Textual Analysis - Representation of childhood in Super 8 and Moonrise Kingdom

The representation of childhood development is portrayed in various ways throughout Moonrise Kingdom and Super 8. Childhood development is shown in Moonrise kingdom where the children are eager to grow up and become adults, whereas in Super 8 the children in the film are forced to grow up and take initiative/take care of themselves. There are moments in both films where the children conform to their age and are portrayed as inferior, but the stereotype of a twelve year old is challenged due to the trials they're faced with.

In both films, the representation of childhood is presented to show how childhood development becomes altered. An example of this is in Super 8 where Alice is attempting to be a zombie and pretends to bite Joe's neck; this is an inference that their childhood is being sexualised and they're unknowingly taking on adult characteristics. The cinematography here includes the 180 degree rule to show that it's from a child's point of view. Medium close-ups and close-ups are also used to clearly see the facial expressions of the characters and how they react to one another. Another example of childhood becoming altered due to sexualisation is the scene in Moonrise Kingdom where Sam pierces Suzy's ears. The penetration of the earring to her skin is phallic imagery and could be a link to the loss of virginity. Ear-piercing is a job fitted for an adult, so with Sam piercing Suzy's ears he's trying to prove that he's mature enough to handle the task of penetration - further linking to the sexualisation of children in this film. The MICRO helps emphasize the MACRO in terms of seeing things from a child's perspective. The lighting in the cinematography is pulsating throughout this scene, enforcing their actual age despite their actions.

In both films, there's a scene where the two main characters are conforming to their actual age just by the conversation they're having - keeping their innocence and naivety intact. In Super 8, Joe and Alice are discussing the death of Joe's mother and Alice mentions that she wishes it her father who died instead of Joe's mother. The realisation of what's happened/happening to their parents appears to be a terrifying and traumatic experience for Joe and Alice which allows them to react in a way that reflects their age and makes them inferior. This scene is set at night time with dark blue lighting which is a symbolic representation of sadness and reflection which is their current emotions. The darker lighting shows that they're having a sincere and upsetting conversation but the light from the projector on their faces shows that their innocent and inferior. The cinematography is used in the form of close-ups and medium close-ups; this highlights their thoughts and feelings towards the situation they're in about their parents and how scared they are due to their age. In this scene in Moonrise Kingdom where they're on their own on a beach, Sam and Suzy are discussing their families, future and aspects of their lives. Although they try to sustain a conversation of serious subjects, they both unwittingly have immature aspects in their answers, proving that their clamour for adulthood and independence will naturally be hindered. The naivety of them being children makes them want to escape from their current lives into a world of their own adventures. This is a representation of how Sam and Suzy want to embrace their childhood. The cinematography in this scene emphasizes being seen from a child's point of view by dominantly using the 180 degree rule. Medium close-ups and close-ups are also used to illustrate their facial expressions of uncertainty throughout their conversation, signifying they're ideologies are beyond them. The warm, low lighting in this scene accompanies their personalities and outlook on the world - strange, unusual but beautiful to look at. 

Being part of a dysfunctional family is a theme that appears in both films and has an effect on the children psychologically and makes communication difficult. The representation of childhood in this aspect looks at how problems at home determine how children act and what their emotional responses are. The scene in Super 8 I've chosen to portray this interpretation is when Joe and his father are having an argument about Joe not being allowed to befriend Alice and Joe finally speaking up for himself. Joe's still dealing with the fact that his mother died and his father is never physically and metaphorically there for him, which causes him to lash out in anger throughout this argument. The breakdown of his family has caused him to breakdown emotionally. The low over-the-shoulder camera angles helps narrate the story from Joe's point of view and the medium close-ups and close ups helps convey how he's emotionally affected by his family situation. The lighting in this scene is generally natural due to being set in the afternoon but the contrast is slightly dimmed and cold to emphasize the tense atmosphere. In this part of Moonrise Kingdom, Suzy's mother is trying to have an emotional connection with her daughter by talking about her own personal problems within her life and family. The conversation their having fully illustrates how broken their family is with the mother having a continuous affair and Suzy being a social outcast who fails to connect with others her age. Suzy rebels and tells her mother that she hates her, fitting in to the role as a typical twelve-year-old with her sharp and anger-filled response. The pressure from her deteriorating family could be a possible explanation as to why Suzy is incapable of making friends and controlling her temper. The medium long-shots capture how both characters feel and their positioning determines who's the adult and who's the child in that situation. The dim lighting in this scene represents the melancholy, despair and inferiority Suzy is feeling due to being an outcast both socially and within her own family.

Taking on responsibilities, fending for themselves, leaving their fragile mind behind and attempting to be heroes are themes that occur in both films. The representation of childhood in these scenes show how the kids treat responsibility as an adventure. The scene in Super 8 where Joe and Carey return to their destroyed home town to save Alice demonstrates how young pre-teenagers try to handle an adult situation. Carey uses firecrackers and sparkles to create a diversion which is a childish take on the dangerous/intense situation they're in, proving that when responsibility is thrust upon them they act their mental age. The cinematography in this scene helps narrate the story; the upwards tilt movement of the camera and low angles signify that they have the power and control in the scene but the wide angles emphasize the amount of space in the shot and illustrates how small and inferior they are. This is an interpretation that the challenge they're faced with is beyond their comprehension. In this part of Moonrise Kingdom, the boys at the scout camp have been told to rescue Sam and bring him back but the boys have taken it upon themselves to bring weapons with them. They've been specifically told that it's a "non-violent rescue operation" but as children they take matters into their own hands and attempt to take on adult characteristics via carrying weapons. The medium close-ups that take up the majority of the shot demonstrates that the boys are, or want to be, of higher importance. The cinematography also uses tracking shots to convey the determination they have to complete their appointed task. The eccentric and animated lighting included in the cinematography helps the audience understand that the film is shot from a child's point of view and fixates on the fact that although they are going on many endeavors throughout their scout training, they're still young kids who are looking for adventure.

The representation of childhood is portrayed depicted through the adults as well as the children themselves. At this point in Super 8, Alice's father is attempting to talk to her and give orders but his authority is slightly hindered due to his alcoholism. Like a baby is dependent on breast milk to stay alive, Alice's father is reliant on alcohol which stops him from being a responsible parent and causes him to say things he doesn't mean out of anger - just like a child or teenager. The cinematography in this scene includes medium close-ups that take up most of the shot to show his dominance and the dark lighting in the room could possibly reflect his status as a parent. This part in Moonrise Kingdom involves Scout Master Ward looking for his troops and answering to a leader of higher power. His confusion and inability to keep track of a group of children proves that he himself is negligent while his troops are parading around the island with little to no guidance. He answers to the elderly troop master the same way the young boys answer to an adult, further having child-like qualities in his speech and physicality. His physical appearance assists the theory that he holds childish qualities seeing as his outfit is the same to the younger boys'. The cinematography helps back up this theory of Scout Master Ward acting like a child by using wide camera angles to emphasize the amount of space in the shot, making him look small. 

Some critics, like The Guardian, disagreed with how the representation of childhood was presented in Super 8 and that although immature stereotypes were conformed to at times, the children in the film seems to have the same characteristics of those in previous Steven Spielberg films. These quirky, nerdy and outcast pre-teenagers have become iconic in Spielberg films which helps narrate the story and victory of the "underdogs". In many ways, this is a romanticised version of Spielberg's type childhood, not only having a love interest between two of the characters, but in the sense that a group of witty, inexperienced teenagers are suddenly burdened with the responsibility of saving their home town and having to quickly adopt a surge of bravery in order to do so.  

Both Super 8 and Moonrise Kingdom challenge the conventions and stereotypes of teen films by thriving on themes of adventure and friendship rather than relationships, love interests and conflict. Super 8 and Moonrise Kingdom focus on children who are misfits and are looking for some sort of conquest to fill their time; with Super 8 it's the boys making a short movie, with Moonrise Kingdom it's Sam and Suzy venturing across the island of New Penzance to create their own lifestyle. Super 8 has influences from Spielberg's previous film E.T. in the sense that there's a group of kids who are keeping information from the adults about extra-terrestrial existence and deciding that they're mature enough to handle the situation on their own. This challenges the conventions of teen films by emphasizing a child's need for adventure and excitement which isn't always shown in teen films of today. Super 8 and Moonrise Kingdom highlight the innocence of childhood with dialogue and irrational antics. 

Throughout Super 8 and Moonrise Kingdom, the representation of childhood becomes both altered and conformed to. Sam and Suzy attempt to look after themselves by running away and even getting "married" but are hindered by the fact they're still children themselves whereas Joe and his friends are trying to save their town and Alice, challenging the stereotype of immature twelve-year-olds. Both films show the message of children who don't "fit in" with others due to their disruptive family life and discover their inner bravery as a result of the adventure(s) they embark on. 

Timelines of Moonrise Kingdom and Super 8

Timeline of Moonrise Kingdom

-Introduction: sitting in Suzy’s house, everything appearing to be in order. Suzy continually looking out the window with her binoculars

-The narrator’s introduction. Breaking the fourth wall and telling the audience about the nature and history of the island.

-The scout camp morning routine. Scoutmaster is dressed like one of the kids in his knee-socks and outfit. The kids are building extravagant treehouses and handling fireworks. Scoutmaster and the troops discover that Sam’s missing/he “flew the coop”

-Island police get alerted that Sam’s missing. Phone call with Sam’s foster parent, cowering away from his responsibilities like a child

-Non-violent rescue operation. Kids carrying weapons

-Police officer asking civilians about Sam’s whereabouts

-Suzy watching her mum and the officer sneaking around like kids

-Sam venturing off across the river and navigating his way. Sam smoking a pipe

-Flashback to their first encounter. Sam touches and plays with everything he encounters, still conforming to his childish thoughts

- As he meets Suzy they discuss their plan.

-Sam and Suzy travelling along the island, still talking like kids who don’t have a clue

-Sam cooking for Suzy. The Inventory scene. Sam laughing at Suzy’s mental illness

-Letters scene that involve flashbacks and the development of their friendship

-Deputizing the little guy, police man giving orders

-Do not cross this stick scene

-Dock scene. Scoutmaster becomes inferior. Suzy’s dad throws a shoe

-Old Chickchaw scene. Jumping in the water the way kids do. Sam and Suzy are in their underwear

-Sam pierces Suzy’s ear, phallic imagery

-On the rocks scene; confiding in each other

-Sam and Suzy wake up together. Suzy’s rebellious when her dad tries to threaten her

-Telephone conversation with social services. Captain Sharp gives childish answers. Clear division

-Bath scene

-Sam acknowledges his actions in Captain Sharpe’s house. Maturity. Captain pouring Sam a beer

-Kids talking in the tree-house. Deciding to take initiative in a rescue operation

-Kids go across the river in the early hours of the morning

-Suzy’s parents in separate beds. Trying to confess

-Suzy reading to everyone in the camp

-Cousin Jason acting like a child in Fort Lebanon. Most important decision of your life scene

-Sam and Suzy marriage scene

-Sam runs away from the scouts chasing him

-Scout Master Ward is confused that he’s lost the troops and they aren’t at Fort Lebanon. Rescues the elderly scout leader and carries him on his back

-Sam and Suzy escape from the church and Captain Sharpe wants to foster Sam

-Aftermath of the storm by the narrator

-Sam and Suzy are in Suzy’s house. He is painting a memory of where they were. They arrange to meet tomorrow as Sam leaves

Timeline of Super 8

-Starts with a funeral; Joe sitting outside, excluding himself from socialising. Joe’s dad and Dainard are shown as people who don’t get along, huge conflict between the two

- They boys coming out of school, talking about film-making and their plan to get footage late at night

-Joe and Charles in Charles’ house, talking more about film-making, fully displaying the chaotic family in which Charles lives – dysfunctional family

-Joe goes home, sees his father crying. Not knowing what to do, Joe stands there stunned

-Diner scene in Super 8, Joe’s dad tries to get him to go away for the summer to some sort of youth military camp. Harsh way of communication and difficult to make conversation. Joe’s father being portrayed as a hard-headed dictator who has an over-ruling opinion

-Filming on the train tracks; the train crashes and the kids find out it was caused by their biology teacher Dr Woodward who threatens them to not tell anyone of this incident. The kids run off in a panic, swearing to never speak of it again. Alice gives Joe a white cube that was found at the train crash site – a secret between the two

-Charles and Joe in the shop trying to get the camera fixed from the train damage. Joe calls Alice, trying to convince her to continue in the film. Joe insists on seeing Alice and talking to her in person

-Joe appears at Alice’s house, trying to convince her. She is resilient. Her father shows up and forbids Joe and Alice from ever talking again

-Sheriff and a teenager get abducted by the alien

-The kids decide to go back to the site of the train crash

-Joe’s dad tries to take care of the town and handle the complaints of town inhabitants

-The army get involved in the situation of the train crash, missing people, dogs, and household items. Jack (Joe’s dad) asks Colonel Nelec what’s happening and arranges to meet him at the army base later on in the day

-The kids continue filming at Joe’s house; Alice is dressed up as a zombie, Joe’s done her make-up. As she tries her hand at acting like a zombie, Joe is besotted by her. She pretends to bite his neck, Charles looks over in slight jealousy

-The kids are filming near a building where the army are, the army see the kids filming and Joe’s dad puts a stop to it and takes Joe home

-Joe’s dad tries to dictate and give orders; Joe finally stands up to his father and it ends in an argument

-Joe’s dad gets arrested by Nelec and the army

-Joe and Alice are in Joe’s room during a power-cut. An old video of Joe’s mother is being played. Joe and Alice confide in each other and talk about their parents

-Alice returns home to her drunken father. They get in an argument and she leaves. He tries to chase after but she is abducted by the alien

-The army create a mass fire

-Charles tells Joe that he’s jealous because Alice is interested in Joe instead of him. Charles and Joe watch back the video they recorded on the night of the train crash and get a glimpse of the alien

-The army tell the people of the town to evacuate; Joe finds out from Alice’s dad that Alice is missing and that the alien took her. Joe and the boys devise a plan to get back into the town and save Alice

-The boys manage to get back into their town with the help of an older teenager they know. One of the boys gets injured and Charles stays to help him while Joe and Carey venture off beyond a graveyard to find the alien’s base

-They find Alice, the alien and all the other missing people of the town. Joe tries to console the alien and the alien lets them all go

-Joe and Alice are re-united with their fathers and the alien leaves on his ship

Phallic Imagery in V for Vendetta and Children of Men

Essay Plan; Representation of childhood in Moonrise Kingdom and Super 8

The representation of childhood development is portrayed in opposite ways in Moonrise Kingdom and Super 8. Childhood development is shown in Moonrise Kingdom where the children want to grow up and become adults, whereas in Super 8 the children in the film are forced to grow up and take initiative.  

Example: Moonrise Kingdom - Scout Camp marriage suggestion scene

Analysis: They try to prove that they're mature enough to handle the responsibility of marriage even though they still act their age some aspects.

Synthesis: As the film goes on, they're trying to achieve more elaborate things to prove that they can be responsible adults who can look after themselves

Example: Super 8 - Joe rescues Alice scene

Analysis: The group of kids in Super 8 take matters into their own hands, even if ther methods are seen as amateur due to their age

Synthesis: As Joe realises his friend Alice could possibly be dead, he becomes the hero of the story and maps out an elaborate plan to try and save her. This is a task that an adult should pursue which is what makes certain aspects of Super 8 so unusual

Example: Moonrise Kingdom - Talking on the beach scene
Analysis: There's stylised dialogue being spoken by Sam and Suzy, possibly to prove to both the audience and each other that they're mature
Synthesis: Even though Sam and Suzy are talking about life and other things that could be discussed by adults, they sometimes give childish replies and mention things that remind them of their age. An example was   after they were talking about what they want to do in the future, Sam abruptly says "It's possible I may wet the bed by the way"

Example: Super 8 - Alice driving scene
Analysis: The adults don't want to chauffeur their children around at night past curfew so Alice takes initiative and drives her dad's car
Synthesis: Being in control of their own lives, having the mentality that if they want something accomplished they's have to do it themseves

After studying both films, I learned that the development of childhood becomes altered as the kids try to adapt to changing situations. The kids in Moonrise Kingdom try to prove to everyone that they can handle the world whereas in Super 8 they need to take care of themselves due to the adults in their lives being oblivious and un-healpful

Dystopian Sci-Fi in V for Vendetta

 In the final scene of V for Vendetta, the people of society are rising up against their government in the form of a revolution. This dystopian aspect is similar a scene in Rise Of The Planets Of the Apes, where the apes take on human qualities and start a revolution themselves. 

One of the first scenes in V for Vendetta is clearly conveyed to have aspects of dystopia and sci-fi by Chancellor Sutler giving orders to his five officials.  

Class notes - Tuesday 12th November 2013

Partner presentation analysis

Chronicle and Attack The Block - Themes
-Foreshadowing
-Both films appear to be demonising the youth
-Disruption: power from radiation. In Chronicle, Andrew is more powerful out of the group of three guys due to his unstable home/social life
-Stereotypes and perceptions of youth, how it affects them when they're given power
-Both films portray an expression of masculinity
-One of the themes in Chronicle could be virginity, the transition of childhood to being a man
-Hubris = pride before the fall
-Both films include themes of supernatural occurrences and each have different portrayals of how each film deals with encounters with these supernatural events
-Superiority, apex predator

Class notes - Friday 8th November 2013

"Just One Morning"
-A possible macro for this student-made film could be narrative.
-Restricted narrative; the audience only knows what the protagonist knows
-Cinematography is used heavily
-A cliche of being a "party animal"
-The morning after
-Influences from "The Hangover"

Aesthetic = visual style
Dream-state links to hyper-reality

Class notes - Tuesday 5th November 2013

Film festivals are for distributers to pick up independent films
All essays have to have an argument

-Comparison of two films (1 independent and 1 blockbuster)
-Explain why you agree or disagree with those opinions
-Need to be structured in a thesis point conclusion

Men act, women appear
-Example: V for Vendetta. Evey's portrayed as an attractive female female who's dependent on V for her safety
-The film "Just My Luck" follows Classic Hollywood Narrative
-The film "Columbiana" has a female protagonist who's violent and dominant throughout the film

Children of Men - Themes and Messages

-Infertility

-Terrorism

-Oppression of immigrants

-Trust

-Reproduction

-Immigration

-Hopelessness and Suicide

Class notes - Tuesday 15th October

Django Unchained

-Representation and reflection of how racial society was in that era.
-Representation of race

-Could be paired with the film "The Help" due to representation of race and how they were viewed by society. Style and dialogue of the film is dramatised/emphasized due to the director and how he wants his films to come across

Representation of race compares to "The Help". Both films narrate the lesser/bad treatment of black people and how they're looked on by society. When black people are in a high position of power in Django Unchained, they treat other black people with less respect whereas with The Help, all black people see each other as equal because there is no hierarchy within the same race. In both films, white people are in a high position of power which reflects the acts that were going on in those eras, both before the Civil Rights Movement. Django Unchained is less realistic because of the swearing and stylized dialogue

-Theme of both films: slavery
-MACRO studies will often intertwine
-Distribution is not the same as making
-Tarantino makes independent films
-When researching films, go to imdb
-Independent films get picked up by major distributers

Moonrise Kingdom and Super 8 essay notes/plan

Super 8
-Cafe scene
-Very little music used in Super 8 to focus on the story
-Narrated by characters as the story progresses
-Flashbacks used to tell the story, set the tone of the film/make the audience aware of the situation
-Confiding in each other
-Joe and Alice, night bedroom scene
-Mostly shot at night/in the dark to create what kind of atmosphere?
-Alice getting home scene. Who looks inferior out of the two?
-Serious and intimidating music/sound effects to fit the film - suspense
-Verisimilitude in Super 8
-Magnets flying scene
-Set in a town

Moonrise Kingdom
-Bright and vibrant colours used throughout the film
-Lots of attention to detail via medium long shots and close-ups
-Sharp and exaggerated camera shots
-Told through a physical narrator
-Fast paced speech
-Music in almost every scene and throughout the film
-Everything is spelled out and straight forward
-Exaggerated acting
-Suzy's dad and Captain driving scene
-"What did you bring with you?" scene
-Letters scene
-Set on an island, reclusive
-Narrator talks to the characters, breaking the fourth wall
-Beach scene

Both
-Ideas/themes of adventure and independence
-Young kids in relationships
-Set in the 60's and 70's

Children of Men - Dystopia Mood Board

Father figures in V for Vendetta sweded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eqGqWFXFKME&feature=youtu.be

female identity



national identity

V for Vendetta, in depth analysis

What significant examples are there of gender roles (mother, father, strength/power) in the characters?

- Sutler resembles a father figure in to the people of London: When he's voted as chancellor, Sutler leads the people into a new era which involves/leads to fascist ideas. He enforces his ideas, legislations and discipline to society and his Norsefire flag/symbol is in every household, building and posters of his quotes are plastered all over the city. Sutler is both metaphorically and physically the head of every household. A curfew is given to the people of London by Chancellor Sutler, just as a concerned parent would set boundaries for their children. If his orders or rules are disobeyed by any persons, they are black-bagged which is Sutler's extreme version of "punishment".

-V is portrayed as a father figure to Evey: Since rescuing her from being raped by Fingermen, V has protected Evey and sheltered her. Throughout the film he is determined to teach Evey his views and ideologies on how the world should be. He tries to convince her to do what's "right" ie going against the government and embracing her individuality. Although V tortured her in the mock-prison he created, he only did those things for her benefit and because he cared about her; taking on characteristics of being a father figure by teaching her how to "open her eyes".

-Delia (the coroner) is a mother figure to V: At Larkhill detention center, Delia was the main participant in V's re-birth and is held accountable for his outcome. In a way, she created and nurtured him until it was his time to leave the detention center which was his surrogate home. With her being the only visible female participant in V's creation, Delia is burdened with being a motherly figure to V.

-Evey becomes a mother figure to society: When Evey pulls the lever that releases the bombs into parliament, she instantaneously stimulates the dawn of a new era and leads the people into freedom. As the old, fascist, and immoral ideas are being blown up, a sense of individuality and freedom are being restored. Also, the train going into the tunnel can be interpreted as phallic/yonic imagery which creates a more visual effect of Evey stimulating the re-birth of this generation.

Do the characters use or challenge Stock Characters of the genre and how does it create meaning/symbolism?

-Evey's stock character is the "girl next door" which is a role she fulfills for the majority of the film. She starts off as an attractive, naive, vulnerable female which contributes to the stereotype of her genre and stock character. But as she is captured,  put in the mock-prison and has her hair shaved, she no longer conforms to the delicate stereotype of a female. She becomes empowered, stronger, fearless and completely abandons all stereotypical traits of the "girl next door", creating symbolic messages that she's rid herself of her femininity.

-Delia's stock character is the "mad scientist" who made a large contribution at Larkhill detention center and created V into the vigilante that he is. Thinking she was just following orders and not doing any harm, her experiment had spiraled out of control. In this way, she conforms to the stereotypical "mad scientist" but also challenges the role of this stock character by having sympathy and compassion for V. As he kills her, she apologizes for what she did to him, demonstrating she isn't completely ruthless. 

Why does the film need to create "Verisimilitude"  or genre realism (conspiracy, superpowers, revolution) to get across its message?

-In V for Vendetta, conspiracy theories are used to let the public know how easily they can be manipulated by their governments and how the idea of "change" can get out of hand. With the government inflicting diseases on their own people and the constant use of propaganda, conspiracy is portrayed as a negative thing. When V uses conspiracies to bring down the government and start a revolution, the audience sees this as a positive thing because the story is told in a way that makes us side with the terrorist vigilante that is V.

Class notes - Tuesday 8th October 2013

Stock Characters in V for Vendetta
Girl next door = Evey
Mad scientist = Delia
Town Bullies = Fingermen, Creedy and the Voice of London
Whiskey Priest = the Bishop
Hardboiled Detective = Finch

Representation in V for Vendetta
-In the beginning of the film, Evey conforms to the female stereotype of being fragile, long-haired, attractive and vulnerable, but when she gets kidnapped, put in the mock-prison and has her hair shaved, she takes on masculine characteristics. She no longer cares what people do to her and refuses to show her emotions

-V is a male character with feminine traits; a long haired wig, a mask with make-up and has hobbies that include music and dancing.
-Marxism; the media is biased and the people of society don't question propaganda. Becuase people are so social obedient, V takes advantage of this power and manipulates the people with his broadcasting message

-People are "banned" from having their own identity
-The masks in the final scene make everyone gender neutral. When parliament is blown up and the people take off their masks, it's a representation that they're taking off the garment that unites them all and makes them alike. In taking off the masks, they're revealing their own identity and finally having the freedom to be their own individual person - no longer enslaved to conform to right wing ideas and regulations.

Pro-creation - the fatherland
-Fatherhood, pro-creation and fascism are re-occurring themes in V for Vendetta
-Example: the experimentation at Larkhill detention center, the government were trying to create the "perfect race". Links to Eugenics in Nazi Germany
-Example: chancellor is on every television and his Norsefire flag/symbol is in every home - people look up to him. Link to the Tsar in Russia being a father figure for the people
-Chancellor Sutler plays a fatherly figure to London; leading them into a new era (fascism), giving them orders and discipline and metaphorically (and physically via the "emergency channel") being the head of every household

-V plays a fatherly figure to Evey throughout the film.

Class notes - Tuesday 1st October 2013

-Religion is one of the main themes in V for Vendetta. "Strength through unity, unity through faith". The director/writer wants to get across the message the "religion is corrupt and it's being used to obtain power and manipulate the people of society"

-Norsefire = name of the government in V for Vendetta

-Examples of fascism = detention center at Larkhill/ chancellor Sutler rises to power

-The ends justify the means "It is acceptable to use violence in the name of freedom"

-Are governments just as bad as terrorists?

-One man's terrorist could be another man's freedom fighter

-Is religion used for social control?

Modern fears of totalitarianism 

-Plays with themes of media manipulation, government surveillance and "religious hypocrisy"

-The government inflicted a disease on a primary school and almost immediately invented a cure - creating the idea that the government is all powerful and has intentions to "help the people". In a way, this act is of both propaganda and terrorism; the government creates a problem just so they can be able to solve it

-The people of London in V for Vendetta are completely controlled by their government - social slavery

-Fear, domination and a constant climb for power

-Fascism links with Nazi Germany

Class notes - Friday 27th September 2013

MACRO analysis involves
-messages
-narrative
-themes
-genre
-style
-representation

V for Vendetta opening scene - Themes
-Oppression
-Accusations of hate
-Discrimination

Location
-Shows theatrical elements which fit V's personality.
-Evey is in her bedroom, an intimate location which clearly presents her as the classic damsel in distress

Representation
-The split screen used in editing could show that they're mirroring each other
-Both putting on a "mask". They both have to put on disguises in order to survive in the world they're living in
-V has a lot of low-angles, suggesting he's dominant, powerful and significant
-Evey has loads of high angles, an inferior character
-Half of Evey's face is shown in most of the shots to show that the audience is only shown half of her character

-The dominoes towards the end are all connected to V's plan; cause and effect. Each problems causes another  - chain reaction of chaos

V for Vendetta - Thesis Statement

In the dystopian film titled "V for Vendetta", there are themes of fascism that help convey the message that the people of society should not allow their government to take control of their lives. Dictatorship and media manipulation are heavily used in this film to display how individual can be taken away and send society into a state of oppression. Conspiracy theories related Guy Fawkes and the 9/11 attacks are referenced to send a message of both revenge and a revolution.

Media Manipulation
-Opinions of the government are forced upon the people
-Scene: the "Voice of London" at the beginning of the film
-Analysis: Targets certain minorities of people (muslims, immigrants, homosexuals). Displays the one-track way of thinking and offensive opinions
-Message of media manipulation: people aren't allowed to have their own opinions

Oppression
-Lack of identity and being disallowed to express themselves
-Scene: Dietrich's secret life
-Analysis: He has to hide his sexual identity because homosexuality is banned - he is an oppressed individual
-Message of oppression: identity is the main thing (aside from freedom) that the people have been stripped from, resulting in hiding their lives

Conspiracies
-V uses terrorism to send a message to both the people of London and it's government
-Scene: V blowing up the Old Bailey
-Analysis: the building was a symbol of justice, which was seen as hypocrisy in V's eyes. He wants the people to join him in a revolution. "People should not be afraid of their governments, governments should be afraid of their people"
-Messages of conspiracies: violence can be justified if it's in the name of freedom

Fascism
-Dictatorship, totalitarianism and censorship are all Nazi-like qualities that have been adopted by the current government in V for Vendetta
-Scene: the victims at Larkhill Detention Centre
-Analysis: the "perfect race" was trying to be created, refusing to accept individuals for who they are
-Messages of fascism: Dictatorship can get to such extreme lengths that people become persecuted for being themselves in a society that neglects acceptance

Conclusion
Media manipulation, oppression, conspiracies and fascism are used to convey the message that people should cling to the freedom and individuality they have and not let the government have total control of their every move. The character V was portrayed to be a symbol of revolution who'd release the people from oppression, further supporting the belief that freedom needs to be fought for, even if extreme lengths have to be endured.

What scene(s) in V for Vendetta shows freedom?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vteAVVwWb4

Classical Hollywood Narrative Structure

The Classical Narrative Structure is the way most movies are made in Hollywood. Commonly in mainstream films and blockbusters.

Act 1: The Setup (Equilibrium/stability)

-Audience is introduced to the main characters and the obstacles they might face to achieve their goals.

-The conflict in the story is brought to light, as is the major antagonist (the villain) who stands in the way of the protagonist's (hero's) objectives

-The first act is referred to as the Hook. Sets the story to pull in the audience's attention, takes about one quarter of the film's length

Act 2: The Development (Disruption)

-This is where the difficulties are added to the story. A gradual sense of urgency is created when the main characters face problems that get in the way of their journey 

-Act two takes up the middle two quarters of the film and usually includes a "false resolution". After this point, the film goes to the necessary climax

-"Cause and Effect Relationships" propel the main characters throughout the film. Involves actions that cause a reaction to one of the characters, causing more reactions along the duration of the film

Act 3: The Resolution (Equilibrium re-established)

-The last/final part of the movie concludes the story's main conflict known as the climax. The key struggles are overcome and as far as the Classic Hollywood Narrative goes, the victor is usually the hero and all conflicts are resolved. The typical "Hollywood Ending" is popular in the narrative sense where the protagonist lives happily ever after

Voyeurism and The Male Gaze (Psycho shower scene)

-"The Male Gaze"= movies that are filmed from a man's perspective; women are portrayed as weak and vulnerable
-Alfred Hitchcock used re-occurring themes of the "morbid variety-sex", death, murder, suspense and voyeurism. In Psycho, he uses unique methods and themes to switch the audience's views.
-In Psycho before she is murdered, she is looking distressed whilst writing something in her journal. "When people are distressed, their minds tend to be at their weakest". Women being seen as helpless

Shower Scene analysis
-Marion (the girl in the film Psycho) is in the center frame to focus on the emotion and intensity on her face.
-She is later followed by a tracking shot, demonstrating she's a character of importance
-Low lighting in her room to create an atmosphere of tranquility, seduction and suspense. Bright lighting in the bathroom to give her focus and the audience's attention
-High-pitched music when she's in the bedroom, creating an essence of suspense and fear in both the audience and the character. Normal/everyday sound effects in the bathroom (turning of the shower knob, water pouring down). No music is used for this part of the scene, close-up shot of her body to draw attention to her. As she takes off her clothes, an essence of both vulnerability and sexuality is created. Male Gaze becomes apparent and visual here; there is nothing to protect her, metaphorically and physically - being naked is a very private and intimate thing. An intrusion of her privacy - voyeurism
-Washing herself sensually in the shower, implying that women are sexual objects and are there to be adored by men. Possible symbolism for washing away her impurities

-Medium shot of Marion - rake focus to emphasize the killer's shadow. Facial close-ups to depict her thoughts and emotions, extreme close up of the mouth and a high angle to suggest she is belittled and inferior. 

 

-As she grabs the curtain, she is "holding on for dear life"

Class notes - Friday 20th September 2013

V for Vendetta - Relationship between characters
"I killed you ten minutes ago"

Narrative aspects
-The coroner regrets the contribution she made to V's life
-V has no remorse and kills her anyway
-His memory was erased in the process of him being experimented on, he also became disfigured and burnt

-Style of the film = fascism
-Action film? Thriller? Sci-fi? Hybrid genre

-The coroner is suggested to be a mother figure to V
-In some cases, V is a psychopath = post modern narrative
-V is getting his "justified revenge"
-"I killed you ten minutes ago" mercy killing. Was she less at fault than others who experimented on him? All the other people involved at Larkhill knew what was entailed, whereas the coroner was only following orders
-V gives all his victims a red rose. The colour red represents passion, romance, danger and revolution. The rose V gives the coroner could represent yonic imagery.
-This death scene is a lot more calmer and dignified.
-Slow-paced editing
-Dark and cold colours in the scene could be a representation of death
-V appears out of the dark in this scene, having a grim reaper essence about him

post modern narrative = told from Evey's point of view

V for Vendetta - Analysing the Narrative aspects

-The man on the large screen, the Chancellor, is of significance and is being reported to. All men at the table are looking up at the chancellor, showing he is above them, superior and claims a high status of power. The men who are working for Chancellor Sutler are attentive, submissive and ask no questions when commands/orders are given; suggestion that they're challenging the male stereotype and taking on feminine characteristics of servitude.

-V is happy with the anarchy. Enhanced spacial awareness. Close up shot shows that he's of importance
-Evey conveys the audience's current emotions: shock, terror, confusion
-V and Evey are on top of a roof, being "on top of the world" for a brief amount of time

Close up of V
-Protagonist or antagonist? Hero or villain?
-Vigilante
-Terrorist or revolutionary?
-Activist
-Anti-hero
-The story of the film is told in a way that the audience sides with the terrorist
-Loves the chaos and destruction - what does that say about his mentality?

Themes in V for Vendetta
-Dictatorship
-Thriller/dystopian film
-Voyeurism

The scene of Evey's Torture
-When her hair is being shaved, she loses and becomes stripped of her femininity. This is one of the most significant scenes in V for Vendetta because not only does her appearance change, but her mentality and the stereotype of her gender.

-The close up of Evey's face shows her terror. When she is looking straight into the camera, there's an inference that she's trying to plea to the audience and connect with them
-In the scene where Evey sits in the corner of a dark room, there's a realization that she's completely isolated, alone and vulnerable
-The other woman who was in the prison years before, Valarie, didn't fight her torture, but dealt with it in a silent and dignified manner
-This sequence in the film was an implication that Evey has to stop being fragile and adopt masculine qualities

Analysing camera angles in cinematography

In groups, we looked at screenshots of different films and had to analyse what camera angles we saw what the the suggested representation could be.

1) Medium close-up. Business type/professional relationship, having an in depth discussion. No physical contact is made. The two men are level with each other in partnership. One person is slightly forward than the other. Deep focus, clearly able to see both characters

2) Extreme close-up. Darkness on the left side of the eye, brightness on the right. Looking out into the distance, watching helplessly. "All-seeing eye". The world is in the eye of the beholder. Possibly a victim of destruction.

3) Following the main character. The man seems more dominant and important. With the camera focused on his face, the woman is blurry and appears insignificant. Is he displeased about the conversation? Is he focusing on something more important?

4) Close-up camera shot. He clearly has injuries, showing there is danger around the protagonist. Possibly been in a fight. Raining and cold weather. Blue is a strong colour, suggesting that he could be either sad, depressed or ill. The pale blue could be a representation of a banal setting.

5) High angle/level of framing. Almost looking up at the camera. Seemingly expectant. Wide angle, loads of space in the shot.

6) Following the characters. Switches the audience's attention with different frames and camera angles. Following the characters to show they're of importance, people want to shadow them. Tracking shot causes the audience to empathize for the character.

Class notes - Tuesday 10th September 2013

Macro (meaning)
-Narrative
-Style
-Genre
-Representation

Planet of the Apes final scene
-Sound? Camera work? Editing?

This week we focus on Cinematography
Last week we worked on mise-en-scene
-Tool-kit for film analysis includes editing and sound

Representation
-Statue of liberty is destroyed, representation of the fall of man-kind, civilisation
-Role reversal; man breaks down and becomes emotional, woman stays vigil, almost motion-less. The look on her face was more confused instead of concerned

Camera Angles
-Long shots and close ups
-Movements (pans from the guy to the statue)
-Over shadowing
-High angle (eye-line)
-Longshots make the character look small and insignificant - foreshadowing something that's about to happen. "Atomic bomb" blowing up all form of humanity
-Cliffhanger ending sends a message

-The guy was looking weak and powerless "brought him to his knees"
-Camera angles the guy to look small on a large beach, feeling lost and isolated

-Starts off with the two characters on a beach together, thinking it may be a romantic film
-Character driven
-Post-apocalyptic. Everything has collapsed. The future reverses to a stone-age setting
-Atmosphere presents an essence of emptiness

What we look at in cinematography
-Capturing photographic images
-Deep focus = small aperture and lots of light
-Focus of the lens to shift the audience's attention
-Strange people/objects to show discomfort in the scene
-High or low angle = camera's point of view on the situation
-Following = focuses on the character(s)
-Wide angle = emphasize the amount of space
-Medium close up = takes up most of the screen
-Close-ups = takes up whole screen, focuses on the character's emotions

Class notes - Friday 6th September 2013

The Godfather last scene evaluation

1) What does the location tell you about the character?
Set in an office, he wants to appear as a business man

2) What does the lighting tell you about the character?
Lighting around him is dark, suggesting that he has a past full of bad things. Bright characters around his wife, stating innocence and purity.
-Shutting the door on his wife, hiding his dark deeds from her

Mise-en-scene clips for analysis
-All the elements of the scene within the frame
-Creates symbolism
-Location/setting/set design
-costume
-props
-acting
-colours
-lighting
-space

Alice in Wonderland
-Mellow and unsettling/intimidating lighting. Dim lights to not give an eerie atmosphere but a mysterious one
-costume shows she's upper class and well-off
-Themes of fantasy
-Trying to convey themes that girls are naive
-Looking up at the table when she's shrunken, she's looking up at the table that has an upright bottle. Suggestion of phallic imagery

Narrative: Alice possibly has middle or upper class up-bringing. Victorian and ancient setting/location
Style: Fantasy
Genre: mild thriller vs fantasy
Representation: Alice being a female, shows that young girls are presented as naive innocent

The "wonderland" could be inside her mind. She could either be hallucinating or finally exploring her personal views on the world

Class notes - Tuesday 3rd September 2013

-Mise-en-scene = Location/costume/props/body language
-Everything in the scene

Macro Analysis is an evaluation of the:
Narrative: background of the character
Style: themes of the film
Genre: horror/comedy/sci-fi/hybrid
Representation: how men and women are portrayed and what suggestions are being made
Meaning: what is the message of the film

Blade Runner clip
-Busy high-street with futuristic features/aspects. Flying cars and glow in the dark umbrellas. Sci-fi style of film
-"Helping America in your new world". Drastic changes have been made and the people are still adapting.
-Dirty, smokey and unsanitary location
-Poor quality suggesting it's an old film
-Dystopian elements show how the world is meant to be better but the streets are crowded and everything is too close together

Nosferatu
1) What type of film is it?
Horror film

2) How are men and women represented?
Women are seen as vulnerable victims, "damsels in distress"

3) What descriptive words/adjectives would be used to describe how it works?
Creating the atmosphere that something suspicious is about to happen

Fast and Furious evaluation/brainstorm
-Vin Diesel was wiped out by a care just as he dodged a train
-Green truck symbolising the nature wiping him out and the "new" beginning
-Confrontation between the characters
-The difference in the two cars represents the dominance. Black car, white shirt symbolises being rough on the outside and sentimental on the inside
-Reflection of the orange car shows how Vin Diesel used to be
-Explosion in the car symbolises his racing days might be over before he injuries himself trying too hard
-Black is the more dominant colour
-Levels with the cars, trying to portray superiority
-Won't let his ego get in the way of his fear

Comparative Essay - V for Vendetta and Children of Men

A summer task I was given for film studies was to watch "Children of Men" and "V for Vendetta" and write a comparative essay on them. I'd never watched either of them before so writing this essay was a slightly difficult but in the end this is what I managed to create.

Children of Men and V for Vendetta comparative essay

Priscilla Nash, Year 12, DV7

In Children of Men, the colours that were used in each scene were very neutral. Everything seemed like a mixture of blue, grey dullness to visually narrate how the bleak the world had become. Dark and subtle lighting was used to emphasize the banal and depressing atmosphere. The main locations in this film are the city, secluded parts of the countryside, run-down refugee sites and a long-forgotten town that’s in ruins. The costumes used in this film were very carefully selected. Social superiority and cultural division played a significant part in this film and is clearly shown by each character and how the act, speak and dress. Costumes of people in the city are well dressed, everyday clothes (sometimes smart clothing), people living in harsh conditions were wearing raged and worn out clothes. I think this film is unique because it shows how lost the world would be without children and it also highlights the consequences of having none present.

In a way, the story of V for Vendetta is told through the deaths of characters. Each victim that V killed played a significant part in his life and contributed to his dis-figuration and hatred for the current society in which he lives. In V for Vendetta, there are no bright or vibrant colours for the majority of the film, apart from the fireworks which symbolises V’s idea of a new beginning. The location of this film is in central London and V’s lair which he calls “The Shadow Gallery”. The only apparent lighting in the Shadow Gallery was from lamps on the walls and tables, creating an atmosphere of both tranquillity and suspense. The characters in V for Vendetta are wearing normal, everyday clothes except for V, the members of government and the prisoners at Larkhill. V wears a Guy Fawkes mask and is clothed in all black like some sort of a masked villain. The members of government are always in suits and the prisoners at Larkhill wear nothing but a medium-length piece of material. I think V for Vendetta is unique because it shows how the government can manipulate people and take away their human rights and freedom in most extreme ways.

Theo and Julian are a former married couple and have been distant from each other for a while (both emotionally and physically). Miriam is a retired midwife who is assigned to be Kee’s carer. Kee, the pregnant girl who needs to be transported in secret, learns to trust Theo and they build an unusual friendship throughout their journey. At one point or another, all characters confront rivalry, conspiracies and uprisings. Theo goes on his journey for the cash reward and brief (possibly sexual) re-conciliation with his wife. The film ends with Theo and Kee in a rowing boat, finally safe from the conflict, violence and people who were after her baby.

V meets Evey when he saves her from getting raped by the secret police called “Finger men”. After he saves her and she does the same for him the next day, he takes her to his lair and over the space of a year they form an un-usual friendship. The characters that V kills and leaves a rose on their chest are people who experimented on him and instigated his hatred and revenge. V and Evey confront the dilemmas of having people looking for them to be captured and killed. V goes on his journey to seek revenge for what was done to him, to destroy the ruling of a fascist government and to give the people back their freedom. The film ends with V dead and inside the tube that blows up parliament and all the people of London wearing capes and Guy Fawkes masks.

Dystopia, terrorism, conflict and infertility are the main themes that are explored in Children of Men. The dystopia aspects of this film are the noticeable signs of oppression and human despair that are created by infertility issues. Acts of terror that are in this film are made apparent in the first scene where there is an explosion and in the characters who call themselves “Fishes” who want to use the newborn baby for their revolt. The theme of conflict is explored widely throughout the film; displaying social and cultural superiority, disagreements on political views and copious amounts of wars.

The dominant themes in V for Vendetta are dystopia, terrorism and fascism. The dystopian and fascist aspects of V for Vendetta are demonstrated by the government who control the nation’s every move and anyone who opposes would be detained. The film is based around government conspiracy which links in with the theme of terrorism. Blowing up the Old Bailey and Parliament was V’s way of sending a strong message to the people who controlled society.

The ideas that are explored in Children of Men are the consequences of infertility and how the world would react. It also explores how the birth of a new child can cause both peace and chaos between sets of people. I think the film tells us that without human reproduction, the world would be a banal place to live in and people would turn to extreme jobs and priorities to fill their time.

The ideas that are explored in V for Vendetta are reclaiming back freedom and not to conform to fascists who have every inch of control. In V for Vendetta, Evey learns how to live without fear and V learns how the trait of love and compassion.

I noticed there are quite a few similarities between Children of Men and V for Vendetta. Both films start off with a news report that set the tone and back-story of what’s happening. They both cling to the theme that Britain/England is the only stable country even though the world is in ruins. Dystopia is a primary factor in both films which is demonstrated by government conspiracies and living in a fixed, commercialized society. In Children of Men and V for Vendetta, both films target certain groups of people: terrorists, immigrants and homosexuals. V for Vendetta illustrates how homosexuals would be detained and Children of Men shows hoe immigrants would be put in cages, harsh conditions and refugee camps.  In both films the main characters die at the end of their journey, doing what they think is right for themselves, the female they’re looking after and their society.