Thursday 1 December 2011

The Disaster Genre

Task 2: In 'Armageddon' the theme of relationships is communicated in different ways. Firstly between Grace and Harry (her father), at the beginning of the film we don't see a very good relationship between the two as it seems Harry is too protective and Grace rebels against him. However, towards the end of the film their relationship grows and they seem happy. Another example is between Grace and A.J. Throughout the film it is made clear that the two are in love already and we see the progression of their relationship as the film goes on. There is also a relationship between Harry and A.J communicated. At the beginning of the film it is made clear that Harry dislikes A.J very much and picks on him, however, towards the end their relationship grows and Harry allows A.J to marry Grace (his daughter).


Task 3: In 'The Poseidon Adventure' self sacrifice is shown by Reverend Scott as he jumps onto the valve to protect the others and help them to safety. He turn the wheel to remove the steam from the room they were in, he then falls into the water and dies. He died to help save the other survivors. Self sacrifice is also shown by Belle Rosen as she goes into the water to save the reverend but ends up dying.


In 'Armageddon' self sacrifice is shown by the character Harry. After the decision was made for A.J to go and detonate the bomb, Harry pushes A.J back and goes himself, followed by an emotional conversation about A.J and Grace getting married. Whilst detonating the bomb Harry saves his fellow friends and the entire world but is killed by the bomb.


Task 4: Redemption is found for Harlee Claiborne in 'The Towering Inferno' because he starts off in the film as a con man and tries to con people but then later redeems himself as he tries to help the victims in danger.


Redemption is shown in 'Armageddon' by Colonel Willie Sharp because at one point he is shown as the bad guy because he knew about the plan of the bomb. Not only did he know but he didn't inform the other members or even try to listen when the time came. He then redeems himself by helping cancelling the bomb and thinking of other ways to blow up the asteroid.


Task 5: 'The Poseidon Adventure' is a good example for teamwork because the main group of people are chosen by the disaster and they work together to try and survive the disaster. Each member of the group is important as if they had not done what they did, they might not have survived. Such as self sacrifices, a leader a helper etc.

'Armageddon' is another good example for teamwork because the main group of people were chosen for the disaster for being the best drillers for the job. Like 'The Poseidon Adventure' each member had their own job to do. Again, a self sacrifice, a leader, a reluctant hero etc.



Task 6: In The Towering Inferno, character Jim Duncan is an example of corporate greed. Not only is he the owner of the building but when he is told about the small fire in the building which causes everything, he chooses to ignore it and continues with the celebratory party, thinking it would not affect anything. 


Task 7: In many disaster movies, science and technology is represented because the cause of the disaster always seems to be related to science in some way. For example, in The Core the reason 32 people die within seconds of each other is because their electrical pacemakers stopped working. This shows how reliant we are on science and technology, enough to risk our lives on it.

Tuesday 22 November 2011

Merchandise

Merchandise is used to promote films and to attract members of the public. It can be used before a film is released to create a buzz, during the film's release to gain more profit and after to keep the attention of the public. The use of having merchandise for children (McDonalds toy), using merchandise from children's films, can symbolise the target audience for the film itself. The use of jewellery being a form of merchandise can show that the target audience isn't only limited to younger children. Pirates of the Caribbean is often associated with children and by making jewellery for adults widens the range. Merchandise can be any form of item, such as t-shirts, toys, jewellery, cds, watches etc. 

Friday 11 November 2011

Disaster Genre

- The Day After Tomorrow.














- Volcano.













- Armageddon.













- 2012.













- Poseidon Adventures.













- The Core.













- The Towering Inferno.













- Twister.













- I Am Legend.













- Independence Day.


All of the following films are similar because each of the films involve a disaster. Each one the films above feature a famous actor/actresses from the time they were made. They all feature famous locations and the landmarks are usually shown being ruined. In most of the films the main character has a love interest and there is always a race against time. 

Codes and Conventions of the Disaster genre:
  • A Disaster. Either natural or man made. 
  • Famous locations.
  • Mainly focused on the famous actor/actress but still a storyline for the other characters. 
  • Race against time. 


Thursday 21 April 2011

Scream 4 - Review.






Scream 4 was better than I originally thought it was going to be. Although, I don't think everyone agrees with me. In the actual screening of the film there were many empty seats and the ones that were filled were either middle aged men, or people under the age of 15 who had obviously managed to sneak in (not including me and my friend).


Ten years have passed and Sidney Prescott returns to her hometown of Woodsboro to promote her new book about her experiences and she battles with a familiar face, Ghostface. She and her family and friends struggle to survive whilst having help from Sheriff Dewey and wife, Gale. There is a race against time to catch the killer before it strikes again. 

Before I went to go an see this film I had only ever seen the first Scream, so I knew what to expect, even if I hadn't seen the other two films the whole idea for these films are pretty much the same. However, I did enjoy watching this film as I thought the whole finding out who the killer is, was unexpected. Throughout the film I found myself trying to guess who the killer was, and I never suspected who it actually was. Well, not seriously anyway. 

The only thing I didn't like was the casting. I understand having Neve Campbell, Courtney Cox and David Arquette in the film as they have been in the films in the past, but I didn't like seeing Emma Roberts as one of the lead characters. Growing up watching shows on the television I've always seen Emma Roberts portrayed as someone innocent, really girly and sweet. I personally think that it's the only role she can pull off. Seeing her in films such as ''Aquamarine'' or ''Wild Child'' or even the television program ''Unfabulous'' seems like the best place for her. 

From this...

...to this. It just doesn't work. 

However, I really liked the opening scene, you didn't know which bit was actually part of the film or one of the films in the film. It got confusing, but I liked it. The overall film was okay, and I'd like to watch them all now, but if I was the casting director, I would of chosen someone rather than Emma Roberts, someone who can actually pull the role off.

Rating: ****

A Nightmare on Elm Street (1984) Analysis.

Film marketing and merchandising.

Marketing:
To market your film you could be in a film festival/premiere, create an internet buzz by mentioning your film online on a discussion board or on a social network, attend film conferences and attend other film festivals/premieres.

Merchandising:
There are so many different types of merchandise you can use to promote your film such as, Calendars, Diaries, Desk pads, Wall planners, Pens, Pencils, Key Rings, Mugs, Glasses, Mouse Pads, Household items and also Clothing.

 
Film Festival.


Film Premiere.


Harry Potter Mugs.


Anchorman Shirt.