Film Studies A Level

Pulp Fiction: Post modern: lack of concrete substance - no obvious genre, no specific message. where there is no real meaning, messages and values: what it looks, sounds and tastes like. -Visual aesthetics blurred: combining the 50s, 60s and present day -Blurring genre conventions -Fragmentation of narrative - Intertextual references -Does not make any comments about society Narrative; -Episodic Pulp fiction resists todorov's narrative structure A series of mini disruptions to the 5 act structure -Has central protagonists -Jules finds spiritual humanity and survives, Vincent does not (is shot by butch) Fits Todorovian four act structure but challenges traditional hollywood 3 act structure Atypical protagonists and antagonists - representation of the maverick anti-hero Typically at the start of the film, cinematography introduces audience to setting. We don't have the establishing shot, close ups to introduce characters. Colour palette: Use of red/blac...

- The first scene is a flashback to her time being free, her memories / sense of freedom has been tainted by her experience as a mother. -Women are expected to be maternal however for some women this strips their freedom and desire to be independent and invest more time into her own self interest. - In performance, Eva widens her eyes in a brief moment of shock, her smile drops as she falls to the ground. This could be interpreted as if Eva is picturing herself in the dream, and in her memory she has become self aware, in reality she is a failed mother. First scene: Sinister eerie non-diegetic music is faintly heard in the background. - The recurring motif of the colour red represents that Evas whole outlook on the world has been altered by. -Long shot of the house splattered with red paint, represents how the neighborhood sees Eva as the perpetrator / everything has a communal hatred for her. - No dialogue, allows the spectator to focus on the Mise en scene. The basis of t...

Kim Longinotto:  well known for making films that highlight the plight of female victims of oppression or discrimination - inspiring women. - Her films have a feminist perspective. - Observational documentary, when the filmmaker observes rather than intrudes the subject's life to give the spectator effect that they are observing reality rather than something staged.  Kapadia and Kim Longinotto present similar ideas through the use of documentary film. These ideas, in Kim Longinottos case, are often based on the oppression and discrimination of females in society. Kim Longintto’s of bases her documentaries on rebels, outsiders, atypical women and focuses on the stories of female victims of oppression and discrimination.  Kapadia follows the observational style of documentary similar to Kim Longinotto who wants the film to seem like fiction which directs us to a specific view and opinion, the fictional theme creates an emotional response of sympathy and understanding...

Editing SLow motion used extensively, often with freeze frames of the key characters Still images of Amy are of happier times - dissolves between them; slow zooms into the pictures Intercut with news footage could be a. home video - also with paparazzi in background - layers of spectatorship Very long cuts, the images are shown for a long time SO the spectator can focus on the voiceover Final shots of Amy =closeups; linear (from childhood) slow zooms in; often in slow motion; all end with freeze frame. Meaning of Editing Even when dead, Amy was not left in peace - paparazzi and news teams swarming around - sound of flashbulbs Director wants to leave a positive image of Amy at the end - juxtaposition acts as an antidote to the hard-hitting images of her body being carried out - leaves the spectator witht the impression that her life was positive The caption in the establishing shot highlights that this is reality. Sound Non diegetic nostalgic melancholic piano and strings m...

How useful has an ideological critical approach been in understanding the narrative resolution of your chosen films? 40 marks How useful is a feminist approach been in understanding the Intro: -Feminist approach -Multiple ways you can interpret the ending however a feminist may be more inclined to see the ending of Fishtank as affirming ideas that women are dependent on men helping helping them progress in society. Similarly, a feminist may interpret the ending of WNTTAK (We need to talk about kevin) as conforming to the social expectation of women being instinctualy maternal. 1 - Kevin:Point = Eva conforms - Song: sound - reflects the rest of the film wherein she rejected Kevin as her son - Embracing: Performance - Reflecting Eva conforming to the role of motherhood - Midshot of Kevin hugging Eva but the camera is positioned to reflect her emotions, the spectator therefore sees how she has transformed as a character to have more humility towards her son.  The lack of no...

Mise en scene a . z map Cameras flashing lights The four seasons hotel cluttered table clutter all over the flat, reflects her unorderly life. The filmmaker tries to show that her life is out of order. Cinematography: Extreme closeup of Amy's interview whilst she was high; detail of her unfocused eyes. Handheld natural lighting Still closeups often close or extreme closeup, with camera very slowly tracking in. Closeup of Amy's face stretching her hand out to camera showing her vulnerability. Editing: * Paparazzi cameras flashing - combines with freeze frames and elliptical editing / jump cuts to disorientate spectator / replicate Amy's increasingly fragile mental condition. Also represents the panic and hectic atmosphere. *Captions used for lyrics, locations and times so the spectator can be on track for what happened when in Amy's life and be precise about it. Highlights that this is a 'true' story, not fiction; also documents her life. It ma...

Editing in the first scene of AMY By Asif Kapedia Micro Feature Meaning and response Cinematography: -POV shot of Amy -Shaking, handheld camera. Amy center frame. Whip pans to Amy Home video footage -Scene sutures the spectator into Amy’s early life -Kapadia wants the spectator to align with Amy- possibly empathise- she does however have extraordinary talent Editing: -Two cuts in the opening sequence -Use of captions – where it takes place, and who is in it. -Elliptical editing ( a type of  editing  that cuts unnecessary actions from a sequence. This means the sequence is shorter than real time and so doesn't last as long. This can be a positive because if a scene last (for example) a few hours it would cut it down to only a few minutes.) – used to show what is necessary and who determines it. -This has been harvested from how many hours of footage, who chose it? Why? ...

A: With close reference to two films you have studied explore how either performance or miss en scene create meaning B: With close reference to the two films you have studied, explore how either editing or sound create meaning C: To what extent do aesthetic qualities contribute to the impact of your two chosen films. D: Discuss some way in which mess and editing are used in each of your chosen films to present a key issue. Refer in detail to specific sequences. Key issues from Pans Labyrinth and City of God: -Corrupt Govt. -Toxic masculinity -Youth violence -Death of innocence -Leaders/role models / lack thereof -Representation of women -Flight -Film form -meaning and response -context Lil ze transforming to adult Flightless bird at the start represents the meaning of the whole world: represents how the people born in the city of god have no ability to escape. flash cuts low angle music: kinetic feel - vibrant, makes lil ze seem in power