Book report- The British cinema book

The British Cinema Book

Robert Murphy (2009)

3rd Edition

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Whilst this is not a book that would generally be my first choice too read, it is a book that is rather interesting to go through and learn about different aspects of British cinema i did not know about. The book is split into 5 parts, "Debates and Controversies", "Industry, Genre, Representation", "British Cinema 1895-1939", "British cinema from world war II to the 70's" and "Contemporary British Cinema."

Somethings i have learnt from this book include:

• How much American film culture changed British cinema
• The level of which WWII effected Cinema and changed censorships for movies

Whilst I have not completely been inspired into researching further into this book, i have found the content to be interesting and understand why people would feel inspired and continue too research further into the subject

Semiotics key terms: This is England

Denotations:
The literal or primary meaning of a word, in contrast to the feelings or ideas that the word suggests.
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The short clips of Margaret Thatcher show the time period that it is based in, she was PM from 1979-90 so the movie is most likely set during this time period. along with the Margaret thatcher imagery there are many more clips of England through those periods.

Connotations:
To imply or suggest (an idea or feeling) in addition to the literal or primary meaning.
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From the titles of the movie it suggests that the movie is based in a worn down, rough area, this is implied through the titles font that looks worn down and rough.

Signifier:
A single textual detail that may carry a symbolic meaning
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The image on top of the radio signifies the loss of the young boys dad during the Falklands war.

Signified/Signifies:
The symbolic meaning/s the signifier carrier
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The graffiti on the wall, 'Maggie is a TWAT,' signifies the hatred many people had for Thatcher as a PM

Binary Opposition:
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...When Shawn a kid meets Wally a young adult

Polysemy:

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This is a picture of Shawn's father. It tells us that his father died during war or just simply that he misses him.

Anchors/Anchorage:

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The damaged wallpaper and old furniture shows that he is poor.

Commutation Test:
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This first shot of Margaret Thatcher is confusing, we don't know if the movie is about her or what impact she exerted in the 80's.

Preferred Reading:
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Nowadays people aged 60 could relate to this scene a lot more than teenagers.

Negotiated Reading:

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The director is making fun of her but some people could interpret this in a different way but still get the same message.

Opposition Reading:
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This shot is quite odd. Probably the only reason why it's in the film opening is because it was made during the same time period as the film.

Narrative Enigma:
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It only shows very little of the subject which makes the viewer want to know more.

Intertextuality:
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Mise-en-scene links into the Boy George Culture Club which was a very famous culture followed by numerous teenagers at that time.

Techs I have used so far

Techs I have used so far

Final Cut pro:

- Setting up libraries, events and projects

- Using Voice memos 

- Importing audio/videos

- Using titles
- Detaching audio

- Using transitions

- Exporting videos

- Transforming/Cropping clips

- Using effects
- Editing the Greenscreen

Youtube:

- Uploading videos

- Embedding videos into a post

- Creating a playlist

Slideshare

- Uploading

- Embedding into a post

Candelabra VODCAST

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My first try at creating a short VODCAST, for the next VODCAST I need to try and make sure the audio isn't podgy, and make it more consistent throughout the whole VODCAST I should also try include some form of introduction too the topic and VODCAST

Thoughts on a past film opening

1. The first film opening I chose was named "iridescent," it is possibly my favourite out of the few I chose as it was very simple, just a video of a hand laying out the letters with a filter over it, yet it still managed to remain interesting and did exactly what an indent is made to do, tell the viewer the "company," that has produced the video
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The second indent I chose was "Pizza Productions," this once again was quite effective at drawing a viewers attention but the emphasis was more towards the sound then the video, the sound effects include the sound of people eating pizza and a burp, this gives it an amount of comcical effect not seen in the other videos I chose.
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Lastly, "Arrow Productions," this is the simplist out of the indents I have chosen and in my opinion the least interesting, an arrow can be seen coming across the screen and hitting a target which cannot be seen but is heard through dramatisised sound effects, the sound of the "twang," as the arrow hits the board is over emphasised. Whilst it may not be my favorite it still does what an indent is made to do
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Shot Types

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Shot types from OliStr

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A short powerpoint of the different shot types that can be seen in modern cinema

5 things I've learnt about coursework

During the first week of AS level media studies, I have learnt many things about the structure of coursework such as:

1. The amount of evaluation of short movies, films etc, needed before planning starts for the final project
2. The different steps of the coursework that build up to the final piece and what goes into them
3. Different camera angles and how they portray mood or change the tone of a sequence
4. How to evaluate movies to a higher standard and what to include within them
5. What the criteria is for what goes into the coursework

My favourite film

The Prestige (Christopher Nolan) (2006)

3 reasons I like this movie:

• Has multiple twists throughout the movie
• Clever plot that keeps the viewer interested
• Good special effects for the tricks throughout the movie

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Amazon DVD

RottenTomatoes review

RottenTomatoes 'tomatoemeter' - 76%
RottenTomatoe audience score - 92%

IMDB

Wikipedia

Box Office Mojo 

Box Office Figures:
Domestic Gross: $53,089,891
Worldwide: $109,676,311
UK:$6,837,491

Budget: $40 million

Number of countries containing theatrical release: 40

BBFC age rating: 12
MPAA age rating: PG-13

Coursework guide

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AS cwk guide 10 steps from DB3igs

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Welcome to my blog

Task: To create a short fiction film that lasts a maximum of two minutes. Institutional conventions of commercial cinema should be included within the titles. To be completed as a group with a maximum of four people. All media used should be original and produced by the candidates. Music may be used from an acknowledged source.

Why did I choose Media Studies?

-gained an interest through work experience creating short films

What I'm excited for:
-To do practical work


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Taken from CIE syllabus 

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