Discuss the representation of class and status in the clip from Cranford

Discuss the representation of class and status in the clip from Cranford

The difference in class and status between the characters can be clearly noted. The mise en scene in this clip helps to show the difference between the characters. For example the audience automatically know Harry is poor and off a low status as he is shown to not be wearing any shoes at the beginning of the clip.  His clothes are dull in colour and appear to be of a low quality and dirty. The image of Harry easily transfers to the entire lower class during that period of time, we know this as when the audience are shown the rest of Harry’s family they are all in dark, dirty clothes. In comparison Mr Carters clothes look of a lot high quality, this shows the audience that he is off a high class and can afford to buy more expensive clothing. This can be said also for the other upper class characters; they are all shown to be in clothes that can be assumed are expensive when in comparison to a lower class character. The two environments the characters are shown in also show how class and status differ between the characters. Harry for example is shown to be living in some kind of shack like house; the audience first see the dull exterior which carries on inside the house. The house is very dim in lighting, this the lack of money the family has as they cannot afford things people would class as necessities such as lighting as they are only showed to have a candle on the table. The audience also get an insight into the cramped conditions Harry would be living in are 5 people are shown to be living in this tiny space. In comparison the environment Mr Carter lives in appears to be a lot better.  We are first shown Mr Carters office which in comparison appears bigger than the house Harry lives in. The later shot of the house shows the audience that Mr Carter is of a high social class; he is shown having people working for him even though he is just Lady Ludlow’s land agent he carries more social status than others. The sympathy Mr Carter shows to Harry by giving him food and a job my show that he was once of a similar situation. This could be shown when Mr Carter tells Harry that he can still turn his life around. Lady Ludlow contrasts the image of upper class, as even though her looks are better than those of the lower class people, she doesn’t have the same spark and energy the other characters. Lady Ludlow carries some characteristics of Miss Havisham, through the way she dresses.

The continuity editing throughout this clip also helps to show class and status. At the beginning of the clip when the camera follow Harry through the woods the audience gets the impression that he’ll be an important character as the focus is on him. The beginning scene also helps the audience get a feel for the environment as the camera shows the dark and gloomy wooded environment. The later shot reverse shot between Harry and his father show the father’s disapproval to the fact his son is trying to be educated. These show his own embarrassment of not being educated. The shot reverse shot used between Harry and Mr Carter show Mr Carter’s shock at the way Harry reacts. For example when Harry begins to lick his hand there is a shot reverse shot that shows his reaction that Harry is trying to get salt from the palms of this hands. A shot reverse shot is later used again when Harry asks what an ice room is, this time it shows the confusion on Harry’s face as it is a known word for Mr Carter. While the party is being set up there are straight edits that show how all the different people are working in order to create a party for the upper class.

There is a low angled shot of Lady Ludlow on the stairs; this shows the audience she is of a high status than the others in the scene as she is higher up than them. It can also be known to the audience that Mr Carter is a lower status that Lady Ludlow as he allows her to walk away first and his back a bit from her. While Lady Ludlow is on the stairs the audience can see two butlers waiting by the doors, this again shows Lady Ludlow’s high social status as she has people waiting on her. When Mr Carter is first brought into the scene there is a mid shot of his boots. This contrasts to the first shot of Harry in which he is bare foot. This shows how Mr Carter is wealthy and of a higher status as he is wearing boots that look expensive, while Harry wore no shoes and was later given a second hand pair of boots. A lot of camera angles are used to show status as authority in this clip, one being when the Doctor rides in on a horse there is an extreme long shot that makes his seem important as all the attention is on him. The audience also see how Harry’s social status makes him appear weaker, this is shown when he is laying on the floor and there is a high angled shot. The difference in class can also be seen when there is a long shot of Mr Carter and Harry walking away, this shows the difference in how they dress as mainly the audience notices that Harry isn’t wearing shows and Mr Carter is. It can also be commented on that Mr Carter has grabbed hold of Harry showing that maybe he doesn’t trust to him run away, this could be because he feels like lower class children don’t have the morals to do what there told and that Harry would run away, so he doesn’t get in trouble, as he cares for his family and they wouldn’t cope without him. The establishing shot in Mr Carters office shows how the two characters environments differ, even though Mr Carters office isn’t as lavish as Lady Ludlow’s house it’s a great improvement on Harry’s house.

The main difference between the sound in this clip would be between the way in which the characters talk. Lady Ludlow and Mr Carter talk better than Harry’s family as they would have had some kinds of education.  The ways in characters communicate with each shows the vulnerability of the lower class. For example when Mr Carter finds Harry in the green house he automatically defends himself in the hope of not getting in trouble. This could show that the lower class are always thought to be doing wrong. When Harry is walking up to the house as well as he is exploring the green house there is eerie non diegetic music in the background. This changes and there are noticeable piano keys in the background when Harry sees the grapes hanging down, this draws the audience’s attention as they wonder whether or not Harry will take the fruit. There is sad background music when Harry falls to the ground licking his hand; this makes the audience feel pity for Harry. While the staff are setting up for the party there is again background music, this time the music sounds like it would suit a upper class environment which shows the audience what kind of event the staff are setting up.

How is age represented in the clip from Monarch of the Glen?

How is age represented in the clip from Monarch of the Glen?

The main younger character in this clip catches the audiences’ attention from early on in the clip. When she first comes on to the screen there is a long shot which then tracks her as she is walking up to the younger man in the scene. This already shows the audience that she must be of some importance as the camera in lingering on her. She has in conversation with the younger man in with she says ‘there’s something I need to speak to you about’ the audience would assume that something has gone between the characters; maybe some kind of relationship through the way in which she’s says it. The younger man is working when Amy comes in to the scene, he then stops when she comes over, this could show the audience that a younger character doesn’t see the importance of work and a conversation would take priority. Compared to the other people shown at the begging of the clip Amy’s causal top and jean outfit doesn’t look as though she is prepared to work like everyone else, this again reiterates that a younger character wouldn’t know the importance of work. Later on in the clip when Amy is asked if she can drive there is a mid shot when she says ‘of course, I passed first time’   Amy seems confident and arouses no reason for the audience to suspect she’s lying. The audience learn she has lied when there is a panning shot of her in the car, the audience her hear saying ‘or is it clutch, accelerator , ignition’ this tells the audience she doesn’t know what she’s doing. This keeps the audience gripped to the scene as she starts the car and drives away as they wonder whether or not she’ll be able to do it. There is a long shot of Amy driving the car away, the camera does not follow the car, this may have been done to make the audience wonder whether or not she’ll crash the car, or if she’ll be ok. The car crash is diegetic sound, this is known as the character in the scene all react to the sound by running out of camera view to help Amy. By the camera not moving it could show the other characters didn’t expect Amy to lie to the crash came as a surprise. During the confrontation with Amy head teacher the audience see how Amy’s age makes her seem vulnerable. This is shown when the family crowd around her, this makes it look like they are trying to protect her. This is shown through a mid shot when the younger boy says ‘you’re still at school’ and Amy in shown in the arms of the woman. Later on in the clip Amy is again showed to the audience as being a weak character, due to her being younger than the other people in the situation this is when she is having a confrontation with the middle aged man, there is an over the shoulder shot which makes her appear lot smaller and weak than the man. This may make the audience feel pity for her as she looks weak and alone. Amy portrays a typically teenage stereotype when she run off after not getting her own way, this is shown through a long shot as well as her shouting  ‘I hate you’ which makes her seem immature and act in the way the audience would accept a teenager to do. There is a straight edit which shows the unaffected facial expressions of the other people in the scene, showing their ages makes them more mature and not interested in her attitude.

The middle aged man in the clip is what the audience would typically expect of a middle aged working man. The first communication he has with the characters is when he says ‘all hands on deck’, this shows him as having a strong work ethic as he expects everyone to work and contribute to the project.  The old fashioned banjo music sets the scene of a calm, laid back environment as the non-diegetic music doesn’t build tension. It does set the scene of working, farm land as its music you would traditionally associate with hillbillies. This music starts again at the end of the clip when the man is working again, this could show that the man is happiest and most content when he is working. The way he dresses would make the audience assume he works on a farm or in manual work as his clothes are dark in comparison to Amy’s and they seem a lot more practical.  When he approaches Amy after the car crash there is a long shot of his holding Amy, looking down on her to see if she’s ok. This may show the character’s paternal instincts as he checks if she’s ok, before finding out what happened.  He is shown as being more level headed than the younger man, this could be to do with his age and him having more life experience.  When the head teacher says she is only 16, the younger men seems shocked and agitated, were as the middle aged man steps back from the situation and tries to find out what was going on. Later on in the clip the audience see how age affects authority when the man is talking to Amy. There is an over the shoulder shot in which the man looks more powerful and authoritative than Amy. This is shown when he says ‘I want you ready to leave when I get back’ this shows the audience that he is pulling the strings and decides what’s going on.  The audience also see what he pulls the strings during the editing in which the audience see a shot –reverse – shot. This shot shows the audience that he is in control of the situation as he is able to deal with Amy as well as what’s going on outside. It also shows the difference in age when Amy has nothing to do but run off shouting, the man doesn't seem phased by Amy’s behavior.

The older man has similarities to the middle age man in the sense that he is shown as being more level headed than Amy. He does also differ from the middle aged man; this is shown in how he dresses talks and acts. The clothes he wears are lot more formal than the clothes the middle aged man wears. This shows the audience the difference in how age effects in way you dress.  Considering the arrived to collect Amy the fact he accepts the drink of Brandy maybe be shocking for the audience, as it would be expected he wouldn't drink on the job. The way in which he talks to Amy differs from how the rest of the characters do, when he first sees Amy he says ‘I might of know’ the audience can  easily notice his anger, not only through his tone of voice, but through his tense fists.

Working Title

• Founded in 1983 by Tim Bevan  and Sarah Radclyffe
• Now co owned byEric Fellner and Tim Bevan
• Headquaters in London, United Kingdom
• Other locations in Ireland and the United States of America
• Key people in the company - Tim Bevan, Sarah Radclyffe, Eric Fellner, Liza Chaasin, Debra Hayward and Natascha Wharton
• Parent companies were PolyGram (1991-1999) and currently Universal Studios (2000-present)
•  In 1992, PolyGram became the company's corporate backer.
• contractually allowed to produce any film with a budget of up to $35 million, on a practical basis, Bevan and Fellner consult with studio executive at Working Title's parent company NBCUniversal.
•  In 1999, PolyGram was sold to Seagram and merged with MCA Music Entertainment, to form Universal Music Group. PolyGram Films was sold and folded into Universal Studios in 1999.
• Subsidiaries - WT2 Prodcutions and Working Tiltle Television
• In 1999, Bevan and Fellner launched a subsidiary company named Working Title 2 Productions, commonly known as WT2. The company is an independent film production arm run by Natascha Wharton, and has produced films that include Billy Elliot, Shaun of the Dead and The Calcium Kid
•  It produces feature films and several television productions, including films starring comic actor Rowan Atkinson ( Johnny English reborn)
• Working Title Films, the UK film production company behind box office hits including Four Weddings and a Funeral and Shaun of the Dead
• Working Title Television is a joint venture with NBCUniversal and will be based in London and Los Angeles. NBCUniversal is Working Title's parent company
• The company released a modernised version of the children's novels, The Borrowers in December 2011 and Abi Morgan's adaptation of Birdsong in January 2012.

Films

• Tinker Taylor Soldier Spy (Decemeber 9th 2011) - In the bleak days of the Cold War, espionage veteran George Smiley is forced from semi-retirement to uncover a Soviet agent within MI6. Budget: £20,000,000 (estimated) Total gross: £24,877,160
• Contraband ( January 13th 2012)- To protect his brother-in-law from a drug lord, a former smuggler heads to Panama to score millions of dollars in counterfeit bills. Budget: $40,000,000 (estimated) Total gross: $96,262,212 
• Big Miracle (February 3rd 2012)- In small town Alaska, a news reporter recruits his ex-girlfriend - a Greenpeace volunteer - on a campaign to save a family of gray whales trapped by rapidly forming ice in the Arctic Circle. Budget:  $40,000,000. Total gross: $19,966,230 (USA)
• Anna Karenina (November 16th 2012) - Set in late-19th-century Russia high-society, the aristocrat Anna Karenina enters into a life-changing affair with the affluent Count Vronsky. Budget: £31,000,000. Total gross: $15,242,363
• Les Miserables (Decemeber 25th 2012)- In 19th-century France, Jean Valjean, who for decades has been hunted by the ruthless policeman Javert after he breaks parole, agrees to care for factory worker Fantine's daughter, Cosette. The fateful decision changes their lives forever. Budget: $61,000,000 Total gross: unknown

Film4 Facts

• Film4 was originally known as Film four when established in 1998 as channel 4’s second channel but was for subscription only.   

Channel 4 is a production house company, who's funding comes from adverts/commercial funding.

FILM 4 - "committed to enhance the British film making industry by nurturing and funding new talent"

Film 4 has a niche (very specific small audience)

It was then followed by many other channel 4 further programmes who time shared the air of blockbuster films.

In 2006 film four modified its name to Film4 and also became a free digital viewing channel and started producing many adverts with celebrities in weird situations to stress and intrigue the audience that this is the only channel to watch free movies continuously.

Tessa Ross became the Controller of film4 in 2004 and head of TV drama for Channel 4.

Film4 is very heavily linked with Channel 4. Channel 4 financed in the helping of production in such films as “The Crying Game” and “Madness of King George”. Channel 4 also decided that there side film channel would be made free on digital networks, therefore becoming the only free film program to boost ratings.

Film 4 are currently on some large projects including Tyrannosaur, which Film4 backed in production and distribution closely working with Warp X and Inflammable films. This movie is an example of how Film4 help broadcast and produce English films and not just Hollywood Blockbusters as this was the first film ever to be directed by Paddy Considine. Also Film4 are in the final stages of distributing their own creation of Random originally a theatre play by director Debbie Tucker Green. It is being regularly advertised on channel 4 and competitions have started to try and attract people to see the film in cinemas.

Film 4 produces about 6 films a year and works along their subsidiary Warp X

Less of the budget is spent on distribution, because the films can be advertised on their own and parent companies TV channels.

They have won 5 Oscars in 4 years & 3 BAFTA's in 2007. 8.3 million AB Cl's a month, with an upmarket (42%) and male (55%) profile.

Successful Films include - Slumdog Millionaire/127 Hours/Four Lions/This Is England/Trainspotting

Film 4 work closely with specific actors and directors such as Danny Boyle's/Martin McDonagh/Steve McQueen/Peter Mullan/Chris Morris

Film 4 recently launched Film 4.0 - digital/online arena

Film 4.0's aim will be to find new talent and discover new ways of making, marketing and distributing films and engaging new audiences online in a multi platform environment.

Films:

• Johhny English - It was wrote in 2009, worte by the same people of James Bond which grossed $160 million. Rowan Atkinson starred and the sequal was released in september 2010.
• Wild-Child - Budget of $20 million. Filmed at Cobham Hall. Was marketed on radio stations, social networking sites and TV adverts - was a financial flop with 2.2 mill opening weekend.
• The Soloist - Based on true Story. Budget $60 mill. Based on books and articles/directed by Joe Wright. Produced by Gary Foster & Russ Krasnof. Grossed $31,720,158 mill. Paramount helped distribute through Dreamworks animation and Universal Pictures. Released a year later than planned, therefore lost oscar potential

Written by Stephen Hare

Discuss the way the extract from Doc Martin constructs representation of regional identity?

Sound is one of the ways regional identity is constructed and presented to the audience in this clip. The audience gain a real insight into the character by the way in which they talk not only to each other but through compassion of the way they sound and what they say. Doc Martin can clearly be noted talking down to other characters within the clip. The audience can tell that Doc Martin does talks differently to other characters in the clip, this could be linked to where his character comes from, and he may have been brought up in an area in which proper English is preferred rather than regional dialect. Doc Martin can be noted talking down to people when he says ‘treat yourself to a noun’ expressing his annoyance that the character in question isn’t talking correctly. As well as saying ‘is that an endearing local term’ this shows the audience that there is a difference in the way in which people talk and that maybe Doc Martin in mocking the way in which they talk as the way he says ‘endearing local term’ sounds like a mockery. Another way in which regional identity is represented is when Doc Martin says ‘I’m not interested in your opinion’ this could portray the fact that as he isn’t from that area he sees the people there as being inferior to him and he doesn’t have the time for them. On the other hand the audience can also notice the regional identity of the people from the community, the old man at the beginning of the clip for example is difficult to understand due to his thick regional accent. In the clip the audience see that it’s down to the person sitting next to him to relay to Doc Martin what he is trying to say. The person sitting next to him does show how regional accents and regional identity may differ through generations. The younger man doesn’t seem to have as much of an accent which does make him appear more intelligent as the old man was portrayed as being unintelligent as you couldn’t understand what he was saying. The younger man says ‘ it could be a literally reference’ this does automatically give the audience the perspective that he knows what hes talking about as the other man just mumbled and didn’t make much sense.

Camera shots also help show the difference in the regional identity between the characters. In the scene in which Doc Martin is walking down the street there is an extreme long shot of him walking down the hill. The audience can notice from this clip that Doc Martin holds himself very well when walks this could be because he feels superior to the people in the community and shows this in the way he walks. In comparison at the beginning of the scene there is a high angled shot which shows all three men, the youngest of them doing manual work on the floor. The shot makes the youngest man seem inferior to Doc Martin as he is doing manual work and Doc Martin is shown to the audience as being above him. This could simply be because he is doing manual work which carries less status and esteem than a job as a doctor would, or it could show that not only is being a doctor better a profession, but Doc Martins regional identity is better than his.  The later high angled shot looking down on Doc Martin shows that he is no longer in control of the situation as he is trying to fix the water leak, while the others in the scene are standing around. This may show the audience that ever though he may feel that hes above the people in the village because of where hes from, he is actually equal to or lower than them at the present point of time.

The mise en scene in the clip also creates representations on regional identity. The ways in which the characters dress differ. Doc Martin for example this dressed very traditionally and smartly, he is wearing a plain coloured suite and a beige trench coat. This could show that he is from a well brought up background, in an area in which people would dress well in comparison to a council estate for example, in which you wouldn’t expect the residents to be walking around in suites. The elderly woman at the end of the scene doesn’t dress in a way you’d expect a woman to do. She is shown doing manual work that you might expect a man to traditionally do. This could show that woman are treated differently in that particular area and are expected to do manual work. She isn’t dressed smartly which would show that selling vegetables in order to make money is more important than the way in which you’re portrayed to others. The older man in the clip also doesn’t dress very smartly as he is shown wearing dull, dirty look farm clothes, this may again show that it isn’t a community in which dressing smart would be appropriate as manual work may be the way in which they make money.

(I didn't know what to say about editing)

Sexuality questions

Is the sexuality of the characters easily identifiable? I think the sexuality of the characters is easy to identify, but it isn't extremely obvious, unlike what you see him some tv drama e.g. Mark in Ugly Betty. It can be sensed through the way the characters act that there is a difference in sexuality, the camera angles as well as mise en scene and sound help identify the characters sexuality Is the sexuality represented as being important in their life? I'd assume sexuality is an important part of their life even though they have to be secretive about it, as it isn't accepted in society. I'd assume it would be difficult for the character as a persons sexuality is an important part of their life and having to hide that may prove difficult. Are particular sexualities seen as more powerful, better, normal? If so, how? What message is the clip aiming to portray about sexuality? The straight man is seen as being more powerful to the homosexual woman. This shown to the audience when he has his hands around her throat and by the way he talks to her, trying to make her fearful of her sexuality 'she'd laugh in your face if she knew.' His attitude and the way he is shown fits the era up the clip is set in and how society would of seen sexuality. Is the time/ era / context of the clip important or relevant when considering attitudes towards sexuality? I think the era the clip is set in is important when considering attitudes towards sexuality, there would still of been stigma surrounding homosexuality in this era as people didn't fully accept others for being gay. The era is relevant as it shows the audience that people of different sexualities can't be open about it as it isn't socially expected

My Week With Marilyn

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Prometheus

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Gender in tv drama

In this clip of hustle gender is represented in different ways. We are shown both male and female character, both of which differ. Some of the characteristic the characters do follow the generic stereotype of men and women, but some differ.

The main female character; Sarah is shown to the audience of being a well off characters. The audience can see this is as shopping in a store that looks high end and exclusive. The first thing you may notice about her is that she looks very put together; she looks as though she takes pride in her appearance. In this sense she may follow the stereotype of a woman as she only cares about what she looks like and her image may be extremely important to her. Although the audience finds out later on that she is a business woman and is one her way to a meeting. The character also follows a stereotype as a classic blonde when she loses her ring while shopping, even though the audience learn that isn’t the case. The character is hysterical and quickly offers money for the safe return of her ring. This could show that the value of the ring is a lot more important that the sentimental importance of the ring. This could also show that she is over reacting, which is a common stereotype of a woman rather than looking for the ring calmly. The clip also shows that even though she is portrayed as being as being upper class, she is really just using it as a cover up in order to scam the owner of the shop. This shows the audience that woman can be sly in order to get what they want.

There is a very strong contrast between Sarah and the other woman shopping in the store. The older woman looks out of place in the shop. Her clothes and all together appearance differ largely from that of Sarah’s. The older woman appears a lot darker and dull when in comparison to Sarah. They way in which the women are spoken to also differs, the older woman is spoken down to for example the shop owner says ‘a little too rich for Madame?’ and ‘it is at the lower end of your current stock.’ This gives the audience the impression that she doesn’t belong in that environment. The camera shots used expresses this point; there is a close up of her face when she says ‘hundred?’ as she is shocked at the price of the dress. The appearance of the character shows that maybe she doesn’t care as much about her appearance as her hair put back, she doesn’t appear to be wearing much make up and her clothes are simple. This character doesn’t follow the stereotype of a woman, as she seems a lot more practical when it comes to money, as she notices the dress is far too expensive. She may also know that there are more important things than how you look in life.

The men in this clip also differ. The shop owner comes across as being very feminine which would fit the job stereotype as you expect woman to own a dress store as it’s a feminine environment. His femininity is shown in the way he acts, at one point he skips happily over to Sarah, possibly as he knows she is wealthy, by her appearance and will buy a dress. He is also shown as greedy, after Sarah offers him money if he finds the ring he neglects his next customer in the hope of finding it. He later offer the customer who finds the ring money so he’ll give him the ring. He does follow the stereotype of a sleazy man as he is trying to make as much money out the situation as he can.

 The male con artist is largely different to the shop owner. He is a lot more masculine in the way he acts.  This is shown in the way he talks for example he refers to his girlfriend as his ‘bird’ and when commenting on the ring he says ‘she didn’t get this out of a cracker.’  The way he talks shows that maybe he doesn’t necessarily think about what he says before he says it.  When he is first shown to the audience they first camera shot is of his shoes, this shows that he is wealthy as his shoes look expensive. The camera then pans up his body to show him wearing a suit; this again gives the audience the impression that he’s wealthy and fits the style of the shop. The way he talks does contradict the way he is dressed maybe showing the audience that he’s streetwise.  The topic of him being streetwise is shown again when he breaks the forth wall and talks to the audience when he is walking away from the shop owner. This shows that he is streetwise as he comments on the situation, like he is trying to teach the audience something.

Gender in TV drama

This clip shows that women, especially elderly women are unaware of change, to a modern viewer it would make the character appear unintelligent and to an extent are 'behind the times.' It is shown in this clip when the character is unaware what a swivel chair is.

How is disability represented in the clip from 'A touch of Frost'?

How is disability represented in the clip from 'A touch of Frost?

There are different representations of disability in this clip, one being that people with disabilities are treated like they are children.  We see this in the way people talk to Billy for example Frost slows his speech down, often taking pauses when talking to Billy. Depending on your personal view on disability this may make you think differently. By frost talking down to Billy it may make the audience feel pity for him like he’s a child and he doesn’t understands what’s going on, even though that may not always be the case. You also see Billy being treated like a child by his parents; they may do this subconsciously as they are just trying to protect him. An example of this is when his Mother says Billy would prefer if she could clean him up before Frost speaks to him. This again creates emotion for the viewer as you feel sorry for him as he is covered in blood.

This clip contains both diegetic and non-diegetic sound.  At the beginning of the clip there is non-diegetic sound in the form of the eerie background music. This music builds up tension for the audience as Billy is walking through the woods at night.  As the police shine touches in Billy’s direction the music changes, this may be to show the audience they have found what they are looking for. The background music continues until the policeman had Billy on the floor. The music may stop at this point to show that audience that the tension has reached its climax as the Police have found what they are looking for. The diegetic sound in this clip also builds tension as the view doesn’t fully understand what’s going on with Billy at the beginning. The rustling of the leaves as the Policemen are walking suggest to the audience that they are looking for something, at this point you are unaware so it continues to build suspense.  When Billy says ‘I didn’t do anything wrong’ the audience hears that Billy has a disability, this may make the audience feel sorry for him. The conversation between Frost and Billy’s farther shows how people are often ignorant to disability. This is shown when frost refers to Billy as ‘mentally subnormal’ and is correct that Billy is actually handicapped.

The camera angles in this shot give a different representation of disability.  Firstly they give the impression that having a disability makes you vulnerable.  This is show when Frost is talking to Billy and a high angled shot is used, this makes Billy look smaller and appear weak and vulnerable. The shot then widens and the audience sees Billy’s Dad sitting behind him, this adds to the audience opinions that having a disability makes you vulnerable as his Dad has to sit with him to make sure hes ok. This scene also shows an over the shoulder shot in which you see a silhouette of Frost, this attracts your attention and makes him look powerful as him stands over Billy. The audience can clearly see the fear on Billy’s face when there is a close up of him when the police turn their touches on. A later close up of him being held by the Police makes him look scared and weak. This may also makes the audience feel sorry for him because their personal view, that maybe that people with disabilities don’t understand as much as abled bodied people. The tracking shot of the Police chasing Billy builds suspense for the audience as they wonder whether or not they’ll catch him. It would also makes the audience wonder perhaps Billy did do something wrong as he ran. The tilted high angled shot of Frost talking to Billy’s Dad gives the audience a sense that they are ease dropping on the conversation, this may makes the audience hope that they’ll learn more about what’s going on.

The blood on Billy’s face makes you feel sorry for him as he is obviously been hurt. Even though it does pose the question of how he got hurt in the first place the audience would first feel pain for Billy. The Police and Police dogs at the beginning of the scene tell the audience that something has happened; the audience can tell that they’re looking for something; this builds suspense as it isn’t clear what they’re looking for. The neighbours standing outside the house gives the impression that it’s a close community where not a lot happens, so the slightest Police involvement draws people out of their houses in find out what’s going on.  At the beginning of the clip you see Billy wiping mud off his trousers, at this point you don’t necessarily know he has a disability so you assume hes done something wrong due to the environment in which hes in. If you knew that he had a disability it may make you see the situation differently as you may feel that he wouldn’t mentally be capable of doing something.

The editing at the beginning of the clip is slow paced but cuts straight from one clip to another; for example, you see the police dog, then the Policeman, then Billy. This shows the audience that at that moment they aren’t aware of each other, but it’s only a matter of time before they do. While Frost is interviewing Billy the editing gets slightly faster as it cuts from Frost talking to Billy’s facial expression, then back to Frost to ask another question.  By showing the clip in this way you see that Billy doesn’t look phased by what Frost is saying, it makes Billy look stupid doesn’t look like hes takes in what Frosts saying.

Class and Status

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Class and Status

Wife- It looks like she is part of a working class family. You don’t actually see her going to work so I assume she is a stay at home mum. By her accent and the way she talks she doesn’t sound like she has a high status. But she does sound like she may have been brought up in a higher social class than her husband.

Husband – He look like he doesn’t have a very good status in society. His job is a manual one so he would often be under the control of people higher up. From what we see of his home life he doesn’t look very successful and proud as he is sat on the sofa watching the football in a vest when his daughter gets run over.

Lover- He looks like he might have had a good education. By him wearing a suit it look like he has a good job which may carry social status. From where he lives id assume he would be middle class.

The main editing I saw in this clip of a straight edit. A straight edit is used during the argument between husband and wife at the beginning of the clip. The clip goes straight from husband to wife continuously when they talk. There is also a straight edit to the children listening the their parents arguing this again goes from a shot of one of the parents to the children then back to the parent. When the girl gets hit by the car there are 4 really quick straight edits to get the view of the different people

The mise en scene that I noticed was that during the argument the wife was in the kitchen. I feel that this showed her social class as a stay at home wife that cooks and cleans all day. Another piece of mise en scene was the difference in the clothing between the two man, this showed their difference in class and status. The husband was wearing basic clothing that didn’t look overly clean. Were as the lover was seen as being socially better as he dressed smartly in a suit.

There was both diegetic and non diegetic sound in this clip. The non diegetic sound was in the form of the backing music. During the argument the husband and wife there was an up beat piece of music playing in the background. The music contrasted what you saw on the screen. Another piece of non diegetic music was when the wife was with her lover. This time the music was slower paced and went along with what you saw onscreen. There was diegetic sound in the form of the onscreen communication between the characters. The train and the tools while the husband was at work and the hissing of the leaking water pipe.

There was an array of different camera shots in this clip. I noticed two high angled shots. One when the girl was looking at her mum after the argument this made the daughter look weak and vulnerable. There was another high angled shot when the wife was trying the stop the water leaking. This again made her look weak and vulnerable as she was unable to do it on her own. This clip also contained close up shots. One being of the wife’s face as she opened the cupboard with the water in. Another is when you see the wife and her lover kiss for the first time. The final one is of the television when the wife walks in and releases her husband was watching the football and not paying attention to his daughter. There is a twain shot of the husband watching football and the daughter at the table this shows the audience that he isn’t paying attention to her. There is another twin shot of him banging of the lovers car window after he hits the daughter. This allows to audience to see both of their facial expressions.  There is a point of view shot when the lover’s car knocks the girl over, this lets the audience see exactly what the character sees.

How is Tony Stonem represented

Tony Stonem doesn't follow the generic stereotype of a teenage boy. For example you would imagine a teenage boy to be very lazy and had a dirty room, that doesn't seem to be the case with Tony. When shown his room you see that its very clean, minimalistic and orderly. Tony is also shown to have a routine in which he gets up does basic exercise then stares at the woman across the street.

The first show we see is a close up of Tony's face, the close up shows Tony with a smug look on his face. The close up again shows us that he isn't a generic teenager as he has freely woken up before him alarm compared to what we are normally shown of teenagers, where they wont get up in the morning. The shot then changed into a long shot above Tony in bed.  The shot shows him laying in the middle of of an extremely neat bed with the images of a naked man and woman on them.  Tony is laid in between the two figures, this could purely be a accident or it could be to show that in later episodes Tony struggles with his sexuality.

When the alarm goes off the scene cuts to a close up a stereo which Tony turns ons.  Once the music is on  you see Tony quickly get out of his bed, stretch then start doing exercise. The audience gets to see more of Tony's room, you can see just how empty and lacking in colour his room is. This could be done to show how Tony isn't your normal teenager

Camera shots in this first selection of filming show close and mid shots of Tony working out, as well as a long shot and over the shoulder shot of Tony looking at the Woman across the street. A long shot is shown of Tony's sister Effy when she is walking down the street, up to her house.

Effy is very much a stereotypical teenage in the way that she has gone against her parents and been out. You're led to believe that this is is a common thing as her and Tony have a plan of how to get her into the house without being caught. Tony turns his music up  loud so his dad argues with him so Effy can sneak in. A high angled camera sot when Effy is trying to get Tony's attention outside shows the audience that even though she is shown as rebellious that is she actually weak and vulnerable and relies on her brother.

 The diegetic sound in this clip starts with the Church bells and birds at the beginning of the clip. There is also diegetic sound when Tony plays his sound system so Effy can sneak into the house. How loud the music is could so just how bad the situation would be if he didn't play the music and Effy got caught. Tony's lack of interest when his Dad is shouting at him again shows how this is a reoccurring situation as his Dad shouts 'every fucking morning'

The next scene of Tony is where he is in the bathroom and his Dad is complaining because he to wants to use the bathroom. Tony know how to play situations to his benefit as he climbs out of the bathroom window just so his Dad still has to wait. You learn that Tony may climb out of the window often as when his Dad finds him at the table he tells him that the lock must be messed up again. He is very smug in the way he talks to his Dad as he tells him that the drill is under the sink. Even though Tony doesn't follow the generic teenage stereotype, he does in some sense as he is sneaky and tries to annoy this parents.

Black Swan

Black Swan prezi presentation link

Teenagers In TV Dramas

Emily Fitch - Skins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This character has a very strained relationship with her parents due to her sexuality. Her mother doesn't approve of her being gay and this leads to tension through out the episodes. Another strain of the parental relationship is the constant comparison to her twin sister. Emily is shown as a rebellious  teenager with some aspects of her personality fitting that of the generic teenage stereotype. For example she is often shown partying, drinking excessive amount of alcohol and taking legal drugs. Emily style could be considered as rock/indie. Occasionally she dresses with some femininity but normally her outfits are slightly more edgier

Bart McQueen - Hollyoaks

 

 

 

 

This character probably fits the generic stereotype of teenagers the most. His appearance fits the stereotype of teenagers as they are presumed to wear things like tracksuit bottoms and hoodies. He continues to follow stereotype as he doesn't seem to be going very far with his life and doesn't show any aspirations. He doesn’t have much of a relationship with his parents as his mother walked out on him when he was younger and his father worked on a oil rig. The character continues to follow the negative teenage stereotype when he is arrested for growing cannabis in his aunt’s house, where he was currently living. His relationship with different people doesn’t seem very positive as he is seen being punched in the face as he was suspected of starting a fire.

Charlotte Grayson- Revenge

This character is probably the furthest away from the generic stereotype of teenagers. The character comes across as well spoken, with adult like morals instead of the immature attitude thought about teenagers, this could be to do with the social society in which she was brought up. She is shown to have high aspirations for herself that are backed up her parents. The character dresses in expensive clothing which shows her families social ranking. This character's relationship with her parents vary as the storyline progresses. At the beginning she has a seemingly good relationship with the man she presumes to be her father. Her relationship with her mother is a heated one and this only escalates with her finding out her father isn't who she thinks it is. After finding out this information her relationship with her 'farther' also changes. Her behaviour is what you would expect from someone of high class through out most of the episodes the only exception being her dating a boy her mother doesn't approve of.

Sound

Sound motif -
A sound effect or combination of sound effects that are associated with a particular character, setting, situation or idea through the film. An example of a sound motif would be the background music is Jaws that the shark approaches

example of sound motif in jaws (1:35)

Parallel Sound-
When the musical tone matches the action on the screen. This is seen during the below clip from Casino Royale were the background music builds up audience tension during the chase scene.

Casino Royale Parkour Chase (1:36)

Contrapuntal sound-
Sometimes when we are watching a film, we hear sound that doesn’t seem to match what we are seeing. what we see and what we hear do not match. This is called contrapuntal sound ‘Contrapuntal’ means ‘at a counterpoint to’. An example of this is from the film The Birds. The images gives off a sense of tension, but the music is completely childlike & carefree. With the children being the source of the music it increases the tension as they are unaware of the danger. 

The Birds

Direct address -
When a character on screen directly addresses the audience, alternative of a voice over. An example of this is in the BBC show Miranda, she is often seen talking directly to the audience.

Miranda (32 seconds)

 

Kick Ass

 

 

 

 

Inspiration

 

 

The inspiration for  Kick Ass came from the 8 part comic book series of the same name, written by Mark Millar and John Romita, Jr. The story of Dave Lizewski, a teenager who sets out to become a real life superhero. His actions are publicised on the Internet and inspire others. He gets caught up with ruthless vigilantes Hit-Girl and Big Daddy who are on a mission to take down the gangster John Genovese.

 

Producers

Matthew Vaughn

Brad Pitt

Kris Thykier

Adam Bohling

Tarquin Pack

David Reid

Director

Matthew Vaughn

 

Screen Play

Matthew Vaughn

Jane Goldman

 Cast

Aaron Taylor Johnson - Dave Lizewski / Kick-Ass. Aaron Taylor Johnson also narrated the film.

Chloe Grace Moretz - Mindy Macready / Hit-Girl

Mark Strong - Frank D'Amico

Nicolas Cage- Damon Macready / Big Daddy

Christopher Mintz Plasse -  Chris D'Amico / Red Mist

 

Development The rights for the movie version of kick ass were sold before the first issue  of the comic book was published. The script for the movie and the comic book were written at the same time. Even though they have slight differences like in the comic book Big Daddy isn't a ex cop like he is in the film, hes an accountant.

 

Development Fiance

Kick ass struggled to get a production company to go along with the script. Most companies wanted to change the level of violence and swearing in the film. Companies doubted that a film with a violent superhero would be successful. In the end Vaughn independently financed the film, a benefit of this was it allowed him to create the film in the way it was originally intended.

 

Pre Production

Vaughn now had the difficult task of finding the perfect cast for Kick Ass. His main problem was finding an actor that would perfectly fit the role of kick ass. Vaughn had cast the other roles but was still looking for someone to play kick ass. His search for the perfect actor took him so long that he nearly had to push the movie back 6 months. Sarah Finn and Lucinda Syson were Vaugh's casting directors, they suggested that he look back over previous actors. Vaughn had previously turned down Aaron Johnson's tape without even viewing it. Vaughn finally watched Johnson's tape and after hearing him read for the first time knew he was the perfect kick ass.

 

Production

The filming for kick ass took place in Toronto Canada. Dip'N' Sip Donuts and Sir Winston Churchill Secondary School are a few places within Canada that are shown. Filming also took place at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, England. The film had been independently financed and there was worry about whether or not a distributor would pick it up. The production companies involved in Kick Ass were Marv Films and Plan B Entertainment. The film did get picked up by distributors, Universal Pictures distributed it in the UK and Lionsgate Films in the US

Marketing
Kick Ass used the usual methods of marketing to get publicity for the films release. Posters were used on buses and billboards. Trailers were also shown on TV, in the cinema and on DVDs. There was a lot of marketing for Kick Ass as it was expected to be successful, even in light of the controversy. It could be said that too much of the Kick Ass story line was realised through the trailers, this didn't effect the film when it was realised as it was a huge success. A few issues of the comic book had also been released before the film came out so the audience had the opportunity to read up on the characters before watching the film. Some of the actors along with Matthew Vaughn and others from  the production of Kick Ass went to Comic-con as a way to promote the film, clips of the film were shown and the actors spoke about their role in the film.

 

 

An array of different trailers were released in the build up to Kick Ass. These included a teaser trailer, an extended trailer and an international trailer. The trailers sparked the controversy about Chloe Grace Moretz' involvement in the movie, Moretz was only 11 at the time and is shown using explicit language and violence. A later trailer was released showing Moretz saying 'Okay you cunts, let's see what you can do now.' Even with the controversy that surrounded it Kick Ass was a success at the box office with even more sales when it was released on Blu- Ray and DVD

 

 

 

Kick Ass Teaser Trailer

 

Kick Ass Extended Trailer

 

Kick Ass International Trailer

 



Kick Ass Hit Girl Red Band Trailer

 

 

 

The premier for Kick Ass was held in Leicester Square, London. The cast, directors, producers and screenwriters attended as well as special guests. The film was given as budget of $28 million and made a box office total of $96,188,903. Despite having gained controversy for its profanity and violence performed by a child, it was received well by both critics and audiences. The film was released on DVD and Blu- ray on August 3rd 2010, selling 1.4 million copies within the first week (DVD and Blu-ray sales)