Tuesday, 17 November 2009
essay 24hr party people
I will look at how being produced by a independent production company effects the quality and appeal of the film and how this differs to a Hollywood blockbuster.
24 hour party people was produced by film four, chanel4 films, baby cow, film council, wave pictures. All these who were involved in the production of the film are all Independent companies. This will effect the institutional factors and how the companies fit to there ethos e.g. film four having a significant ethos related to showing a diverse viewing for there audiences. This allows they to take risks in what and how they display there film and how it will challenge the audience. Hollywood would differ as it the films would of been produced by one of the big six Hollywood film companies guaranteed with big well known directors and producers whereas film four are meant to use upcoming directors and producers to show and scout for new talents in the film industry.
The target audience was aimed at adults between the ages of 18-50 .This age range is quite broad as it is set in the 80s the year of punk rock and the introduction of new bands that would be well known today. The older audience will be able to relate to this era being brought up with the music being fans and seeing the bands live. This gives the audience a time for reminiscing on there teenage years growing up with great music. The target audience for a Hollywood would be different as it will be a bigger range of ages to appeal to a family audience.the Hollywood want to keep their reputation as producers of family orientation films.They wouldn't jump to the opportunity to use a unknown director doing such films similar to trainspotting or this is England.
In an independent film you wouldn’t see much new media technology used however in some of the scenes were Tony day dreams and has hallucinations, he sees himself as god and the scene with the pigeons. These were done by special effects to create a different world and show it is far from reality reflecting his mind set. This is not typical for an independent to have such special effects due to the budget and not being able to wanting to affect the impact of the verisimilitude. They used basic sound techniques such as Foley sound, sound from the bands and music playing in the clubs, sound to creating crowd noise for laughter, talking, shouting and screaming. The editing was fast paced and a lot of quick cuts this was to reflect the pace of the film and the characters having hectic lifestyle, there on and off music careers going from highs to lows and them always re inventing themselves as artists. In a typical Hollywood film to engage the audience they would add special effects and graphics to make the film more exciting. The sounds and music will be synchronous to reflect the mood of the film whereas in 24 hour party people some scenes were they were unhappy used songs which were up beat and lively which wasn’t reflecting the characters state of mind.
Use of synergy in the film was making the samples of bands fro the 80s including the sex pistols Happy Mondays, sex pistols, the buzz cocks, new order, the clash and other artists. Having their records included in the film made people either reconnect with there music from their youth or younger generation experience what the music used to be like. Each had to be copyright and permission by the individuals record companies.Hollywood films such as transformers will use synergy within every opportunity of the film.They used burger king, watch make, a Ferrari, jewelery and other products which they think will apply to the target audience e.g which was aimed at men.
Media convergence has helped for the film to be viewed in a broader way. It can be viewed on phones, DVD, blue ray, virgin media, independent cinemas, computers, and television. The film is guaranteed to be shown on channel4 and film four due to them producing it.This helps with the films target audience knowing that people who will watch film four will understand the humor and storyline and will know what kind of style the film will be like.
The representation of Britishness that was portrayed was the attitudes towards sex drugs alcohol, music. The film shows us how all these factors impact on each other. It is shown as a fun experience and is openly done e.g. scene were he is given sexual favours from the women and lead singer starts snorting cocaine.It shows a posstive attitudes to these bad habits adn reflecting the era were these were socially accepted by not only us but the media aswell.
In conclusion 24 hour party people represents a era of Britain were sex drugs and musics was seen and taken on as the care free attitude towards life. The way in which it was produced stuck to its ethos of what it showed taking risk with the content and not holding back from the lives of the characters and knowledge and applying it to real life things us as the audience could relate to.
Sunday, 15 November 2009
Sound
An analysis of Skins
Series 1 episode 1
Skins 1x01 part1
Uploaded by _thekooks. - Check out other Film & TV videos.
From the clip we can see a clear representation of age being shown. The representation of age shows us that all of the teenagers represented in the clip have taken on the stereotype that most teenagers are lazy and can’t be bothered with anything. However the representation of ethnicity is different as it has a wider range of races from white to Asian making it a more realistic depiction of a group of friends today.
Tony’s character displays such characteristics as any other teenage boy. Waking up to the noise of the alarm, working out, admiring his looks and blaring out his music early hours of the morning. However tony room does not fit in with a normal teenager e.g. being very messy and unorganised as we can see form his t-shirt draw how organised he is by colour co-ordination them and having precise places for them. His cocky attitude works around his parents when tony distracts his father to get his sister in the house trouble free. It is like a ritual every morning for his father to swear at him.
The house is a mix of both genders but they don’t share the same attitudes. The mother is naive towards tony and his sister as she takes pity on her thinking she is ill where us as audience get an incite into her rebellious behaviour and what to expect.
Tony’s father knows that tony is purposely trying to aggravate him whereas his mother is less aware into this behaviour and thinks he’s an angel.
The representation of music is used in all the scenes to show there age and what is happening in the scene. The representation of family is shown by them begin typical nuclear family. There family is typical but unaware of each others own lives. Tony and his sister hide there secrets from there parents not wanting them to find out about the real life makes the audience understand why it is hidden.
In this first scene it opens with the sound of the church bell going this is an example of it makes the audience think that it is in nice area, quiet and peaceful However once tony alarm goes of and the radio comes on it sets a completely different tone.
The sound of Tony’s dad banging on the doors screaming and shouting lets us know what mood he is in and how tony effects his father’s anger. Having the music blaring is to show the representation of age and it fits in with the dialogue. E.g. Tony’s dad telling him `to turn the fucking music off’. The sound of his sisters heels clacking along the street shows us how late she’s been out and it not being normal for a school girl to be out so late on a school day.
The second scene when Tony’s in the bathroom the sounds of the toilet flushing, tap running him brushing his teeth shows us that tony does take care of himself and his appearance. Whereas the sound used for his father is completely different sound him banging and knocking on the door showing his impatient and short temper in the morning..
This is to add to the excitement of the scene as we know that tony is purposely doing this to annoy his dad. When he is outside the sound used is everything on the outside e.g. dog barking, wind, cars in the distance and neighbours. They haven’t added music as it would take away from he realism of the drama.
The third scene round the breakfast table the sounds are all related to breakfast .e.g. tap running sound of the bacon and eggs on the pan, cereal in the bowl, and the crunch of toast being eaten this helps to set the scene and make it related to the time and of the day e.g the early morning . The dad saying `every fucking morning’ shows the audience how tony will do anything to frustrate his dad every morning a lot of parents and teenagers can relate to there relationship and routine that they live by especially int he mornings.
The fourth scene of the conversations shows the starts to show the real side of tony and how he speaks and acknowledges his friends .He refers to his girlfriend as `nips;’ this shows the way he treats girls . Tony and his friends talk about sex openly this shows us how it plays a big part in there everyday life coming first before school and there families. A Syd's character has a similar relationship with his father however Syd's characters fit the stereotype of a teenager. The sound of the mobiles going off and Syd's answer machine shows how lazy he really is by the way and what he says.
The fact that all of the characters have mobiles shows that they are all aware of the technology and are up to date the sounds of the ring tones shows how different each character is .e.g. having Syd's on vibrate, jals very clear and able to be heard, Michelle’s on speaker phones. These all show and represent the characters differently.
The Fifth scene were Tony is on the bus and carries on rings the rest of the characters, the sounds are all from the outside e.g the bus engine , noise of Syd's dad coming in his room swearing, Tony’s friend standing outside the mosque with cars coming past. Maxie’s character uses the sound of his tap shows to show us and introduce his character representing a different edge of he typical teenage life. Finding someone practicing tap dancing in the early hours of the morning or clarinet (jals character) is unusual.
The last scene where Tony’s audition shows us how much of a front he puts onto people he meets. The sound of the piano and him singing is not what you would expect from his character to care about. The sound of the girls whispering and laughing fits into the scene well and shows how he has made them react in a positive way.
Overall all of the sounds are there to add to the verisimilitude of the drama. If there were too many sounds it would take about from the narrative and characters and would not appeal to the audience.
Thursday, 5 November 2009
New Media Technology

Before the introduction of Non linear editing styles the companies had to rely on editing the films done primarily by cutting and pasting pieces of the film using equipment such as splicer and threading the film on to special machines e.g. the Moviola or flatbed machine. Before Digital technology there were no opportunities to handle expensive camera or editing equipments everything as basic such as the camera the film could only be recorded onto big reels of 8mm, 16 and 25mm.
Digital technology is smaller, more efficient sample of data storage compared to analogue which takes longer to transmit information. They don’t need to rely on machines to edit there films but on computers, Macs and special editing Programmes such as Avid, final cut and I-movie have all revolutionised film editing techniques,. These are all easier to use and cuts scenes without it being obvious to the viewer e.g. A film which was made 30yrs ago would have defined cuts between each scene whereas a film nowadays will be able to use more diverse techniques of how to start and finish each scene and linking them together.
Production companies such as film 4 (independent) and Universal (Hollywood) use this type of editing programs on almost all of their production which include a variety of features which allows the editing team to create and manipulate the visual and audio to suit there films perspective.
Advantages of new editing for the film industry today:
It is a quicker to edit a film now as production companies have now access to digital programming which is far quicker to use saving them time and money and the amount of time spent on post production allowing them to focus more on the content.
It allows the editor to be in control of sequences, correct mistakes, copy frames and add effects were they feel is necessary, it allows them to change things last minute if they don’t feel it is or isn’t needed.
It is portable whereas 30yrs ago you had to rely on machines. It ca be done on a PC or Mac with a high spec and a digital editing programme. This allows the editors to work wherever they want.
The cost of a Linear editing machines were very expensive to manufacture and maintain a did not have much access to those in the film Industry however Nowadays with access to digital editing it can be assembled for as little as 2000 which isn’t to much for a part of post production. This would include the cost of spec PC, good quality speakers and a professional level of editing programmes. This would make a big difference to the quality of the film as good editing will make the film look and appeal better to the audience.
The editing process has changed dramatically and can also use this to edit more complicated films such as animated and cartoons which they would have never been able to do years ago.
New media technology is the up coming and change in digital, computerized and networked information that has been improved in the later part 20Th century.
Examples of technological convergence:
Mobile phones- they allow texts calls surfing web, saving information, sat nav, TV programming, Dab radio.
Televisions-Interactive voting and gaming such as on sky remotes the red button. Recording programmes and some TV allows use of Internet service.
Computers-Internet sending emails, messages through such websites as face book, MySpace, msn, computer games interactive, TV programming e.g. BBC Iplayer channel 4 40d
Technological convergence had revolutionised editing as it easy to access editing through the PC and Mac s It can also be used to edit the audio(music and sound) and the visuals e.g. the special effects, the actors bodies and face getting rid or adding on blemishes such as cuts scars, Making there skin look radiant.
From a Viewers point of view having good editing can add and take away from the film. It is a good thing as for an action film it can add music effects good cuts form each scenes adding an exciting techniques to link the scenes and create an atmosphere between characters. However the editing can sometimes take away from the story. A Sad film could have too much music in too many scenes taking away form the simplicity of the dialogue and the characters emotions. Overall editing is a great way of puzzling the film together to create the best possible end result.
New technology is the future of society everyone in a future will have access to television radio and Internet on there phones. Phones as the I phone will be used through the future generation and there will be new deceives and inventions to fit into our new media world.
Th clip is an example of Linear editing how they relied on machines to edit the film.
Some like it hot Made in 1959
Sunday, 18 October 2009
CHANNEL 4 -its journey





How has channel 4 programming and remit changed since the early channel 4 viewing?
Channel 4 is a terrestrial channel it is a parent company and owns such channels as channel4, e4, more 4 and Film4 .It is the owner of the independent film production company Film4.Channel 4.s ownership of film 4 productions so an example of a horizontally integrated company where they own more than one company but the proceeds will automatically come back to them.
Channel4 remit expressed that it should demonstrate innovative experiment and creatively in the form and contents of programmes By having programmes that shock and challenge the views this will appeal more to the public as they are watching programmes with a purpose. These types of programmes show society’s in a diversity by not being racially and ethnically biased.
Having programmes which portray real life issues conveys a positive message to the viewers and educates them into learning about society. This structure is similar to an independent production company. They are not afraid to take risks as they are not representing a company. There films are related more too everyday ordinary people, whereas on other channels such as BBC1 and itv their programmes are dramas and soaps. They both make and produce their own programmes/films on a lower budget than others e.g. for the film production Hollywood would differ due to its budget being much higher.
The move in 1993 to being a commercially motivated broadcaster has affected channel 4s acquisition and commissioning decision.Throughout the 80's channel4 developed a reputation as a broadcaster at the cultural edge of youth programmes with shows such as the tube and network. Since 1983-83 the era channel 4 developed a reputation as an innovator in news programming famed for the quality and depth of their news coverage. From 82 till present day channel 4 has been produced by ITN although there is a distinct difference in the style and content when comparing channel 4 news with ITN’s adaptation. Remit as on educated broadcaster channel 4 aired educational programmes designed to be shown in British schools everywhere. Channel 4 gained control of its own advertising sales and began shifting towards more mainstream programming. This included the acquisition of more pop programmes, Shows from America such as ER and friends which went on to become very successful in the UK and worldwide.
Channels 4 have always been an innovative channel. Compared to the other channels it tries to show a completely different viewing pleasure for the public. BBC would appeal to a middle class viewer whereas channel 4 would appeal different classes as it shows programmes which will educated and open yours eyes to the world around us.
However channel for has strayed form its original ethos from the beginning of its premier on our television to today. Its original remit included such values as it should exhibits a distinctive character, broadcast programmes from many independent production companies, including a high proportion from Europe and make a significant contribution to meeting the need for licensed public service channels to include programmes of an educational nature. Some of these conditions have remained the same for the channel 4 news is still the most factual and representational news programmes of all the channels. However the educational sector of the channel is controversial.
The sex education show teaches teenagers about sex and their bodies teaching hem valuable life skills and how to be safe and how to look after their bodies. Some will agree that this type of programme is teaching people good life skills. However some argue that this is not educating our society but encouraging the wrong message out to teenagers. Such programmes like wife swap and super nanny are meant to represent and show us an educational programme for our benefit. However only benefit the participants of the programmes, this makes it irrelevant to the viewer.
The content of the educational programming has gone down dramatically compared to its documentaries and films in the early years. They were more realistic and true to real life people and how they really lived their lives not just a close depiction. Documentaries are not for the viewer to get a feeling of how the person feels and relating to them but more of a freak show. Programme such as tree man and the girl with 8 legs depicts their difference in a negative way and not letting us really get into their feeling and if society really accepts them.
Overall Channel 4 remit has stayed the same throughout the 20years of the channel going on. It has changed slightly because of the programmes being shown due to change in the structure of the channel management and production. There are still elements were you will tell that this is a channel 4 programme due to its real life documentaries and the showing of films produced by film 4. Film4 have the advantage of being able to show their films on film4 and channel 4 making more money for their Production Company and channel4 as a hole. It remains an innovative and creative Channel showing us the best of British television and independent films.Channel 4 will remain a popular channel to watch if it continues to shop culturally and diverse society's, creative and innovating programmes it will interests different types of people into watching and discovering a new way of viewing pleasure.
Sunday, 11 October 2009
Fantasting Film Making Part 1

The Production Company who will be producing our film is Little British pictures.They are subsidiary company allowing us to take risk with our story and keep to a budget which is just the right amount to create our film. We will be working with a Budget of 500.000 which will cover the costs of locations and sets, Actors,music,marketing and distribution.Any leftover money which has not been invested into these categories will be spent on the development or editing of the film any cost for expensive equipment and Overall management of the film.
Location 1: Train station the cost of this location to film in will be 5000. It will be filmed on the platform so seats, maps and waiting rooms will be around. The scenes were it will be used is William and jack argue with a train inspector over there tickets.
Location 2: The park this will be free to use as there are a number of local park around the area. It will have the grass area, playground, skate park and pitch. It will be used in scenes were William and jack bunk off.
Location 3: Williams house (which would be filmed at my house) It would cost anything for the filming time. Filmed in the bedroom desk, bed making it untidy to show a boys bedroom. These scenes would be for when William wakes up and scenes with maybe with his mum or a sibling.
Location 4: The school. These would also be free as we can use our school. It would be filmed around classroom, playground and canteen. These scenes would be for when jack and William are in school during the day, coming in and out.
Location5: The TV studio. This would cost us 10, 00 but we would find a proper studio setting. It would have lights, camera, set and presenter. These scenes would be shot for when the boys are telling their story of how they saved the world.
William-He’s is cocky teenage boy sees himself as a joker and is always late for everything including school and his friends. We would use a C-list actor for this role preferable Nicholas Hoult the lead from Skins series 1.This would cost us 100,00 but we would be getting a known births actor who will deliver the role best.
Jack-Cocky teenage boy like William but very organised and always on time. We would use an actor from school e.g. drama student this would mean that it would be free but would give them a small some if the film is successful.
Train inspector-Old man grumpy and angry. This will be played also by a unknown actor e.g. a granddad/teacher this would be free no money would have to be given as it is a very small part.
TV presenter-Talkative on the ball asking allot of question. This could be played by one of the dram teachers as they will have experience with taking on a role. This would also be free.
Grace- William and jacks friend. We would use a D listed preferable Jamie Winston s she has good knowledge of taking on different role. This would cost us 10, 00 but would be worth the money.
Music
The type of music we will be using will be rap.
We will use unknown artists such as people who are studying music a level and MC well. This would cost anything and would be way of getting there music out .We would use Eminem to make and song and it would be played for the opening for the film,. This would cost us 100.00 but this is a great opportunity to personalise the film through song. We would also use a Beat for various shots and scenes were a song is not needed. This would be done on a beat maker from library music this would cost 100 which isn’t too much and would be used a lot.
Target Audience
The target audience we will be focusing on for the film is age rang between 16-30.The gender male/female but i think he film will interest the male consumers as it reflects there own types of behaviours making it appeal to them more.It will appeal to a multi cultural audience as the characters are all of different nationality.The locations are not set in London in a posh area were people cant relate to that lifestyle.It is set were people can relate to the east London lifestyle seeing this through the music, language and race.
Budget Review
Budget £500,00
Budget spent £ 215,100
Total cost for sets and Locations £15.000 This is not very expensive as most of these are being able to be accessed freely.
Total cost for actors £100.00 This money will be worth it as there will be experienced actors to take on the roles.
Total cost for music £100,00 Music will play a big part in the film and so a little more spending on it will make a difference in the long run.
Remaining Budget 284,900 this will be used on marketing and distribution of the film and equipment/locations which we may not of been able to access without the money leftover.Overall we stuck to the budget and have money left over to spend on various things needed for the filming and production process of the film.
Wednesday, 7 October 2009
Edit workshop the package
The feedback I was given from my group
Digital technology-
It had a variety of shots, good use of angles and shot types such as match in action, over shoulder and close ups. Could of been improved by adding point of view shots to make the characters more realistic for the consumers perspective.
Creativilty(Storyline) It was good storyline simple but effeciive could tell it was set to the storyboard. Could of had dialogue between the two characters at the end of the film.
Post production- Could tell that i stuck to the storyboard god use of time and planning. Improve on editing maybe considering to use music for some of the scenes building up the tension and showing the relationship between characters.
Improvements
- Improve on editing cut some of the longest scenes
- add music to set the tone of the characters
- Use more variety of shots and angles
- Include more dialogue between the characters.
My target for my next project will be to include and improve on my editing techniques .I would also like to be able to use more camera angles and shots without hesitation and use panning and zoom to create a different tone to a scene.
Saturday, 3 October 2009

Napoleon Dynamite: Hollywood Filmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=96DKZrrSbuw(napolean Dynamite tralier)
Production companies were Fox searchlight pictures they were also responsible for producing Lil miss sunshine, Paramount pictures also produced Brokeback mountain, weather man and get rich or die tryin staring 50centThe actors were not well known at the time but were upcoming newbie’s in the teen movie world. Jon Heeder who played Napoleon went on to do such films as with will Ferrell and his carer progressed from his performance in this film. The actors were not well known at the time but were upcoming newbie’s in the teen movie world. Napoleon Dynamite is a typical geeky loser in high school going for him living with his weird brother and wacky grandmother he meets Pedro who gives him the courage to take more risk and in school election shows the whole school who he really is. the character portray a typical all American high school e.g. segregated into different groups popular kids, geeks Goths etching like the characters as there quirky and funny in the unusual humour. Generally in Hollywood the script is usually quiet a dramatic storyline but a lot more scenes of action and effects. The dialogue stuck to the `Hollywood regulation' not to risky with the dialogue they used but stupid enough to pass humour through to the audience. In each scene there isn’t a lot of dialogue but the use of words and sentences portrays there emotions the music very much old school 80/90s music setting the comedy aspect all through the movie. It mellow and upbeat reflecting the simplicity of the characters lifestyle Editing- The editing and camerawork were basic cuts between each of the shots not a lot of movement for a Hollywood film. Some zooming and close up but generally long shots. This is to set the scene of the character as a basic geeky teenager not a lot going for him. The trailer has a lot of cuts going from scene to scene fitting and tryin to show all the main characters. There aren’t many locations except for the school, napoleons house and the area. Prop there would have lot of changes for each scene to look like another day. They would be expensive props including clothes, accessories, furniture, computer and electronic equipment. The trailer grabs my attention as it hasn’t got a set storyline but it lets the audience engage by following Napoleon (main character) through his life and how he changes and is influenced by the people around him.
Clerks:Independent Filmhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNd8nvnmhyM(Clerks trialer)
The production companies’ involved were View Askew who also produced jersey girl the other production company was Miramax films who were also responsible for producing kill bill and scary movie 3.The actors were not well known at all they were either upcoming actors or friends of Kevin smith (the director) doing him favour to star in his film even Kevin played one of the characters this is were you see that the budget was very small. Characters are close to real life people and the story line rehearses this as well. The characters look similar to us.eg basic clothes not made up in lots of make up. The characters being real makes the viewer to be more likely to relate to it unlike a Hollywood were its fake and in reality it would always end happily ever after with al the characters relationship In clerks it shows real relationship with ups and down the characters Dante and Randall. There are much longer cuts between each of the scenes the camera shot is there for 4 minutes unlike in a Hollywood it would be for 4seconds.The camerawork is quite basic as there isn’t a lot of opportunity to have a variety of shot types as it is quite time consuming and expensive to edit They don’t have the right equipment for it. The sound and dialogue are very basic not to muck sound only firm background noise and begging the opening of trailer. The music reflects there day to day routine .The dialogue is were the film can shine as there is less emphasis on action and effects but more on what they are saying and how the characters react to one another. The film takes risk in what they make the characters do but these appeals to the audience as they aren’t restricted to a predictable story line. There wasn’t a lot of mise-en scene because of access to complicated props and lighting. There were only to 2 locations the video shop and the convince store al in which still made the film successful compare dot Hollywood were there would be more than 5 location. Overall the trailer reflects what the film is likely to be about no set storyline just following to guys through there day to day life and how they react to changes and the public when things go wrong. The trailer grabs the attention of the aundine and it is funny already so it gives you something to look forward to and see how the characters relationships progress.

