The Departed (2006)
Director: Martin Scorsese
Genre: Action, Thriller, Crime
Running Time: 151 Minutes
The Departed was released on October 6, 2006 to overwhelmingly positive reviews.The film is one of the highest-rated wide release films of 2006The film grossed $26,887,467 in its opening weekend, becoming the third Scorsesefilm to debut at #1. the film is believed to be the most commercially successful of Scorsese's featuresand is his highest-grossing film to date,
Vacancy (2007)
Director: Nimród Antal
Genre: Horror, Mystery, Thriller
Running time: 85 min
Vacancy opened at #4 in its first week at the box office grossing $7.6 million at 2,551 locations.The film has grossed a total of $28.4 million worldwide.
Monday, 16 November 2009
“Vacancy” and “The Departed” Opening sequence analysis
The opening sequence of “Vacancy” sets the atmosphere and tone for the rest of the film, introducing characters, but not telling us that much about them, creating a sense that we do not know everything, and that there is more than the film tells us. Straight away, we can tell that this is a horror subgenre of thrillers, from the darkness, and the fear and suspense it is aiming to build up in the audience.
This is carried on throughout the rest of the opening sequence, as the dark obscures whatever is beyond the road, and the two main characters argue over things we are not informed about.
There is also an anticlimax, at the point when the car almost hits the (racoon?). The music builds up, and we are shown the silhouette of the animal in the cars headlights, as if it is something dangerous. What happens next, however (the car makes a sudden stop and skids off the road) has an impact on the rest of the film in that it damages the car, causing them to stop off later on. Pathetic fallacy is used to an extent, it being at night. This is something that you could say is a convention of thrillers, as the genre uses it a lot to create whichever atmosphere it is trying to portray.
Another point about the opening sequence of “vacancy” is the very long credits at the very beginning. The credits alone tell us something about the film we are about to see, with black and red being the dominant colours, and the music being very dramatic, and foreboding.
“The Departed” is an example of a very different subgenre of thrillers, the gangster film, and the opening sequence uses very different tactics to create a very different atmosphere and setting within the film. Conventions, almost clichés, of the gangster movie are used. An example of this is the narrator, who has an almost typical gangster voice. There are many similar films which open in a very similar way, which, in a way, is very suitable for a very well established genre of film, and does not detract from the opening in any way, merely informing us of the type of film we are watching.
One thing that “The Departed” has in common with “Vacancy” is that we get the sense of a background that goes far beyond what we see in the opening, as we see a flashback, involving one of the characters, who has already been established as a man who doesn’t care about morals or human life, shoots two people, along with someone else. We are not told anything about this, but we can assume that it has something to do with the boy he is talking to.
This is carried on throughout the rest of the opening sequence, as the dark obscures whatever is beyond the road, and the two main characters argue over things we are not informed about.
There is also an anticlimax, at the point when the car almost hits the (racoon?). The music builds up, and we are shown the silhouette of the animal in the cars headlights, as if it is something dangerous. What happens next, however (the car makes a sudden stop and skids off the road) has an impact on the rest of the film in that it damages the car, causing them to stop off later on. Pathetic fallacy is used to an extent, it being at night. This is something that you could say is a convention of thrillers, as the genre uses it a lot to create whichever atmosphere it is trying to portray.
Another point about the opening sequence of “vacancy” is the very long credits at the very beginning. The credits alone tell us something about the film we are about to see, with black and red being the dominant colours, and the music being very dramatic, and foreboding.
“The Departed” is an example of a very different subgenre of thrillers, the gangster film, and the opening sequence uses very different tactics to create a very different atmosphere and setting within the film. Conventions, almost clichés, of the gangster movie are used. An example of this is the narrator, who has an almost typical gangster voice. There are many similar films which open in a very similar way, which, in a way, is very suitable for a very well established genre of film, and does not detract from the opening in any way, merely informing us of the type of film we are watching.
One thing that “The Departed” has in common with “Vacancy” is that we get the sense of a background that goes far beyond what we see in the opening, as we see a flashback, involving one of the characters, who has already been established as a man who doesn’t care about morals or human life, shoots two people, along with someone else. We are not told anything about this, but we can assume that it has something to do with the boy he is talking to.
Wednesday, 11 November 2009
Film Research
BRITISH FILM
Man on Wire (2008)
Genre: documentary
Directed by : James Marsh
Produced by : Simon Chinn - Wall to Wall
Starring : Philippe Petit
It competed in the World Cinema Documentary Competition at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, where
it won the Grand Jury Prize: World Cinema Documentary and the World Cinema Audience Award: Documentary.
In February 2009, the film won the BAFTA for Outstanding British Film, the Independent Spirit Awards and the
Academy Award for Best Documentary.
£1.1m budget
box-office stands at $4.8m
HOLLYWOOD FILM
Tropic Thunder (2008)
Genre: Comedy
Directed by : Ben Stiller
Produced by : Stuart Cornfeld
Eric McLeod
Ben Stiller
Written by : Ben Stiller
Justin Theroux
Etan Cohen
Starring : Ben Stiller
Robert Downey, Jr.
Jack Black
Brandon T. Jackson
Jay Baruchel
The film and its cast were nominated for several awards from various groups including the Screen Actors Guild,
Broadcast Film Critics Association, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences."Hollywood Comedy of
the Year Award" at the 12th annual Hollywood Film Festival on October 27, 2008.nominated for Best Motion Picture,
Comedy or Musical, for the Satellite Awards.Downey nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.Broadcast Film
Critics Association nominated Downey for Best Supporting Actor and awarded Tropic Thunder Best Comedy Movie at the
BFCA's Critics' Choice Awards.Downey and Cruise received nominations from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association
for Golden Globes for Best Supporting Actor.Boston Society of Film Critics recognized the cast with its Best Ensemble
award.Downey was also nominated by both the Screen Actors Guild and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts
for Best Supporting Actor awards.
grossed $180 million in theaters
couldn't find cinema attendance.
Man on Wire (2008)
Genre: documentary
Directed by : James Marsh
Produced by : Simon Chinn - Wall to Wall
Starring : Philippe Petit
It competed in the World Cinema Documentary Competition at the 2008 Sundance Film Festival, where
it won the Grand Jury Prize: World Cinema Documentary and the World Cinema Audience Award: Documentary.
In February 2009, the film won the BAFTA for Outstanding British Film, the Independent Spirit Awards and the
Academy Award for Best Documentary.
£1.1m budget
box-office stands at $4.8m
HOLLYWOOD FILM
Tropic Thunder (2008)
Genre: Comedy
Directed by : Ben Stiller
Produced by : Stuart Cornfeld
Eric McLeod
Ben Stiller
Written by : Ben Stiller
Justin Theroux
Etan Cohen
Starring : Ben Stiller
Robert Downey, Jr.
Jack Black
Brandon T. Jackson
Jay Baruchel
The film and its cast were nominated for several awards from various groups including the Screen Actors Guild,
Broadcast Film Critics Association, and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences."Hollywood Comedy of
the Year Award" at the 12th annual Hollywood Film Festival on October 27, 2008.nominated for Best Motion Picture,
Comedy or Musical, for the Satellite Awards.Downey nominated for Best Actor in a Supporting Role.Broadcast Film
Critics Association nominated Downey for Best Supporting Actor and awarded Tropic Thunder Best Comedy Movie at the
BFCA's Critics' Choice Awards.Downey and Cruise received nominations from the Hollywood Foreign Press Association
for Golden Globes for Best Supporting Actor.Boston Society of Film Critics recognized the cast with its Best Ensemble
award.Downey was also nominated by both the Screen Actors Guild and the British Academy of Film and Television Arts
for Best Supporting Actor awards.
grossed $180 million in theaters
couldn't find cinema attendance.
Thursday, 5 November 2009
Production tips
Diegesis- It is a good idea to consider the use of Diegetic and Non-Diegetic material (especially sound). "Diegetic" refers to material that is heard by people in the film, or is part of the production. Non-Diegetic, on the other hand, is material that has been added in afterwards, and is there merely to enhance the experience for the audience. Some material can be both Diegetic and Non-Diegetic, such as the thoughts of a character in a film, which can be heard by that character, but not by the others.
Micro and Macro origination- It is a very good idea not to start filming straight away, but planning ahead with ideas and storyboards, making sure that what you are making doesn't fall out of the conventions of the genre you are trying to make it fit into. You must consider things like how the audience will react to the film, as they will most likely be used to the genre, and notice if anything seems out of place. A three stage process must befollowed. First you must study the conventions of the genre using the micro-macro strategy, before developing a narrative instantly recognisable to the intended audience as fitting into the particular genre, and spending time shooting and editing material so that it looks right for the genre, and doesn't break conventions.
Camera work and framing- Use a tripod to steady the camera when shooting unless you want the footage to lookshaky to achieve a desired effect. Most shots should be done without moving the camera, so that moving becomes an exception to the norm. It is a bad idea to zoom if you which the footage to look professional, although itcan be used to acheive the effect of amateur footage. Widescreen framing should be used, and close ups shouldbe few and far between as they are normally used much less in film than on television, as the intended screen is much larger. Long shots and mid shots should be the most used, with close ups and extreme close ups being reserved for special occasions. The rule of thirds principle should be used, and people and objects to be filmed slightly off centre if you whish peoples eyes to be drawn to them, avoiding the centre of the image. You must consider how you combine shots, and think of what it will suggest to the audience, like the transition from long shot to mid shot to close up, which emphasizes action and location, allowing you to switch to a conversation, for example. Think about camera angles and what they symbolise to the audience. Low angle shots suggest the viewer being less powerful than whatever is in the shot, and high angle suggests the opposite. This can be highly influential in how the audience reacts to the film
Mise en scene- Mise en scene is about creating a belivable world within the limitations of the film and a good atmosphere for the type of film you are aiming to make. It requires careful and detailed choice of props, costume, lighting and locations. It requires you to have attention to detail when making the film. Examples of Mise en Scene not being considered would be costume changes or haircuts in the middle of filming, as this couldcompletely ruin the atmosphere. Good acting is also something to consider when thinking about Mise en Scene.
Lighting- Using natural light is always a good technique when thinking about lighting, although you may have to wait for the right conditions. If you use artificial light, such as candles, torches, or car headlights, you must make sure you have carried out risk assessments.Colour filters can be used, such as filming through coloured liquids or vases, and can achieve some interesing effects. Consider Mise en Scene when positioning lighting, as the way it shines can effect the atmosphere of a scene.
Combining sound, image and titles- Font, coulour and size, should be consiered, and should also be appropriate to the atmosphere and genre of the film. The timing (how long the title stays on, and when and how it appears) must also be considered, as this will have an effect on the audience's perception of the beginning of the film, and whether they enjoy iy or not. The titles can inform people straight away what kind of film they are supposedto be watching. The music also has a semiotic effect on the way the audience sees the film, and must be chesen carefully to add to the ambience of the film, and the titles themselves.
The grammar of non-linear editing- There are rules which need to be followed when editing a film using non-linear video editing software. These involve using the right transitions, and timing the scenes correctly. You must keep this within the conventions of the type of film you are creating and not just choose it because it is exciting. Hard cuts should be used for the majority of the film, so that the editing is not noticable in the final product. This is the main rule; that whatever you do when editing the film, the editing should be virtually invisible in the finished film, as over the top editing could ruin the ambience.
Micro and Macro origination- It is a very good idea not to start filming straight away, but planning ahead with ideas and storyboards, making sure that what you are making doesn't fall out of the conventions of the genre you are trying to make it fit into. You must consider things like how the audience will react to the film, as they will most likely be used to the genre, and notice if anything seems out of place. A three stage process must befollowed. First you must study the conventions of the genre using the micro-macro strategy, before developing a narrative instantly recognisable to the intended audience as fitting into the particular genre, and spending time shooting and editing material so that it looks right for the genre, and doesn't break conventions.
Camera work and framing- Use a tripod to steady the camera when shooting unless you want the footage to lookshaky to achieve a desired effect. Most shots should be done without moving the camera, so that moving becomes an exception to the norm. It is a bad idea to zoom if you which the footage to look professional, although itcan be used to acheive the effect of amateur footage. Widescreen framing should be used, and close ups shouldbe few and far between as they are normally used much less in film than on television, as the intended screen is much larger. Long shots and mid shots should be the most used, with close ups and extreme close ups being reserved for special occasions. The rule of thirds principle should be used, and people and objects to be filmed slightly off centre if you whish peoples eyes to be drawn to them, avoiding the centre of the image. You must consider how you combine shots, and think of what it will suggest to the audience, like the transition from long shot to mid shot to close up, which emphasizes action and location, allowing you to switch to a conversation, for example. Think about camera angles and what they symbolise to the audience. Low angle shots suggest the viewer being less powerful than whatever is in the shot, and high angle suggests the opposite. This can be highly influential in how the audience reacts to the film
Mise en scene- Mise en scene is about creating a belivable world within the limitations of the film and a good atmosphere for the type of film you are aiming to make. It requires careful and detailed choice of props, costume, lighting and locations. It requires you to have attention to detail when making the film. Examples of Mise en Scene not being considered would be costume changes or haircuts in the middle of filming, as this couldcompletely ruin the atmosphere. Good acting is also something to consider when thinking about Mise en Scene.
Lighting- Using natural light is always a good technique when thinking about lighting, although you may have to wait for the right conditions. If you use artificial light, such as candles, torches, or car headlights, you must make sure you have carried out risk assessments.Colour filters can be used, such as filming through coloured liquids or vases, and can achieve some interesing effects. Consider Mise en Scene when positioning lighting, as the way it shines can effect the atmosphere of a scene.
Combining sound, image and titles- Font, coulour and size, should be consiered, and should also be appropriate to the atmosphere and genre of the film. The timing (how long the title stays on, and when and how it appears) must also be considered, as this will have an effect on the audience's perception of the beginning of the film, and whether they enjoy iy or not. The titles can inform people straight away what kind of film they are supposedto be watching. The music also has a semiotic effect on the way the audience sees the film, and must be chesen carefully to add to the ambience of the film, and the titles themselves.
The grammar of non-linear editing- There are rules which need to be followed when editing a film using non-linear video editing software. These involve using the right transitions, and timing the scenes correctly. You must keep this within the conventions of the type of film you are creating and not just choose it because it is exciting. Hard cuts should be used for the majority of the film, so that the editing is not noticable in the final product. This is the main rule; that whatever you do when editing the film, the editing should be virtually invisible in the finished film, as over the top editing could ruin the ambience.
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