2. Media Literacy
My main source for finding out about films is the internet, I use
YouTube to watch trailers and reviews as there are so many on the site.
Another good thing about YouTube is the recommended videos at the
side of the video you are watching, this helps me to find similar films to
those that I enjoy. Social networking sites are also a great way to find
out about films; Facebook has sponsored links that appear on the
timeline promoting new movies with links to trailers or interviews with
the cast. Adverts on TV also help me to find out about new films as
there are always advertisements for new movies but it depends on the
time and channel as many of them only show children’s films before
the watershed.
3. Active Spectatorship
Active spectatorship suggests that some people will react to a film
differently to others such as the way they embrace the meaning or the
message in the film. This also leads to cult following of a film; this is a
fan base that is very interested in the film and its meaning be it due to
a certain scene, plot or quotes from the movie. The cult followers may
pay attention to much smaller details than the average viewer due to
their passion for the movie or movies; films that are in sagas such as
star wars and lord of the rings often gain the largest cult following
along with auteur movies such as fight club.
4. My Movies
Fight Club
Director- David Fincher
Year- 1999
Genre- Thriller
Pulp Fiction
Director- Quentin Tarantino
Year- 1994
Genre- Crime/Thriller
Never Back Down
Director- Jeff Wadlow
Year- 2008
Genre- Action
5. Fight Club
Insomniac Jack is tired of doing the same thing day in day out, abiding by the
rules, no fun, and no excitement. That is until he meets Tyler Durden; a soap
maker with a difference, Jack sees Tyler as a pathway to his new life, after
discovering fighting as an escape they start an underground fight club that
leads too much, much more.
I believe that the preferred demographic of this movie would be males aged
18-25 as there are scenes that would be unsuitable for younger children. This
film is not necessarily aimed at an audience with an interest in fighting but
those who enjoy reading into the deeper meaning of a film. This film doesn’t
use many special effects or have beautiful women in every scene unlike many
films made for this age range but it uses the female character well to make
the viewer interested in her personality instead of her appearance.
Star theory is used in this film as Brad Pitt is the main character along with
Edward Norton. Brad Pitt could be seen as a role model to men as he starred
in many male targeted films such as the Ocean’s saga and snatch, not to
mention that he is married to Angelina Jolie. He could also attract a female
audience as women may consider him as very handsome.
6. Codes and Conventions
The conventions in this film are very different to those that you would
expect to find in a thriller as it is an auteur movie. The characters in
the film are unconventional for example ex body builder Bob; who Jack
meets in a testicular cancer support group. Due to his illness Bob had
developed breasts and when we first meet him he is shown as a very
emotional man which is unexpected due to his size. Another
unconventional character is Marla Singer who Jack see’s at many of the
support groups he attends, they later begin to meet up and this is
where we learn about Marla’s unique personality. Unlike most films
from every genre the main lady; Marla is not made up to look beautiful
and it is because of this why her character is so interesting. Marla is
used very well to portray one of the main themes of the film;
consumer culture. This is the idea that people do everything they can
to impress other people even if it means that they are not happy
themselves.
7. Pulp Fiction
This film follows two hit men; Jules Winfield and Vincent Vega whilst
on a job to retrieve a suit case for mob boss Marcellus Wallace. There
are many obstacles along their path but nothing is too big for these
two professionals.
I believe that the preferred demographic of this movie would be males
between 18 and 30 due to the characters personalities, language used
and the violence shown in some of the scenes. As with Fight Club this
film uses the story line to entice viewers instead of special effects and
expensive products.
Star theory is a main factor in this film as John Travolta and Samuel L
Jackson are huge stars. At the time this film was made John Travolta
would have a huge fan base aged around 20-25 due to starring in
Grease (1978). Another big star is Uma Thurman who plays Mia
Wallace in the film; Uma later went on to star in Kill Bill, another
Tarantino movie.
8. Codes and Conventions
As this is an auteur movie it does not follow the typical codes and
conventions of a crime thriller. The language used by the characters is
derogatory and uses lots of swearing throughout which would not be
heard in a standard movie. The narrative used by Tarantino is main
difference between Pulp Fiction and a conventional film as it follows a
non-linear narrative meaning the film does not have a defined
beginning, middle or end. The film switches from different
perspectives which means that the same is shown multiple times from
different peoples point of view, because of this a character could be
killed and then reappear in the next scene which is very confusing to
the viewer if it is their first time watching the movie. Pulp fiction
begins and ends in the same diner at the same time with a very
famous scene, it is only then when the movie ends that the viewer can
piece the film together.
9. Never Back Down
When troublesome Jake Tyler moves to a new school he is soon caught
up in an underground fighting club. After losing a fight in front of his
peers to the local champion, he begins training with a martial arts
expert to prepare for a final elimination fight.
The preferred demographic of this film would be male teenagers
between 14 and 20. There are many violent scenes in this movie so it
would not be appropriate for a younger audience as well as some
sexual scenes and partying.
Although the main character; Sean Faris has not been in many other
popular films, Amber Heard and Cam Gigandet are recognisable from
films such as Easy A, Bad Johnson, Drive Angry and Pineapple Express.
These actors were used as the film is set in an American high school so
the cast had to be young looking.
10. Codes and Conventions
This is the only one of my movies that is not directed in an auteur
style. The codes and conventions in this film are typical to this genre of
film for example the characters are good looking and shown without
shirts on throughout the film. The characters also follow Propp’s
character theory ; there is a hero, a villain, a helper, a princess and a
dispatcher. All of these characters are seen in the conventional style of
this movie genre. Another convention is the theme of being the best,
this is the theme in many films targeted at this demographic as a lot of
teenagers are interested in playing sports.
