Wednesday 21 September 2011
Saturday 23 July 2011
Saturday 2 July 2011
James Bond - Stop Motion
Well done Georgie, Tasha, Shaughna & Albie (& of course Samir's acting talents)!!
Saturday 18 June 2011
The Beatles - Live On The Ed Sullivan Show (Full Performance)
Look at how Andre 3000 was influenced by The Ed Sullivan show for his Hey Ya video.
Idlewild - These Wooden Ideas
A little bit of self-indulgence. I loved this band when I was a teenager and they reference postmodernism in the lyrics.
Saturday 11 June 2011
Wednesday 8 June 2011
Sunday 5 June 2011
Sunday 22 May 2011
All Watched Over By Machines of Loving Grace - BBC2 Monday, 9pm
A series of films about how humans have been colonised by the machines they have built. Although we don't realise it, the way we see everything in the world today is through the eyes of the computers.
This is the story of the dream that rose up in the 1990s that computers could create a new kind of stable world. They would bring about a new kind global capitalism free of all risk and without the boom and bust of the past. They would also abolish political power and create a new kind of democracy through the internet where millions of individuals would be connected as nodes in cybernetic systems - without hierarchy.
The film tells the story of two perfect worlds. One is the small group of disciples around the novelist Ayn Rand in the 1950s. They saw themselves as a prototype for a future society where everyone could follow their own selfish desires. The other is the global utopia that digital entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley set out to create in the 1990s. Many of them were also disciples of Ayn Rand. They believed that the new computer networks would allow the creation of a society where everyone could follow their own desires, yet there would not be anarchy. They were joined by Alan Greenspan who had also been a disciple of Ayn Rand. He became convinced that the computers were creating a new kind of stable capitalism - "Like a New Planet", he said.
But the dream of stability in both worlds would be torn apart by the two dynamic human forces - love and power.
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BAFTA Awards Tonight on BBC1 8PM
If you don't have any Sunday night revision to do, then please watch the BAFTAs on BBC1 at 8pm tonight.
Saturday 21 May 2011
Charlie Brooker's How to Report the News - Newswipe - BBC Four
If you don't already read Charlie Brooker's articles or watch his shows (Newswipe, How TV Ruined Your Life) then please start over the next few weeks. We will be using him for the Postmodern unit.
Sex & the Sitcom
http://www.bbc.co.uk/i/zwnt0/
Great films all great media students should watch
1. Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
2. Withnail & I
3. Blade Runner (1982)
4. Apocalypse Now (1979)
5. Easy Rider (1969)
6. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
7. Citizen Kane (1941) - ANY Orson Welles film
8. Dr. Strangelove (1964) - ANY Stanley Kubrick film
9. Pulp Fiction (1964)- ANY Quentin Tarantino film
10. Psycho(1960) - ANY Alfred Hitchcock film
11. Some Like It Hot (1959)
12. Breakfast At Tiffany's (19
13. Taxi Driver
14. Alien
15. Brazil
16. Donnie Darko
17. Monty Python's Life of Brian
18. Raider's of the Lost Arc
19. Reservoir Dogs
20. This is Spinal Tap
21. Frankenstein
22. Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy
23. Volver (ANY PEDRO ALMODOVER film)
24. Being John Malkovich
25. Minority Film
26. Let the Right One in
27. 12 Angry Men
28. Blazing Saddles
29. Stir Crazy (ANY MEL BROOKS FILM)
30. The Graduate
31. Groundhog Day
32. The Usual Suspects
33. Fight Club
34. Trainspotting (ANY DANNY BOYLE FILM)
That's all I can think of for the time being! Any additions are welcomed.
Congratulations Year 12!
Good luck in the rest of your exams and see you in a few weeks.
Keep an eye on my blog for film recommendations and other media related snippets to keep you busy until we begin the A2 bridging unit & Postmodernism exam unit.
Wednesday 11 May 2011
Section B: Practice Exam Questions
For each question give yourself 45 minutes to answer.
For realism purposes, answer by hand without using your notes.
I am more than happy to mark anything you give me.
- Discuss the importance of cross media convergence and synergy in production, distribution and marketing.
- How are institutions and audiences affected by technologies that have been introduced recently at the level of production, distribution, marketing and exchange?
- Discuss the significance in the proliferation of hardware and content for institutions and audiences
- Discuss the importance of technological convergence for institutions and audiences
- What are the issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences by international or global institutions?
Section B - Specification broken down
Section B: Institutions and Audiences
Candidates should be prepared to understand and discuss the processes of production, distribution, marketing and exchange as they relate to contemporary media institutions, as well as the nature of audience consumption and the relationships between audiences and institutions. In addition, candidates should be familiar with:
• the issues raised by media ownership in contemporary (current) media practice
The depth and range of ownership across a range of media and the consequences of this ownership for audiences in terms of the genres and budgets for films. How for instance, can BBC Films and Optimum Releasing survive in the British market place against the high concept, big-budget films made by Twentieth Century Fox, Warner Bros, Disney, Universal, etc.? What kinds of niche audiences are left for BBC Films to attract? Are mass audiences out of reach given the genres of films BBC Films have the budgets to make? How successful have they been in reaching mass audiences with their films? How healthy is it that just a few mega media groups can own such a range of media and can decide what the public may see, and, perhaps, shape audience's tastes?
• the importance of cross media convergence and synergy in production, distribution and marketing
Digital technology is enabling various media to converge in hubs, platforms and devices. For instance, mobiles phones do a lot more than act as hand held telephones: you can download and watch films and TV programmes, use them as alarm clocks, watches, play music on them, take photos and short films, text, go online, use GPS functions, a range of apps, and a whole lot more. New HD TVs, Playstations, X-Boxes, I-Pads, Notebooks, MacBooks, etc. are also examples of hubs which in which a variety of media technologies can converge for convenience for users. Media convergence is having an enormous impact on the film industry because of the ways in which institutions can produce and market for audiences/users on a widening range of platforms, capable of receiving their films. Synergies can come out of an organisation's size; smaller media organisations such as BBC Films can-cross promote their films, etc. but the scale of cross-media promotion is nowhere near as great as that which can be gained by massive media organisations. BBC Films is therefore unable to promote their lower budget films on a level playing field.
• the technologies that have been introduced in recent years at the levels of production, distribution, marketing and exchange
The audience's ability to interact with films by, for instance, using digital technology to put extracts on You Tube and overlay new sound tracks on them, etc. and make answering videos has been greatly enhanced by Web 2.0; Film studios can make films using CGI, greenscreen and other special effects that were impossible to make only a few years ago. The ways of filming and editing films have changed, too, with the introduction of digital film and film cameras, editing software, laptops, digital projectors, etc. Distributors market films using the latest software for designing high-concept film posters and trailers. They can use phone apps., online marketing, Face Book, etc. File-sharing and piracy are growing issues because the software exists to take the protective encryption of DVDs, etc and WEB 2.0 enables people to make and share copies of films easily. One way in which film companies are trying to get around this is by releasing films soon after theatrical release by selling them on video-on-demand, premium TV channels and downloads. US and UK cinemas chains are not happy about this, especially after all the investment some have made on digital equipment, projectors, etc. which unfortunately quickly goes very quickly out of date!
• the significance of proliferation in hardware and content for institutions and audiences
This means the increase of something: i.e. digital cameras, software, CGI, 3D films, film genres, etc. which are part of current trends; how significant is this for BBC Films? Or are they still able to be successful without it by making films with genres that do not need the latest breakthroughs in digital technology? Research the film company's use of cameras, special effects, software, posters, digital distribution of films, etc.
• the importance of technological convergence for institutions and audiences
This is a WEB 2.0 issue and how technology is coming together in hubs like laptops is one of the features of our age; the mobile phone in your pocket is a great example of technological convergence: it can do so much more than a simple phone call; think how this is affecting film making at the production, marketing and exhibition stages? The Internet is acting as a hub for many aspects of film: you will find film posters, You Tube videos on films, interviews, trailers, official film and blog websites, etc. on it. Audiences can also remake their own films by creating extracts and running new scores over them and then posting them on You Tube. This often leads to answering videos, never mind the comments, etc. that people make on such sites. The internet, film and videos games seems to be converging in so many ways. People can watch films in a range of ways, using an astonishing range of hardware and software. They can also find audiences of their own. This amounts to free publicity for film institutions for their films and "A Long Tail" sales into the future through endless exchange.
• the issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences (specifically, British) by international or global institutions
British film makers often make social realism films and aim them at local and regional audiences whereas this would never be enough for the major media players who tend to make high budget, high concept films.
• the ways in which the candidates’ own experiences of media consumption illustrate wider patterns and trends of audience behaviour
How you consume films whether it is as a social activity after visiting a shopping centre or on an MP4 player or Playstation, is what is at issue here. Visit Pearl and Dean to see how multiplex cinemas are adapting the experience of cinema-going to gain audiences. In an age of falling DVD sales, home cinema and an increase in downloading for both music and film audiences are changing in how they want to consume film. Identify trends and consider where the audience trends are going in the near future.
Sunday 8 May 2011
A break from revision
If you're getting a bit tired from all the revising you are doing then take a 15 minute break to watch one of my favourite short films, 'Logorama'. How many logos can you spot?
Monday 2 May 2011
Midsomer Murders: Ethnicity row
Amazon takes control of LoveFilm
http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2011/jan/20/amazon-buys-lovefilm
Revision Booklet
Obviously they have different case studies, but some of the key term definitions will be useful.
Wednesday 27 April 2011
Discuss the ways in which media products are produced and distributed to audiences within a media area you have studied.
Twentieth Century Fox produced and distributed Avatar (directed by James Cameron, 2009) which became the highest grossing film of all time ($2.8 billion), beating the previous record of Titanic (also directed by James Cameron and produced by Twentieth Century Fox). Avatar was first conceptualised 15 years ago, but Cameron had to wait for the technology to develop in order to realise his vision. With a budget of $237 million, Avatar would become an epic production feat, unlike any other film prior.
Avatar relied heavily on cross media convergence and synergy in its production. Twentieth Century Fox worked with WETA and numerous other studios to help them with developing 3D technology. For example, they developed the fusion camera which allowed them to motion capture the actors and then view it immediately as CGI. This was a very expensive and time consuming process initially because they needed to learn how to use the camera and develop skills in using it. However, in the long run, it was good for other films as they can now use the same technology. Sigourney Weaver liked the new technology because she could be any species and it gave her freedom to be whatever species she wanted to be. This contrasts with general opinion that CGI eradicates the need for actors. Actually, what it does is enhance actors and in cases eradicate the need for costly extras in epic films like Avatar. Using technology like this means, like within in the invented world of Pandora, Cameron could literally create his own world completely from scratch. Instead of having to spend hours building the set, lighting the set and applying make up to the actors, it could all be achieved through CGI effects, which ultimately is more time and cost effective.
Because Twentieth Century Fox is a mainstream major film company they can afford to let directors experiment with the film making process in the way Cameron did. They can afford to take huge risks because they have a strong success rate in high grossing movies (such as Star Wars and X Men). They are able to accelerate visual effects technology and potentially reinvent the way in which films are made.
Firstly, there are a lot of issues raised in contemporary media practice. One major issue is dominance. Major companies like Twentieth Century Fox which both produced and distributed the film Avatar (2009). As it can do both of these, not only for Avatar, there is a danger of this major company dominating in cinema in the near future which could have a major impact on the audience. As Twentieth Century Fox targets and appeals to a mass audience, they will, in a way, condition their whole audience into having the same ideology as them. Similarly, contemporary issues with people such as Rupert Murdoch highlight another danger of dominating the media world. If this happens, potentially it could be very dangerous to a wide range of audiences as it will change their views. This is called The Hypodermic Needle theory which is a theory that if a company or person has dominance over a mass of people then the public/audience will just take it and ‘follow the crowd’. A major issue with Brighton Rock (2011), BBC films, was money and audience reception. The budget for Brighton Rock was £6million and their gross profit (to date) is £1 million. This is a huge loss for BBC films and Optimum releasing. Audience reception was also an issue raised because not many people actually knew about the film. This is due to their poor marketing campaign. They didn’t market the film successfully, which meant only a small amount of people went to see the film which is why cinemas stopped showing the film as they were not benefiting from it.
Twentieth Century Fox worked with WETA and numerous other studios they needed so many companies to help them with developing technology. For example, the fusion camera which allowed them to motion captures the actors and then views it immediately as a CGI. This was very expensive and time consuming because they needed to learn how to use the camera and develop skills in using it. However, in the long run, it was good for other films as they can now use the same technology. Sigourney Weaver liked the new technology because she could be any species and it gave her freedom to be whatever species she wanted to be. This contrasts with general opinion that CGI eradicates the need for actors. Actually, what it does is enhance actors and in cases eradicate the need for costly extras in epic films like avatar.
Avatar and Twentieth Century Fox help to revolutionalise the way films are distributed. Traditionally films were distributed on 35mm film reels, however, prior to the release of Avatar many mainstream and independent cinemas began the process of installing digital projectors in their cinemas. Although this was short term expenditure, the benefits can be seen for both mainstream and independent institutions. Firstly, because the quality of digital distribution ensures less jittery or flawed film quality and secondly the cost of producing and distributing a film reel is less than that of a disc or download. Despite the obvious pros to this method of distribution, there are negatives, primarily in the ability to create pirate copies of films via illegal downloads and copying discs. The film industry has tried to combat this by using Blu-ray discs which are encoded and not easily pirated. Another method to combat piracy is the actual 3D experience which cannot currently be recreated successfully in the home. Despite this, Avatar was the most illegally downloaded film of 2010. Clearly the film industry will always have to battle piracy and continue to think of strategies to prevent it.
Brighton Rock was also digitally distributed, which was a direct benefit of mainstream film profits. Optimum Releasing would not have been able to install digital projectors into cinemas themselves and therefore gained from institutions such as Twentieth Century Fox.
Distribution companies determine when and where films are distributed. Avatar was scheduled for release in cinemas on December 9th 2009. This was a perfect time for families to view it over the Christmas holidays and was also tactical to ensure it would be eligible for Academy awards. When it was released it was exhibited in 502 cinemas in the UK – primarily multiplexes and IMAX cinemas. This enabled the film to reach the widest possible audience. In comparison, Brighton Rock was released in February 2011 – during a quiet cinematic period. This was purposeful to ensure that it did not have to tackle massive competition. It was distributed to 92 cinemas in the UK initially, but this rapidly dropped to less than 20 cinemas, which were mainly Independent cinemas, emphasising its targeting at a niche audience.
I went to see Brighton Rock at the Prince Charles Cinema. My experience of an Independent cinema was very different to visiting larger multiplexes. It was much more intimate and I was surprised to find that no trailers were shown before the film. This indicates to me that the experience of viewing films in Independent cinemas is less of consuming a product and more engaging with high end culture.
Avatar first started marketing and exhibition in August 2009 where a 16 minute clip of the film was shown in 100 IMAX cinemas worldwide. Following this was a release of the video game via Ubisoft which was an innovative marketing strategy because usually the film is released first. This was synergy between Avatar and Ubisoft. They also synergised with Coca Cola and Mattel through interactive digital marketing campaigns where the audience could create 3D Avatars online by scanning barcodes on the products. Following the release of the film in the cinema the distribution of the Avatar DVD/Blu-ray was coincided with ‘Earth Day’ to maximise marketing potential. This emphasises how politically charged the film is in terms of environmental issues and could potentially comply with the ‘Copycat theory’ that audiences wish to copy the characters in the film. Indeed, tragically some audience members committed suicide after becoming disillusioned with the fact that they could not become ‘Avatars’. This exemplifies how dangerous films can be for audiences.
Brighton Rock held their film premiere in London’s Leicester Square. Although they had a reasonably extravagant premiere with extras dressed as Mods and Rockers riding mopeds, their follow up campaign was minimal. This is partly because Brighton Rock is aimed at a niche audience. They did not have the same budget as Avatar to saturate the media with merchandise and interactive promotion. Arguably Brighton Rock had to rely upon the star appeal of Dame Helen Mirren, John Hurt and Andy Serkis to encourage film viewers to watch Brighton Rock. Optimum Releasing also own the rights to the original 1947 Brighton Rock film starring Richard Attenborough, which fits in their convention of producing dramas and thriller genre films. The producers of Brighton Rock were keen to emphasise that it was not a remake, but a reimagining because of the time shift from the 1930s to 1960s. This appealed to audiences because the 1960s were an iconic and fashionable time for Brighton with key elements relatable to contemporary audiences, such as the gang culture and criminal violence which underpin the film. However, you could argue that audience members have become desensitised to violence. Perhaps even the certification of Brighton Rock as a 15 (compared to Avatar 12) meant that it was inaccessible to a broad audience.
Brighton Rock’s website includes elements of technological convergence through the inclusion of links to social networking sites, YouTube and a 1960s vintage clothing website called ‘Merc’. This shows that Brighton Rock is not only distributing itself as a film, but is also encouraging an aspirational lifestyle. You can dress up as ‘Pinkie’. You can become him if you want to. Brighton Rock is also now available to pre-order on websites such Amazon. It is so much easier for films to distribute themselves to the home viewing market these days. Avatar is already available for rental on sites such as LoveFilm and played a major part in the promotion of Sky Movies 3D channel. Indeed, over half of the UK population saw at least 6 films every quarter last year, exemplifying how important the film industry is for media consumers.
In conclusion, distribution and production of films differs hugely depending on the type of institution. Mainstream institutions such as Twentieth Century Fox continue to dominate box office figures and the future of Independent institutions is in potential jeopardy because of funding cuts. The film industry remains ever changing and fluid in its ability to respond to audience demands, embracing technology and showing its capability to synergise effectively.
Monday 25 April 2011
How Twentieth Century Fox Rule the Media World
Thursday 14 April 2011
Tuesday 5 April 2011
Thursday 31 March 2011
Wednesday 30 March 2011
Tuesday 29 March 2011
Wednesday 23 March 2011
Saturday 5 March 2011
Montage
Type in a theme and create a montage of web content related to it. For example, type in 'Avatar' and then publish. You could even embed a link to your Avatar page in your blog!
Saturday 26 February 2011
Wednesday 16 February 2011
Half-term homework
These are the tasks I would like you to complete over your week off (no rest for the wicked!)
1) Select an extract from my blog page and analyse as you would in the exam and upload onto your blog
2) Begin to research Brighton Rock (2011) and Avatar (2010) by finding reviews of it online, in newspapers or on television (Film 2011 - Claudia Winkleman reviewed it/Newsnight etc). Save these reviews (don't upload to your blog yet).
I will be holding weekly Section A help classes after school on Thursdays. In the session I will make sure you are able to make notes effectively and analyse representation. If you want to come to any of these sessions please comment on this post and let me know.
If you can't make any after school sessions then we can arrange a lunchtime/free period one.
Have a lovely half-term!
Section B Specification
•the importance of cross media convergence and synergy in production, distribution and marketing;
•the technologies that have been introduced in recent years at the levels of production, distribution, marketing and exchange;
•the significance of proliferation in hardware and content for institutions and audiences;
•the importance of technological convergence for institutions and audiences;
•the issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences (specifically, British) by international or global institutions;
•the ways in which the candidates’ own experiences of media consumption illustrate wider patterns and trends of audience behaviour.
This unit should be approached through contemporary examples in the form of case studies based upon one of the specified media areas.
Film
A study of a specific studio or production company within a contemporary film industry that targets a British audience (eg Hollywood, Bollywood, UK film), including its patterns of production, distribution, exhibition and consumption by audiences. This should be accompanied by study of contemporary film distribution practices (digital cinemas, DVD, HD-DVD, downloads, etc) and their impact upon production, marketing and consumption.
Saturday 12 February 2011
AS G322 revision booklet pt1 (Film Industry)
Sunday 6 February 2011
Homework due by Wednesday
I hope you all had productive and inspiring work experiences.
Just to remind you that your essays are due Wednesday.
You can either do it on White Girl or select one of the other clips in my previous blog post.
I expect these to be 45 minutes worth of writing (like in the exam) and to cover all 4 aspects (camera, sound, editing, mise en scene).
You will be doing an exam in our Wednesday lesson and then we'll move onto Section B.
Saturday 29 January 2011
Section A Exam Prep
Try to follow the exam conditions where you will only view the extract 4 times before writing for approximately 45mins.
Please post all responses onto your blog for me to mark.
Ethnicity = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C60mtKUaBB0&feature=related
Gender = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Bbre41Q6-s&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6cDs1FGKo-I&feature=related
Sexuality = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCoRrVquolk&feature=related
Age = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6GI3XIuO2Y
Regional Identity = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY_pgqX8qyo&feature=related
Class/Status = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VTBOoW-hR-0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7pJhL-A8XyE&feature=related
Physical Ability/Disability = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LT0zjvDg5tc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auSAGvpM7W8
Thursday 27 January 2011
Friday's Media Lesson
Please find attached the work we will be using in Friday's P2 lesson (1B4).
We will be looking at mark schemes to further enable you to write high standard Section A exam answers.
Instructions:
1) Watch the YouTube clip from the January 2009 Exam.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTQDipfN8JA
The questions was: How is age represented in this extract?
(Monarch of the Glen)
Jot down any notes you would make in order to answer this question.
2) Open up the word document - Section A Markscheme (I will also be printing and photocopying this for you)
3) Open up the word document - Example answers
There are 3 different answers from that exam. Use the markscheme to grade them.
Basically you give a Level for each AO.
E.g you might mark an answer like this:
Explanations/analysis/argument - Low Level 3
Use of examples - High Level 2
Use of terminology - Low Level 3
4) What areas do you think you need to work on to achieve a Level 4? Write it down in an email to me.
5) Mark your essay on 'White Girl' so far. What do you need to add??
6) HOMEWORK: Re-write your essay on 'White Girl'. I cannot stress how important it is that you complete a FULL response to this, as if you were in the exam. I will then grade this and you will have a clear ideas whether you are meeting your target grade or not. EMAIL IT TO ME BY NEXT WEDNESDAY LATEST.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbYADp56lDc
NEXT WEDNESDAY WE WILL HAVE A SECTION A MOCK EXAM. SO REVISE KEY TERMS AND BE PREPARED!!
Then we will move onto SECTION B.
Tuesday 25 January 2011
How is AGE represented in this extract?
Please analyse this extract from the TV Drama 'White Girl' (BBC) referring to:
Camera angles, movement, composition
Editing
Sound
Mise en scene
In Friday's lesson we will be marking your work together so it is VITAL that you do this essay to the best of your ability.
Sunday 23 January 2011
TV Drama Update
Wednesday 5 January 2011
Homework
Watch either Downton Abbey or Upstairs Downstairs
OR Lark Rise to Candleford starts back on Sunday.
Analyse a 4 minute clip as you would in the exam.
I suggest focusing on Class/Status
http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/tv/categories/drama/classic_and_period
Edit: Upstairs Downstairs is no longer on iPlayer. Use Youtube instead or watch one of the Costume/period dramas currently available on iPlayer.
Sunday 2 January 2011
Upstairs Downstairs
