Narrative Theory: Blog Task

The trailer for The Hunger Games Catching Fire uses Todrov's theory of the equilibrium. It teases the story by having the equilibrium with Katniss and Peeta living life after surviving the previous Hunger Games. The disequilibrium is the riots that have happened after the survival which has caused chaos. Another potential disequilibrium is that Katniss is taken back to the Hunger Games to compete in 75th game which involves previous victors. The new equilibrium isn't present in the trailer as it would ruin the story and the small tease of the Hunger Games starting off in the end of the trailer.

Propp's theory of characters is present with Katniss being the protagonist of the trailer which is different as the protagonist in a majority of films are mainly male. Peeta is the heroine for Katniss which is like a gender bend as men are mainly seen as the "heroes". The antagonists are the hosts of the Hunger Games who put Katniss through challenging obstacles. Haymitch is a mentor to Katniss as he gives guidance to her in the trailer. 

Barthes' theory of enigma codes to the audience of Catching Fire could be questions like does she survive? or How will the story ends which in effect could lead to potential ticket buyers. Another question could be what is Katniss' motives or will they change over time? Action codes could be the weapons pulled out by authorities. There are other action codes with the contenders practicing with their weapons. 
     

Representation Task: Hunger Games Catching Fire

The representation of stereotypes in Hunger Games: Catching Fire are subverted. The stereotype of women being the damsel in distress isn't present with protagonist Katniss Everdeen being an independent survivor participating for the Hunger Games. She has the characteristics of a hero as she is brave by willing to sacrifice her life for her sister. Normally women are stereotyped as being weak or vulnerable but in this film, she is represented as a strong participant compared to her companion Peeta who isn't as strong or brave as he worries about Katniss as though a woman would worry about her partner which shows another subvert in the trailer. Normally we'd expect Peeta to be the main hero of the Hunger Games if we haven't seen any trailer or read the books then we'd think differently because of the fact that most films make men the heroes then Peeta would be the expected hero but in this film we see a gender role switch. The society that Katniss resides in, involves a game show that kills till there's the last survivor. Typically we'd expect a male to win because on average Hollywood films, they show more qualities of a survivor for instance; courage, intelligence, set skill in combat, and more compared to women who don't always engage in fights.   

The Hunger Games Catching Fire: Case Study

Hunger Games Catching Fire

Reasons for choice: It's an Adventure/Sci-Fi which are the genres I'm interested in.
Institutional background

Film studio behind it and Distributors: Lionsgate

No brand loyalty

Genre: Adventure/Sci-Fi. The overall tension from the trailer that shows the protagonist overcoming obstacles that get in her way. 

3+a) It's a sequel to the first film. The film is based of the books that are already famous.

It’s all a matter of timing

1) UK Release Date: 21 November 2013

2) First Trailer Release Date + Video: 20 July 2013 

3) Examples of Advertising: Billboards, Posters, TV Adverts, Magazines (Empire), Subway Meal promotions.

It’s a social thing

1) It has mixed feedback. Some said it was a bad film or "a bad battle royale" others called it a great follow up to the first

2) "Closer to the Book"-view_and_review

    "Another example of a sequel that's far better"- Gerryt22

    "Battle royale goes Twilight"- otto_schitburger

Risky business

Budget:$130,000,000

Opening Week Earnings: $158,074,286

Gross: $424,645,577

Stars in their eyes

Previous Directing: I Am Legend; mainly action

Main Star: Jennifer Lawrence

Main Stars other Appearances: X-Men Saga, Silver Linnings Playbook

The director or stars weren't featured   

Exam Topic Preperation

Research

Channel 4 News 

Time: 7pm
Presenter: John Snow

Monday 8 December 2014

Bulletin 1

Shiren Dewani murdered his wife in honey moon but the judge had cleared Shiren of all charges.   

Conventions -Pictures used to show the couple. Footage of the court case used. Graphics used to tell names of presenters or siblings. Camera movement suggests that it's on the move instead of looking less active by just staying in one position. This bulletin being first could be a bulletin for those who want to watch something and this could bring their attention.  

Bulletin 2

Food Banks are to potentially be removed by the end of this decade. 

Conventions-Use of graphics with statistics, Interviews, pictures related to bulletin, 

Camera Movement, Footage of political view on this situation. Shows both sides of the Conservative and those who run a food bank.    

Bulletin 3 

"Disabled spaces on buses" are taken by prams and Disability campaigners argue against it in a court case with Doug Paulley.

Conventions- Footage linking to bulletin, Interviews, Camera Movement, Pictures related to bulletin. Presenters "on the  scene" to show their news is fresh new or live. The graphics could keep the viewers watching instead of just watching a presenter interviewing the guest in a wide shot the whole way through.

Tuesday 9 December 2014

Bulletin 1

CIA torture programme now seen as ineffective, brutal, and illegal.
Conventions- Footage linked to bulletin, with US Senate's opinions of the problem, Interviews.
Use of modern tech by presenting the guests twitter name.
The topic could keep viewers hooked as it is an interesting and controversial topic about the secreted group.
Conventions- Footage-Piece to camera, Interviews, close-ups to presenters, mise-en-scene with setting being linked with the bulletin.

Bulletin 2

Tesco losing a profit of less than £500m

Conventions- Presenter, Graphics, Statistics, interviews, footage related to bulletin, movement showing the news is constant.

Customers of Tesco may drawn in knowing they use the service.

Bulletin 3

Internet companies will help police hunt paedophiles by using a new database.

Conventions- Presenter, Footage linked with bulletin, Graphics, Movement to show consistency.

Topic is on Paedophiles which may make the audience more attracted or more cautious.

Wednesday 10 December 2014

Bulletin 1

Stormy weather hits parts of UK

Conventions- Footage related to bulletin, Graphics, Presenters, setting behind presenter, Interviews.

This could affect the audience as they live near the area.

Bulletin 2

CIA still stay silent about torture. But Former CIA torture director says "it puts lives at risk".

Conventions- Footage related to CIA situation, Recording of Former CIA Director's opinions, Interviews, Presenter.

Bulletin 3

Palestinian Minister died.
Conventions-Graphics on intro, Presenter, Movement of camera, voice-over footage, modern tech via twitter name.  

Institution

OFCOM is the institution behind Channel 4. 

They get their money off of adverts.
Target Audience- ABC1, 20s-60s

BBC three 60 Seconds

Time: 20:59

Saturday 22 November 2014

Bulletin 1

Strictly Come Dancing host returns after 3 weeks in hospital for her daughter.

Conventions- Graphics, headlines running  at the bottom of the screen running, footage of the host's return with voice-over.

Bulletin 2

Controversy of comedians and rape.

Conventions- Graphics, headlines, voice-over, footage related to event.

Tuesday 5 November 2013

Only Bulletin

Death of Nelson Mandela.

Conventions-Presenter, graphics, headlines, footage, voice-over

Saturday February 28 2009

Soldiers saying government isn't doing anything to help traumatised soldiers.

Conventions-Presenter, Graphics, footage+voice-over.

Institution

 BBC is the company behind 60 seconds

 They get their money from TV Licence fees.

Planning 

Title- The Informer

Channel- BBC three

Day+time-Saturdays and Sundays at 4pm

Duration- 10 minutes

Presenters- Young Adults to relate to target audience

News Type- Tech, Film, Sport, Fashion, Factual Segment.

Interaction via sending tweets and they would be live near the headlines.

Slogan- Informing the youth.

Rest of Planning on Paper

   

Film Pitch

The Lone Wolf

An agent from MI6 is missing with important blueprints of a bio-weapon that could kill those who's DNA isn't recognised and it's up to the hero to stop the weapon from launching. This film is a Action Thriller. This film is a cross between Skyfall and Batman Begins. This film will appeal to the core-cinema going age 12-30 who like action thrillers. The story is about Henry Smith on his journey to stop a detonation from killing innocence. On the contrary, MacMillan is the antagonist who wants to have an equal country by killing innocence who don't agree with his ideals. The story is of Henry when he gets a text message from his friend who tells him that he's been deserted somewhere unknown and had the blueprints taken from him. Henry tries to convince his Squad Leader that something has happened but doesn't listen so he becomes a lone wolf and goes to rescue his friend and recover the blueprints. Meanwhile, MacMillan wants a country that agrees with his choices and wants no one against his opinions.

   

Film Trailer and Poster Analysis

Key Conventions

Central Image 

Picture of Katniss (Jennifer Lawrence)  holding a bow which can suggest that this film is an action film. The logo behind Katniss could be recognised by many of the fans of the franchise. The flames behind her has a synergy to the title which could be a USP.

Tagline

The word "Remember" could suggest that fans of the previous film will understand the meaning of the tagline compared to those who haven't seen the first film are left intrigued to find out who the "enemy" is. This could also make those who haven't seen the first film go watch it to understand the meaning.

Release Date

The date uses the same font compared to the Production Blurb which suggests that the date is more important compared to the Producers of the film. The date is at the bottom where most of the info is like the website.

Production Blurb

The blurb is located at the bottom with small text compared to the release date or title which are the main attraction compared to the blurb. Being at the bottom could also show that the blurb isn't the USP.

Key Convention

Fast Pace Editing

The cut between action scenes to tease action scenes which could make potential fans or could leave people intrigued about the film.

Stars

They're mainly shown on the majority of the trailer. those who are fans of the actor/s could think the film is good or maybe think its its the film's USP.

Music

The use of the music adds up some tension to make some emotion or communicate the feel of the action to the viewer persuading them otherwise but to watch the film. 

  

Genre and NCIS

Avengers: Age of Ultron

Genre

Action

Narrative

The story is about the Avengers facing another catastrophic battle. A mechanical antagonist named Ultron. The Avengers would have to face off against this robotic enemy.

Character

The avengers re-assemble to take on the mechanical enemy called Ultron. The iconic team are known for their first film which has action as shown in the scenes of explosions as expected from most action films. The trailer also introduced two new avengers who were teased in the post-credits scene of the second Captain America film. The antagonist is a mechanised robot who is willing to take down mankind for "Ultron's future".

Iconography 

The Avengers will be in big battles judging by the overall damage that is being presented in some scenes. The famous shield that Captain America had is broken to signify that this enemy is bigger and more stronger than the enemy.

Setting

The film takes place in America like all other hit Hollywood films.



Genre

Action/ Sci-Fi

Narrative

Many years after Rise of the Machines and the Skynet holocaust had wiped out humanity. John Connor is on a journey to stop the Skynet facility that produces the "Terminators" and hopefully restore peace for humanity after the war against machines

Character

The characters are the survivors and soldiers who go out and get resources to survive as well as fight of some Terminators to gain land for more survivors.

Iconography
The trailer had shown a plot twist, action, some hand-hand combat, and a chase scene which was teased. There was also the standard protagonist has a girlfreind or wife in this case.

Setting  

It's based many years into the future after the Skynet Attack in America (where the film is based) as well as around the world. It's also in other countries but for minor parts of the movie.

 

Genre
Action Sci-Fi

Narrative
Clark Kent (or Kal-El) is one of the last of his race to represent the House of El. As his home planet Krypton was destroyed, the codex was handed down to him in birth to keep safe from Zod and was sent off to earth.  Now he must keep the codex away from Zod as he grows to understand that that Zod intends to colonise Earth making every human die as they can't survive in the atmosphere of Krypton.

Iconography
The trailer has the iconic hero fighting of the villan in this action packed film with chaotic fight scenes. Also the overall hero overcome all odds throughout which is shown in Clark's struggles to being a krypton rather than human.

Setting
The film is based in America like all other Hollywood action film specifically Manhattan and Kansas. It is also sometimes in Antarctica for a little part.