question 1
Media Studies
Conventions
Question - Breaking BadChallenge
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The Title
The title of my film - 'blue light' - follows conventions as it is an enigmatic title with a deeper meaning, that is effective at drawing audiences (as per our audience research). It is partially inspired by a media product that we drew huge inspiration from for the creation of our short film, and also shares a very similar genre to our film : Black Mirror.
We chose 'blue light' as at first it pitches the idea of the blue light being an unknown enigma. It is similar to sci-fi movie name and we chose this on purpose as it suggests that modern technology fits into the sci-fi genre, due to its alien-like 'mind controlling' power, which represents modern technology in a negative way, emphasising the message behind our film that too much time in front of screens is unhealthy.
Link to Slide 7
Low Key Lighting
Another way in which we used conventions in our text was the lighting. Rather than being experimental, we used typical lighting that would be found in a film trying to construct an eerie feel. We drew inspiration from 'Godless' which uses low key lighting to create an off-putting, mysterious atmosphere, Black Mirror episode 'Crocodile' & Inside No. 9 episode 'Tempting Fate'.
The low-key lighting in our film is designed to reflect on the characters. Due to the low key lighting, it means objects in the background are harder to make out, and the central focus is on the characters who are in the foreground. This reflects on the characters who only watch the screens rather than their world and family around them.
Link to Slide 8
Costumes & Representation
We have conventional used costumes to quickly establish stereotypes.
Drawing inspiration from Breakfast Club (1985), we decided to modernise the costumes used in that film but keep the a similar idea. We decided that our three characters would each represent a different social group. Dylan, is depicted as quite a quiet person who plays video games, which we connoted through his beanie and checkered red shirt.
We attempted to depict Macy as a very stereotypical 'white girl'. To do this we chose her as she is pale skinned with blonde hair. We asked her to wear a leather jacket and skinny jeans, with white converse as we were playing to this stereotype.
Felix's representation, however, is unexpected and challenge the convention.
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Link to Slide 2
Choice of Actors / Casting
When casting for the 16-18 year old age range, most professional films or shows generally cast older, attractive actors so that you primary audience for those shows look up the older, attractive characters. This happens despite the primary audience of these shows, such as Riverdale, being the same age as the characters depicted.
For our film we decided to develop this convention as we decided to cast actors from the same age as the age they will be representing. We decided upon this as instead of looking up to our characters, the primary audience may see themselves in parts of our characters and so relate to them, making the anti-socialmedia/technology even more profound with our target demographic.
Link to Slide 11
Colour Correction
A common convention in post-production editing is colour correction. Changing the slight hue or overall colour of a scene can have a dramatic impact on a scene (ie seen in the picture from 'Gladiator' with the lower showing how the blue hue has made the scene feel more emotive and epic compared to the first).
In our film we decided to exaggerate the colour correction for specific effect. We decided to emphasize the blue colour in our scenes to emphasize the idea, that can also be seen in our title, whereby the blue represents the light emitted from the screens and so highlights the fact that the characters are being consumed by the technology and how their only source of light is the blue screens. This metaphorically represents
how the blue light is their source of guidance, as the light from the star
was in the bible.
Link to Slide 12
Representation - Felix
It is common for films and TV to present lazy characters as being overweight and unattractive.
We decided to develop this convention as we wanted to depict how anyone can be affected by the 'powers' of technology and anyone, despite their personality or physique, can get hooked. So we decided to cast Felix to counter this convention, however not completely challenge as we still play off the normal expectations of this convention to further our meaning.
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Link to Slide 2
Tzvetan Todorov - Equilibrium
The typical convention for film is that it will follow Todorov's theory of equilibrium. Effectively, films will start in equilibrium, something will happen to disrupt the equilibrium, then the equilibrium will be resolved as the films ends. This is common in most Hollywood productions.
In our film we do the complete reverse of this theory. 'blue light' starts and finishes in disequilibrium, as it follows the recent trend in popular nihilistic films and TV shows. By challenging this is convention, it shows the loop that those addicted to technology can be stuck in as there is no happy ending unless they get out of the addiction.
Link to Slide 11
Ancillarys
Larger Title Font
Tagline
Ratings
Main Image
Billing
Awards
Tagline
Social Media
Director's name
Followed
Developed
Link to Slide 11
Ancillarys
Followed
Larger Title Font
Writer/Social Media
Ratings
Main Image
Secondary Image
Facts
Layout + Written Content
Link to Slide 11
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