Question 1A: Post Production (add)

Post Production

Post-production - Refers to the processes which took place to finalise the projects within editing.

Refers too:

• What decision's where made in editing
• What specific editing tools were used and what effect did this give
• How did post-production process enhance overall production
• What skills did you develop at this stage in post-production for this project e.g. When editing my product photos in Photoshop I was able to show to opposing images next to each other to give audience view of from and back of a product within the same photo, using ...... tool.

When talking about foundation portfolio post-production:

• Post-production in foundation portfolio consisted of putting together shots and simple title screens, using IMoive, Photoshop, Premiere Pro
• Post-production in advanced portfolio consisted of slightly more advanced editing techniques again in Premiere Pro, Photoshop, audio editing such as fade out technique - Creativity shown in post production as I was able to recognise the length at which shots should run and when to cut between shots, improvement on film opening in comparison to foundation portfolio. (improvements in post-production)

Question 1B: Film Opening in Relation to Narrative

Narrative + Film opening

- Narrative is the way the story is told

Different types of narrative:

• Linear - start, middle, end 
• Open - audience left to wonder what happens next 
• Closed - definite conclusion 
• Non-Linear - Jumps back and forth between events

Narrative techniques showing manipulation of time:

• Flashbacks
• Ellipsis - leaving out a portion of the narrative, but audience still gathers what has happened by surrounding scene

My film opening follows a non-linear narrative style as the storyline jumps back and forth between events. I was able to do this by showing events towards the end of the narrative at the start of the footage, and then including a flashback to show events which had happened a short time beforehand. I used a ellipsis to manipulate time in the narrative, as the protagonist is in a different setting in comparison to where he was before the flashback scene was shown - this suggests that he has carried on fleeing from the scene of the stabbing through the deprived area, as he is still sounded by cramped housing and blocks of flats, and is walking at a fast pace with his hood up and hands in his pockets.

Theorists to include:

• Todorov - five stages theory - Equilibrium, disruption, recognition of disruption, an attempt to repair damage, new equilibrium - The narrative within my opening does not conform to Todorov's five stages theory, as the first scene of my footage shows the protagonist running away from something, showing disruption rather than equilibrium. Challenging the five stages theory by starting with disruption is risky, as the audience has had no time to empathise with the protagonist or make a connection towards his character, this could make it hard to capture their attention. However such a choice of narrative structure could work too excite the audience and make them want to keep watching, Skyfall (2012) is a film which clearly shows this technique can work well as it starts with an opening scene of disruption, and went on to be a hugely successful film.
• Barthes - Enigma code theory as part of the narrative codes theory - As a follow on to point of trying to excite the audience using a disruption from the outset, Bathers enigma code theory as part of the narrative codes, can be applied to reinforce this view as it suggests that the audience is "entertained" through being left with "unanswered questions", which entices them to keep watching. Therefore I felt that disruption from the outset was a necessary risk that would pay off.
• Propp - Wrote that narrative structure includes stock characters - My narrative supports what Propp wrote as I have included a hero and a villain. Although there is a blurred line of distinction between whether my protagonist is good or evil as he is a drug dealer, criminal actions do not always present characters as villains, the protagonist in the film Harry Brown for example murders various other characters but is still presented as the righteous hero. Showing a blurred line of distinction between whether the protagonist is good or evil in the narrative, was a good way for me to capture the audiences attention, as it raises questions in their minds, in turn making them want to keep watching in order for these questions to be answered. The audience of my film opening would therefore want to watch the whole film.
• Levi-Strauss - Binary opposites, Rich/Poor - The costume mise-en-scene of my characters shows binary opposites in a way suggesting working class vs middle class within the narrative. The protagonist is dressed in a tracksuit and trainers (working class stereotype), whilst the antagonist is wearing smart shoes and a suit (middle class stereotype). Typically audiences may expect these appearances to be the other way round as stereotypes would usually present the middle class hero to be a victim of the working class villain. I choose to subvert these binary opposite appearances in order to perhaps do something which is uncommon in film which engages the audience more as it is unusual to them.

Essay Plan

Intro:

Narrative refers to the way a story is told and presented to an audience. For my main task in my Foundation Portfolio I created a film opening based in the crime genre named Only Business. The basic  plot follows a young drug dealer who is simply trying to make some money in an area with little wealth and opportunity, however the narrative takes a twist as it is revealed that things did not go quite to plan for him as he comes face to face with danger. I will be analysing this film opening in regards to narrative.

Para 1:

My film opening follows a non-linear narrative structure, as the storyline jumps back and forth between events, at times leaving the audience with unanswered questions. I was able to structure my narrative in this way through manipulation of time, by using a flashback scene which I created on Premiere Pro which reveals to the audience why the protagonist was running in the opening scene. However I used an ellipsis from the action within the flashback when the antagonist is stabbed, too what happened to him afterwards. This leaves the audience with unanswered questions such as is he alive?. I chose to follow a form of narrative structure which jumps around the storyline slightly as I thought this was a good way of keeping the audience engaged with the action, in turn making them want to keep watching. Barthes theory would reinforce the idea that my film opening is successful in entertaining and capturing an audience as "tension" is built up and viewers are left with "answered questions" making them want too keep watching.

Para 2:

Within my film opening I have shown binary opposites between the characters, suggesting middle class vs working class within the narrative. Levi-Strauss's theory would reinforce an idea that my film opening works to entertain the audience by showing such oppositions as stated above. I was able to present these oppositions through characters appearance and dialogue. Stereotypes may suggest that these appearances are backwards as the antagonist may perhaps be expected to be the more passive type character whilst the protagonist to be the victim dressed in smart clothing. These subverted stereotypes within character appearance are uncommon and I feel are therefore a good way to capture the audiences attention engaging them with the action as it is not something which they would expect to see.

Para 3:

I challenged Todorov's five stages of narrative theory, started with a diselibrum, this is risky as the audience has had no time to engage or connect with the character, however can prove successful as sky fall does this and is hugely successful film, challenging todorovs theory is a good way to make my narrative different from other crime genre films, meanig i can capture audiences attention.

Section A: Question 1A Digital technology

Explain how your skills in creative use of digital technology has developed over time

Digital technology includes:

• Hardware - Cameras (Sony CMOS), Mac computer, Handheld Microphone, Boom Microphone
• Software - Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Powerpoint, Word, IMovie
• Internet based technologies - Google, Prezi, Examtime, Youtube, Slideshare, Gmail

Intro:

Over the two years studying media A level media we first had to create a foundation portfolio in AS - this included a filming of a conversation and a film opening - and a advanced portfolio in A2, including a sponsorship sequence, a web pop-up and two adverts. My skills in creative use of digital technology developed significantly over the course of these two portfolios.

Para 1:

My preliminary task in my foundation portfolio was a short video of a conversation named troubles in college. The hardware and computer software which we used to create this video footage was completely new too me at this stage as I was unfamiliar with the Sony Handycam video camera and Mac computers, as well as IMovie which we used to edit the footage. This made it hard for me to be creative as I could only carry out basic computer functions both on the Mac itself and IMovie, and had basic camera skills such as shooting still shots. However I was able to show a level of creativity as a new comer to the world of video editing as I included title screens on IMovie which used the wipe-in, wipe-out transition. However some of the shots when physically using the camera hardware were not completely steady and looked unprofessional.

G325 Question 2: Collective identity and mediation plan

Historical film and TV examples:

• Quadrophenia - 1979
• This is England - 2006
• Grange Hill - 1978
• Harry Brown - 2009

Contemporary film and TV examples:

• Attack the Block - 2011
• Ill manors - 2012
• Sky News on London riots - 2011
• Young Apprentice series 3 - 2012
• Sket - 2011

Representation Theorists:

• Giroux 1997 - Representation of youth is an empty category in the media, as is constructed by adults and not by youth themselves
• Dyer 1979 - Stereotypes are always about power, those with power stereotype 
• Acland 1995 - representations of delinquent youths reinforces hegemony, by showing what will and won't be accepted by society 
• Cohen 1972 - representations of youth can create moral panic and folk devils
• Hebdige 1986 - Youth join subcultures to show opposition to society

Intro:

• Define either collective identity or mediation 

Collective Identity - is the individuals sense of belonging to a group, the idea is that through participating in social activities, in this case watching film and television, individuals can gain a sense of belonging in essence and identity which transcends them.

Mediation - The process of taking an image from reality, interpreting it and representing it back to an audience.

• Mention that you are going to talk about youth representation and self-youth representation across historical and contemporary examples of film and television

Para 1:

Collective Identity - In quadrophenia (1979), a historical film example, youth are represented as being dependent on subcultures to gain a sense of 'belonging' in society. This is evidenced by the divide between mods and rockers, as the members within the two individual groups dress and act in the same way too their piers. For example the rockers wear leather jackets and ride motorbikes, whilst the mods wear parka jackets and ride scooters. Hebdige's theory (1979) suggests that 'youth join subcultures in order to show opposition to society'. Quadrophenia could be seen as a film which reinforces this theory when the deviant youths collectively oppose society together as they meet to have fights in their groups, however as individuals the youths generally seem to conform to societies norms and laws.

Mediation - In quadrophenia (1979), a historical film example, youth are mediated in a way which focuses on them being violent and aggressive towards each other. The plot and storyline of the film is largely based on the real life events of the fights between the mods and rockers. In relation to Cohen's (1979) theory, focusing on such events could create 'moral panic in society' as the film mediates true events and therefore intensifies and creates anxieties in society. In a particular scene, a group of mod youths are mediated in dark lighting down an alley - commonly a setting which creates anxiety and perhaps fear of danger - ganging up on a single rocker. The setting and what would be classed as an immoral action which is taking place, could therefore lead audience's to see youths in society as overly aggressive, and unnecessarily violent towards each other through the way the scene is focused and been mediated. On the other hand although this mediation of youth could create moral panic in society, the youths are not represented as being dangers to the adult community, but rather only towards one another.

Para 2:

Collective identity - Ill Manors (2012) which is a contemporary film example, represents youth as being criminals as they break many laws in society from taking and selling drugs, to possession of fire arms, kidnapping and even murder. In a particular scene a youth is shown walking into a house and then shooting two people, this represents youth showing ultimate opposition to societies laws as one of the most punishable crimes has been committed, therefore presenting youth as criminal and perhaps impulsive. However Giroux's (1997) theory would suggest that such representations of youth are inaccurate to real life and 'an empty category' as these representations have been constructed by adults and not youth themselves.

Mediation - Ill Manors (2012), which is a contemporary film example, mediates youth in a way which puts focus on them breaking laws, showing them to perhaps be dangers to society and remorseless as they show little care in committing crimes. For example a group of youths in the film laugh about kidnapping an adult and tying him up against his will, the shots in this scene allow the audience to focus on the distress of the victim whilst the youths look down on him and laugh. The way this scene is mediated therefore leads audiences to feel sympathetic towards the victim, making the youths seem like dangerous, remorseless criminals. Gerbner's (1986) Cultivation theory suggests that such mediations of youth can lead to society perceiving them as delinquents over time. Alternatively Giroux's (1997) theory that 'youth are an empty category in the media', would suggest that mediations of youth as being dangerous and remorseless criminals are inaccurate and do not reflect youths within society, as these representations are created by adults. 

G325 Question 2

Representation of youth - films to mention:

• Quadrophenia (1979) Historical film example
• This is England (2006) Historical film example
• Harry Brown (2009) Historical film example
• Grange Hill (1978) Historical TV example
• London Riots Sky News (2011) contemporary TV example 
• Ill Manors (2012) Contemporary film example
• Sket (2011) Contemporary film example 
• Attack the Block (2011) Contemporary film example
• Young apprentice (2012) series 3 Contemporary TV example

Theorists:

• Giroux (1997) -youth are an empty category within media, representation of youth constructed adults
• Acland (1995) - representations of youth reinforces hegemony, making it clear cut what will and wont be accepted by society, shows that deviant youth behaviour is not accepted by society
• Cohen (1972) - moral panic theory, moral panics created by repetition on a particular subject, often repeat reporting in the media also using emotive language
• Hebdidge (1979) - more concerned with the reality of youth subculture. His theory suggests that youth subcultures are a way of youth expressing opposition to society
• Gerbner (1986) - cultivation theory - people overestimate levels of crime due to what they see in the media, this can be applied to youth within media, overtime people may get a false sense that all youth are deviant and criminal through the way they are presented in television.
• Branston and Stafford - Stereotypes are based on cultural knowledge, therefore their must be some truth to the stereotype
• Dyer (1979) - How we treat people is due to how we see them and visa versa
• Dyer (1979) - Stereotypes are about power, those with power stereotype those with less power
• Giddens (1991) - we are free to create ourselves however constraints are put on us by what is represented in media, for example youth may start to believe that they will be treated as deviant and should therefore act in this way
• Gauntlett (2002) - People behave in certain ways after following what is shown by someone who may be a role model to that person, similarly someone may follow bad actions if this is something which simply catches their interest

Hegemony - Strategy of power is used by dominants to control people in society

Dominant ideology - is something which is widely accepted by society

Ideology - a message which is present through the media

Mediation - the process which a media text goes through interpreting it and re-presenting it to an audience 

G325 Revision 1B representation and genre (add)

1B Revision:

Representation (possible topic) - Is the re-presenting of a reality to an audience. Can be of a place, issue, event, person etc.

Mediation - Taking an image from reality, interpreting it and re-presenting in a certain way for an audience.

Richard Dyer - How people see us determines how we are treated, how we treat others is due to how we see them, this comes from representation within media texts. Sub-groups may be stereotyped when never even seen by a particular individual before.

Roland Bathes - Enigma code theory 1974 (within the narrative code theory) suggests that building up tension and then leaving the audience with unanswered questions of what will happen is how an audience is entertained and makes them want to keep watching. In relation to my film opening which I created in my AS foundation year, I built tension by showing a scene In which the protagonist is attacked, the audience is then left with answered questions such as who was the attacker, does he survive? and why was the protagonist attacked. This makes the audience want to keep watching.

David Chandler - Argues that representation is always constructed on aspects of reality, such as places, events, objects, culture.

Baker 1989 - Argues that stereotyping is inaccurate and misinterprets the real world

Hebdidge - Argues that a subculture is a subgroup who feel neglected by societal standards, therefore act in a way which the dominant ideology's of society, way they dress - youth within deprived areas.

What concepts did I aim to represent In my film opening? - I aimed to represent violence and crime surrounding youth living within deprived areas. I also represented past events within my footage through the use of a flashback scene.

Essay writing - 1st mention which project you are writing about and what happens - For this answer I am going to talk about my foundation portfolio main task which I created in my first year, this was a film opening based in the crime drama genre named Only Business. The basic action of the opening shows a young male running away from something unknown to the audience, later through the use of a flashback scene it appears he is running from a drug deal that went wrong and ended up with an attacker being stabbed.

2nd write about some of the key concepts of the topic which you are being asked to relate - e.g. talk about two theories within representation and define what representation is

3rd start to apply the topic to your work - representation of youth being violent and criminals shown in my film opening, this may conform to stereotypes, however may involve Giroux's theory that youth are an empty category. I did this through the mise-en-scene of youth carrying knifes, wearing tracksuits and the way they talk. Physically when editing this scene In premiere pro I used the razor tool to cut down shots, so that I could cut from a shot of the fighting action from a long shot distance, to a close view showing the knife as the protagonist turns it on the attacker.

When talking about representation in regards to your film opening talk about how identities have been represented and how you constructed this representation in production

In my film opening I have challenged typical narrative conventions which present clear lines of distinction between antagonist and protagonist, as both of the character seem evil to some extent in my footage. I created representation to show my characters in this way in order to entertain the audience as this is an uncommon technique used in filming, however this representation of unclear line between antagonist and protagonist is risky as it makes it hard for the audience to make a connection towards characters.

Genre - A style or category which a particular art form falls into, one particular production can fit several genres.

Genre is not fixed and by jointing genres together hybrids can be formed.

McQuail 1987 suggests that genre is used to relate production to the expectation of consumers

Say how what I did reinforced Steve Neale's theory 1980 that genre is instances of repetition and variation. Repetition to existing crime films such as harry brown, includes dark setting and scene of underpass where crimes take place, such as murder and selling/using drugs.

Steve Neale (1980) - Genre is a series of repetition and variation, to make it recognisable to the genre but not exactly the same as existing texts. (1980). My crime drama involves deprived setting as often seen in crime films such as underpass and estate In Harry Brown 2009, this is recognisable, however variation is that attacker is wearing smart clothing rather than looking like typical criminal youth, makes audience question who this attacker really is, relates to Roland Bathes Enigma code theory. Builds tension then leaves audience with unanswered questions. twisted the stereotypical generic features of the typical criminal youth. The use of deprived location within the genre reinforces society's fears of crime, violence and therefore danger within run down or deprived areas, the locations used gives off this scene as dark underpass with graffiti, inspiration from Harry Brown and large estate blocks can be seen in the background of the footage, editing dimmed the footage to give a dark effect making the audience feel the area is dangerous using the 'brightness' tool and simply lowering the brightness in particular shots, natural darkness in underpass scene shows the attacker coming up behind silhouette of protagonist.

Gledhill (1985) there are 'no rigid rules of inclusion and exclusion'

Chandler (2000) - It is difficult to make clear cut distinctions between genre, genres overlap

Essay writing on genre intro:
Genre is a style or category which a particular text falls into, weather it be, film, music or art etc. In this case I will be talking about genre in relation to film. I am going to talk about my film opening which I created in my AS year for my foundation portfolio, based in the crime drama genre, choosing this genre allowed me to be creative although it also meant that I was slightly limited as I had to stick to typical generic conventions of the genre in order for it to be recognised by its target audience.