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".