'Our Friends In The North' change in Mary + wider context

How does Mary change and how does this represent the wider context?

With contrast to the previous scene Mary seems less passive, when in conversation with Tosca she questions him and has a more equal say in the conversation, whereas before she would have tolerated Tosca's strong willed manner. Mary's changed attitude as stronger, less passive and independent women reflects the wider context and ideology at the time. Women where bringing to push for independence and break free from the constraint of a patriarchal society, the development of a strong willed feminist movement which prompted the change of social values and representation of women.

What signs are there that Tosca and Mary have different ideologies? Who struggles with the shift in hegemony?

The conversation between Mary and Tosca in this scene reveals a clear clash of ideologies. Mary is pushing for independence, to break free from the constraint as a housewife and an arrogant strong willed husband. Tosca views Mary’s want for such things as selfish. He does not believe it is right for her to want to be independent, get qualifications and separate from the ideology of a housewife which, is what Tosca would much for prefer she to be. Tosca  believes that he should not have to financially support her and pay for house keepers, when he believes she should be doing it. Tosca is fixed in a then growing old ideology of an obedient housewife. Tosca is arrogant to the change of social values and the increasing strength of the feminist social movement. He is arrogant because he struggles with the unfolding shift in hegemony; his arrogance helps him believe that it is not happening.

Shooting Schedule example

How is the camerawork and editing used to emphaise difference in the clip from 'Our Freinds In The North'?

Two shot of Nicky and Helen Winsor establishes a retionship between the two characters and unity as a couple. They are both smiling this shows they are comfortable and confident. They are smartly dressed this conotes that they are well manered, socially confident and are most probably used to going out.  This is a master shot and is linked back to at the end of the footage.

Two shot of Mary and Tosca establishes a relationship between the two characters. The over the shoulder shot creates a sense of intensity and reflects Mary and Tosca's discomfort. Having Nicky and Helens faces out of focus in the shot gives the feeling of Mary and Tosca being watched and maybe judged, as if comfrentational.

Long shot establishes contrasts between the couples and emphasises the awkwardness of the situation. Mary Tosca and Nicky have smiling faces whereas Helen does not, as a result of a witty remark Tosca had made mocking Helen. Helens straight face shows establishes top the audience that she is not amused by this incompetent humor, reflecting points about her character.

The close up of Helen establishes the intensity of the scene and conflict between Helen and Mary. The lighting in the background is quite dark with Helen faces illuminated making her face stand out this is done to make Helen's face and expression a focal point and drew the audience’s attention to it. This also intensifies the awkwardness and confrontation of the scene.

This close up of Tosca illustrates his daftness and is bad mannered with little social etiquette. His action is clumsy he is clearly out of place and this is shown by his failure to eat spaghetti. The shoulder of Mary can be seen connoting the enclosure of the characters in this awkward situation enclosed in the almost claustrophobic confrontation.

Prelim Task questions

1) What camera and editing techniques and codes did you use in your film and how do they influence the audience’s understanding of the film? (e.g. camera angles and shot types etc; Match on action, Shot/ reverse shot , 180 degree rule )

For the opening of the film we used a long shot to establish the surroundings, using the vanishing point of the road, and the line of the trees as a mark of the third, with Dan to the left. This was followed by a medium side shot of Dan from the side establishes him - his dress, age, style and the bicycle. After this a tracking shot and then a high angle pan and close ups of Dan locking up the bike all establishing to the audience his journey and surroundings – school. We used a long shot of Dan walking into common room to establish the surroundings influencing the understanding of the audience. The dialogue was shot to match the action using the 180 degree rule, Dan and Andy having the same left/right relationship to each other shooting over the shoulder, the closer a camera is placed to the axis, the more emotionally involved the audience will be having the camera placed on the characters shoulder - over the shoulder shot meant the audience where more evolved and made the situation clear to understand.


2) How did you use new technologies in your construction, planning and evaluation (e.g. digital cameras; non-linear editing software; YouTube and blog) and what skills do you have at using this technology? (Strengths and weaknesses. e.g. steady/ shakey camera; variety of shot types; smooth/ clumsy transitions; independence when using technologies.)


The functioning of the camera was easy to pick up. With the aid of a tripod are shots could be done steadily and on even ground with guide the sprit level. When shooting our first shot and using the zoom it was unsteady and jumping with some practice repeating the shot I gradually mangered to make the zoom smoother. After this practice I found zooming easier and found that my zoom was steadier and less jumpy. When shooting the tracking shot of Dan on the bicycle I found it hard at first to keep up with him this was due to the small maneuvering space. To resolve this we decided to slow the action down and I held the camera in front of me to help make keeping up with Dan easier and keep him in shot, from the result of this the shot was done more successfully.
In are film we used a varity of shot types, using the tripod we shot long and mid shots, this was done easily and successfully, and with handheld filming we shot a tracking, panning and over the shoulder shots, with out the aid of the tripod it was harder to keep the camera steady and with some practice mangered to make are shots steadier. When filming the dialogue it was hard to hear the dialogue due to loud background noise. We repeated the shot loudening the speech but this didn’t improve as the background noise was too heavy. To resolve this we decided to use clip on microphones’, I found the microphones’ easy to use, they plugged straight into the camera and on the person speaking. Reshooting using the microphones the dialogue was vastly clearer and louder and from aid of the microphones greatly improved from before.
When editing our film it was the first time I had used the software. With some guidance I found the programme fairly easy to use, the programme is laid out simply and I found it easy to identify the tools. We cut our film - repeat takes added transitions to smooth some of our footage and added music. I found cutting the film fairly easy to do and using the razor tool and by making the timeline bigger with the slider easy to find the exact moments to cut. We used a transition to cut a long piece of footage which we felt was too long and also used one to smooth out a skip in the footage. When then found a music track which we felt fitted with film, this was then saved to a memory stick and added to the footage. The music was then cut so it wouldn’t go over the dialogue. Then we added sound effect to our footage. From looking on free sound we found a good bicycle bell sound effect and added it to our film, the site was easy to use and had many good sound effects.


3) How successfully does your final product meet the brief?


The final product includes film of Dan crossing the common room walking over to Andy pulling out a chair and exchanging a couple of lines with him. This dialogue was shot to match the action using the 180 degree rule, Dan and Andy having the same left/right relationship to each other shooting over the shoulder

Thriller research

What I want to find out

Investigate sub genre
What the audience expect of
location
Props
Characters
Settings


How I am going to investigate

Interviews with resources
Questionnaire
Clip screening followed by questionnaires


5-10 Minute clip screening
Possible clips:

- Once Upon In America

-Psycho
- Layer Cake
- Thelma and Louise


Followed by questionnaire/ discussion of
-Expectation of
location
Props
Characters
Settings
Etc
 -Comparison of a mainstream with independent - Using films also in the sub genre are film will be - crime/british gangster thriller.
for example
-Essex Boysv Casino Royle
Discuss auidence expectationsof mainstream and independent thriller film discussion will be filmed and someone allicated to ask questions and lead the discussion.
-Will shall also have a short question aided with visual prompts.

Rough dicussion question ideas
-What do kinds of conventions do the auidence expect?
-Do they prefer mainstream or independent?
-Do they expect different or cetain  locations, props etc from a mainstream, independent?
-Discuss what the audience think of thrillers that challenge them as an audience? Say challenge generic conventions - Taritino's Jackie Brown challenges the generic convention of a male white lead.
-What are there expectations of mainstream and independent films?- What do they expect of them? Which do they prefer?

Cosmetics Unit - Perfume Advert - Assement Sheet

Developed location ideas

I took these photos of location idea for the briefcase exchange - meeting of Christian and Joules, and the assult on Joules. Trowse - pumping station and under Trowse bridge. Under the Trowse bridge and around that area are delelict industrial buildings. There are various old doors and buildings under the bridge. hiya. There is also in this area a large old industrial building and more similar buildings at the back. Ajacent to the area under the bridge is the Norwich - London train route.
Close up of the area under the bridge has old rail and storage rooms which are now boarded up. There is still evidence of the rail past. There are several interesting aged doors and arches in this area.

Midium shot the same area, in this photo the arc of the connecting bridge from the quary (Lafarges) can be seen with the train way just beyond this.











Medium shot of a large derilict industral building in the area. Beautiful arced window and door and clock tower. Run down, old, abanded and quiet making the perfect place for the briefcase exchange.

Close up of the door of the above building. Beautifully old. Could be possible place of briefcase exchange the arc of the door representing the framing of Joules. Below a photo of more buildings in this area, large and towering.

Inspiration for the setting came from watching previous thrillers such as Once upon a time in America and The Thrid Man.Where as you can see, the dark, gloomy back-alley setting has been proved as a great generic thriller signifier, and we feel that this would give the perfect feel to our thriller, as the dark, gloomy, isolated streets give a sense of fear, that danger may just be around the corner... For example in this shot of the character 'Noodles' coming out of a doorway round the back of a dark alley.  The Third Man a noir thriller  is set in the post war derelict urban streets of Vienna, Austria. The buildings show signs of the war that has past, smashes windows boarded up doors. The streets are often wet and gloomy. The buildings looking striking and dominant with there wet glaze of the raining sky and dark and light on dark contrast. Characters shadows climb the dark walls looking mysterious and threatening. The dark provides perfect places for a lurking character, hidden in a doorway. The darkness can make characters look strong, mysterious, threatning but on the other hand vunrable and alone. 

Prelim task

Soundtrack - initial notes

We feel that to have a soundtrack to the background of our thriller opener would be a great effect which is used in nearly all successful thrillers. Having listened to a selection of songs and bounced different soundtrack ideas off of each other, we found that this song 'Club Foot' by Kasabian would be an ideal song for our opening, as it has the exact right feel about it and would fit perfectly into the opening shot when Joules is stepping off of the train and walking through the station. Our idea that the song would work well in a thriller is supported in the video itself when the time is at roughly 1:18, the makers of the video include a handgun, which is a generic signifier of the genre. Also at 2:04 you can see a briefcase being used, another signifier which we ourselves are using in our film.
Obviously, because of the ruling that we're not allowed to use copyrighted songs by signed artists in our videos, this particular song is not a possibility. But we may well look for other alternatives for a soundtrack by unsigned artists who might have a song giving a similar effect to this kasabian classic.

Soundtracks and thriller film genre reseach


Pulp fiction
-Dick Dale ''Misirlou''


No film score was composed for Pulp Fiction, with Quentin Tarantino instead using an eclectic assortment of surf music, rock and roll, soul, and pop songs. Dick Dale's rendition of "Misirlou" plays during the opening credits. Tarantino chose surf music as the basic musical style for the film, but not, he insists, because of its association with surfing culture: "To me it just sounds like rock and roll, even Morricone music. It sounds like rock and roll spaghetti Western music." Dick Dales rendition of ''Misirlou'' is as famous as the movie its edgey fast pased famous guitar riff opening perfectly sets the film that follows.

Reservoir Dogs -
George Baker ''Little Green Bag''


Original released in 1969 'Little Green Bag'' was written by Jan Visser and George Baker. In 1992, when the song was used in the film Reservoir Dogs featuring during the iconic ''hero walk'', it became an international cult classic. Tarantino has said that he feels the music to be a counterpoint to the on-screen violence and action. He also stated that he wished for the film to have a '50s feel while using '70s music.



http://www.unsignedbandweb.com/

From searching unsigned bands in google we found this website. The allows unsigned artists to make an account and uplaod their music, giving chance for downloading and artist information. The site is divided by artist and genre. There is an very good extensive varitey of genre From christian rock to ska. We searched through genres we felt where relative to are film - instrumental, alternative, jazz, big band and blues. Finding several good tracks we saved them to a memory stick. The site is brilliant and we will be looking further into the site.

Costume - initial notes

The costume that we intend to use for the characters in our film is a modern smart, formal dress (for example suits, briefcases, overcoats and flashy jewellery. We decided to have the characters in the proposed costume because it reflects our characters as being fairly 'well-off', high up in society. A character in smart dress conotes importance and strenght. For emaple in 'Resiorv Dogs all the powerful, strong male characters are in suits, they stand out to be important, the way they dress shows that they are in control.

 Joules is business man character and will be wearing a full suit, long jacket and smart shoes to reflect this. He will be also wearing a designer watch and have a briefcase with him. The watch reflects Joules obbession with his look and 'youthful' cockiness. The briefcase - the generic sig, is large and black.

Christian will also have a very similar dress and some rings and a  watch more 'gentlemen' to clearly establish his wealth and importance in his particular business, possibly a cigar on-the-go too could also give connotations of the kind of character we are trying to achieve. Christian is a smart and flashy but not to the extend of being cocky like Joules.

Briefcase
Generic convention

In thriller films briefcases are used to carry illegal items - stolen goods, documents etc the briefcase decises these items it conceals the occupiers attentions and goods. A briefcase could hind the occipiers emotions - remorse they are detacthed from the moral imlications of the crime. The briefcase could also seperate the occupier from the crime, it is a metaphorical brick wall. Pulp Fiction joins the intersecting storylines of Los Angeles mobsters, fringe players, small-time criminals, and a mysterious briefcase. The dress-suited pair  (John Travolta as Vincent Vega and Samuel L. Jackson as Jules Winnfield)are on their way to retrieve a briefcase from Brett (Frank Whaley), who has transgressed against their boss, gangster Marsellus Wallace. Marsellus Wallace's briefcase in Pulp Fiction basically serves as the item that the drives the plot and yet which contents are never revealed. Subsequently, much speculation has arisen as to what the significance of the briefcase is and what it contains.

Our inspiration for the costume for the opening of the triller film came from watching other thriller films where with similar smartly dressed chracters which where powerful criminals who where street wise and well dressed.  We looked Pulp Fiction, Casino Royle and reservoir Dogs. All of which have male leads who are ingaged in criminal activites, are powerful, street wise, flashy and smartly dressed, they are in control.

Casino Royle

James Bond is know for being well dressed, suited and booted. His dress reflects his self control, power and social status. What ever situation he gets in Bond is always smart.

Pulp Fiction

Isabella

Isabella is well dressed and is dressed suitable to portray a costume of that of a modern femme fatale in the case of Isabella she dresses flatteringly, tight skirt, shirt, long winter jacket with a fur trim, ankle boots. Her costumes reflects her well off, high social status and her personal importance to look good.

Make - up
Dark strongly defined eyes connote confindence and strenght.

The eyes are framed drawing the audiences attention to them.

Red lips draw attention also connoting confidence and strenght and divience.

The fur coat simblises Isabella's wealth and status. A fur coat is a luxary item and shows the auidence that Isabella is wealthy, well fashioned and concerned with her appearence but not nesscercelly what people think of it; the fur coat could also symbol individuality and diversity, standing out making a statement, a fur coat is seen by some as a 'taboo' item of clothing to wear.

The tight pencil skirt and ankle boots and feminine and reflect Isbella's deviant nature. The shoes are patent and black similary is the skirt they are matchingly smart to Joules and Christains dress and being black they do not stand out, they make it easy to lurk in the darkness. Isabella's dress in strong and invidual smart and apprioately reflecting her character.

Dress experimentation 1


First experimention with dress


Long beige coat
Lace tights
White shoes
Red lips
Dark Eyes
Suitcase

The coat looks good and fits the ideology of the character
The shoes look good but these may be changed for boots for convience in a later scene.
The red lips and dark eyes look striking and also fit well with character ideology.
The suitcase is smart and again fitting to the character.
Overall this costume fits the character ideology and reperesents the character suitably and as entended. The costume makes Isabella look confident and sophisticated.

Developed synopsis - locations and character profiles

Christian

Age: mid-40's

Actor: Martin Lambert

Christian is weary of his daughters lover, Joules, and does not like his daughter being with him. Christian has a controlling and obbessive relationship with his daughter.

 Isabella
Role: Sleek, street-smart, deviant, sophisticated, daughter of Christian, Joule's lover.
Age: early 20's
Actress: Isobel Bailey

Isabella murders he lover joules, stabbing him in the heart. Isabella has an obbessive relationship with her father and kills Joules to please him, as well has getting a twisted pleasure out it herself.

Joules
Role: Isabella's lover
Age: Mid 20's
Actor: Harry Ewing

Joules, Isabella's lover is unware of the obbesive, controlling relationship of his lover Isabella and her father, he is murdered by his lover.

The interception by Isabella in the taking-back of the money, and murder of Joules. Isabella deceives her father and attempts to take off with the money Christian has just handed over to Joules. Isabella's intentions are to get away from her Father and the criminal world she lives in, without him finding out.
- Joules gets off train carrying briefcase A


- H
e walks through the station to station entrance and looks at watch


- Camera cuts to Christian in stationary car, who also looks at watch


- Isabella walks into shot in Christians car headlights (POV shot through windscreen) - close-up of Christian's eyes shows his confusion to her whereabouts (why is she there?) establishing her character as having some kind of relation with Christian


- Christian's phone rings, hearing 'i'm on my way etc.' and hangs up


- Christian gets out of his car


- Cuts back to Joules also hanging up,
who continues walking out of station and through street


- Mid shot Joules framed in door way - framed in fate!


- Camera cuts to Joules arriving at meeting destination


- Joules sees Chris' shadow/hears footsteps approaching


- Switch of briefcases is made - handshake


- Chris walks off out of shot


- Joules looking smug, walks off round corner, followed by camera


- Isabella is seen lurking in the shadows


- Close up of boot only handle of knife is seen.


- reveals knife from her boot


- shot of Joules' shadow on wall with Isabella
 approaching behind and attacking with knife, falls to the ground


- Isabella retrieves briefcase B and walks off


- low angle shot of Isabella walking off with Joules' hand in the foreground
- focus changing from Isabella to hand


- Close up of Christians hand hanging out of car window
- watch further establishes link of relationship between Christian and Isabella.


- Outcome- Isabella murders Joules without the knowledge
her father and takes the money with the intention of running away thus deceiving her father.


- Isabella walks away (note the close-ups of hands) a close-up of a hand on her shoulder creating suspense. Who's hand is it? A partner who she is also running away with? Her Dad?

Development



Extreme close up of  Joules'swatch - tilt shot - inter textual reference to 'The Third Man'.
Christian's car
- Cuts to Christian in stationary car, who also looks at watch - links characters and scenes

Extreme close up of watch - tilt shot


Different watch establishes different character and personality.
- Christians hand on steering wheel

Mid shot Joules framed in door way - framed in fate. waiting for Isabella

-Isabella arrives to meet Joules.

Cut back to Christains still waiting in car

Joules and Isabella walk off, headlights can be seen following them, but they do not notice.
Joules and Isabella imbrace, Joules falls/slumps to the ground, Isabella is froze is horror blood can be seen.
Christian grabs/ hand on Isabella's shouldier.

End.

NEW (15/1/10)


Location
Isobel Bailey's house


C.U of reflection in mirror of Isobella putting on lipstick
M.S of Isabella packing last item in suitcase
C.U of Isabella picking up suitcase
M.S of Isabella walking to notice board
C.U of Isabella getting adress
M.S from strairs of Isabella leaving out door
C.U of hand on knob
As Isabella leaves though door, shadow/figure can be seen behind her. Use of glass doors.

We revised are plot because it was too complicated. Instead of the original idea of having a exchange between Christian and Joules, with Isabella intercepting. We felt that we needed to change are idea to make it more controversal, engaging and interesting.

We have cut the shots of Isabella leaving as these are boring and unessery.
We have cut the CU's of the watch/s as these are now not needed.
We have cut down the number of shots in Isabella's house.

Final narrative

CU of Christain in car behind steering wheel
Keeping shots of Isabella getting reaady
CU of isabella's eyes whilst smoking
cuts to CU of Christian's eyes - as if looking at one another
CU's of Joules waiting
CU's of Christain
Isabella and Joules meet, embrace etc
Joules is shot by Christian.

Isabella murders he lover joules, stabbing him in the heart.
Isabella has an obbessive relationship with her father and kills Joules to please him,
as well has getting a twisted pleasure out it herself.

Christian is weary of his daughters lover, Joules,
and does not like his daughter being with him. Christian
has a controlling and obbessive relationship with his daughter.


Shooting Locations

Isabella's house
Christian's car
Castle gardens - meeting place
Allyway

All props and costumes are the same.

Alfred Hitchcock: The Master Of Suspense Thrillers

No list of suspense or thriller films can be complete without mention of English film-maker/director Alfred Hitchcock. He helped to shape the modern-day thriller genre, beginning with his early silent film The Lodger (1926), a suspenseful Jack-the-Ripper story, followed by his next thriller Blackmail (1929), his first sound film (but also released in a silent version). Hitchcock would make a signature cameo appearance in his feature films, beginning with his third film The Lodger (1926), although his record was spotty at first. After 1940, he appeared in every one (in Rope he gets of a bus in the opening) except for The Wrong Man (1956). Alfred Hitchcock is considered the acknowledged auteur master of the thriller or suspense genre, manipulating his audience's fears and desires, and taking viewers into a state of association with the representation of reality facing the character - In Rope Phillips constant guilt and remorse over strangling an innocent friend to death, David. Hitchcock's films often placed an innocent victim (an average, responsible person) into a strange, life-threatening or terrorizing situation, in a case of mistaken identity, misidentification or wrongful accusation (i.e., in Rope, the brutal murder of an innocent victim - David).

The famed director often capitalized on a 'red herring' or gimmicky plot element to catch the viewer's attention - dubbed a McGuffin (or MacGuffin), that would propel the plot along its course.

Hitchcock usually cast leading actors against type (Gregory Peck, James Stewart, Cary Grant) opposite cool blondes (Madeleine Carroll, Joan Fontaine, Ingrid Bergman, Grace Kelly, Kim Novak, Janet Leigh, Tippi Hedren, Lila Crane - Psycho) who were often subject to misogynistic abuse, threatening humiliation, or murder - femme fatale. Hitchcock would then explore the darker sides of human nature through the situation, including sexuality and voyeurism, guilt and punishment, or paranoia and obsession, an example of this in Rope Brenden becomes obsessed by the intellectual concepts of Nietzsche's Übermensch and the art of murder, a means of showing one's superiority over others, a dark obbession which leads to a brutal murder of one of his college friends. Hitchcock  usually let the viewer know that some horrible event would happen - creating unbearable suspense while viewers waited for the inevitable - the opening of Rope is a hight angle shot over a bustling street below, calm and ordinary, the camera then pans round to a upper apartment window with the curtains shut, the camera sits still for a couple of minutes - creating suspense and preparing the audience for the horrible event behind the curtains.

An example of HItchcocks' cool blondes- Lila Crane from Psycho, Lila runs away with a vast amount of money she has taken from her boss and ends up being brutally mudered at a motel she stays at by a dark twisted man.

Thriller planning - initical loactions ideas

Thriller planning - location ideas

Norwich train station.
Planning to feature train in thriller film opening.
Shots inside and outside trains station.

Trowse

Trains run though Trowse good place for train montage. Shots of train going under bridge and can be followed as far as Trowse Mill, with good spots for shots which can be done safely.

Once Upon a Time in America- Thriller reseach

Once Upon a Time in America

Director

Sergio Leone
Date of release

1984

Production companies

Embassy international pictures

PSO international

Warner Bro's, pictures

Filming Locations
Chambers Paper Fibres, Plymouth Street, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
Cinecittà Studios, Cinecittà, Rome, Lazio, Italy
(studio)


Auidence


User ratings
 From using the figures on IMDB this film is show to be most popular amongst males under 18 and males aged 18-29. This is a demographic of the typical auidence for this film, males between the age of 18 and 29.


User comments


IMDB user:
'A sprawling, deliberately paced, and generally a superbly crafted piece of work'


'It's been said that when one watches a "spaghetti" western (one of the "Man with no name" films with Clint Eastwood) filmmaker Sergio Leone's trademark cinema style and flair for clear storytelling is instantly recognizable. This is no truer than in his most ambitious effort, Once Upon a Time in America, in which his usage of close-ups, concise camera movement, sound transitions and syncs, and the sudden change in some scenes from tenderness to violence.'
Author:
JackGattanella from United States, 19th October 2003.


External review (to IMDB)

'Once Upon a Time in America is an outstanding film on several levels. Its length and its impeccable attention to period detail give it the feel of an epic. But at its heart, it is the story of one man's journey through life, and the price he's paid for the choices he made along the way.'

Author:

Dana Knowles, June 1999.

How does Sergio Leone ultilise the generic conventions of a thriller film in 'Once Apon a Time in America?

Extreme close up, utilised to involve the audience in te action. This is the establishing shot of Eve at the beginning of the film. Her face is illuminated by the glamourous tiffiny lamp, and the audience see her face propably for the first time in portrate. Eve is presented as the 'classic' (thriller) femme fatale; pale skin, red lips, perfectly mangered tightly curled hair and a glamourous hat suitably perched on top. The lamp indicates her glamour and asthetic values, she cares and take pleasure in her appearence.  The shots are simple, and dramatised with the use of chiaroscuro lighting and compostion.

Sergio utilses the theme of murder and crime with this high angle shot of the bed with bullets holes in the shape of a person similar to that of a 'murder etch' it and thus introduces the theme of fear and murder. The high angle shot is used to make Eve look weak, powerless and out of her depth. The bullet holes in the bed are a warning to Eve, a threat. This theart indicates to the audience that Eve is in trouble, and most posibly get murdered. The utilisation of chiaroscuro lighting is used to reinforce the sense of nightmare and suspense.

Eve fits the generic thriller archetype of a femme fatale. Her dress is generic of a  femme fatale, dark red lips, tight skirt, long glamourous coat. Her dress exposers her to the violence of males, she is dressed in a way that  is provoctative and alluring, which is at her weakness. She has high asthetic values and takes care in her appearence. Eve is ultimatly murdered for her reluctence to reveal the where abouts of her lover Noodles, who is a gang member. Eve's relationship with Noodles ingages her into this crime world, in which she does not belong.

Research into Femme Fatale with reference to Femme Fatales from thriller film.

Femme fatale

  Dictionary definition     :
A femme fatale is an alluring and seductive woman whose charms ensnare her lovers in bonds of irresistible desire, often leading them into compromising, dangerous, and deadly situations.

In the gangster thriller film 'Once Upon A Time in America' this is the first establishing shot on the femme Eve. Her face is illuminated by the glamorous and expensive Tiffney style lamp. Eve is a 'classic' femme fatale, dark eyes, red lips, and pale skin - 'classic' make up, tight skirt. Tightly curled perfectly presented curled hair and a glamorous hat. She is wearing pearls also a generic signifier of the femme fatale and thought to be unlucky, and could represent her unlucky fate. Her glamour, red lips, tight skirt and blonde hair are elements of objectification. She is also passive, a stereotyped dumb blonde who defines herself through men, she is marginal to the action and a victim. Her deviance is that she is a loose woman and thus pays for her sins.

Thelma and Louise and the main characters in the thriller 'Thelma and Louise'. They are an example of the 'modern' femme fatale, the strong women. Dressed in denim and wearing aviators they are almost the opposite of the classic femme fatale. They are dressed to look strong and confident, masculine andnot for the visual pleasure of men. Ridley Scott challenges the pre-conceptions and conventions of the thriller genre with Thelma and Louise, the main characters, two women in control, powerful and dangerous. This is taken from the scene where they look a policeman in the boot of his own car, Ridley Scott mocks the conception that men have power over women and noticably policeman. The girls take his gun and sun glasses and ride off, very much a 'girl power' moment. They are two women who took the law in there own hands and because of it are now on the run and proving to be clever strong and deviant.

Another modern femme fatale, Jackie Brown, from the film 'Jackie Brown' directed by Quentin Tarantino. As did Ridely Scott in 'Thelma and Louise' Tarantino challenges and smashes the conventions and pre-conceptions of the thriller genre can be seen in 'Jackie Brown' by having his main character as a middle aged, black female. Tarantino twists the audience pre-conceptions of the genre, he plays with stereotypes of gender, ethnicity, sex and age, and with this very controversial ( the thriller genre) leading character pushing the audiences out of their preconceptions and creates a strong, interesting, deviant lead and femme fatale. Jackie Brown is a flight attendant who gets caught smuggling her boss's gun money on the airline she works for. Tarantino turns the audiences preconceptions on there heads with the leads smuggling of her male boss's gun money. Jackie Brown is strong, deviant confident and powerful she knows how to get what she wants and it clever in how she does it, she is in control and makes fools of the male that try and stop her. This movie poster reflects Tarantino's want to challenge the thriller genre and its audiences. Jackie is holding a gun this shows that she is in power and control, she has a large bag filled with money this shows that she is deviant, her tight short skirt and alluring dress objectifies her but also makes her look confident.

Opening to Jackie Brown



The first 1.50
Jackie is on a convabelt and constantly in the right third of the screen, a use of the rule of thirds, a persons eye is said to be drawn to the right, so she is placed on the right to be in constant attention of the audience.
Low angle tracking shot
The use of a low angle shot makes Jackie look powerful and in control, she works confidently with her head held high. The use of tracking means the audiences attention is constantly on Jackie and places the audience in the mise-en-scene, as if they are right beside her.
2.15-2.23
Mid low angle tracking shot
Mid angle shot, she low angle, makes the audience fell as if they are underneath her.
2.23-2.33
Close up, tracking shot


The opening sequence of 'Jackie Brown' is the establishment of Jackie (as a main character), the purpose bring to show the audience what she is like. Without dialogue the audience establish from the clever and powerful use of camera angles, costume and soundtrack Jackie is; confident, strong, powerful, safisticated, dominating, sucessful. The soundtrack played for the durrarion of the opening is upbeat, safisticated and confident, and reflects Jackie.

Cosmetics advert analysis questions

'Freyja is 26. She works for a large branding company agency. She lives alone and has a cat. She works hard and enjoys her job. She likes to be independent and has a strong character. She socialises with friends at the weekend, going to cafes and bars. She is good at balancing her time well between her work and social life, she believes it is important for women to have a good career she enjoys and close friends. She is good with money; she likes high quality lasting products as she feels they are worth the extra cost.
The target audiences for my advert are social climbers and succeeders. They are most likely to be young professionals. I chose to advertise a red lipstick this was because it connotes strength, feminity, power, and naturally stands out- individuality I felt that this perfectly suited the target audience. The advert appeals to the audience by connoting strength, independence, wisdom, success and individuality. Having chosen to advertise a lipstick it was important that the face of the model, being the main focal point of the advert gave connotations of the audience’s ambitions and ideology, I had this in mind when constructing the advert.
The face of the model is highly illuminated making it look radiant; this draws the reader’s eye/attention to the face. A strong radiant face connotes wisdom, power, strength and beauty/purity. The use of simple strong 'classic' make up makes the model look sophisticated, fashionable, feminine and professional. This appeals to the readers ambitions to be individual, strong, and independent. The dark eye make up draws in the reader’s attention to the eyes, it frames them. I decided to have the model looking up in to the sky as this shows she has ambition and that she has hopes/goals, her eyes are locked into the dark and gripping excitement of her fate. This appeals to the audiences ambitions to be successful, to achieve and strive. There is a pleased expression on her face showing that she is confident and happy with who she is and what she stands for. This appeals to my audience because they are confident and stand for what they believe in.
The model is wearing a fur coat; this connotes luxury, strength, and individuality, all these of which can all be linked to success and are all appealing to the target audience. The reader can only see the arm of the coat, enough to be seen and appealing as part of the advert but not too much to distract the readers eye and divert the focal point of the advert. The advert has a strong colour scheme red, black and white, these colours all being strong on there own and also complimenting each together when together. Black is the colour of authority and power, white symbolises innocence and purity. The most emotionally intense colour, red stimulates a faster heartbeat and breathing. It is also the color of love, it draws attention. I chose these colours as they all have connotations of which the target audience aspired to be/where attract to. When designing the logo for the product I knew it had to have a name which could be related to the discussed ideals. When looking at my chosen picture Roxie came into my head, it seemed to fit perfectly and stand for everything I was trying to make my advert stand for. I used a 'hand written' style font to give the look of it having being written in lipstick. I put black and red roses (connoting passion, feminity), and lips (connoting passion feminity and relating to the advert matter) behind/around the font, complimenting my advert and enhancing the visual appeal to the target audience.
I used a digital camera to take the photos of my model. I took several and choose one, this was based on a criteria that it had to have: the right lighting, and most importantly the lips looked strong and highlighted. I found the digital camera easy to use, it made it easy for me to take good photos and upload them with ease onto my computer. I edited my advert in Photoshop. It was the first time I had used Photoshop but with some instruction found it easy to find my way around the programme and make use of the tool/effects. Photoshop allowed me to construct my advert to be as I wanted it and is where I really made the advert come alive.
My advert represents women as strong and independent; that they are passionate, individual and enjoy being so. They can be successful and social climbers in a patriarchal world.