Media Theory

1. Classic Hollywood Narrative

The classic Hollywood structure is a dominant form of storytelling in cinema that was introduced between 1920's-1930's. It follows a set of unspoken rules, typically expected from the audience and is still commonly used in today's cinema.

The '3 Act Structure'

1. Problem is introduced early in the film (This takes up around 25% of the film)
2. Characters work on this problem (This would take up around 50% of the film)
3. By the end, the problem should be solved (This would take up 25% of the film)


2. Vladimer Propp

Vladimer Propp suggested that every narrative has 8 different character types. These are;

• The hero- A character that seeks something (normally a girl and a weapon)
• The Villain- Opposes or blocks the hero's request
• The Donor- Provides an object with magical properties
• The Dispatcher- Sends hero on his/her quest via a message
• The false hero- Disrupts hero success by making false claims
• The helper- Aids the hero
• The Princess- Acts as the reward for the hero, and object of the villains plot.
• The Father- Who acts to reward the hero for his effort

3. Izetan Todorov

Todorov suggested that stories begin with an equilibrium where any potential forces are balanced. There are 5 stages:

1. A state of equilibrium set from the outset.
2. Disruption of the equilibrium
3. Recognition that a disruption has occurred
4. An attempt to repair the disruption
5. A reinstatement of the equilibrium 

This can can normally be applied to any mainstream film narrative.

4. Roland Barthes

Barthes suggested that there will be one or more of the 5 codes that describe a meaning of a text.

1. Enigma/ Hermeneutic Code- This is a mystery within the text, clues are given but no clear answers are given. This makes the audience want to know more, and when unanswered they tend to frustrate the audience.
2. Proairetic/ Action Code- This adds elements of action and add suspense.
3. Semantic code- suggests or refers to additional meanings.
4. Symbolic Code- This is about symbolism within the text. Exercises opposites to show contrast and create greater meaning, creating tension/drama and character development.
5. Referential code- This refers to anything within the text which refers to an exgternal body of knowledge such as scientific, historical and cultural knowledge.

5. Claude Levi Strauss

Argued that all narratives could be reduced down to binary opposites. 

• good vs evil
• boy vs girl
• black vs white
• young vs old
• strong vs weak

and many more...

Thriller Conventions

Thriller Conventions

Thrillers normally have fast pacing and frequent action, with a resourceful hero who must spoil the plans of more powerful and better equipped villain. The villain presents obstacles for the hero overcome. Thrillers normally continue with typical structures, the main ones are suspense, red herrings and cliffhangers.

Thrillers normally take place in exotic locations such as foreign cities. The heroes are frequently already accustomed to danger, like a spy or a treasure hunter. However, they can be ordinary citizens drawn into the danger, perfect example is 'North by Northwest'. While the stereotype for the protagonist is to be male, woman are increasingly sneaking into the lead roles as we carry on through society.

Thrillers differ through mystery's. In thrillers, the hero must prevent the futures plans of the antagonist, rather than uncover the crime that has already happened. The typical crimes that must be prevented are serial or mass murder, terrorism, assassination etc. The standard plot evolves around danger and violence. The climax of a thriller is when the hero and villain have the final face off, where the hero will typically win. IF IT 'THRILLS' YOU, ITS A THRILLER.

Types of thrillers

legal thriller

spy thriller

action/adventure thriller

medical thriller

police thriller

romantic thriller

historical thriller

political thriller

religious thriller

high-tech thriller

It is one of the open genres in the film industry.

Not only this, these genres can include SUB-GENRES!:

• conspiracy
• crime
• disaster
• drama
• erotic
• legal
• physiological

Sound task

So this was to help settle us into how to film, have dialogue (as its a sound task) and also help us how to edit once filmed. It had to be a short storyline, so we decided to have two girls who used to be friends have an argument...

Sound
So the dialogue wasn't too clear. Beata was much more quiet because her character  was more reserved, while Manjeet was much more loud as she was angry and shouting at Beata. This wasn't helped by the fact is was very windy, and that made it much more harder to get  some clear, distinct dialogue. At the end of the film it cuts to a black screen with the title "The lost Friendship" with music running over the top. So what has all of this taught us? Well, we learnt that we need to try and film on a less windy day, we need to make sure the microphone is at a suitable length so we pick up the dialogue clearly. 

Shots
In filming we tried to get in much as shots as possible. These included:

• Mid shot
• Close up
• Tracking shot 
• Over the shoulder
• Long shot
• Wide shot
• Point of view 
• Extreme closeup
• Establishing shot. 

So what has this taught us. It taught us to get as many shots possible, whether we need them or not, because it's always handy to have them on the side in case we changed our mind. It also taught us to make sure we don't get people into the shots, with one of us maybe having to take up the role of floor manager to make sure we keep the space clear while we film.

Genre

Genre

Genre is the term for any category of literature or other forms of art or entertainment, e.g. music, whether written or spoken, audial or visual, based on some set of stylistic criteria. Genres are formed by conventions that change over time as new genres are invented and the use of old ones are discontinued.

There are MANY genres, these includes: 

• Action/adventure
• Comedy
• Crime
• Fantasy
• Horror
• Mystery
• Romance
• Thriller

                                                                   

Genres have become a massive part of film, as people in todays society always have a favourite. They change over time, for example, 50's were westerns and 2000's have become big for horrors. Film is constantly changing, so directors need to be aware of whats happening around them in the film industry.

The two major categories, or genres, are fiction (about things, events, and characters that are not true) and nonfiction (about things, events, and people that are based on fact). From these two major categories, we can classify even further.

Fiction can be classified by content and theme. Here is where we find our common genres: adventure stories, science fiction/fantasy, mystery, horror, romance, realistic fiction, and historical fiction. 

One thing to keep in mind while reading different texts: genre categories aren’t always clear-cut. You can have a crime/mystery story set in the future (science fiction) or in the past (historical fiction).  

The Brief

The brief

I have been given a task to produce the titles and opening sequence of a new fiction film in the thriller genre.

The sequence will have to last a maximum of two minutes.

I am allowed to work in a group with maximum of four more people.

Acting is not going to be assessed so I am allowed to ask people who are not in my group to be in my sequence.

• This film is going to be worth 60% of my coursework grade.

• My blogs will be worth the other 40% of my coursework grade.

• All together the Foundation Portfolio is going to be worth 50%of my overall AS Level.  

Welcome

Hi, my names Ryan and this is my AS media blog. This blog will track my progress throughout, including my films and evaluations. It will track my progress as I learn about the conventions of 'thrillers'.