Practice Question (Gender)

Within the clip how is gender represented


This clip is taking from ITV's science fiction thriller Primeval. In this clip there are 5 males and 2 females, the way this clip has been constructed means that some stereotypicaly views of women are challenged and some are played into.

We are introduced to Abby, the strongest female in this clip, after an establishing shot of the surroundings, the camera zooms up to the cab of a yellow JCB digger while all the men are busy else were i think this shows she has dominance as it is stereotypicaly more of a male mode of transport as the diegetic sound proves it is loud and noisy. The entrance of a computer generated image of a saberthooth tiger is announced by a non diegetic roar, Abby swings into action to save her male team mate a crane shot from the digger arm angled looking into cab and the fast beat high energy non diegetic music leaves you a bit disorientated very similar to how Abby must be feeling. This action challenges the ideas of the girl always being the damsel in distress when the female in the clip is actually the one who saved the man.

When the male, the one Abby saved, discovers a dead body they have to call in the authorities. When they arrive there is a pan shot introducing them all cleverly leaving Abby till last as she is the only female in the line up and she has been put in a casual leather jacket that has the connotations of a hardened and tough biker girl. She stood next to a man in a head to toe suit, this again shows her dominance over the men. Then when the same group are chatting about what to do the camera goes into a 180 degree rule starting with Abby, she is seen i think as one of the boys as she is not put off with the nitty gritty of the task in hand.

The second woman in the clip is very different she is styled to look very glamorous, in a skirt suit, white coat and lipstick this is a styling contrast of the two females. In the second females scene she is in a barn with hay she looks very out of place and uncomfortable. The female is threatening the male, also with her in the barn he is dressed in simple comfy everyday clothes,  by his body language and facial expression you can tell he is feeling uncomfortable. When he pulls a gun on the woman the diegetic fast, tension music kicks in. This completely changes the power relation and she becomes the damsel in distress, rather than the one with the power. There is a brief moment when you think the man is going to shot the woman, the clip has been edited so that it cuts from her lying helpless in the hay to the barking dogs, a diegetic sound, then back to her. I think the director did this to build pressure and put the audience at the edge of their seats.

Made in Dagenham- Case Study

http://www.filmeducation.org/madeindagenham/stephen_wooley.html

What factors do you think motivated the different organisations to contribute
to the film’s financing?
If a film has a good script and potential to do well with the right people behind it people are more likely to invest. I think by basing on a sensational hit like calender girls people will think this sells a movie this also happened with 'pitch perfect' the compared that to 'bridesmadids. 

How does film classification affect film production and distribution?

 

Films are classified by the BBFC to protect younger people from harmful and sensitive material the classifications are age restricting meaning, meaning that people who are of a certain age cannot watch the film in the cinema, but the movies in stores or watch them online. Film distribution is anything from where is it viewed in cinemas to where it is sold on DVD and Blu Ray even down to where the adverts are placed/shown.

If a film is rated ’15’ or ‘18’ the chances of adverts for the movie being shown for it after nine o’clock is higher because they will only be targeting audiences of people after the watershed. As were the position of the movie in stores and things is a movie is a high rating it is more likely to be on a higer shelf out of the way of children and younger people so they are not exposed to content or images on the packaging that they shouldn’t be.

However there is a lot of conspiracy that all this protecting doesn’t work once in is out of the cinemas and in to the household. For example if a fourteen year old asked his mum for an eighteen movie she might feel okay with him watching that and buy him it no questions asked. But there is not a lot the authorities can do once it is in the domestic setting it is there’s to do what they want with.

If I movie has a lower rating such as a ‘U’ or ‘PG’ the TV adverts are more likely to be shown on children’s television channels like ‘nicktoons’ or ‘citv’ this is because the sorts of young people who may be watching that channel are the target audience of the movie. As well the film production company could also get a deal with McDoalds or another food chain/product meaning that children are again opened up and exposed to the market. Movie marketing companies thrive on pester power; this being children keeping on at parents till they get what they want.

Again films that are targeted at children could possibly have a deal on through school holidays meaning adults go free so that is a method the movie companies and cinemas use. Similarly movies may be released at the start or just before a school holiday or Christmas so parents buy it to entertain the children while they are at home.

Nevertheless things like ‘Netflix’ and ‘LoveFilm’ have meant that DVD’s and Blu Rays may not be as popular because with these sorts of services you don’t even need to leave your house to catch a chartbuster. There are setting you can set up to protect children online, normally a four number pin but in cases I know many children know this pin and can watch what they want when they want. Again I think works well in a commercial setting but once in domestic cannot be policed.

 

 

 

 

Film Clasification

Infomation taken from: British Board of Film Clasification Website

The BBFC works in order to protect children from unsuitable and even harmful content in films and videos and to give consumers information they might need about a particular film or video before deciding whether or not to view it, the BBFC examines and age rates films and videos before they are released. This independent scrutiny prior to release ensures the highest possible level of protection and empowerment.
We watch films and videos all the way through and award an age rating and insight to each one. We reach an age rating by applying the standards and criteria contained in our Classification Guidelines which can be downloaded below.
Typically, two examiners view a film for theatrical release. In most cases a Senior Examiner will confirm the examiners’ recommendation. But if the Examiners are in any doubt or fail to agree, or if important policy issues are involved, the work may be seen by other members of the Board up to, and including, the Director and Presidential team. Occasionally we need to take specialist advice about the legal acceptability of film content or its potential for harm.
The same process exists for DVDs and Blu-rays though generally these are seen by one Examiner. However, opinions from other Examiners may be required for more difficult works.
We look at issues such as discrimination, drugs, horror, dangerous and easily imitable behaviour, language, nudity, sex, and violence when making decisions. The theme of the work is also an important consideration. We also consider context, the tone and likely impact of a work on the potential audience.
The release format of a work has an impact on classification. Our decisions on the age rating of DVDs and Blu-rays can occasionally be stricter than at the cinema because there is a higher risk of underage viewing in the home and a greater potential for watching scenes out of context.


Here is a list of all the ratings a film can be given:

Who holds the most power in terms of influencing what films get made and seen?

 

Within the film industry there are many influencing factors determining film distribution, remembering film distribution is everything from production to exhibition. The main influences are; audience, film manufacturers, studios, production companies, distribution companies, scrip writers, director & celebrity star role and also little more close to home peers and reviews.

Individuals may think that the audience/consumer has the most power because at the end of the day the ‘customer is always right’ and they hold the money that pays for all that leads up to film release and beyond.  If no one goes to see a film the companies make no money so by saying audiences are the biggest influence is I believe is accurate but not as straight forward as that.

On the other hand peers and reviews may be a massive contributing factor the world is alive with social media and it is very easy to air your opinions than it has ever been before. If, for example, you may follow a pacific reviewer on twitter and he makes a bad tweet about a film you may be debating weather to see you or not and then that is it your mind may be made up. And that pacific film will lose your custom.

Alternatively both of the above may be wrong and it may be down to distribution if a film is not publicised or shown in the right way at the right time people might a, not know it’s on and b, not show a keen interest in the film. Following on from what I said above about film industry is sent to be more viral now, this has opened many opportunities and many services such as ‘Netflix’ and ‘love film’ allow you to see movies online a few months earlier than when they come out on DVD or blu ray. In addition to this there has been a staggering rise in the amount of illegal downloads of movies online. Meaning the film industries are losing vast amounts of money, but this could also be a cry that people don’t want to pay £20 a head going to the cinema and would rather watch from the comfort of their own homes.  

Then again how many times have you been to see a film just because it has a particular star in it or is directed by someone you have enjoyed the work of previously? The stars can force companies to pay big bucks to get them to feature in a film. Christian Bale got paid $15,000,000 for the lead role in dark night and the dark night rises. But I know from personal reference and the decisions from my friends we only went to see the film because he was batman and we all liked him playing batman.

To conclude I think it is a bit of all round influences that decide and people down have as much ‘free choice’ as maybe they think they do. Many things influence decisions they are always happening. And I think it just depends on the quality of all influences and material that makes up your mind for you.

 

 

 

The BAFTA Awards

BAFTA stands for, British Academy of Television Arts. They are a set of awards that are massive in the British film industry.

Round up of the British nominees.


Tessa Ross works for film four a small independent feature film company. She got the funding for the suprise hit, slumdog millionare.

supporting actress winner Anne Hathaway.

Juno Temple won the publicaly voted up and coming star award this is the only publically


This is a table of winners from the night.

Research 8.2.13

http://www.the-numbers.com/movies/franchise/Harry-Potter

http://www.slideshare.net/SharineR/media-presentation-harry-potter

http://www.mugglenet.com/

http://www.universalorlando.com/harrypotter/