-- UNIT 10 Film Production --

L.A.A

Unit 10 – LAA - Task 1 – 2,000-2,500 words Macro Analysis 

'Clueless' is a feature length Romance genre film with a running time of 1hr 37 minutes. The run time of 97 minutes means the film does conform to most feature films being between 75 to 210 minutes long. This also means the film doesn’t count as a short film as a short film can only have a run time of maximum 40 minutes. The film was released in 1995 and has continuously been available to watch up to present day. The film started off in 1993 as a pilot for a TV series but then was developed into a film. The film is loosely based off the novel ‘Emma’ written Jane Austin that was released in 1816.

The purpose of the film is to entertain the audience and provide a sense of escapism for the audience. The film is also used to educate the audience on matters that are included in the film. The film also will offer itself to the audience as a talking point in their social interactions. It also lets people identify themselves within in the film as they see the representations of the characters. The film is also used to raise awareness of issues and situation teens face in high school. The film is made to represent the live of high school students in ‘90s Beverley Hills. The film also is used to promote this idealist lifestyle of the characters. The film however is mainly promoted as a form of escapism for the audience.

'Clueless' was made purely for the audiences entertainment and to generate a profit. The film grossed $56.1 Million at the box office compared to its $12 million budget. The film nowadays is available on streaming platforms to generate more profit through the 'long tail' method. The film has maintained a strong audience which has meant the film generates more profit yearly as people rewatch the film. The film has clearly fulfilled its purpose which is supported by its success.

As a genre, ‘Romance’ is a very broad and popular genre. For a film in this genre to be successful, it has to stand out and generate a lot of profit while also receiving positive feedback from the audience. ‘Clueless’ fulfills this as it was loved by the audience and stands out compared to other romance films. The film also appeals to a teen audience as the characters are of a similar age. Romance genre is very successful and gains lots of profit and with the mix of comedy elements in the film will increase the chance of gaining larger profit. This fulfills Steve Neale’s ‘Repetition and innovation’ theory where he believed that films will repeat the same narratives as past successful films but change bits to innovate the film. I think this apples to Clueless as in the 80s and 90s we saw many films that follow a similar narrative and this is also fulfilled today as we see many films repeats and innovate romance and teen films films such as ‘Legally Blonde’ and ‘Mean Girls’. The use of repetition and innovation reduces risk for the production company which means the chance of success and gain of more profit is increased. This is also due to the fact that audiences like predictable pleasure which means they will watch films from the same genre or watch the same film again as they know they will enjoy the film.

The film is still extremely relevant today as it covers many issues that are ongoing. These themes and issues include Friendship, Slut shaming, to expand your vocabulary, do not settle, no means no, driving, first impressions and being yourself. These are all issues and themes that teenagers can relate to and should be aware of.

Typical conventions of a romance genre are things such as kissing, a love triangle, a voice over, following the characters day to day life, a typical boy meets girl situation. These films are also typically set in urban environments such as school, offices or parks and are aimed at a female audience. 'Clueless' fulfills all these conventions which is why it is a popular film as it follows Steve Neal's Repetition and innovation theory. The film has a constant voice over from Cher which gives the audience an insight into what she is thinking. These conventions are also fulfilled in a Historical romance film and the only difference between the genres is the time period it is set in. The films conventions allowed the age certificate to be a 12 which means the film can reach a wider age range and therefore let the film have the possibility of earning more profit. Targeting a mass audience is very important for a film as it increases the chance of success.

'Clueless' includes heavy stereotypes of characters we see in many teen films.The overall representation of the characters is quite stereotypical as this reduces complexity for the audience (Stuart Hall). In the film we see a skater boy character who fulfills conventions of stereotypes such as always carrying a skateboard, not doing well in school, a class clown. We also see stereotypes of gay men in this film with one of the character's. The lead character 'Cher' realizes the character 'Christian' is gay through him fulfilling stereotypes of having fashion sense, shopping, and having a classic car. We also see Cher fulfill the stereotype of a strong female character pursuing an attractive male but we also see her fulfill the stereotype of her being a blonde bimbo who is quite care free and over the top. We see this in many other romance films like 'Legally Blonde' for example we see a blonde girl succeeding in tasks people don't think she can succeed in and we also follow her love life as well.the representation of Cher’s father is a typical representation of a father being strict, concerned about grades and always busy with work. The representation of Josh is also very stereotypical of a college boy who wears baggy clothes and is quite scruffy which is a binary opposite to Cher who is very put together and is very fashion forward.

There are many key pieces of iconography from romance films that are featured in 'Clueless'. These consist of props such as flowers, box of chocolates and the colour palette consisting of pink and red. The film is also set in a school which means there are lots of pieces of iconography from schools such as pens, books, backpacks, lunch tables, vending machines, cafeterias, lockers, school buses, black boards etc.

The film also includes scenes at a house party which is filled with props such as the iconic red plastic cups, a large punch bowl, beer, swimming pool, cups everywhere, empty bottles etc.

These are all common pieces of iconography from different locations that people will see and automatically know what the setting is. The mise en scene of all the scenes also include clear pieces of iconography from Los Angeles Such as the palm trees, Jeeps and also the verbal discussion of locations such as ‘Beverley Hills’ and ‘The Valley’.

Vladimir Propp created a character theory where he named the main character we see in most films. These include characters such as

The hero- reacts to the donor, weds the princess

The villain- struggles against the hero

The donor- prepares the hero or gives the hero some magical object

The helper- helps the hero in the quest

The princess- person the hero marries, often sought for during the narrative.

The dispatcher- character who ,ales the lack known and sends the hero off

The false hero- perceived as a good character in the beginning but emerges as evil.

In 'Clueless' we see the character 'Cher' being the princess as she is the prize, and Josh is the hero as he wants the prize. This is a typical representation of the characters as the hero is as man and the princess / prize is the female. Cher’s friend 'Dione' is the helper as she assists Cher in her tasks throughout the film, 'Christian' is the false hero, Cher's father is the princesses father and then we have 'Amber' who is the villain as her and Cher have a rivalry we partly see throughout the film. Finally we have Tai who is the false hero because she is nice at the beginning but then emerges to be mean but then due to the happily ever after narrative she turns good again.

'Clueless' follows a single stranded linear structure which means it follows one main plot point across a narrative that moves from beginning to end. The film also does follow a traditional three act structure where it starts in Equilibrium, there is a disequilibrium in the middle, and then finally at the end there is a new equilibrium created. The film starts off in Cher’s equilibrium of her going about her normal day of school and also all the other things she encounters. The dis-equilibrium is when Cher’s love interest Christian turns out gay and she realizes she is actually in love with Josh. This new equilibrium becomes her task to win over josh and then they end up getting together and her new equilibrium is in motion and that's how the film ends. The film does however contain other small plot lines but the love story between Cher and Josh is still the main plot. These other plots include the love story between the two teachers and who that grows throughout the film and also Cher and Dionne’s friendship with Tai and how this grows and fluctuates throughout the film.

The target audience for 'Clueless' are generally women mid/late teens plus. This film is aimed at women due to the romantic pursuit and happy ending plot and narrative. This films audience however was very popular amongst all ages and social groups and became and is still a staple film in the LGBTQ+ community. The film is one of the most iconic films of the ‘90s era and is said to be ageless and appealing to every generation of teens as time goes on. The film is also rewatched by its audience as it is a predictable pleasure for them. The films audience was also widened when ‘Iggy Azalea’ used direct intersexual references to the film in the music videos for her song ‘Fancy’. This meant the film managed to reach a younger generation and the audience of the music video would want to watch the film that the music video is based off of.

This film matches all the audience expectations of a romance film as it includes the happy ending narrative, boy meets girl plot, crushes and also parties. The audience will have expectations of the film being light hearted and comedic at times which this fulfills. The audience would also expect the film to include common pieces of iconography from romance films such as chocolates, flowers etc. It is important for films to met audiences expectations as if an audience watches the film and it doesn’t meet their expectations then they likely to be disappointed and not enjoy the film as much and possibly won’t recommend it to people which means the SucceS rate could decrease. This is another reason why production company repeat and innovate (Steve Neale) as it is low risk for the production company.

This film completely fulfills the traditions and expectations of a romance film and doesn't really alter and change any expectations to surprise the audience accept for the fact that we follow two love stories and a friendship throughout the film rather than one. In the film we follow the love story between two of the school teachers and also the love story between Cher and Josh and the friendship between Cher, Dionne and Tai which means there are more plot points and characters for the audience relate to and therefore can make the film more successful and enjoyable for the audience as the wide range of representations helps to attract a wider audience which then their fire increases the success rate of the film and increases the profit made.

Unit 10 – LAA - Task 2 – 1,500 – 2,000 words Micro Analysis

https://youtu.be/2sq0g7rkXZw

(0:00-7:00)

 The film is set in Beverly Hills which is made clear through the use of a montage of clips that show locations such as the street with palm trees lining the edge of the sidewalk, long roads filled with shops, and the facts that the characters go to ‘Beverly Hills High School.’ The overall look of the locations is seen to be exclusive, idealistic, and rich-looking. Beverly Hills is an extremely well-known area in California and is known for its prestigious companies and wealthy people.

The lighting throughout the entire sequences is natural high key lighting as the film remains light hearted throughout and is also set predominately in the day. The high key, natural lighting also helps to enforce the verisimilitude of the sequence.

The fashion in ‘Clueless’ had to be contemporary to the era as the audience has a lot of knowledge of the era’s fashion. The costumes in the film are used not only to describe the character but also as a subtle nod to time passing. In Fall, Cher and Dion wear reds, yellows, and oranges. In the Christmas scene, where they are at a party in The Valley, everyone is wearing reds and greens. Then in the end, it is the beginning of spring, so that is when the pastels and pinks come in.

Firstly, looking at the costumes of Cher’s father, the house cleaner, her debate teacher, and Travis, these are overly simplistic outfits that are easily recognizable. The house cleaner is wearing a typical maid’s outfit that consists of a grey dress with a white apron, while both Cher’s father and debate teacher wear suits, however, there is a clear difference between the quality and price of the suit which then therefore emphasizes the difference of social class between the characters. Another character we see is ‘Travis’ who represents a typical skater boy dressed in baggy clothes and neutral tones with graphic t-shirts.

Next, looking at Amber’s costumes. Amber is perceived as ill-mannered, pretentious, and garishly dressed. Throughout the film most of her time is spent attempting to diminish Cher’s achievements, especially in her schoolwork. During the brief montage at the beginning of the film we see Amber in three different outfits. The first outfit is only on screen for a second but is a shiny orange skirt and a purple sweater with a yellow patch which does resemble the Rugrats logo which is an intertextual reference to the early 90s. This outfit also does foreshadow the way Amber will be portrayed. She is portrayed as showy and somewhat out of place, constantly looking for a way to draw attention to herself. Amber’s outfits have a noticeably vintage style to them which is a juxtaposition to Cher and Dion’s wardrobe which is very much in the present. In the first clip at school in debate class Amber is wearing high rise jeans, a white t-shirt, a black feather trimmed jacket with a matching headband. While the base of the outfit is very casual and simple, her desire to be the center of attention is emphasized through the over-the-top jacket and accessories.

Now looking at Dion’s costumes. Dion’s fashion sense is seen to be more daring compared to Cher’s although not as far as Amber’s. Many of her outfits feature tighter and shorter silhouettes because she is the more sexually experienced of the two girls and has a bolder personality. The fact that Dion and Cher are dressed similarly makes the audience immediately understand their bond as friends as well as their shared values of fashion. Amber on the other hand is a copycat whereas Cher and Dion’s outfits complement each other. During the opening montage we see Dion in a all-white crochet swimsuit and platform heels that does look significantly more mature compared to Cher’s pink gingham bikini. In the next clip while sitting with Amber and Cher, Dion’s outfit comes off as a touch edgier. Unlike the other two who are wearing fur and other trims, Dion’s outfit is more effortless but still not underdressed. Even though Dion’s hat in the opening sequence of the film is referenced to Dr Seuss, it looks more like a reference to My Fair Lady, or the traditional hats worn by people of colour at Sunday service. Dion’s black plaid suit is like Cher’s in silhouette, but it has some more added details such as the vinyl on the lapels and cuffs to emphasize her bolder character. The two girls are often matching but never clashing.

Finally looking at Cher’s costumes. In the film Cher wears a total of 50 different costumes, and unlike Amber, Cher never repeats an outfit throughout the film. Out of the 50 costumes in the opening sequence we only see a few. The use of plaid is done as plaid is common piece of iconography from school, but this ‘catholic schoolchild’ style is flipped and made into high fashion. We also see this done with Argyle, which is also representative of schools. Looking at the iconic yellow plaid suit, the bold yellow print makes Cher look like sunshine which is symbolic of not only that she is center of her own world but passionately believes she is brightening others' lives as well.

In the sequences many props are used. “Props are crucial in the story-telling; they complement and motivate the character, helping the actor feel ‘more the part,’ setting the scenes, identifying a particular time and place and cultural setting, sometimes even becoming a huge focus of the film.” 1 For example, in ‘Clueless,’ the pink fluffy prop not only has become so popular and iconic it has become a piece of iconography from the film but also the colour of the pen signifies that the scene is set in spring/summer. Looking at the sequences specifically, there are many props from bags and hats to compliment peoples outfits but also props to create a sense of verisimilitude in the film. In the first part of the sequence in the montage of all the characters, Cher is seen carrying many prop shopping bags which helps us signify that she spends a lot of money on clothes and her appearance. The colours of the bags are also remarkably like many well-known luxury brands such as ‘Tiffany & Co.’ There are also many other props such as milkshakes, beach towels, hats, and sunglasses to signify the locations of the montages. The beach towels and sunglasses suggest they are by the pool or beach and the milkshakes tell us that they are at a milkshake café at some point in the montage. We also see throughout the montage and the entire sequence that everyone is constantly on their phones which is a typical representation of teenagers that has been carried out through the media still today, but the prop phones are made to look like mobile phones of the time which is a signifier of the era it was made. The sequences then change location to Cher’s bedroom which is clearly quite large to represent her father’s wealth but also includes a vanity that is covered in luxury looking makeup products. Cher then goes into her closet which is signified by the very full clothes rails in the background but in the foreground is a computer (signifier of the era) where Cher is using software that picks her outfits. This again emphasizes Cher’s wealthy, idealistic lifestyle as this is something loads of people wish they could have.

The scenes then cut to an over the shoulder shot of Cher’s father opening his large double doors from his bedroom. This leads to the large, curved staircase that has an exceptionally large and expensive-looking chandelier hanging above it which therefore emphasizes their wealth once again. The scene then follows into the kitchen where we see typical props of a kitchen such as a fridge, microwave, sink, plates etc. We also see Cher making freshly squeezed orange juice which again is a signifier to their social class as it is all freshly made rather than from a carton. They also have a Tv in their kitchen which again emphasizes wealth and social class. The next prop we see is Cher’s Jeep which looks very new and is very expensive. This again is used to signify wealth as she has a brand-new expensive car that she drives even though she has not passed her test. Cher is seen to be a reckless driver that crashes into other props such as plant pots and she does not stop at stop signs which emphasize her reckless driving and her wealth as the damage to the expensive car is not seen as an issue to her. The scene then arrives at ‘Beverly Hills High School’ in the rest of the sequences we see loads of props such as pens, pencils, lockers, textbooks, desks, black boards, chalk, bags, pencil cases and report cards which are also signifies of the school location the scenes are set in. We also see Travis carrying a skateboard which is a key piece of iconography for his skate boy character. The stands at the front of the debate class also signify debating as these props are used in this classroom a few times to signify the class they are in. There are also talks about other props such as CDs which again is a signifier of the era of the film. The use of hats in the scenes are also signifier of the time of season these scenes are set in which is fall.

 The actors in the sequence all move very casually and quite slowly in the school scenes. The relaxed pace of the students is very symbolic of how they are feeling as they do not really want to go to class but also for Cher and Dion it represents the stability of their lifestyles and the scene. The only time we see Cher pick up some pace when walking is after she gets ‘a C in debate’ which puts her life into a small dis-equilibrium. The pace and moment of the characters also signifies the romance genre as it is relaxed and not tense whereas in a horror or action film the actors move a lot quicker or with more caution.

In the sequence there is some non-diegetic sound at the beginning during the montage at the start and this is the use of the song ‘Kids in America’ by ‘The Muffs.’ The use of this song starts of the film in a lighthearted and happy tone and signifies the location of the film to the audience. There is also a voice over throughout the sequence and entire film that is from Cher’s perspective. The use of a voice over gives the audience more information and means that the narrative of the film in unrestricted (when the audience know as much or more than the characters) rather than restricted( where the audience know less than the characters). There is also a part when the music can represent the emotions of the character. For example when both Cher and Travis get bad grades in debate class the music becomes more tense and signifies to the audience that something has gone wrong. Non-diegetic music in films and TV shows are also used to tell the audience what to feel and when the to feel it.

The other sound in the sequence is all diegetic which means the sound is part of the scene meaning its part of the world of the film and its sounds that is the character could or can hear. These sounds consist of car engines, doors, clicking of shoes, skateboards rolling on the street, ringtones etc. near the beginning when we see Cher’s Jeep as she drives away, we hear the screech of the brakes which emphasises her reckless driving.

The camera works in sequence following the 180-degree rule throughout which helps with the continuity of the sequence and makes the scenes easier for the audience to follow. The camera also follows the same shot-reverse shot method throughout as well. Most of the scenes follow a medium shot of the characters but it does include close ups of the characters to show their emotions. There are also a few wide shots in the sequence which Is used to show the location of the scene to the audience to give them more context to the scene.

The editing of the sequence remains at a steady pace throughout as the narrative is still in equilibrium. However, during the montage, the editing is a lot faster to show the ellipses of time and because it is not an important scene to focus on. The editing is another signifier of the emotions of the characters or the state of the narrative. For example if the editing pace is slow it means the scenes is in equilibrium and nothing is happening but if the editing pace is increased it means something is happening as it makes the audience more tense. Fast paced editing also gives the audience less time to decode the information in the scene, therefore scenes with lots of information will have a slower editing pace.

Unit 10 – LAA - Task 3 – 2,000-2,500 words Comparative Analysis 

Titanic- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSRvmHSgaBg (whole scene)

Clueless- https://youtu.be/2sq0g7rkXZw (0:00-07:00)

· Location

The film is set in Beverly Hills which is made clear with a montage of clips that show locations such as the street with palm trees lining the edge of the sidewalk, long roads filled with shops, and the facts that the characters go to ‘Beverly Hills High School.’ The overall look of the locations is seen to be exclusive, idealistic, and rich-looking. Beverly Hills is an extremely well-known area in California and is known for its prestigious companies and wealthy people.

The location of the sequence on the back of the ‘Titanic’ which is the boat they are on that is heading to America. In the background we see the night sky and the glint of moonlight bouncing off the sea, however, you cannot see much of the background except for darkness. In the foreground we can see typical conventions of a boat. For example, we see the railings, the anchor, benches, and lights to light the ship.

These two locations are vastly different to each other, especially due to the period the films are set in. Titanic is set in 1914 and Clueless is set in 1995. The two settings are hugely different due to the locations in the scenes. In Clueless there are multiple locations shown throughout the sequence whereas in Titanic the whole scene is set in one location at the back of the boat.

· Lighting

The lighting throughout the entire sequences is natural high key lighting as the film remains light-hearted throughout and is also set predominately in the day. The high key, natural lighting also helps to enforce the verisimilitude of the sequence.

The lighting in the sequence is low key but the characters also remain lit well. The lighting throughout the sequences remains constant to help with the continuity of the scene. The low-key lighting helps to emphasize the time of day the sequence is set at which is night-time. The low-key lighting also is used to reference the seriousness of the tone. The lighting also foreshadows the danger that is about to come later in the plot.

The lighting in these two sequences is drastically different. The Clueless sequence is set in the day and has alight hearted tone to the film which is why there is a lot of high key lighting used however in Titanic it is a lot darker as it is set at night and the film is less light-hearted. The lighting in these sequences contrast a lot and high key lighting is a common convention of romance films but Titanic does not always follow this convention due to the darker themes in the film.

· Costume

The fashion in ‘Clueless’ had to be contemporary to the era as the audience has a lot of knowledge of the era’s fashion. The costumes in the film are used not only to describe the character but also as a subtle nod to time passing.

The costumes in the Titanic sequence are one of the main signifiers of the time of the film. The scene doesn’t include many connotations to the time except for the costumes and dialogue. The outfits are very typical of the 1910-20s era but also the costume make a clear divide between the characters through their social class. Rose is wearing an expensive evening dress to show off her first-class social status while Jack is wearing fewer formal clothes which represent him as being a third-class passenger on the boat.

Not only are the costumes based off different time periods, but the costumes also represent the ages of the characters. In Clueless the costumes are more youthful and revealing where are in Titanic the costumes are more mature and cover a lot more skin. In Clueless the costumes follow the conventions of the fashion of the era which was a lot more colourful and sexualised. In Titanic it follows the conventions of being more conserved and covered up as this was expected of women for decades.

· Props

In the sequences many props are used. “Props are crucial in the story-telling; they complement and motivate the character, helping the actor feel ‘more the part,’ setting the scenes, identifying a particular time and place and cultural setting, sometimes even becoming a huge focus of the film.”[1] In the sequence all the props relate and signify the location of the scene. Props play a huge part in signifying the time era the movie is set in.

In Titanic, the only prop we see is Jack’s cigarette. The minimal props that jack has suggests his social class. Rose, even though she is rich, is not carrying anything because her plan was to jump off the boat.

The lack of props in Titanic compared to the multitude of props in Clueless shows the difference in location and time period. In Clueless all the characters have many props throughout the sequence to emphasize the key information of the scene such as location of school or for example in Titanic the social class of the characters.

· Movement of actors

The actors in the sequence all move very casually and quite slowly in the school scenes. The relaxed pace of the students is very symbolic of how they are feeling as they do not really want to go to class but also for Cher and Dion it represents the stability of their lifestyles and the scene. The only time we see Cher pick up some pace when walking is after she gets ‘a C in debate’ which puts her life into a small dis-equilibrium. The pace and moment of the characters also signifies the romance genre as it is relaxed and not tense whereas in a horror or action film the actors move a lot quicker or with more caution.

In the Titanic sequence the movement of the characters is very minimal and for the most part there is not any movement from the actors. In the scene the focus is on what Jack says to Rose to help her and persuade her not to jump off the boat so therefore the lack of movement focuses our attention on the character dialogue alone.

In both sequences the movement of the actors is important to the scene because the movement or lack of movement can tell the audience what to focus their attention on. In the sequence from Clueless there is a lot of movement that is both fast and slow which is relative to the scene. In the school scenes in the beginning the students go slower as it is a relaxed part of the narrative whereas the movement in Titanic is minimal but also quite cautious looking like the scene is quite tense and has quite a dark theme to it.

Sound

The sequence includes both non-diegetic and diegetic sounds to help convey the emotions of the scene and the locations of the scenes. The sequence includes sounds such as voice overs, car engines, doors, clicking of shoes, skateboards rolling on the street, ringtones etc. near the beginning when we see Cher’s Jeep as she drives away, we hear the screech of the brakes which emphasizes her reckless driving

In the sequence for Titanic there is only one piece of non diegetic music used in the sequence. There is however, a lot of diegetic sound in the sequence. These sounds consist of the constant waves crashing as the boat glide trough. We also here the sounds of jacks shoes thumbing on the floor when he takes them off. We also hear the detailed noise of Rose’s dress rustling as she turns around. The only other sounds we hear are the dialogue between the character. The non diegetic music comes in only at the end of the scene as Rose turns around to climb to the other side of the railings. The music is quite peaceful and creates a sense of hope. But this is juxtaposed by the sudden shift in music to a more tense and sinister piece which still remains to be classical and then builds up to regain hope for the audience as she is saved.

The sound in the Clueless sequence is a lot louder and contains more diegetic and non- diegetic sounds than the sequence from Titanic. The sound in both sequences added context to the scene and the added music or lack of music sets the mode for the scene and also tells that audience what to feel.

Camera

The camera works in sequence following the 180-degree rule throughout which helps with the continuity of the sequence and makes the scenes easier for the audience to follow. The camera also follows the same shot-reverse shot method throughout as well. Most of the scenes follow a medium shot of the characters but it does include close ups of the characters to show their emotions. There are also a few wide shots in the sequence which Is used to show the location of the scene to the audience to give them more context to the scene.

The camera shots in the sequence form Titanic uses a lot of close ups to show the emotions of the characters. There are also some wide shots used in the sequences to show the location of the scene to give context to the audience. There are also some extreme close ups of the actors to focus the audience's attention on a certain part of the scene.

In Clueless the shots are wider as there are more characters and settings to fit in whereas in Titanic the focus is on the characters and their emotions rather than the location and setting of the scene. In both sequences the camera does still follow the 180-degree rule.

■Editing

The editing of the sequence remains at a steady pace throughout as the narrative is still in equilibrium. However, during the montage, the editing is a lot faster to show the ellipses of time and because it is not an important scene to focus on. The editing is another signifier of the emotions of the characters or the state of the narrative. For example, if the editing pace is slow, it means the scenes are in equilibrium and nothing is happening but if the editing pace is increased it means something is happening as it makes the audience more tense. Fast paced editing also gives the audience less time to decode the information in the scene, therefore scenes with lots of information will have a slower editing pace.

In the Titanic sequence there is CGI used to create the sea and skyline in the background of the scene. In the foreground there I no GCI used as it is all a set. The editing pace of the scene is quite slow at first but the speed decreases as the tension rises. By the end of the sequence the editing pace is drastically faster because of the high intensity of the end of the scene

The editing pace in Clueless starts fast for the montage and then slows down as there is no tension in the scene whereas in Titanic the scene starts slow and increases in pace as the tension builds. The editing pace helps the audience to feel the emotions the director wants them to feel. The fast paced editing for the montage in Clueless matched with the up beat ,using helps the audience to feel happy and excited where as in Titanic the lack of music for most of the scene and fast paced editing creates a lot of tension for the audience and when the music does come in it hits the audience hard and raises the tension even further until there is a monument of relief at the end.

Overall, both the scenes are drastically different from each other even though one is a sub-genre to the other. This proves that the romance genre is extremely broad and that the time period of a film is a key factor in the mise en scene. Clueless is categorized as a pure romance whereas Titanic is categorized as a period/historical romance which is called a sub-genre. Sub-genres or hybrid genres are extremely popular in the film industry as it means the film can appeal and reach a wider audience which is more benefiting for the production company. Making a film that has a sub genre or hybrid genre is also more of a low risk for the production company as there is a higher chance that the film will succeed.

[1] https://dickgeorge.co.uk/2020/02/the-importance-of-props-in-film/

TASK 4

Unit 10 – LAA - Task 4 – 2,000-2,500 words Compare and contrast the different codes and conventions being used in four short films from four different genres.

Film One - Afraid---Thriller--

https://youtu.be/MDqxBGL738U

Mise scene:

The mise en scene of this short film helps to give the audience context to the narrative. Throughout the film we see props such as keys, a bag, a phone, earphones, and a beanie hat. The hat tells the audience that it is cold, telling the audience it is winter and it reinforces the fact the film is set at night. We see the lead character closing her coffee shop. We know this is a coffee shop because in the background there is a board with a list of different drinks seen in typical coffee shops. When the lead character is walking down the street, we see the street is empty which creates an idea of isolation and vulnerableness. This is emphasized through the empty car park and elevator. On the streets we can see a typical American stop sign which suggests the film is set in America and this is reinforced by the fact the cars are driving on the right side of the road. The scenery also suggests that the film is set in New York which is a typical location for films. The lead character then ends up in a elevator alone which creates an idea of isolation and being trapped. The elevator also increases the tension of the scene as there is an extended period of waiting which invokes anxiety for both the audience and character. As the elevator doors open and close, we see a flashing light after the hooded figure appears again. This flashing light is a visual representation of a heartbeat which helps to increase the tension of the scene. The flashing light also foreshadows something that is about to happen as the flashing acts as a warning to the character. At the end of the short film, we see someone's hand covering the main character's face in her car. The killer is wearing black leather gloves which is a common piece of iconography from /thriller/ horror films.

Sound:

Now looking at the sound of the short film. The Diegetic sound in this film is quite minimal, however, the sounds do help to give context and create meaning to the narrative. We also hear the ambient sounds of the city in the background. These sounds signify that the film is set in a busy city to give context to the audience. The entire film is almost silent except for the addition of non-diegetic music and the diegetic city sound. As the main character is walking, we hear the clicking of her shoes on the sidewalk which emphasizes the quietness of the street which then reinforces the emptiness and isolation of the location. When the character comes across the group of men, she puts her earphones in which then muffle all the other sounds around her. This is something we see a lot in thriller films, both short and feature length, as this is a relatable habit for the audience. This action also helps to portray the fact that the character is anxious or scared. All the sound is blocked out until one of the men bumps into her and we hear the keys dropping on the floor and the background sound become a little clearer. When the character gets to the elevator the repeated beeping noise makes the audience feel anxious as it is quite creepy and seems to be taunting the character. While the character is in the elevator, we hear the noise of the elevator chugging up the building, this sound is quite fast and is again a representation of a heartbeat getting faster.

Now looking at the non-diegetic sound in the film. The film starts off with electrical sounds which then cut off as the lead character switches the lights off in the coffee shop. When the character turns around the corner and se comes across the group of men, the music starts to increase in volume and tension. The lead character stands up and the hooded man is seen for the first time there is a loud sound that is meant to startle the audience and make them feel the emotions the character is feeling. This music carries on building until the man has disappeared. While the lead character is in the elevator, we hear the same intense music once the hooded figure is revealed again. After this when he disappears again, we hear an extremely high-pitched ringing sound which increases the tension once again and it means we focus on the sounds of the heavy breathing which again connote panic and anxiety. As the doors of the elevator open and the character rushes to her car the music remains to be tense and fast paced until it is all cut off with the diegetic sound of the door slamming shut.

Editing

Looking at the editing of this film, it is quite simplistic which is common in short films. There is no CGI in this film which makes the film more realistic and therefore a bit scarier for the audience. The starting pace of the editing is quite slow to compliment the relaxed tone of the scene. The shots during the elevator scenes are quite long which helps to increase the anxiety of the audience as this creates the idea of waiting and time going slowly. During the scenes when the hooded character appears the editing pace increases dramatically to complement the tenson in the film and help to raise the heartbeat of the audience and make them feel the same emotions and the character.

Camera

The camera work in this film also helps to create meaning for the audience. We see a few wide shots at the beginning of the film as this helps to show the location and setting to the audience. The wide shots and Birds eye view shots are used to show that the lead character is walking alone and that the streets are empty. As the film progresses, we see mor high angle shots to show the power that is held over the character, and we also see more close ups to show the emotions of the character. Any shots where we see the hooded figure are seen through a POV and are usually medium close. While the lead character is waiting for the elevator, we see a use of the rule of thirds where the character is in the centre and each elevator is equally on either side. Ehen the character enters the elevator we have some extreme close ups of the characters nose and mouth to focus on her heavy breathing which connotes panic.

Characters:

There are only a few characters in this film, which is a common convention of short films. The characters consist of the lead actor (the coffee shop owner), the hooded figure and the group of guys at the beginning. These characters fulfill Propps character theory as we have the hero/protagonist (the coffee shop owner), the villain (the hooded figure) and we also have the false villains who are the group of guys as we think they are the villains at first but then realize they are not the villains.

Narrative:

The narrative of the film is a restrictive narrative which means we know the same amount of information as the character. This therefore means there are a lot of enigmas throughout the film. The film also ends on a cliff hanger which is a common convention of short films.

Film Two Anxiety—Psychological---

https://youtu.be/mRqR4mOC4gc

Mise scene:

This short film is set entirely in the main characters home. The use of a home makes the narrative more relatable but also the emptiness of the home helps to create a sense of isolation in the home that again is relatable to the audience. The use of the simplistic setting means we focus on the the narrative and dialogue rather than the surroundings of the character. The isolation of the character is again emphasizes through the use of darkness and the fact it is night time. This also helps to emphasizes the quietness of the setting which allows for the character to get in her own head. The lighting of the film is quite low key and gets darker as the anxiety takes over but as the character over comes the anxiety the lighting becomes brighter and more high key. The lead character carries an iPhone which is a signifier of her age and also the time period the film is set and made in. The costumes of the film create a clear binary opposite between the characters two sides. The normal character is wearing clothes that are casual, colourful with light and glittery makeup where as the anxiety side of the character is wearing dark clothes such as leather to create a rebellious and evil aesthetic. This is emphasizes through the dark makeup.

Sound:

In the film the diegetic sound consists of things such as the house alarm when the door opens, the phone answering machine, phone notifications and typing. The character also taps her pen which is a sign of anxiousness.

The non-diegetic sound consists of a sad music which continues throughout the film accept for when it fades out to focus on the storm at night. There are some moments of silence in the soundtrack which means we focus on the dialogue of the scene. The music picks up again when the lead character takes control and over comes the anxiety.

Editing:

The editing remains at a constant slow pace as there is in tension being portrayed to the audience. The low budget of the film also contributes to why the editing if more basic/ simplistic.

Characters:

In this film there are two characters. The lead girl called Maddie and then the villain of the film is still Maddie but a bad version of her

Narrative:

The narrative of the film is about the effects of anxiety. The film makers synopsis of the film says “coming home to find your house unexpectedly empty can leave you with a lot of alone time for your mind to wander…”

Camera

The camera work in the film uses close ups to show the emotion of the characters. There are also wide shots to show the setting and also use of two shots to show the binary opposites between the characters.

The camera is static at the beginning which resembles the stability in the characters emotions. Then the camera becomes more hand held to resemble the lack of control and instability of her emotions and at the end the camera returns to being static to resemble the characters gain of stability and control in the scene.

We see many low angles of the villain to represent her power over the lead character and we see high angles of Maddie to show her lack of power and at the end these angles switch as Maddie regains power over the anxiety side of herself.

Film Three The Elevator---Comedy-----

https://youtu.be/Q-TQQE1y68c

Mise scene:

The entire short film is set in an elevator. The elevator looks to be set in a office building which is reinforced by the costumes and settings as the doors open on each floor. The lighting of the film remains high key throughout and also is mainly over head lighting which creates a verisimilitude feel to the film. The costume in the film is very simple and true to life as all the characters are dressed in casual everyday clothes.

Sound:

The film doesn’t include much sound but there is some diegetic music that is played in the elevator. This creates a sense of realism but also adds a comedic effect to the scene. Other diegetic sounds include the elevator doors and the beeps of the elevator. There is no non diegetic sound in this film.

Editing:

The editing remains at a slow pace throughout. There is a clip where a man is walking towards the elevator and this is edited to be in slow motion which is made to create an over dramatic effect which therefore adds a comedic effect to the scene.

Characters:

Lead man

Group of sick people

Group of overweight people

Narrative:

A man gets in the elevator and leaves of overweight people keep getting in. The lead character panics and changes elevator. After the relief of a new elevator having only a few people in it they all start coughing and sneezing around the man and it turns out that they all have the swine flu.

Camera

In the film there are wide shots to show all of the people in each elevator which also helps to create contrast and binary opposites.

We also see some close ups of the main character to show and emphasize his panic.

Film Four WARLIKE---Action---

https://youtu.be/SLStk36wLZc

Mise scene:

The entire short film is set in an empty building that contains props and weapons such as guns knives and snipers. The short film includes a lot of high-tech props to reinforce the action genre. The lighting remains high key throughout the entire film. The costumes of all the counts is in the show film consist of but it professs and now wearing black. This reinforces the action genre of the film as these costumes are a common convention of action genre films and TV sho

Editing:

The editing of the film is very fast paced which creates tension for the audience. How many very short shots in the film which gives the audience a lack of information which emphasizes the speed of the sequence. This again is a comic convention of action genre.

Sound

That is a non-diegetic music in the short film which is fast enough paint to match and portray the tension and speed of the film.

The diegetic sound of the film consists of gunshots, knife clinks, computer coding, heavy breathing and police sirens.

Characters:

Target- 1 female

SWAT team- a large group of all men.

This subverts stereotypes of men being powerful and women being in need of protection.

Narrative:

Target poses as part of the SWAT team but then she is found out as the target. She then proceeds to kill the entire SWAT team alone.

Camera

The cameras of the short film includes the close-ups to focus the audiences attention onto a specific part of the scene. There are wide shots to show the location and people in the scene. There are also close ups to show the emotions of the characters.