Mise-en-scence Analysis

In the screengrab, denoted are several characters standing around in a playground laughing, talking and selling drugs.They are dressed in some form of uniform with all characters denoted in a white shirt and red tie with black cardigans.
From the costume choice it is clear to see, that the characters denoted are all schoolchildren who attend the same school. They are dressed in typical working class manner, suggesting that they are not from rich backgrounds. The majority of students have also tampered with their uniform, adding chains and accessories, wearing large coats, and having scuffled ties, which gives them a poor appearance and suggests they may be rebellious. It conveys that this may be a comprehensive school in a deprived area.


In 3:38, in the opening scene the colours denoted are mainly grey, black and green.
There is very limited use of a range of colors for the lighting in this movie and as an effect the scene appears quite grey and bleak. This may be a reflection of the harsh surroundings and is used so that their lives are represented as dull. This is typical of a movie of a BSR genre because BSR films usually are those that portray the lifestyle of a working class individual in a rough and harsh light.


At 3:06 denoted is setting.
In the screen grab denoted are lots of trees, grass, gray pavements with leaves scattered around them and large green fences.
This gives us a strong idea of where the movie is set and which themes may occur because of this setting.
The chain link fence and the muddy grass again suggest a harsh environment. It also suggests that this is a low income school in the city, again suggesting that the characters parent's are most likely all working class and that the area surrounding the school probably isn't a good one.

At 1:19:51 denoted is a prop.
In the screen grab denoted is a hand laying on the ground reaching for a long wooden bat. In the scene, as violence is taking place the bat could connote violence as it could be used easily as a weapon. This demonstrates that the characters in the film are those who are often involved in fights and violence and they live in a society where they could be easily attacked again showing the audience that their lives are rough and difficult.

At 3:32 denoted are actors.
In the screengrab we see several pupils standing around in a playground, several girls and a boy. The boy denoted is dressed in a blue hoodie.
The boy is taller and has a more mature face suggesting that he may be older, as well as the fact that he is not in school uniform which corresponds with this idea. Because of the age of the actor, we can assume that maybe he is not a student like the rest of the characters and may either be a former student or just a local bully.

At 49:39 denoted are costumes.
We see three boys, all three are dressed in baggy clothing and all are wearing large, baggy hoodies with either jeans or jogging bottoms and large jackets with trainers. Two are also wearing a cap.
The use of the clothing choice makes the actors appear scruffy and connotes them as individuals who do not care about looking smart or presentable. The use of baggy clothing and large jackets may be used so that the actors feel and look "bigger" than they actually are which could be helpful if they live in an area with lots of crime as it could prevent them from not being attacked if people think they are "big" and dangerous.

Comissioner Factfile

Who is the company ?

Film 4 is owned by the Channel Four Television Co-operation, they produce, distribute and exhibit films. Channel Four Television Co-operation also own 4seven, Channel 4, E4, More4, 4Music, Box Upfront, The Box, Kerrang!, Kiss, Magic and Box Hits.

What do the company produce ?
Film 4 are co-producers and aim to fund 20 films a year, on average contribution £500,000 per film. Some of film 4's big successes include 12 years a slave, The Iron Lady, Slumdog Millionaire and This Is England. Film 4 contribute to the development of British Social Realism films by producing films that deal with controversial and relevant themes and portray the lives of working class Britons as realistically as possible. For example a popular film funded by Film4;This is England. This is England is a overtly political film which deals with themes such as youth culture, racism and immigration.
They produce any genre but do not produce films for family audience.

Where is the company based ?
Film 4 fund co productions in the UK and America.

Why is the company important to the UK ?
Film 4's Ethos is to offer a platform for British and independent cinema on terrestrial television by comitting to show each one of Film Four's production films on Channel Four and Film Four. Also, to develop new British Talent and be a leader of innovation in the British Film Industry. Some key successes are Trainspotting, The full Monty, Brassed off and my beautiful laundrette. Film 4 has also helped launched the careers of these directors; Allan Clarke, Shane Meadows and Michael Leigh.

BSR last credits

The title sequence begins with "UK Film Council" denoted in blue and purple on a black screen. This then fades slowly into a birds eye view of london at night. It is dark and the only visible feautures are the Big Ben, the river thames, and lots of streetlights and lights from buildings, there are also moving cars. The sound denoted is a hiphop soundtrack which is repetitive and upbeat. This continues as the names of the different productions and film companies appear in white writing. Then the title "Adulthood" appears with the union jack as part of the typography and the whole background transforms into a busy, daytime scenery in london. Denoted are busy crowds of people walking, streets, cars, and big red buses as well as traffic lights. As the scenery changes, the music becomes more upbeat and lively. After this the names of the actors begin to appear in red and white writing.

The typography is denoted in white with a red outline. The use of white and red may connote it is set in England as it corresponds with the colors of the England flag.
The writing denotes 'starring' in smaller writing, and 'Noel Clarke' in larger writing. This connotes he is either a main, significant character or he is a big name in the film industry.
The background behind the typography is a scene in the day, with a big red bus, several buildings and traffic lights. This tells us in is set specifically in London.

Regarding institutional in opening credits, I have found out that institutional logo must always be included as well as the names and logos of any additional funders, co-exhibitors, distributors or producers. The title can appear at any point during the sequence. The names of main or big characters almost always appear. I will use the information learned in my own work.

BSR Themes

Drug use/Drug Experementation

The film I will analyse for drug use/experimentation is Ill manors.
In the opening sequence at 2:06, Trevor is denoted helping someone sort out some drugs on a table. There is a non-diegtic sound which is rap music playing and the lyrics denote "It's the new drug everybody's going crazy for."
The use of drugs is very evident during this sequence in Ill manors, not only through what is seen on the screen but also through the soundtrack which is a rap by Plan B, describing the life of the main character as we watch him "grow up". The rap is used as a narrative to describe the life of a young boy who grew up with his mum as an addict and consequently meant he was constantly surrounded by drugs. He now operates a drug business in the cellar where he spent most of his childhood. In the opening sequence at 2:28, we also see that his mother has passed away from a drug overdose again supporting the idea that the main theme throughout is drug use.
 Drug use/experimentation could be explored in my movie, through the use of a character who is an addict and I could use the character to demonstrate to the audience the impact and consequences of drug use.

The film I will analyse for gang crime is Kidadulthood.

At 1:17:50, denoted is a black figure who comes up behind Trevor, pushes him to the ground before stamping on him multiple times whilst a teenage girl screams in the background for help. He then also strangles and beats him with a rounders bat, causing Trevor to die.
The theme represented here is gang crime, the movie shows an ongoing rivalry between Trevor and his friends versus Sam and his friends.The two rivals commit various crimes against each other including robbery an assault as forms of revenge. The ongoing gang rivalry eventually leads to the death of main character Trevor and demonstrates the devastating consequences of gang crime and gang culture and how it impacts society.
This can be explored in my film by using use of one or two gangs and showing their daily activities and the hard-hitting reality of their lifestyles which could lead to the death of the character.

The film I will analyse for aspiration and escape is Adulthood.
At 14:32, a boy dressed in black denoted on a bicycle watches his friend rob a car whilst watching guard with his other friend. He is denoted saying "What don't get it twisted, just because I'm on the road with you man, don't think I'm stupid you know, man's got plans."
This shows how aspiration and escape is explored in this movie. The character and his friend are denoted committing a crime, presumably to make quick cash. However in the conversation, he tries to convince his friend that he is actually intelligent. Through this phrase he demonstrates that he desires a life for himself beyond street hustling and crime and there is a sens of wanting escape.
In my film, we could see the life of someone who tries to their life and aspires to be someone greater

The movie I will analyse for Childhood is selfish giant.

At 00:27 denoted we see a young, blond-haired boy in his school uniform with his friend in a factory surrounded by older men. One of the older men in a flourscent jacket tells him "You should be at school, you." to this he responds "I hate school. I'm a scrapman, me."
This demonstrates Isolation and Exclusion. Earlier on, we see Arbor get excluded from school and make the decision to work illegally for money. Arbor isolates himself from the other schoolchildren and decides to exclude himself out of the normal activities of a 13 year old boy and instead attempt to be a scrapman.Throughout the film, Arbor is seen to be separated from the other children as he is described by everyone as a "bad influence" again showing a sense of isolation.
This could be shown in my film through use of another theme for example, a character could have a mental illness which could lead to them feeling isolated.

Selfish giant analysis

Social Class
In the two screengrabs denoted are; 1) a woman counting out cash. 2) Arbor's reaction to this, his mouth open. Arbors facial expression connotes shock and surprise, presumably at the amount of money he is about to be given. Arbor is young and the fact he feels he has a need to be in possesion of such a large amount of money symbolises he obviously comes from quite a poor background/low social class. This is rough and hard hitting because it shows he ignores the opportunity to recieve an education, which may prove better for him in the long term and instead does difficult and illegal work in return for quick cash. This is significant because it shows that he feels he has to help provide for himself and his family at such a young age which connotes he does not come from a wealthy background and is most likely working class.

 

 

 

Age:

In the screengrab denoted is an older man between two young children, looking down at one (Arbor) in confusion. In the dialogue he says "You should be at school, you." From appearance and costume (swifty and arbor are still both wearing there school uniform), you can clearly see that the two boys are a lot younger than kitten. The dialouge also suggests that they are very young because they are still supposed to be in full time education. However, Kitten does not report them and maybe because he sees an opportunity to take advantage of the two kids because they are younger and are motivated by any opportunity to make quick cash. Tlhis representation supports the idea that younger children are often more guillible and more obedient and the tone of this is brutal yet sympathetic.

Ethnicity

In the screengrab denoted are three white men dressed in flourescent jackets. The main ethinicity throughout the film is white which may connote there is not much diversity up north and it is a predominatly white area.

Gender

In the screengrab denoted is a woman knelt down beside a boy who has his head down and hood up. This connotes that she is begging or pleading with him. Arbors mother desperately continues to convince him that education is whats best for him but he refuses to listen. Arbor's mother plays the role of the archetype "The downtrodden woman". Neither Arbor or even Price drop pay any consideration to the words of Arbor's mother throughout and although she often has good intentions she and all her efforts are often disregarded. This may be a demonstration of how women are treated in a society such as this one; ignored and insignificant whereas the men may be the complete opposite. It shows the role woman typically play in a family and how although sometimes its only them trying to work for the best, it isnt always enough.

Regional Identity

In the screengrab denoted are several horses travelling on the road in front of cars. This image suggests that the characters in the film do not belong somewhere in the city, where it may be more rare for people to use horses as transport. Instead it suggests that Arbor and his family belong somewhere where there is a lot more grass and country area. Their accents also support this idea and the family are most likely from somewhere in the North of England.

Sexuality

Sexuality is not very much seen/explored in the selfish giant however there is some use of the word "gay" which is said in a negative manner maybe suggesting some element of homophobia.

Disability

This screengrab is taken from a scene where Arbor is seen banging his head agressively against his brothers bed. This connotes that Arbor may be eaily frustrated and get angry quickly. His behavior in this scene supports the fact that he has ADHD, revealed by his mother. She herself appears unable to cope with his anger and outburts and often becomes the victim during his tantrums. His behaviour throughout does not improve and we also see him being kicked out of school earlier in the film.

past student work

The first BSR film I will analyse is titled 'Positive'.

At 00:03 denoted is a phone with text messages. The use of this prop (the phone) is successful because it clearly sets the storyline across to the audience. Reading the text messages between the two characters will lead the audience to understand they are discussing a party, which makes the film easy to follow straight from the start.

At 2:04 is the title graphic. Denoted is "positive" in white writing on a black background. The title graphic is rather dull and bland. To improve, I would change the color of the writing or the background and maybe add images or effects.

At 0:41, the camera work is successful. The shot denoted is a long shot. This shot is successful because it clearly establishes setting/location. It is clear to see that the character is denoted in an dark alleyway. The use of this shot helps the audience to understand what is happening.

 At 1:38 denoted is a tall, dark figure dressed in a gray hoodie, black jacket, oversized blue jeans and trainers walking off slowly into the distance. The mise-en-scence here is successful because the use of dark colors and the costume choice is very leading. The character is dressed in a way that has negative connatations; a hood, black clothing etc. and although it may only be a stereotype of how a "rapist" would dress, it appears very realistic.

At 0:58, I would improve the camerawork. This is because the rule of thirds appears to have been broken. The characters eyes are not a third of the way down the screen. To improve, I would film at maybe a different angle to make sure the rule is kept.

At 1;03, there is good prop use. Denoted is a packet of blue pregnancy tests. The use of this prop is effective because again, it aids the audience in helping them to understand the storyline and it clearly connotes that the character may be pregnant. Also the camerawork is good & because of the use of a high angle you can clearly see what is written on the packet.

The next British social realism film i will analyse is titled Disturbance.
At 1:42, there is excellent use of graphics. On the screen denoted is a girl typing on her phone and in the corner, a white box with a twitter profile and a status update.
This is extremely effective as it helps the audience to understand the characters thoughts and emotions and helps them to sympathise with her which makes it a good BSR film as it makes the characters life appear as tough & difficult. Also, it makes the film extremely realistic because it shows real themes and issues (islamaphobia), and how difficult it is to live with untrue representations of certain faith groups.

At 1:27, i felt that the acting made the scene poor. This is because i feel that the facial expression and body language of the actor could've been more dramatic to make it more vibrant and interesting but instead came across as dull. To improve, i would've made sure the actor exaggerated their facial expression more to clearly show the audience an insight as to how they feel about what is going on. This would've added realism and hopefully the audience would be able to place themselve in the characters shoes therefore making it a better BSR film.

Again at 0:57, the typography looked very basic and dull; white writing on a black screen. I feel that color and images or maybe animations couldve been added. Also, the title "disturbance" does not really add any mystery or excitement or help the audience understand what is going on/going to happen and therefore I feel it was not effective. To improve, I would've put more thought into the title and maybe named the film something that had a direct relationship to what could be seen on the screen.

Shown in the screengrab is the last scene in the movie "disturbance" i felt this could've been improved because there was not much action or things going on in between the opening sequence and the final scene therefore making it dull and suggesting it was unfinished. To improve, I would show add more scenes and show more of what happens in the day-to-day life of the character.

At 1:52, i feel that the camerawork needed improving. I did not feel it was effective to have the main subject in the corner of the screen. I feel as though a different shot type could've been used or to improve, they couldve used various shot types and edited it into one clip. I feel this shot was ineffective as it was not interesting and it was not particularly clear what the audience were meant to be looking at.

At 0:58, there is good use of mise-en-scence. The main character is adjusting her hijab. This costume choice is extremely effective because it is a realistic representation of how certain people of that faith would dress and clearly symbolises to the audience that she is a muslim.

Evaluation

The scenario we were given was titled the encounter. A character walks through a set of doors and sits down opposite another character and they exchange a few lines of dialogue.
Our storyline for the scenario begins as follows; A girl walks down a set of stairs angrily and sits opposite her boyfriend after snatching his phone. She accuses him of cheating, which he denies and she later poisons him by giving him a bottle of water.

Shot reverse shot is a set of repeated cuts between two shots; the subjects which are usually people. This normally starts with a shot of both people. Shot reverse shot helps the audience to focus on the person speaking. I used this during my work with Chelsie and Kye. I filmed an over the shoulder shot focusing on chelsie when she was speaking and vice versa for when kye was speaking.

Match on action is when a cut occurs midway through physical action. It adds detail, continuity and makes the scene more exciting and dynamic for the audience. We used match on action by getting actor chelsie to open the door. We filmed her walking through a door two times, once from one side of the door and again from the opposite side. Then during post production, I cut the two clips to make it into one where chelsie opens the door on one side and walks through on the other.

Rule of thirds means that the subjects eyes are always a third of the way down the screen, this helps the audience to focus on the subject. I made sure that whilst filming, the person who I was filming always had their eyes a third of the way down the screen so that my work applies by the rule of thirds.

The first challenge we faced during production was recording in the setting/location that we planned without it being too noisy. With the first recording, the background noise was too loud and consequently, the dialogue in the clip could not be heard. Additionally, another problem we faced was finding suitable characters to play the roles and also getting them to wear the same clothing from the first recording again the second time we recorded. Wearing two different sets of clothing would’ve made the scene look inconsistent so therefore we concluded that it was better to film the whole thing again. If I were to film again, I would make sure that the actors say project the given dialogue loud and clear to avoid having to waste time and film again.
During post production, I struggled to put together the match on action of chelsie opening and closing the door. It took me quite a while to edit the clip so that it ran smoothly. Also, I would make sure that I print a full script next time so that my actors can follow it. I only roughly instructed them as to what they should say and this meant that when it came to editing it was hard to combine the clips because the dialogue was different in all the clips. The weaknesses of my work were that it was hard to think of an idea for my piece of work that was creative and original yet still followed the brief. Storyboarding was also tough because I personally find it difficult to draw and it was hard to draw the scenes how I visualised them. The weak storyboard led to us having an overall longer production time.

However, the digital technology aspect proved to be the strongest part of my work. The use of the camera and tripod allowed me and my partner to explore a wide range of different angles and use a variety of filming techniques (match-on-action, rule of thirds etc.) Also because we were both familiar with the technology we were using it was a lot quicker for us to set up and start filming.      Overally, to improve I would definitely make the planning of my work, more detailed in order to make my filming less time consuming. I would pay more attention to detail so that the continuity in my editing looks neat and professional and there are less jump cuts.