Section A Practice

‘Visual effects are a main attraction for audiences.’ How far do you agree with this statement?

Visual effects are an element of film which can invite an audience solely on the fact that the audience likes the thrill of the fantasy environment. To some, visual effects can be a significant role in the film and can decipher whether the audience can get lost within the fantasy world or not. Films such as Life of Pi and Prometheus give evidence that visual effects can attract a wide audience but there are also arguments against this.

Evidence from the film Life of Pi includes the film grossing over $580 million worldwide and winning  awards such as Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects can tell us that the film was successful but doesn’t tell us that the visual effects were what made the film successful. Although the film may have astounding visual effects, this may not be the reason that the film was successful. We also know that the film was based off a well known book, therefore providing the film with an existing audience. We also know the film had a budget of around $120 million so the marketing campaign would be well done and the cinematography would also appeal to a wider audience.

Westenhofer’s quote simply tells us that visual effects are good at fooling the audience into thinking they're looking at something real when they aren’t. This doesn’t tell us that this particular film was effective on it’s release because of the visual effects. We know that Ang Lee appreciates the special effects technicians that worked on his film but we also know this is a significant part of the film. Visual effects can be seen as an attraction for the audience and can be seen as a feature that can improve a film’s overall quality. We know films can be congratulated from having outstanding visual effects as the 2014, Christopher Nolan film Interstellar won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. This is significant as it further cements the importance of VFX in modern day film’s and their success.

However, the 1999 film The Blair Witch Project is a direct counter to this argument. With a budget of only $20,000 and little visual effects. The main attraction of this cult horror film would be the sheer fear factor that the storyline produced. In my opinion I think that the fact this film is a psychological horror is important because the lack of visual effects can force the audience to produce their own idea of the monster/spirit that is killing the characters off. This is evidence that a film should not only rely on the visual effects to become successful. However this film could be countered with the argument that it is a relatively old film in terms of visual effects. Due to it being produced in the late 1990s. We know that visual effects weren’t as effective in that time compared to how advanced they are in modern films.

Although we cannot compare The Blair Witch Project and Life of Pi in this manner due to the time difference between them which causes the advancement of visual effects and how important they become to the audience. I think although visual effects can be a highly significant feature of modern films and attracting an audience but we cannot assume that this is the main reason it attracts these audiences.

Foreign Language Film - The Grandmaster (2013) - Case Study

The Grandmaster (2013) - Case Study - Foreign Language Film

Budget - $38.6 million
Stars - Zhang Ziyi, Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Chang Chen
Director - Wong Kar-Wai
Genre - Drama, Martial Arts
Box Office - $6,594,959
Production Companies - Block 2 Pictures, Sil-Metropole Organisation
Distributors - The Weinstein Company
Certificate - 15 - Strong Violence
Marketing
- The trailer for this movie has just over 1 million views on youtube. Showcasing elements of the film and the most thrilling action sequences.
- Film shown in China in its longer version (130 minutes) then shown at the Berlin Film Festival as a slightly shorter version. Then shown in the UK and US as the shorter version which was cut by Weinstein.
- Audiences have said that the longer version is superior however the Western audiences wouldn't have clocked on to some of the Eastern, Chinese references within the plot. This is significant as we can see the different audiences being addressed individually and the film being altered in order to become more appealing for them.
- Kar-Wai instructed the cast to learn the martial arts instead of acting it, this could be significant when addressing the audience as he wanted to reflect the strict, professional values that the characters in the film should carry with them.
- 6 months of preparation and 3 weeks of filming for a 3 minute fight scene.
Release Date - January 8, 2013 (China)/November 29, 2013 (UK)
Reviews - Metacritic - 73%   IMDb - 6.5/10

Pan's Labyrinth (2006) - Film Case Study Research

Pan's Labyrinth (2006)

Budget - $19 Million

Stars - Ivana Baquero, Doug Jones, Maribel Verdú - Not well known actors worldwide as they feature in no well             known worldwide films.

Genre - Fantasy and Drama - Restricted audience

Box Office - $83,258,226 worldwide (54.8% of profit was from foreign countries.

Production Companies - Tequila Gang, Telecinco Cinema, Estudios Picasso.

Certificate - 12 - Wide audience, low limiting factor

Marketing - Marketing campaign doesn't expand past posters and trailers, no well-known actors worldwide.

Merchandise - Limited to DVDs - limiting genre and storyline.

Release Date - October 11, 2006 (Spain) - Halloween - Other blockbusters released in october 2006 include                                 The Departed (Leonardo DiCaprio and Matt Damon) and The Grudge 2 (Amber Tamblyn and                                 Teresa Palmer.)

Reviews - IMDb - 8.3/10, Metacritic - 98%

                - Complaints about the emptiness of the plot

                - "Wonderful scenery" for you to get lost in.

Poster - Horror connotations, storyline is not given away at all, intrigues the viewer.

Trailer - 

The Illusionist - Film Case Study Research

The Illusionist

Budget - $17 million

Stars - Edward Norton (Fight Club), Jessica Biel (Total Recall), Paul Giamatti (12 Years a Slave) - all well known                films

Genre - Fantasy, Romance, Indie, Thriller, Mystery, Crime Fiction - wide audience

Box Office - Worldwide = $87,892,388

Production Companies - Pathé, Django Films

Certificate - PG - elements of drug use

Marketing - Reasonably well known actors, known from films they are in (not particularly main                                                  characters.) Posters highlighting 3 main characters. Trailers include mise-en-scene that sets the                            time and place.

Merchandise - Limited to DVDs as the genre and storyline limit the merchandise available.

Release Date - March 2nd 2007 (UK): - Relatively neutral, film has no real seasonal connotations, therefore the                             film may have been released at a time where no big films were being released. Popular comedy                           Wild Hogs was released on the same day as this film, therefore explaining why it wasn't so                                   successful as Wild Hogs would have stolen the attention of the public. A week later, on the 9th                             of March, popular Drama film 300 was released, therefore stealing some of the existing                                         audience for The Illusionist.

Reviews - Rotten Tomatoes - 74%, Metacritic - 68%

                - Acting was well respected by critics

                - Criticisms include the film not being appealing to the eye - A film should "dazzle the eye as much as                   stir the heart. It does not dazzle."

Poster - Features main characters (size representing their significance in the film) Connotations of the era and the genre due to the mise-en-scene, e.g. clothing and setting.

The Inbetweeners Movie - Film Case Study Research

The Inbetweeners Movie

Budget - £3.5 million

Stars - Simon Bird, Joe Thomas, James Buckley. Blake Harrison - well known by the British public from the TV series "The Inbetweeners."

Genre - Comedy - Wide audience appeal in terms of genre

Box Office - £57,699,138

Production Companies - Young Films, Film4 Productions

Certificate - 15, therefore lowering the potential audience

Marketing - Well known British actors who were loved by their audiences throughout the country as they features in the TV series.

Merchandise - Official merchandise includes mugs and t-shirts among the DVD boxsets
Release Date - August 17th 2011 (UK) - In the summer, relatable to the theme of the movie. Other films                                         released shortly after this film include well-known comedy The Change-Up and Rise of the                                   Planet of the Apes. Which could explain why this film wasn't so popular in the US, along with                               the theme of the movie.
Reviews - IMDb - 6.8/10, Metacritic 44%
              - Many reviews from the audience talk about how the film wasn't as good as the series, due to the                     series coming first it was difficult for people not to compare the two. The director argued this was a                   continuation of the series.

Posters - 
Left - Bright colours to attract a wider audience, main characters/actors featured (character's reactions are relatable to the TV show therefore appealing to the already existing audience.)
Right - Relates to the targeted audience due to the theme. Mise-en-scene suggests partying abroad in the summer which the audience can relate to.

Trailer -

- Fast paced, humorous

- Relatable to the series (wide existing audience)

- Funniest parts of the film shown to appeal to audience

- 

Interstellar - Film Case Study Research

Interstellar

Budget - $165 million

Stars - Matthew McConaughey, Anne Hathaway, Michael Caine

Genre - Science Fiction, Mystery, Adventure, Action - Wide audience, very popular

Box Office - Debut = $8.42 million, World wide total = $322,727,481

Production Companies - Paramount, Syncopy Inc, Lynda Obst Productions

Certificate - PG13 - wide audience, low limiting factor

Marketing - Well known actors, Posters highlighting main actor, McConaughey (well known from "The Wolf Of                        Wall Street." Posters address genres slightly, different connotations portrayed throughout.
                   - Interesting Topic to a wide audience worldwide - faces a scientific feature (visualising a black hole)                      addresses the issue of jumping through space-time (includes interesting factors that alter life as we                      know it
                   - Based upon real science - Astrophysicist Kip Thorne also exec. producer on the film. Wormholes                        or black holes have never been portrayed visually in any film to date other than Interstellar.
Merchandise - Limited, due to storyline - mainly clothing
Release Date - November 7th 2014 (UK): - after summer hype and before winter hype (no limit on potential                                   audience.) Jessabelle was released on the same date (could explain why it wasn't as                                             successful. Dumb and Dumber To released a week later. Film released 2 days later in US -                                   so premieres can be in multiple countries.
Reviews - IMDb - 9/10, Metacritic - 74%
               - Many Complaints about sound, voices mumbled at times (audience opinion)
               - Nolan told us he dialogue was used "as a sound effect." Therefore making it quieter than other                             noises "to emphasise how loud the surrounding noise is."
Posters -
Left - Portrays connotations of sci-fi, another world, highlights McConaughey, font portrays science fiction                   connotations.
Right - Clearly on earth, McConaughey featured with fellow actress, looking toward the sky (suggesting the                      stars portray some significance.) The font is kept the same, suggesting the sci-fi connotations.



Trailer -

- Slow paced preview of the narrative - Music and sound represents this as it is slow paced and quiet

- Voice over of extract of dialogue from the film

- Selects key scenes from the film but without spoiling the narrative

- On-screen graphics include titles and explanation of the storyline

- Music and scenes remain the same pace throughout although beginning and end are more slowly paced

- Trailer ends when ship enters black hole, therefore leaving the audience with questions unanswered (enigma code)

How does the use of mise-en-scene and performance create tension and suspense in the pipe scene from Inglorious Basterds?

How does the use of mise-en-scene and performance create tension and suspense in the 'pipe' scene from Inglorious Basterds?

The mise-en-scene and performance throughout this scene is extremely effective in creating tension and suspense as different aspects portray varied feelings toward the audience. The opening mid two shot is particularly effective as low key lighting combined with a low angle allows us to tell the two characters are conversing; this also tells us the conversation topic is dark. The lighting is specific as it highlights the key aspects and props of the setting. In this shot the glass of milk is important as it creates some humorous value as well as adding to the plot; the farmer is a dairy farmer and this tells us that he is poor and can thicken the plot. The light reflecting off the officer's hat tells us this also portrays some significance as it stresses his power and dominance, the positioning of the that also tells us he is not afraid to push the boundaries with the farmer as he knows he won't retaliate.

The mise-en-scene is specifically significant in the next mid two shot as the officer takes out his extravagant pipe. We find out later on in the film that the officer, Hans Landa, is not a smoker so we can take from this that he is smoking on this pipe to purely express his lack of restraint when showing off. The characters switch places from shot to shot because this places the farmer in the dark corner of the room and the light is stressing Landa's dominance over him. We can also read this message from the clothing the characters are wearing. The contrast between the scruffy, muddy and sweaty work attire that the farmer is wearing can tell us that the farmer isn't well off, he is struggling to make a living. The officer's clothing is almost the complete opposite; he is wearing a grand, black leather jacket and his general appearance is clean. A comparison between the hair of the characters can also set them apart as they contrast once again. The officer is clean-shaven and his hair is neatly styled, we compare this to the untidy beard and hairstyle of the farmer. This adds to the tension and suspense as the characters clearly don't mix; two opposing classes clash and makes me feel the tension between them.

The comedic effect of this shot comes from the actor, Christoph Waltz's, performance. The arrogant yet dominant behaviour of the officer is significant as it deepens our understanding of how he carries out his job. The act of reaching out and using the farmer's box of matches displays his level of arrogance as we know the farmer can barely afford to live. The eerie diegetic silence emphasises the smallest of sounds, such as the striking of the match. Waltz's behaviour when lighting the pipe stresses his importance to get his message across; he pauses after every toke to converse with the farmer. The way Waltz disposes of the match is significant as he throws it out of frame, we think he throws it off the table which could show disrespect toward the farmer but we know from the tension in the conversation that he is not prepared to do anything about it. The tension in the conversation is built by the use of pure silence, the looks the characters give each other when conversing are the most important factors. The blank, harsh expression of the officer is dominating the frame as the weakened farmer is emotionally broken. The performance of the farmer is also significant as he sits staring at the officer. We know from this the tension is building as the farmer seems to be heavily thinking about something.

Further analysis of the officer's performance and how he sits back and relaxes inside the farmer's home tells us that he feels comfortable in the most awkward of times. This could also tell us that he has done this same process multiple times and he is very good at creating tension through his behaviour. The formal language he uses also produces a sophisticated atmosphere as the officer believes he needs to behave this way in order to build the tension and strike fear into the farmer. Language such as "If there are any irregularities found, rest assured they will be" is used like this to express how well the officer does his job and to put us in the position of the farmer; who is intimidated. The use of this language also made me, personally, feel insignificant as the officer knows what he is doing. The elaborate performance and portrayal of the language also stresses the officer's dominance over not only the farmer but over the audience. 

Other aspects of the mise-en-scene that are significant in this mid shot are the items on the table. The glass of milk, the book and the matchbox are all significant props as they all portray deeper meanings. The glass of milk could signify the wealth of the farmer and also the irony of how intruding the officer is; he feels the need to drink the farmer's produce as if he was judging him. The box of matches could also show this but the most significant of messages that this portrays is the fact the officer doesn't smoke, therefore he uses the farmer's matches.

As a straight cut is used to transition to a medium close up shot of the officer we can see badges scattered over his imperial jacket, this not only portrays connotations of importance but also power. The film being set in the world war also tells us that he has courage in order to earn these badges. Low key lighting is used in this shot so connotations of the officer's sinister and threatening appearance; his intent also. Due to this low key lighting we cannot see anything in the background, making us solely focus on the officer and the language he is using. The choice of actor is also significant. Waltz's prominent chin, broad jawline and sharp features all stress his dominance; it creates an atmosphere between characters and the audience where we know the officer is in charge.

I believe, along with performance, the following series of zoom shots expresses the tension between the two characters most effectively. The focal point of these shots are the character's facial expressions; particularly their eyes. We know their eyes are the focal point as they are horizontally centred in the frame. Their eyes portray the most meaning as we can distinguish the difference between emotions; we can also relate to the characters, therefore putting people in their position. Sympathy is the desired effect and the director creates this by putting the audience in the position of the characters. The farmer's performance as the shot zooms portrays the message that he is hiding something. The constant shiver of his lips and gulping tell the audience and the officer that he is hiding something; tension is built through this psychological interrogation.

A clock ticking, which is diegetic, can be heard in the background and this not only adds to the suspense building but can also portray connotations of time running out for the jews hiding in the floorboards. As there are not many loud sounds in the performance of the two actors the audience can focus on this and therefore portraying the tension. The dramatic performance of the farmer when pointing out where the jews are hiding is significant as  he shakes through fear and guilt and we also see him shed a tear which tells us how upset he really is. When watching this scene I felt as if the farmer was only trying to do good but due to the harsh interrogation of the officer he is forced to give away the position of the people.

When the officer stands the farmer doesn't move, he sits watching the officer as he feels he doesn't want to alarm him or make a wrong move. This atmosphere is created by the dominant performance of the officer paired with the almost innocent performance of the farmer. The medium-close up shot of the soldiers' boots as they enter the house is significant as the audience only sees the boots and the bottom of their coats. Although the mise-en-scene contrasts from the dialogue used by the officer this effect creates an association between the officer and his mischievous attitude and way of work.

As the soldiers shoot the floor a mid shot of the farmer is used to display his reaction. When he reacts as he does, by shielding his face from the horror of the shooting, we feel shocked as throughout the whole scene he hasn't shown any sign of movement and this one dramatic movement shocks us.