codes and Conventions
Codes and conventions
Sci Fi
Outer space, planets, aliens, rockets, UFO's, shiny, silver, metallic, lasers, events happening on Earth, high tech, water, scary. fiction
Rom-Com/Drama
Love, romance, passion, feminine, diary-like outlook, intense events, problems, relationships, revenge, jealousy, emotions, weddings, dates, food, friendship, non fiction
Comic books
Superheros, villains, damsel in distress, feminine/masculine figure, over exaggerated, drawn, narrator, good vs evil, fiction
Fiction film
Fiction, based on true events, dramatic, realistic, families, problems, true stories, telling it from somebody's perspective, natural disasters.
Film openings
Sci Fi
Rom Com/Drama
Comic book
Fiction Films
Sci Fi
Outer space, planets, aliens, rockets, UFO's, shiny, silver, metallic, lasers, events happening on Earth, high tech, water, scary. fiction
Rom-Com/Drama
Love, romance, passion, feminine, diary-like outlook, intense events, problems, relationships, revenge, jealousy, emotions, weddings, dates, food, friendship, non fiction
Comic books
Superheros, villains, damsel in distress, feminine/masculine figure, over exaggerated, drawn, narrator, good vs evil, fiction
Fiction film
Fiction, based on true events, dramatic, realistic, families, problems, true stories, telling it from somebody's perspective, natural disasters.
Film openings
Sci Fi
Rom Com/Drama
Comic book
Fiction Films
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