Research for poster design:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3003437/
http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/17146/how-to-fix-the-problem-of-spoiler-filled-trailers
Wednesday 22 October 2014
Friday 17 October 2014
Task 6 - Contextual analysis of existing movie posters
This Quentin Tarantino approved poster is one of my recent favourites. The poster is for a revenge-based spaghetti western starring Jamie Foxx as the lead slave seeking vengeance, Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson and Leonardo DiCaprio among others. The poster has only one colour: red. The remainder includes varies gradients from black to white. The colour scheme of a movie poster is possibly one of the most important aspects of such. The colours scheme chosen in this film poster could not be anymore bold and appropriate for its subject matter: racism in the Old West. The poster features a primary centre image of Django upfront and large, hence showing his position of power and King and Calvin in the background of the piece. The tagline at the top of the poster states: 'Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Vengeance'.
Friday 10 October 2014
Task 5 - Analysis of magazine front covers
In this blog post I will be analysing numerous magazine covers and detailing what representation is being used on each as well as how the cover lines relate to the audience of the magazine, of whom I will also be addressing. I will also be focusing on the main image and masthead in particular in my analysis of the following magazine covers:
Empire Magazine November issue - Interstellar
In this issue of the worlds most popular film magazine, the focus is on the new science-fiction film by Christopher Nolan titled Interstellar. The film stars recent Oscar winner Mathew McConaughey as the lead actor and he is hence the choice for the publications main image, as seen to the left.
In my view, the target audience is 18 - 45 years of age and primarily male. An indication of why I think the primary audience is likely to be male is the content of the cover lines. For example, one of the cover lines details the 15th anniversary of the start of the American television drama 'The West Wing' staring Martin Sheen. This televisions primary audience was male at the time of its original run. The majority of star wars fans are also male (a story detailing the secrets that link the sci-fi television series to the films is mentioned in another cover line).
I also think that the primary audience is likely to be above the age of 18 as a cover line at the bottom states 'The scariest movie of the year revealed', if this is the case then it is likely to be classed as an eighteen by the bbfc for its horrific images and likely strong language, therefore the publisher is trying to entice an audience of at least eighteen. Star Wars, originally released in 1977, would likely appeal to an older audience of around late thirties to early forties and beyond due to its release date alone (the majority of those who viewed the original trilogy were children and teenagers, of whom would be around these ages now). The mention of the Star Wars Television series which is viewed mostly by pre-teens, would suggest a desired appeal towards a younger audience. However, it is unlikely that they would be purchasing the magazine themselves.
The masthead of the magazine is the publications name and logo: 'Empire' (stylised as 'EMPIRE' here). In this instance in particular, the logo has been stylised to match the corresponding 'Interstellar' title. Both of these elements are in the space evoking style to mirror the films sci-fi genre and setting of outer space.
It is most likely that this magazine cover would not appeal to those of fundamental religious beliefs as the film showcased revolves around finding other habitable worlds and lifeforms. Other scientific theories such as The Big Bang are also rumoured to be key features of the unreleased film. Whilst this may not prevent these people from seeing the film, it is likely to appeal less and have an oppositional reading as it is non-relatable to their beliefs.
In this case McConaughey is making full eye-contact with the audience, therefore inciting them into the magazine cover.
Rolling Stone - 'The Bomber'
When released, this issue was received with a lot of criticism for its portrayal of the Boston marathon bomber as a rock star type of figure who is idolised. The worst criticism came for the fact that it was likely that the magazine knew of the controversy this cover would create, yet still decided to run with it, hence offending family members of and the victims themselves of the bombing. In my opinion, the use of the main title: 'The Bomber' glorifies the radical islamist terrorist as it almost sounds like the nickname of an idolised sportsman or someone who does good for recognition.
Empire Magazine November issue - InterstellarIn this issue of the worlds most popular film magazine, the focus is on the new science-fiction film by Christopher Nolan titled Interstellar. The film stars recent Oscar winner Mathew McConaughey as the lead actor and he is hence the choice for the publications main image, as seen to the left.
In my view, the target audience is 18 - 45 years of age and primarily male. An indication of why I think the primary audience is likely to be male is the content of the cover lines. For example, one of the cover lines details the 15th anniversary of the start of the American television drama 'The West Wing' staring Martin Sheen. This televisions primary audience was male at the time of its original run. The majority of star wars fans are also male (a story detailing the secrets that link the sci-fi television series to the films is mentioned in another cover line).
I also think that the primary audience is likely to be above the age of 18 as a cover line at the bottom states 'The scariest movie of the year revealed', if this is the case then it is likely to be classed as an eighteen by the bbfc for its horrific images and likely strong language, therefore the publisher is trying to entice an audience of at least eighteen. Star Wars, originally released in 1977, would likely appeal to an older audience of around late thirties to early forties and beyond due to its release date alone (the majority of those who viewed the original trilogy were children and teenagers, of whom would be around these ages now). The mention of the Star Wars Television series which is viewed mostly by pre-teens, would suggest a desired appeal towards a younger audience. However, it is unlikely that they would be purchasing the magazine themselves.
The masthead of the magazine is the publications name and logo: 'Empire' (stylised as 'EMPIRE' here). In this instance in particular, the logo has been stylised to match the corresponding 'Interstellar' title. Both of these elements are in the space evoking style to mirror the films sci-fi genre and setting of outer space.
It is most likely that this magazine cover would not appeal to those of fundamental religious beliefs as the film showcased revolves around finding other habitable worlds and lifeforms. Other scientific theories such as The Big Bang are also rumoured to be key features of the unreleased film. Whilst this may not prevent these people from seeing the film, it is likely to appeal less and have an oppositional reading as it is non-relatable to their beliefs.
In this case McConaughey is making full eye-contact with the audience, therefore inciting them into the magazine cover.
Rolling Stone - 'The Bomber'
When released, this issue was received with a lot of criticism for its portrayal of the Boston marathon bomber as a rock star type of figure who is idolised. The worst criticism came for the fact that it was likely that the magazine knew of the controversy this cover would create, yet still decided to run with it, hence offending family members of and the victims themselves of the bombing. In my opinion, the use of the main title: 'The Bomber' glorifies the radical islamist terrorist as it almost sounds like the nickname of an idolised sportsman or someone who does good for recognition.
Friday 3 October 2014
Task 4 - Analysis using technical elements of film
Focusing on Mise-en-scene/Camera/Lighting/Editing and sound, 'How do these technical elements add to your understanding of the action and narrative?'
Analysis of Charli XCX's 'Break The Rules' Music Video
According to an article the recording artist wrote on Buzzfeed regarding how the song came to fruition, Charli XCX states that its 'obviously about not giving a fuck'. This way of thinking is also a prominent aspect of the songs accompanying video.
The video beings with a fade-in from black of an apparent school corridor setting; as assumed by the following diegetic sound of a bell ringing and young adults running out of the attached rooms of the corridor (all dressed in matching uniforms, evocative of that of those worn by school children).
A series of jump-cuts are used, in my view, in order to get through the content of the video's narrative in the short time-span of the song itself. These series of shots of Charli XCX start as a long shot of her entire group of female company. Then it cuts to a medium-long shot of the group with Charli XCX in the centre and finally to a medium shot of mostly Charli XCX. It is implied that Charli is the group leader as she is the only one member of the group who's eyes are wide open, as if she were focused on her prey, almost like a hawk. She's on a mission of some sorts. Charli is also the only member looking towards the camera lens, however never directly at, as this could be deemed as intimidation towards the audience.
Numerous close-up shots from a high up angle in the video are of Charli's sexualised physical features such as her short skirt. This focus on her
The female group sets their sights on a 'Trashy Lingerie' shop, and arrive in their punk
Rose McGowan features as 'The Chaperone' in the video, she even gets her own title as such which pops up on the screen. McGowan is most commonly associated with the film genre of Horror as she has appeared in various horror films in her acting career. Her cameo would suggest that something horrible is about to take place at the school dance.
Notes:
The music is not live (diegetic) instead it is pre-recorded and added in post, hence non-diegetic.
High-key lighting in the corridor from the shining sun - suggesting these people live in a hot climate or that it is summertime: this is backed up by the ringing bell and running school children, these elements in combination have connotations of an end to a school year.
She's the only female school-girl who's wearing red lisper (killer-lips), suggesting she's dangers and unique in her ways.
A view from a lower-angle shot of Charli standing on a yellow school bus (giving the audience appear statuesque, thus powerful and in control.
First the 'ordinary' kids leave the class room, then the 'cool, calm and collected pac (including head wolf Charli XCX) leaves the classroom in a bowling pin formation (typical dance routine style).
Highly saturated colours - filter, connotations of social media (instagram) Makes it appear more artistic
slow-motion (Reservoir Dog's-esque) walking in a pac.
The bucket scene resembles/perhaps is a homage to: The blood scene in the Carrie horror film.
Numerous moving camera shots are used to create motion that
Analysis of Charli XCX's 'Break The Rules' Music Video
According to an article the recording artist wrote on Buzzfeed regarding how the song came to fruition, Charli XCX states that its 'obviously about not giving a fuck'. This way of thinking is also a prominent aspect of the songs accompanying video.
The video beings with a fade-in from black of an apparent school corridor setting; as assumed by the following diegetic sound of a bell ringing and young adults running out of the attached rooms of the corridor (all dressed in matching uniforms, evocative of that of those worn by school children).
A series of jump-cuts are used, in my view, in order to get through the content of the video's narrative in the short time-span of the song itself. These series of shots of Charli XCX start as a long shot of her entire group of female company. Then it cuts to a medium-long shot of the group with Charli XCX in the centre and finally to a medium shot of mostly Charli XCX. It is implied that Charli is the group leader as she is the only one member of the group who's eyes are wide open, as if she were focused on her prey, almost like a hawk. She's on a mission of some sorts. Charli is also the only member looking towards the camera lens, however never directly at, as this could be deemed as intimidation towards the audience.
Numerous close-up shots from a high up angle in the video are of Charli's sexualised physical features such as her short skirt. This focus on her
The female group sets their sights on a 'Trashy Lingerie' shop, and arrive in their punk
Rose McGowan features as 'The Chaperone' in the video, she even gets her own title as such which pops up on the screen. McGowan is most commonly associated with the film genre of Horror as she has appeared in various horror films in her acting career. Her cameo would suggest that something horrible is about to take place at the school dance.
Notes:
The music is not live (diegetic) instead it is pre-recorded and added in post, hence non-diegetic.
High-key lighting in the corridor from the shining sun - suggesting these people live in a hot climate or that it is summertime: this is backed up by the ringing bell and running school children, these elements in combination have connotations of an end to a school year.
She's the only female school-girl who's wearing red lisper (killer-lips), suggesting she's dangers and unique in her ways.
A view from a lower-angle shot of Charli standing on a yellow school bus (giving the audience appear statuesque, thus powerful and in control.
First the 'ordinary' kids leave the class room, then the 'cool, calm and collected pac (including head wolf Charli XCX) leaves the classroom in a bowling pin formation (typical dance routine style).
Highly saturated colours - filter, connotations of social media (instagram) Makes it appear more artistic
slow-motion (Reservoir Dog's-esque) walking in a pac.
The bucket scene resembles/perhaps is a homage to: The blood scene in the Carrie horror film.
Numerous moving camera shots are used to create motion that
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