Media Evaluation

In this piece of writing I am going to evaluate my Media Product where our task was to create an opening of film, we had three genres to choose from which were Horror, Romantic Comedy and British Film. I decided to choose British Film for my genre as many of my film favourites are of this Genre for example Train spotting, Bronson and Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels, I like to think that these British films were a massive influence on my film.

In what ways does your media Product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
In my film I would like to think that I have used the same forms and conventions as the 2009 British Biographical crime film Bronson. Although my film has no violence, the way the character is stuck in one very confined space and shows some worrying actions throughout is very similar. In the film Bronson he spends most of his time in solitary confinement and my character spends the majority of the film on the sofa with nobody but himself.
I feel as if I have used and challenged the film Bronson as the actor’s strange personalities are very similar in their odd ways. A lot of my ideas used in terms of editing, camera angles and shots and the choice of a red title at the end of the film are from the film Bronson so I have definitely used conventions from real media products, but I would like to think that I have developed from this and challenged Bronson in terms of the characters personality and use of shots.
In terms of the opening of the film I have not found a film that begins the same as mine, my film almost goes straight into the character whereas other British films build up to the character. The only other film I can compare my opening to is Trainspotting where it goes straight into the main character Ewan McGregor running down the street with him talking in the background.
Overall I feel as if I developed the form and conventions of real media products as I have not seen an opening of a film like mine, not only is the character an odd one but the opening starts with his hands and feet by doing this I am trying to show the audience how nervous he is, I thought this was a better way of showing this than facial expressions. `



How does your media product represent social groups?
My Media product represents a British man in the late 50’s this is shown in the costume that the character is wearing which includes a blue three piece suit a pair of black and white shows with a trilby hat. This was a very common look in the late 50’s; a good example of this is the Kray Twins who were notorious gangster celebrities from the East End of London in the late 50’s. This was such a common image back then, but rarely seen nowadays which is why I decided to set the theme of the film for back then. Not only does the character have this image but so does the pub where the filming took place. The taxidermy on the walls that are shown in the film e.g. fox, dear and boar and the chesterfield sofas really complete that old image and in my opinion sets a 50’s theme.


What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why?
I would like my film to be distributed by a company that are known for releasing low budget British films such as Fox Searchlight Pictures. Fox Searchlight specialises in Independent and British Films. Films such as The Full Monty, Sexy Beast, Bend It like Beckham and 28 Days Later are perfect examples of low budget British films distributed by Fox Searchlight. Although these films still have a budget of up to six million this is seen as a very low budget in the film industry, this is because most of the money spent on the film would be for actors such as Robert Carlyle in Full Monty, Ray Winston and Ben Kingsley in Sexy Beast and Keira Knightley in the 2002 Drama Bend It like Beckham. These films are very British in their story lines and where they are set for example Full Monty was set in Sheffield and 28 Days Later was set all over parts of London. All of these films were very low budget British Films but all of them tripled if not more on their gross revenue; this also shows the quality and hard work that is put into the films distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures, and my point is backed up by how much money was made compared to how much money was put into the film. This is why I would like my film to be distributed by F ox Searchlight Pictures.
My reasons why I would like Fox Searchlight Pictures to distribute my film is because my film is very British in many ways including the costume and set just like the previous films I have mentioned. My film would also be of a very low budget especially as it is set in a pub and only requires one actor.





Who would be the audience for your media product?
I think the audience for my Media product would vary to young and elderly this is because all though I am aiming it at teenagers, an older generation might be able to appreciate the image that I have tried to create. The use of the Elvis track ‘Don’t Be Cruel’ who was also a very big part of the 50’s generation could appeal to an older audience.


How did you attract/address your audience?
I feel that I attracted my audience by showing the character very early on, and as he is in hysterics this would make the audience wonder why and want to watch on. I wanted to make my opening of the film as entertaining as possible and I feel by showing the character performing odd actions I have achieved this. I think by showing the odd movements of the characters foot and hand would make any audience want to watch on because they would like to know why he is doing these things and what is going to happen next. I decided to show the movements of the characters hands and feet because it is a different way of showing his emotions instead of facial expressions. I think that my audience would be highly entertained by the strange actions of the character and would be intrigued to see what he does next. I don’t believe that many people could relate to my film but im sure my audience would be entertained by the characters obsession with Elvis Presley and odd actions throughout.


What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product?
I have personally learnt a lot from the latest technologies while creating my media product. Although my film is very basic editing I learnt a lot in terms of how to cut a film clip into pieces and then into any order you could possibly want. After learning the basics of a hand held camera and using this in my preliminary task, I luckily was able to use a more advanced camera for my final product which was simply for one reason to improve the film quality. By using a less advanced camera for my Preliminary task helped me to use a more advanced camera for my final task. This was the same for the editing process; I had more knowledge of using the IMacs for my main task because of using the programme IMovie for my Preliminary task that was simply cutting and dragging different clips and putting them all together although a lot of main task was this as well I had to include titles, a split screen and more complicated shots.



Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?
I enjoyed the preliminary task because it allowed me to get the feel for the camera and what you are capable of doing both behind the camera and the editing process. Even though the Preliminary task was a lot simpler and much quicker to complete it prepared me for my main task which was definitely a big help. Not only was it a chance for me to understand the camera and the programme IMovie on the IMacs, I received feedback on what to do and what not to do which was a big help when it came to the main task. My preliminary task was the first time I had used the editing programme IMovie. While editing my Preliminary task I learnt a lot about the programme IMovie especially the simplest of things like cutting a shot and putting in sound effects. As the Preliminary task did not take very long to complete I was able to give myself a better understanding of the basics of editing, this then made my editing process for my main task a lot simpler and allowed me more time for the more complicated options of editing for example the split screen that I used in my film. I think it is quite clear to see that there is a big improvement from my preliminary task to my main task, I used and tried a lot more complicated shots, I learnt how to come in and out of focus from one object to another.

British Film Poster

Storyboard 1

Stroyboard 2.1

Storyboard 2.1

Script

My film will be set in the Victoria Pub on Grove Road Mile End East London. The one and only actor that I am using in my film Is Alfred Charles Vincent Smith who is 23 years of age. The film is set in the past, mainly aimed at the 50’s as the Victoria Pub has a very traditional old look to it.
The costume that Alfred is wearing is also a very 50’s as he is wearing a blue three piece suit, including a waist coat a red shirt with a grey tie and a grey trilby followed by the smart black and white shoes. The reason for this is because the costume suits the environment and atmosphere that the character is in, and Elvis was at his peak of his career during the late 50’s with acting and his Rock and Roll music.
My film will start of with my one and only character Alfred sitting on a traditional Chesterfield sofa, the opening shot will be a mid shot with the character cracking up in laughter as if he has just seen or heard something very funny at the same time though Alfred looks as if he has another side to him, and is mentally insane. At one point in the film I would like Alfred to talk to himself, but I am aware that this is possible through editing a split screen; I hope to be able to achieve this in my film. As I said before it is a very Traditional East End Pub and inside it has a lot of Taxidermy, I have decided that I am going to use the taxidermy varying my shots from extreme close ups to long shots, by doing this It gives the audience the impression that the man is being watched by the stuffed animals and could possibly be a reason why he is acting so strange. The animals that I am going to use are a fox, a deer and a bull. I am also going to include close up shots of Alfred’s hands rubbing against the sofa, this is to show that he is getting aggravated and stressed, this will then lead on to a shot of Alfred’s feet performing odd movements this is another way of showing the audience the man is nervous and very paranoid, a lot of these shots will be close ups as this shows the characters true feelings and emotions a lot clearer than if I was to try a Long shot. My main objective in the film is to show the man going through as many emotions as possible whether it is upset, happy, paranoid, scared or just very strange. While the man is going through these emotions very calm music will be used to bring the audience back to reality that the man is sitting in an everyday pub. Alfred is influenced and obsessed over Elvis Presley, he is distraught over the fact that Elvis was never able to perform over in the U.K. and therefore has lost his way and developed a second personality.



Opening Shot: Mid Shot of Alfred’s face showing him in hysterics
Costume: Blue three piece suit, red shirt, grey tie, grey trilby, black and white shoes
Second Shot: An extreme close up on taxidermy (bull)

Third Shot: Extreme close up on Alfred’s face laughing at the camera

Fourth Shot: A close up of Alfred’s feet, showing odd movements

Fifth Shot: A mid shot of Alfred sitting on chesterfield sofa acting worried and looking scared

Sixth Shot: An extreme close up of Taxidermy (deer)

Seventh Shot: A side on shot of Alfred sitting on the sofa with an Elvis Presley picture in the background going in and out of focus of Alfred and Elvis.

Eighth Shot: A close of Alfred’s hand rubbing against the sofa, this shows him getting aggravated and quite frustrated

Ninth Shot: A mid shot of Taxidermy (Fox)

Tenth Shot: An over the shoulder shot of Alfred looking towards the stage

Eleventh Shot: A panning Shot from Alfred’s face (Dialogue: I thought I was very good!) the whole way round to the stage Alfred up on the stage, and begins to dance and sing to Elvis Presley Don’t Be Cruel. I want to try and film this shot all in one take as I want it to look from an audiences point of view. The film will slowly fade out to the end of the song.

My one and only character/actor in My Film Alfred Charles Vicent Smith

Analyis of my Questionnaires

For my Target Audience questionnaire I decided to Interview an older generation of people as my film is set and based in the past, and so are many well known British Films, this is because an older generation have more knowledge about the past than a younger audience do so by doing this I thought I would get more accurate and beneficial answers.
I decided to interview two males and one female as I assumed that males would be more intrigued by British Films than females and I should think that this would especially be the case for my film.
My questions on my Questionnaire are fairly simple and vary from the basics ‘what do you prefer Fiction or Non Fiction’ to the more challenging question of ‘what do you prefer an original scored soundtrack or cult tunes e.g. Quadrophenia and Bronson or both’. This was so my audience had to put some thought into their answers.
The first person I questioned was 24 years of age, and a male. I thought this was a good age as he knew a lot about past and present films. He preferred British Films to have unknown actors as you have no pre conceived idea of the character, he feels as if he can relate to British Films as they usually depict stories and characters that he is familiar with, and also enjoys a British Film that is set in the past as to one that was present day simply because he feels as if he is learning something new every time with a film that is set in the past whereas a film that is set in the present he feels as if there is nothing new for him to see because he is surrounded by it every day.
My second person that I questioned was also a male and of the age of 52. He preferred Fiction films to Non fictions, his favorite Genre of film was Gangster, his favorite British Film of the past decade was Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and also preferred a film to be set in the past, simply because it brings back memories of when he was growing up.
The third person I questioned was 52 and a female. She preferred a nonfiction film to a fiction film, her favorite genre of film is Western because when she was a child, a Western film was action packed and always very exciting that included actors such as Clint Eastwood. Her favorite British Film of the past decade is Love Actually even though the film falls under the Genre of Romantic Comedy; the whole film is set in London, and even starts off with Hugh Grant (also a very well known British Actor) talking about Heathrow Airport.
I was hoping that I would get the results from my questionnaires that I did, they proved that Males are more attracted to the British Films that mine own is similar to e.g. Bronson and One flew over the cuckoo’s nest. I think this is simply because males are more intrigued by drugs and violence in films than females, as they keep you on the edge of your seat and although it is usually quite clear what is going to happen next, the excitement is never ending whether it is a fiction or nonfiction film.
I decided to ask an older audience to answer my questionnaires because as I have said before I felt as if I would get clearer and more beneficial answers than if I asked a younger audience. I feel as that the answers I got from the people I asked where beneficial and helped me decide who to aim my film at.

The Kray Twins

Ronnie and Reggie Kray ran the streets of East London through the 1950's and the 1960's, they were known for armed robberies, arson, protection rackets, violent assaults including torture and the murders of Jack "The Hat" McVitie and George Cornell. There reputation built fast and within no time they were celebrities being associated with Diana Dors, Frank Sinatra, Judy Garland and many politicians, the Krays were highly respected.
The image that the Krays had is very similar to the look i was trying to achieve in my film!

This Is England

This Is England was released in 2006 and written and directed by well known British Film maker Shane Meadows. The Film is set in the early 1980’s based on Britain’s struggle through the Falklands War, and the Skinheads that rebelled against the current Prime Minister of the time Margaret Thatcher.
Margaret Thatcher served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1979 to 1990 as well as being leader of the conservative party from 1975 to 1990, she is and was the first female to achieve either of these things. Due to a recession and high unemployment, Thatcher's popularity became less and less, though economic recovery and the 1982 Falklands War brought a lot of support and she was re-elected in 1983.
Shane Meadows, who also directed the British Film Somers Town, focused very much on the image and music of that era, including reggae, ska and soul groups such as Toots and the Maytals. The image of all of the characters was very important to get spot on as Skinheads took pride in the way they looked; this included the Dr.Martens boots and the Ben Sherman shirts.
After 12 year old Shaun lost his dad due to the Falklands War, he was adopted by a non racist group of friendly Skinheads who showed him a good time, as well as the image. Shaun is then approached by Combo (Stephen Graham) and persuaded in believing that his dad was cheated into his death and Margaret Thatcher was to blame, and from then on he became racist and rebellious towards everyone that got in his way.
Shane Meadows is trying to address and in a way evaluate that time in England, the country was not in a good way and was hit hard by the Falklands War that began on the 2nd April 1982 and finished a short 74 days later on the 14 June 1982. The war was between Great Britain and Argentina over the Falkland Islands and South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. The short War resulted in the deaths of 255 British and 649 Argentine soldiers, sailors, and airmen, and three civilian Falklanders.
Skinheads were given a bad name in Britain, and were just known as thugs, racists and neo Nazi’s. I think Shane Meadows wanted to change people’s stereotypical point of view of Skin heads. These people where fed up with society and the actions of a Prime Minister who would admit made mistakes, which is why people were aggravated and turned to different beliefs and different parties such as the BNP. This Is England shows two sides to Skinheads, the friendly side that is not interested in the political matters and just follows because of the image. Then it shows the other side to Skinheads that are interested in the politics, and follow groups such as the BNP because they strongly believed that the party that was currently in power was not doing the right things, especially not things that benefited the people of Great Britain and lost all faith in the Government that were running our Country. Skinheads always had a reason for their behavior, wherever it was they didn’t like the man who run the corner shop, or the current party that were in power, they were aggressive because they didn’t see things been done that should have been.
Looking at the film This Is England, England is not represented as a nice welcoming place, but Shane Meadows purposely created this image because that was what the Streets of England looked like in the early 80’s. The country was struggling and that showed the whole way from the Streets, to the people and the Government.

Elvis Is God

Elvis Presley was seen as an Idol and a Legend by millions of people all over the world especially in Britian, a place where he unfortunatley never got to perform

The Victoria Pub (where filming took place)

Location:Typical East End Pub (The Victoria)

Fortunatley my family run a pub in the East End of London that looks incredibly traditional, keeping very much with the British theme. There is also a stage vthat can be easily used.

Having visited the pub (The Victoria)in half term I found two chesterfield sofas facing each other which would be perfect for the conversation peice, and is also in full view of the stage.

Props:
There is alot of Taxidermy on the walls. Perhaps the animals could be looking at him, making him seem more paranoid? Lots of music memorabilia is also on the walls, a lot of it is from the chracter obsessed with the 50's, maybe Elvis?

Bronson 2009

Lock Stock And Two Smoking Barrels 1998

One Flew Over The Cuckoo's Nest 1975

Clockwork Orange 1971

Health and Safety

The Organizer (Callaghan Smith) must satisfy itself that all areas of responsibility, joint or otherwise, are set out, detailed and agreed within the contract with
Event Risk Assessment Template December 2005
the Venue Owner. The Organizer/Responsible Person in conjunction with the Venue Owner is responsible for ensuring a safe environment including the safe access and departure of any persons to and from the event.

IN PREPARATION FOR THE EVENT, THE “RESPONSIBLE PERSON” NEEDS TO COMPLETE THE TEMPLATE FOR RISK ASSESSMENT GIVEN BELOW. (Depending on the particular venue, some or all of the headings will be relevant to your event. Do ensure that the person completing the template signs and dates the completed form).
RISK ASSESSMENT TEMPLATE
Date of event Start & finish times Address & description of venue Details of Event Organiser Details of Responsible Person for health & safety
Template completed by (Print name)
Event Risk Assessment Template February 2010
RISK/HAZARD CONDITION COMMENTS Alcohol Abuse • Consumable amounts • Crowd build-up in restricted areas • Disorderly/Unruly conditions/ Property damage Aisleways & Passageways • Clear and unobstructed • Sufficient width for normal movement • Aisles marked Crowd Control • Congested high spots/build up • Bottleneck conditions • Sufficient width of exits Electrical Power Systems • High voltage and control panels close and secure • Good condition of wiring, insulation and fixtures • Isolated separate electrical feed for DJ/Band/Bar facilities • Lighting, pathways etc. Ergonomics • Limited weight and size of materials lifted or carried by people • DJ/Band equipment, Marquee erection Emergency Instructions • Emergency Plan (Dance Site) • Operational Instructions • Communication (back up) Exit/Departure • Sufficient exits • Exit and Exit signs adequately illuminated (applies to marquees) • Approaches to exits unobstructed • Clear of snow/ice • Open outwards onto level surface • No locks or fastening restricting escape
Event Risk Assessment Template December 2005
Fire Protection • Portable extinguishers appropriate and readily available (applies to marquees) • Fire equipment visibly marked First Aid • Name of qualified attendants • Instruction for accident reporting • Communication/Organiser, Safety Co-ordinator Floors (Walking/Working Surfaces) • Free of trips, slips and falls • Free of protrusions • Opening covered or barricaded • Load limits on upper floors/balconies Food • Health and hygiene for preparation of food or dispensing of food Lighting • Walking and entertainment areas adequately illuminated during period of event • Illumination level sufficient for detail or work performed (Bar areas, stage etc.) • Illumination of car parking area Mobile Equipment • Qualified operators • Physical hazards Noise Exposure • Environmental Health • Licence/notification Platforms/Stage/Rigging • Approved by competent contractor (structural engineer) • Safe access/departure • Competent marquee contractors • Flooring/non-skid Roadways • Surface in good
Event Risk Assessment Template December 2005
repair/sufficient width • Standard signs and marking • Proper preparation for seasonal weather extremes i.e. snow, rain • Heavy usage i.e. fields, farms etc. Signs & Tags • Hazard warning • Directional and informational signs for danger, potential hazards etc. Sanitary/Toilets • Suitable and sufficient • Male, female and disabled • Competent contractor Stacking and Storage • Aisleways and access paths clear and unobstructed • All stacks, stable are secure (farm conditions) Stairs • Treads and nosing slip resistant • Handrails secure, on at least one side • Clear and unobstructed • Wide stairs/Central rail Ventilation & Extraction • Adequate means provided (Marquee – warm weather) • Air inlets and openings clear Warning Systems • Fire/Emergency alarm system • Hazard warning systems appropriate vehicles/equipment Waste & Disposal • Safe disposal for waste/food/ plastic containers etc. • Drink containers
AFTER THE EVENT
It is useful to note any actions taken to ensure the smooth running of the event that were not originally planned. This will help future organizers of the event to learn from your experience.
Event Risk Assessment Template December 2005
Post Event Comments
Event Risk Assessment Template December 2005

Storyline So Far.......to be continued

As i have said in my research i like films which explore extrovert characters.Several of the main characters in Bronson , Trainspotting and One flew over the cuckoos nest for example have mental illnesses.I like the way these films Directors have shot these people,and my intention is to experiment with my own styles,to try to achieve a similar style.
The opening of my film intends to portray a character who is going through a hard time ,possibly having a breakdown,sitting in an empty pub drinking all alone.He wants to be a star,he dresses like a star but is in denial and to crazy ????
By shooting several different shots with my leading man ,acting happy ,sad,crazy and generally scitzo,it is my intention to have him sat in a typically English pub,with no effort to mix or overdub a soundtrack,but to stick with the music being played in the pub at the time.This will hopefully help the effect of creating different sides to his character.The converstion will be between himself and his imaginary other half,his weaker crazier side,being encouraged by his bolder more confident side.
My other main consideration is the soundtrack used in many Britsh films,for example “its a sin” Pet Shop Boys used in???????,and “Lust for Life” Iggy Pop in trainspotting.These are stand out alternative tracks ,that help put these films in an Indy genre of film,that appeals to an alternative crowd like my own.
Therefore a track needs to be found ,that appeals to my tastes,but more importantly the track i choose ,is to be sung by my lead actor at the end of my film,when he is convinced to get up on the stage .
This whole journey should be told over a full length fim,so the opening will end as he wants the fim to end .However it is all in his head for now ,and it will hopefully get the audience ready,for what a mental battle he has to come.

Trainspotting

Choose life. Choose a job. Choose a career. Choose a family. Choose a fucking big television, Choose washing machines, cars, compact disc players, and electrical tin openers. Choose good health, low cholesterol and dental insurance. Choose fixed- interest mortgage repayments. Choose a starter home. Choose your friends. Choose leisure wear and matching luggage. Choose a three piece suite on hire purchase in a range of fucking fabrics. Choose DIY and wondering who you are on a Sunday morning. Choose sitting on that couch watching mind-numbing sprit- crushing game shows, stuffing fucking junk food into your mouth. Choose rotting away at the end of it all, pishing you last in a miserable home, nothing more than an embarrassment to the selfish, fucked-up brats you have spawned to replace yourself. Choose your future. Choose life... But why would I want to do a thing like that?
This is the famous quote from the mind blowing Trainspotting starring Ewan McGregor and Robert Carlyle. The film was released in 1996 and directed by the well known Danny Boyle also director of award winning Slumdog Millionaire and 28 Days Later. The Film is about a group of Heroin Addicts going through some hard and depressing times in the late 1980’s in Edinburgh Scotland.
The Start of the film is introduced by the well known drug addict Iggy Pop with the track Lust for Life. The opening scene is of the characters Mark Renton (Ewan McGregor) and Spud (Ewan Bremner) being chased by security while a loads of items are falling out from parts of their clothing. The shot used is a track shot in front of Renton and Spud following their movement as they are running down away from the two security guards who are also seen in this shot. Throughout the opening of the film of the shots are just tracking shots following Renton either from behind or in front of him, this is used to show the pace in which they are running at, and the distance between the prey (Thief’s) and the Predators (Security Guards). It seems as if the camera is being chased by the two thieves, the same as the two thieves being chased by the security guards, the two thieves are desperately trying to reach or take the camera over as that seems the only way to freedom, but they can never catch the camera as the security guards can never catch them.

Questionnaire

1. Are you male or female?
Male

2. How old are you?
24

3. Do you prefer fiction or non fiction films?
Both

4. What is your favorite film genre and why?
Comedy because I enjoy laughter
5. What would you say your favorite British film over the past decade is?

6. Would you rather see well known actors or unknown actors in a typical British film and why?
Unknown because I have no pre conceived idea of their character or style

7. Do you find that you can relate to British Films?
Yes, they usually depickt stories and characters that I am fortunate or unfortunate enough to be familiar with

8. Did you enjoy Films such as Quadrophenia and This Is England?
Yes

9. What do you prefer an original scored soundtrack, cult tunes e.g. Quadrophenia and Bronson or both?
Both, music purely depends on what is being shown

10. Do you prefer films to be set in the past or the present?
I prefer films to be set in the past because I feel as if I am learning something new

Questionnaire

1. Are you male or female?
Male

2. How old are you?
52

3. Do you prefer fiction or nonfiction films?
Fiction

4. What is your favorite film genre and why?
Gangster

5. What would you say your favorite British film over the past decade is?
Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels

6. Would you rather see big actors or unknown actors in a typical British film and why?
Unknown actors so they cannot be judged before they even start acting.

7. Do you find that you can relate to British Films?
Yes, because everything that is shown in films like Adulthood and This Is England is all true just the side of Britain that people are scared to see

8. Did you enjoy Films such as Quadrophenia and This Is England?
Yes I did enjoy both of these films as I think both Directors got the music, fashion and struggle of them times spot on.

9. What do you prefer an original scored soundtrack, cult tunes e.g. Quadrophenia and Bronson or both?
Cult tunes because I feel as if I can relate to it better than cult tunes

10. Do you prefer films to be set in the past or the present?
Past

Questionnaire

1. Are you male or female?
Female

2. How old are you?
50

3. Do you prefer fiction or non fiction films?
Non Fiction

4. What is your favorite film genre and why?
Western, because when I was a child most action films were Westerns including actors such as Clint Eastwood.

5. What would you say your favorite British film over the past decade is?
Love Actually

6. Would you rather see well known actors or unknown actors in a British film and why?
Unknown actors depending on the genre

7. Do you find that you can relate to British Films?
Yes, being a fifty year old female I do not enjoy and therefore cannot relate to violence in films such as Football Factory

8. Did you enjoy Films such as Quadrophenia and This Is England?
I enjoyed Quadrophenia due to the music and the objectives of the film, whereas I did not enjoy This Is England due to the racism and graphic violence.

9. What do you prefer an original scored soundtrack, cult tunes e.g. Quadrophenia and Bronson or both?
I personally prefer an original scored soundtrack

10. Do you prefer films to be set in the past or the present?
I prefer a film to be set in the past

Questionnaire

1. Are you male or female?

2. How old are you?

3. Do you prefer fiction or non fiction films?

4. What is your favorite film genre and why?

5. What would you say your favorite British film over the past decade is?

6. Would you rather see well known actors or unknown actors in a British film and why?

7. Do you find that you can relate to British Films?

8. Did you enjoy Films such as Quadrophenia and This Is England?

9. What do you prefer an original scored soundtrack, cult tunes e.g. Quadrophenia and Bronson or both?

10. Do you prefer films to be set in the past or the present?

Analysis of British Film Bronson

The opening scene of the 2008 film Bronson starts with a very dark room, which has a red light that helps the audience just make out a bald headed naked man (Tom Hardy playing Charles Bronson). Non diegetic sound is used by using a song by the Walkers Brothers the Electrician, which adds tension to the scene as it is a very slow song that uses a very dark bass sound to add effect. This scene shows Bronson in a cage doing press ups, punching the cage and looking as if he is ready for a fight, as he has a very aggressive look to his face and is covered in blood and looking very dirty. All of the shots in the previous scene are simple mid shots, because if complicated shots where used because of the lack of light, the audience would not be able to make out what is happening. The next scene is of a set of prison guards opening one of two doors to access the cage that Bronson is in, as the door opens all of the lights come on, by now the audience have discovered that Bronson is in a very high security prison, which you would think for serious actions his part, but the audience are not aware of what he has done in his life so far. As the cell doors to access Bronson are opened he has his fists clenched and looks like a heavy weight boxer, in good shape and on his toes ready for a brawl, as he his approached by the set of guards he does not look intimidated at all. As the guards are in touching distance to Bronson, he swings for one of them hitting the top of his helmet, as contact is made the song drops into what seems like a happy more uplifting part, but that is why it goes so well as Bronson is fighting off guard after guard, the song is more cheerful that it ever was before. The Scene then finishes with a Mid Shot of Bronson laughing towards the camera and the title comes up in Red ‘Bronson’

Indentifying My Target Audience

I have chosen to do British Film for my media project. The reason for me choosing British Film is because many of my favorite films are British Film’s for example Quadrophenia, Bronson and Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels and many more. British films are always very hard to find the target audience because a lot of them are set in the past which attracts both a young and older audiences, this is because a young audience are intrigued to see what culture, politics, music and fashion was like back in those days. Whereas the older group of people who were alive during this time watch it to see how accurate the opinion of the Director is of that era, and possibly to refresh or bring back memories. A good example of this is This Is England as I know that I was drawn to the film instantly because I have a lot of interest and followed the Skinhead image, and my dad who’s in his early 50’s was also drawn to the film as he was a young adult during the early 1980’s and also followed that image during that era. He was very intrigued to see if Shane Meadows had made an accurate opinion of the Skinheads, the music, the fashion and the struggle England had during the Falklands War back in them times.
To find a specific age group for a British Film is impossible as anybody could be interested in the film for the reasons I have just mentioned. Other genres such as comedy, the target audience is clearly going to be a lot younger than elderly, as the language and actors used are generally very young, and an adult could find it hard not only to relate to the film but understand it in many ways, whereas a younger audience are surrounded by the language and actions of young people.
Clearly all British Films are trying to attract the attention of the British Public that is generally their target audience, as everything that is going in the film is based on them or everything that is around them. Even recent films like Kidulthood and Adulthood, lots of people are attracted to them because Noel Clarke is trying to explain and show everybody what is happening right on our front door, and open up peoples minds to some of the lives of teenagers roaming London’s streets. The reason for this is because everything that is shown is true or real and if not worse. People hear about it in the news but pay no attention, whereas if it is put into the film people will go and watch, and will get the message that it is trying to put across. The main audience that Directors of British Films are trying to attract is the British public as they know that they are going to be the most interested out of anyone because they are able to relate to the message that is trying to be put across. A good example of this is T.V. Series Shameless, set in the modern day and age in Manchester, and it shows the stereotypical side of Manchester and people enjoy viewing it, as it is all about us and people like being able to relate to it.
In terms of sex gender for British film I would say that men are more attracted to them than women simply because a lot of them contain drug use, violence or true stories that are very graphic. I would think without being sexiest towards women, that they would rather go and enjoy a Romantic Comedy or a Comedy than a film that does contain scenes of drug abuse, violence and graphic imagery.
Overall I am aiming to attract the British Public to watch my film as my film will be set in a very old fashioned East London Pub, and the film with have a very 50’s look to it, as my main character will be wearing clothing of that era.

British Film 3 Secondary Sources

BRONSON
Directed By: Nicholas Winding Refn
Storyline: Based on a true story of the lifestyle of Charles Bronson (Michael Peterson) who has spent most of his life behind bars, fighting guards and showing his love for art in many unusual but at the same time charismatic ways. The film was directed by the same person who directed Clockwork Orange, so the audiences are fully aware of what they are getting themselves into.

THIS IS ENGLAND
Directed By: Shane Meadows

Storyline: Story set in the early 1980’s of a troubled boy who has lost his father in the Falklands War. 12yr old Shaun comes across a group of friendly Skinheads, he starts spending a lot of his time with them, and eventually picking up the image of that decade, with the shaved head, Dr.Marten boots, chequered Ben Sherman Shirt followed by the braces. Shane Meadows touches on politics of that time, and shows the good the bad and the racist skinheads of the time.

QUADROPHENIA

Directed By: Franc Roddam
Storyline: Quadrophenia is based in the 1960’s; the film follows the famous era and lifestyles of the Mod’s. The film concentrates on the styles, music and the rebellious lifestyle of the young Mod’s, the film also includes the famous riot on Brighton’s beach between Mod’s and Rockers who were bitter rivals back in the 60’s.