Camera Shots/angles

Mean Girls - camera shots and angles

Over the shoulder shot

A shot that gives us a characters perspective but includes part of the other characters shoulder or side of their head so the audience is aware of who's point of view we are looking at the shot from. 

The image above shows an example from the film 'Mean girls'. The example is an over the shoulder shot. The frame shows Regina's expressions from the point of view of Cady.

High angle shot

A high angle shot shows the characters and mise en scene from above. The camera is angled down having the effect of diminishing the subject making them appear less significant or submissive

This example from the film 'Mean girls' implies that the two characters shown are insignificant and less important than the point of view of the character. In this case, Janet and Damian are the less significant characters being looked down upon by 'the Plastics' who are regarded more socially significant than them. 

Low angle shot

 

A low angle shot will increase height and sometimes give a sense of motion. The angle creates confusion and disorientation. 

 Here, a low angle shot has been used to portray confusion. The shot is taken from the perspective of Cady who at the time is young and starting school. The shot is used to imply to the viewers that Cady is a little disorientated as she is 17 and its her first day at mainstream school. 

Stages of film production - The wolf of wall street

The Wolf of Wall Street

Writer: Jordan Belfort

Jordan Belfort is an American Author whom the film The Wolf of Wall street was based upon and written. Jordan Belfort actually lived a similar story to the stockbroker Jordan Belfort (played by Leonardo DiCaprio) lives in the film. Belfort worked on Wall Street earning hundreds of thousands a year, living a life of luxury before being arrested and convicted for fraud. After spending 22 months in prison, Jordan Belfort shared his unique story by writing 'The Wolf of  Wall Street' as a book that was shortly made into a film.


Producers: Leonardo Dicaprio, Martin Scorsese, Riza Aziz, Emma Tillinger and Joey Mcfarland

The film had multiple producers due to its large size and busy scenes. The Wolf of Wall Street is a very long film where scenes are very busy and full of action. This would be a lot of work for only one person so multiple producers were hired. Martin Scorsese is a very successful producer and has produced or co-produced numerous other films including: Hugo, Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Shutter Island and Casino. Similarly, Riza Aziz has also produced other films such as; Friends with kids and dumb and dumber 2.

Casting Director: Ellen Lewis

Ellen Lewis is also a very successful casting director known for picking actors for specific parts. Ellen has worked closely with Martin Scorsese on many films and has worked as a casting director for numerous other films including; Goodfellas, Departed and extremely loud and incredibly close.

Director: Martin Scorsese

Martin Scorsese is known as a very significant director in Hollywood. He is known for his unique take on directing films. He is mostly known for his signature techniques; starting a film with a section from the middle is used widely in many of the films he has directed, making a lot of use of slow motion, (In the Wolf of wall street this is done frequently to show the effect drugs have on the characters)  freeze frames, narration, extraordinary levels of bad language and  using Rolling Stones music.

Blockbuster success - preparation

Monsters University
Notes
Pre production
- Monsters university is a prequel
- Dan Scanlon directed the film
- walt disney and motion studios made the film
- $2 million budget
- Stars: Helen Mirren, john Goodman, Billy Crystal, Steve Buscemi
-

Production
- Monsters university was not filmed; it was animated. The film took four years to be made by 270 people.
- it was made at Pixars Headquarters.
- The film faced different problems with regards to technology as this was essentially what the filmmakers were relying on.

Post Production
- relies on special effects as its an animation many different software programmes enables the characters to 'move' and the film to flow well.
- 3D was not added after filming

Marketing
- posters, billboards, TV advertisement,bus banners, made up websites, merchandise

Script 
Monsters University is a 200 million dollar budgeted children’s animation film. It was released in june 2013 as a prequel 11 years after the original film monsters inc was premiered. The family comedy was directed by dan Scanlon and produced by Kori Rae taking four years to produce budgeted by Walt Disney and motion studios. Monsters University stars Helen Mirren, john Goodman, Billy Crystal and Steve Buscemi as dean Hardscrabble, sulley, Randall and mike. The stars job was not to act out their parts but to be the voices of these animated characters. Their voices were recorded and then carefully synced with characters movement. This complicated building of the film mostly occurred at Pixars headquarters in California. Here, a team of 270 people spent four years creating monsters University. The team relied heavily on technology to produce edit and record the film even though director Dan Scanlon argued that technology only makes it possible for creators to bring their amazing ideas to life. This meant that any technological problems they faced slowed down production leaving more work closer to the release date. the team also ran into problems with regards to the story line. Monsters universities main target audience was children and families. This meant the storyline must be easy to follow and simplistic. Many scenes and characters including mike wazowski’s parents had to be cut to keep the film from being too complex. This made their jobs even harder as they had to maintain the consistent flow between shots. A scene of Mike and Sulley meeting in the fourth grade was created however had to be deleted due to it causing confusion for the rest of the film. Some ideas similar to this create contradiction in the two films. Comments including Mike referring to a memory him and Sulley shared in fourth grade remained in the movie confusing the audience leaving them wondering whether the two characters did meet in fourth grade as shown in the first movie or whether their first encounters were in college as shown in the second. When confronted about the confusing story line, director Dan Scanlon explained they considered a story where they did know each other during the fourth grade however They chose to set the film primarily during their college years because “so much of college is about self-discovery and figuring out who you are.” They still wanted to honor the fourth grade comment from the first film, so Scanlon and his team developed several different versions of the story where they met during their childhood and then the film jumped forward in time to their college years. Once the film was finished 3D was not added. Monsters University was impressively marketed. Pixar created a made believe functional website based on the university campus. The extensive website contains links for university admission, a list of upcomming events on campus, a detailed campus map and even a students handbook. the website also sold Merchandise and monsters university toys along with other companies. This generated millions of dollars for pixar and drew attention to the film engaging the audience and consumers. Mcdonalds made Monsters University themed happy meals consumed by 4-10 year olds. This got the films main target audience interested and associated with things they enjoy. Trailers and Sneak peak videos were shown on television and at cinemas. Lorry’s and vans driving up and down different countries were branded with monsters university advertising. Posters and billboards were displayed in large cities and shopping malls. The large scale marketing of the film closely resembles that of a blockbuster. Monsters University drew global attention. The talk stirred up by the animation comedy compared closely to a blockbuster action adventure film. Technically, Monsters University is a blockbuster as it does fulfill the requirements of a typical blockbuster film. There was a budget of over 100 million dollars, a large scale marketing campaign and a success at the box office. Even though blockbusters usually belong to the action fantasy or action adventure genre, Monsters University still ticks all the boxes for being an equally successful blockbuster film.

The male Gaze - Partition

Beyonce's 'partition' music video stirred up large debate between those who believe she is exposed and those promoting her empowerment and hypersexuality. Beyonce features in her video wearing revealing outfits dancing provocatively from what may be percieved as a 'male gaze'

The video begins with a close up of Beyonce's face. She is wearing a bright red lipstick drawing the eye to her lips; lips may be considered a very sexual area of the face and connotes oral sex. This colour red is also featured on Beyonce's nails; Red is often used to express love, lust and passion. Again bringing the ora back to sex and passion. Her hair is well styled to appear messy yet well groomed. Messy hair that once was groomed is also a look connoting sex further exaggerating to the sexual tone of the shot. In the background, as part of the mise en scene, there is an extra in a maids outfit which are notoriously known as sexual outfits used for sexual dress up.

The video is then continued using a medium shot to show Beyonce wearing a tight corset style leotard. The garment accentuates her curves making her waist appear smaller and breasts and hips appear larger. Stereotypically, this is the kind of 'hourglass' figure that most men find attractive. This suggests that beyonce has been dressed in this way to suit the 'male gaze'. Furthermore, the male gaze is portrayed as Beyonce wears a mask. This minimizes her identity making her seem more like an object. There is a mirror placed in the background so that Beyonce's behind can also be viewed. This additionally amplifies the idea of the shot being created to suit a male perspective as the mirror enables the audience to have a full view of beyonce's body.

Next, Beyonce is viewed in a long shot from car headlights.The long shot allows the audience to get a full view of Beyonce's body. Again, this implies that the shot has been set up to please a male audience. The colour red appears once more accentuating a passionate and sexual ora. Beyonce is wearing a black leather coat. Black leather may be considered another veneral outfit as it is largely associated bondage and s&m; further heightening the sexual tone of the ora. Beyonce is wearing a hat that hides part of her face and hair. This adds to the minimizing of Beyonce's identity in the video objectifying her.

Beyonce is then shown in a set of lingerie. She is still wearing a hat, minimizing her identity, and red shoes to connote a sexual mood for the shot. She stands in an open way appearing to be proud of her body and looks. She stands with her hand on her hips pushing out the areas of her body that are stereotypically viewed as attractive by men. This may propose that Beyonce is trying to promote feminist empowerment and challenge feminist hegemonic views by openly expressing herself in a sexual way. However it may also be argued that Beyonce stands in this way to satisfy a male audience by showing off her body.

Here Beyonce can be seen, from behind, in provocative clothing wearing no top. The thong costume she is wearing very much resembles lingerie that may be worn to attract attention or arouse the opposite sex. Beyonce's bottom half is mirrored by the stage on which she is seated. This allows the audience to get a full view of her body suggesting that the shot has been staged to please a male perspective. Again, Beyonce wears a hat. Whilst this may be an innocent accessory, it may also be used to minimize her identity and objectify her. However, it may also be argued that the head wear appears to have an Indian/Asian style to it therefore proposing that Beyonce is attempting to represent women who do not display their bodies for religious and ethical reasons to show her opinion on femininity and women having the power to freely express themselves.

These screen shots display Beyonce along with a small group of dancers in a mens club setting. The women are wearing very similar clothing to the stereotypically expected clothing a woman dancing in a club like this would wear. They are also dancing in a sexual nature, again similar to the way an exotic dancer performing for money would. In the second shot, the group of dancers are using poles, like a pole dancer would. This implies that the girls are being compared to exotic dancers portraying that they are dancing for men watching them. This supports the idea that the shot has been created to suit a 'male gaze' very blatantly. Deconstructing the shots further, the girls legs are in the air. This may associate the shot with sexual intercourse as commonly during sex, girls legs may be up in the air like this.

5x5

5 fashion magazines 

1. vogue
Vogue is one of the UK's leading fashion magazines with more than a million copies sold last year. Vogue features many high end fashion retailers and designers showing off their new collections. The magazine is read by mostly women aged 16-25. My favorite issue of Vogue so far was with Kate Moss as cover girl. Kate Moss is a huge style icon in many different countries making her one of the best possible candidates for Miss Vogue to represent the magazine.
2. Elle
Similarly, Elle magazine is also one of the best selling fashion magazines in the UK selling over 800,000 copies last year. Elle features many fashion designers and brands. Like vogue, Elle is read mostly by women aged 16-25. Elle differs to Vogue as it is more interactive with its readers having reviews, celebrity outfit breakdowns and competitions whereas Vogue mostly advertises and models the latest fashion styles.
3. Cosmopolitan
Cosmopolitan magazine is an internationally recognized fashion and beauty magazine. Cosmopolitan is alike both Elle and Vogue magazines as it features both advertising from high end designers and interactive games and reviews for readers. Cosmopolitan is also read mostly by women aged 16-25 which is why there is usually a celebrity or style icon who would relate to these women on the cover.
4. Glamour
Glamour magazine is a slightly smaller scale fashion magazine. Priced at around the £3.99 mark Glamour magazine is a slightly cheaper option therefore making it more available to a wider audience. Glamour magazine is mostly read by women aged 16-25. The magazine features similar contents to cosmopolitan and Elle magazines however as Glamour is aimed at women with a slightly smaller amount to spend, Glamour magazine features some high street retailers designs as well as high end fashion trends.
5. Vogue Paris
Vogue Paris is the French edition to Vogue UK. It shares a similar capacity to Vogue UK however Vogue Paris is written, edited and based on one of the world top fashion cities making it that little bit better.Vogue Paris is also read by women aged 16-25 however Vogue Paris may be seen to be the 'queen Vogue edition' therefore making it more significant than Vogue UK. This means that Vogue Paris may be bought by people of a higher social class. As Vogue Paris' main target audience is women living in France, its contents may slightly differ to that of Vogue UK as fashion trends differ in the two countries.




5 TV programmes
1. Gossip Girl

Gossip Girl  represents rich socialites in their busy lives featuring cheating, gossip and drama filled struggles all whilst keeping up appearances to protect their parents' reputations. Gossip girl stars teen 'it girls' Serena Vanderwoodsen (Blake Lively) and Blair Waldorf (Layton Meeser) and their on off boyfriends Chuck Bass (Ed Westwick) and Dan Humphrey (Penn Dayton) The show follows a blog written by 'Gossip Girl' about the group of teens and their acquaintances before revealing who the ruthless blogger is in season 7. Gossip Girl shows a stereotypical representation of the upper east side wealthy teens and their drama filled lives.

2. Skins

Similarly, Skins is a television drama based on the lives of a friendship group of teens & their extreme drug taking & partying. My favorite series of Skins stars teen students; Effy, Freddie, cook, katie, emily, naomi, JJ, and panda.  Skins is one of my favorite television programs because I think it represents how many teenagers enjoy to live their lives.
3. Desperate Housewives
 Teri Hatcher, Eva Longoria, Felicity Huffman, and Marcia Cross create the most bizarre and un believably satirical world of Wisteria Lane, a beautiful neighborhood with beautiful women who live perfect lives... on the outside. Filled with drama, Gossip, adultery and mischief this fresh, raunchy, and intelligent show revolves around four women who begin uncovering a series of mysteries when their best friend commits suicide.
4. Dance Moms
Dance Moms is a reality drama filled television series that follows the lives of young Abby Lee Miller pupils and their road to becoming professional dancers. The show stars ALDC's talented junior elite team and their pushy mothers willing to fight their way to the top of Abby's favorites to get the best jobs and positions. This guilty pleasure is filled with drama, comedy, success and failure all in one.
5. Pramface
Pramface is a witty and laugh out loud social comedy targeted primarily at teenage audiences.The show focuses on steenage parenting and the troubles and challenges of being a teenager with a baby whilst still having to deal with one's own parents. Pramface never fails to exaggerate situations bringing great humour to the show making it funny and interesting to watch for all audiences.

5 films
1. Wolf of Wall street
Wolf of Wall street features Leonardo DiCaprio as  Jordan Belfort, a poor wall street employee who looses his job  in the crash of 1987 and falls on hard times. After spotting  a dodgy local dealership, which sells cheap stocks to working-class people, he goes into business by himself, manipulating the finance market and spending millions on his decadent lifestyle. The film follows Jordan Belfort and his luxurious life of drug taking, adultery and illegal money making.
2. Drop Dead Fred
 Drop Dead Fred follows middle aged Elizabeth who once had a mischievous imaginary friend called Drop Dead Fred. Now grown up, Fred re-enters he life after her husband leaves her and she moves back in with her mother. Drop Dead Fred is a comedy film aimed at 16-30 year old people.
3. The Call
Halle Berry plays 911 operator, Jordan in this on edge thriller. After taking a life-changing call from a teenage girl who has just been abducted, she realizes that she must confront a killer from her past in order to save the girl's life. The film follows Jordan and her breathtaking mission to save the girl.
4. Mean girls
Mean girls is a comedy, aimed at 13- 19 year old girls, about the funny and terrifying hierarchy among teenage girls. Lindsay Lohan plays Cady Heron, a 15 year old girl who has just moved back to America after being away in Africa. Cady soon finds herself involved with the schools most elite rich popular girls the 'plastics'. Cady soon learns Regina George, the most popular girl in school, needs to be put into her place and doesn't fail to put her back.
5. Clueless

Representation Task

 

 

Representation Task

Representation explanation

At the beginning of the representation board, there are 20 pictures of 5 different celebrities that I feel represent the styles of clothing I like to wear. The first row of images is of Blake Lively. Blake stars in one of my favorite dramas Gossip Girl. In the show, Blake dresses very similarly to how she would dress normally in expensive high end brand clothing. The second row is of Kim Kardashian. Kim is on my list of top fashion women. Kim wears very expensive high end clothing. Kim often wears colours similar to those that I like to wear myself. She often sports all black outfits which make her stand out and appear well put together and effortlessley stunning at the same time. Kim's iconic fashion sense is followed by many people internationally meaning she has a huge impact on the types of clothing and accessories women across the world wear. The next row shows images of actress Megan Fox. Whilst Megan Fox is not so high up on the list of fashion icons she does have the highly desired blue eyes beach wave look that many girls including myself wish to have. Megan's curvy body and fitness persona is sought after by many women making her another icon. Row 4 shows images of Victoria's Secret model Adriana Lima. Adriana is seen most often showing off her slim toned body in Victoria's Secrets best underwear and swimwear. She features as a star in a number of fashion shows and season line releases. Adriana is another icon of mine similarly because of her dark beach waves hair and worked out body. Adriana is portrayed as one of the typical Victoria's secret girls with the bubbly personality and kind ways making us like her even more therefore want to follow her styles further. The last row features one of my favorite fashion icons of all time, Eva Longoria. Eva is not seen as someone of great significance in the fashion industry however, to me, her personality, mexican background and ever fashionable dress sense makes her one of my top style icons. Eva also starred as Gabrielle Solis in one of my favorite dramas Desperate Housewives making her liked by me that little more. Eva usually wears the classic little black dress with a slight twist making her look classsy yet new. Eva's petite figure also makes her an image many women aspire to be like. 

I believe that many people subconsciously follow their favorite celebrities, actors, musicians and sportspeople's styles and interests. Many people choose different others that they find inspiring or particularly interesting. This interest or inspiration then causes people to aspire to be like their chosen 'icon' or they may choose to follow them simply because they like the way they are and similarly involve themselves in the same fashion and interests. Many celebrities are portrayed and represented in specific ways that people pick up on and may follow themselves to then create their own representation.

Stages of film production

Key roles in film production:
Writer:
The writer is responsible for writing the script. They have a very creative role in the production. Writers should be aware of who the target audience of the film is and what genre the film is from to ensure that the audience will be interested. A writer may be hired by a producer to write the script. rewrites may be done if the producer feels that the script is not good enough. writers may collaborate or work together to make one script.

Producer:
Essentially in charge of ensuring the film is made. They may hire the director and writer. Producers help to co-ordinate the film as a whole and keep things running. Their responsibilities also include acquiring all things required to make the film. Producers may have to stay within a budget so will often be familiar with the films accounts.

Casting Director:
Casting directors organize the selecting of actors in films. They arrange and conduct interviews and auditions with actors as well as negotiate fees and contracts for those who get the part. A casting director will usually work closely with the director to ensure he chooses actors that will fit in with the directors vision as well as suit the script well. they generally will have a wide knowledge of different actors and actresses so that they can select the correct one for a specific role.

Director:
The director makes the script a reality. Directors are usually very creative people who help cast actors and make changes to the script. Directors may have a personal vision of what the film is going to be like and create that using the script. they storyboard cuts shots and clips with varying colour schemes, locations and costumes to build up the film as a whole.

Film finance:
Film finance are in charge of ensuring the producer does not go over budget. Finance for a film is gained in various different ways. Funding for the film may come from private investors, large companies or many people who have put their money together.

Camera Operator:
A camera operator records the images for the film. A camera operator will usually prepare the camera and other equipment required to film shots. Camera operators will usually work closely with the director to ensure that their vision is captured how they wish. A camera operator may also be in charge of others who are working in the same department communicating with actors.

Editor:
Editors will work closely with the director again to ensure that his vision is captured the way he wishes. They generally work in an editing suite for long hours whilst running a team of assistants and trainees. They ensure that the film roles effortlessly from start to finish the entire way through. Scenes are usually shot out of order and in different locations. It is the Editors job to ensure the film is in the correct order and flows between shots.

Production Designer:
Production designers manage and define every visual aspect of the film. They will usually work with the producer and director to create a budget and schedule. they will direct a team of assistants who will help create visual aspects of the film for example props, costume and setting.

Marketing:
Those involved with marketing will oversee the creation and planning for marketing campaigns for the film. Their job is to ensure that the correct people (the target audience) see advertisements for the film and that the advertisements appeal to them to make people watch it. They have to convince the public that the film they are advertising is a 'must see'

exhibition:
Exhibition involves the public screening of a film. exhibition is very significant in how well a film does.

Representation

Image 1

My thoughts:

- appears homeless

- smoking

-wearing patched trousers 

-walking on busy street surrounded by people who appear to be working

- wearing a hat

-not dressed smart - has little care for appearance

Real:

- Doug Bihlmer

- Obscure fashion sense

- works for Ralph Lauren

- shoes are tied properly

- trousers are not dirty only patched - fashion

Image 2

My thoughts:

- well dressed - smart 

- cares for appearance

- appears to be wealthy 

- looks proud 

-wearing suit and tie 

Real:

- Ralph Lauren

- dressed smart

- wearing expensive clothes

- popular 

Image 3

My thoughts:

- has smug look on her face

- wearing strange clothing not casual everyday wear

- has warm clothing on 

real:

-Lynn Yaeger

- works for vogue

-wearing expensive jewelry and fur coat

- has strange make up to stand out

Image 4

My thoughts: 

-wearing smart clothes

- pointing his finger to show significance

- appears to be doing business 

- wearing a suit

- surrounded by other men dressed similarly

Real:

-Ted Bundy

-Serial Killer

- Wearing smart clothes because he is in court

- Sat with his lawyers

Image 5

My thoughts: 

- Dressed well 

- wearing fashionable clothing

- appears to be working 

- surrounded by books

- maybe a doctor or in other profession

Real:

- Edward the eighth

- windsor knot in his tie 

- style icon

-duke of Windsor

Image 6

My thoughts:

- wearing ripped clothes 

- surrounded by busy street

- modeling?

Real:

- River Pheonix

- famous actor

- model

- fashionable 

The British film industry

• The British film industry were responsible for 15% of the Global box office in 2012
• In 2009, this percentage was 6.8%.
• This change in the British industry suggests that it is growing and expanding.
• This success may be due to large films being very successful including; Harry Potter and the deathly hallows part 2 and the Kings speech.
• Only 7% of British films make a profit.
• 17% of Hollywood films make a profit. 
• Lower budget films (2m) are 4% less likely to make a profit wheras 17% of higher budget films (10m) made their money back.
• the over 45s represented the highest proportion of cinema goers with 36% visiting the big screen
• This may be because over 45's are usually retired meaning they have more time to go to the cinema. also going to the cinema is a very easy thing for over 45's to do. Most cinemas are easily accessible by public  or private transport and then once in the cinema it is easy to watch a film. 
• 3D films have seen an 18% drop in attendance  
•