Research and Questionnaires

1. Gender? Female
2. Age? 16
3. What is your favourite genre of film and why? Romantic Comedy because I like the happy endings
4. What's your favourite film from the genre you have chosen and why? Friends with Benefits because it's funny and realistic in the way love can be seen.
5. What conventions do you look for in a film? Good looking people
6. Do posters and advertisements of a film influence whether you would go and watch it?
   Yes
7. What age certificate do you watch the most?
    PG
8. Does the actor / actress influence the films that you watch? Yes
9. What film genre do you avoid the most and why? Horror - I don't like being scared.
10. How important is the first 10 minutes of a film to you? Very
11. What do you think is the most effective way to advertise a film? Social Media
12. Are there any films that you can think of that have a memorable opening scene? Pixels
13. What are you opinions on female protagonists. Love them - Go Jennifer Lawrence!


1. Gender? Male
2. Age? 15
3. What is your favourite genre of film and why? Sci-fi / Action - it visually appealing
4. What's your favourite film from the genre you have chosen and why? Guardians of the Galaxy - it has the best elements of Sci-fi and takes other elements from other genre into a uplifting film
5. What conventions do you look for in a film? The ability to a long lasting impression on me
6. Do posters and advertisements of a film influence whether you would go and watch it?
    Yes
7. What age certificate do you watch the most?
    15
8. Does the actor / actress influence the films that you watch? No
9. What film genre do you avoid the most and why? Rom - Com because they have very cheesy and have not evolved in time
10. How important is the first 10 minutes of a film to you? Very
11. What do you think is the most effective way to advertise a film? Trailer
12. Are there any films that you can think of that have a memorable opening scene? Scream
13. What are you opinions on female protagonists. They are very important.


1. Gender? Female
2. Age? 17
3. What is your favourite genre of film and why? Comedy / Action - I like to laugh / it's exciting.
4. What's your favourite film from the genre you have chosen and why? Grown Ups - it's relatable and makes me laugh a lot / Taken - it's enticing and leaves suspense.
5. What conventions do you look for in a film? If it makes me laugh
6. Do posters and advertisements of a film influence whether you would go and watch it?
    Yes
7. What age certificate do you watch the most?
    15
8. Does the actor / actress influence the films that you watch? Yes
9. What film genre do you avoid the most and why? Romance - it's cringe and "have no heart"
10. How important is the first 10 minutes of a film to you? Extremely important
11. What do you think is the most effective way to advertise a film? Trailer (on TV)
12. Are there any films that you can think of that have a memorable opening scene? Non-stop
13. What are you opinions on female protagonists. Great! GIRL POWER!


1. Gender? Female
2. Age? 50
3. What is your favourite genre of film and why? Comedy - it makes me laugh and cheers me up
4. What's your favourite film from the genre you have chosen and why? Just Go With It - because no matter how many times I have seen it, it'll always make me laugh!
5. What conventions do you look for in a film? Good acting and a good storyline
6. Do posters and advertisements of a film influence whether you would go and watch it?
    Yes
7. What age certificate do you watch the most?
    15
8. Does the actor / actress influence the films that you watch? Yes
9. What film genre do you avoid the most and why? Horror - I'm too jumpy now so I don't think I'll be able to cope.
10. How important is the first 10 minutes of a film to you? No necessarily because some films needs to grow and develop
11. What do you think is the most effective way to advertise a film? Trailers or Talk Shows
12. Are there any films that you can think of that have a memorable opening scene? Well I haven't actually seen it but everyone says Saving Private Ryan (she has seen the rest of the film but always misses the first 10 minutes)
13. What are you opinions on female protagonists. No opinion, I like a film on any actors whether that is a male or female.

1. Gender? Male
2. Age? 49
3. What is your favourite genre of film and why? Comedy - because it makes me laugh and happy
4. What's your favourite film from the genre you have chosen and why? 1941 - because it's an unusual subject matter for a comedy and it's a wacky film. Stephan Speilberg's only film that didn't make a lot of money and can be called a cult comedy because not many people have seen or heard about it.
5. What conventions do you look for in a film? Good storyline and particular actors and good book adaption.
6. Do posters and advertisements of a film influence whether you would go and watch it?
   No
7. What age certificate do you watch the most?
    Don't look at the age certificate but if I had to choose, probably a 15
8. Does the actor / actress influence the films that you watch? Sometimes not always but I would watch a particular film if it had a good actor in it
9. What film genre do you avoid the most and why? Horror - don't understand the reason why people would pay money to make this film, people to watch this film in the scene that they could get scared from it
10. How important is the first 10 minutes of a film to you? Vital because if the first 10 minutes are boring I would switch it off (if I'm at home)
11. What do you think is the most effective way to advertise a film? Nowadays, social media
12. Are there any films that you can think of that have a memorable opening scene? Yeah, Saving Private Ryan, Rambo: First Blood
13. What are you opinions on female protagonists. I think it's good because there should be more movies with a good strong plot that needs a powerful female protagonists, especially in this male dominated industry.

1. Gender? Female
2. Age? 16
3. What is your favourite genre of film and why? Drama - because you'll never leave the cinema without feeling something
4. What's your favourite film from the genre you have chosen and why? Shawshank Redemption because after wards I was like "that was a good film" and it moved me.
5. What conventions do you look for in a film? Relaxing but also make you interested.
6. Do posters and advertisements of a film influence whether you would go and watch it? Yes, it needs to catch my eye.
7. What age certificate do you watch the most? 12 or 15
8. Does the actor / actress influence the films that you watch? 80% of the time, I won't be bothered to watch the rest of the film, but if I know someone is in it then I am more likely to watch it (Benedict Cumberbatch in Imitation Games)
9. What film genre do you avoid the most and why? Horror, they are scary and there isn't a story to it. they are all very typical and have the same plot really.
10. How important is the first 10 minutes of a film to you? Depends, if it's a film I want to watch, I'll continue. But if it's on the TV and the beginning is dull, then I am more likely to not watch it.
11. What do you think is the most effective way to advertise a film? Adverts on TV, reviews in magazines or newspaper.
12. Are there any films that you can think of that have a memorable opening scene? Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
13. What are you opinions on female protagonists. Love that more females are taking centre stage. And that they are great role models.

1. Gender? Female
2. Age? 20
3. What is your favourite genre of film and why? Romantic Comedies - because of their structure. they're aren't any surprises (especially films like Clueless). They're so easy to watch and I don't like films that demand your 100% attention, Rom-Coms don't do that. They tap into most people's basic desires, so you'll always know how they'll end. The characters are so desirable and you can relate to at least one of them. I like the predictability in films and Rom-Coms do that. 
4. What's your favourite film from the genre you have chosen and why? Love Actually - follows lots of stories that are brilliant on their own and it's a Christmas film, so best of the both worlds! Great cast, really funny writing and is put together really well.
5. What conventions do you look for in a film? Strong female lead and racial diversity. I want to hear female stories, black stories, stories from people who had previously never been able to tell their story.
6. Do posters and advertisements of a film influence whether you would go and watch it? Posters not really unless they're simple and eye catching like the new hunger games advert. Trailers in TV/YouTube sometimes influence what I watch. The new James Bond film does not interest me but I only want to see it for it's editing techniques.  
7. What age certificate do you watch the most? I don't really keep track of certificates. But I guess PG and 12s for Rom - Coms. But on average, 12/15 age certificates!
8. Does the actor / actress influence the films that you watch?  I'll watch anything with Mike Myers in and Tom Hanks has never made a bad film. But anyone could be in the film, it depends on the plot or not. I do have favourite actresses that I will look out for in films and support their work  though. Emma Stone, Meryl Streep and Viola Davis are my favourite actresses and they would definitely influence me to watch their films.
9. What film genre do you avoid the most and why? Films aimed solely and directly at men. For example, The Fast and Furious franchise. They have big, oily men with no acting talent with things blowing up in the background. and the women are always traditionally gorgeous and treated badly with hardly any screen time! 
10. How important is the first 10 minutes of a film to you? Very important especially now that films are available on platforms like Netflix. If the first ten minutes are not good, I'll switch it off and look for another because I'm not paying to watch it. Unless you are at a cinema where you've paid £10 so you have to continue. The last 10 minutes are important to cinema viewers but for me, it's definitely the first
11. What do you think is the most effective way to advertise a film? Putting the advert before a popular music video. Getting a high profile actor/actress to give extensive interviews on programmes like Graham Norton. In the end though, it comes down to individual preference so teams will have to tap into the most general, accessible desire of their audience.
12. Are there any films that you can think of that have a memorable opening scene? Quentin Tarantino does opening scenes so, so well. Se7en/Pulp Fiction/Reservoir Dogs etc. They are usually simple, don't have much to do with the plot, just setting the scene, lingering shots and there isn't much dialogue (generally). But they are the most memorable; the calm before the storm. He's notorious for it!
13. What are you opinions on female protagonists. All films should have one. All films should have a leading lady with quality line/screen time and she should be there for a purpose; not to be a pretty face. Films should be reflective of life, regardless of genre and you cannot escape women. You cannot simply not write them into your films. And not just privileged women: black, Asian, Hispanic. Racial diversity should be a requirement of every film, and issues about women tie in with issues about race. White women have different experiences to black women and both should be celebrated and highlighted in the media. Female protagonists, of any race, add something to a film that men fail to; hardship, courage, a passion. And films should incorporate that story, in one way or another.

Jennifer Lawrence's Essay

I think it's fair to say that Jennifer Lawrence slays the Hollywood life.
I read her essay on Tuesday morning (13th October) and I have never seen something so realistic towards females and their opinions.

“All I hear and see all day are men speaking their opinions, and I give mine in the same exact manner, and you would have thought I had said something offensive.”

It makes me sad that children look up to actors (and even myself) because they want the money or the Hollywood lifestyle but they don't know the struggle of getting a role or the pay check scenario. Her point states that she has been in a franchise, won the awards but is still underpaid than her male co-stars. Not only that, but in a recent interview, Sienna Miller turned down a role in a play because she was payed less than half of the male co-stars. I think it is great that someone has finally spoken about this industry and I'm elated that is was Jennifer Lawrence.

Furthermore, let me talk about one of THE greatest actors around: Meryl Streep. She originated these recent sexism talks last week promoting her film "Suffragette" which has spread to people around the world talking about their experiences with unequal pay. It's hard to believe that Meryl experienced less money than male co-stars. The recent interview shocked me when I watched it because it's hard to believe that productions like Sony (ergh) would under-pay her when she has the highest number of Oscar nominations and you can guarantee her performance will be outstanding and set your emotions running.

Overall, I think it's wrong this Hollywood lifestyle because personally, I don't think I've seen a raw, emotional performance from a male actor but it's probably because it comes from this stereotypical personality where they must be strong and dependent. However, you have Jennifer Lawrence in Silver Linings Playbook or Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady that have won an Oscar for these performances but are still here experiencing something people wouldn't imagine would happen in that industry. With that, it is disrespectful that women aren't allowed the same amount of money to their co-stars even in a female protagonist film. Finally, films can promote powerful messages to the audience but still can not promote equality behind the screen.

I'll leave this long post with the links to Jennifer's essay and Meryl's interview.

Meryl's: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-34471148
Jennifer's: http://us11.campaign-archive1.com/?u=a5b04a26aae05a24bc4efb63e&id=64e6f35176#wage

Coursework and Assessment Criteria

FILM 

BLOG / RESEARCH 

EVALUATION 

Storyboard

After seeing the ASDA George's storyboard of their advert from 2014, we then went onto another task; of drawing and creating your own storyboard for the very first time.

This was to the 1:52 clip of "Luther" Season 3, Episode 1.

This helped us see what we need to do for our coursework and how much detail we will need to put in before we go off and film.

Also, this made me realise that i should not be the artist of the group and let Jodie do the storyboard.

Our First Pitch

We have a few ideas but this last minute idea did get a green light from the class.

Review: Still Alice

Directed By: Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland
Starring: Julianne Moore, Alec Baldwin, Kristen Stewart.
Plot: A linguistics professor and her family find their bonds tested when she is diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease.

I have wanted to see this film for a while now after all the awards Julianne won for this character, Alice Howland. At the start, her life is perfect. Loving husband, loving family and a brilliant job with great success. And then you see it all go wrong. She starts to forget the little things you know she would remember. With that, you see the emotion Julianne brings into the character with her scenes with her husband (Alec Baldwin) when you see that it is getting worse. One of my favourite scenes is with her daughter, Lydia (Kristen Stewart). Although, all of their scenes together truly captivate the battle between mother and daughter fighting and helping the disease together. Also, another scene is Alice making a speech the Alzheimer's Association and how she has to highlight her lines off she doesn't have to keep repeating the same line. She acknowledges the struggle that people with this disease suffer with and how people in society treat them. "I am not suffering. I am struggling. Struggling to be a part of things, to stay connected to whom I once was"

This film is brilliant and shows everyone the struggle that people with Alzheimer's are facing. Julianne Moore really does give a brilliant, captivating performance.

Our First Prelim

Sound in a TV Drama or Film

Sound in the media can lead you to different emotions. Using a variety of sound techniques to entice you in and make you feel something you wouldn't feel while watching it.

Diegetic Sound

In this clip you see Jennifer Lawrence's character dancing and singing to a song that she is listening to on the radio or TV. This gives you a light hearted feeling that she is fun and dances to the radio but the song is metaphorically her situation throughout the film as she isn't aware of her husbands situations.

Non- Diegetic Sound

In this clip (unable to get on blog) from Episode 4 of Doctor Foster, the character Gemma Foster is going through a depressing stage in her life with her husband and job.

Timing of scene: 44:15 - 45:45.

Sound Effects: the pitch is low, setting us the scene whilst she is on the phone to her husband. The crescendo increases as she gets off the phone because it makes us question what is going to happen next.

Music: the music (score) over powers her as she gets off the phone while she is crying because it indicates what she is going to happen next on the beach and whether we should feel sad with her or angry!

Non - Diegetic to Diegetic: when she is in the sea, the camera shots are synchronized with the sound as we can hear what she is hearing (swimming and the waves). But also, when it is shot underwater, the score increases in pitch because the pace of it slightly increases and results into her drowning, when that finally takes over as the loudest sound (more powerful on us as viewers).

Dialogue and Voice Over

In Gone Girl, there is quite a few dialogues but this one stands out because it truly testifies that Amy Dunne is the crazy one who all along wanted to punish her husband. At this point, you feel sorry for Nick but her plan is so thought through you feel surprised that it actually went okay.