3. Iâm currently thinking about doing the print based production task which includes: 2 draft designs aimed at different audiences A double page magazine review DVD Cover Out of the four genres which are thriller, horror, soap opera, and documentary, Iâve chosen to do thriller as Iâve had quite a few ideas pop up which I can play around with. Introduction
5. My last idea reminds me of the two recent films, Paranormal Activity and the prequel. When watching these movies, I was definitely sitting on the edge of my seat and kept in suspense. Even though I get nightmares after these types of movies I think it would be interesting to choose this genre. Paranormal Activity is about a couple whoâs just recently moved. Ever since Katie (main character) was little, sheâs always felt a presence of a ghost and claims that its followed her to the new house. Over the course of a few weeks, paranormal activities occur and they are caught on camera since Micah (boyfriend) has a camera in the bedroom. Each day it gets worse and the couple find out that it isnât a ghost, but a demon and it eventually takes over Katie and she becomes possessed. It is based on a true story which makes it even more scary for viewers Paranormal Activity The colors used on the DVD cover are black and red which connotes evil and dark forces.Blue is also used which creates an eerie atmosphere.The font is red and looks as though its blurry which makes the film appear to be more scary. It is pretty basic with a few short reviews from critics, a screen shot of the main focus in the movie, and the title. It is very realistic because the image is from a recording camera (which shows time and date in the corner) and it is based on a true story. The main picture shows the storyline for example, the first movie is to do with the couple and the second movie has something to do with the baby.
6. Visual Code In the trailer, we can see that the whole film is taken by a hand held camera, which makes the film realistic. Unlike other trailers, the audience are able to see what another audienceâs reaction was which gives the movie more of an effect. Dress code: Actors wear normal clothes, they are usually in their pyjamas as most of the scenes occur in the bedroom. Iconography: In the bedroom-bed, night-table, en suite, etc. Big house- conventional of an American household to have and most haunted houses are huge. Mise-en-scene: The lighting is artificial since it is filmed in a house and the lights from inside are used. Most of the scenes are in the dark so the light from the camera recording the paranormal activities is used. It looks black and white but there is a tint of blue in it. Setting: Micahâs house, usually in the bedroom.
7. Gesture Code The audienceâs eyes are glued to the screen, waiting in anticipation. Some have their hands hovering around their face waiting to cover up when a scary scene comes up. Some couples are huddled closely together. In the actual movie itself, the couple, Katie and Micah are always snuggled up close to each other on the bed as they are in love but when they are being haunted by the demon, they are close to each other and furthest to the door because they are frightened. The couple jump a lot, and bolt straight upright on the bed whenever something paranormal occurs. This then makes the audience jump, which is conventional of a thriller/horror to make the audience do.
8. Action Code The couple jump a lot, and bolt straight upright on the bed whenever something paranormal occurs. This then makes the audience jump, which is conventional of a thriller/horror to make the audience do. The woman rocks back and forth really fast which connotes she is frightened or possibly possessed by the demon. The woman stands next to the bed staring at her boyfriend-shows she is sleepwalking or posessed by the demon.
9. Audio Code When showing the audienceâs reaction, diegetic sound is used to make the chattering, screaming and gasping happening in the cinema more realistic. As the movie is just about to start, the sound of the film rolling is audible which is non-diegetic and it enables the audience watching the trailer to be aware that this is when the movie is starting for the people in the cinema. Since the movie is based on a true story and is filmed by a hand held camera, there isnât a lot of non-diegetic sounds as then it wouldnât come across as natural. In the background (for trailer purpose, not in the actual film), you are able to hear a low rumble which is over the actorsâ dialogue. Diegetic Sounds: Dialogue, footsteps, wind chimes outside blowing in the wind, banging from the demon, creaking, doors slamming. The woman shakily whispers, âwhat's happening to meâ which makes it dramatic. Thereâs a lot of arguing between the couple as they are both petrified and are taking it out on each other as they are desperate of getting out of the house.
10. Technical Code Low production value- as it is filmed with a hand held camera To get to one scene to another, it uses fast paced cuts and flashes of images which adds tension. There are a lot of close ups for example when it shows the bruise one the womanâs leg.
11. Narrative Code The dialogue from the couple reveals a lot of the storyline Camera being placed in the corner of the bedroom shows that most of the movie is set in the bedroom Shows the Ouija board which shows a demon might be involved
12. Reviews â The movie was really good but i couldn't stop jumping out of seat if you're into scary movies.â â Was very good enjoyed it made me jump worth the money!â â When I went to see this film, I really didn't know what to expect! I was a bit confused when I started watching it going back and forth, although as time went on throughout the film it all started coming together. I actually thought it was quite smart the way the director done a pre-sequel to the first film. However i still thought the film was fantastic!!! I would recommend it! I jumped outta my seat a good few timesâ Audience Reviews Film Review from Mirror.co.uk Nobody was expecting much as we filed into the Odeon Leicester Square for an eve-of-release screening of Paranormal Activity 2. Maybe it was these low expectations â or just the chilly cinema â that caused the goosebumps. Or maybe it was because we ended up watching one seriously scary movie containing at least five jolts that will lift you from your seat and/or make you fill your tighty whities. There are a few downsides but for sheer nerve-shredding terror, this actually trumps the original, which was released this time last year and grossed north of $200million. Itâs a slow burn to be sure but, unlike the original, new director Tod Williams knows a thing or two about pacing, meaning that the chills kick in with a vengeance at the halfway mark. While part one was mostly build-up leading to that unforgettable climax, the prequel follows a traditional horror structure. Doors slam louder. Creeping shadows are caught on camera. Little Hunter levitates over his cot. And thatâs just for starters, with events building to a shattering, terrifically scary finale that neatly links the film to part one, making it a perfect companion piece. Indeed, both Katie and her boyfriend Micah actually appear on a couple of weekend visits. As for its faults, well, Aliâs online research into what may be spooking them raises an intriguing possibility thatâs never fully explored while some may question the reliance on jolts (or âLewton busesâ as theyâre known). But jolts work if theyâre supported by atmosphere and at least half formed characters. And, despite the familyâs residence being no Amityville, the use of dark lighting makes the house a suitably spooky setting for the horror. So, a while perhaps not the prequel without equal, itâs certainly a harrowing, intense experience that just might cause you to sleep with all the lights on. â Both hair-raising and chilling, this suburban drama skips genre cliches, to come up with a claustrophobic classic 4 out of 5â (guardian) (Odeon-audience reviews)
13. Saw is a horror film which is extremely gruesome, and incredibly terrifying. Unlike Paranormal Activity, most of the scenes contain blood and it makes your skin crawl with disgust from all of the explicit scenes. The DVD cover is pretty basic yet creepy. From the machine on the womanâs head, the audience can easily gather that the movie has some complicated and crazy machines involved caused to create pain to people in the movie.It also uses the symbolic colors of horror such as black and red. Black connotes evil whilst it is said red can increase the beating of the heart and breathing. It also stands out and attracts attention. SAW The second DVD cover is really disturbing and the audience will immediately gather that this film is going to be very gruesome as there are dead body parts shown. Here the background is also basic and it is white which just allows the blood to be shown next to the hand and for the body parts to stand out. I decided to compare Saw and Paranormal Activity, demonstrating how even though they are both meant to scare, they are different genres.
14. Visual Code Pitch black cuts Grim, shabby setting, conventional of horror films Colors used are dark, mostly black, dark blue, and green.
15. Gesture Code Look of desperation on each of the victims face- connotes fright and helplessness. Look of concentration on the detectives face as he is looking for clues and investigating the âJigsaw Caseâ The victims look exhausted and sweaty which creates tension People are crying and shaking because they canât solve Jigsawâs puzzles. Towards the end, some victims look crazy as being chained up and knowing they may die gets them acting crazy
16. Action Code Cutting through machines really fast, trying to escape. At the beginning of the trailer, the man taking pictures in the shabby house walks around slowly which adds suspense and when he hears unusual noises, he reacts and turns around quickly as he gets scared. The victims chained up yank and pull the chains desperately and quickly to escape. Throwing things at the wall and mirror connotes frustration and possibly defeat. Detectives using the flashlight connotes an investigation
17. Audio Code Diegetic sounds: camera flashing, toy laughing Heavy breathing connotes desperation and panic Dialogue- âwho is thatâ creates frantic and tense atmosphere Screaming-conventional of horrors to contain screaming from actors Non diegetic- Heartbeat being played over dialogue. Creates tension and the quickening allows the audience to get ready for something intense to happen. Subtle sounds of machines
18. Technical Code Zooming-used to allow the readers to quickly read the news articles. Flashing quickens pace Fades into a black screen then the on screen graphics quickly flash. On screen graphic-silvery metal-like Fast paced cuts to switch from one scene to another. Keeps audience in suspense High production value because of the machines used and most of the scenes are set in a dark place which will need extra artificial lighting that costs money. Also some of the cast are well known and would have been expensive for e.g. Danny Glover Lots of close ups on peoples face, allowing audience to focus on how they are feeling and it also creates tension.
19. Narrative Code All the clips reveal part of the storyline for e.g. most of the scenes takes place in a bathroom where victims are chained up. Detectives office-shows they are investigating the Jigsaw Case. Jigsaw is narrating and explains what victims have to do
20. Rating 7 out of 10 Saw opens with one of those classic conundrums guaranteed to grip an audience from the start. Two strangers wake up in a dank, squalid room, chained to opposite walls. Between them is a blood soaked body with a tape recorder in one hand and a gun in the other. Neither man knows why or how they got there. All they do know are things don't look good. Their fears are well founded. Each finds a tape planted in their pocket. When surgeon Lawrence (Cary Elwes) hands his to photographer Adam (Leigh Whannell) to play, they discover that Lawrence's wife and daughter are also being held captive and the only way to secure their release is if Lawrence kills Adam before six o'clock. As the clock on the wall ticks, the captor's voice on the tape declares, "Let the game begin." With his gravelly proclamation the tension mounts and for the next hour and a half it doesn't let up as Saw builds to its harrowing and surprising climax. Made for a reputed million dollars, Saw proves a good idea doesn't require a big budget. First time director James Wan makes smart use of his resources and even manages to secure some recognized actors, though ironically it's the performances that are the film's weakest element. In addition to playing Adam, Whannell wrote the screenplay. On this evidence, he is clearly a better writer than an actor. The script, based on a story by Whannell and Wan, is absorbing, if not so much for the dialogue as the plotting. Its twists and turns are allied with some creative methods of torture. Dealing with the exploits of a particularly macabre serial killer, Saw bears many of the hallmarks of Silence Of The Lambs, to which it compares favorably. The film's title comes from the name the Jigsaw Killer, given to a renowned serial killer for his distinctive methods which are shown in a series of gruesome flashbacks. Rather than actually murder people, he creates elaborate psychological set ups that force the victims to challenge themselves to escape or die trying. The subjects are strategically picked based on some fundamental weakness or flaw. Finding out the reasons for their capture is one of the issues facing Lawrence and Adam as they question each other and themselves in an effort to find an escape. But their inherent suspicions about one another, fuelled by their captor's cleverly devised plan, hamper their efforts to collaborate. The story, which also involves a vengeful detective (Danny Glover) who has his own reasons to capture the killer, unveils by cutting between Lawrence and Adam in their sadistic tomb and the circumstances that led them there. In a cinematic world already over populated with mass murderers, coming up with an original and memorable new one gets tougher, but in the Jigsaw Killer, Wan and Whannell have done just that. (http://www.talktalk.co.uk/entertainment/film/review/films/saw/789) Review
22. Film Classifications Universal â Suitable for all Parental Guidance â General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children Suitable for 12 years and over. No-one younger than 12 may see a â12Aâ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult. Responsibility for allowing under-12s to view lies with the accompanying or supervising adult. Suitable only for 15 years and over. No-one younger than 15 may see a â15â film in a cinema. Suitable only for adults. No-one younger than 18 may see an â18â film in a cinema. Paranormal Activity is a 15. I think they have given it this classification because it doesnât contain enough gore or any at all to make it too graphic for young teenagers. Although it may be a frightening movie, film critics possibly donât see any harm in younger viewers watching it. Whereas film critics have given Saw an 18 due to the intense graphic gory scenes which will be too much for people under 18 to handle.
23. Censorship Issues for '15' Suitable only for 15 years and over No one younger than 15 may see a â15â film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a â15â rated video work. Discrimination The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour. Drugs Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable. Horror Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised. Imitable behaviour Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised. Language There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, âf***â). The strongest terms, may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable. Nudity Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context. Sex Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable. Theme No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds. Violence Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.
24. Censorship Issues for '18' Suitable only for adults No-one younger than 18 may see an â18â film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an â18â rated video. Exceptions are most likely in the following areas: Where the material is in breach of the criminal law, or has been created through the commission of a criminal offence where material or treatment appears to the BBFC to risk harm to individuals or, through their behaviour, to society â for example, any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts, or of illegal drug use, which may cause harm to public health or morals. This may include portrayals of sexual or sexualised violence which might, for example, eroticise or endorse sexual assault Where there are more explicit images of sexual activity which cannot be justified by context. Such images may be appropriate in âR18â works, and in âsex worksâ (see below) would normally be confined to that category. In the case of video works (including video games), which may be more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent than for cinema films. Sex education at â18â Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted. Sex works at â18â Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed â18â. Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the âR18â category. Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at âR18â is also unacceptable in a sex work at â18â. How this is useful.. By looking at the film classifications, I now know what contents can be used in my pre production magazine drafts so for example in my draft aimed towards an audience of 18, it can contain a slightly more intense scene than the other draft aimed at 15.
26. To get feedback on my first ideas, I used www.survey.com to gather useful information which can go towards what I want included and what the audience prefers to see in my magazine drafts and dvd cover. The purpose of the first survey was to collect information on the person. The second was to get an idea about what sort of media they are into and how much of it they use. And the third was for my planning and what storyline would be best.
27. Here, we see that the majority of people who completed my survey are around the age of 15-17. This is useful because my target audience I will be aiming my production task towards is 15 so what they have to say will have an input on my ideas. Most were also male as well so my answers will be generally based on a malesâ point of view. In the open ended question, a lot of people have taken up media studies so their answers will be helpful.
28. Naturally, TV is the most preferred media followed by computer games. There is also a fair amount of people that buy magazines and newspapers which will normally include pages of advertisement for new upcoming films. The fact that comedy is the most preferred genre of films isnât going to be that useful since I am focusing on thriller. It also shows that some people prefer horror and thriller the same as they are both 12%. It is a possibility that the ones that chose thriller prefer to horror is because of the amount of gore contained in a horror may be off-putting or too gruesome whereas thrillers still scare but is more focused on keeping an audience in suspense throughout the whole film. The majority of people do buy magazines regularly and itâs good to know that some buy it for the purpose of looking at reviews for new films. This gives me evidence that magazines are able to persuade people into watching a new film because of the way the cover is presented and because of the reviews.
29. The percentage of people that prefer horrors to thrillers is pretty close and may possibly mean that the majority of people who took the survey liked the gore. It also links to one of the first questions in the survey that more males took the survey than females, and it could be argued that it is stereotypical of a male to prefer the gory and more intense explicit content of a horror. The second set of answers then contradicts what Iâve said above as even though Paranormal Activity is classified as a horror it doesnât contain any blood or graphic scenes at all, unlike Saw which was preferred the least. Thankfully, most of the people preferred my first idea of a storyline which I was going to choose. The last question, I believe is the most important as this tells me how to layout and what to put in my draft covers. Most would like to see blood and part of the storyline revealed, and a memorable slogan, etc, all that is needed to create a good DVD cover and magazine cover. Overall, the survey has been very useful and successful and has left me with a lot of information which will go towards my first draft of my pre-production task.
30. Audience Theories The main audience theory that can be applied is the âtwo-step flowâ theory . This is because I will be doing a double page magazine review which makes me the opinion leader and what a reviewer has to say will influence the readers and successfully persuade them to go watch the film. Opinion leaders could be family, friends, or trusted icons and a person who reviews films for a profession will have knowledge about films and the media which will come across to the reader as someone who knows what they are talking about. Many people judge a film by a cover or the review so for some there will be a lot of polysemic readings . A preferred reading would be those who think it is worth watching just by looking at the picture or if part of the storyline is revealed. An example would be if the magazine review or film cover was advertised in a girls magazine and another in a boys magazine. The different genders will possibly see it in different ways from what the producers of the movies wanted.
33. Storyline I have chosen this storyline as my thriller movie⌠Woman receives a phone call every Thursday at a specific time, which then goes onto getting a knock on the door every Thursday at the same time, but there's never anyone at the door. She ends up moving, but this time she finds a post it note in her bathroom every Thursday. Convinced she has a stalker, she decides to put a hidden camera in her apartment and finds out who it is. This idea can be compared to Paranormal Activity which I used as an intertext like using the hidden camera. It also seems like there is paranormal activity going on but it is in fact a real person in the end. The film wouldnât contain masses amount of blood or explicit scenes as I have aimed it towards an audience of 15.
35. I have made two different magazine covers aimed at two different audiences. One is aimed for the audience of 15 years old and for those who when they see an ad for a new movie, likes to see most of the storyline revealed. The other cover is for those who are 18 and doesn't reveal a lot of the storyline, and likes to keep it as a mystery. I have used my brother as the villain in this cover. I have used him because I didnât want the face to be revealed as the whole point of the movie is about who this person really is and why they are doing what they are doing. Some people may think that it is a gangster as it is conventional and stereotypical of gangsters to be wearing hoodies and covering up their faces. The black dress code also connotes evil and is stereotypical of a thriller/horror dvd cover or movie ad to have colors such as black and red. I went on the website http://www.1001freefonts.com/ to use this font. I looked in the âhorrorâ section which had a variety of fonts that could be used to show horror/thriller. I chose the font called âliquidismâ, assuming that it is blood trickling down from the letters. I then made it dark red to look like blood as well. I have put âJust leave me aloneâ as it is what the victim will be saying/shouting/screaming in the film and it just makes the cover more intense. You can see that it is set in the bathroom which is where most of the scenes are going to be. This reveals part of the storyline. I took pictures of each post it notes with the letters on it and cropped and edited it using Photoshop. I think it makes it more realistic and it also reveals part of the storyline, so the audience will think that the movie has something to do with post it notes. (Why Me? = Title of film) This draft magazine cover reveals part of the storyline and is softer compared to the other draft in the next slide. I think this is acceptable for a target audience of the age 15.
36. I have used this image and played around the hoodie idea again because it just makes the character more mysterious. You canât see the face either which makes it more intense. The blood splattered on the post it note is conventional of a thriller (although it may not contain a large amount of it in the movie otherwise itâs a horror). I used the same site and font from the first draft, but this time used it for the title of the movie. This reveals a small amount of the storyline and is more directed at a target audience of 18. When flicking through both of the covers it is noticeable that the first draft is lighter (color wise) compared to the second one. This is also because I took the picture of the setting and there was artificial light. If I had turned the lights off, it may have come out dark but then the flash from the camera would be noticeable. I used a basic black and white background color on Photoshop for the second draft. Again, the colors black and red is always used because it connotes evil, intensity and darkness and is said to quicken the heartbeat of a person.
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