Camera Angle Analysis

Easy Rider

Most of the scenes through this extract from the film relate to the simple calming music that goes along with it. Firstly, it is set in a natural deserted mountainous area where you could say that it is quite difficult to record and take smooth camera shots; however they have achieved this very well.

At the beginning, more close shots of the road, the wheels and biker’s boots were shown. This seemed to be an introduction to their long adventurous journey ahead of them. As audience it made us feel as if what is the next scene and what it contains. It doesn’t reveal too much information at the beginning.

The most used camera shot was long shot, from this as an audience you could understand and acknowledge the setting of the scene in which the bikers were driving in. It made us more aware of the mood in general which was quite happy, fun and relaxed.

There were a couple of medium shots to show some of the biker’s emotions and pose on the motorbike. They again seemed relaxed and chilled out and just enjoying the atmosphere.

Overall, there is continuous camera movement whilst they are driving along the road, you could suggest that as an audience we are following the journey with them. This is an example of tracking shot because the camera is following the action in the scene. This is normally created with the use of tracks, but in this case it seems to be another car driving alongside the motorbikes. 

Dear John – 0sec-45sec

In this scene the focus is mainly the introduction of the arrival of the army into an urban town in Turkey. In the beginning the focus is to introduce to the audience the area of the setting, people and the jeeps entering the town. The first camera angle was a medium close up, where the jeep’s were in focus because the man in front of the camera was blurred. This enhanced is as the audience to take notice of the army jeeps entering the town.

Then there were a series of medium close ups of the people in the jeeps and their expressions and emotions whilst entering the town which seemed run down due to the fire. The main protagonist seemed quite serious and emotionless where you could connote that he was nervous. This is what a medium close up enables us to gather from the scene. There was also a point of view shot through the jeeps window and what the driver saw as they were entering the town.

Within the medium close ups, there were a couple of long shots to make us aware about the surroundings.

When the army approaches the man from the town, the camera movement seems quite shaky which could connote the tension in the scene. Overall there are calm yet tense moments in this clip and this is portrayed through the various camera angles and movements.

Differences

The main difference between these two eras of clips is that the Easy Rider is more natural with the way the camera moves with the bikers and actors rather than lots of cuts through scenes which are shown through Dear John.

Steve Jobs and Rupert Murdoch - The Daily

1. Why are Steve Jobs and Rupert Murdoch working together on this joint venture? What will be the benefits for each of them? Could collaborating present any disadvantages for either Murdoch or Jobs?

Steve Jobs who works with Apple, and Rupert Murdoch who owns a vast majority of the media in the world, teamed up to produce a new digital newspaper available on iPads. In my opinion, this is a very good idea to team up and produce a product like this because in these modern days, newspapers are becoming old fashioned and digital media is becoming more n more popular. Each business will benefit as more and more people will buy iPads as time goes on, and media will supplement them in a positive way. A disadvantage could be that, their power in both markets increase which could be seen as a negative for consumers. 

2. How will other media institutions be affected by the introduction of the Daily for the iPad?

Media institutions such as print, newspaper’s websites and TV news could be affected as the iPad is portable and on the go news and also has many other functions rather than pages of writing.  Websites sometimes have too much information where you have to access it through the internet whilst travelling which may be an issue with connecting with the signals. In some ways, Daily could be more interactive and user friendly whilst travelling.

3. Write a definition for the term synergy. Is the Daily an example of synergy? Explain.

The term synergy means where other products through the same media produced are derived from it, for example, Spiderman games from the Movie itself.

In my opinion, the Daily is in some ways an example of synergy because originally media was mainly print and with the developing technology, a new innovative product has been derived from the original. However could be questioned in the fact that the iPad and Media are 2 different products.

4. Write a definition for the term convergence. Is the Daily an example of convergence? Explain.

The term convergence means the coming together of media technology for example Sony and Ericson.

Using this definition, you could clearly state that the iPad and Media are two different products that are coming together to produce a new product.

5. Which other newspapers have successfully launched web editions?

From my knowledge there are many web editions of tabloid newspapers such as the daily mail, the daily star and the sun which are all successful within print and e-media.

6. Why is Murdoch "running counter to current thinking" regarding online newspapers?

7. The Daily is intended to combine "a tabloid sensibility with a broadsheet intelligence". Explain what this means.

Tabloids which are classed as fun, gossipy newspapers will combine with broadsheets which bring true and detailed news stories about real life problems. The Daily will bring real news in an interactive and appealing way to a greater audience where they can be educated about the world in a ‘fun’ way.

8. A survey found that "...readers spent more time immersed in their iPads than they did – comparatively speaking — on the internet, where unfocused surfing is typical." Why do you think this is?

This is because iPads are a new invention that has amazed a lot of people therefore more interest would go towards them and their features. In some ways they are easier than using the internet on a computer as they are not easily portable whereas the iPad is. Generally, when people surf the internet, there is so much information that the main headlines and real topics get blurred away because of this.

9. What are the advantages and disadvantages of this collaboration between News Corporation and Apple for the audience/consumer? Explain your ideas in as much detail as possible.

Some advantages for both companies is that they have integrated to form a new product and possibly dominate parts of the market which may lead to more innovative products for consumers. As a vast majority of the population are interested in the news, the collaboration enforces the audience to look for something new whilst searching the news.

A disadvantage of this is that too much power in the market could lead to higher process, lower quality and possibly biased opinions when making the product. Initailly this product will not be mainstream everywhere because of the possible expanses consumers have to pay before actually purchasing the Daily.

10. Do you think the Daily will be a success? Why/Why not?

In my opinion, the daily will be a massive success in the future as iPads will become more mainstream and affordable for all people, but at the moment as it is quite expensive, by inputting the news via the iPad may not be quite popular to all users. The iPad hasn’t been classified as a ‘must have’ product in the market because of its price and capability.

However in the future, where technology will increase more, the iPad will be popular amongst everyone to possess and use there for the Daily will automatically gain a massive interest to supplement onto the iPad. This product will become very successful due to its possibilities.

Film Distrubution

Pathway –

• Someone starts off with creating an idea
• Create an overview in order to start promoting interest
• An investor makes decision whether they want to purchase rights into it
• People(actors, producers, editors) all brought together
• Settings all decided with permissions
• Shooting takes place
• Final editing and music are created on the filmed movie
• Licensing agreement is organised with a distribution company
• Distribution company then organises, advertising and prints
• Then sell to theatres and cinemas
• Buyers negotiate with lease agreement
• Theatres receive movie prints before the day of opening
• Movie is shown for a specified amount of weeks
• Consumers buy ticket and watch film
• End of engagement – theatre makes payment on the lease.

Studio System in 1930s/1940s – people stopped going to the cinemas due to the growth of TV’s in the 1950’s which caused the studio system to break up. Each film then became their own product to sell rather than one big company in charge.

Studios became the distribution companies in order to own rights of the film and earn the most profit from them. Ancillary markets were markets that sold separate products such as TV, Cable, and DVD. 

Horizontal Integration - when competitors merge together within the same section of industry. It ensures ownership and control to sell a product in many companies. Also companies could increase the percentage share in the market.

Advantages:

·         increase amount of companies round the country

·         share more resources, becomes cheaper

·         more market power

·         reduction in cost for consumers and traders

Disadvantages

• increase in size may lead to ‘anti-trust’
• sometimes clear strategies are not represented

Example

• Car manufacturer merging with a sports utility manufacturer

Vertical Integration - when companies merge to control production, distribution and exhibition. It also ensures that both companies become stronger and perhaps become a monopoly. They integrate each of their products together to create one to satisfy a common need for a consumer. 

Advantages

• Increase in supply of products
• More opportunities
• Invest more in highly specialised products

Disadvantages

• Capacity may become any issue
• Higher costs due to less suppliers
• Less variety of products

Film Noir

Film Noirs were considered as the Hollywood Crime Dramas. These started in the 1940s/1950s where their main style was using low and high key lighting. However their unique genre incorporated mainly low key lighting as this created a dull, mysterious and gloomy effect. It was their primary style. Low key lighting involves mainly back lights to create the shadows.

The light and dark contrasts creates dramatic scenes where one could connote that there may be two personalities in a character which creates that mystery in film noir. This genre have very distinctive an iconic uses of lighting such as light shining through blinds to create a lined effect and banister rods which creates a partial on the character or set.

An Italian word, ‘Chiaroscuro’ means the use of light and dark pictorial representation which was a term to describe film noir’s lighting style. A sub genre from film noir was classic noir where they heavily use the effects of purely black and white cinematography.

Overall, film noir with the use of lighting is accompanied by low and wide angle shots to create ‘dark’ scenes. To enhance this, they shoot through frosted glass, distorting objects or even a couple of mirrors to create reflections of light and characters. Film noir like to use the reality of shooting for example, shooting a night scene at night rather than movies today which are purely are manmade settings.

Film Noir Photo – Big Combo 1955

 From this image you can clearly tell that low key lighting is heavily used because from the background one big back light is used to enhance the silhouette effect of the two characters. It also enhances the smoke around them to create a mysterious and deserted setting which is the main feature in film noir.  

Focusing on the characters, as we can’t see their own features as audience we could connote many things about the storyline and the actors themselves. Using stereotypical views, you could suggest that as the man is wearing a hat could represent richness however this can be ironic as through the shadows he seems to have an inferior presence compared to the woman as he is portrayed smaller. In the same respect, the woman seems to be kept to herself to show nervousness in her character and the setting because of the smoke and casual pose of the man. Overall, lighting in the picture plays an overall effect on how we as the audience connote it.

Momentum – Never Answer the Phone

This scene seems to be quite natural with the use of high key lighting however when the camera used a close up of the face, you could see a distinctive shadow, half was dark and half was brightened by the light. Using film noir’s main features, the light coming through the window was distorted by the curtains which created a softer light emphasising the darkness in the room more. You could connote that the main character has two personalities, one that he is the victim and the other that he has caused trouble and ‘revenge’ is returning back to him. This is the effect that film noir movies create on us as the audience.

As the tattoo is revealed there is a contrast of light and dark shadows, you could connote that as an enigma code it represents both negative and positive attributes. This film was considered as a neo noir as it was quite modern in the actual shooting of it however still creates gloomy mysterious scenes throughout.

20th Century Fox: Avatar

Last year, twentieth century fox produced a popular, multi award winning movie called Avatar. This film was great with the use of 3D and the amount of effects to create reality. Also, 4D viewing was available for a lot of money but it wasn’t advertised as much. A lot of money and years were put in to make this film as successful as it was. Without the use of other companies and links, you could say that this film wouldn’t be as ‘amazing’ as it is today. 

By word of mouth this film got widely advertised itself. On December the 16^th, Avatar was internationally released and it broke box office records and became the highest grossing film. James Cameron then signed with 20^th Century fox to continue to make a trilogy after following its success. 

After the film was released there were many games, songs and books available to purchase. This was all part of their extended promotions. 

 Leona Lewis was asked to sing ‘I See you’ where a music video with scenes from Avatar were accompanied which was released 4 days before the film on MySpace. In October the magazine ‘Empire’ used some of the photos shoot images as an exclusive section in their monthly issue. 

Coca Cola and Twentieth Century Fox teamed up to create a worldwide marketing campaign to promote the film further. Coca Cola Zero used images of Avatar on them which allowed the audience to engage a greater interest in the movie. Also, Fox network promoted the film through a series called Bones which starred the main character Joel David Moore as a recurring actor.

A book was also released in November 2009, called the ‘The Art of Adventure: James Cameron’s Epic Adventure’. This book includes production sketches and artwork of the film.  Another book was released in February 2010 about the actual story of Avatar with more scenes in it. This carried on from the success the film already had.

Lastly, video games were made on PS3, Xbox, Nintendo Wii and iPhone. The game called James Cameron’s Avatar was released on the 1^st of December. Also, to add to the amount of various media promotions, action figures were added to the list. It was quite unique in the fact that each action figure had a unique 3D web tag which you could scan in your webcam and reveals specific content which is special to each figure. Other action figures were given in McDonald’s happy meals in various countries such as, UK, Argentina, Brazil, USA and China.

Overall, Avatar was a big movie that amazed many around the world and they were able to continue their phenomenon through various media companies.

Mise en Scene Analysis

 Firstly, this image seems to be quite old and traditional due to the black and white colouring. You could connote that the narratives used in this film would be quite traditional and linear according to Todorov’s theory. However, focusing on the mise en scene of this image, the clear, eye catching prop used is the gun. It looks like the ‘villain’ is holding the gun where you connote that he is up to something mysterious and potentially the character that causes all the drama. His facial expressions look quite serious and in character. He is wearing a tuxedo which could suggest he is rich and well known. The other character looks to be wearing a priests’ uniform. You could say that he is religious and innocent in the fact that he doesn’t get involved in dangerous situations which is controversial from this picture.  From his facial expressions you could gather that he is quite scared and worried. Analysing the background, it seems to be in a dull and open setting with no buildings or other people which creates a mysterious place where the priest may be dragged there without any choice to make the scene secretive.

Overall, the use of mise en scene is very effective to connote what the characters are like and the actual motion that may happen in the actual scene.

Charlie St Cloud



Using mise en scene this short clip initially gathers that it is set in the forest with no other surroundings. It seems to be quite enclosed where no one can see them or judge Zac Efron who plays ‘Charlie’ that plays baseball with his dead brother. It creates a sense security and secrecy. Both characters are wearing simple, ‘normal’ clothes that connote a middle class group where they are not rich or poor. This is important to understand a stereotypical view of them in the scene and the movie as a whole. You could suggest that these characters are genuine, with both problems and success in their lives. Charlie seems to be quite sarcastic and fun with his brother where there are signs of him really loving him.  

Lastly, by noticing the lighting which is quite dull doesn’t represent the fun and enthusiasm that both characters represent. It seems to be quite ironic. Lastly the baseball glove and the ball itself seem to be an enigma code throughout this film because it is used to create fun and entertainment rather than just conversation between the brothers.

Overall, this scene is quite simple in terms of mise en scene however effective because it brings a lot of emotion through the characters and what they are like.

Skyline

The film genre of this film is science fiction because of the use of high technology and editing effects. You can gather this from the ‘real life’ alien that appears to be attacking the helicopter. In my opinion this scene is very effective as it looks completely real; this is due to the increase in modern technology which enables the audience to experience some sort of reality during futuristic films.

The two characters that were going to be saved by the helicopter seemed to dress quite rough as if they have been in some sort of trouble before hand. Something that caught my attention was the tattoo on the male character. You could connote that this represents toughness or he has something special to remind him of it.  You can see some sort of connection between them as they are close together and look at each other with care for one another.

Looking at the setting, there seems to be a lot of buildings and sky scrapers. This is effective so show the modern surroundings and creates more drama when the helicopter crashes into everything because more things smash and break which creates more of an overall disaster where other people in the film could witness.

This film scene is very effective due to the vast amount of editing effects and techniques to create a real life experience.

Film Poster Analysis

SAW 3D

 

 This poster has a lot of imagery and editing effects in it where you could connote that this film is very technically orientated. This also was a recently published film which has already gained a vast majority of audiences to their film due to previous makings on the film. In my opinion, publicity increased with this film because of the Saw ride in Thorpe Park, and the saw maze. This film poster ensures continuity through the various images.

Taking an analysis of the images used which are mainly tall buildings, machinery, chainsaws and a main robot could connote that there are a lot of involvement of these props during and throughout the film. In my opinion, the variety of images portrays some sort of mysteries behind what actually is happening, and potentially some gruelling bloody death. You can understand this from the cutting and fire explosions round the giant robot or human figure who looks like a threat but deep underneath is harmless against all the other machines.

The lighting seems to be very dark and gloomy which relates back to how this film can represent mysteries and raise questions. Taking further detail into the lighting, above there is a circle of light upon the man/robot figure. You could connote this to reflect some sort of new equilibrium within the story line in the end because light represents new life and happiness.

Using the imagery, I think that this film attracts mostly men, by using the mysteriousness of it, it would specifically target audience teenagers from 16-24 as they mostly like gloomy and dark films as it’s their kind of entertainment. As this movie looks quite hi tech, you could say that up to C2 class in the socio economic group would be high enough as this could be entertainment for many people, it’s all up to preference rather than stereotypes with some movies.

THE SOCIAL NETWORK

The Social Network is a recently published film in the media industry. In my opinion, it seems to be a film where a vast majority of the population can understand where social networking originally came about and why has it caused many controversial issues.

The poster itself is very simple but draws in the audience’s attention because of its simplicity. You could say the poster is ironic because, social networking relates to the internet and how hi tech and modern it is, however this poster seems to be low budgeted, blurry and very simple in terms of editing effects.

The genre of this film is educative possibly involves true stories, good and bad. From the protagonist, you could suggest that he has been affected from some sort of cyber bullying over the internet, or is distressed by the constant use of it, or even blinded by the real world outside rather than just the four walls of his room.

I find that this film doesn’t have a specific target audience because various ages around the world use social networking sites. The audience that would be most interested would be teenagers, from 16-24 years. This group uses the internet almost every day and without fail a social networking site therefore this film would appeal to them as various opinions may be discussed. Most teenagers are students therefore can be classified as C2DE socio-economic group as it looks cheap and an affordable film to watch which has a lot of interest to students and low skilled people as the social networking sites are used by them more. 

The writing shown in white stands out on the layout especially with different fonts and writing styles. It produces more emphasis to each word rather than a whole sentence in the same style without any underneath meaning or appearance. 

The colours in the background seem to be reflected as typical room where the computer light screen shines on only your face, and your eyes are gazed completely onto the screen and nothing else. These simple layouts and thinking behind them creates a more realistic view to what teenagers actually are whilst using social networking sites.

Overall, the simplicity, reality of it and educational values creates a an attraction to a vast amount of people as they can relate themselves to social networking sites which may also contain messages such as enigma codes to save people from using them because of the various dangers it brings.