film studies

The Prison Genre

Films in relation with the genre is:

• Shawshank Redemption
• Le trou /The hole
• Forbrydelser / In your hands
• The green mile
• Womens prison
• Death race

The codes of the prison genre are:

• A tough man
• A hero and a criminal
• Clash of the characters
• Escape attempts, Deaths, suicide, abuse, fights, violence ect
• Weapons; a gun, knife, bats ect
• based in an abandoned/ deserted area or an island
• handcuffs, chains, keys
• tattoos

Story Line for prison genres

• A typical story line for prison films are mainly based around confusion of the character being treated bad even when innocent or if not innocent then there is probably more secrets behind the story of their convictions.

Typical Situations that’s happen within the prison genres

• Normally a bond is created between one of the main characters with either a warden or another inmate.
• Towards the end of the film the character is either released from prison and tries to make a fresh start and has ambition to do better within themselves or whatever drama had happened within the characters or whichever conflict had been made has been resolved.

Mise en scene

Mise en scene is a term in French that is used in theater. It means “put in the scene”.

• Props –

1.  Tanoid
2.  Letters
3. Books
4.  Records
5.  Music player
6.  Speakers
7.  Microphone

• Costume –

1. Police uniform,
2.  Prison uniform i.e designated coloured jump suits,
3. Suits
4. Casual clothing

• Characters

1. Andy Dufresne

Andy Dufresne is the primary character of the story. Andy arrives at Shawshank Prison in 1947, after being convicted of killing his wife and her lover. Unlike most of the inmates at Shawshank, Andy is innocent. Andy settles into his two consecutive life sentences. He befriends Red (see below

      2.  Red

Real name Ellis Boyd Reading. Red is the guy who can get stuff” inside Shawshank, and has a good relationship with the inmates and guards. Best friends with Andy Dufresne

3.  Warden Norton

Warden Samuel Norton is a man who believes in god, and also money.

     4.  Heywood

Heywood is a friend to Andy and Red. He has a love of country music, which he is able to enjoy when Andy improves the prison library, which includes a gramophone and selection of Hank Williams records.

      5.  Byron Hadley

Byron Hadley is the captain of the guard. He is a hard man, although the story occasionally exposes his compassionate side.

      6. Brooks Hatlen

Brooks is the veteran inside Shawshank.

       7.  Tommy

 Tommy is a young convict who joins the other inmates for a brief time. Andy helps Tommy gain his high school diploma, which Tommy hopes will help him to support his family when he is released.

       8. Bogs Diamond

Bogs is the leader of The Sisters, a groups of prison rapists who attack Andy on various occasions.

• Body language  –

1.  Andy: calm, relaxed
2. Officers: Strict, twisted, has issues

• Facial Expression –

1. Andy:

•  relaxed, wary, at ease

2.Warden:

•  irritated, frustrated, on guard

1. Narrative:

• The narrative in the film is Non-Linear.

• Costumes in the Film

The clothing in the film is one of the most important priorities. it makes it easier for the audience to  identify a character based on what they’re wearing.

Themes:

• Friendship

Friendship is one of the main themes in films.

Based in this film ;

Red and Andy compose this special bond between them which not only draws in the audience attention, but it also leaves you wanting to see more.

• freedom and hope

Hope is also another one of the most important themes in the film.

You automatically gain hope when you realise Andy’s story. One important thing that branches off from hope is survival. Staying alive and getting out of there.

As being part of the audience it draws you to the escape scene because you want Andy to escape.

The film uses the colour Yellow to symbolize Hope as well as Freedom.

• Identity

Due to the film genre the main idea is for all characters to lose their identity completely. To treat them like animals.

The Prison Genre: 

The Magdalene Sisters

The Magdalene sisters is based around secrets and abuse that was hidden away from society back in Ireland.

Shawshank Redemption was more straight forward and got to the point unlike Magdalene sisters which broke it down bit by bit through out the film as the audience was following along

Magdalene sisters isn’t as obvious as shawshank Redemption as being in the prison genre however the audience are given a small hint.

Due to the characters reaction towards the nuns and the other main people in that religious sector in the film, you share their pain and you also feel that their stuck in the nunnery. Shawshank Redemption is different because you don’t really feel their pain but you can see that they are in the situation of being in prison because of themselves.

It’s proven that Magdalene sisters does fit in the genre template because of its harsh reality.

However the Magdalene Sisters is more of a drama than prison genre. Also the film is a hybrid.

Location & Mise En Scene:

• The Location is:

1.  Nunnery
2.  Film is set in Ireland

• Props:

1. Crucifix cross necklace,
2.  poison ivy
3. Laundry

In magdalene sisters, The laundry scene is very symbolic. It shows strength taking over the power of fear. Revenge is the key word.  The reason to why she wants revenge is through her reactions against what she’s seen between her friend and the priest.

• Costume:

1. Nun: Religious Attire
2. Plain Clothing

The clothes are the main image in the film. Without any of the outfits the audience wouldn’t know that he film was based in a nunnery.

• Narrative and Characters:

1. Bernadette – looks down on people, stuck up, Miserable
2. Margaret – Innocent, caring Person,
3. Crispina – Innocent, Gullible, vulnerable
4. Sister Bridget – in charge, the Boss, Miserable, gloomy

Throughout the magdalene Sisters, we was able to see the characters develop mentally and physically.

They began being weak and very vulnerable. As the audience we immediately feel attached and close to the characters because we feel their pain with them. Growth and Strength are included in this film themes. This is what we each witnessed happening between the characters.

In time we saw that Margaret gains strength and is able to stand up for herself as well as others that she cares for. Despite being imprisoned at the nunnery, the characters grow into the atmosphere.

Bernadette,  has already shown accustom to the prison which displays growth throughout the film. Besides her character being quite bitchy and has a lot of attitude towards everyone; she is also very vulnerable and weak but fails to show this weak side of her as she always has her guard up and puts on a hard face. The structure of the film is linear. The film lets the audience know that characters are being punished and sent to the nunnery because of something that they have done or being accused of doing. Rather then using flashbacks, the film gets straight to the point and mainly focuses on the characters.

Themes:

• Hope

Hope isn’t much of a priority in the themes for the film. We see hope several times in the film especially when the young girls attempt to escape the nunnery.

• Friendship & Loyalty

Friendship is also a minor theme in this film because as seen by the audience a few friendships are really formed.

However at the beginning of the film a friendship between Margaret and Crispina is created.

Loyalty appears within the characters throughout the film.

• Identity

There are certain aspects in the film where the identity of the characters are questioned not just by the audience but also by the character themselves.

Heading  towards the end of the film, we witness Crispina locked up in a mental institution.

• Religion

Religion is one of the most explored themes in the film. The film is based around Religion.

In the film, the nuns and the church use religion as away to punish the girls by tricking them into believing that what they have to do for them is a good thing and will help the girls in the future. Also the girls are made to believe its something that god wants.

Crucifixes are constantly used throughout the film. The crucifix is the iconography throughout the film.

In conclusion,

I personally feel that in the prison genre it will continue to branch out and expand.

It could possibly at some point take over most film genres.

I believe that the future prison genre films will not jus be used to feature the key codes and elements in the conventions of a prison film today. But of course there will be new elements and codes placed in prison films to make it more exciting and interesting.

Research on a British director

James Watkins: The director of Eden Lake

He directed “Eden Lake” and also “the women in black “.

Eden Lake was a 2008 British horror film in which was both written and directed by James Watkins.

The women in black is a 2012 British horror thriller

The films James Watkins directed are both British Horror thrillers about people traveling away from their home to either escape something or to work, and in both scenario’s, by leaving has caused them to get into more of a dangerous situation than what they started with

Mise en scene

Mise en scene is a term in French that is used in theater. It means “put in the scene”.

Props – tanoid, books,  letters, music player, records, microphone, speakers

Costume – prison uniform, police uniform, suits

Body language  –  Andy: calm, relaxed

Officers: Strict, twisted

Facial Expression – Andy: Calm, wary, at ease

Warden: , agitated, frustrated

Lighting – Natural Lighting through the window

Camera – Still shots, steady moving shots

auteur essay

These are the three main factors that make a director an auteur

• Technical Competence
• Personal Style/ Signature
• Interior Meaning

Auteur means –

A film producer whose unique style and overall control in all the factors to  produce its own personal stamp  .    

Peter Segal

I have chosen to look at Peter Segal as an auteur because he uses similar characters, themes and storylines.

50 first dates

The longest yard

get smart

The factors that make him a good auteur :

• He uses similar actors for example: Adam Sandler .

Sandler is in 50 first dates, longest yard, anger management. Sandler is known for his humor and so all the films he is in are based around his ability of making people laugh. This gives him an advantage to be a strong auteur

• Themes

Segal have directed a lot of comedy based films, e.g – get smart, anger management ect.

Most of Segal’s films are revolved around comedy.

Being an auteur its important for you to have strong themes to make the audience remember and identify you by your films.

• Storylines

Segal uses similar storylines because in his films he uses linear narratives.

He has the basic structure of a story, meaning he has the set up, the conflict and the resolution (which is always happy)

conclusion:

I think he is an Auteur because he uses interesting characters, good themes and humour.

task 4.

Britan Article

  

What makes a film British?

To identify if the film is British, the audience can usually tell by the setting, actors, quality of the film and also the typical accents or activities that the characters are doing, for example a skinhead with a cockney accent is a typical east end bloke. Or for example a person drinking tea with biscuits and holding their little pinkies up whilst holding the cup is also related to being based in an upper class of England.

Recent British film directors such as Noel Clarke, Menhaj hunda, Shane Meadows, Ken Loach and Danny Boyle have all done films based around what happens in certain aspects and lifestyles of those that not many have witnessed or even know about. These Directors all have similarities in their films relating to the difficult stages people go through including; drugs, gangs, sex, racism, crime and many more. These Directors produce these messages in such a real way leading the audience to have a greater understanding of the reality of certain english lifestyles. This attracts the audiences emotions causing such a strong bond between the characters and the viewer

Noel Clarke

Noel Clarke is a British film director who bases his films on the youth and stereo types of the young generation of England. He is most known for his film ;

• Kidulthood
• Adulthood
• 4321
• Dog house

 Kidult hood was produced and directed by Noel Clarke and Menhaj hunda.

This film is based on  a day in the shoes of a community of troubled 15-year-olds growing up in west London.

Noel and Menhaj touch all the topics with having to be a 15-year-old growing up on the estate with the rest of the “hood” fighting to survive and gain rating and respect.

Noel Clarke released 2 years later a continuation to his first hit kidult hood called Adulthood.

This was basically a follow on from the first film. However in Adulthood the characters show the struggles to deal with sorrow and guilt for things done in the past. Certain things happened that people didn’t expect, the consequences for mistakes that was made caused revenge. This film represents and relates to a lot of the youth in Britain. I think Noel did a good job expressing the reality of teenagers and the misfortunes that happen

 

 4321 was a later release also by Noel Clarke a following 2 years later.

This film was focused on 4 friends out on their separate missions, also shows how each person went through the adventure and how it connected with all the points in the film.

The title stands for; 4 girls 3 days 2 cities 1 chance

 

Shane meadows is mainly known for his films

• Deadman shoes
• This is England

Each of his films represent a day in the life of living in England and the types of unfortunate events they go though including racism, drugs ect

 

Shane meadows created this story to enhance the audiences understanding of  a troubled boy growing up in England, the story is set in 1983. He includes a couple skinheads to show the typical reality in that time phase. The film is based on experiences Shane himself went through.

 

meadows created this film with the story line of:

A soldier returning to where he grew up to get pay back with the hooligans who abused and made fun of his mentally challenged brother years before.

This showed the audience the type of things english thugs would do back if a person didn’t fit in.

 

Ken Loach is a British Director of many films including:

• The Wind that shakes the Barley
• Sweet Sixteen
• Kes
• My name is joe

 

Sweet Sixteen is a film based around a Strong minded and determined teenager who wants a normal family life for once his mother comes out of prison, grew up from a tough background the young boy sets his mind to raise the money for a home so he can create that normal life that he’s always wanted.

This film high lights the difficulties that people struggled through in Scotland.

 

Danny Boyle was the Director of the British films;

• Slumdog Millionaire
• Train spotting
• 127 hours
• 28 days later

Slumdog millionaire was questioned about whether or not it was a British Film or if it was a Bollywood Film.

The film is about a Mumbai boy who basically grew up in the slums, he then becomes a contestant on the Indian version of “Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?”.

 He then gets arrested because they believe he’s cheating, however while he is being interrogated, events from his past are shown which then explains why he is so sure of all the answers he’s given.

This film encourages the audience to realise the poverty in India, However certain aspects Also relates to British poverty aswell.

127 hours is a film highlighting the effects of a mountain climber that unfortunately becomes trapped under a giant rock , he resorts to desperate measures in order to survive, which lead him to cut of his arm with a blunt knife.

Danny Boyle created this based on a true story.

Case Study
American Pie: Reunion

Universal Pictures was involved with all of the production, from pre-production to distribution of the film. Preproduction was conducted by Jon Hurwitz and Hayden Schloosberg who wrote and directed the eighth chapter to the American Pie chain. Chris Moore, Craig Perry and Warren Zide were later brought on to produce the film. All three of the producers have produced the previous American Pie films which shows the loyalty Universal Pictures has to the ‘American Pie chain’. By bringing back the main original crew helps with the continuity of the series which will bring the success from the previous films with this one. Craig Perry and Warren Zide also have their own production company that has also produced the Final Destination series.

They also managed to bring back all the stars from the previous films along with cameos from the likes of NFL player Chad Ochocinco.

They had a budget of $50 million of which $10,000 went to a school in Atalanta for the use of their school and $23,000 to use Lake Lanier for a week. They started the preproduction stage in 2010 and then started filming in early June to August 2011. They used two main locations which was Atlanta, Georgia and then later moved to Cumming, Georgia.

They also have competitions and prizes on offer where you can win a trip to Ibiza for a group of four. There are also links to Twitter, Facebook and Youtube where you can find more information on the film and recent updates.

At home:

how to market the film:

• Billboards
• oyster car holders
• anything to advertise the film

Idea:

• Top boy
• 4 3 2 1
• SKET

The main outline to this film is basically a female version on Top boy. The whole idea is to be the unexpected. Proving the dominant side to women. When it comes to the streets and selling drugs ect.. most people assume there’s going to be a main boss man however in our production we’re making it a female boss.

Most people who watch this type of film will make assumptions about the typical story line, relating crime and drugs with young boys, and also assume that the people supplying the drugs are big mafia men. However we are putting a twist to the storyline. We’re going to use respectable and glamorous women as the main bosses that run all the things the typical men would do. The film would be proving a point however at the same time certain aspects of the film will be degrading to women through faults of less classy females.

Research

Producers/ Production Companies

Production companies that could be interested in this type of film could be unstoppable entertainment, which produced 4.3.2,1 and upcoming films such as Storage 24.

Noel Clarke could be interested in doing this type of film because looking back at his filmography he often produces films based on life on the streets.

Another producer that could be interested in out idea is Aml Ameen. He isn’t a well-known producer however this could be a boost for his career.

This idea could appeal to him because of the nature of the idea. He was in KidultHood and has also produced and directed short films with similar themes.

Audience/ Genre

It would mainly appeal to young females but it will also attract the male eye because it will develop a better understanding of females in higher places.

This will be contradicting the whole opinion that “women can’t do what men do” Meanwhile women can still do this whilst being classy.

The genre would be drama, thriller and crime. There will be drugs

Actors:

1. Shanika Warren – MarkLand (4.3.2.1)

She could appeal to the audience because she is;

• Attractive
• In her history of work, she’s made a good effort to achieve higher goals

2.  Scarlett Alice Johnson (Adulthood)

• She could appeal to the audience because she is extremely versatile and has done many different types of projects in her career.
•  She also acted very well in Adulthood which showed a different side to her skills as an actress.

3. Adam Deacon (Kidulthood, Anuvahood)

• He could appeal to the audience because he is known for acting in many different street films.
• He also has other talents including music that young people are inspired by

4. Ashley Walters (Top Boy, Bullet Boy)

• He would appeal  to the audience because he is very good-looking as is known for playing the ‘bad boy’ roles in films.
• He is known by many teens who are interested in street films and films in general.

We could also get an artist who would do the sound track to the film to do a cameo on the film which would also bring in their own fans which would widen the interest in the film.

Artists

• Chipmunk (Chris Brown, Trey Songz)

Chipmunk has collaborated with people in America and also has fans out there which could boost the possibilities of taking the film internationally.

• Jessie J (B.o.B,

Jessie J is an extremely relevent artist. She’s collaborated with fantastic artists and she’s also doing ‘The Voice’. This could raise the profile of our film by far.

• Tinie Tempah (Wiz Khalifa, Kelly Rowland)

Tinie Tempah has made a name for himself over here and in many other countries around the world. He is a talented artist and has done a lot in the short amount of time that he’s become relevent.

Advertising:

We will advertise in areas where there are predominately ‘lower class’ and ‘middle class’ teens. The young teens that live in areas that aren’t ‘posh’ or the ‘rich’ areas are who we are targeting because they can relate to the films and are more likely to go and see this type of film.

We would contact company’s such as River Island to supply us with clothes and accessories that would be featured in the film which would be a form of advertising. This would allow us to get a load of free costumes.

We will advertise by creating products with the film’s title and slogan on it. We will also hold competitions were you can win tickets and prizes.

Festivals:

Cannes

London Independant Film Festival

Raindance

Expenses:

For all of the advertising and marketing that we will do there will be a cost that will have to be payed by either the production company or individual investors. Our main aim would be to get investors to invest in our film and the costs for the advertising and the making of the products given away will be paid for.

Our marketing campaign would be creating products such as Oyster card holders with the film on it,

Product Placement:

There isn’t much things you can really get for free, most things there are deals done not necessarily though money transactions but sometimes it can be done via favours or for example if coca cola decided put our film on their cans of coke then we will advertise it in our film.

Opening Days:

The opening week would be in the summer on a Friday, this would be so young people are more likely to see it and in the holiday people are more likely to go to the cinema in general.

Distribution:

The cinemas we think would best suit this film would be odeon and vue cinemas.

Odeon:

Streatham

Camden

Tottenham Court Road

Putney

Birmingham

Vue:

Croydon Grant’s

Croydon Purley Way

Islington

Wood Green

Romford

Brain storm for our main image;

This image looks simple yet descriptive.

It shows lip stick making it obvious that it’s a women, Yet its anonymous because you can’t see the rest of the features.

Based on the story line, this image links because it shows hints of a classy women however at the same time, by the picture only showing half of the face it shows the hidden story behind it.

This image is a great example of the design we’re looking for. The legs and the heels show the feminine / classy side of the “boss lady” and also once again it still creates that mysterious look. Giving off half of the image leaves the rest of the features to the audiences imagination. This picture also gives space in the corner to write our slogan

Using the two example pictures above, we came up with the main image.

Evaluation fro poster:

This is an example of what our poster could look like. We have researched many different types of looks that would best suit our film and have chosen an image of a woman’s legs with high heels. We liked this idea as it shows one of a females feminine features and it still leaves room for imagination.

We also had an idea to put faces of the people featured in the film but thought that it would collide with the main image and not look good. So we left it to keep the potential audience still guessing.