Camera Angles

Big Close-Up

This shot is where the head takes up the entire screen so there is no background, making sure the shot is focusing fully on the characters facial expression. Because it is quite an intense shot it is usually used for dramatic effect in thrillers.

Close-Up

This is a shot taken of somebody's head from above the head to the top of their chest. By doing this it introduces the character, but also means you can get a clear sense of how the character is feeling. It can either include some background or none.

Medium Close-Up

Like the close up this shot is taken from just above the head, but is taken from the lower chest instead. This slight difference allows the audience to be able to see the character clearly, what they are wearing and where they are as you are able to see more of what is going on behind them. This particular shot is good for when two characters are having a conversation.

Mid-Shot

The mid shot is used so you can see the character in more detail, but so you can also see props and backgrounds. Usually used when two characters are having a conversation.

Medium Long Shot

This is used so that you can see the context of the characters in their environment. It's a bit like the mid shot, but gets more in the background.

Long Shot or Wide Shot

The shot is used so you can still see the whole of the character but can also see the surroundings, to help set the scenes. There tends not to be too much detail in the background as it is only meant to give you a vague idea of what is going on.

Two Shot

This shot is particularly used when introducing another character to the scene. It can also indicate whether there is some kind of relationship going on and also make it quite clear to the viewer the status of each character. 

Three Shot

This shot is used in exactly the same way as the two shot, but would mainly be used when there is a conversation going on between the three characters as it can show the emotions and reactions of all the characters clearly. However this shot does not mean the characters have to be next to each other.

High-Angle Shot

By using this shot it is easy to make the character look vulnerable as it is almost like you are looking down on them. It is usually used for dramatic effect, but can also be used to show the viewer an overall view of the film.

Low-Angle Shot

A low angle shot is filmed from below the eye line and can be used to make the character look powerful and more dominant. 

Over-The-Shoulder Shot

This shot is used from over the shoulder of another character and usually used when characters are having a conversation. 

Establishing Shot

Establishing shots are used to show the start of a new scene and where the following scene is taking place.

By doing this research it will help us when it comes to our practical work as it is important to know what shot is used for what and what kind of impact it can have on the overall piece. It will also help with our storyboard so we can plan out the shots properly and know exactly what we are going to use and when. 

180° Rule

The 180-degree rule is a technique used in film making and is a guideline that helps link the spatial relationship between two characters or, a character and an object within the scene. This guideline is made up of an invisible line called an axis that helps connect the characters and keep them in the right position. If you keep the camera on one side of the axis for each shot, the first character would always be frame right of the second character or object, which would then be frame left of the first character throughout the scene. If the camera then passes over the axis this would be called 'jumping the line' , which then breaks the 180-degree rule. By using the 180-degree rule it helps the audience to take in the movement happening within the scene behind the characters that otherwise wouldn't be seen.

Example-

Link:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ApUk8-XNS_w

Representation of Gender

Stereotypical women are meant to have 'clean jobs' such as being a teacher or secretary. Because of this they are portrayed as not being as strong as men and are just meant to be pretty to look at instead of being hands on. Whereas men are stereotyped as having 'dirty jobs' that include technical skills such as being involved in mechanics or construction and are usually involved in the engineering or science fields. 
Because the genre we have chosen for our own title sequence is a drama I decided to look at some of the stereotypes used throughout TV dramas.

Men

• Active roles
• Mentally and physically stronger then women
• Outnumber females
• Allowed to gaze at women (treat them like objects)
• Dominant 

Women

• Passive roles
• Objects for males (grab attention of male viewers)
• In need of protection
• Not independent 

Nowadays there is a lot more diversity with more and more women playing stronger roles than the men, for example in The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen is portrayed as being an independent, strong minded woman who manages to take control. 

In our own film opening we don't really have any stereotypes as our opening is based on true events, so because of this we have to dress our characters to suit their role.

Poster Analysis: Kingsman

By doing this poster analysis I have learnt how film production companies use signs to help grab the audiences attention and how simple things like colour and text can straight away tell you what the genre is and who the film is aimed at. I also learnt how little things like text or the way a character is posed is all used for a reason, even if that reason may not be obvious to the audience as nothing is used for the sake of it. 

Our Shot Reverse Shot Example

Shot Reverse Shot

Shot reverse shot is a filming technique used to allow the viewer to watch the action from the opposite side of the previous shot. For example this technique would be used during a conversation between actors to give the effect of looking from one actor to another to help make the conversation flow and so you are able to see the actors reactions. Because the characters are shown facing different directions it makes the viewer think they are looking at each other. This filming technique is a feature of the "classical" Hollywood style of continuity editing. 

Examples-

• Friends: https: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gIdceyd1L8
• Hunger Games: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1Ey0a6LJRA

Favourite Films

Spy

Spy is in my top five as it is an action-comedy film,almost like a mimic of the world famous James Bond, starring Melissa McCarthy. Melissa McCarthy  is one of my favourite actresses and I feel that she plays Susan Cooper, a CIA analyst brilliantly. Her character is used to just being stuck behind the desk talking to fellow agent Bradley Fine (Jude Law) until she finally gets her chance to be at the front of the operations following villain Rayne (Rose Byrne) across Europe with lots of tense action scenes and violence. What I like the most about this film is that it isn't like any other spy film out there, as director Paul Feig is almost taking the mick out of the macho stereotypes typically found in the spy genre.
Trailer:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ltijEmlyqlg

I Give It A Year

I Give It A Year is about a newlywed couple Nat (Rose Byrne) and Josh (Rafe Spall) who got married too quickly after their whirlwind romance, leaving friends and family convinced they won't even make it to their one year anniversary. Despite them both being clearly attracted to other people the couple continue to try and make their relationship work by giving counselling a try. This is when the laughs really start as the couples counsellor, played by Olivia Colman, interrupts the session by continually arguing down the phone to her husband. Also adding to the comedy side of things is Josh's best mate Danny (Stephen Merchant) who goes out of his way to purposely embarrass Josh.  

Trailer:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcoVAiSozzE



What To Expect When You're Expecting

What To Expect When You're Expecting is a drama/romance film that goes inside five interconnected couples lives and the challenges they face while expecting. What I like most about this film is that each story line is completely different, making the film even more intriguing and appeals to everyone, as there is a lot of variety. The film is full of amazing actors and actresses such as Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez and Anna Kendrick who fit in perfectly with each of their story lines.  
Trailer:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EpnMkGGd_rQ

Bridget Jones's Baby

Trailer:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJsvmscPY9w

Film reviews

Kingsman: The Secret Service

The Kingsman is an action comedy film with an enjoyable yet complex story line. The story revolves around a young adult named Gary "Eggsy" Unwin (Taron Egerton) whose struggling to come to terms with the death of his father when he was only a child and has had a troubled upbringing since. He is a stereotypical street kid whose managed to get himself involved in the wrong crowd, which ended up resulting with him getting in trouble with the law. This is when he meets the typical English gent Harry Hart (Colin Firth) and becomes aware of his dads well hidden secret. Harry sees potential in Eggsy after saving him from the hands of the law and informs Eggsy of the highly advanced, independent secret service the Kingsman. Harry eventually convinces Eggsy to join the intense training program to follow in his dads footsteps. When the mastermind Richmond Valentine (Samuel L. Jackson) who is behind the deadly plan to solve climate change finally puts his plan in action, Eggsy is left to step up and take control of the situation. What I like most about Valentine is that he isn't your stereotypical bad guy with his strong lisp and sense of humour, making the film unique from any other spy film out there. Colin Firth is the perfect actor to play the well dressed, upper class agent. Taron Egerton also takes on his role of action blending it in with comedy.
Trailer:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kl8F-8tR8to

Inception


Inception is a fantasy, mystery film that has an unusually engaging story line which at first seems complicated, but as the film goes on eventually becomes clearer. Leonardo DiCaprio plays the role of thief Dom Cobbs, whose job is a rare skill of being able to enter peoples dreams and steal secrets from their subconscious. Although his skill is rare it has also cost him the chance of seeing his children who he deeply misses. When he is given the chance to take on an impossible job of planting an idea in someones mind, something he's not used to as he is usually the one taking, he grabs he opportunity with both hands, as if done properly will result in him being able to see his children. However, this job is mad even more complicated for Cobb's as an enemy is watching his every move, getting in the way of their perfect plan. To help him achieve his goal he starts looking for help and ends up recruiting Ariadne (Ellen Page), who is a maze maker and mathematician. The film is full of thrilling action, but the story line of him missing his kids also contrasts with the fact he is seen as a hard criminal. It is an engaging film that grabs your full attention. 
Trailer:-https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66TuSJo4dZM

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World

Scott Pilgrim is an action, fantasy film which delves deep into the love life of Scott Pilgrim (Micheal Cera), who is an unemployed bass guitarist of a rock band. Scott has found it difficult to find the one, that was until Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) enters his life and steals his heart. However there is only one thing getting in his way, her army of ex boyfriends who do all they can to prevent Scott from being with her. In order to win her heart he must battle with every one of her which takes all his skill and energy. He never takes his eyes off the prize and eventually after an intense series of battles he is successful. This is a very amusing and entertaining film. Micheal Cera plays the bubbly, music obsessed role very well and has many comedy exchanges with the rest of the cast. The visuals are eye-popping and really draws the viewers into the film.
Trailer:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7wd5KEaOtm4

The Matrix

The Matrix is a fantasy, action film, revolving around main character Neo (Keanu Reeves). Through his job as a software author and hacker, Neo becomes aware of a man named Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne). He spends vast amount of time trying to track down this mysterious man until one day his contacted by a woman named Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) who says she can lead Neo to Morpheus. Once the two men have met, Morpheus reveals that the world around him is fake and a simulation. The simulation has managed to take hold and get inside peoples brains. This convinces people they are living in a real world, whereas the stimulation consumes their energy. Morpheus is convinced  Neo is the one who can stop this and destroy the matrix, freeing the minds of the people trapped inside. I enjoyed watching this film as it has a very original story line. I did however find it confusing at the beginning but as the film went on the difference between the real world and dream world became more obvious. Reeves plays the role of a young man trying to get his head around the situation very well and is a very convincing character.
Trailer:- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vKQi3bBA1y8