Prelim Task

There were factors of the prelim task which needed to be corrected concerning camera angles and the performance of the actors. These included:
1. The shakiness of the camera - The second to last shot was not focused entirely on the actor and the camera is not still.
2. Performance of the actor - When the main character dies, the actor is smiling and therefore it loses the effectiveness of the scene.

Deconstruction of The Chase by Maddy and Hattie

Deconstruction of The Chase

Firstly, considering the aspect of Propp’s theory, we see from the titles at the beginning of the film the five of the seven archetypes are presented to us.  The Chase stars Connor C as the hero, Conor O as the villain, Hattie H as the sidekick (who could also be seen as the magical helper), Maddy S as the princess, Richard M as the victim.

In considering Todorov’s theory, instead of having the state of equilibrium it starts at a state of disruption, which immediately engages the audience.  There is then recognition of the disruption and then there is an attempt to repair the disruption when the princess goes to the hero and sidekick (magical helper) for help.  To follow the trend of Todorov’s formula they changed it at the end by still being in a state of disruption.

Looking at Levi-Strauss’ binary opposites, there are various instances where they are inserted. For example, the hero and villain and male and female, which sparks conflict.

Furthermore, there are uses of narrative enigma in order to draw in the audience. For instance, the audience is left not knowing why the murder has taken place on the victim, we are left at the end not knowing the future events that will take place after her older brother (murderer) was killed.

In considering the mise-en-scene of the micro-drama, there are various props that are used. For instance, Maddy’s wig, Hatty’s wizard cloak, glasses and wand, Conor’s mask, and wooden sticks.  There is specific use of black and white to portray that it is set in the past which also could convey that it is a dream, or  a flashback.  This conveys that more anchorage is needed and more signifiers would give a more distinct idea.

This micro-drama is aimed at the younger generation; children and teenagers. This due to the fact that the actors are young and there is a sense of magic (Harry Potter style) ,which pulls in both a male and female audience.

There is use of dramatic orchestra throughout. This is used to signify to the audience that action will take place and also to build up tension.

Considering the gender and age aspects of the micro-drama, the princess is blonde which signifies that she is dumb, whereas the brunette is seen in more of a intelligent way.

Throughout the piece, there are subtitles, which convey to the audience what is happening.  For example, “There he is the villain!” This also instigates who the characters are.

Lessons from Micro-drama

While creating our micro-drama, I have learned a lot from filming the footage and the various factors that need to be taken in consideration. 


Firstly, I have learned that in order to start filming, you need to have a detailed story board along with very precise shots that you are wanting to use.  We did not have this and therefore we were spontaneously creating our storyboard and were using different shots as we went along. 


However, I discovered that it is not only  filming that needs to be taking in to consideration, but other factors such as the weather. I have learnt that you have to be prepared and have a back up plan if it is raining etc. 


Lastly, in order to make the micro-drama film more interesting, shots such as cross cuts and close ups can be used rather than just having a medium shot for long lengths of time. 

My 5 Fave Films

1. 500 Days of Summer (Marc Webb, 2009)

Budget $7.5 million, USA Box Office $32 million, UK Box Office 4.7 million. I really enjoyed this movie because it kept me interested the whole way through. It contained all the qualities that make up a great film.






The Trailer





2. Inception (Christopher Nolan, 2010) 
Budget $160 million, USA Box Office $300 million, UK Box Office 35 million. I loved this movie because you had to think and fit the pieces together almost as if you were trying to predict the end. I found it truly amazing!


















3. What Happens In Vegas (Tom Vaughan, 2008)
 Budget $35 million, USA Box Office $80.2 million, UK Box Office 8 million. I loved the main actors/actresses and how the chemistry between them brought humor to the big screen. The humor kept it fresh and exciting for the audience to watch.

4. Get Smart (Peter Segal, 2008)

 Budget $80 million, USA Box Office $130 million, UK Box Office 4.6 million. Steve Carrel is one of my favorite actors when it comes to comedy's and he brought a lot of energy to the movie.

5. Step Up (Anne Fletcher, 2006) 
Budget $12 million, USA Box Office $65.3 million, UK Box Office  4.3 million. I loved and was captivated by the dancing in this film and it made it really enjoyable for me to watch.

My Coursework Task

Preliminary exercise: Continuity task involving filming and editing a character opening a door, crossing a room and sitting down in a chair opposite another character, with whom she/he then exchanges a couple of lines of dialogue. This task should demonstrate match on action, shot/reverse shot and the 180-degree rule.
Main task: the titles and opening of a new fiction film, to last a maximum of two minutes.
All video and audio material must be original, produced by the candidate(s), with the exception of music or audio effects from a copyright-free source.

The coursework is worth 50% of the AS (same at A2) and the marking (detailed later) is divided into 3 sections:

RESEARCH AND PLANNING: 20%

PRODUCTION: 60%

EVALUATION: 20%

These questions are all the factors that need to be considered when creating the coursework.

• In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products? 

• How does your media product represent particular social groups?

• What kind of media institution might distribute your media product and why? 

• Who would be the audience for your media product? 

• How did you attract/address your audience? 

• What have you learnt about technologies from the process of constructing this product? 

• Looking back at your preliminary task, what do you feel you have learnt in the progression from it to the full product?

 G321 - Simplified Marking Criteria as 1 Sheet