Classwork

 This blog post contains a summary of what we learned in class.

Camera  Angles 

camera angles refer to the position of the camera in relation to the subject being filmed. the placement of the camera can affect how the subject is perceived by the audience. different camera angles and camera movements have different connotations that can affect how the audience feels.

there are 12 types of camera angles that we've learned:

1. long shot - a long shot frames the subject from a distance and focuses on its surroundings. audiences can experience the vastness of the location, and the subject appears to be isolated and alone.

2. extreme long shot - an extreme long shot shows the full length of the subject while also including a large amount of the surrounding area of the film setting, it is a view from an even greater distance from a long shot in which the subject appear as small dots in the landscape.

3. medium shot - a medium show shows the character from the waist to the top of the head, it emphasize both the character and their surroundings by giving them an equal presence on screen. 

4. cowboy shot - a cowboy shot frames the subject form the mid-thigh to the top of their head, it is usually used to reveal a weapon that the character is holding.

5. close up - a close up often used to show a character from the top of the shoulders to the top of their head. this is to draw the audiences attention to the character and show the importance of their presence.

6. extreme close up - an extreme close up is a shot framed of a characters face, this can allow the audience to understand the characters feelings.

7. POV - a POV shows what the character is looking at in a first person perspective, this gives the audience a view from the characters perspective by positioning the camera right where the characters eyes would be.

8. over the shoulder - this is when the camera angle is placed above the back of the shoulder and head of a subject. this is commonly used to show a conversation happening between two subjects.

9. high angle - it is when the camera points down on the subject from above. this shot is used to make the subject or object below seem vulnerable, powerless or weak.

10. low angle - it is when the shot is taken from below and pointing up. this can be used to make a subject appear to be larger, taller or more powerful.

11. dutch angle - it is when the camera is tilted, this gives the audience a feeling of disorientation or uneasiness.

12. establishing shot - an establishing shot is a wide or extreme wide shot of buildings or landscapes, this is to introduce new scenes and tell the audience where and when the action is happening.

during the class, we had to create a mini poster showing how different camera angles look like and what connotations or meanings they have. here are the mini posters the class made:

this video my teacher shared was also helpful for me to have a better understanding about different types of camera angles. this video also showed examples from movies that used different camera angles and how they have different connotations.

Camera Movement

during the class, we learned about different camera movements and how each camera movement have different connotations and have different effects to the audiences feelings.

This is a list of camera movements we learned in class:

Sound

- Diegetic Sound : it is a sound that can be heard by the characters within the media text. It adds a sense of realism and reveals information to the characters (and then audience)

- Non-diegetic Sound : it is a sound that can only be heard by the audience. It enhances meaning and creates an emotional response in the audience.

- Trans Diegetic Sound: it is a sound that transitions from on to the other. It creates a link between the audience and the world and it makes it more immersive.

Non Diegetic Tones:

- Melodic : It is positive and pleasing connotations, it enhances a positive scene while also creating positive emotions in the audience.

- Discordant : It is harsh and unpleasant connotations, it enhances negative scenes and creates suspense, tension and anxiety.

- Contrapuntal : It has an opposite tone to the on-scene visuals. It adds a deeper meaning to scenes and creates insights into the character's thoughts. Maybe they seek pleasure in doing bad things.

Mise-en-scene

a mise-en-scene refers to the arrangement and design of visual elements within a frame or a scene. 

these are the 12 factors of mise-en-scene we studied in class:

during the lesson we did a group work where we created the mise-en-scene of a scenario of foolish teenagers entering a haunted house, we drew and explain how the factors of mise-en-scene can create a sense of place to the audience. this is the classwork that my group made:

we also did a classwork where we mentioned the factors of miss-en-scene from different movie characters and sets.

our teacher also gave us a video which explains more about mise-en-scene and also gives us examples from films or media texts that uses mise-en-scene and gives different connotations to them

Edit

editing is the process of selecting, arranging and manipulating footage to create a cohesive and engaging story. (post production)

There are two types of takes / cuts that we learned:

Long take: 

- feels slow

- build suspense

- extends the feelings

- more immersive

Short take / quick cut: 

- increase pace

- high energy / excitement

- action

- focus on detail

There are two types of editing that we learned:

Continuity Editing:

- Straight cut (cut)

- Eyeline match

- Shot / reverse shot

- Cutaway / inset

- Match cut

Non Continuity Editing:

- Cross cut (parallel cut)

- Flash back

- Flash forward

- Jump out

- Match cut

Media consolidation - media consolidation is the concentration of ownership of our media sources (news, film, TV,

radio, video games etc)

into the hands of fewer and fewer corporations.

Advantages of media consolidation:

• Able to provide content for niche audiences

• Improved quality due to better funding

• It is cheaper for the audience

• Converging technologies (eg. we can now get our TV, phone and internet from the same company, making

• things

• simple)

• Diversification - less risk for the media company. (if something fails, it is not too much of an issue)

• Can reach a larger audience.

Disadvantages of media consolidation: 

• smaller/independent media outlets can’t compete with the production quality

• Illusion of choice

• Lack of competitiveness and alternate view points. Every TV channel is expressing the same viewpoint.

• The focus is making money, not good content

• Less local news

Curran & Seaton Theory

• The mass media is owned and operated by fewer and fewer companies. (media consolidation into

• conglomerates.

• (conglomerates - conglomerates are large parent companies with smaller independent entities that may

• operate

• across multiple industries.)

• Mass media is driven by political agendas and economic influences.

• The rise in new media is associated with the decline of quality content. 

• Web users have a larger voice and can challenge conglomerates.

Vertical integration - it is when one company owns more than one stage of the media chain. (production,

distribution, exhibition)

Benefits of owning all stages of production:

For the company (eg. Disney):

• Creative control over story, script, design, editing, rating, marketing

• Able to use more characters that appeal to a wider audience. 

• Increase revenue (don’t share profits)

• Access to user data (tailor content, suggestions)

For the audience:

• More content, intertextuality (intertextuality - the relationship between media products where one text

• references another text by reusing some of its ideas and meanings)

Past Paper Practice

‘In the world of media ownership, bigger is always better.’ To what extent is this true in the media area you have

studied? [25 marks]

How to answer:

• Topic sentence that answers the question

• Outline the company, what it owns

• Give an explanation of vertical integration

• Introduce the media and how it was produced, distributed and exhibited

• How does this benefit the company?

• How does this benefit the audience?

• Are there any disadvantages?

• How do the ideas of Curran and Seaton fit this case study? (what is the company’s ideology? What

• economic influences played a role? Has this integration resulted ina decline in quality?)

Horizontal integration - when one company owns more than one stage within the same level.

• It also allows companies to diversify their content, profit etc. it also allows for cross - promotion, and

• different media platforms bring access to different audiences.

• Audiences can benefit because it gives them more exposure to their favourite media properties/characters,

• and can increase engagement. (children who are exposed to character when they are young will more likely

• consume the same property when they are older)

Synergy - mutually beneficial cross promotional strategies used by companies. 

How synergy benefits both parties:

For examples James Bond 

Benefits for James Bond:

• High pays from companies

• More locations, tax free

• Luxury brands to bolster Bond’s image

• More awareness (each company will have its own Bond marketing campaign)

• A chance to reach new markets/audience

Benefits for companies:

• Get to be associated with Bond

• Good advertisement for locations

• They can include the character in their marketing campaigns

• Bond fans may purchase products they see on screen

Hypodermic Needle theory (not really a working theory anymore) 

It assumes the audience as a sponge, absorbing ideologies from the media passively, without any questions  

Two Step Flow theory

Expand the passive audience theory to suggest that people have their interpretations formed by opinion leaders

(opinion leader - an active media user who interprets the meaning of media messages or content for lower-end

media users. / trusted members of the community -> celebrities, influences)

Uses & Gratification (Blumer & Katz)

The audience is actively using the media to satisfy some of our bas social needs;

• Diversion - a form of escapism from the stresses and strains of life. Maybe all media falls into this group

• Personal identity - the media supplies us with role models and ways of understanding our place in society

• Social relationships - people make connections with performers they see on the screen, they also form

• relationships with people in society when discussing the media product

• Surveillance - audiences use the media to gather information

Reflection: this classwork post helped me better remember and understand the key terms and theories better, by making this post i was able to review important media concepts by rewriting them. i can always go back to this classwork post if i need to do revisions for any mock test as most of the learning materials are compiled into one post.

Screen Test

This post contains the screen test for our project

Our class conducted a screen test where, me and my classmates practiced acting out different lines. by doing this screen test, we can see who is comfortable and and confident acting in front of the camera.

then our group made our own screen test where we tried to find people who could suit the roles we need for our thriller film opening. 

Reflection: it was a new experience for me to create a screen test. it was entertaining to see my classmates trying to do the screen test, until it was my turn, thankfully i did my take with one of my group member which made it less embarrassing. the screen test made me reflect that actors really need to be comfortable and have confidence when doing their job

Script / Screenplay

 This blog post contains the script and screenplay of our group's project

Reflection: as a group we worked together to make the script and screenplay, but mostly Tisha worded everthing out in the document. first we tried to choose a suitable name with a relatable meaning to the film, and then we started to come up with phrases that the characters will say. i find making the script enjoyable as we all thought of ways on how each character would say each line. 

Storyboard

This blog post contains the storyboard for our component 1. the storyboard was drawn by our member Cassie also with the help of me, Tisha and Eileen by giving ideas

Our teacher gave us a helpful video that explains more about storyboard and how to make a good and proper storyboard. here is the video:

this was our very first idea of what our thriller film opening was going to be about:

then we started to do a clearer version of our initial idea :

this is our final storyboard for our film opening project:

Reflection: the video my teacher showed me was very informative and i now know better on how to make storyboards. by making a storyboard, it helps us visualize how our film opening will look like, it will also be helpful when we start filming, we can know what scenes to film and how to film them. however i also think that creating the storyboard takes a very long time, and there was a time where there were stains on the paper and my group member Cassie had to remake them.  

Statement of Intent

 This is the statement of intent for our thriller film opening project. 

Statement of Intent 

Genre
Thriller – Mystery, Horror
Target Audience
Demographic	Teenagers (15-21)
Psychographic	People who enjoy watching thriller; with low lighting (dark contrast colours), High School Student; rebel students
How we will appeal to this target audience
Include modern situations and elements such as social media, technology, trends. This gives a personal and relatable sense that teenage audiences can relate. Other than that we show
Main inspirations
Get Out and Midsommar
General Synopsis
Main character fight with mom Mom mad and sad Partyyyyy  Kidnap kaki gets dragged out mom ❤️call “where r uuuu”
Characters
Teenage girl Mom Kidnapper Random background walkers
Representations
People:  Main Character (Lilith Angelica) – Will be using short dresses that most teenagers would usually use, they wear soft makeup Mother – Hair in a bun (?), Typical home clothes, reading glasses, strict expressions  Places: Tisha’s House – decorate the house with decorations that would suit a party,  Props:  Plastic cups (?) Soda’s (Sprite, Coca Cola)  Parking lot – find areas that has dim / low lighting to give an effect to the audience feeling gloomy and scary  Props:  Car Phone Room – Where the main character will be getting ready  Props:  Make up Hair straightener / curler Notebook Polaroid Camera Bag  Heels Photobooth pictures on mirror/wall
Dominant Reading
“Step on a crack, you break your moms back” – Listen to your mom, before it's too late. Your actions affect other people.
Proposed Roles
Script	Cassie
Storyboard	Cassie
Location Scout	Eileen
Risk Assessment	Eileen
Screen Test	Tisha
Filming schedule	Eileen
Audience research	Kimora
Behind-the-scenes	Kimora
Editing	Tisha

Reflection: The statement of intent helped us outline the main idea and plan of our project. we get to think further into our project for example by thinking of representations and target audiences, we get to have a clear view of what our project will look like. we then assigned each members into different roles, by doing this we think that we can make things more efficient. 

Research: Genre

My group and I decided to create a film opening in the genre of thriller. This blog post contains the research for my project

Typical conventions of a thriller genre is about creating suspense and excitement to the audience. they are fast paced and mostly have plot twists that surprises the audience. the characters can be complex and have hidden motives. Films from this genre usually have specific settings, camera work, sound, and editing that create a tense atmosphere. Scenes often take place in dark alleys or abandoned buildings, with dim lighting that creates shadows and a sense of danger. High camera angles make characters look weak and vulnerable, while low angles make them look strong. Close-ups show their emotions, and handheld or dolly shots make the audience feel part of the action. Discordant sounds build tension, and sudden silences increase suspense. Everyday sounds like footsteps and creaking doors add realism and fast-paced cuts create excitement in action scenes. The narrative is usually about crime, survival, escape, psychological conflicts. The films opening is often used to set the mood and atmosphere, introduces key themes, and grabs the audience's attention. It usually introduces important characters, sets up the main conflict, and raises questions to make the audience engaged. The opening may also hint at what will happen later and shows the film’s style through technical elements

Big Research 1:

The Call, 2020

Produce by: Yong Films

Distributed by: Netflix, New Entertainment World

The Call, 2020 is a thriller, mystery and horror genre, more specifically a psychological thriller. This film focuses on the character's thoughts and feelings such as fear, dilemmas and manipulation. 

This film follows several conventions to thriller films. Firstly, the film portrays the villain with a complicated and sad past or backstory, this is common in other thriller films where the villains or antagonists often have relatable reasons for their actions. Another convention is the use of camera, the film uses close ups to show the characters expressions and feelings during suspenseful or frightening scenes, this makes the audience feel more connected and engaged to the film.  Moreover, the film includes unexpected twists to the plot, this is also common in thriller films. This changes the audience's understanding of the characters motive and timeline which allows them to stay engaged to the plot. 

The Call, 2020 also subverts to some thriller conventions. Firstly it subverts by having an open ending. The film ends with an unclear resolution which leaves the audience questioning whether changing the past is right or wrong, this encourages the audience to think more deeply of the overall film. This film also subverts by focusing more on psychological tension  rather than action scenes, therefore this creates a sense of unease for the audience throughout the storyline. Lastly this film also includes the use of Korean culture. The film showcases cultural elements such as family relationships and social pressures which creates more of a niche film. 

The main character or protagonist represents strength and she struggles against her fate. While the antagonist is portrayed as a complex character with a complicated past. To add, the location of the film.is set in a rural setting, which creates a feeling of isolation and makes the character more vulnerable. Additionally, the film uses phone calls to connect between the past and present, this emphasizes the impact of trying to change her fate. 

The camera work used in the film were close ups, they show the character's emotions and feelings during suspenseful scenes, this connects the audience with the characters. Low angle shots of the antagonist makes her look more strong and threatening. The editing also plays a big part of the film. The pace of the cuts creates different feelings to the audience. Quick cuts during intense scenes creates more of an emotional involvement to the audience. The sounds used in the film were discordant sounds, there were also times where there was complete silence which increases tension. Lastly the lighting  used was dark and low-key lighting, it creates a suspenseful atmosphere, the colder color tones were also used, this creates more of a cold, isolated environment. 

Big Research 2:

Knives Out

Produce by: T-Street Productions, MRC, FilmNation Entertainment

Distributed by: Lionsgate Films

The film Knives Out, 2019 is categorized as a thriller and mystery film. The films plot is a murder mystery with clever and smart characters. The overall film engages and includes the audience. The audience will also feel involved to solve the mystery alongside the detective.

The film conforms to several conventions of a typical thriller genre. Firstly the film is set in the Thrombey estate, it is a dark mansion in a remote this creates a feeling of being trapped and it also increases the danger as the characters secrets are revealed. The film also conforms by having plot twists and misleading clues that keeps the audience guessing and interested in the film. 

The film also subverts the conventions to a typical thriller genre. The film doesn't wait until the end to reveal the murderer, but instead it reveals the murderers identity early in the film. This is uncommon in most thriller films. The film also subverts by criticizing wealthy families, scenes often shows the wealthy family's darker and more manipulative side while typical films shows the better or more pleasant side of wealthy families. 

The film represents different social groups through the characters and setting. The caregiver, Mata Cabrera shows a hard working character that contrasts to the Thrombey family who represents the privileged and entitled. Moreover, the Thrombey estate represents the wealth by its size but also shows the family's internal problem during the film.

Technical elements such as camera, mise-en-scene, edit and sound help create meanings. Camera shots used such as establishing shots to show the size and the luxurieness of the Thrombey estate which creates a impressive feeling to the audience. Close-up shots on Martha shows her emotions during suspenseful or frightening scenes. This allows the audience to know and sympathize to her feelings. Other than that, the sounds used were discordant which creates suspense and a dark atmosphere.

Here are some texts that I will look at a little more broadly to see how they appeal to audiences and how they can inspire me. 

Small Research 1:

Unlocked, 2023

The target audience are mainly young adults aged 18-30 who are aware of risks that can be caused by modern technology. The film can appeal to people who are interested in modern technology and its impacts to society. It shows how easily someone's personal data can be stolen leading to concerns and fear of privacy being invaded. The makes the film more realistic as it is now very common in today’s world.

The film begins by showing a typical day in the Na-mi’s life, but from her phone’s perspective. It shows the daily routines of her life such as from texting her friends, scrolling through social media, etc. I really like this opening because it is different from other thriller film openings. It shows a much more positive and exciting side while also introducing the main character. However, at the end of the day, the scene contrasts to the previous bright and fun scenes. The scene is dark and quiet, it shows the main character dozing off in the bus after a night out with her friends, she then wakes up to exit the bus and leaves her phone  main character got drunk and left phone. The camera then moves closer and closer to the phone with the use of discordant sounds to create tension showing that someone is approaching the phone. I would like to use modern technology for the my projects opening, it can be from the characters mobile phone, tablet or laptop. The perspective from the device can create more realism and relatability to the audience lifestyle.

Small Research 2:

The Guilty, 2021

The film targets young adults to adults aged 18-50, this is because the film contains intense action scenes and mature content. This film can be appealing to people who enjoy thriller/crime/mystery genres since it shows a suspenseful journey of the main character. 

During the opening, the main character is shown working as a 911 call operator. The character is shown taking multiple emergency calls which creates a sense of urgency to the audience. I would like to add how the character is introduced to the film, it shows their job and clearly shows their personality, how they handle real time problems and resolve them. This can give the audience an impression of the character from the opening.

However, the opening scene seemed to be a little long, there was a long series of emergency calls which may cause the audience to loose interest since the conflict or problem isn't shown or introduced. I would like to avoid that in my film opening and instead make straightforward plots that can be engaging and thrilling to the audience. The opening has to create a good impression to the audience for them to keep watching the film, therefore i think it is important to keep the interested and engaged during the first few minutes of the film. 

Small Research 3:

Missing, 2023

The target audience of the film Missing, 2023 are teenagers, young adults to adults aged 13-40, people who are interested in technology, suspenseful films and mystery. It also appeals to people who enjoy thrillers and psychological films. The film stands out because there are very little films that is based only through the perspective of the characters laptop and mobile phone. Therefore this appeals to more people, they are interested in a unique and different style of thriller/mystery.

The film opens by an old video of the main character as a child with her parents, they are shown having a good time together. It contrasts to the typical thriller conventions, it gives the audience a warm and pleasing feeling. Then the video closes and is now in the present day. The coloring of the film changes, from a warm tone to a cooler and paler tone, this shows that things have changed. Overall, i really like the use of technology to the whole film. I would like to add this to my opening for my project as the audience can relate to the film since this is relevant to their daily activities, i believe by doing this, the audience can relate to and understand the overall plot and the characters feelings throughout the film.

However, something i would like to avoid is the slow pacing of the film. The opening continuously shows the characters daily activities instead of introducing the conflict. This can result the audience to lose interest to watching the film since no problem or suspense is introduced yet. In my project, i would like to make sure the audience are interested and engaged throughout the film. The opening has to create a good impression to the audience for them to keep watching the film, therefore i think it is important to keep the interested and engaged during the first few minutes of the film. 

Small Research 4:

I Came By, 2022

The target audience for this film is people aged 18- 35. The film can appeal to people who enjoy thrilling plots and psychological films. 

The film opens by showing a tense and mysterious situation right away, the scene is showing two graffiti characters breaking into homes. This creates a thrilling feeling to the audience since they feel a sense of danger seeing the characters breaking in to peoples houses. The two characters then have higher desires, they plan to break into a wealthy persons house and do their graffiti art. I like the idea of giving the audience a suspenseful scene straightaway. This allows the audience to be hooked and interested of what would happen next in the film. 

However i would like to avoid disappointing the audience. Since the film opens with a suspenseful opening, the main conflict should be even more surprising or thrilling to the audience, this engages the audience to keep on watching until the end. An underwhelming main conflict can result to a loss of interest from the audience.

Small Research 5:

Forgotten, 2017

The target audience for this film is people aged from 15-40, people who enjoy psychological thrillers and mystery films. It appeals to audiences who like suspenseful films and thrilling scenes.

The opening starts with an everyday family life which subverts the typical thriller conventions, this attract the audience since they are curious of what could possibly happen next. Then it shifts to un unsettling scene which introduces the conflicts. The sudden contrast can engage the audience and they can continue to become interested in the film. I like this idea since it allows the audience to become hooked to the storyline and continue watching since they are curious of what happens next. I would like to add this to my project.

However there are some things i would like to avoid. There is a slow buildup in the film, the backstory and the family's interaction slow down the pace of the storyline, this can uninterest audiences. I will make sure to focus less on unnecessary or less interesting parts in the film to keep the audience appealed.

Small Research 6:

Fractured, 2019

The target audience for this film is mainly people who enjoy psychological thrillers and mystery movies, young adults to adults aged 18 to 50. This film attracts people who like stories with suspense and unexpected twists. 

The film starts with an urgent situation, which makes the main character look for his family, which hooks the audience. I can use this idea to my film opening, i can start with a suspenseful start to hook the audience form the beginning since they are questioning about the possible thing that could happen later on in the film.

Something i would like to avoid is giving the audience too much information in the beginning, it can be confusing if too much information is given too quickly. It would be better to focus on fewer characters or a central problem at the start, so the audience can easily follow the story.

Reflection: by doing multiple researches, i have started to notice a pattern on typical thriller film opening and its genre conventions. i've also learned about different ways to open a film. Doing this research will help me a lot as i can have many ideas for my own group's project, also the research helped me understand what is good and what is bad in an opening, i can add some good opening ideas and avoid things that could make the film opening bad. 

Research: Industry

This blog post contains my research about the industry 

i am working in the thriller genre and plan to produce a niche movie. this choice is because we dont have access to a high quality equipment, so focusing on a smaller and more specific audience makes it more simpler to make. in the real world, a small independent production companies would most likely make this type of project as they often work with lower budgets and focus on unique stories that appeal to specific audiences.

- What other content do they produce? 

 Sony Pictures produces a wide range of content, such as films, TV shows and digital content. they are known for their blockbuster films such as Spider-Man, Men in Black and Jumanji. they also produce successful TV shows like Breaking Bad. 

- Who is their typical audience? 

their audience is very wide, it ranges from families and children to adult audiences. They make both niche and mainstream content to target their audience. 

- How big is the company? How long has it existed? 

Sony Pictures is a global company with a great impact in the industry. it is a part of Sony Corporation, which was founded in 1946. Sony Pictures itself was established in 1987 then followed by Sony's acquisition of Colombia Pictures

- What is their most successful product?

one of their most successful products is the Spider-Man film series, especially the Spider-Man: No Way Home (2021) which became one of the highest grossing films of all time. the Spider-Man franchise has bought Sony Pictures significant success over the years. 

Reflection: by doing an industry research i get to know more about the media industry, how different companies evolve throughout the years and how they target their audiences by the media they produce, although i think that i still need to do more research on the industry