More questions on "Our friends in the North" Gender representations

How does 'Mary' change and how does this represent the wider context?

From this clip we can establish that 'Mary has grown more independent and somewhat more mature. Despite being in fear of 'Tosca' (her partner), she seems to retaliate and respond more to what her partner has to say. From her body language we can decipher her role within the clip. She acts unresponsive as though not paying attention to 'Tosca' however this could also be portrayed as fear, her fearing 'Tosca'.
Her character represents the wider context rather well to the female population this in turn proves that women's rights are still thought of today, however in contrast to the set time (1970's) the rights of women were developing.

What signs are there that 'Tosca' and 'Mary' hold different ideologies?

The gender convention within the clip is challenged from both perspectives of each gender. 'Mary's' ideology is that of starting to believe in the moral rights of women. The audience are able to tell that the female character is growing in confidence and is debating her viewpoint more with her partner. In contrast 'Tosca', like the previous clip, sees his role within the household as the supplier. He claims that he pays the bills and brings in financial support to his family.
He comes a across as more violent and tense.

Who is struggling with the shift in hegemony?

From the clip it is clear 'Tosca' appears to be the character who is struggling to come to terms with the shift in hegemony. He is reluctant to believe that his partner is growing in power. As their relationship worsen he is threatened by leaving the house which takes the wrong way.

How the camera work and editing is used to emphasise differences in the clip from "Our friends in the North"?

The clip on which we are analysing from "Our Friends In The North"




The clip begins with he master shot of 'Helen' and partner 'Nicky'. This shot features again later in the clip.
They appear to be very comfortable in the company of one another despite it being their first date. The female character of 'Helen' is made out to be rather snobbish, her look also gives off this impression. This stereotypical representation of the female character could be down to the idea of being from the southern region of country.

In comparison the couple in the other image (below), that being of 'Tosca' and 'Mary'. The camera work used utilises this couple, the shot is similar to the one above of the other couple, this represents a contrast between them.
These characters like the other male character 'Nicky' represent the Northern region.
'Tosca' is seen wearing a suit like the other male character, however it is known of his occupation. At that point it is possibly known that the suit is the only one owned by "Tosca".

From this screenshot we can determine a form of divide between the couple from the southern sector of the country (the couple on the left) and the couple from up North. It's as though the table represents the country.

The zoom of the camera could also connote argument.

The cold,hard stare from 'Helan' utilises her position in society. The close-up shows a state of more class compared to the image of 'Mary'.

She appears snobbish. It is as though the casters have put her into that role because of her distinctive features

Thriller film audience research

What I want to find out.....
1) The audience expectations of independent/mainstream film
2) If given the choice, what thriller film genre would you prefer to view and why?
3) If you saw a limping character, what would your perception of this person be like?
4) If at a certain location at night, how would you feel if on your own?
5) What attracts you to wanting to view a thriller film?

How I'm going to find out...
1) A written interview
2) Filmed interview
3) Questionnaire
4) Tape recording
5) A screening based around our thriller film idea
6) Mobile recording

What I expect to find out...
1) Peoples opinions on independent/mainstream films
2) Preference on thriller film genre
3) Opinions on viewing a limping character
4) Feelings/emotions on a certain location
5) What attraction thriller films have with people.

The results

I had decided to do tape recording however once i tried putting the recordings onto my blog, but i'm unable to, as videos and images are the only forms of media that can be put onto the blogs. As a result of this i am having to put the recordings into wording...
I had recorded 3 different people, all of which would fit into different age margins.
13+ Harry Jacobs (age 16)
21-40 James Keltie (age 32)
40+ Fiona Simmons (age 48)

Harry Jacob's responses to questions...
1) "I would expect to see moderate violence, weapons and car chases for mainstream films, however for independent films, i wouldn't expect anything to special such as explosions or car chases."
2) "Action, because they always have great storylines and renowned actors playing the roles of gangsters."
3) "It would depend on how they were dressed if they were dress poorly or living on the streets i would feel sorry for them whilst if the were in a suit i wouldn't think of them any different to me" 4) (Picture of dark alleyway shown) " I would feel uneasy, yet intimidated."
5) " I'm not sure, it's likely to have a great cast and a great storyline."

James Keltie's responses to questions...
1) "I would expect creepy, sinister figures in both mainstream and independent films, yet the problem is that the independent films won't have enough funding. Therefore the cast will lack experience and the film will lack special effects."
2) "Psychological as they have so many different contexts and different characters. I like putting myself in the shoes of the person solving the case, it's great fun trying to work out the case."
3) "I would feel lucky for what I've got"
4) (Picture of dark alleyway shown) " I would feel quite concerned and somewhat paranoid, continuously looking over my shoulder"
5) "Depending on what sort of thriller dictates whether or not I'll like it, but for instance in psychological thrillers I can think about the case and try and solve."

Fiona Simmons responses to questions...
1) "In a traditional thriller films, I would hope to see good acting, a puzzling plot which causes tension"
"I haven't watched any independent films before as they don't have enough publicity which is poor. If they were shown in cinemas i wouldn't mind watching them."
2) "I'm not to fussed. I enjoy Noir thrillers for there sinister settings and storylines however i don't mind watching any type of thriller."
3) "At my age I would certainly feel sorry for the person."
4) (Picture of dark alleyway shown)
"If i was there alone i would certainly have my handbag ready in such a creepy place. I would feel rather alone and vulnerable."
5) "I like how the film's suspense builds up, that's what makes a great thriller film."

Analysis

Overall I found out from the different the age groups that certain thriller films are suitable for a certain age groups. Of course my results are not conclusive as the survey was carried out by only 3 people.

From my results I can concur that the older viewers of thrillers, (those who were surveyed over the age of 21) prefer either Noir or psychological thrillers compared to the younger audience preference of action thrillers.
Question 1 was answered and the people predominatly said they preffered mainstream however they were open to the idea of watching an independent film.
All 3 people questioned said a similar answer. That being them saying that they would feel sorry for the person suffering from a limp.

the image shown to the people. It was shot off of Ber Street, behind Toni and Guy barbers' shop.

Youtube video of "The Walk"

If this video doesn't load then alternatively enter the below URL http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPF2ookmazc

Answers to Questions:

1) What camera and editing techniques and codes did you use in your film and how do they influence the audience’s understanding of the film? (e.g. camera angles and shot types etc; Match on action, Shot/ reverse shot , 180 degree rule)

When filming we used a variety of different shots in order to capture different aspects of the person within the film which develops the understanding of the film the film to capture different aspects of what the film is based on. Techniques in filming used such as the 18o degree rule which was used for the conversation between the two characters. Close-ups of the main character emphasise the storyline of "The Walk".

When it came to the editing we added transitions which added the effect of cutting to a different of where the filming took place eg: From pathway to door handle of entrance. Also the overlay of music (Paulo Nutuni- New Shoes) worked well as it fitted to the tempo of clip and fitted the storyline when it came to the conversation.

2) How did you use new technologies in your construction, planning and evaluation (e.g. digital cameras; non-linear editing software; YouTube and blog) and what skills do you have at using this technology? (Strengths and weaknesses. e.g. steady/ shakey camera; variety of shot types; smooth/ clumsy transitions; independence when using technologies…)

When it came to the filming of the clip we used tri-pods in order to keep the camera steady to keep a clean shot this was done for the conversation, however we used scruffy shots to make it look authentic for instance the shot where the camera is on the shoulder of the character. The non-linear editing software was easy to grow accustom to. the software was used to cut clips, add the soundtrack and fading out shots and adding transitions in order to crop the clip to the required 2 mins (max.). Once completed we uploaded the finished version of the prelim task onto Youtube and embedded the clip onto our blogs.

3) How successfully does your final product meet the brief?
Original Brief: “Continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. This task should demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180-degree rule.”

In my opinion the film fits the brief really well except from the point in which the dialogue between the characters cannot be heard. Therefore we added sub-titles which fit over the dialogue really well. The film features the above( in the question) of a character opening a door which features twice within the continuity task, the character crossing a room, sitting down and being involved in a conversation. The task also features the techniques of the 180 degree rule, action shots and reverse shots when it comes to the conversation.

Powerpoint on British Film Industry