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Aesthetics

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Aesthetics – The overall style and feel of a film including the lighting, mise en scene, colour palate and cinematography.

Aesthetics Terms 1 – Realism

  • Verisimilitude – believability within the film; how convincing the world is to the audience.

Dune is a good example of verisimilitude as the sci-fi environment feels very fleshed out which makes it feels like it could be an existing world.

  • Social realism – films that aim to depict the effects of environmental factors on the development of a character.

This Is England demonstrates how children can be very naïve and impressionable, especially when faced with something tragic like a father dying in war, which is ultimately what attracted Shaun to Combo’s views in the first place.

  • Magic realism – depicting magic systems in a realistic way.

While Harry Potter is very much a fantasy series, the magic system doesn’t really feel like it has any flaws, as well as being very vast in terms of what it can do.

  • Hyperrealism – a dramatic depiction of reality/gives it a ‘perfect’ feeling.

The Barbie film depicts life in a dramatic and exaggerated way, with the beginning of it suggesting that life in Barbie world is perfect.

Aesthetics Terms 2 – Visual style

  • Iconography – the use of recurring symbols, visual motifs and themes to convey meaning and evoke emotion

Water is a recurring theme throughout Moonlight, that appears throughout all three parts of the film.

  • Intertextual referencing – the use of ideas or themes from other pieces of media or literature

Alice Cooper is seen in Wayne’s World, appearing as himself. This happens again in Wayne’s World 2, where Aerosmith appear.

  • Visual/sound motifs – a recurring story element acting as a way to highlight a film’s meaning.

The Imperial March is an iconic sound motif that occurs throughout the entire Star Wars franchise.

  • Colour grading – manipulating the colour, tone and mood of a film to enhance the impact of the story.

Though Schindler’s List was filmed in 1993, they consistently film it in black and white. However, one little girl is shown to be wearing a red coat to represent children’s innocence, though it has been interpreted in many different ways.

  • Auteur trademarks – when a filmmaker has complete creative control over a film and implements their visual style in other pieces of their work.

Wes Anderson’s iconic colourful style is recurring throughout a large majority of his work.

Aesthetic Terms 3 – Tone

  • Pathos – a persuasion technique that aims to appeal to the audience by evoking the intended emotions, mainly sadness.

Up utilises pathos at multiple points throughout the film, but the most famous would be the montage scene of Carl’s life with Ellie before she dies.

  • Bathos – an absurd or ineffective climax.

The ending of Monty Python and the Holy Grail could be considered bathos because it leads to a very unsatisfying climax.

  • Suspense – a state of anticipation towards an outcome.

The Silence of the Lambs uses suspense throughout the film effectively.

  • Comedy – a genre of film where the main emphasis is on humour.

Shaun of the Dead is a very highly rated British Comedy directed by Edgar Wright starring Simon Pegg.

  • Dramatic irony – a situation in which the audience or reader has a better understanding of something than the characters themselves.

Everyone watching the film Tangled knows that Mother Gothel is not Rapunzel’s mother, but she’s managed to convince her that she is.

  • Distancing effect (verfremdung) – techniques designed to distance the audience from emotional investment.

Dogville uses a distancing effect/alienation to prevent people from getting too emotionally invested.

  • Postmodern humour – aims to undermine highly regarded expectations.

Pulp Fiction tells the story out of the ordinary and flips our expectations of film structures.

Representation, Trainspotting

Representation

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All aspects of film form including narrative contribute to the representations of cultures and societies (gender, ethnicity and age) including the ideological nature of those representations.

Performance – age, ethnicity, costume, facial expressions, body language + gestures, etc.

Stereotype – A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular type of person or thing.

Countertype – challenging stereotypes of certain beliefs. Example: having a black president of America.

Sarah Connor:

Sarah Connor looks like an average stereotypical American diner waitress in Terminator 1. She seems to be fed up with her job, as she shows up late and has to deal with demanding and annoying customers – whether that be a boy putting ice cream in her pocket or people forgetting which orders are theirs. She looks like she is in her early-mid 20s, and has stereotypically feminine traits.

Sarah Connor in Terminator 2 is far more built and muscular, which makes her a countertype of the stereotypical nurturing and caring female character. She looks like she is the heroine in an action film, as she seems comfortable with guns and ready to fight.

Representation in Trainspotting:

1.) Who is doing the representation?
Danny Boyle, the director of Trainspotting.

2.) Who is being represented?
Drug (specifically heroin) addicts, young, white Scottish men, parents.

3.) What social groups are omitted from the representations?
People of colour, wealthy people

4.) What messages about about particular social groups are being conveyed?
They seem to be trying to convey that drugs are not only bad for a person’s health, but also their general lifestyle by showing the very un-glamorous life they live.

5.) Which characters or social groups have power within the representations?
People such as the people who interviewed Spud made it clear that they have the power in that situation, which I think shows how more middle-upper classes look down on the lower classes and people who are struggling with addiction.

6.) Do the characters adhere to or challenge stereotypes?
I think that the main characters stray away from the previously glamorised lifestyle that is mostly associated with rich rockstars and musicians. However, it does adhere to the stereotype of what heroin-addicted people are like.

7.) Are the characters typical of films in that genre?
The characters reflect some traits of characters in a drama, but this type of explicit representation of heroin addicts was very atypical.

8.) What do representations tell audiences about society at the time the film was made and/or set?
Representations are good to show underrepresented or common types of attitudes/people of the time period.

9.) How are elements of film form (mise en scene/performance/sound/editing/cinematography) being used to construct the representations?
Different elements of film form help to contribute to the verisimilitude of the film, which constructs representations. For example, the performance of Ewan McGregor is very effective in presenting what an addict would act like in real life. As well as the performance, costuming in Trainspotting reflects clothing of the time.

Trainspotting Representations:

Older people:

Elderly people in homes are represented in this film briefly as the main group of characters steal their television and drugs. They are shown as a bit of a stereotype as they sit around, sleep and don’t do anything as their TV is stolen. As well as this, there are other older people such as the people that interview Spud, who seem very above him and seem to think that they are superior.

Addicts:

Addicts are represented a lot throughout Trainspotting whether it be when they are taking drugs with the Mother Superior, taking speed before going to an interview, or even just when they are smoking consistently throughout the film.

Scottish people:

Scottish people are shown a lot in pubs in general, for example the beginning of the film when Begbie is being introduced they are in a very busy pub, with people drinking and chatting all around, which is a staple of Sottish and British culture in general. There are other parts of Trainspotting that represent the general Scottish population such as the nightclub scene and in the second pub scene towards the end of the film.

Women:

Women are represented scarcely in Trainspotting; the only woman that is part of the ‘main group’ being an addict as well. Other than that, Tommy and Spud’s girlfriends are presented to be fed up with their boyfriends, especially Tommy’s, who breaks up with him after he becomes addicted to heroin, suggesting that a lot of the women in their lives won’t put up with their addictions. Finally, the only other woman that is in the film is rather coercive and doesn’t tell Renton that she is underage before he sleeps with her, which is a very negative depiction of her.

Representation, This is England

Representation in This Is England

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Young people:

Young people are mainly represented in the beginning of This Is England, not only by showing the school that Shaun goes to, but also in the form of Woody and his friends, who are quiet young. It is revealed that Gadget goes to the same school as Shaun, as well as Smell. They are mainly represented as a rowdy sort of bunch, who are easily influenced which is evident by how quickly Shaun joins Combo. However, it is also shown that a lot of them don’t hold the same views as the typical skinhead does, as Woody is far more left-wing than Combo.

Older people (parents/authority figures/politicians):

There are multiple clips of Margaret Thatcher, as well as radio broadcasts of her, throughout This Is England. However, she is not presented in a good light; from the very beginning of the film, there is lots of anti-Thatcher graffiti, and then later on, Combo reveals his criticisms of her. Conservative politicians, especially Thatcher are represented in a very negative way, though it was mainly because of Combo’s white supremacist views.

There are other people of an older generation that are also represented in the film. For example, the National Front that are giving a presentation are all older men, who seem to be of a higher status and class due to their much nicer clothes. Combo and his friends are also of a generation older than Woody, which emphasises the fact that the older people in the film (apart from Shaun’s mother) are represented with far more right-wing views.

English people:

A lot of the English people in the film -despite whether they are white supremacists or not- seem to be somewhat proud of the country. However, a majority are represented as racist nationalists, which include Combo’s violent group, as well as the politicians that are introducing the National Front to Shaun for the first time.

Masculinity:

There is a bit of a theme in This Is England of masculinity, even though it is quiet subtle. There are no women at the National Front meeting, and none of the women in Woody’s group decide to join Combo, which suggests that the nationalist skinhead stereotype is very much associated with men. As well as this, when Shaun comes back in after Combo assaults Milky, Combo stops sobbing and notices that Shaun is crying a lot, which prompts him to shove a finger in his face to tell him to stop crying and say that ‘men don’t cry’.

People of colour:

The representation of people of colour in the film shows them as being a villain in Combo’s eyes. In his ‘This Is England’ speech he describes them using racist slurs, and talks about how they are ‘taking jobs’ from the unemployed in England. While they are represented in a negative way, they are clearly not shown to be the actual villains of the story, and the audience is seemingly supposed to sympathise with them. Rather, Combo and his group are presented as the villains.

Setting:

The setting of the film really seems to give an insight into what England was like in 1983. It is filmed on site, which gives it a sense of verisimilitude and in general, it just feels grimy, gritty and grey which represents the English weather very well.

Exam

Exam Feedback

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  • ‘Reframing of the central character’
  • ‘A sense of poetic justice being served’

Diegetic – existing or occurring within the world of a narrative rather than as something external to that world.

Cathartic effect – releasing strong emotions that were previously held back.

Reframing – changing a person’s mindset towards something, whether it be good or bad.

Connotes – suggest something other than the primary meaning.
– Suggest
– Imply
– Signify
– Indicate

The PEEL structure that is typically used for essay question is clearly defined in the level 5 analysis. They use effective terminology consistently and there is further analysis of multiple aspects of cinematography.

This is England

This Is England Micro Elements

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Cinematography:

The use of a high angle here on Shaun shows his sense of almost superiority in this scene; he is learning how to use racist slurs and he seems almost proud of it. It really shows the effect that combo has had on him, as he is shown as proud and confident using racist language.

Sound:

Sound in This Is England is interesting, because they use a lot of real music that would apply to the time it is set in; 1983. However, one noticeable thing is that at the beginning of the film during the montage, they show impactful things that were happening at the time, such as Margaret Thatcher, the Miners’ strike and Princess Diana and Prince Charles’ wedding. There isn’t much gore and violence to do with the Falkland’s War shown in this first montage, which connects well with the more upbeat reggae playing in the background. On the other hand, the montage that plays after Combo nearly killed Milky, the music playing is far more melancholy and orchestral, which, paired with the real footage from the Falkland’s War makes it feel far sadder.

Editing:

I think that the best use of editing in This Is England is when they have the St. George’s Cross edited over Combo and his group. It is especially poignant because it this flag is associated with England, and it’s almost saying that their racism and nationalism is what the flag represents, therefore, what England represents.

Mise en Scene:

I like the use of mise en scene in Shaun’s house because it makes it feel of the time period; 1983. It feels cluttered and lived in, which is always necessary when creating a living room scene, but also having the half-smoked cigarette emphasises the feeling that it is set in 1983, because it was common and a normalised thing to smoke indoors then. I also like how it is quite symmetrical as it gives a sense of order and balance while Shaun’s mother is trying to talk to him about something very sensitive.

This is England

This Is England (2006) First Response

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This Is England (2006)
Dir. Shane Meadows

7.5/10 – I really enjoyed this film and how it portrayed the time it was set in, especially when hearing about it a lot from my dad. While the themes were heavy and quite nasty at times, it implemented some comedy in nice ways, especially when Shaun was hanging around Woody and his friends. The music was also a highlight for me, because soul, reggae and blues are some of my favourite genres.

The most memorable scene in This Is England for me was when Combo was trying to convince Woody and his friends to ‘join him’ after spewing all of his white supremacist and nationalist ideas to them. This really marks a turning point in the film; Shaun goes from trying to fit in with Woody, to following Combo instead. I think that this scene also shows how children can be really impressionable, because Combo speaks about Shaun’s dad in a really compassionate way.

Trainspotting

Trainspotting (1996) First Response

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Trainspotting (1996)
Dir. Danny Boyle

9/10 – This was a very highly anticipated film for me as I know that it is a beloved cult film, and I enjoyed it a lot. I really like how it dealt with really difficult topics such as heavy drug use, sexuality and social matters. The acting was amazing which really kept me invested throughout the film, along with the use of narration.

The most memorable scene in Trainspotting for me was when Mark Renton overdosed on heroin because I think that it was really well done with the way they film it. I love the shot from Renton’s point as he sinks into the floor with the Mother Superior looking down at him. It gives a really claustrophobic feel and makes it seem as if he is in a coffin. As well as this, the music being Perfect Day by Lou Reed adds some irony to the scene. To add to this irony, there are some shots of an ambulance going past where he is along with the noises of the siren, which I think really shows the fact that the Mother Superior doesn’t care about him, only his money as it shows him putting Renton into a taxi, where he is then dumped outside A&E.

Cinematography in Trainspotting:

I like the use of an over the shoulder shot in this scene. It is eye level, which I think adds to the background narration and the fact that this is extra-diegetic (breaking the 4th wall). This makes the spectator feel more connected with the character, even though he is not in a relatable situation whatsoever.

Mise-En-Scene in Trainspotting:

The mise-en-scene in this scene feels intentionally uncomfortable and almost sterile but it also reflects the time it was set in. Spud’s surroundings feel like they are supposed to contrast his chaotic personality and how he is acting while he is on speed. While it is a comedic scene, the look of his messy hair and suit makes you feel almost bad for him because his lifestyle is making him struggle to get a job.

Editing in Trainspotting:

I chose this scene as an example of editing because I like how it shows the difference between their lifestyles. Tommy wants to get out and explore because he is healthy and clean, while the others are lagging behind, not wanting to go with Renton even drinking. I think that it marks a change in Tommy because it is only a scene later that he tries heroin, which is what contributes to his death.

Sound in Trainspotting:

I really like the use of sound in this scene because they have the song Perfect Day by Lou Reed playing in the background, which adds a lot of irony to it as Renton had just overdosed. It also makes it a lot sadder, as it shows how they treat drug addicts like scum, which emphasises the irony. The only other thing that is heard in the scene are ambulance sirens, which ultimately drive past Renton entirely. I think that this is really powerful in showing the situation that he is in; that the Mother Superior does not care about him, only his money and that his drug addict friends would betray him for money and drugs.

Y12 Starter tasks

Summer Task

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What makes a film good?

I believe that the question of ‘what makes a film good’ can have many answers to it; the plot, the cultural impact, the score etc. However, to me, there is not one thing that makes a film good alone. The right combination of a good plot, paired with good acting, suitable music and direction can be what does this; these aspects being the macro elements to films.

The micro elements on the other hand, are incredibly important in making a film great, despite not being obvious at first glance. For example; the way a scene is set up – the mise en scene – can impact the way the viewer depicts a film. It can be a great tool in adding plot devices or even foreshadowing that the viewer may not pick up on the first time watching. Furthermore, editing can also help with doing this. While it may not be obvious at first glance, colour grading can impact the way you are supposed to feel about characters, as well as set the general mood for the film. Schindler’s list is a good example of this; it’s an all black and white film despite being filmed in 1993, the only colour ever shown being the girl walking in the streets.

I also think that having the right score for a film is incredibly important. Similar to colour grading, music helps to impact the way the viewer is supposed to feel about a character, along with also making certain scenes feel so much more important and interesting. Music is extremely impactful in films even when they aren’t musicals, for example; The Pirates of the Caribbean. Hans Zimmer, a very famous composer in the film industry, wrote the score for Pirates of the Caribbean. I feel that the music in that film is just so captivating and that half of the movie just wouldn’t feel half as impactful if there was no music all together. As well as this, the music in Pirates of the Caribbean is so iconic and instantly recognisable because it was very influential. Another example is Coraline. The iconic ‘French’ sounding song in Coraline is actually gibberish made to sound like French, which I think just adds to the unsettling nature of the film.

Overall, I think it’s very difficult to pick out one aspect of a film that makes it good, as there are many things to think about when it comes to films.

Sound

Sound

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Difference between a sound editing and sound mixing:
Sound editing is the process of manipulating sounds post-production to receive the desired outcome. This can be to remove background sound or mistakes.

Sound mixing involves mixing individual tracks to create a convincing soundscape. This is done by adjusting levels to create an effect that conveys emotion to enhance the story.

The Shepard Tone – a sound illusion of sine waves separated by octave, with the bass tone ascending in pitch.

Diegetic and non-diegetic sound in Joker:
Diegetic: at 47:10, Arthur dances with his mother, Penny, to the music playing on the television. This ends at 48:08, which is when the show ends.


Non-diegetic: music begins at 31:36, when Arthur is on the train. This continues until 33:20, when it slowly fades out.

Synchronous sound: sound that is matched with the action and movements being viewed.

Asynchronous sound: sound not matched with a visible source of sound on the screen.

Needle drop: when a pre existing song is used in a film to underscore a particular scene. This is powerful as emotions and associations we have with a song can enhance a particular scene. For example, they play Come and Get Your Love by Redbone in Guardians of the Galaxy as the main character, Peter Quill, dances.

Sound effects: artificially created or enhanced sounds – used in artistic works to emphasise or express an action, mood or feeling, e.g. Ben Burtt created the iconic sound for the lightsabres in Star Wars. Sound effects were originally used in radio dramas, but can be observed more often today in podcasts, theatre, films and television shows.

Foley Artist: Adds sound effects post-production by recording in a sound-proof studio and layering it over the top of the scene.

Leitmotif: Musical score that is designed to condition the audience’s emotions towards certain characters. Leitmotif is used for characters, emotion, settings and evolution.

Characters:
Jaws theme tells the audience when the shark is near without explicitly showing it.

Emotion:
Married Life represents Carl’s emotions in Up.

Settings:
There are different themes in Lord of the Rings to suggest where the characters are.

Evolution:
Different versions of the Imperial March are used throughout Star Wars to show the evolution of Darth Vader’s character.

Sound Bridge: When sound carries over a visual transition in a film to bring the viewer seamlessly into the next scene.

Narration: often tells the audience what they need to know, but they can sometimes be unreliable. Unreliable narrators may be lying or not telling the whole story.

Score: the score is music composed specifically for the film to help enhance the mood and themes of the visuals.

Underscore: music that is played under the sequences to enhance mood and support the score – often mixed with dialogue and/or sound effects.

Sound perspective: the apparent distance of a sound source, evidenced by its volume, timbre, and pitch.

My favourite soundtrack is Pulp Fiction because I think the music really fits the general style of the film and helps to convey the emotions of the film.