Section C work
The 'war' genre made its first appearance in 1918 with Charlie Chaplin's 'Shoulder Arms', and since has become a popular genre throughout the century.
A typical war film (An example: Saving Private Ryan, Spielburg, 1998) follows the combat of an induvidual soilder or a platoon of troops, often in the center of the action.
The war genre often appeals to a male audience, and falls under the action/adventure genre
UNFINISHED
Tuesday, 10 May 2011
Thursday, 3 February 2011
Todorov's theory of narrative
Todorov constructed his theory of narrative from 1960's onwards.
He suggested that stories begun with an equilibrium, often to set the scene and introduce the characters.
Then a disequilibrium or disruption occurs, making the story more interesting.
As this disequilibrium is resolved, a new equilibrium is born.
An example of this is James Cameron's ground breaking film Titanic.
The film looks at the past of an old woman named Rose, a survivor of the Titanic sinking. Her memories are the real story, she focuses on the story of the deadbeat and low-statued Jack and her young beautiful self - Jack however, is the main character throughout, we get his perspective.
Equilibrium: Jack wins a trip on the titanic in a poker game, meets Rose by chance and they fall in love. They go through many romantic moments together and everything seems perfect.
Disruption/Disequilibrium: The Titanic is struck by an ice berg, slowly sinking the ship in a time of 4 hours. Jack and Rose get caught up in the commotion and loose eachother. Rose, though instructed otherwise, goes back to find Jack and they get caught in the struggle as the water flows up the ship. They finally reach the deck of the Titanic and hold on for their lives as the ship splits in half and the port of the ship plunges into the icy water, taking the passengers with is.
New Equilibrium: Jack and Rose find each other in the freezing water and cling to an iceberg. Rose lays on top of it which Jack's body stays in the water. After being unconcious for some time, Rose wakes up and find Jack dead beside her.
This theory is particularly popular in Hollywood films, yet directors are playing with the conventions more.
He suggested that stories begun with an equilibrium, often to set the scene and introduce the characters.
Then a disequilibrium or disruption occurs, making the story more interesting.
As this disequilibrium is resolved, a new equilibrium is born.
An example of this is James Cameron's ground breaking film Titanic.
The film looks at the past of an old woman named Rose, a survivor of the Titanic sinking. Her memories are the real story, she focuses on the story of the deadbeat and low-statued Jack and her young beautiful self - Jack however, is the main character throughout, we get his perspective.
Equilibrium: Jack wins a trip on the titanic in a poker game, meets Rose by chance and they fall in love. They go through many romantic moments together and everything seems perfect.
Disruption/Disequilibrium: The Titanic is struck by an ice berg, slowly sinking the ship in a time of 4 hours. Jack and Rose get caught up in the commotion and loose eachother. Rose, though instructed otherwise, goes back to find Jack and they get caught in the struggle as the water flows up the ship. They finally reach the deck of the Titanic and hold on for their lives as the ship splits in half and the port of the ship plunges into the icy water, taking the passengers with is.
New Equilibrium: Jack and Rose find each other in the freezing water and cling to an iceberg. Rose lays on top of it which Jack's body stays in the water. After being unconcious for some time, Rose wakes up and find Jack dead beside her.
This theory is particularly popular in Hollywood films, yet directors are playing with the conventions more.
Thursday, 4 November 2010
Ideas for step outline
Using ideas from my synopsis, I will plan, create and improve on making a Step outline for my film 'WASTE'
My ideas include:
Soundtrack for opening scene (We'll live or die in these towns - The Enemy lasting 3:54 minutes)
- I chose this song for the opening scene, because at the exposition whilst the credits are running, I would like to show footage of bombs being dropped, injured people being carried to safety and ambulances on fire. The start of 'We'll live or die in these towns' is a chorus of trumpets, which reminds me of war bugles and music from the 50's which we familiarise with war and it's a very uncomforting sound.
The Enemy are also a BritPop band, which ties in with Phil's cockney roots and blends with his personality not to mention the idea of indepentant british film. Once the guitar kicks in we'll get a close up of Phil's eye, which has a reflection of a mushroom cloud. We hear no dialouge or sound apart from the soundtrack, we see Phil getting up and looking in the mirror of what appears to be a war bunker. His face drips with sweat and he washes his face with the dirty water from the sink he's leaning to. The camera then cuts behind him to show his very scared and muscley back whilst he's bent over the sink. He then turns his head to look behind him, we hear the whir of a plane getting closer. We get a close up of Phil's stubbly face and the expression on his face is alarmed. Phil then moves out of the shot, leaving the camera to dwell on the sink and mirror in front of it. The camera them dollys out and cranes up and we see that his little bunker has been torn off the side of a building and it stands alone, his items of RAF memorobilla kept intact, as the camera still cranes up we see the Wasteland and the ruins of what was once the training grounds in Harrogate, we see an extreme long shot of Phil running with a rifle with a shadow of a plane rippling over the plains. 'We'll live or die in these towns' gets gradually louder then fades out as the next scene begins.
My ideas include:
Soundtrack for opening scene (We'll live or die in these towns - The Enemy lasting 3:54 minutes)
- I chose this song for the opening scene, because at the exposition whilst the credits are running, I would like to show footage of bombs being dropped, injured people being carried to safety and ambulances on fire. The start of 'We'll live or die in these towns' is a chorus of trumpets, which reminds me of war bugles and music from the 50's which we familiarise with war and it's a very uncomforting sound.
The Enemy are also a BritPop band, which ties in with Phil's cockney roots and blends with his personality not to mention the idea of indepentant british film. Once the guitar kicks in we'll get a close up of Phil's eye, which has a reflection of a mushroom cloud. We hear no dialouge or sound apart from the soundtrack, we see Phil getting up and looking in the mirror of what appears to be a war bunker. His face drips with sweat and he washes his face with the dirty water from the sink he's leaning to. The camera then cuts behind him to show his very scared and muscley back whilst he's bent over the sink. He then turns his head to look behind him, we hear the whir of a plane getting closer. We get a close up of Phil's stubbly face and the expression on his face is alarmed. Phil then moves out of the shot, leaving the camera to dwell on the sink and mirror in front of it. The camera them dollys out and cranes up and we see that his little bunker has been torn off the side of a building and it stands alone, his items of RAF memorobilla kept intact, as the camera still cranes up we see the Wasteland and the ruins of what was once the training grounds in Harrogate, we see an extreme long shot of Phil running with a rifle with a shadow of a plane rippling over the plains. 'We'll live or die in these towns' gets gradually louder then fades out as the next scene begins.
Character profiles for 'WASTE'
Phil Robinson
Age: 35
Occupation: Pilot/recruit for the RAF
Relationship status: Single, lost his fiancee in the war.
Traits: Very raw cockney accent, a mans man. Enjoys fine things like cigars and whiskey. Useful to the team because of his war strategy and is handy with firearms. Bitter after the loss of his fiancee and has it in for every contaminated being on the earth.
Image: Shaven head, scar on his lip from cutting it on a can as a child. Strong features of cheekbones. Toned body (group usually wake up to him training) Wears mostly his army gear. A walking 'Action Man' figurine.
Role in film: Anti-hero, saviour of the group but very aggressive and dislikable.
Alenka Rudnovski
Age: 24
Occupation: Ex hair salon worker
Relationship status: Unknown
Traits: Thick russian accent, possibly an immigrant. Asks a lot of questions but is suprisingly unphased by the traumatic events. Seductive and distracting, she seems M.I.A when it comes to fighting off rabid dogsImage: Sickeningly beautiful, stereotypical gold digging woman. Long blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. Finds clean(ish) clothes en route to their goal but refuses to wear them because they 'wash her out', so she is consantly dressed in an oversized white t-shirt and shorts.
Role in film: Femme fatale, suprisingly good with handling the rest of the groups trauma, has a bond with teenager Judy.
Jed Fitzpatrick
Age:49
Occupation: Humble grocer
Relationship status: Widowed from the war
Traits: Very polite and helpful, good at recognising contaminated foods. Tries to put on a happy face at every situation to protect his daughter from going insane. Supports Phil by taking the front line with him and shooting down the monsters of the wastes.
Image: A porky man, recieding hair line, hair a deep grey; especially after the stress of the war. Skin a very dull grey and wrinkles coming through, looks very old for his age. Will wear whatever he can find, but keeps his lucky tie on him at all times. Wears his wedding ring around his neck on a gold chain.
Role in film: Peacekeeper, a very likeable character with a nervous disposition, almost adorable and sometimes quite humourous.
Judy Fitzpatrick
Age: 16
Occupation: School girl
Relationship status: Never interested in relationships, much to her fathers relief.
Traits:Emotionally unstable character. Cries a lot and hides behind Alenka when frightened. Scared of anything that moves. Has formed a loving, strong bond with the loyal stray dog 'Little Boy' Rarely speaks to Phil because she is intimidated by him.
Image: Hair is matted and mousey. Cuts it short during the film so it doesnt touch her back incase she thinks its something else Lots of freckles and a squint without her glasses on (one lense is smashed so she rarely wears them)
Role in film: Unstable character whos sobs and cries get them into a lot of trouble with the monsters. Looks after 'Little Boy'
Little Boy
Age: 3
Occupation: Designated sleeper, eater, runner, pooper
Relationship status: Single since his neutering.
Traits: Loyal and friendly. Has taken a shine to young Judy and rarely leaves her side. Doesn't fear the monsters but can tell when one is approaching or danger is near. Little Boy isn't fond of Phil and often takes a bite at his trouser leg just to warn him.
Image: Sheltie breed, fur very dirty which he doesn't appriciate. Black, white and brown coat with a very wet nose and big brown eyes.
Role in film: Good danger-detecter and gives the group a bit of comfort. Very good at calming the Fitzpatrick's nerves and keeping Phil in line.
Age: 35
Occupation: Pilot/recruit for the RAF
Relationship status: Single, lost his fiancee in the war.
Traits: Very raw cockney accent, a mans man. Enjoys fine things like cigars and whiskey. Useful to the team because of his war strategy and is handy with firearms. Bitter after the loss of his fiancee and has it in for every contaminated being on the earth.
Image: Shaven head, scar on his lip from cutting it on a can as a child. Strong features of cheekbones. Toned body (group usually wake up to him training) Wears mostly his army gear. A walking 'Action Man' figurine.
Role in film: Anti-hero, saviour of the group but very aggressive and dislikable.
Alenka Rudnovski
Age: 24
Occupation: Ex hair salon worker
Relationship status: Unknown
Traits: Thick russian accent, possibly an immigrant. Asks a lot of questions but is suprisingly unphased by the traumatic events. Seductive and distracting, she seems M.I.A when it comes to fighting off rabid dogsImage: Sickeningly beautiful, stereotypical gold digging woman. Long blonde hair and piercing blue eyes. Finds clean(ish) clothes en route to their goal but refuses to wear them because they 'wash her out', so she is consantly dressed in an oversized white t-shirt and shorts.
Role in film: Femme fatale, suprisingly good with handling the rest of the groups trauma, has a bond with teenager Judy.
Jed Fitzpatrick
Age:49
Occupation: Humble grocer
Relationship status: Widowed from the war
Traits: Very polite and helpful, good at recognising contaminated foods. Tries to put on a happy face at every situation to protect his daughter from going insane. Supports Phil by taking the front line with him and shooting down the monsters of the wastes.
Image: A porky man, recieding hair line, hair a deep grey; especially after the stress of the war. Skin a very dull grey and wrinkles coming through, looks very old for his age. Will wear whatever he can find, but keeps his lucky tie on him at all times. Wears his wedding ring around his neck on a gold chain.
Role in film: Peacekeeper, a very likeable character with a nervous disposition, almost adorable and sometimes quite humourous.
Judy Fitzpatrick
Age: 16
Occupation: School girl
Relationship status: Never interested in relationships, much to her fathers relief.
Traits:Emotionally unstable character. Cries a lot and hides behind Alenka when frightened. Scared of anything that moves. Has formed a loving, strong bond with the loyal stray dog 'Little Boy' Rarely speaks to Phil because she is intimidated by him.
Image: Hair is matted and mousey. Cuts it short during the film so it doesnt touch her back incase she thinks its something else Lots of freckles and a squint without her glasses on (one lense is smashed so she rarely wears them)
Role in film: Unstable character whos sobs and cries get them into a lot of trouble with the monsters. Looks after 'Little Boy'
Little Boy
Age: 3
Occupation: Designated sleeper, eater, runner, pooper
Relationship status: Single since his neutering.
Traits: Loyal and friendly. Has taken a shine to young Judy and rarely leaves her side. Doesn't fear the monsters but can tell when one is approaching or danger is near. Little Boy isn't fond of Phil and often takes a bite at his trouser leg just to warn him.
Image: Sheltie breed, fur very dirty which he doesn't appriciate. Black, white and brown coat with a very wet nose and big brown eyes.
Role in film: Good danger-detecter and gives the group a bit of comfort. Very good at calming the Fitzpatrick's nerves and keeping Phil in line.
Aims and context of 'WASTE'
Genre: War/Sci-Fi/Horror
Style: Entire film has a greyish tint to highlight the depression and desolate wasteland. Sun barely shines in the film to connote no hope. Lots of action shots and close ups of the grusome deformed beings. Lots of slow motion shots. Seaside shot about 60 minutes in will show them staring out into the sea wondering what devisation there is elsewhere.
Target Audience: 15-45 year olds who don't mind gore and peril. Those interested in war and peoples experiences after war. Those who enjoy futuristic settings and a good scare.
Comparative films: 28 Days Later (2002), Panic in year Zero! (1962) Transporter 3(2007)
Style: Entire film has a greyish tint to highlight the depression and desolate wasteland. Sun barely shines in the film to connote no hope. Lots of action shots and close ups of the grusome deformed beings. Lots of slow motion shots. Seaside shot about 60 minutes in will show them staring out into the sea wondering what devisation there is elsewhere.
Target Audience: 15-45 year olds who don't mind gore and peril. Those interested in war and peoples experiences after war. Those who enjoy futuristic settings and a good scare.
Comparative films: 28 Days Later (2002), Panic in year Zero! (1962) Transporter 3(2007)
Monday, 1 November 2010
Synopsis of 'WASTE'
Title: WASTE
Genre: Sci-fi/war/horror
Set in 2044, Harrogate, England; after approximately 4 weeks of a mercyless nuclear destruction, five lucky English survivors brave the desolate wastes with nothing but limited ammo and firearms after their geiger counter tells them the contamination has left the area. Since the war showed signs of getting deadly, they hid in an underground air hanger in Harrogate Army training ground. Phil, a 23 year old pilot for the RAF saves 4 others and a their sheepdog named 'Little Boy' after the Hiroshima bomb in 1942. Phil's plan of action is to find other surviors, however fter a good few hours in the deserted plains they realise their not alone, after teenager Judy, 17 spots something moving amongst the ruins. The group witness hell on earth unfold before them as flesh-craving animals, rabid creatures and mutated people walk the Wastes.
Genre: Sci-fi/war/horror
Set in 2044, Harrogate, England; after approximately 4 weeks of a mercyless nuclear destruction, five lucky English survivors brave the desolate wastes with nothing but limited ammo and firearms after their geiger counter tells them the contamination has left the area. Since the war showed signs of getting deadly, they hid in an underground air hanger in Harrogate Army training ground. Phil, a 23 year old pilot for the RAF saves 4 others and a their sheepdog named 'Little Boy' after the Hiroshima bomb in 1942. Phil's plan of action is to find other surviors, however fter a good few hours in the deserted plains they realise their not alone, after teenager Judy, 17 spots something moving amongst the ruins. The group witness hell on earth unfold before them as flesh-craving animals, rabid creatures and mutated people walk the Wastes.
Ideas for a film
In order for me to create a good film, I need to plan. I will use several 'What if scenarios' so that I can get a good understanding of what I wish to achieve.
What if...
- The struggles of a teenage boy who knows he's gay, but lives in a rural area in southern america in a community where homosexuality is a sin.
- That human beings are actually a game for aliens to play (Like the Sims)
- A woman and her husband try effortlessly to get a baby into their world, but are unsuccessful, their marriage falls apart at the seams. The woman gets strange flashbacks of a place she's seen before... but never visited. After going to therapy it's revealed in her past life she was stabbed in the belly when pregnant at the scene of the place she's seen but never visited.
- After witnessing a child who pours water on Ant hills and squishes spiders, some insects crawl into a vat of toxic waste and soon grow into giant superbugs, with a thirst to kill human kind.
- Many years have past after a nuclear war and after a contamination filter senses all the pollution has gone, so five surviviors and their trusty dog wonder into the wasteland that is England to find what they can, only to discover horrible monsters and deformed 'humans'
Upon typing some ideas up, I think the best one would be my last one.
I would title this film 'WASTE' because it denotes the Waste that the Nuclear war has left behind, and connotes the Wastes they soon enter.
The genre would be: War/sci-fi/horror because of the war involved, the mutants created and the deformed humans.
My target audience would be those who enjoy the idea of the unknown and who enjoy playing games to do with war and zombie type people.
What if...
- The struggles of a teenage boy who knows he's gay, but lives in a rural area in southern america in a community where homosexuality is a sin.
- That human beings are actually a game for aliens to play (Like the Sims)
- A woman and her husband try effortlessly to get a baby into their world, but are unsuccessful, their marriage falls apart at the seams. The woman gets strange flashbacks of a place she's seen before... but never visited. After going to therapy it's revealed in her past life she was stabbed in the belly when pregnant at the scene of the place she's seen but never visited.
- After witnessing a child who pours water on Ant hills and squishes spiders, some insects crawl into a vat of toxic waste and soon grow into giant superbugs, with a thirst to kill human kind.
- Many years have past after a nuclear war and after a contamination filter senses all the pollution has gone, so five surviviors and their trusty dog wonder into the wasteland that is England to find what they can, only to discover horrible monsters and deformed 'humans'
Upon typing some ideas up, I think the best one would be my last one.
I would title this film 'WASTE' because it denotes the Waste that the Nuclear war has left behind, and connotes the Wastes they soon enter.
The genre would be: War/sci-fi/horror because of the war involved, the mutants created and the deformed humans.
My target audience would be those who enjoy the idea of the unknown and who enjoy playing games to do with war and zombie type people.
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