Rarely can it be said that a film has defined a genre, but never is that more true than in the case of The Godfather. If The Godfather was only about respectable Mafia types, it would never have got aso many awards. The characteristic that sets this film apart from so many of its predecessors and successors is its ability to weave the often-disparate layers of story into a cohesive whole. Any of the individual issues explored by The Godfather are strong enough to form the foundation of a movie. Here, however, bolstered by so many complimentary themes, each is given added resonance. The picture is a series of mini-climaxes, all building to the devastating, definitive conclusion, which happens to have a big shoot out which results in other Don's being killed.
The film opens in the study of Don Vito Corleone, the Godfather, who is holding court. It is the wedding of his daughter Connie, and no Sicilian can refuse a request on that day. So the supplicants come, each wanting something different - revenge, a husband for their daughter, a part in a movie.
The film has three parts in total, the godfather a thriller/action film isnt a very common type of thriller that we see today in cinemas, it has a very unique way of approchinging the thriller genre. the story line doesnt hold a genuine thriller scene were people are usually murdered and the antagonist usually is a step behind the protagonist. Here In Godfather Mario Puzo has developed a very strong story line which has a gangster status, there isnt much killing going on in the film, however the suspense the storyline brings is utterly amazing the way the film grips the audience makes it a thriller, at times where the main Don is talking it does his voice and his faciaql expressions make you think how can a man like this be so powerful? However you realise during the duration of the film that it is possible for any man to become powerful, or succesful in some cases, not mattering how big or small the person is.
Friday, 19 February 2010
Thursday, 11 February 2010
Analysis of the movie 'Se7en'/ opening sequence.
The opening sequence of the movie 'se7en' is really eye catching as the music has a sound which can create a high amount of suspense to the audience which is good as it is a thriller movie. The writing on the screen shows us the directors and the actors, the writing is effective because the font that is used has a 'creepy' look to it. The font is often flashed up , then after a few seconds fades out of the picture which has a good effect.
A film about two homicide detectives' desperate hunt for a serial killer who justifies his crimes as absolution for the world's ignorance of the Seven Deadly Sins. The movie takes us from the tortured remains of one victim to the next as the sociopathic "John Doe" sermonizes to Detectives Sommerset and Mills -- one sin at a time. The sin of Gluttony comes first and the murderer's terrible capacity is graphically demonstrated in the dark and subdued tones characteristic of film noir. The seasoned and cultured Sommerset researches the Seven Deadly Sins in an effort to understand the killer's modus operandi while green Detective Mills scoffs at his efforts to get inside the mind of a killer.
Monday, 8 February 2010
analysis of an opening sequence.
Jaws another all time best, however this shows us the variety packed within one genre. This film includes more of blood and killings adding a sparking effect to the story.
Group meeting, February 4th.
As a group we discussed how we were going to structure our research tasks amongst ourselves, we came to the conclusion that we would each take about 2 tasks from the check list and complete them over a period of 3 days. Once this was done we would all meet up on the 08/02/2010 to discuss all of our research we had been assigned to and pass it around so all members of the group had this on their blogs.
MacGuffin.
MacGuffin was created by Alfred Hitchcock it can be referred as a hidden catalyst which moves the plot on to create scene or ending with a twist. It can also be referred as the engine that sets the story in motion. It can be anything or nothing at all. In The 39 Steps, it is "secrets vital to your air defence"; in Number Seventeen it is a valuable piece of jewellery, while in The Lady Vanishes it is, in the most perfectly abstract of all Hitchcock's MacGuffins, a coded message contained in a piece of music. Examples of these are in the films such as:
The top secret plans in The 39 Steps (1935).
The eponymous statuette in The Maltese Falcon (1941)
The letters of transit in Casablanca (1942)
The uranium in Notorious (1946)
The case with glowing contents in Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
The "government secrets" in North by Northwest (1959)
The stolen $40,000 in Psycho (1960).
The stamps in Charade (1963)
The Death Star plans in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
The top secret plans in The 39 Steps (1935).
The eponymous statuette in The Maltese Falcon (1941)
The letters of transit in Casablanca (1942)
The uranium in Notorious (1946)
The case with glowing contents in Kiss Me Deadly (1955)
The "government secrets" in North by Northwest (1959)
The stolen $40,000 in Psycho (1960).
The stamps in Charade (1963)
The Death Star plans in Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope (1977)
Saul Bass.
Saul Bass born on May 8th 1920 was an Academy Award-winning filmmaker, but he is best known for his design on animated sequences. In his 40-year career he worked for some of Hollywood's greatest filmmakers, these included Hitchcock, Stanley and Martin Scorsese For Alfred Hitchcock, Bass provided effective, title sequences, employing kinetic typography, working with John Whitney, and Psycho. It was this kind of innovative, revolutionary works that made Bass the film maker he was. His later work with Martin Scorsese saw him move away from the optical techniques that he had managed to begin and move into computerized titles.
Moving on Bas had helped in the directing the highlight scene of Psycho, the hugely edited shower-murder sequence, he used his initiative mind to direct such a scene making it perfect to every second that was shot.
On the whole Saul Bass was a character who brings a change in the American film making scene, not only affecting film making of the time, but for many years to come. One of the famous quotes used by Saul Bass were "Design is thinking made visual’’, in other words he was a follower of his imagination and techniques. Who knew that he could make the difference in the film making world today.
Moving on Bas had helped in the directing the highlight scene of Psycho, the hugely edited shower-murder sequence, he used his initiative mind to direct such a scene making it perfect to every second that was shot.
On the whole Saul Bass was a character who brings a change in the American film making scene, not only affecting film making of the time, but for many years to come. One of the famous quotes used by Saul Bass were "Design is thinking made visual’’, in other words he was a follower of his imagination and techniques. Who knew that he could make the difference in the film making world today.
Alfred Hitchcock.
Alfred Hitchcock, born on August 13th 1899 who was an English film maker and producer was renowned for his gifted techniques in the suspense and thriller genres. After a successful career in United Kingdom in both silent films and early talkies, Hitchcock moved to Hollywood. In 1956 he became an American citizen while still being a British citizenship. Hitchcock directed more than fifty feature films in a career spanning six decades. Often regarded as the greatest British filmmaker, he came first in a 2007 poll of film critics in Britain's Daily Telegraph newspaper.
Todorov and Propp's theory.
Todorov's theory: Todorov proposed a basic structure for all narratives. He stated that films and programmes begin with equilibrium, a calm period. Then agents of disruption cause disequilibrium, a period of un-settlement and disquiet. This is then followed by a renewed state of peace and harmony for the protagonists and a new equilibrium brings the chaos to an end. The simplest form of narrative (sometimes referred to as ‘Classic’ or ‘Hollywood’ narrative).
Propp's theory: Vladimir Propp’s theory was formed in the early twentieth Century. He studies Russian fairytales and discovered that in stories there were always 8 types of characters evident. These are: the hero, the villain, the donor, the dispatcher, the false hero, the helper, the princess and her father. He did not state these characters were all separate people e.g. the provider could also be the helper. There are only 8 different character types and only 31 things they ever do. Once you have identified the character type (e.g., the hero) it’s easy to guess what they will do (save the maiden, defeat the villain, marry the maiden or whatever) because each character has a SPHERE OF ACTION. This is easily relatable to films and programmes today.
Propp's theory: Vladimir Propp’s theory was formed in the early twentieth Century. He studies Russian fairytales and discovered that in stories there were always 8 types of characters evident. These are: the hero, the villain, the donor, the dispatcher, the false hero, the helper, the princess and her father. He did not state these characters were all separate people e.g. the provider could also be the helper. There are only 8 different character types and only 31 things they ever do. Once you have identified the character type (e.g., the hero) it’s easy to guess what they will do (save the maiden, defeat the villain, marry the maiden or whatever) because each character has a SPHERE OF ACTION. This is easily relatable to films and programmes today.
Analysis of 4 thriller trailers
- Lighting – Clear, main points emphasised
-Sound- When there is a happy mood through the trailer, the sound is calm and more enjoyable, but it builds up to bad things so does the music, louder and more dramatic sounds.
- Main Characters: Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale
-Location- England
-Camera movements, Upbeat, fast movements , then slow and continuous, but then each scene un ravels another camera shot.
- Lighting Dark, with mild lighting, but some spots emphasised with strong lighting
-Sound- Main character speaks, in trailer, leads on audience, voice gives a recognition of scaryness. The voice is followed with some dramatic music which builds up an then grows louder with big scenes scenes
- Main Characters: Heath Ledger and Christian Bale
-Location- America
-Camera movements, Upbeat, fast movements , then slow and continuous, but then each scene un ravels another camera shot.
- The music had the greatest effect, it makes the audience feel as if they are being watched or that they should expect some serious thrills.
- The music represents suspense as it is ongoing and very continuous.
- The music created great suspense as it grabbed the audiences attention.
- Fade in and fade out used for changing scenes quick effect to change scene.
- Quick description of story which is said in a very fast voice to grab audiences attention so that they are listening in.
- Bright lights used during opening.
- Silent beginning gives a very suspenseful approach to the start of the film which gives a serious approach as we don't no what to expect.
- The lighting is dark in the beginning, and during the trailer begins to lighten up.
- Main Characters names are displayed before the any clips are even shown e.g. Marlon Brando, Al Pacino.
- Produced by Paramount Pictures.
- Trailer involves alotof fadeing in and out to change scenes which creates a continuous effect.
- Music gives us a very calm, mellow feeling, the soundtrack played is used during the film most of the time so it is relevant.
- Trailer consists of main characters speaking.
Friday, 5 February 2010
Wednesday, 3 February 2010
January 31st 2010
Introducing the AS Coursework
In the second lesson we began looking at the mark scheme and other important information we need to know to get the highest marks possible. thanks to the mark scheme we now know what the examiners want us to produce, which is a big benefit to our group. We also watched different thriller clips to give us a taster of what was expected of us, we watched professional openings and coursework openinigs which has given us a few ideas of what we could do.
We were also told about the marking scheme and how many marks you can get for each part of coursework, for example there are 100 marks available, 20 marks go towards research and planing, 60 marks go towards construction and the last 20 marks are for evaluation.
We started off getting to know how the cameras work. In the lesson we saw how the cameras are fixed onto the tripod and positioned to shoot in which ever angle needed. There after we started to use the video cameras and digital cameras, we took pictures of still images in our groups to practice different angles and also to get use to using the equipment.
In the second lesson we began looking at the mark scheme and other important information we need to know to get the highest marks possible. thanks to the mark scheme we now know what the examiners want us to produce, which is a big benefit to our group. We also watched different thriller clips to give us a taster of what was expected of us, we watched professional openings and coursework openinigs which has given us a few ideas of what we could do.
We were also told about the marking scheme and how many marks you can get for each part of coursework, for example there are 100 marks available, 20 marks go towards research and planing, 60 marks go towards construction and the last 20 marks are for evaluation.
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