ATTRACTING YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE
What ways would you go about attracting your target audience to come and see this film?
Advertising: Advertising is an audio or visual form of marketing communication that employs an openly sponsored, non-personal message to promote or sell a product, service or idea. This would help attract the target audience of a film by advertising the age the film is for, the outline of what the film is about, including a trailer.
Marketing: Marketing the action or business of promoting and selling products or services, including market research and advertising.
Wednesday, 30 November 2016
RESEARCH - Character
Characters
How important are characters particularly in the opening 2 minutes of a film?
Movies tell stories about people. In every script, the writer has to create one character (or a set of characters) that the audience will root for or hate. This special character is known as the main character, often referred to as the protagonist. He or she will be the character with most obstacles and normally the one with most screen time.
Creating interesting, realistic characters is an art in itself. To find the right dose of believability and novelty to mix together and form an exciting, plausible character ranks as one of the hardest tasks in screenwriting. However characters in the first 2 minutes of a film are not too important as you could get a film opening of a setting, so overall characters are important for the film however are not essential in the first two minutes.
3 existing character profiles
Mia Wallace (Pulp Fiction)
Before we even see her, Mia Wallace is the most talked about character in the film.
Appearing to be the most evil, deranged, and flat out psychotic killer of all comic book villains, The Joker is the primary antagonist of Batman. He is the complete opposite of Batman, in everything from appearance (Batman tends to be a rather large and muscular man, while The Joker is typically a man of average height or even taller possessing a skinny frame), to ideals. The Joker views murder as sport, and will not hesitate to toy with his food before he eats it, even if said food are the men he has hired to work for him. As intimidating as he is psychotic, he still manages to recruit hordes of henchmen despite his maniacal insanity."The Joker's physical appearance is a polar opposite of that of Batman. Batman uses dark colours such as grey and black to intimidate criminals, while The Joker relies on bright colours, such as purple, green, and sometimes orange to do his bidding. The Joker also has a melted cliché clown face, the origins of which differ depending on the continuity he is used in. Some incarnations of The Joker see him wearing actual make up (such as in the film "The Dark Knight"), while others show his skin actually having been bleached (as in the 1989 "Batman"). He also traditionally has green hair and red lips, to complete the look of the psycho clown.
His methods are unpredictable and incalculable. He does things according to his own twisted sense of logic, and does not desire money. If there was one thing that he did desire, it would be the power to instil anarchy into Gotham by any means necessary, proving that organization is meaningless and futile. He is an exceptionally intelligent man, and this tends to be his greatest weapon against Batman, the police, and the District Attorney's office. He is often confronted by the authorities, but easily evades capture due to sick and twisted mind games he plays on them, all full of mystery. While Batman prefers to stay in the shadows, The Joker basks in the spotlight, often broadcasting himself to the public and media outlets."
All of the characters above are iconic because they are memorable characters from legendary films that everyone knows because of their clever ways of acting and the fact that each of these characters creates a relationship with the viewer even if they are a 'villain'. They add excitement and the thrill factor to each film bringing emotions and feeling between the characters and the audience.
How important are characters particularly in the opening 2 minutes of a film?
Movies tell stories about people. In every script, the writer has to create one character (or a set of characters) that the audience will root for or hate. This special character is known as the main character, often referred to as the protagonist. He or she will be the character with most obstacles and normally the one with most screen time.
Creating interesting, realistic characters is an art in itself. To find the right dose of believability and novelty to mix together and form an exciting, plausible character ranks as one of the hardest tasks in screenwriting. However characters in the first 2 minutes of a film are not too important as you could get a film opening of a setting, so overall characters are important for the film however are not essential in the first two minutes.
3 existing character profiles
Mia Wallace (Pulp Fiction)
Before we even see her, Mia Wallace is the most talked about character in the film.
We know she's the big man's new wife, a "don't touch" person if there ever was one. But she's also beautiful and bored. So when Jules, and later the bartender, learn that Vincent has to "take her out" and "show her a good time," they think it's hilarious. She's the most dangerous character in the movie. Vincent needs to get high on heroin in order to go through with it.
Heath Ledger as The Joker (The dark knight)
Appearing to be the most evil, deranged, and flat out psychotic killer of all comic book villains, The Joker is the primary antagonist of Batman. He is the complete opposite of Batman, in everything from appearance (Batman tends to be a rather large and muscular man, while The Joker is typically a man of average height or even taller possessing a skinny frame), to ideals. The Joker views murder as sport, and will not hesitate to toy with his food before he eats it, even if said food are the men he has hired to work for him. As intimidating as he is psychotic, he still manages to recruit hordes of henchmen despite his maniacal insanity."The Joker's physical appearance is a polar opposite of that of Batman. Batman uses dark colours such as grey and black to intimidate criminals, while The Joker relies on bright colours, such as purple, green, and sometimes orange to do his bidding. The Joker also has a melted cliché clown face, the origins of which differ depending on the continuity he is used in. Some incarnations of The Joker see him wearing actual make up (such as in the film "The Dark Knight"), while others show his skin actually having been bleached (as in the 1989 "Batman"). He also traditionally has green hair and red lips, to complete the look of the psycho clown.His methods are unpredictable and incalculable. He does things according to his own twisted sense of logic, and does not desire money. If there was one thing that he did desire, it would be the power to instil anarchy into Gotham by any means necessary, proving that organization is meaningless and futile. He is an exceptionally intelligent man, and this tends to be his greatest weapon against Batman, the police, and the District Attorney's office. He is often confronted by the authorities, but easily evades capture due to sick and twisted mind games he plays on them, all full of mystery. While Batman prefers to stay in the shadows, The Joker basks in the spotlight, often broadcasting himself to the public and media outlets."
Renton - Ewan McGregor (trainspotting)
The main protagonist in Trainspotting, Mark Renton is the Scottish anti-hero who struggles with drug addiction in memorable scenes beginning with a scene in which he fishes a suppository from a blocked toilet to feed his habit. Later he overdoses on heroin and is subsequently held captive by his parents in an intervention where he experiences withdrawal hallucinations. Despite this, throughout the movie Renton remains the most sympathetic character as we occasionally hear his voiceover in the first person. Escaping to London Renton's old life catches up to him as "friends" get back in touch. The movie closes with Renton departing after stealing the proceeds of a drug deal from his associates.
All of the characters above are iconic because they are memorable characters from legendary films that everyone knows because of their clever ways of acting and the fact that each of these characters creates a relationship with the viewer even if they are a 'villain'. They add excitement and the thrill factor to each film bringing emotions and feeling between the characters and the audience.
Monday, 28 November 2016
RESEARCH - Dialogue
WHAT IS DIALOGUE?
Dialogue is a conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or film. In a way, it is any form of speech. Possibly in order to solve a problem.
IS DIALOGUE NECESSARY IN THE OPENING TWO MINUTES OF A FILM?
In my opinion, i believe that dialogue is not necessary in the two minute opening scene of a movie as it could be seen to be too overpowering and can distract the audience into understanding what genre it is. I think the simple use of music is much more effective, as it can give the audience an opportunity to understand what is going on, rather that jumping straight into characterization. However, others may disagree because a film cannot be ruined if there is dialogue involved. For example in 'Like Crazy' which is a romance film, the opening scene consists of the characters sitting in a class room or lecture room, which involves the teacher 'teaching' them. This doesn't make the movie a bad one, it just may have the power to distract the audience.
A comedy where dialogue is not used in the opening scene: AIRPLANE
The opening scene of this movie is where the airplane is in the clouds remaking the scene of jaws swimming in the sea. The opening scene of this consists of the jaws theme tune and doesn't involve any speech. This keeps it nice and simple and doesn't over complicate.
A comedy where dialogue is used in the opening scene: TED
Ted's opening scene consists of the two main characters sitting on the sofa in front of the telly sitting and talking to each other. In a way, this helps tell the audience that it is a comedy as they are talking about funny things etc. It may confuse the audience however as they will not know why they are talking about the specific conversation they are having. This would lead to confusion.
A horror where dialogue is not used in the opening scene: The Women in Black
The opening scene of this film involves no dialogue, just music, which insinuates on the spookiness as it just concentrates on the dark, gloomy music. This will help develop the audience to consider how scary the film is going to be and how serious it portrays in the opening scene.
A horror where dialogue is used in the opening scene: Blare witch Project
The opening scene of this film consists of the characters recording themselves, therefore opening the film with dialogue. The use of dialogue insinuates on the idea of how the characters are filming it themselves as the whole film is based on them going on a trip into the woods, not knowing that something is following/ haunting them.
Dialogue is a conversation between two or more people as a feature of a book, play, or film. In a way, it is any form of speech. Possibly in order to solve a problem.
IS DIALOGUE NECESSARY IN THE OPENING TWO MINUTES OF A FILM?
In my opinion, i believe that dialogue is not necessary in the two minute opening scene of a movie as it could be seen to be too overpowering and can distract the audience into understanding what genre it is. I think the simple use of music is much more effective, as it can give the audience an opportunity to understand what is going on, rather that jumping straight into characterization. However, others may disagree because a film cannot be ruined if there is dialogue involved. For example in 'Like Crazy' which is a romance film, the opening scene consists of the characters sitting in a class room or lecture room, which involves the teacher 'teaching' them. This doesn't make the movie a bad one, it just may have the power to distract the audience.
A comedy where dialogue is not used in the opening scene: AIRPLANE
The opening scene of this movie is where the airplane is in the clouds remaking the scene of jaws swimming in the sea. The opening scene of this consists of the jaws theme tune and doesn't involve any speech. This keeps it nice and simple and doesn't over complicate. A comedy where dialogue is used in the opening scene: TED Ted's opening scene consists of the two main characters sitting on the sofa in front of the telly sitting and talking to each other. In a way, this helps tell the audience that it is a comedy as they are talking about funny things etc. It may confuse the audience however as they will not know why they are talking about the specific conversation they are having. This would lead to confusion.
A horror where dialogue is not used in the opening scene: The Women in Black
The opening scene of this film involves no dialogue, just music, which insinuates on the spookiness as it just concentrates on the dark, gloomy music. This will help develop the audience to consider how scary the film is going to be and how serious it portrays in the opening scene.
A horror where dialogue is used in the opening scene: Blare witch Project
The opening scene of this film consists of the characters recording themselves, therefore opening the film with dialogue. The use of dialogue insinuates on the idea of how the characters are filming it themselves as the whole film is based on them going on a trip into the woods, not knowing that something is following/ haunting them. Friday, 25 November 2016
RESEARCH - Sound
SOUND:
What are the conventions of music in film openings in the following genres?
In opening scenes of films, there is usually sound. Non-diegetic and diegetic sound. Non-diegetic sound is the most popular because it helps set the scene for the audience and conveys the type of genre the film is and what to expect within the film. For example, slow and tense music will used in a horror. However, some opening films use diegetic music to help set the scene were the actors can hear the music too. This is usually used in film genres such as comedy where the actor might be dancing too a funny type of music to help the audience establish the type of genre they are watching.
COMEDY: The sound that portrays a comedy film would be bouncy and jolly, in order for the audience to understand hat genre it is. For example in 'Cheaper by the Dozen's' opening scene where all of the actors are in the kitchen, cheery and happy, listening to the radio playing. That would be the use of diegetic sound as the actors can hear the music as well as the audience.
HORROR: The sound that would play in an opening scene of a horror film would be something slow, tense and gloomy as it would help develop an understanding for the audience to see which genre the film is. An example would be 'The women in black' Where the three young girls are playing with their dolls and then see a figue or know that someone or something is telling them to die insinuating on the music where it is dark and spooky and sounds dramatic.
ACTION: The sound that you would hear in the opening scene of an action film would be something exciting and possibly dangerous and loud. This would help portray that something exciting may happen, leading the audience to understand what genre it is and causing them to want to carry on watching it. For example, the film 'Skyfall' where James Bond is being chased has dramatic music (Non-diegetic).
DRAMA: The sound that you would hear in the opening scene of a drama movie would be something dramatic and bouncy and exiting. However the music could be sad and dull or depressing as this drama can go both ways. Either happy or sad. Usually it would be non-diegetic as the actors or characters would be able to hear it. However, for example in 'Frozen' it would be diegetic as the characters are singing, therefore they can hear the music as well as the viewers. The music in the opening scene of 'Frozen' sounds angry and strong, as of the characters are motivating each other in getting their work done. This can insinuate on the movie being dramatic as you would want to find out why the characters are cutting ice.
ROMANCE: The sound you would usually hear in a romance film would be something soft and gentle, sweet and light. Nothing too overpowering or heavy as the producers would want to portray something lovable is about to occur. The music playing could potentially be done by musical instruments like the piano or violin as they are known to be quite romantic.The perfect example of this is from the opening scene of 'The Notebook'. Ryan Gosling who plays Noah in the film 'The Notebook' is sitting in a row boat on a lake whilst the sun is setting and the only music you can hear is the piano playing. It is a great way to insinuate on how the movie is going to be a romance genre as the piano is soft and not too distracting. Moreover, it does happen to sound overly romantic.
What are the conventions of music in film openings in the following genres?
In opening scenes of films, there is usually sound. Non-diegetic and diegetic sound. Non-diegetic sound is the most popular because it helps set the scene for the audience and conveys the type of genre the film is and what to expect within the film. For example, slow and tense music will used in a horror. However, some opening films use diegetic music to help set the scene were the actors can hear the music too. This is usually used in film genres such as comedy where the actor might be dancing too a funny type of music to help the audience establish the type of genre they are watching.
COMEDY: The sound that portrays a comedy film would be bouncy and jolly, in order for the audience to understand hat genre it is. For example in 'Cheaper by the Dozen's' opening scene where all of the actors are in the kitchen, cheery and happy, listening to the radio playing. That would be the use of diegetic sound as the actors can hear the music as well as the audience.HORROR: The sound that would play in an opening scene of a horror film would be something slow, tense and gloomy as it would help develop an understanding for the audience to see which genre the film is. An example would be 'The women in black' Where the three young girls are playing with their dolls and then see a figue or know that someone or something is telling them to die insinuating on the music where it is dark and spooky and sounds dramatic.ACTION: The sound that you would hear in the opening scene of an action film would be something exciting and possibly dangerous and loud. This would help portray that something exciting may happen, leading the audience to understand what genre it is and causing them to want to carry on watching it. For example, the film 'Skyfall' where James Bond is being chased has dramatic music (Non-diegetic).DRAMA: The sound that you would hear in the opening scene of a drama movie would be something dramatic and bouncy and exiting. However the music could be sad and dull or depressing as this drama can go both ways. Either happy or sad. Usually it would be non-diegetic as the actors or characters would be able to hear it. However, for example in 'Frozen' it would be diegetic as the characters are singing, therefore they can hear the music as well as the viewers. The music in the opening scene of 'Frozen' sounds angry and strong, as of the characters are motivating each other in getting their work done. This can insinuate on the movie being dramatic as you would want to find out why the characters are cutting ice.
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