the opening of essex boys

If thrillers were a tube map...

The point of the above 'Thriller tube map' is to display which common thriller themes or aspects occur in the certain films that we have observed in class. For example, one of the most common themes is violence since thrillers aim to carry out excitement, violence is almost always featured from very varied thriller films. If the line runs through the station of a film, it means that that film features that certain theme. From this tube map you can easily pick out the certain themes that always crop up.

LA Noire - How does it use features of film noir?

LA noire is a quite recent (2011) video game, it uses many conventions of the film noir genre since the enigmatic eeriness to those types of films works well when creating an interesting and exciting game to play. Firstly, the LA noire opening title is a typical glamorous lit-up sign however certain letters flicker which immediately implies a possible darker side of glamour, which is something that is typically covered in any films that fall under the genre of Film Noir.

The opening sequence then follows the title, it begins with a husky-voiced narrator describing the disruption within the city whilst classy cars drive past through a gleaming, built up city (with lots of those typical sky scrapers). Then the audience/game player is hit with the line of 'Where not everything is as it seems', a line which could not be more enigmatic - it automatically suggests corruption, possible crime, secrecy etc. all things which are totally entwined with film noir. The opening sequence continues to a clip of a couple kissing whilst expressionist jazz music is played over, helping to put across the glamour and class of the time and genre. One of the main things that LA noire seemed to steel from the film noir genre was the numerous lamp posts used throughout the opening sequence and within the actual game.

Lamp posts are constantly used in Film Noir due to the tiny focus of light on the floor that they produce, which creates the effect of a dimness outside that circle - creating a great deal of mystery and a feeling of tension/danger. Throughout the opening of LA Noire lamposts are featured on every street corner, and therefore the footage is dimly lit and dark. When deciding on the level that you participate on, you have a choice between homacides, thefts and other similar options. This menu is set out as a desk with case files on it, with the titles of the levels on them. The desk also has a gun, a cup of coffee, a cigarette and a magnifying glass. These props are all so commonly featured in the Film Noir genre because they all connote themes and moods of the genre, for example a gun connotes danger, risk, a close proxemity to death. Then the coffee and cigarettes imply luxury, self-indulgence and therefore possibly selfish actions yet glamour - all of which are linked in some way to Film Noir and therefore by featuring in LA Noire is relating to that genre.

When it comes to actually participating in the video game, the player is given the character of the detective and then given a partner to work with to solve a crime or a mystery together. The player is given a fast car, and the ability to take any other car from a civillian if they wanted/needed to. Here the player is given a powerful role and is very much in control of the narrative - the protaganist, and that's where the players focus is. Film Noir plots are usually very focused on the protaganist's journey, the mystery and tension is built up by them and their situations. Therefore having the player's focus on the detective/protaganist, the impression is given that the player is in a Film Noir.

One prop that specifically linked was the use of a torch throughout undergoing these challenges on the game, a prop very effectively used in 'The Third Man' in the sewer scene. It is an effective plot in a thriller since it means that only a small section of the surroundings are in view, therefore the remaining background is presented as even darker and more enigmatic. The audience's eye is drawn to the torches light and therefore waits in anticipiation for something that may shock them to come into view, effectively creating suspence. It is especially well used in 'The Third Man' due to the dark, undesirable, claustrophobic setting where the only light source seems to be the torch. The light from the torch in this scene then reflects off the sewer water creating an eerie moonlit impression and it creates further emphasis on the importance of this small piece of light in a very dark Film Noir. In LA Noire the torch prop is used in a similar way, the torch is always with the detective, bringing light to an enigmatic situation.

The similarities between Film Noir and LA Noire are very much highlighted in this advertisement poster, firstly the location is very typical. The tall sky scraper in the background which is an implication that the setting consists of a lot of action and many powerful people. Yet the dirty street where the character is placed is alike with the darker side of Film Noir, featuring the undesirable locations to match the often undesirable characters - as done above in 'The Third Man'. The characters costume is also very typical of the protagonist in Film Noir such as Jake in 'Chinatown' - the very smart suit and glamorous 1940's hat for example. The lighting not only creates a sense of moral ambiguity across his face using shadows, but across his entire body - showing that it wants the audience to pick up on it's strong links to Film Noir because that is what it aims to present itself as.

Submarine Trailer

Submarine is an independent film, made in 2011, it's a film focused on the coming of age and young love, following the story of one young boy named Oliver Tate. The trailer always reveals a fair bit about how the producers and creators of the film want the movie to be interpreted, by looking at what the trailer attempts to sell to the audience therefore I'm going to analyse the trailer of Submarine.

In this print screen the serene background of a very calm and slightly purple tinted ocean implies that one of the aspects that the film sells is serenity and calmness - it appears as an easy-to-watch, sweet film. Therefore the film  trailer automatically - even from the very first opening shot suggests that one of the main aspects of this movie will be romance, due to the beach being a very typically romantic setting.




Whereas in this shot, the trailer reveals the film's creative yet realistic aspects - this title sequence appears using a type-writer effect and the type-writer sound, that action in itself is an implication that the audience are literally being told the story as it's being written. Therefore it's very personal and honest, it comes directly from the lead character introducing himself which is unique
because it gives the impression that the film is very simple and natural, it is what it is, so it's selling point is it's individuality. 'Protagonist' is only usually in huge action films and comic books so that suggests that the character has quite an active creative imagination, therefore as a narrator may produce a fair bit of entertainment and different creativity throughout the narrative.


Finally in this shot of the trailer, romance is truly sold to the audience. The very innocent and touching kiss between the two young teenagers hints that the plot revolves around the classic story of the first love - which everyone can relate to. The use of the vintage camera in this scene, also implies that the film will appeal to those who are fans of quaint British drama's. It also represents this moment as gleaming in Oliver's memory, therefore even in the trailer the lead character is presented as very sweet and likable, so the trailer sells the nerdy sweet young boy who fell in love - the audience feel an obligation to check that he got his dream girl in the movie.

How has technology affected the film industry?

The film industry began to boom in the 1930’s when it was first introduced to the world, as the general public were completely excited by a brand new aspect of entertainment. However it was in 1945 that the annual UK cinema admissions reached over 1,600 million this was because the cinema was the only way in which an audience could consume a film. On the other hand a lot has changed since the 1930’s, as technology has been developed faster and faster, the film industry had to keep up in order to remain successful and profitable. Technology has changed absolutely everything in some way; therefore there were many different aspects of film that technology changed eg. certain aspects of production, camera equipment etc. 

Technology has brought many fast changes to the visual aspects and form of film entertainment, for example CGI has vastly improved the quality of special effects, which means that exciting climatic scenes in action films are more realistic looking than ever. However this type of film is still more ideal to be viewed in a cinema, with a larger screen to bring out the amazing special effects and the loud surround sound to add to the experience.  Technology has firstly affected the way that a film is consumed, the producers now have to think about whether it’s more targeted as a downloadable film or as a film more suited for a cinema (such as very fast-paced action films with breath taking special effects). This is because since TV was invented in the 1950’s, there has been less interest in the cinema since technology has led to there being easier and cheaper ways to watch films. Therefore the film industry has had to adapt to making smaller budget films in order to make a gross profit such as the production company ‘Working Titles’. 

Working Titles began as an independent film company in 1983, co-produced by Tim Bevan and Sarah Radclyffe and for a number of years it was reasonably successful. However it wasn’t long before the Hollywood company ‘Universal Studio’s’ bought it, Working Titles then proceeded to make very British themed films which would appeal to an international market –particularly America since it has such a booming film industry. Working Titles proceeded to produce films such as ‘Love Actually’ and ‘Atonement’ which include British A-list actors, a romantic London setting and are often created by a very talented director such as Joe Wright, as this makes the films easy to market. For example 'Love Actually' which was an incredibly sccessful working titles film which grossed $246,942,017 worldwide, and was especially popular in America. Observing the trailer, there are definite hints to why it was so succesful in the US.  For example the trailer begins with different shots of previous successful Working Titles films, with a deep male American voice over explaining exactly what was going on. Therefore it is obvious to the audience - whatever country or culture, what the plot consists of. With the American voice over, the British accents featured in the trailer stand out more - other countries, especially America find a strong British accent adorable and iconically romantic. As the trailer progresses this shot of 'the holiday season' is featured, which is an American phrase - the trailer

uses typical American phrases to ensure that the American market are not alienated by the film but feel in a sense welcomed. In this shot and throughout the 'Love Actually' trailer, very iconic London landmarks and areas are featured, so the film doesn't merely sell the story but a romantic, snowy London. The trailer show cases all of the classic British A-list actors, such as Keira Knightly and Colin Firth and features many scenes of slapstick, family humour - therefore it's not purely dependent on language, anyone could find the humour in the film.

As technology has improved marketing has also become less challenging due to trailers easily being broadcasted across the world due to such a high level of internet access, social networking, etc. Therefore recent Working Titles films such as Anna Karenina and Tinker Tailor, have heavily relied on the internet for marketing ever since they moved to a European market. By this point, Studio Canal had taken over as distributer/financier due to the change in demand when it comes to lovable family films - ever since the use of 3D and IMAX, those audiences are looking for exciting films with amazing effects and a huge budget. Working Titles couldn't compete with the huge American names and therefore turned their attention to the European market / older market. Since recently Working Titles realised that in 2011 it was recorded that 28% of cinema goers were those aged 45+, which was the second highest percentage. Since the older generation have grown up with cinema and may have difficulty with new and complex technology, their preference has been to just go to the cinema. Therefore recent Working Titles films have been adapted to suit that target audience, such as ‘Anna Karenina’ (historical romantic dramas suited to an older target audience) which usually have a lower budget than previous Working Titles films, therefore don’t need to make as much profit to be successful. Anna Karenina works especially well for this target audience for many reasons - firstly it's based on the classic Russian love story by Leo Tolstoy (an incredibly famous writer). The fact that it's a period drama including themes of love, passion, deceit, war, represent it as a very classic romance featuring brilliant A-list actors and creative theatricality, all of which would appeal as a film that the older generation would enjoy watching at the cinema with a glass of wine. 

Digital and 3D cinema screens have also made marketing easier, as despite cinema admissions dropping from 1,600 million in 1945 to just under 200 million in 2000, teenagers and families can quite easily be drawn in by a 3D spin on a great feel-good family film. For example such as ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’ which was played on 54.3% of all digital screens in 3D this is because 3D was exciting in 2011 and it offered an experience of film that a television couldn’t. Therefore despite technology changing, film doesn’t always have to make dramatic changes in order to keep an interested audience, because it will always be an enjoyable form of entertainment which brings people together in many ways.

The Third Man - Sewer scene

The Third Man was created and produced in 1949 and it's a very good example of a dark film noir movie. The plot includes Holly Martins travelling over to a very dark, postwar Vienna, only to find himself investigating the mysterious death of an old friend, Harry Lime who was involved in some unethical black market trading. 

In Film Noir, creating a certain atmosphere is extremely important - especially in scenes that are full of tension and drama. A very effective way of creating an uneasy, eerie atmosphere for the audience is by using claustrophobic techniques to keep the audience on edge. There's a very long scene in The Third Man which is set in a sewer and is the climax of the plot, Harry Lime has been seen and is being chased through the sewers by a huge number of policemen and soldiers. For example in this shot, the audience are given a claustrophobic impression due to the effect of the tunnel - because the only light is so far away the audience are put in what feels like a very dark place with very few escapes near. A tunnel also completely circles around the audience, the curved edges at the top of the tunnel give the feeling that the ceiling is pressuring down upon them.The outline of the character at the end of the tunnel also seems quite spooky due to the lack of visibility of his face or identity and therefore the audience actually want to back away in to the dark tunnel which again gives a claustrophobic feel. The stream of water running from the character to the camera, with the glimmer of light reflecting off of it, looks very similar to a lightening strike. Therefore the character is represented as dangerous, deadly perhaps, therefore the audience feel a fear towards this character. 
Again, the screen shot (left) shows this. It also shows an even stronger "light at the end of the tunnel" a clear connotation to the close proximity to this character - Harry, and death. The panicked body language with the arms out to the side, facing the light also could symbolize Harry's shock towards this incident with death - a possible surprise ending. In both of the images, he is completely wearing black and pressed against a very bright white background which gives the impression that Harry is a dark, evil character who has been blocking any lightness/ happiness from the plot due to his actions. His body language in this frame is also very symbolic, the positioning of his arms resembles that of Jesus when he was crucified. Therefore there are definite links here between this and the character of Harry, due to the faking of his death and then appearing to "come back to life". However the slightly lower arms and the bent knees represent him as weaker than Jesus, due to his lack of morality and probably the fact that it wasn't a choice of his to be rediscovered.  
<Another example of a shot from the sewer scene is this, the very slight titled angle of the camera creates an uneasy and slightly disorientated feel to the shot. The audience are put in a position where they feel like the camera is edgy and possibly hidden, which works well to build tension in this scene. Harry on the ledge, higher than the police is a contradiction of what the audience may expect as in a way it represents him as a higher character. However the fact that he is hiding, pushed up against the wall implies that he should not be there - as despite a doctor being a highly valued profession, he did not deserve the title. The representation of good and evil is very obvious in this shot, the darkness and black clothing of harry and the balcony contrasts with the policemen in white with their torches (a light source). Therefore the audience is shown the classic good against evil. The shadows of the characters and the balcony is also typical film noir, the dark shadows add to the tension of the clip due to the dark patches and very little lighting. 

Another shot from this scene is the below shot of the character Harry as the police and soldiers are searching for him and he's attempting to escape via a drain. The lighting upon his face suggests a character with a classic Film Noir moral ambiguity, as the upper half of his face is brightly lit whereas the bottom half is lit much darker therefore shows the contrast between the characters good and bad side. His slightly open mouth and squinted eyes add to the tension of the clip as the audience can clearly see his panic and worry due to his facial expression. The emphasis on his frown due to the lighting and the facial expression it's self represent him as a confused character, perhaps morally or perhaps in general. Again, the beads of sweet formed along his cheek and nose shows the audience that he's extremely scared or worried, he's possibly been doing a lot of running away.  The fact that his eyes are looking up implies that throughout the film he had a goal or a target that he longed to reach and his actions were based on that target, as if possessed by a certain idea. It almost looks as if he's a moth drawn to a flame, his facial expression is almost dream like and possessed therefore there's a connotation that Harry as a character was drawn into something easily due to the positive aspects of it despite the danger. The close-up used in this shot helps create that claustrophobic feel, due to the fact that the audience can see very little other than this characters face therefore question what's going on outside of this frame, since they only see a very small proportion of the action.
Below is the shot of Harry desperately trying to escape, trying to push the drain open after he had been shot. This is such a symbolic action, the way in which he is grabbing onto the bars suggests that he is trapped and desperately trying to escape this horrible situation that he has gotten himself into yet cannot. The light upon his head is obviously supposed to be moonlight, then the ruggedness of his hair and hands in a way represents him as a werewolf. A werewolf is dangerous and unruly though can be wrongly perceived in day time as a good human, very much like the character of Harry who was believed to be a good man previously when he was thought to be selling penicillin. The uneasy tilt on the camera here helps to once again, put the audience on edge since they're given the impression of very little stability and therefore that the audience are almost spying on Harry, given the feeling that they shouldn't be there. Finally the dirty hands of Harrys could easily represent his previous dirty deeds and how they have stained him as a person, which now he is trying to escape from yet cannot. 

Preliminary Task

Anna Karenina