Friday, 29 April 2016
Evaluation Question 7
I choose to submit my evaluation question 7 as a moovly which was what I felt I had learnt since the preliminary task
Thursday, 28 April 2016
Evaluation Question 3
I choose to complete Evaluation Question 3 in a prezi format to express key elements and details of media instiutions.
Evaluation Question 2
This is my evaluation question 2 in which I decided to portray through a video mode.
Thursday, 14 April 2016
Barthes Enigma Theory
Roland Barthes described five codes which are woven into any narrative.
Firstly the Hermeneutic code refers to any element of the story that is not fully explained and hence becomes a mystery to the reader. The purpose of the author in this is typically to keep the audience guessing, arresting the enigma, until the final scenes when all is revealed and all loose ends are tied off and closure is achieved.
The Proairetic Code also builds tension, referring to any other action or event that indicates something else is going to happen, which hence gets the reader guessing as to what will happen next. The hermeneutic and Proairetic codes work as a pair to develop the story tensions and keep the reader interested.
The semantic code, this code refers to connotation within the story that gives additional meaning over the basic denotative meaning of the word. It is by the use of extended meaning that can be applied to words that authors can paint rich pictures with relatively limited text and the way they do this is a common indication of their writing skills.
The symbolic code, this is also very similar to the semantic code but acts at a wider level, organizing semantic meanings into broader and deeper sets of meaning. This is typically done in the use of antithesis where new meaning arises out of opposing and conflict ideas.
The cultural code, refers to anything that is founded on some kind of canonical works that cannot be challenged and is assumed to be a foundation for truth.
Firstly the Hermeneutic code refers to any element of the story that is not fully explained and hence becomes a mystery to the reader. The purpose of the author in this is typically to keep the audience guessing, arresting the enigma, until the final scenes when all is revealed and all loose ends are tied off and closure is achieved.
The Proairetic Code also builds tension, referring to any other action or event that indicates something else is going to happen, which hence gets the reader guessing as to what will happen next. The hermeneutic and Proairetic codes work as a pair to develop the story tensions and keep the reader interested.
The semantic code, this code refers to connotation within the story that gives additional meaning over the basic denotative meaning of the word. It is by the use of extended meaning that can be applied to words that authors can paint rich pictures with relatively limited text and the way they do this is a common indication of their writing skills.
The symbolic code, this is also very similar to the semantic code but acts at a wider level, organizing semantic meanings into broader and deeper sets of meaning. This is typically done in the use of antithesis where new meaning arises out of opposing and conflict ideas.
The cultural code, refers to anything that is founded on some kind of canonical works that cannot be challenged and is assumed to be a foundation for truth.
Horror Certifications
Editing Update
Wednesday, 13 April 2016
Evaluation Post- Mise En Scene
Mise En Scene plays a very important role in representing the codes and conventions of the horror genre, this is generated through the following elements: Setting, Props, Lighting and colours and Costumes. The setting/location of a horror film is extremely significant and are generally enclosed r cut off from civilisation. This supports the stereotype of vulnerability if you are stuck alone in an isolated enclosure with antagonist characters coming after you. The location creates and builds suspense to the viewing audience as it builds a connection with the protagonist character as they are hoping for the characters survival. The locations generally include a Forest, Haunted House, An old Asylum etc, these locations are iconography of the horror genre as they connote danger and create the fear factor. The location of a horror movie establishes the horror genre to the audience therefore the location is extremely important for a successful media product. Secondly the use of Props in the horror genre provide an accurate representation of the horror genre as props such as Knives connote the idea of death, blood, murder etc further revealing the genre to the audience. Lighting and Colours are most commonly in the horror genre are dark and atmospheric, this is as a result of the dark colour scheme which is also used for key iconography of the horror genre as colours such as black and grey connote mystery and danger. The usage of colour in horror ranges from three colours depending on the sub-genre at play, In a slasher film, the colour red is predominant as the key iconography for blood. Whereas in a typical horror movie, the usage of black and white colours symbolizes the contrast between both the antagonists and protagonists characters. The colour white typically portrays an innocent character typically highlighting the blameless nature of the antagonist character, which could also defy the natural stereotype of a faultless character. Finally Costumes are extremely significant in order to represent the characters within the film, revealing to the audience the protagonist and antagonist characters.
Evaluation Post- Camera Angles and Shots
The use of different camera angles and shots can determine how effective the footage you have captured is representing the horror genre, fulfilling the codes and conventions of the horror genre. The different camera angles and shots portray to the audience the significance of both antagonist and protagonist characters and also reflecting the conventions of the horror genre. Example shots such as a Close up shot can reveal the key iconography of the horror genre, for example in our media product a close up shot reveals blood which is iconography of the horror genre. Close up shots also reveal important details and objects in a scene, showing to the audience which elements play an important role within the narrative and the film. The different camera angles also are able to create a sense of realism, making the audience feel as if they are involved in the conflict or drama unfolding. A point of view shot is used in order to see the film in the perspective of one character. This allows the audience to become emotionally attached to the character or within the plot of the film building greater tension and suspense in the audience.
Evaluation Post- Editing
The use of editing in media products allows for a smoothly run film which engages the audience and keeps their attention solely throughout the media product. Continuity editing also creates a sense of realism, which engages the audience and makes the events that are unfolding appear to be real rather than constructed. This is significant in the horror genre as it promotes a sense of realism in the unnatural events that are unfolding, which connotes greater suspense and tension in the audience. Especially in the horror genre, I have learnt that the use of Jump cuts is significant in order to build and create suspense to the audience and to clearly identify the horror genre and its codes and conventions. As well as the editing technique of cutting rhythm, which determines the speed which things are cut, which is when the camera cuts frequently as a means of interruption. This helps to induce shock and surprise into the audience, which represents the horror genre as an interruption in a scene suggests danger will follow. Finally the use of transitions in editing can imply a change in location and emphasis a connection between characters and their emotions, this helps to provide a connection between the audience and the protagonist character.
Evaluation Post- Sound
My research of sound in general and in the horror genre has informed me that it plays an extremely significant role throughout many media products in order to create and develop suspense within a scene. The use of non diegetic sound in a scene is usually to build suspense and tension, especially in the horror genre, it adds to the suspense and continuous to represent the horror genre. Many sounds, for example a ticking time clock, are key iconography in a horror film, which play an important role in unveiling the narrative and representing the horror genre. Secondly the use of diegetic dialogue in many extracts also plays an important role in building suspense and tension to the audience and also building the connection between the audience and the protagonist character. The diegetic dialogue highlights the narrative to audience and can identify the horror genre through a characters response to dangerous situations. Overall I've learnt that sound can be the pivotal factor in making a scene scary to it having little impact of the emotions of the audience, the use of diegetic and non diegetic sound is extremely significant in the successes of many blockbuster horror films.
Blade- Textual Analysis
The film 'Blade' was released on August 21'st 1998 directed by Stephen Northington, the film is about a half-mortal, half-immortal protagonist who's out to avenge his mother's death and rid the world of vampires. The modern-day technologically advanced vampires he is going after are in search of his special blood type needed to summon an evil god who plays a key role in their plan to execute the human race. The film 'Blade' perfectly represents the generic conventions of the horror genre through the micro elements sound, mise en scene, camera angles and editing, these elements form the audience expectation of a typical horror movie.
The horror movie 'Blade' fits the Todorav theory in which examines the consistent events in a horror film, the repertoire of the elements form the audience expectation of the horror genre and this is based on the beginning middle and end of the film. The Todorav theory begins with equilibrium, which demonstrates the first part of the story will always display a fairly content start where the characters are settled and everything is as it should be. A disruption then follows which will feature a problem that will disrupt the natural events of the film. Thirdly its the realisation of the plot where both the audience and characters realise the problem and its chaos. This theorem is developed in the opening sequence of the horror film 'Blade' as the protagonist shown, a blonde middle aged man is set to believe he is off for a night to remember with the female character. This is emphasised in the dialogue between the characters where the antagonist character says "Its a surprise" which implicates the idea of the two characters are going to interact in a sexual act. The character is then whisked to a unusual location of a meat factory full of dead animal corpses which immediately indicates a strange feeling to the audience however the innocent character thinks nothing of this. The character is then brought into an underground rave with bright flashing lights and loud mysterious music, the event that follows if blood spilling from the ceilings through fire extinguishers supports the disruption event of the Todorav Theorem.
Firstly, in my opinion, the most important micro element of Mise en Scene is portrayed significantly in the opening sequence of the film 'Blade' through the different use of costumes, props and lighting in order to convey the horror genre. The film immediately begins with iconography as the credits are in a bold font all in capital letters, this exaggerates to the audience of the events that are about to occur in the film that they are powerful and thrilling. Secondly the credits are also in red, this is key iconography in the horror genre as the colour red connotes blood which further symbolises death and danger. This also foreshadows the events of the film as blood is apparent in several scenes and has a strong connotation with the actions of vampires. Secondly the opening scene of diologue between the two main characters, i feel reveals alot to the audience through the characters costumes and identity. The female antagonist character is wearing all black leather clothing, the colour back connotes the idea of death, danger and mystery which is key iconography of the horror genre. The black clothing persuades the audience that the character could be revealed as an antagonist as it states a presence of authority even before being clearly identified in the film. The strange leather clothing also may connote a weird sensation or fetish that the female character is obsessed with, which is clearly represented in the opening sequence as the antagonist is revealed as a vampire and obsessed with blood. As well as the characters bold red hair which further stimulates the representation of an 'emo' or 'vampire' which is thoroughly expressed to the audience during the opening sequence of the film. On the other hand the male character is wearing normal everyday clothing of a red jacket and black shirt and a flat cap which can be represented as normal everyday work clothing. The character fits the natural stereotype of a blonde fairly stupid individual whom acts oblivious to the disruption stage in Todorav's theorem. These costumes fit the natural stereotype of a horror movie as the opening sequence always reveals the protagonist and the antagonist, suggesting the characters most vulnerable to the audience to create sympathy for the character. This allows the audience to connect with the protagonist character, engaging their specific targeted audience in the narrative. Lastly on Mise en Scene is the use of enigma to create a mystery for the audience, the use of different unusual locations spark up confusing in the audience as it doesn't match the natural stereotypical horror movie scene. The usual scenes of a horror movie is in an isolated location such as a old house in a forest or a mental asylum far away, in comparison to Blade the setting is rather peculiar in an underground meat factory. The connotations of a meat factory is significant to the narrative of Blade as it reveals danger and death, this is highlighted in the location as their are many hung up dead human and animal corpses allowing these themes to be fulfilled throughout the movie.
The second important factor to represent the horror genre is Sound, in which in Blade the director uses diegetic loud music which sets the tone for the scene that is about to unfold. The use of the loud fast paced music portrays to audience that an event is about to unfold or that something suspicious is going to occur in the location of the protagonist character. A “swish” sound is apparent, which is non-diegetic, this corresponds with the stereotypical theory that vampires are faster than light which adds to the tense and suspense atmosphere which the director has created. The director cleverly inputs short clips of diegetic dialogue which engages the audience building the connection between the protagonist character and targeted audience as it builds sympathy for the character. This is shown as the character screams “FUCK” in frustration as his date has left him for another woman which continuous to build suspense in the scene as it is uncommon for a women to leave a man for another women. The director continuously cuts to diegetic dialogue throughout the scene as he intends to build suspense and tension throughout the scene, this is important in the extract in order to build a connection between the audience and the protagonist character.
Finally the use of camera angles in this extract is significant as the director uses many different camera shots to portray the codes and conventions of the horror genre to the targeted audience. The director uses extreme close up and close up shots of unveiling objects throughout the scene to identify the key iconography such as blood in order to represent the horror genre. The extreme close up shot builds suspense within the scene as it reveals blood being dispensed from the sprinklers of the room, this continuous to represent the stereotypical view of vampires loving blood as the antagonist audience jump around in excitement. This exaggerates the difference between the protagonist character and the characters around him, which creates sympathy within the audience developing the connection between the character and the audience. These extreme close up shots help also to fit the narrative of Todarov's disruption stage as it portrays the events as an event that's unrealistic and going wrong in the perspective of the protagonist character. The director also uses long shots and pan shots throughout the scene to reveal elements that develop the idea of the narrative and the representation of the horror genre. An example of this is a long shot that reveals the word “BLOODBATH” painted on a white canvas, which represents the horror genre as the word blood suggests death and danger. This also develops the narrative as the phrase 'BLOODBATH' connotes danger or the idea that a threat is going to occur.
The continuity editing throughout this scene also helps to develop this representation as the editing uses jump cuts between the different elements that suggests the horror genre to grab the audiences attention to focus on the horror genre which also builds tension. The fast-paced editing also emphasises the ravers music and the stereotype of the antagonist vampires characteristics building greater suspense within the audience and highlighting the danger in which the protagonist character is in.
The horror movie 'Blade' fits the Todorav theory in which examines the consistent events in a horror film, the repertoire of the elements form the audience expectation of the horror genre and this is based on the beginning middle and end of the film. The Todorav theory begins with equilibrium, which demonstrates the first part of the story will always display a fairly content start where the characters are settled and everything is as it should be. A disruption then follows which will feature a problem that will disrupt the natural events of the film. Thirdly its the realisation of the plot where both the audience and characters realise the problem and its chaos. This theorem is developed in the opening sequence of the horror film 'Blade' as the protagonist shown, a blonde middle aged man is set to believe he is off for a night to remember with the female character. This is emphasised in the dialogue between the characters where the antagonist character says "Its a surprise" which implicates the idea of the two characters are going to interact in a sexual act. The character is then whisked to a unusual location of a meat factory full of dead animal corpses which immediately indicates a strange feeling to the audience however the innocent character thinks nothing of this. The character is then brought into an underground rave with bright flashing lights and loud mysterious music, the event that follows if blood spilling from the ceilings through fire extinguishers supports the disruption event of the Todorav Theorem.
Firstly, in my opinion, the most important micro element of Mise en Scene is portrayed significantly in the opening sequence of the film 'Blade' through the different use of costumes, props and lighting in order to convey the horror genre. The film immediately begins with iconography as the credits are in a bold font all in capital letters, this exaggerates to the audience of the events that are about to occur in the film that they are powerful and thrilling. Secondly the credits are also in red, this is key iconography in the horror genre as the colour red connotes blood which further symbolises death and danger. This also foreshadows the events of the film as blood is apparent in several scenes and has a strong connotation with the actions of vampires. Secondly the opening scene of diologue between the two main characters, i feel reveals alot to the audience through the characters costumes and identity. The female antagonist character is wearing all black leather clothing, the colour back connotes the idea of death, danger and mystery which is key iconography of the horror genre. The black clothing persuades the audience that the character could be revealed as an antagonist as it states a presence of authority even before being clearly identified in the film. The strange leather clothing also may connote a weird sensation or fetish that the female character is obsessed with, which is clearly represented in the opening sequence as the antagonist is revealed as a vampire and obsessed with blood. As well as the characters bold red hair which further stimulates the representation of an 'emo' or 'vampire' which is thoroughly expressed to the audience during the opening sequence of the film. On the other hand the male character is wearing normal everyday clothing of a red jacket and black shirt and a flat cap which can be represented as normal everyday work clothing. The character fits the natural stereotype of a blonde fairly stupid individual whom acts oblivious to the disruption stage in Todorav's theorem. These costumes fit the natural stereotype of a horror movie as the opening sequence always reveals the protagonist and the antagonist, suggesting the characters most vulnerable to the audience to create sympathy for the character. This allows the audience to connect with the protagonist character, engaging their specific targeted audience in the narrative. Lastly on Mise en Scene is the use of enigma to create a mystery for the audience, the use of different unusual locations spark up confusing in the audience as it doesn't match the natural stereotypical horror movie scene. The usual scenes of a horror movie is in an isolated location such as a old house in a forest or a mental asylum far away, in comparison to Blade the setting is rather peculiar in an underground meat factory. The connotations of a meat factory is significant to the narrative of Blade as it reveals danger and death, this is highlighted in the location as their are many hung up dead human and animal corpses allowing these themes to be fulfilled throughout the movie.
The second important factor to represent the horror genre is Sound, in which in Blade the director uses diegetic loud music which sets the tone for the scene that is about to unfold. The use of the loud fast paced music portrays to audience that an event is about to unfold or that something suspicious is going to occur in the location of the protagonist character. A “swish” sound is apparent, which is non-diegetic, this corresponds with the stereotypical theory that vampires are faster than light which adds to the tense and suspense atmosphere which the director has created. The director cleverly inputs short clips of diegetic dialogue which engages the audience building the connection between the protagonist character and targeted audience as it builds sympathy for the character. This is shown as the character screams “FUCK” in frustration as his date has left him for another woman which continuous to build suspense in the scene as it is uncommon for a women to leave a man for another women. The director continuously cuts to diegetic dialogue throughout the scene as he intends to build suspense and tension throughout the scene, this is important in the extract in order to build a connection between the audience and the protagonist character.
Finally the use of camera angles in this extract is significant as the director uses many different camera shots to portray the codes and conventions of the horror genre to the targeted audience. The director uses extreme close up and close up shots of unveiling objects throughout the scene to identify the key iconography such as blood in order to represent the horror genre. The extreme close up shot builds suspense within the scene as it reveals blood being dispensed from the sprinklers of the room, this continuous to represent the stereotypical view of vampires loving blood as the antagonist audience jump around in excitement. This exaggerates the difference between the protagonist character and the characters around him, which creates sympathy within the audience developing the connection between the character and the audience. These extreme close up shots help also to fit the narrative of Todarov's disruption stage as it portrays the events as an event that's unrealistic and going wrong in the perspective of the protagonist character. The director also uses long shots and pan shots throughout the scene to reveal elements that develop the idea of the narrative and the representation of the horror genre. An example of this is a long shot that reveals the word “BLOODBATH” painted on a white canvas, which represents the horror genre as the word blood suggests death and danger. This also develops the narrative as the phrase 'BLOODBATH' connotes danger or the idea that a threat is going to occur.
The continuity editing throughout this scene also helps to develop this representation as the editing uses jump cuts between the different elements that suggests the horror genre to grab the audiences attention to focus on the horror genre which also builds tension. The fast-paced editing also emphasises the ravers music and the stereotype of the antagonist vampires characteristics building greater suspense within the audience and highlighting the danger in which the protagonist character is in.
Monday, 11 April 2016
Target Audience Questionaire
The results of this questionnaire shocked me as they reveal disregard towards protagonist and antagonist characters, in which in my opinion I believed to be the main attraction in many films.This result also goes against previous research which has revealed the importance of characters in films. However the results revealed that the narrative is the most significant in the audiences expectation of a horror movie, in which is significant to my research in order to create a good horror media product.
This question reveals the main reason people attend horror movies is for a thrill which indicates that our media product should mainly provide the audience with thrill in order to engage them in the narrative and fulfil the media products expectation
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