Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Use of Sound in Our Film
As a team we conducted an experiment where we watched Alfred Hitchcocks 1960 horror classic 'Psyco' where we watching the famous shower scene with and without sound. thsi allowed us to see the importance of sound and how diagetic and non diagetic is used for differant things. For example the diagetic scream added more realism and make the audience sympathise and feel fear for her whereas the build up non diagectic sound created heavy suspence as it hightened in pitch as the killer drew near. Bearing this in mind allowed us to be more experimental with our sound...
Voice Over
We added a voice over at the start of our film to add a an omnisient narrator to the story early on. We opted for a male voice because we felt it would sound more serious, for effect we deepened the voice at the end of the film to add a tension on whats going to happen.
Backing Track
We produced our track in the programme Garage band due to copyright. We composed the track so it was calm at the start with a piano instrumental that changes into more of heavy bassline remix when the screenplay includs more action and the cuts get faster to add pace.
Voice Over
We added a voice over at the start of our film to add a an omnisient narrator to the story early on. We opted for a male voice because we felt it would sound more serious, for effect we deepened the voice at the end of the film to add a tension on whats going to happen.
Backing Track
We produced our track in the programme Garage band due to copyright. We composed the track so it was calm at the start with a piano instrumental that changes into more of heavy bassline remix when the screenplay includs more action and the cuts get faster to add pace.
Analysis of our Opening Scenes
This is our first scene and overall we wanted to make the audience feel that it is just an ordinary day, we also used the generic film noir convention of femme fatale with the costume. The theme of black in our female protagonists clothes add mystery and will leave the audience questioning who is she? what's in the letter?
We used a split screen to create the impression that there are multiple threats being delivered and the mid shot also establishs early on to the viewer the motif of letters we are using throughout the film.
We used this shot of a closed eye that then opens to show a drastic change in tone after the calm 'letter scene' to show bring in the sinister mafia element of the film. The extreme close up will add intimacy to the scene.
Plot and Concept of Our Film
After seeing the film 'Phonebooth' we think that the concept of blackmail is effective in that it has the power appeal to a range of ages. However to add our own twist we are opting for a mafia blackmailing innoccent citizens through letters as we felt that this carried a sinister theme that would effect the viewers. The domestic home location will add realism to the plot as it is an everyday place with connotations of security where you wouldn't except crime to occur.
Our film opening aim is to create suspence by featuring a serious of fast cuts from the film condensed into a few minutes, this is known as a non-linear plot as it isn't chronological. The whole film is basically going to follow a 'whos next' approach but overall we want to follow the film noir convention that it will end with a resolution in that there will surviors and the mafia gang will be overturned.
Our film opening aim is to create suspence by featuring a serious of fast cuts from the film condensed into a few minutes, this is known as a non-linear plot as it isn't chronological. The whole film is basically going to follow a 'whos next' approach but overall we want to follow the film noir convention that it will end with a resolution in that there will surviors and the mafia gang will be overturned.
Sub Genre of Our Film
Our chosen sub-genre of crime is Film Noir, when translated in French means 'black film' as it is shot in black and white with shadow lighting to reflect the stylish 1940s. As we have a mainly female cast we thought that we could make an effective film noir film as it focuses on sexuality,feminity and the power of manipulation.
The genre was first noticed in America during 'the great depression' when people were looking for a way to escape into cinema. After watching classic 'The Big Sleep' it is clear that lighting is key to achieving a film noir cinematic effect so it will be a challenge.
The genre was first noticed in America during 'the great depression' when people were looking for a way to escape into cinema. After watching classic 'The Big Sleep' it is clear that lighting is key to achieving a film noir cinematic effect so it will be a challenge.
Target Audience
Gender
I would say that the crime genre is generally stereotyped as being aimed at men due to use of violence, justice sytem and villains. Normally the lead protagonist tends to be a strong dominant male in films such as John Mctiernans ‘Diehard’ (1988) with Bruce Wills’ character. Since crime films first became popular films like Raoul Walsh’s first feature film, ‘The Regeneration’ (1915) the plots were clearly targeted at men with the tough portrayal of life in New York. Although it is common knowledge that women enjoy more light hearted films that fall into the comedy or chick flick genre such as Ken Kwapis’s 2009 film ‘He’s Just Not Into You’ about the trials of love. Furthermore 21st century crime films such as the 2005 blockbuster ‘Mr & Mrs Smith’ directed by Doug Linman proves that with the addition of Angelia Jolie’s character women can be strong characters in crime films. She is shown to be on the same level as Brad Pitts character giving a sense of gender quality so the film arguably appeals to both sexes even though it still had violence, gadgets and sex.
Age
In terms of age and the certificate restriction I’s say that the target audience starts from the age of around 15 due to the content appealing to a more mature audience. Official statics show that people ages 15-24 are most likely to go to the cinema in comparison to only 20% over 40 year olds. This indicates that movie makers would aim there big budget films at a younger audience as they are likely to bring in the most cinema revenue.
Overall... the general appeal and tendency to use weapons and violence is targeted to a more male audience however the escapism element involved in crime films is starting to appeal more and more to women shown by Hollywood’s attempt to add stronger women to their films.
I would say that the crime genre is generally stereotyped as being aimed at men due to use of violence, justice sytem and villains. Normally the lead protagonist tends to be a strong dominant male in films such as John Mctiernans ‘Diehard’ (1988) with Bruce Wills’ character. Since crime films first became popular films like Raoul Walsh’s first feature film, ‘The Regeneration’ (1915) the plots were clearly targeted at men with the tough portrayal of life in New York. Although it is common knowledge that women enjoy more light hearted films that fall into the comedy or chick flick genre such as Ken Kwapis’s 2009 film ‘He’s Just Not Into You’ about the trials of love. Furthermore 21st century crime films such as the 2005 blockbuster ‘Mr & Mrs Smith’ directed by Doug Linman proves that with the addition of Angelia Jolie’s character women can be strong characters in crime films. She is shown to be on the same level as Brad Pitts character giving a sense of gender quality so the film arguably appeals to both sexes even though it still had violence, gadgets and sex.
Age
In terms of age and the certificate restriction I’s say that the target audience starts from the age of around 15 due to the content appealing to a more mature audience. Official statics show that people ages 15-24 are most likely to go to the cinema in comparison to only 20% over 40 year olds. This indicates that movie makers would aim there big budget films at a younger audience as they are likely to bring in the most cinema revenue.
Overall... the general appeal and tendency to use weapons and violence is targeted to a more male audience however the escapism element involved in crime films is starting to appeal more and more to women shown by Hollywood’s attempt to add stronger women to their films.
Top Ten Filmsite Crime Films
The Godfather (1972) (# 1)
GoodFellas (1990) (# 2)
The Godfather, Part II (1974) (# 3)
White Heat (1949) (# 4)
Bonnie and Clyde (1967) (# 5)
Scarface: The Shame of a Nation (1932) (# 6)
Pulp Fiction (1994) (# 7)
The Public Enemy (1931) (# 8)
Little Caesar (1930) (# 9)
Scarface (1983) (# 10).
Genres of Crime Films Theories
Shepherd & Watters- The concept of genre offers the possibility of recognizing similarities even in the midst of great diversity.This means that our crime film will have to include motifs and symbols that are tradionally connected to the crime genre.
Daniel Chandler- Chandler believes that genre is a restrictive device and confussing too many genres in one film will not be a sucess. This is why we will have to carry out niche market research to discover the needs of the audience.
Daniel Chandler- Chandler believes that genre is a restrictive device and confussing too many genres in one film will not be a sucess. This is why we will have to carry out niche market research to discover the needs of the audience.
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