iSTOPMOTION: PRACTISING

I started using the software iStopmotion, experimenting on my own with the way the programme functions. I have practised using "the onion effect" and have created this video. I created it with the view that it could be edited to include text as the space has been used so that font is easily seen and clear for the audience. I felt it could therefore be used as a production company ident. I considered the name "monkey business productions"

When looking back at my work I am able to see that aspects of it have worked well because the pictures are taken very gradually which makes the animation more realistic. It is also interesting to look at how the lighting worked and how I could improve the lighting in the shot. As well as this, I notice that at the beginning of the video my hand can be viewed very slightly when I hold the monkey in place. This shows me how I would improve this when making another production company ident with my group. 

TEXTUAL ANALYSIS: NOWHERE BOY

In preparation for my exam I have looked at the opening of the film nowhere boy in class. 

In the film "Nowhere Boy", the opening scene features a teenager, John Lennon, who is seen running  past a historic building. The film opens with an establishing shot which is used to set the scene of the film. The shot also helps to represent the size of the building in comparison to John. The building contrasts with the personality of John as the building is stone, hard, cold and rigid where as John is lively, musical and is running. The fact he acts so childishly and almost inappropriately by a historical building highlights his lively persona and his mischievous attitude. The building also helps to set the scene as it is a recognised museum in Liverpool. 




There is a cut from this scene where John is seen in bed. His aunt "Mimi" wakes him up in an aggressive way and speaks in a stern voice immediately showing the difference in their personalities. Mimi is a hard character who doesn't wish to show emotion. John and his uncle are seen to share jokes at breakfast and he presents John with a harmonica where he is seen to look over his shoulder before doing so. This puts forward the idea that their bond with music is secretive and that mimi also doesn't approve. She is presented as a more serious academic character. When his uncle passes away Mimi pushes John away stopping him from crying or hugging her stating "don't be silly" once again highlighting her harsh bold side. John is far more feeling and emotional than this. 

When we are introduced to John's mother we are able to immediately see the difference between the mother figure he has in his aunt Mimi and his own mother who hugs him and displays emotion from the very first time that we see her. 

DISTRIBUTION: 'WHAT WE DID ON OUR HOLIDAY'

Today I looked at distribution and focused on the film: "What we did on our holiday". The genre of the film is comedy; it’s described as an “uplifting comedy” on BBC films website. This is also made clear from the trailer. Within the trailer and also featured on a poster for the film are the words “from the creators of outnumbered” demonstrating use of a well known successful comedy television series that will entice many audience members and signify the comedy genre. Mention of actor Billy Connolly will also have this effect. We would expect that the audience to be national as it is described as a “british” comedy. In the trailer, children’s innocence is a technique that is used throughout the trailer which creates a lot of the humour.  An example of this would be a child swearing within the trailer; it is clear that the child is mimicking adult behaviour that he has witnessed. Not only is this innocence/mimicking amusing but it also presents a real life scenario that is very relatable for an audience. Humour within the trailer is very family orientated as it focuses on real life family situations and children breaking boundaries which are relatable scenarios and therefore funny for the majority of the target audience. The target audience would be families as is indicated from the trailer as well as from the BBC Film’s website who state that the film is “a heart-warming, uplifting comedy for all the family”. The film is also rated as 12A which also suggests the audience it is intended for. 

The trailer also suggests the setting of the film. Clothing worn in the trailer suggests that the setting of the film is not set in a hot climate; the scottish accent of actors such as Billy Connolly also depict the setting. Language within the trailer includes the word “solicitor” and there are signs of tension between the parents through children picking up on their arguments and swearing which helps the audience identify more about the plot of the film. 

Promotion is also possible through use of the trailer which features logo’s for social sites such as twitter where the audience are encouraged to “share” the video. It also includes logo’s from companies involved in the film such as the producers of the film (BBC Films). This is one of the institutions that are advertising and promoting the film. Other institutions also involved in this would include:

• Radiotimes [http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-08-17/david-tennant-i-learned-a-few-naughty-words-from-billy-connolly]
• The metro [http://metro.co.uk/2014/09/05/check-out-our-exclusive-trailer-for-david-tennant-comedy-what-we-did-on-our-holiday-4858561/

MORE LINKS

• Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUY23_cfI4o
• BBC FILM’s: http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcfilms/film/what_we_did_on_our_holiday
• IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2725962/
• viewing new releases: www.launchingfilms.com

THE ROLE OF THE DISTRIBUTOR

DISTRIBUTION: PRIDE

In today's lesson we investigated the film  "Pride" looking at how the film attracts and addresses audiences. Various techniques are used to promote the film. The film has its own website where the audience can view a trailer as well as a synopsis of the film. Producers can promote the film in this manner as making use of online resources is a fast and easy method to gain attention. Twitter is a popular way to share links online thus creating a twitter account enables the producers to promote the film with various posts such as text, photos and videos. Posts can also be shared by other twitter users gaining further attention for the film. 

The website, using twitter, has created posts that count down the release of the film. This keeps audiences involved in the film before it has even been released generating attention and interest. Videos used on the website include a soundbite from actor Andrew Scott who encourages audiences to book tickets as there is "only one week left". Actors such as Andrew Scott are includes in online Videos as they are popular well known actors that will generate a wider audience and the film will gain attention. 

Promotional posters are often used as promotional methods. They assist in displaying the genre of the film and are a way of making the film known. In the poster for pride, located to the left, the colour theme used is in keeping with the website colours in attempts to make the audience associate these colours with the film. The name of the film itself is featured in bold capitalised font that is written in white. The colour use sets it apart from the background and the colourful costumes of the many actors featured on the front. The fact that the word is written in such a bold manner creates an association with having "pride". Actors on the front of the poster suggest a lively, comical tone to the film as they are dressed in colourful outfits. Many also have body language that suggests they are happy such as smiles and laughter. The poster suggests the setting of the film as costumes appear dared and old fashioned; font also reads "based on the international true story" suggesting the story is based on a historical event. This which may also generate interest from a specific audience.

Websites:

BBC 

Pride Website