Blackpool Opening Sequence

What techniques does the opening sequence use to appeal to a weekday mainstream audience?

The following opening sequence about the program “Blackpool” uses many techniques in order to appeal to a weekday mainstream audience.  One of the techniques the director has used is to make the setting on the place appeal to audiences. As everyone knows that Blackpool isn’t one of the best places to be, the directors portray Blackpool as being a glamorous city and a place that everyone has to be. Another technique which is used is through the characters itself; a stereotypical family of four are shown as being a happy family who are rich. Many of the mainstream audiences can relate to the family conception of the program as many viewers would have families. Another technique is used by through the use of music in the opening sequence. The music used is very upbeat and fast which can connote excitement. The music that is used is a famous song sung by Elvis Presley, as this program is a weekday program, many of the viewers at home could relate to this as they maybe fond of the singer. The famous song “viva las Vegas” is used to make the program to appeal to mainstream audiences.

How does the extract follow the codes & conventions of an opening sequence?

The extract follows many codes and conventions of an opening sequence, by doing this it appeals to many audiences. This extract follows codes and conventions by the use of the name of the institution. At the start, BBC is shown just before the title and many audiences can identify the institution, this is put there to shows audience who are the makers and producers of the program. A theme song is used which follows codes and conventions of an opening sequence. The theme song entertains audiences are sucks in them in order to watch the program as the theme song is very catchy and sung by a famous singer called Elvis Presley which many audiences can relate to as they would have listened to his music. A short introduction for all characters is used so that the audiences are familiar with the actors/actresses. With this short introduction many of the audience may recognise actors from previous programs or films. The setting of the program being Blackpool is also portrayed as being as a glamorous place which may intrigue audiences to go visit the famous city. The title of the program comes up on the screen in bright colours so that the audiences can see this and appeals to them which encourage audiences to watch this program.

What does this text tell us about the media institutions involved?

This text tells us some information about the institutions involved. Audiences living in the U.K would be able to tell anyone that Blackpool is not the best place to be as it is very dangerous. However, the BBC portrays Blackpool as being a positive place. They use the city of Las Vegas as an example and change Blackpool into a glamorous place to be. As this program is shown on during the week-day it shows the BBC is trying to appeal to a variety of audiences. Mainly for people who are at home this could be housewives, unemployed people and possibly pensioners.

English film trailer analysis

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=551-QfYJymI

Which trailer conventions are present and what is their effect on the audience?

The trailer of the rising of the foot soldier shows many conventions in a trailer in order to persuade the audience to see the film. First of all we have narrator in the trailer which describes the storyline which generally gives the audience a rough idea of what the film is about. Another convention which represented in the trailer is the use of fast cut shots. The director uses this in order to show that the genre of the film is violence and fast cut shots show that the film is going to be good. The director also uses the film’s best scenes in the trailer to show audiences how intense and dramatic the film is. The director tries not to give the film away to much with the scene, but mostly shows the most controversial scenes in the film. The director also uses on screen text to persuade audiences to watch the film. “Based on a shocking true story” the director uses this so that it will intrigue audiences to watch this film as it based on true events.

How does the trailer use media language (camera, mise-en-scene, editing, sound) to the establish the film's genre?

This trailer uses many techniques in order to establish the films genre. A great way of this is done is through the use of music. The music in this trailer is very fast paced which can connote that the film is full of highly energetic scenes. Another great way that the director has used in order to establish the films genre is through the use of mise-en-scene. The scenes consist of large groups fighting, parties and a lot of vandalism which can also connote that the film is going to have a lot of bloody scenes. The trailer also uses sound to construct the narrative. For example, the trailer uses fast paced music throughout the trailer but when there is a sound of silence this usually means that there is a turning point in the film which could also be dis-equilibrium. Silence is used to build up suspense and the trailer does a good of it which would persuade audiences to watch the film. Also, the camera shots in the trailer range from long shots to close ups which can also establish the genre. Low angled shots are used commonly in this trailer which can also represent power and this the film will most properly a gangster movie

Who is the target audience and how do you know?

The target audience according to this trailer is males most properly teenagers aged from 16 +. Also males aged 18+ as the film is all about violence, drug use and football. These three topics are common as many men can relate to them and would love to see them all cramped up into a film. The social demographic could be ABC1 and C2DE as all males could relate to this through the use of football. The main protagonist in the trailer is also a white male which can present aspects dominant ideology.

How effective do you think the trailer is in promoting the film? Why?

I think that film is very successful at promoting the film as it shows codes and conventions of trailers and persuades many audiences to see the film. It persuaded me to see the film and I did! I think that in general is a fantastic movie and the trailer is there to back it up. The trailer slightly gives away the narrative of the story but still misses out on some important scene that you would only be able to see if you watched the film. The director uses reviews and opinions in the trailer which show that the film is already liked by critics and are also promoting the film within the trailer.

New Moon Trailer

What techniques does this trailer use to persuade an audience to see the film?

The New Moon trailers show different techniques in order to persuade an audience to see the film. One way it does this is by the use of quick pace shots to create a traditional theme of an action and adventure films, this automatically persuades audiences to watch the films. The use of fades out in the characters voice in the background. A soundtrack is added which makes this non digetic sound which tells us that it was added after production. The soundtrack consists of fast tempo music which creates a lot of tension in the one scene. Another feature which is used commonly is the film’s best shots. Directors use this small teaser which encourages audiences to watch the film and makes them excited to see the film. As we end of the trailer, silence is used which makes the audience feel tensed but as the films name comes up a we are noted with an award “world’s best seller” which audiences may familiarises the story from a book. 

How is gender represented in this trailer?

In this trailer gender is represented as the common stereotypical. Men is the film are shown superiors and important as they would be portrayed in any film. The female protagonist is show to simply follow the common stereotype of a girl falling in love with a man yet is left broken hearted somehow. The 2 male protagonists are shown to be in some sort of a battle for the girl which is a common plot in a romantic genre. The males are being portrayed as important which also reflects dominant ideology as the 2 males are white, middle classed, middle aged and heterosexual.

What target audience would be attracted to this film?

The target audience most likely to be attracted to this film are people 13+ as this trailer shows romance and adventures. The audience will both include a mix of males or females. As this film had a previous sagas from books to film, the common audience would most likely to be teen aged females as they would be attracted to the 2 main protagonists as they both fight over to prove their love for one girl. The romance theme to this film will defiantly attract females but to the action part where it may pull both audiences. Males can relate to war and battles as they are common themes in the film world and this film consist of battles which some male audiences like. Violence is genre which is used a lot in this film which will defiantly appeal to some male audiences. 

What Hollywood values can you identify in this trailer?

Violence is a key Hollywood characteristic used in this film as it comes under the genre of being an action movie. Another key Hollywood characteristic that the film follows is constant replays of the trailer in all cinemas and televisions across the world. You could say as if the media “worship” this film and the 2 main male protagonists. As females find these 2 characters good looking, the media is always talking about the characters and promoting the film.  

The Untouchables Analysis

How is editing used to build suspense in the scene?

Editing is used to build suspense in this scene through many techniques that the director uses. The pace of the camera change (the cuts) is slow at first, when the scene gets crowded the pace of changing the camera is much quicker. This is used to s going make audience feel anxious as they don’t know what is going to happen.  Another great technique used by editing in order to create suspense is the change of the camera shot. In the scene, the camera is cut to a point of view shot so that whatever the character sees, the audience see too. This excites the audience as they are in characters shoes. Long takes are also used in this scene to build suspense, when the character is looking at the main doors, there is a long take of the people who in and out of the station. This long take Is used in order for the audience to identify what is going on in the scene. Cross cutting is used as it makes the feel nervous as they can see what the main protagonists can’t see. 

How is time “expanded” through the use of editing as the pram falls down the steps?

 Time is expanded through the use of editing, as cross cutting is used in this case for a level of action and expands the time in which someone can save the pram. This adds a lot of mystery as the audience doesn’t have an idea of what is going to happen to the pram. Some may be thinking will it get shot at? Or will all the bullets miss? Mystery is great use in order to keep the audience interacted with the film.  Time is also expanded through the use of change of camera shots. Within that scene there are 40 different angled shots of the pram falling down the steps. Close ups, long shots, high angled shots are used in order to expand the time in this scene. As the scene is in slow motion everything is focused on the pram which makes audience sit on the edge of the seats anticipating on what is going to happen next.