Blog Reviews and Ideas

Please make sure you have posted reviews and comment for Run Lola Run and Goodbye Lenin.  Try to think about the positives and nagatives of the film.  what was interesting about the mise-en-scene, editing and cinematography of the films?  Did you like the characters.  Please also start making a list of other films you have seen that are less mainstream and what you liked/disliked about them.  This must be completed by tomorrow.

It is that time of year...the REVISION phase!

Really push yourselves over the next few days, with strong focus you can still achieve well in the film studies exam.

DON'T FORGET THAT THE 3 SECTIONS OF THE EXAM ARE EQUALLY WEIGHTED (WORTH THE SAME) SO YOU NEED TO KNOW EACH TOPIC WELL AND SPREAD YOUR TIME EQUALLY ON EACH QUESTION IN THE EXAM.

Go for it, ALL of you are more than capable of doing well if you put the effort in!

GOOD LUCK!

CXXXX

FILM NOIR

I expect you to respond very thoroughly to the folllowing questions and refer to particular points within the films.

1) Compare and contrast the main male and female characters in "Double Indemnity" and "The Last Seduction".  How are they similar and how are they different?

2) How well do the female characters fit into the role of Femme Fatale?  (research this term before responding to ensure you have a good understanding of what it means.)

3) How do the settings add to the sense of Noir within the films? (read about settings before responding please.)

4) How are light and shadows used within the film to create a sense of meaning?

5) Do you think that "The Last Seduction" is a good example of a Neo Noir?  How far does it fit the conventions of Film Noir?

6) "Double Indemnity" is often described as the ultimate film noir, why do you think this is?  How well does the film fit into the conventions of Film Noir?

7) What are the key themes explored within the 2 films?  Please explore each film seperately first

8)What are the common themes of both films

9) How do the messages and values explored within the film reflect the times in which they were made? (you will need to do a little research to respond to this question.

I EXPECT THIS WORK TO BE THOROUGHLY COMPLETED BY THURSDAY.  PLEASE POST IT TO YOUR BLOG BUT ALSO BRING A PRINT OUT OF YOUR RESPONSE TO THE NEXT LESSON ON THURSDAY!  DON'T FORGET TO START REVISING (EXAM ON 19TH MAY)

LIVING WITH CRIME

For each of the headings given below you need to thoroughly discuss the issues in each of the three films you have watched one by one.  I also expect to receive your easter work next lesson too.

LIVING WITH CRIME

• What social scenarios are explored within each film?
• How is crime portrayed in each film?
• In what ways are people deprived in each film?
• What opportunities are available to the main characters in each of the films?
• How are criminals portrayed within each of the films?
• Can the protagonists (lead characters) escape from the situation they are in?
• What punishments do characters receive for their crimes in each of the films?
• How is violence portrayed within each of the films?
• What social restrictions are evident within each of the films?

These next two headings require more thought and time!

• How can the films be said to reflect aspects of contemporary society?
• What links can be made between the socail situation of the film and the society in which we live?

DON'T FORGET TO USE THE LINKS PROVIDED FOR EACH OF THESE FILMS TO HELP YOU! THIS MUST BE COMPLETED BY NEXT LESSON.

Easter Work

Please refer to the blog for your holiday work. I also expect ALL outstanding blog work to be completed by the first lesson we have next term. If this is not completed than a warning will be issued and you are unlikely to achieve well in your exams.

The Living With Crime intro presentation is available on Moodle. I will also be posting some other info here over the break so make sure you check it frequently. We will have under 4 weeks until your exam once you return after Easter, START REVISING! Have a nice break and don't eat too much chocolate!

WORK

British Film: Social-Political Study – 'Living with Crime'

You should discuss a minimum of two films in your answer and base it on the following: 'Living with Crime'.

I would like you to practice doing both questions. Give yourselves 45 mins for each one (no more,no less!)

11. Discuss the importance of choices made by key characters to the overall shape and development of the narratives you have studied. [40]

or

12. How important is location to the films you have studied for this topic? [40]

I also expect you to write clear notes on your living with Crime study films "Sweet Sixteen", "Bullet Boy" and "London to Brighton". You will be examined on these and expected to make clear reference to these films. Please see links on blog to help you with this. IF YOU HAVE NOT SEEN THESE FILMS YOU NEED TO RENT THEM AND WATCH THEM OVER THE HOLIDAYS! When writing notes on the films over Easter consider the following and comment thoroughly upon each film and how the following are explored within them

Mise-en-Scene/setting

Location

Narrative Methods

Representation of poverty

Representation of class

Representation of race or minority groups

Representation of crime

Representation of family relationships

Representation of education

Representation of violence

Characterisation



Make sure you revise the previous topic on British and American Film, Producers, Audiences and Exhibition. Consider changing trends in cincema going, film viewing and production. You must learn the history of these aspects of film studies.

Sweet Sixteen

Please read through the production notes on Sweet Sixteen and the review and then write a review. Within this review you must include a detailed section on the following aspects:

• Is there a sense that the lack of opportunity that the characters have is what leads to their crimes?


• Do you feel the characters have less chance of success - explain your response.


• How much does the area you live in lead to criminal activity and how is this explored within the film?


• How is family life portrayed within this film, what impact does it have upon the characters?


• How is social class explored within the film?


• How is crime explored within the film?

I would also like you to discuss all of the usual aspects you would expect to find in a film review e.g. performance, mise-en-scene, micro features, editing, cinematography, setting, music etc

Living With Crime

Within this unit of the AS Film Studies course you will be expected to do the following:

British Film: Social-Political Study
Prescribed study for examination up to and including Winter 2012: 'Living
with Crime'
This study allows for an exploration of films in which characters are caught up
in crime or are living within a culture of crime. While allowing for a study of UK
crime films from a genre perspective, the principal focus should be on social
and political issues raised by the films. In some cases the narrative may
concern characters being drawn in to crime or trapped in a crime culture or
trying to resist crime. Films may include Sweet Sixteen, Bullet Boy and
London to Brighton. Alternatively, older films such as Performance and Get
Carter may be studied. Questions that may be raised include ones relating to
gender, race and class. The candidate must show a detailed knowledge of a
minimum of two films.

The first film we will be watching as part of this unit is "Sweet Sixteen".

EXHIBITION QUESTIONS

1) Why are there no viable arts/independent cinemas in many areas? Why/how is Southampton able to sustain the Picturehouse (Harbour Lights).

2)What is the relationship between movie going and video/dvd/blu-ray hire/sales?

3) What does the programming of the Sky movie channels and Film Four respectively say about the relationship between pay television, niche marketing and consumer behaviour?

4) What is the most appropriate response Contemporary British Cinema can make to Hollywood dominance.

5)Should British films be distinctive at the expense of profitability ir profitable at the expense of distinctiveness?

6)Is it possible for British films to be both distinctive and profitable? If so, how ?(please use examples in your response)

There are handouts on British film in the class room!

DISTRIBUTION QUESTIONS

1) How has Hollywood come to dominate world markets?

2) Why do i get to see the films I do at the local multiplex?

3) Do we get to see the films we want (demand led) or do we see films that are provided for us (supply led) and why?

4) Why are more people going to the cinema today?

5) look to see whether films hold there positions well in the charts over a few weeks or whether they fall away quickly. What reasons can you come up with to explain this success or failure.

PRODUCTION QUESTIONS

1) How has the status and power of stars changed over cinematic history?

2)Take any film you have seen recently and find out who produced it. Then try to find out more about this person. What was their role on this particular production? What have they and others got to say about their involvement and contribution? What projects have s/he been involved in previously, were these ventures successful?

3)Why are certain kinds of films guarenteed to make large profits and others high risk?

4) Which genres are currently popular/unpopular and why?

5) Why was Hollywood under the studio system so successful?

6) What hads been lost and gained as a result if the replacement of the studio system by the producer/agent/deal system?

7) How and why has hollywood again become vertically integrated?

8) What are the consequences of vertical integration?

Please respond to these questions fully - the links on the blog should help your research.

MOODLE

Please check Moodle to see what work you have outstanding! Remember the spring challenge! Work as hard as you can and you will achieve well! xx

Producers and Audiences

Please make sure you are working on your INDIVIDUAL case studies. You have been given the Hollywood Case Study Focus Sheet, please use tis to ensure that you have covered all aspects fully. Post this to your blog. This needs to be done in great detail and with care and attention as it will be what you refer to in your exams. I look forward to seeing your progress.

High Concept Films continued....

Focusing on Top Gun as an example of a high concept film please apply your ideas of how the film fits into the high concept model. You must give examples from the film "Top Gun". Once again you will need to use the Unit 3 sheets on The High Concept Model. I expect you to break down your response under the following headings. I want at least half of this done by the end of todays lesson Tuesday 2nd February 2010.
The headings that you need to know are listed below;

• A style of post generic filmmaking
• Use of extended montages (type in montage and watch some examples)
  
• Production design frequently reflects the graphics, glossy look and layout of contemporary advertising styles (remember this film was made in the 80s)
  
• Scenes are easily replicated in trailers (you should be able to view this online)
• Formal excess (not in a melodramatic sense)
• Music track interrupts the film narrative for a separate 'performance'
• Self concious allusion to other films and television
• 'Detached' appearance of stars, like the guest stars in a television series
• Hyperbolic physiques of protagonists and hyperbolic action
• Ironic distanciation: Walking-talking brand

If you refer to your sheets you should not have any problems. This is class work so I expect it to be completed to a high standard. If I do not see good progress by the end of the lesson then I will be forced to mark you absent.

High Concept Films

Read through UNIT 3 section in the handout you received in class today and create a checklist of the factors that make a film high concept, bring checklist to tuesday's lesson ready to apply it to "Top Gun"!

Question for COURSEWORK ONE...FOR Sam!

An exploration of how __________ and ___________ CONSTRUCT MEANING AND PROVOKE RESPONSE IN _______________




Please include title at the top of your coursework!

Film Work

I am so sorry about the double booked room and my lack of voice, it is not very convenient when it comes to teaching!!
Please read through the link The Film Industry and Audience and apply some of this information to your presentations.

This section of the course requires that you investigate the following aspects of the film industry;

• The American Film Industry - specifically contemporary Hollywood, including its impact on UK audiences
  


• The British Film Industry - specifically the contemporary industry including issues of independence, distinctiveness and profitability

YOU MUST INVESTIGATE ASPECTS OF FINANCE, ORGANISATION, PRODUCTION, DISTRIBUTION (INCLUDING MARKETING) AND EXHIBITION.

I expect these elements to have been thoroughly examined within your presentation...in essence you are completing a case study!Good luck and come and see me in room 17 with any questions or queries.Cx

THE HIGH CONCEPT MODEL

Please make sure that you keep working on your film presentations, detailed below!

I would also like you to make sure that you complete the research activity in the Post-generic filmmaking section of your Unit 3 - The High Concept handout!

Please also submit the notes you made from the "Hollywood Machine" videos.

Thanks guys and gals!

The Hollywood Machine and Film Marketing

Firstly I would like you to note down some of the observations you made whilst watching "The Hollywood Machine" documentary.

Then...

In pairs I would like you to research and prepare a presentation on a recent Hollywood film and a recent British Film. The presentation should focus on;

• Marketing


• The Stars - What impact do they have upon the film's success


• The budget


• The merchandise


• The audience figures


• A comparison in the methods of advertising and marketing of the two films

Please use Powerpoint to create your presentation and post ALL of your research on to the blog. Your presentation must be ready for thursday next week!