3)How Genre is established and Evidence of research into similar media texts and analysis of their forms and conventions.

Notes on: 1)How is genre established? 2) What was Iconography and why is it important? Spiderman: 1) Through mise en scene, sound and imagery. Credits at the beginning are in style of a comic book. Comic book strips and spider webs images at beginning hint at fantasy genre Sound, hints at fantasy; upbeat, suspense, dramatic. 2) Music displays iconography as the beat portrays fantasy and adventurous genre e.g. murder drama would have serious music playing etc. Spider webs are an iconic image which links to spiderman. Important: We link images and music with points which are foreshadowed and yet to come. Director: Sam Raimi Dracula: 1) Music signals suspense, danger Titles hints at genre – narrative voice = relevant Images; dark colours 2) Dark colours used; reds, maroons and oranges = danger, gothic setting Narrative voice links to iconic image of ‘Draculas’ – relevant to title Director: Francis Coppoloa Romeo and Juliet: 1) Opening scenes music dramatic Introduction summarises the coming events of the ‘star crossed lovers’ Schindler’s list: 1) Music, suspense and mystery, harmonies used Modern film but black and white by choice – style of war Dark colours, gothic, grave and ominous atmosphere Opening scenes imagery grab attention, start off ominous atmosphere Director: Steven spielberg Insomnia: 1) Cold icy colours & dark colours = ominous atmosphere Beginning reflects title Music= dark 2) Music = warning, suspicious, dark, suspense Director: Christopher Nolan This research on the opening scenes of the movies helped me realise how much of an impact music and colours etc, can make on a movie by creating a certain impression upon the audie nce. These intricate details convey the genre and even upcoming events. I will use this piece of research to help make decisions for song choice, lighting and editing in my own clip. Also the clips gave me inspiration and helped me realise that using low lighting or recording in black and white can be effective for my choice of genre which is a thriller. Furthermore, analysing these clips helped me understand the concept of iconography and how it can be used to ones advantage. I will use this concept to portray my genre by using props and technical devices which are generally associated with thriller. I realised how helpful analysing movies could be and how easy it is to take inspiration from them and therefore decided to do my own analysis on movies with the same genre as mine. After deciding to choose the genre thriller, I thought it’d be necessary to find out more background information, to help me convey this theme and to make it apparent amongst my audience, making it successful. For this research my group conducted a survey to find out what makes a thriller successful and what the viewers classify as an actual thriller. This recording is attached with the blog. We also took it upon ourselves to watch other thriller movies to help inspire us, this included the following movies; Blair Witch, Black swan etc. From this piece of research we could use similar themed music, sound effects, shots etc. Black Swan: 1)Genre is best established through the use of Mise en scene, music and quick shots 2) The dark colours and the use of the swans and ballerinas.

Tuesday 18th January 2011