unit 26; film studies

1. PR1: How Do We Analyse Film?
Genre theory is used by media analysts to help them define a range of different types of media.
There are a variety of methods and techniques used to scrutinize films; including genre analysis and
the application of auteur theory. In order to analyse genre film theorists can apply Nick Laceys
repertoire of elements which include: visual imagery/iconography, style (technical/audio codes),
character/ stars, setting, narrative developments. These genre conventions are what the audience
would expect to see in a conventional film. In addition, film theorists can employ Daniel Chandlers
theory, conventional definitions of genre tend to be based on notion that they constitute particular
conventions of content. Chandler used this quotation when discussing genre. 'Genres...constitute
conventions of themes settings, structure and style that are shared by texts...' Steve Neale used the
quotation ‘…genres are instances of repetition and difference…’ when talking about films. This
quotation conveys the idea that films and genre is defined by two things. These two things are
conforming and subverting. Films that conform to genre conventions have the same convections of
character, narrative and style however films that subvert genres have different characteristics.
Very often films that subvert genre conventions are directed by auteurs. There are different
film genres such as: action, adventure, drama, romance, comedy, etcetera.
Straight away this poster gives the audience an insight into who the main
protagonist is. The lugubrious silhouette suggests there is a gravity in his manner.
The fact the man, who is yet to be named, is on his own suggests he is an
independent character. The man has a dark jacket on which signifies his power.
Furthermore, if you scrutinize the man It is evident he has a gun in his hand which
automatically gives hima high degree of authority. His body language is very
dominant; he is also looking down which conveys the idea that someone is on the
floor; this creates a sense of mystery. The gun conforms with Nick Laceys theory of
repertoire of elements as most crime films features guns. The man seems confident
with the gun which portrays the idea that he has used a gun before. Furthermore,
the man looks as though he is shooting the title is at the bottom of the poster;
giving the illusion he is going to kill whoever has taken his possession or person. The red bold title
connotes the idea that danger is lurking ahead. It is almost warning the audience to expect danger.
The bold typography font connotes that who, or whatever has been taken is immensely important. It
also suggests whatever has been taken is going to be a prevalent theme throughout the film. The title
'TAKEN 2' raises a variety of questions in the audience’s mind; such as who was taken. The lugubrious
background creates a despondent atmosphere; you could argue that the colour scheme symbolizes
death. The pessimistic colours highlight the genre of the film; evidently the filmis an action thriller. In
addition, if you scrutinize the poster you will see the number two in the background instantly we
know this is a second film. We can anticipate that action will be a prevalent theme throughout the
film.

2. This poster features a baronial house lurking in the distance this immediately
gives the audience an idea of the mise en scene. A deathly miasma surrounds the
house this leads the audience to believe the house may be haunted. The fog
creates a sinister atmosphere; the sky is murky and grey. As there is no one in the
garden it makes the audience question why. There is also a rope hanging from the
tree; filling the audience mind with cold thoughts; before even watching the film.
Underneath the tree is a shadow on the grass this leads us to believe someone has
died on the rope or committed suicide. The tree evidently has no leaves on it as
they are all dead; it is almost like nature is reacting to what has happened. The
pitch black title gives us the impression that garden is unsafe; some may argue the garden appears
uninviting. All of the visual iconography gives the audience a indication of the genre; which is horror.
This poster conforms with Laceys theory of repertoire of elements because in horror films we expect
to see a haunted house and the poster conforms with that. The tile 'THE CONJURING’ implies that
there is supernatural in the film; leaving the audience guessing what malevolent events will take place
during the film. The purpose of horror films is to make the audience have pitch black lugubrious
butterflies running vigorously riot in their stomachs. In order to make the audience feel like
ungovernable terror is gripping their heart like an angry fist squeezing it tighter and tighter, their
needs to be sinister iconography. Furthermore, in horror films you find sinister music disturbing your
ear drums; whilst vehemently innocent screams for help reverberate around the city.
In the controversial action film Leon: The Professional which was
directed by Luc Besson in 1994 the protagonists have an unlikely
companionship. Leon, who is the anti-hero and ruthless assassin,
challenges the action stereotype this is because the lead girl
(Matilda) is only 12 years old. This is different to James Bond films
as the characters in those are usually generic and can be expected.
Throughout the filmshe is conveyed as
the sex symbol; making the audience
almost feel uncomfortable. In James Bond films the love interest
is stereotypically a strong attractive woman. The ‘Bond girl’
normally wears tight low cut outfits to convey their provocative
intentions. In addition, the red outfit conveys the idea that the
women will be imitate with the protagonist. Leon does not conform with Laceys repertoire
of elements this is because most action films have a strong feminine woman playing the lead
role; instead is a 12-year-old girl. Matilda isn’t the idealistic
woman that you find is most action films. Besson has
used characterization, dialogue and imagery throughout
the film to depict the protagonists. In Leon we expect to
see a strong well-dressed man as the protagonist instead
is a lugubrious character. James Bond conforms with Nick
Laecys repertoire elements because the protagonist is
masculine and good looking. James bond is always seen in expensive suits and has
designer watches.

3. Quite evidently Leon is not a stereotypical action film, you could even say the film pushes
boundaries. Leon becomes more involved with Matilda and later in the film she becomes
Leon’s love interest.
Leon is often seen nurturing a house plant which can be perceived
as very strange as most protagonists in action films are conveyed as
strong independent masculine characters therefore they don’t need
comfort from befriending a plant. Some people may view Leon as an
intriguing character, however others may disagree. Unlike Leon the
film James Bond is a conventional action film. James Bond conforms
with Laceys repertoire of elements. James Bond features visual
iconography such as the fast sports cars, weapons in the mise en scene and the big iconic
city whereas Leon is quite the opposite because he has a plant
and drink of milk in the mise en scene; this is unusual like his
eccentric characteristics. Evidently James Bond is a big budget
film; this allows the film to have high quality equipment to
ensure the film gets a high rating.
The filmMean Girls was directed by Mark Waters in 2004. The teenage comedy has a
conventional narrative storyline. You can apply Nick Laceys repertoire of elements;
character, narrative, mise en scene, iconography, and style.
In the beginning of the film the characters are displayed in their
stereotypical social groups. These include: popular girls (‘plastics’),
jocks, nerds, band geeks and the misfits. From the opening
description it appears everyone has their own 'clique’. This could be
compared to other films of the same genre as they also portray the
characters in their stereotypical ways. Genre theorist Steve Neale
said ‘genres are instances of repetition and difference’. This can be
applied to the teen comedy genre as similar characters appear in
them all.
The narrative begins when Cady (protagonist) moves from Africa to a public school in
America. When she moves to the new school she becomes friends with the popular girls also
referred to as the ‘plastics’ until the head ‘plastic’ kisses Cady’s crush. This forces Cady to
plot revenge on her until she begins to turn into a clone of Regina (head ‘plastic’). When
Regina discovers that Cady is to blame for everything that has gone wrong in her life she
plots her own revenge in the form of an insulting book also known as the 'burn' book.
Regina gets hit by a bus and Cady realises what she has become and tries to sort out her life
by giving a speech at the prom when she wins prom queen. Cady shares the crown with
everyone and this creating at positive atmosphere.
The mise en scene in Mean Girls in is a high school. A high school is a stereotypical
convention that you would find in a teenage film. For example, high school musical is set

4. in a high school and also grease in set in a high school. The narrative also takes the
protagonists to a mall. Cadys crush has a party this is where the rising action occurs. The film
ends which a high school prom.
The iconography is found when you scrutinize the different social groups. For example, the
nerds have glasses and braces, the jocks have the iconic varsity jackets and the popular girls
have fashionable clothing and designer gear. The use of luminescent colours instantly
suggests that filmis a romantic teenage comedy. Also the popular girls wear pink this is
because the film is aimed at girls.
The camera styles consist of a split screen camera this is used to show what is happening at
different places. In mean girls this is conveyed when they are on the phone. Furthermore,
there is an internal monologue, which are Cadys thoughts which is prevalent throughout the
film. The same song is repeated throughout the film this shows the different stages and
events which happen in the film.
Napoleon Dynamite was directed by Jared Hess in 2004. The American
comedy features a 16-year-old boy who lacks social skills.
Genre theorist Steve Neale said ‘genres are instances of repetition and
difference’. You could employ this quotation because in conventional
teenage comedy films the main protagonist is a girl; for example, in Mean
Girls. Napoleon becomes friends with 2 outcasts, this is conventional for a
film of this genre. There is also a school dance; this is prevalent in
teenage comedy films.
An auteur director is someone who influences their own films; it is original. They are also
the principle director of a film.
Tim Burton was an auteur film director he was known for his Gothic and dark fantasy films.
In addition, he was also an: producer, artist, writer and animator. Each film he produced was
unique and involved elements of surprise. Burton directed a variety of films including
Edward Scissorhands. The romantic dark fantasy film starts Johnny Depp; who is considered
to be a well-established actor. Depp is the main protagonist throughout the film his character
is known as Edward. Quite evidently from the title we know
he has scissor hands. In the film he lives away from the real
world and people in the town are unaware of his hands. He
gets taken in by a family in town and falls in love with the
teenage daughter. This is unusual as most romantic films
normally feature a loveable prince or teenage boy. Edward is
very lugubrious character some may say he is also
unlovable.

5. James Francis Cameron demonstrates innovation throughout his films. He produced the
science-fiction film Avatar; which was in a particular landmark for 3D technology. He created
his own special visual effects for his films; making the film more original. His film Avatar
was known was the visual imagery. Avatar illustrates his high degree of technical skills.
Jarred Hess s a auter ditect