BBFC (British Board of Film Classification)

Tuesday 27 April 2010 03:56 Posted by Adam Bailey 0 comments
BBFC (British Board of Film Classification)

The British Board of Film Classification is an independent, non-governmental body, which has classified cinema films since it was set up in 1912, and videos since the passing of the Video Recordings Act in 1984.

18 Restricted

To be shown in specially licensed cinemas, or supplied in licensed sex shops, and to adults no less than 18 years old. The’R18’ category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit works of consenting sex or strong fetish material involving adults. Films may be shown to adults in specially licensed cinemas, and video works may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops ‘R18’ films can not be supplies by mail order.




18

Suitable only for adults. No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in the cinema. No-One younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video work.



15

Suitable only for 15 years or over. No-one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in the cinema. No-One younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.



12/12A

Exactly the same criteria are used to classify works at ‘12A’ and ‘12’. These categories are awarded where the material is suitable, in general, only for those aged 12 or over. Works classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material many parents would find unsuitable for them.

The ‘12A’ category only exists for cinema films. No-one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult and films classified ‘12A’ are not recommended for a child below 12. An adult may take a younger child if, in their judgment, the film is suitable for that particular child. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult.

The ‘12’ Category exists only for video works. No-one younger than 12 may rent or a buy a ‘12’ rated video work.



PG- Parental Guidance

General viewing, but some scenes may be unsuitable for young children. Unaccompanied children of any age may watch. A ‘PG’ film should not disturb a child aged around eight or older. However, parents are advised to consider whether to content may upset younger or more sensitive children.




U-Universal
It is impossible to predict what might upset a particular child. But a ‘U’ film should be suitable for any child aged over four. ‘U’ films should be set within a positive moral framework and should offer reassuring counterbalances to any violence, threat or horror. If a work is particularly suitable for a pre-school child to view alone, this will be indicated in the Consumer Advice.


Information provided from "http://www.bbfc.co.uk/"

Types of shots, angles and movements.

Friday 23 April 2010 07:45 Posted by Adam Bailey 0 comments
Types of shots, angles and movements.

Extreme long shot (XLS)

Long Shot (LS)

Medium long shot (MLS)

Medium shot (MS)

Medium close up (MCU)

Close up (CU)

Extreme close up (XCU)

How does Survivors show representation towards families?

07:38 Posted by Adam Bailey 0 comments

How does Survivors show representation towards families?

The opening of this extract begins with an extreme long shot of earth and the sun rising over it. Although this is a commonly used shot in programmes, it is still seen by the audience as an establishing shot; bringing the entire world together as one.

This extract comes in immediately with the opening credits. The editor has increased the speed of quick shots of ethnic groups surrounded in flame giving the viewer an idea that the rest of the series will involve terrible things happening to the world. This is also backed up by the establishing shot and the growing bacteria placed over the top of the shots.

During the credits the editor has incorporated shot that appear to be like home videos; shots of a couple plying on the beach and looking deeply in love. The home video technique gives a personal touch to the extract for the viewing audience.

After the credits and the title shot the camera cuts to a highly lit shallow depth of field shot of a man walking towards the camera. The non-diagetic sound of a bass wipe is incorporated when extras walk through the frame. This cuts to an extreme long shot with a deep depth of field of an escalator with a woman’s voice over laying the shot. This cuts to a shot of a man and woman (possibly married) talking about their son. Stereotypically the mother is worrying as she has found out the boy has been in an accident. Whereas the man is portrayed as more down to earth and calm. Although it seems more likely he is like that to keep his wife calm. During this tracking shot the couple are standing in front of a glass wall with the sun shining through; making them silhouette in the centre on the frame.

Another establishing shot is then shown from an aerial view of an English estate. This cuts to the family back in their house with another couple. The camera keeps a shallow depth of field within these quick cut shots as the family begin discussing a wide spread virus and their sons cancer.

Focus in this sequence is mainly kept on the mother character. This has been done by over the shoulder shot, reaction shots and keeping the depth of field focused on her in the frame (even when she isn’t the character speaking).

Although this family is portrayed as close, there seems to be a tension created by the news in the background talking about the virus, and all the quick cut shots.

From then the extract moves onto a close up of a daisy chain around a woman’s wrist being made by a little girl. This cuts to a two shot of a woman (a teacher) and a young girl (a nursery student). The little girl tells her teacher that her mother is ill. The teacher replies to this with an optimistic outlook saying that they are lucky because they’re not sick. The shot is one of the longest in the extract with no cuts.

The little girl’s father is then introduced as he runs into the frame. A cut of the girl and dad hugging in a long two person shot behind a metal fencing; representing quarantine. The shot does not suit the rest of the scene and makes the audience feel uncomfortable.

The man seems like a middle class dad as he is dressed in a business suit but has to catch the bus and not drive.

The prison scene is shot with very low key lighting making it almost look black and white (the officers and prisoners are also all dressed in black and white clothes) A Binary opposition is portrayed between the police officer and prisoner.

As the officer and prisoner walk from the back of the frame to the front, the focus is kept on them with a shallow depth of field. The writers have used this a lot in the extract. As they walk to the front of the frame the prisoner is arguing with the officer about the fact they are being treated inhumanly. However the officer does not seem to be fazed by it. Ironically this makes the prisoner come off as a lesser of two evils.

The sequence ends with the prisoner being locked away and only a section of his face is being lit up. This gives the viewer the impression that this prisoner is going to cause some damage and isn’t someone to trust.

Opening credits

Unburied evaluation

Wednesday 21 April 2010 15:31 Posted by Adam Bailey 0 comments

Unburied evaluation

When creating an opening scene to a thriller movie a great number of considerations and research needs to be done to make sure the genre is accomplish suitably. From my previous continuity exercise I had gathered an idea on what it takes to make a short scene for a movie, however it needed to be more polished and authentic.

To begin with our group began by pitching ideas for thriller opening ideas. After much consideration and lots of ideas we had a storyline set. The next step was drawing up a story board and writing a script. Again this took a while to complete as group discussions of shots and cuts had to be determined. Once a complete story board was drawn up and a script written, contemplations on non-diagetic sounds and music were debated for the editing to make the opening feel more like a thriller.

As are thriller idea was based in an abandoned house we needed to find a perfect location that not only had a thriller looking exterior but also a broken down inertia. This wasn’t easy to find so to compromise we used a different house for the establishing shot but edited the shots to make the establishing house look like the house we shot the rest in. In addition for the scene where the main character is searching for his girl friend had to have a wood like natural environment to juxtapose the broken down uneasy house.

When filming lighting was a huge key. Originally we had planned to keep the lighting behind the scenes, however once the filming began we realised it would look more authentic to have the lights in the shots as the house was broken down and was having work done on it (the audience can see this from the tarpaulin and work men lights.) this also worked well in our favour as because the lights were behind the characters during the tense scenes it made the characters look more silhouetted in the frame.

From research into other thriller films it seemed repetition of shots in different contexts seemed to be popular in the genre. We incorporated this in the shot of the boy walking up the stairs looking for his sister. This was shot the same as where the drugged girl is being led upstairs by a potential rapist. In addition the shot where the three arsonists break into the house reflects the shot of the boy breaking into the house looking for his girl friend.

After all the shots were filmed they were put onto a computer for editing. Here the non-diagetic sounds and music were added and all the shots were cut and placed together. A lot of shots that were filmed didn't end up being put into to finished piece however we tried to shoot every shot more than once to make sure we got everything we needed. As well as this the lighting was edited to make it more low key and thriller like. When choosing the music to put into the scene we had to make sure it not only kept but added to the feeling of fear and uneasiness. We ended up using the prodigies "Spit fire" for the party scene as it had a good party like rhythm but also is a song that gives off a vibe of anxiety. However for the rest of the picture we decided to use more orchestral music; pianos and strings. But to keep to the thriller genre all music that was used was in a minor key and had a low slow droning rhythm.

Overall the outcome of the opening scene turned out better than I could of hoped. From following the story board and plans for music and lighting the finished sequence conformed to the thriller genre and I am very happy with finished result.

After everything was finished polished and edited a trailer was created to sell the film. This was all done on the computer by taking important clips from the picture and making a shorter trailer with cuts to texts setting the scene.

Public feedback

Youtube comments:

Lucysilverwood1 Amazing, great shots and love the music choice. 16 hours ago

flyingfluffaflang really like this well done its epic :) 1 week ago

addyb1991 really love this dead well put together (y)

Public feedback:

"Great work! love the location where you shot it, really fits the context of the story" - Lee Bereford

"Wow that actually makes me want to watch on even further. i think the party scene drags on a little bit but apart from that really well shot and edited... a good story line as well." - Jack Barton

"You've really stuck to the story board on this good job. i didn't think you'd be able to pull it off but you really have." - Heidi Brittlebank

"Really love what you've done with the lighting; Very low key. i think you should go on and make the rest of the movie." - Lewis Bayley

The unburied Trailer

The Unburied

Due to copyright laws the audio had to be changed for uploading onto YouTube.

The Unburied directors commentary

The Unburied Making

Jekyll- First Encounter

12:24 Posted by Adam Bailey 0 comments
Jekyll- First Encounter

This extract has used many different lighting, sounds, and shot techniques to portray Mr. Jackman/Jeckle’s James Nesbit) double personality. With use of CGI, low key lighting, quick cuts and reaction shots the editors are able to build up tension for the viewer.

Near the opening of this sequence the audience sees Hyde collapse to the floor after colliding with a young couple getting intimate in a tunnel. When Hyde stands to his feet the camera cuts to a well framed shot of an alley way in one point perspective coming together into a vanishing point. The lighting behind Hyde makes his whole body look silhouetted. We also see quick flashes of bright light while Hyde recuperates representing his confusion and split persona.

Billy is introduced to the scene as low class violent boy trying to be the dominant male of the three characters (Mr. Jackman, the girl and himself) for the shots of Billy intimidating Jackman the camera is shot at a high angle on Jackman and a low angle for Billy representing his power over Jackman.

Throughout this sequence mis en sene plays a huge act on presenting Jeckles split personality. Jeckle has intentionally been dressed in black and white and is shot in low key lighting; making him almost black and white (representing a good and evil side to his personality) where as Billy is dressed in a blue hoody making him look like a young child.

There is repetition on the camera returning to a three person shot of the characters silhouetted in the tunnel. These shots place the audience into the picture like a fourth observer.

The mood begins to dramatically change as Hyde changes to Jeckle and the role of dominant male changes from the young boy with the knife to Jeckle. Before the change emerges in Jeckle there is non diagetic sound in the background of a bell almost mimicking a clock counting down to the change. We see a conversion in character in Mr. Jackman as the camera tracks across his face; with one side of his face being well lit and the other half in darkness. Billy and the girl also notice this and become more intimidated and scared. The final stage of Jackman’s transformation is when he removes his wedding ring.

A series of reverse over the shoulder shots are portrayed during Jeckle’s conflict with Billy. However unlike the traditional over the shoulder shot, these have been filmed on the wrong side of the shoulder making the audience feel uneasy.

Lighting, camera shots, editing and clothing have played a big part in presenting the difference between Jeckle and Hyde. There is an extreme close up on Jeckle’s eye that has been shot with a green filter. Here the editors have used special effects to quickly tighten on his eye. They have also used a green filter on the shot; mimicking the hulk or a style of monster. We as the audience also notice that since Mr. Jackman’s change his clothes have loosened on him. After the obvious transformation Jeckle can be compared to the joker from DC’s batman comics; he has a chilling grin on his face while antagonising Billy and the girl. A canted shot is seen when Jeckle is talking; this is done to portray his extreme other half.

More non diaget sound of ticking overlays the scene after Jeckle’s change representing Billy heart rate, or a countdown to the end of his life. Jeckle also begins to talk about himself in third person telling Billy he has a good doctor (being Hyde). Backing up that he is defiantly not the same person he was at the start of the scene.

Juxtaposing the previous shots Jeckle is not shot from a low angle whereas Billy is shot from a high angle; making him inferior to Jeckle. More special effects are used when Billy takes three shots at stabbing Jeckle. As Billy runs up to him it looks almost like Mr. Jackman disappears and reappears; giving him a supernatural form.

While Jeckle breaks Billy’s neck his eye line doesn’t not break from the scared girl as he tells her he doesn’t like killing children. After Billy’s death the girl runs into the dark tunnel; condemning her to the dammed. More special effects are used as Jeckle is face to face with the girl and his jaw drops revealing sharp teeth (like Dracula).

A child like persona comes over Jeckle as he asks the girl to play lions with him. He begins to act like small child acting out in a tantrum. This is continued when he lets the girl run off and he says “C-c-c-catch you later” this compares to porky pig in Looney Toons “Th-th-th-thats all folks”.


Rome- Passover Opening Scene

08:03 Posted by Adam Bailey 0 comments
How does the opening sequence create a sense of tension? What do we learn about the representation of family relationships in the Rome at the time?

With use of quick cuts, camera shots and angles and lighting effects the director and editor of “Rome” have created a sense of tension throughout this sequence.

In the short opening scene a man who is being target for assassination is introduced. The writers also bring into the scene two middle class characters; we can see this by the clothes they are wearing. These men then draw out their swords in a medium two shot. This makes the audience acquire a sense of intimidation. The diagetic sounds also play a part in building the tension in this sequence. The sounds of the swords, running feet and heavy breathing play a huge role.


However the non-diagetic sounds are equally important for creating excitement and tension. The heavy percussion beats punctuating throughout the scene and the low orchestral drone that plays throughout in a low minor key. All of this puts a huge quantity of tension in the shots.

Families are a key factor in the opening sequence as we (the audience) have been introduced to three separate families or loved one in just the first four minutes. Specifically we are familiarized with a man who has committed murder for the sake of his mother. This man is portrayed as scared and regretful for the sin he has committed, however his mother shows pride in what her son has done. This compares to other literature such as Shakespeare Macbeth.


This man is seen washing the blood off his hands (also relates to Macbeth) and throughout the scene we hear the non-diagetic sounds of his hands shaking in the water; showing the audience his fear and regret.

Although in this scene it is the mother who is in control of the situation, it is quickly juxtaposed after by a man shown holding a dead woman (possibly a wife or partner; although it is never stated) When this man becomes aggressive at a child he accidently strikes a woman in fury. This scene also uses quick cuts and reverse over the shoulder shots to portray speed, anger and rash actions. However this man has acted out this was as he is in despair over a lost love; showing he cared deeply about her.


Another moment which relates to this is when an unknown man is kneeling over another dead man and crying, this compares to the previous scene of a man kneeling and hold his dead loved one. Although it is less clear to the audience what relationship these two men had, it is made clear that his death has made this character mournful.

From what is represented in this opening sequence it is clear to the viewing audience that the families in the Rome of the time are very close and will always come before political positions. This is shown in the scene with the mother and son. The fact that the scene has no cuts what so ever reflects how pure and full the commitment and lovingness of the family. We are also given a high standard of tension throughout this sequence loaded with diagetic and non-diagetic sound and camera shots and angles.

Alfred Hitchcock's Psycho

Tuesday 20 April 2010 13:11 Posted by Adam Bailey 0 comments

Describe and discuss some of the ways Hitchcock creates tension & suspense in “Psycho”.

Hitchcock’s Psycho uses a series of methods and techniques to create suspense and tension. Diagetic and non diagetic noises have been used throughout to build up hostility, as well as give the viewer a feel of discomfort. In addition throughout the movie Hitchcock has experimented with different camera angles and shots to increase anticipation. Furthermore mis en sene helps represent each character in different ways to the audience; however in some cases juxtaposing their true qualities.

Relationships between the murderer and his victims are created in “Psycho”. Rather than have the victims be spontaneous attacks. The murder victims come to know the killer before being killed. This leads the audience to believe that the murder is innocent as Hitchcock cleverly does not reveal any information about the murder until the characters in the movie learn about him; putting the audience inside the movie rather than a spectator.

The murder and his first victim create a bond when they first meet in his bed and breakfast. From first appearance the murder looks suspicious but not dangerous. His calm on edge personality juxtaposes his alter ego. The audience as well as his first victim soon grow uncomfortable of him when we learn he has a hobby of stuffing dead animals; although this is strange it is actually the better of two evils as he is actually using the chemicals that keep the animals fresh and clean to keep his mothers dead body preserved.

“Psycho’s” shower scene is Hitchcock’s most well known sequence. In this scene Hitchcock has placed his victim in one of the most venerable positions a person can be; in the shower. Here the editors have used quick cuts and non diagetic sounds of orchestral violins to build up suspense. We also can see the murders silhouette behind the shower curtain as he draws closer to his victim holding a knife. As the killer is stabbing his victim non diagetic shrieks from violins mimic the knife punctuating the body.

The mother of deranged killer is not exposed throughout the whole movie. Although we hear the voice of the woman Hitchcock disguises her face and the murderers face. Toward the conclusion of the picture we learn the young man had taken a second persona of his mother after she died. A non diagetic overlaid monologue of the mothers voice plays over the end scene as the camera shoots a close up of the murders face in jail.




Se7en- Opening Cedits

13:02 Posted by Adam Bailey 0 comments

Se7en- Opening Cedits

The opening credits to Se7en conform to the thriller genre substantially. The credits have not been given a set font and vary from a formal san serif font to a more hand written look. They also are in a bright white colour and flicker mimicking a light. The shots also cut quickly to flickers of white and film real giving it an old film effect.

The editors have placed quick cuts of close ups and extreme close ups into the credits of a person doing very disturbing such as cutting the skin off his fingers and looking through a scrap book of dead bodies. This gives the audience an idea of what to expect from the rest of the film. This also shows that the person in these shots is not mentally correct; and most likely the antagonist in the movie.

Quite low key lighting is used in these shots making them look almost black and white however there are cuts to red filtered shots. This makes the viewer feel uneasy.

No diagetic sound is heard throughout the opening credits at all. However the editors have placed non diaget sound over the top of the sequence. It has a four-four time signature but instead of using instruments has used frightening sounds and edited them into music. At the very end of the credits a non diaget singer over laps the scene saying “you bring me closer to god” giving the audience an impression that this person is going to be a religious extremist. This is backed up by a quick close up shot of a sheet of money with the word “god” being cut out of the phrase “in god we trust”.

Continuity exercise - The Pursuit

12:53 Posted by Adam Bailey 0 comments

Continuity exercise - The Pursuit


When filming our continuity exercise the main objectives were to experiment with different shots and cuts and more importantly keeping a feel of genuineness. As well as this create an authentic action style chase scene between a victim and an assailant. I believe this was achieved accurately with techniques such as low key lighting, quick cuts, non- diagetic music and experimenting with cuts.

Whilst filming the piece considerations had to be made with clothing and surroundings to make sure the continuity is correct throughout the scene. Because the sequence took over a day to film we had to make notes of the clothes the characters were wearing and all the surrounding objects in the background.

In the editing the lighting was altered to more low key making the scene look more black and white for a feel of good, evil and fear. In addition to this non-diagetic music was added of violins and drums rhythmically punctuating at a high tempo and slowly increasing in dynamics to build up tension.

Finally experiments with different shots were sampled to get an idea of what worked well in action scene editing. We concluded that quick cuts and fades worked best for keeping the tension going.