Film openings

First film opening
Outpost (2008)

Genre: Action Horror

The conventions of this genre are that the scenes are very dark, this builds suspense and tension. There is always a lead character that will most likely survive. The killer always has a trademark, for example, the weapon he uses or the method of which he kills. The good guy always defeats the bad guy (Killer) in the end.
The main connotation is that you can see them preparing for a battle, as the one is counting his bullets, they are also in a marines uniform and are driving in an army truck. We can also see that the weather is very cold, and dark. This adds to the emotion as the weather is bad.

Due to the actors being in the Marines, it gets the viewers on their side, and it tells the audience that they are the good guys.

The key signifiers are that you can hear dogs in the background, this makes the audience unsettled as realistically when you hear a dog barking and growling it shows anger. As the film starts, you can hear thunder and the tires on the road driving over puddles, this shows the weather is horrible as its raining, therefore the atmosphere is dull and dark. You can also hear people speaking in a different language (none English) so this suggests that they are in an environment that they are not used to being in, then one actor then asks if he speaks 'any' language, and the other replies 'yes, unlike the rest around here'. When the two men are speaking in the bar, the one says that he can get to a certain area but does not advise it, this suggests that the mission they are going on is very dangerous and is not suitable. Another signifier is the title 'Outpost', as an outpost is a hidden military compound which is in a remote area and very few people know where it is, this would be an ideal location for a horror film.

The sequence tells us that the movie will be about a war as the characters are in uniform and their vehicle is an army truck. The sequence also suggests that they are on a dangerous mission as one character says 'I wouldn't recommend going there'. The introduction also insinuates that something bad is going to happen as the weather is bad, there is tension amongst the characters and they are preparing their guns.

The audience that is being targeted would be people that like horror movies and also those that like films about war. I know this because it has all the codes and conventions of a horror movie and also that they are wearing war uniforms and are driving in an army truck. In addition, I also know this because of the title 'Outpost', as its a military compound that is hidden, which is related to war.

Second film opening
Blitz (2011)
Genre: Crime / Thriller

The conventions of this genre is that the film usually involves kidnappings, revenge, heists, ransoms and captivities. This genre provides thrills and will keep the audience on the egde of their seat whilst the plot builds up to a climax. Crime-Thrillers usually keep the attention away from the criminal or the detective, so that the audiences focus is on the suspense and danger that is included in the film.

The technical and symbolic codes in the sequence are that when the sequence starts, you can hear calm and relaxing music, which fits in with the characters emotion as he is lyeing down on the sofa relaxing. We also see the character by a long shot, this is so we can see his environment which suggests he is at home relaxing. We also see from the characters body language and facial expression that he has just been woken up, we can tell its night time as the room is dim and lit up by lamps. We then get a close up of him pouring alcohol into his cup, which tells us about the characters personality as he likes to drink. The character then gets a Hurly which is used in hocky, this tells us that the character is dangerous.

The key signifiers are that you can hear people making noise in the background, this suggests that its a nasty area and this fits into the crime genre. You can also hear a dog barking, which suggests it is reacting to the noise being created by the people. As he looks out of the window, you can see them surrounding a car, he then picks up a hurly, which he will use as a weapon. As he approaches them, you can see that they are wearing hoodies and also have weapons (apart from the crowbar used to get into the car), this fits into the stereotype of the misbehaving youth of the 20th century which tells us they are the bad guys here. As they are fighting, you can see cars in the background driving by, this shows that the setting is in a main town and it is busy.

This sequence tells us that the movie is going to contain alot of action such as fighting and that the audience will enjoy the thrills. It suggests that the rest of the movie will be about the character stopping people from doing wrong (as he takes it into his own hands when stopping the thiefs).

The audience being targeted is people that like a film with alot of action and thrill, I know this because they have put fighting in the very first scene which will appeal to the audience and make them want to see more.

Third film opening
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Genre: Action / War

War movies often relate to the wars that took place in history or sometimes they can be made up. The film tells a story that took place and can make the audience emotional as they can relate to it. It also makes the audience think about all the people that took part in winning the battle as most people watching would have been effected by the war due to their grandparents participating in it.

The technical and symbolic codes in this sequence are that the camera is panning along and showing the characters emotion as he walks, he walks with a limp and looks very emotional, we also get a close up and can see tears in his eyes as he looks into the cemetry. As he is walking, you can see people following him behind, these look like they are family as they look concerned for the character and are following him into the graveyard. We also see an American and French flag which suggests the film will be about the war. The music that continues throughout the opening scene is very relaxing and calm, this adds to the emotion that has been created by the characters acting.

The key signifiers are that you can hear relaxing and calm music played throughout which adds to the emotion created by the characters, the war is a sensitive subject and the music helps add even more sensitivity to the emotion. We also see a grave yard, which signifies death, we also can see that it is related to the war by the way the graveyard is set out, this creates even more emotion as it makes the audience think about all the war heroes that died to protect the country.

The sequence tells us that the movie will be about War, it also suggests that we are going to see the old mans version of the war as we start to 'go into his eyes' at the end of the scene. In addition, this suggests we are going to see alot of action as war movies contain a lot of fighting and explosions.

The audience being targeted are people that were involved in the war and also people that want to find out what happened or/and are interested in the war that took place.

Outpost - Poster analysis

The genre of the movie is action horror

An example of technical codes used in this genre are the camera angles, they create fear and tension by using close ups and ground level angles. The characters clothing, hair and make up are all examples of Symbolic code, as they are used to make a character look scary which will make the film scary. Another example is the setting and location, this can set the scene and create fear within the film.

The conventions used are that the film has a villain, who is usually physcopathic and will more than likely have his own way of killing people, such as stabbing, strangling etc. On the other hand, there is a good character, who competes with the villain and will overcome the villain at the end of the film. The aim of of the genre is to generate fear into the audience, this is created by using peoples vulnerabilities, such as the dark. blood, spiders etc.

The signifiers in the poster include the title 'Outpost', this is written in the colour red which signifies blood and violence. The title itself is also a signifier as an Outpost is a small military compound which is in a remote area hidden away from people, this would be an ideal location for a horror movie. The soldiers behind the title that are overlooking suggests that they are the bad guys, this is because they are standing in the dark and also have a none-human look in their face.

The denotative levels of meaning on the poster is that there is a group of German soldiers with none-human faces, they are also staring straight ahead which will create fear into the viewers eyes as they stare at each other!

The connotative meanings in the poster is hatred as they are Nazi zombies, they were taught to hate everyone and everything that wasnt German and now they are living dead, it makes the hatred even worse as they will be seeking revenge to those who killed them.

They are communicating to the audience by using a historical event which will interest many but adding their own little story such as the living dead. They are using all the traditional ways of expressing a genre, such as darkness and red which is a good way to create the scary factor.

Idea for our movie introduction

Today we organised our group for our movie introductions.

- Jake Tolliday
- Ryan Mills
- Jack Denning (myself)

Our group is doing a psychological thriller which is about a man going to the extreme to clear his name.

Analysing a movie poster

The above poster is from the film 'Shutter Island'

The genre of this film is a Physcological thriller. 

The codes and conventions of the genre

The codes and conventions from this genre is that it uses a dark setting by using lowkey lighting, this creates suspense and engages the audience. We see a variety of camera angles to get different views of what is going on, a popular one is an eye view, so the audience feels like an observer and feels engaged in the film. The symbolic codes are the facial expressions to express which actors are 'insane' and which actors are 'normal'. The story can get confusing so its important that the audience can clearly see who is who. The use of make up can also indicate who is a patient at 'Shutter Island' as they are pale and look ill.

Key signifiers of the poster

The key signifiers of the poster are that you can see the main actor holding a match stick, this indicates to me that he is looking for something and he is being kept in the dark as his surroundings are dark but the match lights his face up, he is also looking over the island which tells us the setting is on an island.

You can also see that it says 'Someone is missing', so this also indicates that he is looking for someone.

The island itself is very dark and the weather looks dark and gloomy, this gives the impression that the island is very lonely and isn't a nice place to visit.

Denotative levels of meaning in the poster

The denotative levels of meaning in this poster is that we can see a building, which in my opinion looks like a Prison as it is very dark and has towers, there is also no easy access or escape as its surrounded by water which would be an ideal place for people that need to be maintained. The image of the island is like someone has created it with photo's, as there are squares around certain parts of the island, this gives an idea that the island isn't real or how it seems.

Connotative levels of meaning in the poster

What I associate with the dark building is a prison, simply because it looks deserted and the building itself is very dark, therefore its a place that doesn't attract to me and a place I wouldn't like to visit! The match stick that the main actor is holding I would associate with danger, as match sticks can cause a fire and its dangerous. The poster overall suggests to me that the film includes danger, mystery, darkness and loneliness. This would be enough to make me want to see the film!

What is the poster communicating and why?

The poster is communicating with the audience with a range of images and by making the intended audience interested, it also doesn't give too much away so this would make a person curious and this would be enough to make them go and see it.

Hello, My name is Jack Denning....

Hello,

My name is Jack Denning and I am a student at King Edwards Sheldon Heath sixth form.

This is my blog for Media where I will keep you up to date and post my work for you to view.

I am 16 years old approaching 17 in October.

I am a very sporty person and I play a lot of Football in my spare time, In addition I also like creating websites and designing them for myself and other people, this is what I want to do as a career when I leave sixth form.

Thanks your reading and I hope you enjoy my blog!