Review of Seven

The mise en scene in the opening to this film helps build up the suspense for the film. In the opening there is emphasis on props such as books, and photographs of hand sizes, this provides a element of suspicion for the viewer, as they wonder what is happening. There is also emphasis shown of using a razor to take the skin off the fingers, this suggests that someone wants to remove their fingerprints and hide their identity. There is also use of photographs and then the same photographs with faces crossed out, this suggests that there will be murder within this film. This is also done with crossing out certain words from a newspaper article; this also suggests that there is also crime within this film.

The use of sound within this film helps create an atmosphere and a mood for the film. The music for the opening is by Nine Inch Nails, this music is eerie, yet it has areas where the music goes creaky, and this suggests that there are elements of hiding or creeping within this film. The music is sharp and distinctive within this opening; it is also very edgy which helps build up the suspense for this film.

There are many camera angles used within this film. The opening shots in this film are close ups of props such as a book. There is also use of crane shot; this is of the hand shots. There is also up of high angled shots during the film, in areas such as when the writing is being crossed out and when the face is being crossed out of the photo, this suggests that the man has power over the people in the photographs. There is also a close up of shaving off the fingerprints; this suggests that the hiding of identity is a theme throughout this film.

There are many different editing techniques within this opening sequence. Firstly, there are many cuts and cross cutting during this sequence. There are many cuts into the opening credits section also, which adds to the ‘thriller’ genre, as it adds suspense to the atmosphere. There are also sections within the sequence where it fades into a scene or it fades to black. This also adds suspense to the atmosphere.

Review of The Godfather

The pace of the opening is very slow. The movie begins with a black screen with music playing, the title of the movie is then slowly revealed on top of the black screen. The title having a puppet string above the “father” gives the impression of someone pulling strings and deceiving, which is what follows later in the film. The only colours used up to this point are black and white, not too striking, which fits with the slow paced calm opening. For the next three minutes of the film there is one shot from the same angle zooming out from a close up of a man’s face to an over the shoulder shot of another man, not yet revealed as the godfather. This reveal while the first man is telling a story of her daughter being mistreated makes it obvious that he is trying to get help from the godfather – who is already suggested to be an important and powerful figure through this man begging him for help. There is no music throughout this whole scene after the title and as a result the scene is very quiet. This is suggesting that they do not want anyone to hear, adding to the secrecy of the scene. The godfather is in shadow at this point, demonstrating the mysterious nature of his character. The lighting being low key at this point, creating many shadows fitting with the theme of crime throughout this film – this man clearly has a lot to hide. The man then walks out of shot and back into shot next to the godfather and whispers in his ear. They are both now in shadow, suggesting the enigmatic and dangerous request that he has asked of the godfather.

        It then cuts to a close up of the front of the godfather’s face. This is the first time in the film his face has been revealed and the dialogue now shifts from the first man to him. The focus is now on the godfather. It then cuts to a long shot of the room, where he is in centre of frame and has two men in the room with him as well as the first man. The Mise en Scene with the support of these two men suggests his superiority, he is clearly in charge. After this it cuts to a mid-shot of the godfather sitting down stroking a cat, giving the impression that he is comfortable in this situation, reinforcing his superiority. It also links him to the room, and with his opulent clothing and the room itself looking professional and expensive places him as a grander character. His calm tone of speaking and the laid back actions also reinforce him being comfortable in this situation; he is very powerful and is also not a stranger to a life of crime. The slow pace of editing also reinforces this calm and suggests the control he has over the situation.

        As the godfather stands up it cuts to a long shot of the room where the two other men also stand up and cross the room. This gives the impression of them rising to protect him in case of emergency, and therefore how important the godfather is. It could also potentially be that because he has stood up, they have to also to treat him with respect as he is extremely powerful and they cannot afford to be his enemy. The godfather approaches the man in a slight low angle shot reinforcing his dominance over the man, the godfather actor is also taller, making him seem more threatening.

          The opening scene ends with a close up of the man kissing the godfather’s hand, and the godfather escorting him out. This demonstrates the respect that the godfather expects and is used to, reinforcing his superiority.

      Through the slow pace of editing, the opulent Mise en Scene and the actions of the godfather and the men around him, the godfather is introduced as a mysterious and dangerous character that demands respect, and you do not want to be one of his enemies.

Preliminary Task Self-Evaluation

Evaluation of Preliminary Task

THE GAME CHANGER

Negatives
During the filming of the preliminary task, we encountered a few minor problems that have affected the outcome of the task:-
1) UFO. (Unidentified Foreign Objects)
This fault detracts from the execution of a beautifully orchestrated action shot. However it is easily solved. A simple background check of shots before filming begins will eliminate this problem.


2)Struggles with Technology:-
The use of the camera was a laborious process with having to learn as we went along and also having problems with using other attachments e.g. the tripod. This, similarly to the first issue, is easily solved. A short period of familiarisation and practise with equipment will prove to be beneficial for both the experience of our group in film-making and beneficial for the substance of the task.


3)Focus Flaws:-
There is an issue with the shot becoming blurry during a key scene. This affects the impact of the action shot on the audience because it removes attention from the scene. This is a case of shot choice needing to be re-evaluated as a longer shot may not have blurred but would have had a similar effect as a camera angle.


Positives
Despite the problems that were encountered in the making of 'THE GAME CHANGER', there were many positive points on which we as a group could build off of and further improve to leave our task as a stellar example of film-making. These positives include:-
1)Innovation:-
With limited props available to us and not many suitable filming areas in the vicinity, I believe that having to make the most of what we had significantly increased the creativity within the group. This creativity was built off of and became a staple of our task.
2)Action:-
The choice of shots, props and the general ethos of the group when working on 'THE GAME CHANGER' had a large impact on how the task played out. Every person was enthusiastic about the task and this was made evident in the performances made by the actors and the scrupulous editing to perfect all aspects of the task.
3)Group Contributions:-
The making of our preliminary task could have been dominated by a few voices with other participants remaining passive and allowing the others to work hard. This, however, was not the case. Every member of the team contributed a part of the film and these complimented other ideas that were already decided upon. This shows that the members of the preliminary task team are capable of adapted to suit their current tasks and this diversity in character only increases the strength of the film. These qualities stood out as building blocks for future projects.


Conclusion
The making of the preliminary task had its positives and negatives. The positives however outweigh the negatives. To improve we as a group must become more aware of what is in the shots and review the scene we set before filming and also familiarise ourselves with the ways in which we can produce a film e.g. use of the camera and editing skills.

Completed Preliminary Task- THE GAME CHANGER

https://youtu.be/mCfHjRySTnI

Masculinity in the Media

  Most media portrayals of men show a heterosexual man rewarded for self-control, violence, financial independence and physical desirability.
  Male characters are often seen more in a public sphere of work than the private sphere of the home, and issues relating to work are seen as more important than personal problems.

The most popular male stereotypes for males in the media are:

• The Joker-a comedic character. A potentially negative consequence of this stereotype is the assumption that men and boys should not be serious or emotional.

                                     

• The Jock-always willing to compromise his long term health, will fight when necessary and must avoid being soft. By demonstrating his strength, the jock wins the approval of other men and the adoration of women.

                                      

                                         

• The Strong Silent Type-in charge, decisive, containing emotion and succeeding with women. Reinforces the idea that men and boys should be in control and that talking about emotions is a sign of weakness.

                                                                             

• The Big Shot-defined by professional success, acquiring possessions that society deems valuable. Suggests that a 'real man' should be financially and socially successful.

                                     

                                      

• The Action Hero-strong, aggressive, angry, engages in violent behaviour.

• The Womaniser-Confident, sharply dressed and handsome this man embodies what the media portrays as the ideal man.

                                  
                                      

• The Buffoon-the bungling father figure in sitcoms and comedies. Well-intentioned and light hearted, they range from slightly inept to completely hopeless when it comes to parenting and domestic issues.