AOB 6 - Regulation & Censorship

AOB 5 - Distribution

Podcast Episode no. 1
‘Ownership and Distribution of feature films’

Bumper.

Hello and Welcome to my first ever Podcast for media nationals.

Stinger.
Stinger.
Stinger.
Stinger.

(Jingle) This Is a Podcast on Distribution of feature films for units 2 & 3 of the level 3 nationals in Media Studies, I know this is a really exciting subject and you are probably on the edge of your chair, eager to listen so I best carry on! Some of the parts are more boring than others, but it wont be time wasted!

Stinger.
Stinger.
Stinger.
Stinger.

So what exactly is distribution and how is it used? Well if films didn’t have distributors then none of us would even have a clue about the latest film that comes out, imagine that, not even having a clue about films, they would be made and then we wouldn’t have a clue about them, I’m surprised they don’t have a donation service for the hard grafting that they do in distributing the films.
Distributors have to make films reach even the trickiest of audiences, so next time you are whining that you don’t like a film, get over it and find another one! No, only joking, maybe it hasn’t been distributed aswell as another film that would tickle your pickle.


Stinger.
Stinger.
Stinger.
Stinger.

Did you know that most films don’t actually make the full amount back that it costs to make the film just by putting it in the cinemas, that’s right! The majority of films make the money back on the merchandise, for example, high school musical, you boys may think its just a stupid film that’s full of crappy singing, but in reality the film company doesn’t care that it doesn’t appeal to the majority of boys, they make more than enough money back on the merchandise that is sold, to entertain fans!

Stinger.
Stinger.
Stinger.
Stinger.

Distributors use junkits, no I didn’t say drumkits. A Junkit, is when press are sent in to the film company, and this is when they find everything they can about the film, in order for the film to be advertised to you, so it entices you in to wanting to watch it.
How many times do you complain whenever adverts come on the tv, or theres adverts in a magazine? Well DON’T! if there wasn’t adverts, you wouldn’t know about anything and you would become dumb and there would be no point to you. Just kidding, but they are damn important to life!

Stinger.
Stinger.
Stinger.
Stinger.

AOB 4 - Representation

This is my horror poster, created using the photographs i have taken.

Evidence Of Set:

AOB 2 + 3 - Structure & Meaning

The main character (Jack) is starred by Jack Nicholson, he basically gets a job as a caretaker in a hotel at the top of a mountain, the hotel gets snowed in, in the winter, which makes the hotel have to shut. Danny (Jacks Son) has psychic powers, which is found out by the hotel chef, this means he can see ghosts and detect when they are present, when Jack and his family get snowed in, Jack turns into a madman, because of the ghosts being around, this then causes him to attempt to murder his wife and son.
The structure of the film is a linear structure, this means that there is a beginning middle and end, although its made more complicated than just this, it means that there is an exposition, complication, climax and finally a resolution. This is the layout the film is planned around.
The first scene, where the chef introduces Jack and his family to the house is basically to set the scene and give the audience an understanding of who the characters are and where the film is set, also in this part we are told about the previous caretaker who was also isolated during the winter months and killed himself and his family. We also learn that Danny has Psychic powers within this part, this is the exposition.
Next we have the complication, this is where Jack starts getting angry with his wife because shes distracting him when hes trying to work, but its not really work because he just sits there writing: “all work and no play, makes jack a dull boy” this isn’t normal behaviour and as a sign of this we can see hes starting to go mad.
The climax can be seen as the most powerful scene in a film, in the Shining, this is the axe scene, where Jack goes looking for his wife and son, and then the “heres Johnny” quote is used.
And finally we have the resolution; this is where jack ends up freezing in the maze, although it isn’t 100% clear that he has died, this is a good way for producers to make a sequel if they wanted to, although they didn’t, they felt they didn’t have to.
At the time of this film being made, something called a steadicam, this is basically what it says in the name, a camera that is used to make shots steady when the camera is in motion, this helps shots in the shining and helps create suspense, because when the shot is constantly moving it creates alot of discomfort, for example, the scene where Jack is smashing the door down with the Axe, the camera jolts from side to side, this creates alot of atmosphere for the audience, and makes the want to watch on eagerly.
Usually in many films they use dolly tracks, this is perfect for long distances, for example a car chase or something, but it wouldn’t have been a clever idea to use it for the shining, simply because the audience would see the track on the floor.
The Deus ex Machina is basically when a suprising event happens, usually something that wasn’t recognisable to the audience, the deus ex machina of the film would be when Jacks wife discovers his “all work and no play” writing. As an audience we instantly see a different side to Jacks character and we feel that he could be capable to murdering his family.
Macguffins are used throughout this film, a macguffin is a plot element that catches the audiences eye, and also advances the story, for example a macguffin in this film would be when the audience see a photograph of what seems like jack from 1921, this creates alot of mystery, because they instantly relate back to the knowledge of the old caretaker, and this makes them think if jack is a reincarnation of the previous caretaker, and this makes them wonder if theres going to be murders again.
This is the scene out of the shining that I felt would be strong to write about and look at more closely. the famous scene where Jack chops through the door and says "heres johnny."
Before he starts axeing the door down, Jack recites a nursery rhyme, three little pigs to be precise, this not only shows that Jack has lost it and has gone completely mad, but it also feels out of place, hearing something so innocent when something so brutal is about to take place, this is called juxtaposition, it means when theres calmness against fear, the way Jack speaks calm even though he is about to kill someone.
Also the contrast between the cold outside and the colour inside, helps create a warm feeling within the hotel, this again is strange considering a murder is trying to take place.

It isn't just about the camera in this scene, but also the sound plays a large part in setting the scene and making the film have alot of suspense. it isn't music that is used as such, but discordant strings in the background, making a low but jumpy sound, also the diegetic sound within the frames make this scene too, such as the screaming and the sound of the axe going through the wood, I believe that with music ontop of this, the effect wouldnt be so great.

The way in which the camera has been placed in this scene is extraordinary! not only did the creators place the camera where the audience can see the axe bashing through the door, but they placed it so you could see Jacks wifes face, that was full of terror. being able to see all of this creates such alot of suspense, and some would say, fear.

Stanley Kubrick didn’t want Jack Nicholson in the film because he had just starred in "the cuckoos nest", and the audience would relate back to the other film, whereas Stanley Kubricks style was to create films that people haven’t seen before, something new, but putting Jack Nicholson in the film, turned out to be very successful.

AOB 1 - The Wicker man

I feel that this film is like marmite, you either love it or hate it.

A very religious police officer gets called to a scottish island (Summer isle) to investigate the disappearance of a missing girl, an anonymous letter is sent to the police station from the Summer isle, and Neil Howie (police officer) is sent to investigate.

He carries around a photo of the girl, and shows it to everybody he can, even the missing girls mother, but they all deny her existence. The police officer notices the rather strange going ons on the island, and decides to talk to "Lord Summer isle" this results in him telling the police officer that they are practicing pagans Howie is deeply offended and accuses them of murdering the girl as part of a bizarre ritual, The police officer tries to leave and go back and report the bizarre things he has seen to the police constable, but he finds out his plane has been sabotaged, and this all along was a trap to get the policeman on the island, he is then tricked and burnt in a wicker man, because this means that the villagers have sacrificed a life, for a life for the crops.

I felt this film was rather strange, and at times I felt like there was some humour involved, when I don't think it was intended.

The film was hated by the film company when it was released but as the years have gone by it has gained a cult following, i think this is because of the way they have used religion, and because its a very strong subject and many people dont understand other religions, it gives an insight to how they live their lives, and how they think.

I believe this film fits into the genre of horror, although its a slightly different form of horror, as its not portrayed in the same way as most horror films, simply because the scary part is the way in which religion is used, so its rather different to most other horrors.

AOB1 - The Exorcist

The Exorcist is about a little girl who is possessed by a demon and a mother who is desperate to get her daughter back normal, through an exorcism conducted by two priests.
People regarded this as the scariest film that has been ever made, when this was released in the cinema, people were found to be fainting and throwing up. even today, when this film is compared with other films, this film is most likely the scariest.
a large feature of scary films is that some are based on true stories, like this one.
The audience were hooked to watching it, they couldnt believe that what they were watching really happened to somebody, a 14 year old boy to be precise, this happened in 1949.

This film is one of the most profitable films of all time with $402, 500, 000 gross worldwide; People even queued for hours and hours, in order to watch the film, because it was hit! simply because it lived up to the horror expectation in alot of ways.
Cinemas had to provide sick bags to every viewer as the special effects at the time were so disgusting that people spewed up at the sight of them.
if a similar storyline comes out, similar to this, where people have messed with spirits etc, i feel that it would still be seen as really scary, simply because not many people know the true story about what happens when this is messed with, so it leaves alot upto the imagination, this is a very scary and shakey subject to be looking at.

There are stories which claim the film was cursed, and there were problems with certain parts on the set, such as a fire breaking out, everywhere but the bedroom of Chris Macneil, so it had to be rebuilt.
it has also been claimed that a priest was brought in numerous times to bless the set from any bad spirits.

There are so many different points of views about this film, some people feel this film is a very well constructed horror film. but some people felt that censorships should have been used, because of the amount of graphic scenes that made people pass out/throw up within this film.
some people also feel that this film shouldnt have ever been made, because of the amount of spirtuality thats used within it.
I feel that the call for regulation today is alot less needed, than it was back in the day, simply because of the amount of horror films that are around, people have become so desensitized to everything, they feel that nothing is as graphic, as the creator had hoped.

AOB 1 - Witchfinder General Analysis

The Witch-finder was made in 1968, it was directed by michael reeves, and produced by tigon films.

It was called The conqueror worm in america, this is a title of a poem by edgar alan poe, this made alot of the audience recognize the film, by the poem that edgar alan poe wrote. this kicked off another wave of poe adaptation.

The film was a big hit, mainly because it starred Vincent Price, he was a big horror actor, in the time of these films, so many more people went to see it, simply because of linking it to other films he had been in, although the original lead role was meant for Donald Pleasance, he was a ludicrous authority figure and a big actor in those times, but AIP wanted their biggest star, vincent price, so the director had to rethink the role and the script was changed to suit the personality that vincent price had to play.

The Witchfinder was Censored by the BBFC, simply because of the long screaming bits, it used to be censored because of the bad parts or they cut them out. but nowadays if this was the case they would just put it in a higher certification.

Vincent price would not be able to play that typical figure, so they had to change everything to make him more suited for the films.

people don't think that even the actors/actresses personality and the way the perform affects the film and the status of which they are made/written.

I felt this film was very graphic and didn't like the way they treated women or the way they tested men and women for being 'witches'.

AOB 1 - Fall of the house of Usher Analysis.

The fall of the house of usher is a horror film, there are 3 main characters within the film that star in it, Roderick played by Vincent Price, Philip Winthrop played by Mark Damon and Madeline Usher played by Myrna Fahey.
The house of usher is a rather strange film, Philip goes to visit Madeline at her home, she lives at home with her brother Roderick, but Roderick is very protective of Madeline and tells Philip to leave as soon as possible. He constantly tells him that the mansion they live in is haunted and that all of the Usher family are doomed. Philip wants to take Madeline back to Boston with him, but Roderick thinks Madeleine is ill. The film makes the audience think as to whether the usher family are really ill or if it’s Roderick poisoning everyone’s mind. The house shakes quite alot throughout the film, which gives it an eerie feel, it also makes the audience wonder as to whether it’s something to do with Roderick but we find out later on in the film, that the house is situated on a pit and the tremors are just the house shaking, not by a curse, just because of the situation of the house.

The film has the typical conventions that would be found in a horror film such as, a haunted mansion, a protagonist and an antagonist, a “curse” that is supposedly taking over the house.
There is scary music and sound effects included within this film, which helps add the eerie horror effect. The audience are constantly guessed to if theres an “otherness” in the house, like they are being watched.
American International Pictures (turned into Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) chose to create just horror films, because it was cheaper for them, they reused shots in other films they created, also they used props from other films, whilst this film was being shot there was a house fire close to where they were filming, so they stopped filming the film and went and filmed the house fire, so they could use it in the film.
Many of the things used and recognised in horror films, don’t have the same impact as what they would have many years ago, they are all clichéd and tend not to scare audiences nowadays because everyone has seen them and recognise them.
Edgar Alan Poe wrote horror so it helps fit into the horror genre better, he knew exactly what all was needed to fulfil horror. Madeleine is the main victim, her top is open, showing her chest, which shows her as being a “sexual instrument” this is often iconic, such as women in the film the witch finder general .
There is a great benefit for using Vincent price in films, simply because the producer knows how he works and also because he was a huge star in that time, he would attract fans of his, to films he starred in.
The audience would of enjoyed the mystery side of this film, because its quite difficult to follow, the film puts things into your head, for example: is there a curse or is it Roderick?

AOB 1 - Mary Shelley's Frankenstein

Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein Analysis.

The frankenstein Franchise has changed quite a lot from the 1930s (James Whales Version) to the 1994 version (Mary Shelley), there could be many reasons for this...One major difference between Frankenstein and Bride of Frankenstein is the conception of the Monster. While in Frankenstein he was a murderous vengeful creature, the sequel presents a Monster the audience can sympathise with, bringing him much closer to Mary Shelley's original concept.

I think the more recent film definitely looks different to the older one, because of the vast increase in technology/techniques that were available within that era, compared to the 1930s version. Also with the 1930’s version it has had to be filmed in black and white, so with the more recent one being in colour, it adds alot more effect and also adds atmosphere to the film, as the audience can relate to colours, for example: red being scary/horror/anger. Also because more money has been spent on the film, it means that alot more effort has been put in the recent one to provide better entertainment to the audience.

I believe that the audiences of today wouldn’t find the new version of Frankenstein as scary as the audiences in the 1930’s would have with the old one, simply because it was all new to them, and because more films are watched by audiences nowadays, it takes the scary edge off the films, because every horror, has similar aspects.

The narrative has definitely changed; it’s as if the directors put more effort into pleasing the more recent audience because they would expect more from watching other horror films, so it would be harder to please them than it would the 1930s audience. Victor Frankenstein was also portrayed as a very nervous man in the 1930s film, whereas in the newer film, he is expressed as a hero and the audience get a better idea of his background, he also falls in love with his adopted sister, this wasn’t in the old film, but it adds a romantic edge to the film, appealing it to more than one type of audience, as people nowadays like to see romance within a film.

There were many stories within the news at the time of Shelley’s film, such as a man who had a battery operated heart fitted within his body, this would make audiences believe that it is possible to make life, if it’s possible to fit a battery operated heart.

In the newer film, the audience get a better idea of each characters personality, so it builds up an image in the audiences head, and help to establish different feelings towards each character, so when Frankenstein gets turned away by people just by the way he looks, we feel a bit sorry for him, the film features topics of how peoples appearances can affect the way they live their lives and how they fit into society.

I believe that the audience’s expectations have definitely changed through time, because there are more films available, from all different genres, this means that there are going to be comparisons between different films, and that’s what makes them more critical, compared to how people were in the 1930’s. I studied this film in my English lessons, and we had to read Mary Shelley’s book, personally I feel that the film played a very good part in explaining the story, so I enjoyed it alot more than reading the book.

Technology has definitely changed the whole style of the film, because more techniques have been worked out and used, better lighting, special effects and it can also be edited better through a computer. It’s easier to portray something because of the advanced technology, this helps the audience understand the film better, and not only that, it helps improve suspense and atmosphere. I believe that more people would watch the more recent film, more so than the 1930’s version, because of the new technology, also the films are advertised more so now, than they were in that day, which helps get an interest from the audience.

AOB 1 - The Bride Of Frankenstein

Bride of Frankenstein Genre Analysis.

This film fits best into the Horror genre, simply because of the way in which the camera shots are used, also it fits in with the general conventions of a horror film, with it having blood and gore, also with it building up alot of suspense through the music and the sound effects used, the typical horror sounds have been used, such as
The groaning of the monster, and the noise of people being murdered.
Alot of the shots are canted, this means that they are on a slant, adding alot of effect to the film, also giving the film a scary 'edge.'although this film sometimes gets mistaken for a sci-fi, because alot of science is involved within the making of 'the bride’, the use of electricity and many doctors within the storyline.this shot is a good example to show, that this film is under the horror category, because this particular shot wouldn't be found in something like a comedy, plus it's a good shot, because it lets the audience know that the 'bride' is alive and also makes us want to watch more.

James Whale produced the film, in 1935 there was a big recession because of the Wall street crash so there was alot of depression, the mood of the world was very depressive, so this film fits in well, also the film studios had to cut back on the amount of films they made, and felt that the best genre to stick to would of been Horror. Because it was a low budget horror film also it fit in with the financial depression of the time. From a modern day viewpoint, I feel that the film was very well made for the time of the 1930's and I was amazed by the way in which they filmed the people in the little jars, because they simply wouldn't have the technology in them days to be able to apply these techniques to the film, but somehow they managed it.

Personally I feel that this is a very well made film, although the ending could have been a little better.
The benefit of genre, helps the audience, establish what film they are going to see, for example, this is a horror film so those who get a bit queasy or uneasy about blood/guts can easily decide they don't want to watch it, by knowing the conventions of a horror film (blood, guts, death e.t.c)

The benefit of genre to the producers, helps them to understand what conventions the film needs to have for it to be able to fit into each genre, it also gives them a base idea, as most films have similarities in more ways than people think, but in the 1930s, because of the recession, they had to think of the best and most cost effective way to produce films, so sticking to one genre was important to them.