Representation of gender - Primeval

The very first thing which raised my attention concerning gender is how the brunette woman took control over what was happening leaving the man behind unable to do anything, which goes against the stereotype of modern society. We then see the other woman driving a building site digger. Once the tiger appears, we come to the realisation that it’s the man that will need to be saved by the woman and not the other way round. Moreover, when the ‘animal’ flees, 4 characters appear on the screen and it is as if the director placed them in order from the left of the screen to the right, showing the most masculine looking character on the left and the most feminine on the right. It comes without a surprise when we see that once again men and women have switched roles, this time in the way they look.

Music Ideas

Sports drama films are in my mind linked with inspirational music. Most films of this genre have a song of this type in the build up to the climax of the film, for example; training for that crucial fight in Rocky. Below is a compilation of inspirational songs which featured in movies:

Technical & Symbolic Conventions

Technical codes include Editing, Sound, Camera Movement / Angles, Types of Shots and Lighting. Editing: Straight Cut Transition Flash Cut Fade to Black (Fast) Dissolve Wipe Jump Cut In my movie I would aim to use at least 3 of these editing techniques to show transition between scenes, such as the jump cut, which is a cut that gives an effect of jumping forwards in time. This would be useful to use when filming the part when the protagonist wakes up from a coma. Sound: (Non) Diegetic Parallel/Contrapuntal Sound Bridge Voice Over Incidental Music Non-Diegetic and Diegetic music will be an important part of the movie as a soundtrack is vital in reflecting emotions and the diegetic sound is essential to the narrative. The music is also going to be parallel, as it will reflect the narrative aspects. Camera Movement: Pan/Tilt Tracking Shot/Dolly Stills/Freeze Frame Slow Motion/Sped Up Using a Pan would be suitable to show our character walking somewhere and allow the viewer to follow his movements. Camera Angle / Lens Type: High/Low Angle Canted/Oblique Wide-Angle Steady Cam Hand Held Camera Digital Camera/HD/35mm We are using a digital camera and would like to use a steady cam for the majority of the shots. Also, maybe using a wide-angle lens would be good for establishing shots, as it would allow more of the scene to be shown. Types of Shot: (Extreme) Close Up Establishing Shot Long/Mid Shot Birds Eye/Top Shot/Arial Point of View Shot Insert Shot There will be quite a few extreme close ups, mainly of the knife as it symbolises danger and using an extreme close up will help to place emphasis on the significance of it. There will also be quite a few establishing shots, mainly at the beginning of the scene where there is a new setting. Lighting: Low-Key High-Key High-Contrast The film in the beginning will use high-key lighting to reflect the upbeat, positive attitude the protagonist has, but when the antagonist is introduced, low-key lighting may be used to create a more ominous and threatening mood. Symbolic Codes is the Mise en Scene, such as Costume, Space, Setting, Lighting/Colour, Body Language and Objects/Props. Costume: Realism/Escapist Time period/Age/Social Class Revealing Genre Conventions Low/High Production Values National/Regional Identity Status/Role/Occasion Ethnicity/Race/Sexuality To reveal that our character is a boxer, he will be wearing typical training clothes. Space: Depth/Proximity Juxtaposition Size and proportion technically manipulated Setting: Low/High Production Values Decor/Style/Interiors Studio Set design/On Location Realist/Escapist Genre Conventions Audience Identification Due to our need for a low production cost, there will be no sets made and all scenes will be filmed on location. This will encourage audience identification because all the locations (house, gym, park) are usually accessible to anyone. Lighting/Colour: High/Low Key Lighting Single Source/Fill Lighting Use of Shadow/Silhouette Genre e.g. Noir De-Saturated/Grainy Bright Primary Colours Black and White During the scene of conflict, the use of shadow/silhouette will help add to the anonymity of the antagonist and create tension. Body Language: Pose and Posture Eye Contact Actors Movement/Style Status/Role/Social Class The protagonist will reflect his athletic status in his pose and posture. Objects and Props Genre Iconography Intertextual references Clues to Character Narrative enigmas Anchors Location Props such as boxing gloves will be essential to the character development. Also, we have to create either a poster or news broadcast that conveys to the audience that there is only one more day until an important fight.

A Closer look at the protagonist main character...

(IMAGE COMING SOON) The protagonist of our film goes by the name of 'Dylan Jai Starr', he is living representation of the 'downham boy' stereotype, he is a patriotic Englishman,who's life is fuelled by not much more than his raw passion and love for boxing. His family is in financial ruins, and Dylan's only hope of rescuing 'the Starrs' from bancruptcy is making it as a pro boxer...

Moodboard

We also created a mood board to illustrate some of our ideas for the film. This included setting, such as an alleyway, a gym and a house. As well as this, we included props that will be used during filming, like the boxing gloves, hospital bed, flip knife, apple and poster. Lastly, we presented the characters, such as the protagonist, who is a boxer, the antagonist who is the menacing thug and his victim.

The FIGHT NIGHT storyboard (so far)

Storyboards, according to Wikipedia, are graphic organizers in the form of illustrations or images displayed in sequence for the purpose of pre-visualising a motion picture, animation, motion graphic or interactive media sequence. Below is a storyboard illustrating some of the main plot from our very own production, Fight Night.

Conventions

The film "Fight Night" would be classed as being under the "Sport Drama" genre as it is a combination of the two. A Drama (by definition) is "a film genre that depends mostly on in-depth development of realistic characters dealing with emotional themes. Dramatic themes such as alcoholism, drug addiction, racial prejudice, religious intolerance, poverty, crime and corruption put the characters in conflict with themselves, others, society and even natural phenomena." Our film fits the drama genre, because it is about a man who has to deal with an injury that prevents him from doing something he loves, which happens to be boxing. The fact that his hobby is boxing adds the sport genre to the movie. The codes and conventions of the Sport Drama genre would include: An emotional journey in which the character comes to some resolution in the end A dramatic and entertaining way of portraying regular people with regular lifestyles An athlete as the central and predominant character which the storyline focuses on Usually a way in which the character would fail to reach his goals in the beginning in which high angled shot could be used to look down on them during their most vulnerable time Motivational/inspirational music Setting would usually include a place of training or practise such as a gym or stadium A coach or supportive figure to guide them

Possible Locations: Part 2

Skyline Boxing Gym: Catford

This is the perfect setting for the gym scene. One member of out team is actually a member at the gym and takes boxing classes therefore it wont be a problem to get in there and take a few shots.

Film Inspirations: Similar Films

The first film I was inspired by is one of the most well known blockbuster films worldwide. It is the first film which comes to mind when you hear the words "sport drama", i am of course talking about Rocky IV from the Rocky series. It is the second most Profitable film of its genre, second only to the other film im about to write about. The best selling film of this genre is a true masterpiece, directed by John Hancock, 'The Blind Side' has won multiple awards and was nominated for several more. The actress starred in the leading role, Sandra Bullock, received an Oscar for her brilliant performance as a caring woman who guides an American Football player to be picked in the first round of the NFL Draft. This doesn't come easy however as the characters face problems along the way.

Possible Locations: Part 1

Norman Park: Bromley

Norman park of Bromley seems like a really good location to film the climatic part of the opening scene (the stabbing). At night it looks like the kind of place where this could actually occur however it is a safe enviroment to film in. There is a good amount of lighting there even at night therefore the camera work wouldn't be a problem.

Main Characters

Sound Treatment

Sound is a central aspect of the film making process as it enhances the viewers experience and helps to illustrate the emotional content in the narrative. There are many different types of sound, all of which can be used to create a profound effect on film and TV. Diegetic Sound is the sound which is created within the film, and which the characters are able to hear as it is created by themselves or objects in the scene, such as dialogue, or an alarm. Non Diegetic sound however, is the sound added through the editing process and is not heard by the characters; such as a soundtrack or a score, which is a musical component usually composed specifically for the scene. Voice overs are non diegetic form of sound that is not synchronised with anyone speaking and usually adds extra information or character thoughts and feelings that would otherwise be unknown to the viewer. Sound effects are added to film in post-production, and are used to build up ambience or reinforce action. Parallel sound is sound that magnifies or heightens the image being shown because it goes well with it and fits. Contrapuntal sound is sound that juxtaposes the image shown, and quite usually has a disorientating effect upon the audience, making them question what they are watching. Foley Sound is a process where specialists create sounds that cannot properly be captured by the film making process using a variety of props in a studio, which is then added to the film during editing. The YouTube video below explains how Foley Sound can be vital to a film.

Film Treatment

On the night before his biggest fight yet, our London-dwelling boxer, Dylan, faces his toughest challenge so far. 'Fight Night' is a gripping drama where family, friends and an unbreakable will are the only things Dylan can rely on to make it through these hard times.

In the heart of the capital, our protagonist trains as hard as he can to prepare for the fight that could make or break his career. However his hopes are seemingly dashed when he dives head first into something a lot bigger than him. For Dylan, all seems lost. But his immense resolve won't let him go that easy. he sets himself on the road to victory, determined to win his fight. But...is everything what it seems?