Research: Holiday Homework (task 12)

Analysis of sub genre conventions

Audience research

The Inbetweeners 

The audience of The Inbetweeners Movie are similar to the actual characters in the movie, they are mainly males who are aged between 18-24 who described themselves as polite and sometimes nerdy

Mean Girls 

The personalities of the the main audience as well as the the age is not expected with Mean Girls as the women percieve themselves as kind and only sometimes being controlling and the age of them is 25-39, however we would have expected the audiencee to be young people aged 13 to about 19/20

Kidulthood

The audience of Kidulthood completely refutes the expected audience of the film. We would expect the audience to be males aged around 13 to 20, however it is females ages 18 to 24. The personalities of this audience is understandable, instead of seeing the hardcore violence these women would be more understanding of the characters. The shows that this audience watches has barely any link to the film, they watch things such as The O.C and Kate My Beautiful friends.

Reflection Blog

Improvements:

• To complete extensions: task 5, by watching the documentary 'Watching' and answer the Qs given in class and task 9, by researching who makes a title sequence
• To complete task 10 and talk about whether we expected that character as a target audience and why
• To use a wider range of technology to present my work  (including Kizoa, gifs, Photo-bucket. Thing link, Emaze, Powtoon, Slide share and Slides)
• To improve each blog post by either; adding more information or presenting it with a different form of technology
• To insert 'Fish Tank' intro to task 13

Reflection Blog

Improvements / Reflections - 

• Complete extension activities ( tasks 5 & 9).
• Improve each task (adding more, to make it better).
• Complete blogging task 10 (posting up target audience research).
• Using other technology softwares to make blog more interesting ( thing link, e-maze, pow toon and slide share).

Reflection Post

Everything apart from the anaylsis of my audience research and my prezi is completed and up to date.

I need to improve on both my attendance and punctuality, as it is very poor and I am losing marks as a result to this.

I need to include other technologies such as thinglink, emaze, powtoon, slideshares/slides, kizoa, vlogs and gifs to improve my blog

To improve my grade, and attemp to pick up some of the marks that I've lost due to my attendance an punctuality, I will do all the extension blogs that have been provided.

Analysing Type of Title Sequence & Order - Task 7.

 21 Jump Street 
The title sequence for 21 jump street is interesting as they take it in a different approach, instead of doing the usual credit list, their one is backwards. So they start off with "The end" first then showing who it's directed by, usually a movie's title sequence always ends off with who it's directed by, however 21 jump street shows a reverse approach. 

Within the title sequence, we see mini clips and segments of what will be included in the film to give the viewers a sense of what will be in the movie and what it will be about. The title sequence includes flashy scenes and clips of different locations and backgrounds, as well as dominant and objects that will be featured in the movie, illustrating that this certain item will be an importance in the movie. 

Order in the title sequence - 

• The end
• directed by
• screen play by
• story by
• based on the television series created by
• produced by
• executive producers
• director of photography
• production designer
• editor
• main cast ( names of actors)
• casting by
• music by
• costume designer

Analysis of Sub Genre Conventions - Macro.

Semantic - the way the films look > MIRCO
Syntactic - the stories the films tell > MACRO

Macro Conventions - The macro aspects of a film includes

• Who produces it
• Audiences for the film
• Cast, plot lines, characters
• General ideas about the order or way in how the story is told

1. Title sequence - The breakfast club (high school drama).

What is the key plot idea introduced in the title sequence? 

• Saturday detention within a high school
• Five completely contrasting characters, students
• 5 distinct stereotypes
• Questioning why the students are in detention

In what order is the story line introduced? 

• Conflict between them because they all have different personalities
• Background/stories about why they're all in detention
• Conflict between the arrogant superior (teacher)
• Anticipate conflict but then they all become friends

What characters are introduced?

• A brain
• A princess
• A athlete
• A criminal
• A basket case

What social groups are represented? How are they represented (positively, negatively,  stereotypically / use of binary oppositions) ?

• Teacher - the teacher is portrayed negatively, an arrogant and unfriendly man.

• Brain - the brain is shown quiet, to himself, more focused on his studies and smart. He also has very strict parents, which is a stereotype portraying that all smart students have strict parents. In the scene he's introduced, his mum tells him to study and find a way to study in detention, it shows that all she cares about is his studies and just see's him as a brain.

• Princess - the princess is portrayed as a self-centred spoilt girl who only cares about her appearance and shopping. The first scene she is introduced with her father, which illustrates that she's Daddy's little girl and giving the impression that she's spoilt and rich.

• Criminal - the criminal is represented negatively, as every student is dropped off to the high school with a form of transportation with their parents. He's walking in by himself, which portrays his independence and he faces situations by himself, almost like a criminal. It also gives the impression of his toughness and boldness. As he walks through in the library we see him steal something, which shows his criminal side.  stereotyping)

• Basket case - the basket case, is shown negatively as the name given to her immediately sounds negative. She's dropped off to the high school without a single word from her parents/guardian and the parents drive straight off, as she's about to say something to them which demonstrates the thought that even her own parent's see and think she's quite crazy. 

• Athlete - the athlete is shown dressed in a sporty attire as he's wearing a varsity jacket with the high school's sports team on it, shows his an athlete. The stereotype, when he's dropped off his dad is telling him how it would look bad on his record that he's attending detention, which shows that all his dad cares about is him being a good athlete, but maybe the character has more of a side to him than just being good at sports?

2. Title sequence - Fish Tank (Youth Drama).

What is the key plot idea introduced in the title sequence? 

• Mia (main character) is very angry
• Had an argument with her close friend
• Shown very aggressive and angry
• Questioning why is she angry? and what was the reason of the argument?

In what order is the story line introduced? 

• Mia is angry and has a fight/ argument with everyone she stumbles across
• Try to release a horse
• Macro concept - horse = freedom
• Mia feeling like she's in a fish tank (can't breathe, empty room, trapped)

What characters are introduced?

• Mia
• Mia's friends dad
• Local girls
• A horse
• A horse owner

What social groups are represented? How are they represented? (positively, negatively, stereotypically, use of binary oppositions?)

• Mia is presented as an violent and aggressive girl 
• The local girls are represented as "chavs" dressed in large earrings, clothing, hair, attitude and aggressive behaviour / personalities, as well as their language and dialogue in the scene.
• The friend's dad is also shown very negatively and angry.

The Order of Titles for a High School Drama & Youth Drama Film - Task 12.

Task - Analyse the order of titles for a High school drama and titles for a youth drama film - summarising differences and similarities.

1. Mean Girls (order of title sequences & credits).
- Paramount pictures
- Actor/ Main character's name
- Title of movie
- Main Cast ( list of actors)
- Casting by
- Based on a book
- Music
- Music composed
- Co producer
- Costume designer
- Editor
- Production designer
- Director of photography
- Executive producer
- Producer
- Screenplay
- Directed by

2. 10 Things I hate about you
- Production
- Title of movie
- Main characters
- Actor's name
- Casting by
- Music by & executive
- Costume designer
- Associate producer
- Co producer
- Edited by
- Production designer
- Executive producers
- Produced by
- Written by
- Directed by
- ( Touch stone)

3. My Brother the Devil
- Wildhorse film company
- Entertainment
- Film clinic
- Main actor's name
- Cast names
- Executive producer
- Producers
- Title of the movie
- Directed by

4. Beautiful Thing
- Channel four films
- Main role
- Actor's (cast list)
- Title of movie
- Actors
- Written by
- Produced by
- Directed by

Summarising Similarities in High School Drama & Youth Drama - 

• Cast are shown in the order of importance within the movie
• The film companies are shown at the start of the movies
• Title appears towards the start of the movies
• Director is always credited last
• A little introduction to the main character/main characters is always shown, (clip) in the title sequence

Summarising Differences in High School Drama & Youth Drama - 

• The youth drama has a shorter time period for their title sequences
• High school drama includes everyone within the process of making the movie
• The youth drama's title sequences includes more production companies

Research: Sub-Genre Conventions (task 13)

Title Sequence 1: The Breakfast Club (High School Drama)

What was the key plot idea introduced in the title sequence?

• A Saturday detention is taking place
• 5 different students- distinct stereotypes
• Want to find out why the students are in detention

In what order is the storyline introduced?

• Conflict between he 5 students (perhaps due to their different personalities/interests?)
• Conflict between students and teach

What characters are introduced?

• 'The Brain'
• 'The Athlete'
• 'The Princess' 
• 'The Basket-case'
• 'The Criminal'
• The teacher

What social groups are represented? How are they represented? (positively, negatively, stereotypically, use of binary oppositions?)

• The Brain is shown as a studious person with strict parents, this is stereotypical, as the smart students usually have strict parent 
• The Princess is shown as 'Daddy's little girl' who is spoilt and enjoys shopping. This is another stereotype as spoilt girls often spend all of their money, shopping
• The Criminal is represented negatively, as he immediately steals something when he walks into the library
• The Athlete is shown wearing a basketball jacket and looks muscly, a stereotype for athletic people
• The Basket-case is also represented negatively, like The Criminal. The name she is given isn't nice, and almost offensive
• The teacher is shown as an unfriendly, arrogant man

Title Sequence 2:Not Another Teen Movie: (High School Drama)

What was the key plot idea introduced in the title sequence?

• Introduction of several distinct characters at an American High School/College
• The students are split into different groups based on their appearance and interests
• Unpopular, geeky girl will transform into a beautiful girl
• An unpopular girl and popular boy will end up dating

In what order is the storyline introduced?

What characters are introduced?

• Nerds/Losers
• Jocks
• Slutty Girls
• Unique Rebel
• Cheerleaders
• Drama Geek
• Fat Kid
• Token Black Guy
• Bimbo
• Mean Girl
• 'Perfect' Girl
• Smart Asians
• Young Nerds
• Lazy Parent

What social groups are represented? How are they represented? (positively, negatively, stereotypically, use of binary oppositions?)

Hover over the image and click the blue dots to see how some of the stereotypes in this film are represented.

Many of the characters introduced are represented negatively and taken the mick of the stereotypes
Title sequence 3: Fish Tank (Youth Drama)

What was the key plot idea introduced in the title sequence?

• Mia is angry- had a big argument with her friend, immediately showing conflict

In what order is the storyline introduced?

• Conflict with friend
• Conflict with local girls (dancers)
• Conflict with horse owner
• Macro concept: Freedom
• Mia is confined: can't breath, in an empty room, symbolism of being trapped (in a fish tank)

What characters are introduced?

• Mia
• Friend's dad
• Local boys
• Local girls (dancers)

What social groups are represented? How are they represented? (positively, negatively, stereotypically, use of binary oppositions?)

• Mia is represented negatively, with a short temper
• The dancers are represented as Chavs, through their clothing, attitude, hair, language they use, location and pit bulls. This is also a negative representation
• The friend's dad is shown as angry- mother negative representation

Title sequence 4: 

Research: The Order of Titles, High School Vs. Youth (task 12)

Title sequence of 'Mean Girls' included:

• Paramount
• Paramount pictures
• Lindsey Lohan (main character)
• Title
• Cast
• Casting director
• Author of the book the film is based on
• Music supervisors
• Co-producer
• Costume designer
• Editor
• Production designer
• Director of photography
• Executive producer
• Producer
• Director

Title sequence of '10 Thing I Hate About You' included:

• Production company
• Title
• Cast
• Casting director
• Music director
• Executive music producer
• Associate producer
• Co-producer
• Editor
• Production designer
• Executive producer
• Producer
• Script writers
• Director

Title sequence of 'My Brother The Devil' included: 

• Film company
• Production company
• Cast
• Executive producer
• Producers
• Director

Title sequence of 'Beautiful Thing' included:

• Channel 4 films
• Cast
• Title
• Writer
• Producer
• Director

Similarities in the titles of High School Drama and Youth Drama:

• Film company is near/at the beginning of the sequence
• The title appears near the beginning of the sequence
• Cast are credited in order of importance
• Director is credited last

Difference in the titles of High School Drama and Youth Drama:

• High School Dramas credit most (if not all) the people involved in making the film, including the casting director, script writers, music director etc

Research: Sub-genres of Teen Drama Films (task 11)

Youth Drama Vs. High School Drama:

High School Drama example 1: Mean Girls
High School Drama example 2: 10 Things I Hate About You
Youth Drama example 1: My Brother the Devil
Youth Drama example 2:Beautiful Things

What titles did we see?

Title sequence of 'Mean Girls' included:

• Paramount
• Paramount pictures
• Lindsey Lohan (main character)
• Title
• Cast
• Casting director
• Author of the book the film is based on
• Music supervisors
• Co-producer
• Costume designer
• Editor
• Production designer
• Director of photography
• Executive producer
• Producer
• Director

Title sequence of '10 Thing I Hate About You' included:

• Production company
• Title
• Cast
• Casting director
• Music director
• Executive music producer
• Associate producer
• Co-producer
• Editor
• Production designer
• Executive producer
• Producer
• Script writers
• Director

Title sequence of 'My Brother The Devil' included: 

• Film company
• Production company
• Cast
• Executive producer
• Producers
• Director

Title sequence of 'Beautiful Thing' included:

• Channel 4 films
• Cast
• Title
• Writer
• Producer
• Director

Category/Type of Title:

Mean Girls:  Titles over moving images

10 Things I Hate About You:  Titles over moving images

My Brother The Devil:  Titles over moving images

Beautiful Thing:  Titles over moving images

What font is used:

 

Mean Girls: Bold text for the first name, narrow text for the surname: the two names are different colours

10 Things I Hate About You: Sketchy font/ bold colours

My Brother The Devil: Capital, bold, white font for the names

Beautiful Thing: Italic yellow font

What action do you see behind the titles?:

 

For all 4 of the tile sequences we see the first scenes of the film, establishing the settings

Write a summary about the order and type of title sequences in High School Drama films.

 

High School Drama films give the impression that they have a larger budget than Youth Drama films. This is suggested in their title sequences, as they are longer and more detailed. They have the titles over the opening scenes of the film, and introduce the main characters. The main actors and actresses are credited first and the director is credited last. The title of the film appears near the start of the title sequence.

Write a summary about the order and type of title sequences in Youth Drama films.
 

Youth Drama films give the opposite impression of High School Drama films, budget wise. Their title sequences are less detailed, therefore shorter, giving the impression that they have a lower budget. They credit the actors and actresses, but don't credit everyone involved in the pre-production stage, such as the casting director, director of music etc.

Summarise the main difference between the title sequences of films from each sub-genre.

 

One of the main differences between Youth Drama and High School Drama films is their budget, which reflect on the length of their title sequence.

Analysis - Genre & Sub Genre Teen Titles - Task 11.

Research: Micro Analysis of The Room Mate (task 14)

Analysis: The Lego Movie

The title credits went in the following order:

•directors 

•screenplay

•producers 

•executive producers

•animationsupervisor 

•based on lego toys

•cinematographer 

•production designer 

•editor 

•music 

•feature animation

•co- producer is displayed

•associate producers

•casting director 

•actors  

•production company

•associate production companies 

•film title 

The titles were used over animation. The font of the film is unknown however it is in a pixel form, this represents Lego blocks.

Analysis: Genre & Sub-Genre

•High School Example One - Ferris Beuller's Day Off (1986)

•High School Exampe Two - Rushmore (1998)

•Youth Drama One - Wildchild (2008)

•Youth Drama Two - L.O.L (2012)

Audience Research: 90210

Categorising title sequences

1. Titles on a blank screen

Most common type of title sequence. Which involves:

• Different kinds of typeface on a black or white background 

• White typeface are normally on a black background to create a high contrast.

• It is low budget and a simple way of giving information on the film.

For example it is used in Psycho by Alfred  Hitchcock, it makes the credits simple and easy to understand. The fact that it is on a blank screen creates tension

2.  Titles over moving images

Merges the credit titles with moving images behind the titles, there is usually no dialogue and it creates a narrative, allowing the audience to become aware of the storyline.

For example in The Lego Movie, it links the credits to the film as well as telling the audience the storyline in a short and enjoyable way.

3. Titles using animation of motion
 

Animated text became popular in the last 1990's. It involves:

Moving image and text
Digital technology is used
Stylised editing to fit to the film's theme

For example in Catch Me If You Can, each animation is linked to theme of the film.

4. Titles on still image

More elaborate than the title being on a blank screen, title cards are developed for specific films. They hint the genre of the film as well as use a combination of media to create the background (music/images)

For example in Wimbledon the typeface comes in, in all different directions and the images synchronises with text and background music.

 

What is Genre and Teen Drama

Teen Dramas - Title Sequences - Research into Institution - Task 8.

Teen Dramas - Title Sequences - Research into Institution
- Title sequences are used by Institutions to establish the company credited with producing and distributing the film along with the name of the film.

After watching 4 teen drama title sequences, I've noticed that larger budget movies such as Mean Girls and 10 Things I hate about you includes much more credits within the title sequences.

1. Mean Girls (order of title sequences & credits).

- Paramount pictures

- Actor/ Main character's name

- Title of movie

- Main Cast ( list of actors)

- Casting by

- Based on a book

- Music

- Music composed

- Co producer

- Costume designer

- Editor

- Production designer

- Director of photography

- Executive producer

- Producer

- Screenplay

- Directed by

2. 10 Things I hate about you

- Production

- Title of movie

- Main characters

- Actor's name

- Casting by

- Music by & executive

- Costume designer

- Associate producer

- Co producer

- Edited by

- Production designer

- Executive producers

- Produced by

- Written by

- Directed by

- ( Touch stone)

3. My Brother the Devil

- Wildhorse film company

- Entertainment

- Film clinic

- Main actor's name

- Cast names

- Executive producer

- Producers

- Title of the movie

- Directed by

4. Beautiful Thing

- Channel four films

- Main role

- Actor's (cast list)

- Title of movie

- Actors

- Written by

- Produced by

- Directed by

Mainstream - Lots of credits, names and positions that has been filled.
Independent - More production companies for low budget.

The contrast between the low budget movie and larger budget movie title sequences is that, a low budget movie's title sequence includes a smaller list of credits than a larger budget. Whereas a larger budget movie's list includes everyone involved in the process of making the movie.

However, with the low budget movies for instance My brother the devil and beautiful thing included various production companies within their title sequences. This is because they are categorised as Independent movies and need incorporation of many production companies to fund the movie. Whereas, a mainstream movie has a larger budget and can financially manage with one production company.

Budgets for the teen dramas

1. 10 Things I hate about you

• Budget : $16,000,000
• Opening weekend : £439,976

2. Mean Girls

• Budget : $17,000,000
• Opening weekend : $854,852
• Gross : $854,852 (France)
• Opening weekend : $24,432,195 (USA)

3. Beautiful Thing

• Opening weekend : $33,931 (USA)
• Gross : $1,500,000 (USA)

4. My Brother the Devil

• Opening weekend : $10,305 (USA)
• Gross : $10,305 (USA)
• Budget : £690,000

Research:Analysing The Title Sequence Of The Parent Trap (1998) (task7)

During the title sequence of The Parent Trap, titles are seen over motion, allowing the audience to  be aware of the time period the film is set in, the genre of the film, storyline and main actors/sctresses in the film.

The titles appeared in the following order:

• Walt Disney Pictures
• Principal actor/actress (Dennis Quaid and Natasha Richardson)
• Title, 'The Parent Trap'
•  Director and producer (Nancy Meyers and Charles Shyer)
• Actors/ actresses (Lisa Ann Walter, Elaine Hendrix, Simon Kunz, Ronnie Stevens, Polly Holliday)
• Introducing Lindsay Lohan
• Casting director (Ilene Starger)
• Costume designer (Penny Rose)
• Music composer (Alan Silvestri)
• Film editor (Stephen A.Rotter)
• Production designer (Dean Tavoularis)
• Director of photography(Dean Cundey)
• Co-producer (Bruce A.Block)
• Producer (Charles Shyer)
• Screenplay (David Swift, Nancy Meyers and Charles Shyer)
• Director (Nancy Meyers)

Research:What Is Genre And Teen Drama?(task8)

Genre: A category of film, for example, horror, comedy, romance
Teen Drama: A drama series (or film) that is heavily focused on teenage characters

Larger budget films, such as 10 Things I Hate About You and Mean Girls have more credits in their title sequences than lower budget films, such as My Brother The Devil and Beautiful Thing.

Title sequence of '10 Thing I Hate About You' included:

• Production company
• Title
• Cast
• Casting director
• Music director
• Executive music producer
• Associate producer
• Co-producer
• Editor
• Production designer
• Executive producer
• Producer
• Script writers
• Director

Title sequence of 'Mean Girls' included:

• Paramount
• Paramount pictures
• Lindsey Lohan (main character)
• Title
• Cast
• Casting director
• Author of the book the film is based on
• Music supervisors
• Co-producer
• Costume designer
• Editor
• Production designer
• Director of photography
• Executive producer
• Producer
• Director

Title sequence of 'My Brother The Devil' included: 

• Film company
• Production company
• Cast
• Executive producer
• Producers
• Director

Title sequence of 'Beautiful Thing' included:

• Channel 4 films
• Cast
• Title
• Writer
• Producer
• Director

The amount of credits shown in the title sequence may reflect on the film's budget. The larger budget films are required to credit the 'important' people involved in the film. They're credited in order of importance and before the film is made, lawyer of each cast member, production team etc. battle on whose name is credited first. Lower budget films don't credit all of the behind the scenes people, such as the costume designer, music director and casting director.

Budget of '10 Things About You:

• Budget: $16millionUSD
• Opening weekend: £439,976 (UK, July 4th 1999)/ $8,330,631(US, April 4th 1999)
• Box office: $53million USD

Budget of 'Mean Girls':

• Budget: $17million
• Opening weekend: £1,393,494 (UK, June 20th 2004)/ $24,432,145(US, May 2nd 2004)
• Box office: $129million USD

Budget of 'My Brother The Devil':

• Budget: £690,000 
• Opening weekend: $10,305 (US, March 24th 2013)
• Box office: £1.2million

Budget of 'Beautiful Thing':

• Budget: unknown
• Opening weekend: $33,931 (US, October 11th 1996)
• Box office: £3million