RESEARCH AND PLANNING
...The Dark Knight Rises brings Batman's story to a dramatic conclusion...
...more than fitting last hurrahs for this rightly incarnation of the caped crusader...
The natural conclusion in black is made up of many different types of genre - its almost unbelievable....and that is no lie. Crime Fiction, Thriller, Action/Adventure and Drama; it has everything to live to the incredible trilogy we were expecting. But I have to say, being a viewer (and a fan of Batman) myself, the main elements used were Action/Adventure and Thriller.
NARRATEMES
21.Hero is pursued (pursuer tries to undermine the hero)
9.Misfortune or lack is made known
19.Initial misfortune or lack is resolved
20.Hero returns
16.Hero and villain join in direct combat
28.False hero or villain exposed
25.Difficult task proposed to the hero
26.Task is resolved
Many familiar ingredients were hoovered up to create this great epic. Taken from a franchise that many felt had peaked in 1989.. Christopher Nolan roots and branches a re-imaging of Batman which presents a pop culture icon, and is somewhat inspired by boldly grappling with some of the contradictions at the core of DC Comics' most popular character. Further inspirations hung from the success built upon the solid foundation established in Nolan's previous two Bat-films. The Dark Knight Rises takes many of the ideas and themes set up in Batman Begins and fuses them with the style, intensity and scale of its 2008 follow-up, The Dark Knight.What really is the source behind all the unique selling points of Batman's final chapter? What methods were used to spices this comic movie into becoming one of most successful and unique selling trilogy of all time?...
Well first of all, Bruce Wayne is an intellectual human with a dark history. Unlike other superhero characters, he is ordinary who lacks superhuman or supernatural powers, just like every other human being. However this `Wayne Bat' has a treasure chest full of extraordinary gadgets and weapons, which helps him excel physically to fight for the good and justice. He is incredibly rich who lives a double life; one of the richest man in the world who unusually mirrors a vigilante at the same time. This clearly makes him different from the usual superhero. Secondly, this masked hero shows the audience how to overcome fear. The death of his parents and his fear of bats act as focal points which transforms his character in a way that it is channeled for the benefit of Batman's identity. Overall, the main Unique Selling Point of this movie is that you don't have to be alien to be a superhero. Bruce is not the usual superhero we get from DC or Marvel. He poses no special powers whatsoever yet is a hero in the eyes of Gotham, simply because he has the mental character, the physical strength and the abundance of wealth.
Set eight years after the event of The Dark Knight, we find Gotham becalmed and in a state of relative prosperity...With Batman taking rap for Dent's murder and pained by the death of his childhood sweetheart Rachel Dawes, Bruce Wayne not only hung up his cape and cowl, but also withdrawn from public life. Spending his days holed up in Wayne Manor; Wayne's disconnection from the world is not only proving harmful to his health and reputation, but also for his company; Wayne Enterprises is on the brick of a hostile takeover, thanks to a costly and wasteful investment in a failed clean energy.
However, Bruce's connection to the world partly re-establishes when his mother's pearls are stolen by sassy cat-burgler Selina Kyle. And before long, he's back in the Batcave, researching Kyle's background and attempting to track her down to recover the stolen jewellery
But while Bruce concerns himself with the Cat Lady, Gotham is coming under threat from a new visitor. An ex-communicated member of Ra's Al Ghul's League of Shadows...The mercenary Bane has come to Gotham...
SHUTTER ISLAND
Two police marshals decide to investigate a prison in an isolated island due to the disappearance of a female mental patient. Long before they know it...they start to question their own sanity.
The genre of this movie are Mystery, Crime Thriller and Horror. This film was inspired from other movies that consist of psychological thriller concepts and movies that often have mysteries. Some ingredients are taken from previous movies made like Hide and seek, The Sixth Sense and A Beautiful Mind. Other similarities and inspiration derive from horror films set in asylums, some good examples of this are Session 9 and Asylum. This film also pays homage to the works of Alfred Hitchcock.
The Unique Selling Point is the time this film is set in. Unlike most movies released these days, this movie is unique because it is set in the past just after WW2. It was a time when the science world did all kinds of experiments (many now illegal) in mental institutions, the most famous technique being Lobotomy. This makes the film more interesting as the film present a complex and puzzling atmosphere .
NARRATEMES
25.Difficult task proposed to the hero
16.Hero and villain join in direct combat
9.Misfortune or lack is made known
19.Initial misfortune or lack is resolved
20.Hero returns
26.Task is resolved
BRIDESMAIDS
Competition arises between the bride-to-be's maid of honour and the bridesmaid. They both compete over who is the brides' best friend. Bridesmaids is a comedy and romantic film. The ingredients, materials and plot of the film inspires from other romcoms and chick flicks where the scenario is also set in a wedding environment Some examples would be films like Brides War, Wedding Crushers and Four Weddings and a Funeral.
This film has its own unique selling point and this is because it is unusually different from other wedding based films. Most wedding-based plots revolve around the brides themselves who is the leading role. Interestingly, this film decided to plot something different. The main leading character is the brides's best friend instead of the bride herself. This makes the film different as the audience understands the film from the bridesmaids' point of view instead of the person who is getting married.
The genre of this movie consists of comedy and romance.
NARRATEMES
25.Difficult task proposed to the hero
9.Misfortune or lack is made known
21.Hero is pursued (pursuer tries to undermine the hero)
19.Initial misfortune or lack is resolved
26.Task is resolved
Film concept development (stages 1-5)
Stage 1; Allocated and Individual Ideas
Ideas
- IDEA 1: An office worker acknowledges about a governmental scandal; which he now pleads to reveal to the world whilst trying to avoid and run away from possible dangers which can cost him his life.
- IDEA 2: A superhero is in love with the villain of the film (femme fatale); which interferes with him trying to defeat her from taking over the human world
- IDEA 3: Romcom based on a successful business women who is now in her late 20's and finds herself in love with a man (who she does not get along with at first); unaware that he was the bully who had made her life a living hell in high school.
Scenario (dramatic situation)
The Extraction
A man has received a DVD on his office desk which gives him information about a package he has received containing a top government secret (about a scandal). His life is now in danger and he must escape from this corrupt organisation which work alongside a popular and powerful political party.
Location
Initially set in an office in New York city, however location changes numerous times throughout the film when Thomas must hide away from the American Government (locations in different destination; Brazil, Thailand, South Africa and Australia)
Initial Location;
In an office in New York City (when receiving a package and DVD), then distributed around different countries as the film progresses.
Character
Hero; Thomas; a normal everyday man who works in an office and normal job (which he hates as much as he hates his boss).
Possible actors used for the film could be Chris Evans, James McAvoy or Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
What audience would like this?
Scenario: Adults and teenagers around the ages from 16-48 would enjoy this film. They are more likely to understand the concept which may relate to the real life situation, as the plot is something some teenagers or adults can relate to about their values and believes; that the government is behind a lot of criminal acts in our world today, leading to many conspiracy theories. This movie is not suitable for children or young audiences as they may find the film boring; there is no use of animation and it is not fast paced or funny enough like films such as Finding Nemo. This is because The Extraction is a progressive movie. The use of content such as violence and some action scenes may not be suitable for under 16s.
Location:
The film is not just set in one place; this does not make the film boring as it is not just stuck in one location and audiences will like the fact that they are able to view nice and exotic scenery throughout the movie (adults and teenagers tend to find different places around the world interesting to see as it may be similar to a place they would like to visit or go on holiday to).
Characters;
They main character/protagonist is not going to appear or be presented as a masculine man who has physical strength or perfected looks e.g. clean shaved/wears suits or designer clothes. Instead the lead character is presented as someone who is normal, like every day to day working class male. Audience will like this because the actor is not fake or unrealistic as he is not stereotypically presented as handsome or with perfect looks like found in most Hollywood films. They can relate to the protagonist as he is similar to most people who live in this world (the character will appear as realistic as possible e.g. no or minimal use of make up/ no body building exercises and no use of air brush or digitally enhanced physique throughout the film).
Individual plot Todorov's Narrative Structure
THE EXTRACTION
Equilibrium
Thomas is woken up by an alarm in his room. He gets out of bed and gets ready for works. He then buys breakfast from a cafe in New York City. Thomas enters his office in New York and sits down in his working desk.
Disruption
Thomas finds a DVD labelled as "must watch urgently to Thomas Gray." A man on the DVD informs Thomas that he is going to receive an important package any minute now and that once he receives the package he must keep it hidden. Thomas stops the DVD from playing and smirks, thinking its a prank from colleagues. However, at that exact minute he package is handed to him by the work delivery man. Inside it is another Disc. Thomas, now confused, plays the DVD and the same man reveals a secret about a government scandal. Thomas is shocked by what he has just heard. The man tells him that he must reveal it to the world, whilst at the same time he must run, for his life is now in danger.
Recognition
Thomas realises that the Government are after him. He decides the only way to survive is to bring justice and reveal this DVD to the world, with the intention that the world will find out the truth, so that the scandal doers will be arrested and caught. The DVD shows a secret recorded video containing politicians talking about the scandal in a parliament meeting. Thomas encounters many kind of situations throughout the movie, such as avoiding constant attempts of being caught or killed by Government members. He hides himself from this secret organisation by regularly moving to different countries.
Repair
Repair
Thomas survives assassination and finally reveals all of the political criminals and members and people involved in the scandal (the scandal cost millions of lives around the world). The politicians involved as big businessmen, women and many militants. All are now arrested and the public are aware of this scandal and are campaigning against the government.
Return
Return
Thomas is now a famous author who wrote a book about the Government's scandal and what difficulties he faced in trying to reveal the truth to the world. He is also now a charity supporter and public speaker for those who had lost their loved ones, families and friends because of the international scandal.
Stage 2: Group Feedback
Group member 1: Jenny
Positive: unique scenery in terms of use of various locations. This will be appealing to all kinds of audience but the movie is targeted towards male teenagers (target audience)
Negative: Not a very unique concept as it is similar to films such as Eagle Eye and Enemy of the State.
Group member 2: Daniel
Positive: good plot which will keep audience interested
Negative: Sometimes too fast paced that you miss out some of the information.
Group member 3: Raul
Positive: good action orientated plot and could easily be made into a title sequence
Negative: a bit cliché, could also have another 2-3 characters in an ensemble cast who help him reveal the truth. This would make the story more realistic.
Analysis of film concept
`Changeling`
Changeling is about a grieving mother, who is reunited with her missing son-only to realise the son is actually an imposter and her real son is still missing. Her search for her son does not end as she continues, even after the LAPD abandons her. Inspirations; based on real-life events in 1928 Los Angeles and on Christine Collins. The unique selling point is that it is set in the past (1920s) and is based on a true story. The movie represents tragedy, but also hope.
Narratemes
8-Villain causes harm/injury to family member (by abduction, substitutes child etc, commits murder)
9-Misfortune or lack is made known
12-Hero is tested, interrogated, attacked
18-Villain is defeated (given capital punishment)
30-Villain is punished
`Artificial intelligence`
Artificial intelligence is about a highly advanced robot boy, who longs to be real because he wants the love of his human mother.
Inspirations: `Universal Soldiers`, `Terminator ` and `Judge Dredd` are inspirational as they are all based on Artificial intelligence and to do with the advancements in the future.
Unique Selling Point: Set in the future and has futuristic features e.g. artificial intelligence, flying cars and advanced technology.
Narratemes
9-Misfortune or lack is made known
11-Hero leaves home
25-Difficult task proposed to the hero
26-Task is resolved
`Thor`
The powerful but arrogant warrior; Thor is cast out of the fantastic realm of Asgard and sent to live amongst humans on Earth, where he soon becomes one of their finest defenders.
Inspiration comes from film that often are based on a parallel world or different world involving creatures and magic e.g. `Narnia` and `The Lord of The Rings.` Narratemes used are 1-Thor leaves Asgard and then return,
Narratemes
11-Hero leaves his home
12-Hero is tested (preparing the way for his receiving magical agent/helper)
16-Hero and villain join in direct combat
25-Difficult task is proposed to the hero (trial by ordeal, test of strength and other tasks)
The unique selling point of this film is that he is a Marvel Comic character and he is no ordinary superhero but comes from a different world from us.
TITLE SEQUENCES
- What are the formal conventions? (e.g.content, style and form. An example: Symbolic (e.g. clothing/colour)
- How is the info conveyed?
`Cirque du Freak-The Vampire's assistant`
This film uses many formal conventions. Some example are the use of imagery and colours to present its theme; there are pictures of monsters and people with unusual feature e.g. a man with fangs and a lady with a long beard. Also the background colours used are dark chocolate brown and black. This tells us that this film is about freaks or supernatural beings who are obviously not normal. It also tells us that the theme of the film is based on something supernatural.
From the title sequence, knowing that it is a horror film, the audience can tell that it is not an extreme horror film with gory scenes as it is targeted at children and teenagers. I can tell this by the use of music which sounds quite childish and playful. Also the images of the monsters are like children's drawing. Symbolism is also used to inform the audience who is the main antagonist/villain (the big man who turns the two children into puppets and then eats them).
Info conveyed & Textual detail
Plot:
Two characters are trying to escape a gloomy and dark atmosphere, but encounter horrific creature and events every-time they try to: from the title sequence I can see two stick figures trying to run away from supernatural being and continuing to run e.g.. They are running from a big man who ends up eating them at the end of the sequence. All of the content from the title sequences foreshadows that the plot is about children who try to escape from supernatural beings.
Character:
Vampires, evil villain (the large man, two leading boys and the Freaks: moving images in the title sequence shows supernatural beings such as the big man who turns the two buys into puppets and then eats them, the girl with a beard, the man with the fangs and a monster.
Location:
The film is based in a sinister, dark, spooky place which looks like the circus or theatre; in the title sequence we see an animated picture version of a theatre, circus, a dark gloomy field and a cemetery which the two humans are running away from the freaks.
Theme/Atmosphere: Children's horror comical film; the use of imagery looks childish and the music seem playful and quite comical-this tells the audience that it is aimed at children and teenagers, as we can tell that it will not have explicit horror or gory scenes.
Enigmas:
Who are the two characters that were running away from the enlarged creatures and monsters throughout the title sequence?
Who was the large man who had turned them into puppets?..Did he really turn them into puppets by using magic/supernatural powers or it is a metaphor.
`Children Of Men`
Equilibrium stage
A man pushes through the line of a cafe to get his order, whilst the news reporter from the Tv informs viewers that the "youngest person on Earth has died." The man then goes out of the cafe and orders his coffee not looking bothered. He then adds alcohol to his drink. Afterwards a loud explosion in the cafe, which blows up, moves him back in shock.
The use of content in the beginning of the sequence helped us to understand the location, the place it is set in and the time. At the start of the sequence, news reporters are saying that "British troops decide to leave" and that "The UK border" will continue to reduce illegal emigrants from coming in. The caption at the end of the screen tells that the film is located in 'London 2024'. The style of how the atmosphere was created tells us that this place is definitly in Britain -perhaps in the city London. This is because of the use of mise-en-scene; we can clearly see the police wearing British uniform and the use of the British bus.
Info conveyed & Textual detail
Plot:
No one is no longer giving birth and there are still terrorism out there e.g. The cafe has a TV showing the news channel which informs the viewers in the sequence that "Diego Ricardo" the "youngest person on Earth" has died (who is only 18 year old). A bomb then goes off in the cafe.
Characters:
The man who buys a coffee is not looking bothered about the news of "Baby Diego" whilst people are crying. He then goes out and puts alcohol in his coffee before the bomb goes of. We can tell that he is the main character as the camera follows every step of his move, from entering and pushing through the cafe, to then coming out and seeing the bomb that has been exploded from the same cafe he has just exited. Also the camera focuses mainly on his facial expression showing that he is not bothered.
Location:
In London: the caption in the beginning of the title sequence tells us that it is in London 2024 and the Police officer's uniform informs that it is a British authority costume and not a unique identified from another country such as America.
Enigmas;
Is the man an alcoholic, as he added alcohol to his coffee?
Why is no one reproducing?
`Charlie and the Chocolate Factory`
The use of background colour and animation in the title sequence tells us that the theme has something to do with chocolates and sweets (moving animation in the sequence shows how a chocolate is being made using equipments and dark colours are involved; such as chocolate brown and dark purple). Symbolism is used to show that the content of the film is based in a chocolate factory as chocolates are being processed and the use of mysterious and playful music helps to convey its target audience - which are children.
Info conveyed & Textual detail
Plot:
There is a magical yet mysterious chocolate factory that no one really knows about. I know this because from the sequence you can see chocolates being processed and made by itself without anyone controlling any of the machines (tells us this movie may be quite magical) and use of mysterious music informs the audience that the place/chocolate factory may be quite secretive.
Character:
At the very start of the film there is a man (who seems to look like the lead character). He builds a chocolates version of the Taj Mahal for the Indian King and Queen. His presence and character shows us that he could be the leading character.
Location:
Somewhere where chocolate is made-in a mysterious chocolate factory. The public don't really know what goes inside the factory.
Theme/Atmosphere;
A magical, yet quite funny film which is based on children's dream e.g. a magical chocolate land.
Enigmas:
Why are there no-one in the factory looking after the machine?
Is this a chocolate factory or a magical chocolate place?
Is it another/dream world?
Where is Willy Wonka?
Why is Willy Wonka so strange and weird?
Why Willy finds it hard to say the word parents?
Why does Willy Wonka love chocolates so much?
Example of a Todorov's Narrative Structure
The Amazing Spiderman
Equilibrium
The past is shown of Peter Parker as a child when his parents leave him in his Aunt's and Uncle's house. Then we see the present tense version of Peter as a teenager who is in high school.
Disruption
Peter visits a science lab for a science project. In the lab, he gets bitten by a unusual spider; He develops many superhuman powers. He becomes very fast, can defend any moves and starts to gain strength. His uncle is then killed mistakenly by a gun of a robber.
Recognition
Parker gains superhuman ability and recognises his potential to be a superhero whilst trying to find the criminal who was behind his uncle's death. He must also defend New York city from the villainous 'Reptile' who is deciding to infect Manhattan with a biological weapon. Peter, now a vigilante, ultimately becomes `Spider-man.`
Repair
Spider-man defeats Reptile and avoids the city from being infected. He also helps the insane scientist who had transformed into Reptile to gain self awareness. Return
Peter Parker goes back to school and is in class, knowing that he is now a superhero with huge responsibilities.
What makes a good story?
A film can have many plots and different storyline but the success of the film will only be decided by whether the film had a good story or not. Most good films will have all stages of the Todorov's Narrative Structure meaning that a movie should always have a start (equilibrium), a disturbance to everyday normal life (Disruption) i.e. the kidnapping of the protagonist's child, a plan to solve this interference of normal day to day life (Recognition), actions taken which leads to resolution of this problem (Repair) and en ending (Return).
A good story also needs to have `Binary opposition` in order to complete the full plot such as Protagonist vs Antagonsit, Good vs Evil and Honourable vs Corrupt. This is because binary oppositon often makes a movie interesting a gives it a purpose of what the concept is going to be about. A good story also needs to involve at leats one or more of the Narratemes which helps the give a good story different sections, units and the need of progressing throughout. Narratemes also help a story to target its correct audience e.g. Narratmes 16-Hero and villain join in direct combat could be used to target those who like seeing action-adventure films or films that involve violence and fight in them.
The film also needs `enigmas`-so that it can keep the audience interested and so that the story could continue to encourage the audience to think about the questions from the movie so that they are not bored.
LISTENING TO MUSIC-Horror.crime drama,Action adventure etc
I got my friend to go to youtube and find some music tune for me to here-without showing me what it was. She selected different types of genre film theme songs and got me to listen (whilst I was facing the back to avoid seeing which theme song it was on Youtube). I had to write down and describe the music, guess which genre it was (even describe which film this song is from, if possible) and then I had to write why I thought the music sounded like it was from the particular genre. After I wrote all of those notes, I was then able to turn around and see which Youtube clip and film it was from and also see if I was right. I did this so that it can help me with my own title sequence and to generate ideas of how to make music effective in a film/title sequence. This helped me a lot as I was the music composer in the final edit (also had to create my own music in my individual edit); I understood what type of music was needed for different types of genres and learnt how to make music to help drive a title sequence/film. Furthermore, I learned how to make the title sequence sound dramatic, striking, emotional, creating sympathy or arrest the attention of the audience and to produce a vivid impression of the sequence.
Music & Sound 1:
I knew this music was from the classic thriller and horror film Halloween. This music has an eerie tone, suspense, the beats are repetitive and intimidating which makes you feel jumpy and frightened. The horror/music connection by identifying a group of musical motifs have become inseparable from the horror movies for which they were written. These have themes that instantly call to mind with creeping chills or sudden shocks, even if these themes have been removed from the images. In other words, if you suddenly heard one of these melodies out of the clear blue-or more likely from the darkest shadows-you’d know instantly which movie it came from. In fact, some of these tunes are so etched into popular culture that they’re often familiar to people who haven’t even SEEN the movies they came from. The end result is simply haunting and beautiful, with an absolutely unforgettable melody that continue to give people chills whenever they hear it. The music used in scary movies is so good at making our flesh creep. They have shown that the harsh, discordant and unexpected sounds used in horror soundtracks imitate the screams of frightened animals.
Music & Sound 2:
I immediately knew this music was from 'Changeling' and that it was a sad, emotional drama and mystery film. the Tone OF INSTRUMENT using the piano ensures that it is very slow and so it calms you and makes you sad. The don't usually have any words but are instrumental. The music is quite melancholic. The use of violin kicks into the soundtrack and make the audience respond with a feeling of either misty tears or a stoic tightening of the throat. A large part of the audiences who listen to sad music such as the changeling soundtrack show a cultural response; we have heard similar sad music played over similar sad scenes a thousand times, so much so that the `sadness` of the music sounds intrinsic, almost as our reactions have been trained. Also the devices that make music sound sad in sad music 'changeling' theme song are real enough. A sense of sadness which I felt whilst hearing the music was also conveyed by Tempo; the rate of the music/tempo has a lot to do with the feeling we associate with it e.g. when we are depressed, we're also listless and sedate. Likewise, sad music is generally slow and quiet to match. I also recognised the use Mimicry; some music evokes sadness by mimicking the sighs and wails of mourning. Quavering notes can sound like quavering voices, and descending melody lines fall in pitch, much like a sigh. The use of violin in 'Changeling', has a pitch range close to that of a human voice, which has been used to mimic human sounds of despair.
Music & Sound 3:
I knew this music was from Indiana Jones and was from an action adventure film. This music is fast paced, loud music is involved, there is a bout 2-3 layer of music all at once. A music representing triumphant and is orchestrated representing action and adventure.
Music & sound 4:
I immediately knew this music was from 'Changeling' and that it was a sad, emotional drama and mystery film. the Tone OF INSTRUMENT using the piano ensures that it is very slow and so it calms you and makes you sad. The don't usually have any words but are instrumental. The music is quite melancholic. The use of violin kicks into the soundtrack and make the audience respond with a feeling of either misty tears or a stoic tightening of the throat. A large part of the audiences who listen to sad music such as the changeling soundtrack show a cultural response; we have heard similar sad music played over similar sad scenes a thousand times, so much so that the `sadness` of the music sounds intrinsic, almost as our reactions have been trained. Also the devices that make music sound sad in sad music 'changeling' theme song are real enough. A sense of sadness which I felt whilst hearing the music was also conveyed by Tempo; the rate of the music/tempo has a lot to do with the feeling we associate with it e.g. when we are depressed, we're also listless and sedate. Likewise, sad music is generally slow and quiet to match. I also recognised the use Mimicry; some music evokes sadness by mimicking the sighs and wails of mourning. Quavering notes can sound like quavering voices, and descending melody lines fall in pitch, much like a sigh. The use of violin in 'Changeling', has a pitch range close to that of a human voice, which has been used to mimic human sounds of despair.
I instantly knew this film was from a James Bond film and that it belonged to the Action genre and is a classic movie.
GENRE? WHAT IS A GENRE?
Genres are formed by conventions. Genre is something that fall under the type of text it is e.g. romance, fiction, non fiction, crime drama, thriller etc. Genre is characterized by a particular style, form or content. Genre Conventions are the typical media content that repeats itself in films; hence this helps to categorize the different types of films into the different types of genre conventions.
CRIME DRAMA FILM GENRE CONVENTION:
My group and I decided to do a crime drama for our title sequence and film.
Some of the genre conventions of a crime drama are;
1.A chase (usually car)
2.A lot of involvement with props that can be harmful such as knifes or guns.
3.The villain (protagonist) would usually have some unidentified problems that will be revealed at the very end of the film.
4.The hero (protagonist) who saves everyone will have a partner (usually very intelligent or very dopey).
5. Characters will usually include someone vulnerable and gangs.
6. Crimes will usually be murder/dramas will usually be to do with family of the protagonist.
7. Conflicts due to difference in policing.
8.Someone’s private life becoming public.
-9. Betrayal.
Some examples of the crime drama genre convention we decided to include where crime genre convention number 1,2,4,5,6....
CRIME DRAMA RESEARCH;
Crime drama is one the most enduring, popular genres. It offers a space of debate about policing (e.g. corrupt polices and authority), criminality, gender, race and about the realism and problem faced in our society.
On-off crime dramas usually focuses on the kinds of crime that create the most anxiety among the audiences e.g. Murder & Serial killing.
Crime dramas are distinguished by which aspects of law enforcement they focus on, e.g. police inspector, a team of detectives, a psychologist, forensics or lawyers.
Key elements of crime genre that contributes to audience pleasure of watching crime drama;
-Resolution to Mystery
-Debate about Innocent & Guilt
-Question of Morality
Crime drama range from focusing on police uniforms,private detectives, women investigators,to those focusing on their own criminality.
Crime dramas tend to be a male orientated genre. Examples of few exceptions are Helen Mirren's character Inspector Tennison in Prime Suspect, Amelia in The Bone Collector - these female character take on traits of a male detective.
EXAMPLES OF FEMALE PROTAGONISTS IN CRIME DRAMA FILMS
MISS CONGENIALITY
SALT
EXAMPLE OF A 9 FRAME of a CRIME DRAMA; THE DEPARTED
Shot 1: Displays the production company
Shot 2: Informs where the location and film takes place
Shot 3: Portrayal of a police officer (foreshadows that the film includes the authority, as a key figure in the film)
Shot 4: Shows people fighting
Shot 5: Promotes the answer `NO`-Enigma; why is the word NO being displayed so obviously and what is `NO` being said to or for
Shot 6: Police Guarding a riot (foreshadows that this film is a CRIME DRAMA
Shot 7: Presentation of Use of Camera work; Establishing shot (shows audience the location for the coming scene so the audience knows where the action is set), Extreme long shot (of landscape/cityscape: to create a sense of awe at scale/beauty) and High angle shot (infrastructure/nature e.g. water appear smaller-used to convey lack of status, weakness, power, strength and being dominate-could foreshadow the lack of power and strength of the authority compared to the powerful underworld and crime);shows how far/ the amount of corruption that reaches the city, as well as displaying the location of where the film/crime is presented in.
Shot 8: Presentation of a dark shadow figure striding along-Enigma; who is this key figure being presented.
Shot 9: Anchoring a close-up-image of the key figure being displayed (foreshadows antagonists).
What is a 9 Frame?
A 9 FRAME is 9 captured shots or pictures laid out onto a 9 frame layout; each frame consists of individual shots or print screen images; which are considered to be the most important and relevant 9 stages of a title sequence.
AUDIENCE RESEARCH;
NICHE MARKETING;
Not all crime dramas are aimed at exactly the same audience group. Some are aimed at younger people, some crime dramas attract older people, while some are gritty and disturbing (e.g. The Walking Dead). However audience groups can overlap sometime e.g.targeted at both a teenage and adult audience.
AUDIENCE RESEARCH QUESTIONAIRE (Feedbacks on genre convention)
Key:
Question?
*=Answers/Feedbacks
1. What do you find interesting about a crime drama film?
*The interesting part of a crime drama is that there is always action involved e.g. fighting and cool gadgets and props such as guns, taser guns, bullet proof jacket etc.
*I find crime dramas interesting because there is always fighting involved and fast paced music which drives the action forward.
*I find crime plots interesting especially those including New york drug lords, mob boss, mafias, smugglers and cops.
*Crime drama is interesting because it sometimes helps the audience and viewers to understand the reality of our society and world, even though they can also be quite unrealistic. For example the Punisher shows how a big crime lord kill the police's family and friend in order to get revenge. This is very similar to many stories in the news concerning issues about how undercover cops put their family and themselves at risk.
2.What sorts of storyline plots do you like the most in a crime drama film?
* I like plots which revolve around polices and authoritative figures who take revenge for the death of the family or loved ones (who were murdered by criminals) e.g. Memento.
*Plots that are about polices with chase-around criminals are in a mission to complete a task or fight of big crime lords e.g. like John McClane in the Die hard films.
*Plots that have characters who repent from the world of crime and decide to leave a world of evil and turn their lives around and defeat the wrongs doers, protect the weak and avenge all crimes against right and justice e.g. Solomon Kane and Fast and Furious 5.
*I like crime drama plots that are based on true stories or is similar to real life situation such as The Boston Strangler and Crash (based on ethnical stereotypes and diversity).
3. Do you think that having a female Protagonist in a crime drama?
*Having a women as the main character is a very good idea-it will definitely help to attract male and female audiences who are presented as masculine, strong and independent. There are too many male lead figures in crime dramas. Having more female will demonstrate the strength and intelligence of a female leader.
*I like seeing female lead characters, but i would like them to appeal sexy and female, this is because i think females that have women who are as the protagonists and are sexy and attractive; this just makes the whole concept more interesting and appealing to watch e.g. Tomb Raider & Resident Evil both have the female as the leading role but what makes the film more interesting is the fact that they are presented as both beautiful and masculine. Therefore this shows that they can multi task and be more than one thing.
*I love films that don't present women as the weak ones or `damsel in distress`-this is because it completely challenged the stereotype that female are not as strong or good leaders as men.
*I like seeing the portrayal of female leading roles; because this challenges the norm and is not the mainstream or usual things that we see in films. This is why female protagonists makes films more enduring and watchable because it is different and is unique from most crime drama films were there are only male protagonist.
4. What sort of title sequences would you want to see for a crime drama film?
*A preferable title sequence for a crime drama film will start of by introducing the protagonist and antagonist.
*A good crime drama title sequence will show the crime taking place at the beginning of the film; so the audience understands immediately what they are expecting. For example a title sequence can start with two students walking home from school and then out of nothing, a van pulls over and a man in a hoody/street clothes (looks like a druggy or criminal) gets out of the car and drags the students into the car.
*It should have an eerie beginning and commonly in the beginning scene there will be a crime committed e.g. murder. This will then form the body of the film; for example in the crime drama CSI, the beginning always starts off with a crime commited and with that scene the story grows and develops into an expanded storyline. The audiences are eager to look for clues and find the missing pieces.
*A crime drama title sequence should always begin with the introduction of the protagonist and then introduces the antagonist and shows the crime they committed.
5. What type of criminals/protagonists do you prefer to see in a crime drama film e.g. murderer/thugs/druggies etc.?
*Crime drama protagonists that would appeal to me the most are the crime lords or big criminals.
*I prefer crime drama films that have intelligent drug lords as the protagonist.
*I like crime drama films; where the protagonist is a murderer and is involved in illegal activities e.g. trading illegal guns into a city.
*I don't mind the criminal being any kind of offenders such as a druggy/corrupt cop/thief etc as long as the criminal kills someone or some people. I believe that good crime drama should have murder involved in it, otherwise watching a crime drama with a petty crime is not very interesting, but instead will be boring (everyday normal crime such as stealing from a shop).
PLANNING MY OWN CRIME DRAMA
1. INITIAL IDEA; There should be...
-The Crime
-The Criminals
-The Victims
-The Crime Solver(s)
2.Five main elements in a crime drama;
-The film starts; giving an insight of the lead character(s) and their personality, behaviour etc
-The crime is committed
-Trying to solve the crime
-How the crime is solved
-How the film ends;the heroine is at peace and can go back to their norm; after the crime has been resolved
LOOKING INTO AND RESEARCHING TITLE SEQUENCES TO HELP CONSTRUCT A TITLE SEQUENCES
The Avengers:
Use of music & Sound ; computer instruments and Orchestra have been used to provide music so that it sounds grand and big. This also sounds thumping, big and makes the title sequence more exaggerated. The showing of different objects such as the `Hammer,` the `Arrow` and the `American Shield` have been used to present each character e.g. Thor, The Green Arrow and `Captain America.` The association of the objects with the Marvel characters set people to be excited, because they already know the popular Marvel comic characters and can immediately recognise the marvel hero's main asset.
Dream catcher:
The music tells that us that there is mystery e.g. thriller - maybe a criminal/murderer who's identity is unknown by the police and who the authority is trying to catch. There is also use of enigmas through music and dark, gloomy, frosty cold. With DNA changing/bacteria growing and expansion view through a microscope in the opening scene of this title sequence, this creates curiosity. Is it a movie about Mystery or other worldly figures e.g. about Aliens/Evil killer Robot (Science Fiction).
Salt Creature:
It is very colourful and bright representing nature (sea creature): the waves, ocean, trees etc.. lots of landscape images showing the beach informs the audience the location and setting of the film.
The Departed:
The title sequence starts off with showing what happened in an area of `Boston` such as the fights and polices guarding the area - this already foreshadows the genre (crime drama) and some of the plot is shown to the audiences- thus informing that this film will revolve around crime and police. The sequence also foreshadows the antagonist; (the man who is walking in the shadow and his face cannot be seen and he is smoking) we presume that the narrator is the main antagonist. The title sequence also creates a lot of enigmas, such as why are people fighting in Boston `few years ago?` Who is the little boy that the `apparent ` antagonist is speaking to? Why was there a police raid happening in Boston?
LOOKING AT OTHER AS TITLE SEQUENCES
The edge uses a range of camera shots and the acting skills seem professional. The actors such as the suited-like agents who run after the teenagers as well as the teenage boy were good at acting. The edge creates enigmas e.g. Why are those two men after the teenager? Does the boy have anything that belongs to them or knows about something that will threatens them.
