Planning- Case Study into Opening Scene

Sinister presentation from blueskyproduction

This is our sinister presentation. Throughout this presentation we have written about four different aspects that build suspense within horrors. We have written about supernatural aspects, point of view shots, filters/burred images/low key lighting and special effects. 

Planning- Lighting

High Key Lighting: When it comes to lighting there are three key positions of lighting around the subject. One is behind the subject to the side the other two are in front of the subject on either side. This makes sure there are no shadows on the subject. This is called high key lighting, it is used to represent happy, comedy, calm and dialogue scenes. This relates to the picture on the left because it shows two girls, looking at the camera without any shadows presented on their faces.

 

Low key lighting: These are two examples of low key lighting. Low key lighting is when only certain parts of the face are lit. This creates shadows depending on where the light is positioned. In these two examples the light is placed below the chin which has an effect on where the shadows appear.  In the first picture, the background is virtually black which creates a greater effect. In the second picture, the background is more lit, which makes the shadows less prominent.This is used in horror, suspense and mystery scenes. 


Inappropriate Lighting: A light source behind the subjects, creates less prominent details on the individuals. This means facial expressions/features cannot be viewed as clearly as they should be. The picture on the left is an example of this negative effect.

Planning - Binary Structures

Planning - Binary Structure: Binary structure is a representation which is broken down into two parts one being the correct for ideal the other being incorrect. Below are a set of images I have selected from a secondary source online. Each photo is an example of how media institutions use binary structures to represent characters through the use of stereotypes using examples such as age, race, class, gender, sexuality and region.

AGE:

As you can see below are a set of two images that represent two different age groups. The one on the left is an example of a young/middle aged male and the photo on the right is an example of an old male. In media age is used to represent ability and power over the other characters. For example in media youths are seen as trouble makers, violent  inexperienced and powerless. Professional middle class men are presented as the ones that hold all the power, they are clever and wealthy. Whereas old aged individuals are seen as ultra-conservative, old fashioned and out of touch with reality. Therefore you can see from all three different age groups middle aged men are presented as the more powerful and successful over the other two age groups. 

RACE:

This is the second example of binary structure, race. Below are two examples of race, on the right hand side showing a white race man and on the left is an example of a black race man. In media EMG's are portrayed negatively as being involved in drugs, violence and anti-social behavior  They are often unaware of self aware of the inability to climb the social ladder. White raced people are seen to hold the power over black raced people as they shown as more able to complete and do what they wish and usual have the better job out of the two. 

CLASS:

Class is another example of binary structure, as you can see below are two examples of different classes in society. On the left hand side is an example of lower class people and on the right hand side is an example of middle/upper class people. In media upper class association stick to their own society. Any interaction with lower classes are involved in employer/employee relationships. They are seen as highly educated/albeit ignorant to the plights of the lower class. Whereas the lower class population are seen to work for the upper class population and tend to have a big family, and a number of children, they tend to work all their life to just get by in life, they aren't respected and looked down upon the upper class. Moreover the middle class population is portrayed as the even class out of the two, they have enough money to and a good up bring to enjoy life but not to become to snobby about it.

GENDER:

The fourth example of binary structure is gender. Below i have chosen to photos that i think represent gender in the way the media present it. On the left is an example of a female looking away and vulnerable  which is one way that the media shows the difference between the two genders. On the right there is an example of a photo of a male looking directly into the camera showing his authority. Females are usual objectified to be sexual objects for men. Women often subservient to men, in both professional and personal relationships. 

Sexuality:

This is the another example of binary structure. Below are two photos that are examples of different sexuality. As you can see on the left is an example of a straight couple and on the right is an example of two homosexuals. In media homosexuals are often portrayed as ultra-feminine or ultra masculine depending on the gender. Their work roles usually are hospitality or industry based, e.g. designer, bar or club. They are shown as outcasts and everyone makes fun of them. Straight individuals are shown as more powerful and having the better lifestyle.

REGION:

Finally region, below are two examples of two pictures showing different regions in the UK. On the left is an example of a upper class region whereas on the right is an example of a not so rich or powerful region. Depending on the region your from in the way people will look and judge you upon. In media regional representation are often ignored to the ideals of mainstream culture  Regional representation is often very heavily stereotyped.

Planning- Camera Shots and Angles

This is an example of an EXTREME CLOSE UP. It shows beyond what the human eye can see on it's own. An extreme close up shows different types of emotion or details that the viewer would not be able to see without it. An example of this would be an eye, mouth etc.






This is an example of a HIGH ANGLE SHOT. The camera is placed above eye level and looks down at the action. The effect of this is to make the subject appear smaller and less powerful, venerable and insignificant. This angle is also used to make the subject look and seem more childlike.

This is an example of a LONG SHOT. Images are seen as life size. people fill approximately 3/4 of the entire scene. There are reference surrounding them, which aid in sizing them.

This is an example of a MEDIUM SHOT. The shot shows the person from the waist up. This is also known as the Hollywood shot because it is one of the most popular shots used in the film industry today.

This is an example of a LOW ANGLE SHOT. The camera is placed below eye level and looks up at the action/subject. It makes the subject appear larger, more imposing and powerful. This shot is used in The Godfather to show that the main character has control over the other characters.

Planning- Mise en scene

Space: Space is associated with the distance from the camera and the position of the actors. In this picture all the people are set close together. This shows that there is a close relationship between the subjects. However, the person on the far left is set a little away from the rest of the group. This could represent she is less accepted in the group and feels uncomfortable with the other subjects.

Costume: Costume consists of what the subject is wearing and how the make up has been done. In media costume can be used to show what class, race, religion or character a person is. The picture on the left shows the person as a fictional Disney character. The costume is a representation of Minnie Mouse's dress. The make up that is used adds to the character by giving her the characters nose. On the right the character is dressed in a full body costume, including a mask. Having a mask adds to the illusion of the character, giving it more detail. The mask also covers the identity of the person. In media this would be used mostly in horrors or thrillers to add to the suspense.

Scenery and Props: Scenery is used to set the atmosphere in regards to the genre of the film. The setting can leave the viewer feeling safe and warm, like the picture on the left, or uneasy and nervous like a dark, silent forrest. Props are any objects used in a film. They are there to help create a scene by adding details to film. In the picture on the left the props are used to show that the room is a living room. Without the props it would just look like an empty room with no purpose.

Acting: This is the facial expressions and hand gestures used by the subject. On the left we can see a picture of a person expressing shock or surprise. We can tell that the subject is showing these emotions by the eyes being wide, the mouth being open, the hands being up and fingers splade.

Planning- Media Psychology

Freud: His theory is that the human brain can be split into three parts; Id, Ego and Superego. Each part has its own mind. The Id is only concerned about having pleasure and not worrying about the consequences. It works on impulses and instinct. The Ego is concerned with the reality and what consequences it may face. It wants approval from everyone and is highly aware of it's actions. The Superego is the negotiator of the two extreme sides of the brain. In a simpler way its like having a devil on one shoulder and an angel on the other and them both telling you to do the extreme but then you come to a suitable decision between the two, like the Superego. In films this is used to the extreme as they have the protagonist, the hero, and the antagonist, the villain. This appeases the two sides of the brain.

Lacan: Lacan’s theory is the “Ideal I”. He thought that we are unable to think of ourselves negatively and this leads us to thinking that we are always correct. We like to think we are perfect. The main reason we watch media is because through the characters on the screen we see ourselves and we come to like a certain character because they remind us of ourselves. However we don’t associate the bad aspects of the character to ourselves, only the aspects that suite us.

Voyeurism                                                       Scopophilia

Mulvey: Mulvey believes that the media is used for the sexual objectification of women. In Mulvey’s writings she talks about “The gaze”. “The gaze” fulfils our sexual desires and it creates the binary structure that the media runs off. “The gaze” creates sexual objectification and this portrays woman as being weak and easy to control. Her theory is that media uses scopophilia, pleasure through looking and listening into other peoples lives, and voyeurism, the sexual pleasure gained through spying on the human form.

Planning- Intro to Group

This is our first blog introducing Blue Sky Productions and what our project is.

Planning- Description of the Brief

For our AS Media Studies we have to create a two minute opening scene to a horror film. Throughout this process we need to track our stages through using Blogger, YouTube and social networking, for example Facebook.