Dear Moderator,
We hope you had a fantastic time viewing our work and seeing our learning journey throughout our media coursework journey. We have tried really hard and hope it comes across our work. It was our pleasure on working on this blog
Yours Sincerely
Bansari and Guleed (AS Media Students)
Monday 25 March 2013
Friday 22 March 2013
Evaluation Q6: What have you learnt about technolgies from the process of constructing this product?
In order to construct our film opening we had to use a software that would help us edit our opening and make it look like an film opening. The software we as a group and individually used for the first time was Adobe Premiere Pro. A editing software that is used at an advanced level to edit.
We used Adobe Premiere Pro for the first time when we edited our preliminary at an basic level to see if we can put clips together flawlessly and see if the footage after exported works as one clip without any visible efforts of editing shown even though it has been edited. By the time we got to editing our film opening we had to add conventions of an film opening to our opening such as titles and film logo's. One being our film logo the other an existing and established film company. This software is was used to put the whole film sequence together. In order to prepare we had to view certain tutorials teaching us how to add film titles etc.
Due to us not having this software at home we had to download free trails but due to a limited time available with the free trails, we were forced to evaluate most our work in school putting us at a disadvantage when coming to our time management. Due to our film already being one sequence we only had to put in the conventions of a film opening such as titles and film logo's to make it look like a film opening. Us not having to add any special effects but simple things helped us edit a bit better. However we did have to edit our logo's and our opening them bring them together as two separate clips as we found putting them all together at once did not work.
Our skills with the software has developed over the course of our making of our film. As a group we have learned to understand the use of different tools in the software and are much more confident with editing then we were at the start of the course. We used tools such as the Razor Tool and and Rate Stretch Tool. Our creative control was limited due to the lack of knowledge of using the software itself. Due to our film opening was one continuous sequence our editing was not as complicated allowing us to shoot around for a minute continuously without having to worry about separate shots. Due to our lack of knowledge on how to use the software to it's full potential we struggled with a few things. Such as adding the titles and logo's to our film opening which have to treated differently to the film opening. However we managed to put everything together.
That was the only software we used during our construction helping us understand the importance of editing and how it works on a professional level.
Posted by Bansari Raval
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We used Adobe Premiere Pro for the first time when we edited our preliminary at an basic level to see if we can put clips together flawlessly and see if the footage after exported works as one clip without any visible efforts of editing shown even though it has been edited. By the time we got to editing our film opening we had to add conventions of an film opening to our opening such as titles and film logo's. One being our film logo the other an existing and established film company. This software is was used to put the whole film sequence together. In order to prepare we had to view certain tutorials teaching us how to add film titles etc.Due to us not having this software at home we had to download free trails but due to a limited time available with the free trails, we were forced to evaluate most our work in school putting us at a disadvantage when coming to our time management. Due to our film already being one sequence we only had to put in the conventions of a film opening such as titles and film logo's to make it look like a film opening. Us not having to add any special effects but simple things helped us edit a bit better. However we did have to edit our logo's and our opening them bring them together as two separate clips as we found putting them all together at once did not work.
Our skills with the software has developed over the course of our making of our film. As a group we have learned to understand the use of different tools in the software and are much more confident with editing then we were at the start of the course. We used tools such as the Razor Tool and and Rate Stretch Tool. Our creative control was limited due to the lack of knowledge of using the software itself. Due to our film opening was one continuous sequence our editing was not as complicated allowing us to shoot around for a minute continuously without having to worry about separate shots. Due to our lack of knowledge on how to use the software to it's full potential we struggled with a few things. Such as adding the titles and logo's to our film opening which have to treated differently to the film opening. However we managed to put everything together.
That was the only software we used during our construction helping us understand the importance of editing and how it works on a professional level.
Posted by Bansari Raval
Tuesday 19 March 2013
Evaluation Q1: In what ways does your media product use, develop or challenge forms and conventions of real media products?
We videoed ourselves evaluating our first question.
Posted by Bansari and Guleed
Monday 4 March 2013
Final Cut
Here is our final cut for our film opening.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umKC_Za46U8&feature=player_embedded&safe=active
Posted by Bansari Raval
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umKC_Za46U8&feature=player_embedded&safe=active
First Shoot
Posted by Bansari Raval
Actors
We only used the four actors for our film opening. We were lucky due to one of our actors is a AS level drama student and another one of actors being a GCSE drama student. Therefore their acting was natural and helped bring out our synopsis of the film opening very nicely. Our other two actors were fairly good in playing there roles. One of our actors had no speech to say but just to act a scene were no dialogues were required from them.
Here is a list of our actors:-
Michael Daniel- GCSE Qualified Drama and AS Drama Student (Tyler)
Feranmi Oke-GCSE Qualified Drama Student (Harvey)
Mahir Rab-(Max)
Krishma Verkeria-limited acting with no dialogue required (Callie)
Posted by Bansari Raval
Here is a list of our actors:-
Michael Daniel- GCSE Qualified Drama and AS Drama Student (Tyler)
Feranmi Oke-GCSE Qualified Drama Student (Harvey)
Mahir Rab-(Max)
Krishma Verkeria-limited acting with no dialogue required (Callie)
Posted by Bansari Raval
Sunday 3 March 2013
Editing in our Opening
Here are a few screen grabs showing our editing in our work.
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| Click to Enlarge |
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| Click to Enlarge |
Our edting was difficult due certain technical issues we faced as either the computer would switch off when we would edit the Adobe CS4 didn't work. However we still managed to edit our work and create a finished product. We our film opening we need to add the conventions of a film opening. We did this by adding the film 4 logo and our own production logo; Bangu Productions, which we created by using the a website called VIDEO COPILOT. We used the Spin Orbs to create our production logo. This was edited separately from our film opening than edited and added in with our film opening. due to issues with the file not opening we could print screen and put in a screen shot of it. We enjoyed editing our work and acquired new skills. Such as putting two different edited clips together and than exporting them together which we tried a couple of times before we made our final one.
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| Screen Shot Showing VIDEO COPILOT Spin Orbs Logo we used. |
Posted by Bansari Raval
Sound in our Film Opening
In our film opening we have refrianed from using diegietic sound as we didn't find the use to use it at all. Therefore we made a script and used diegetic sound. This keeps our found footage idea conventional. When it came to our scripts we made only one version but did make changes to it. Coming to our final changes as a group we decided to make our actors improvise bits of the script. We didn't follow the script exactly as improvising worked better as our actors were naturals with one doing drama A Level and a GCSE and the other did drama GCSE.
Posted by Bansari Raval
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| Front part of Script |
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| Back part of Script |
Posted by Bansari Raval
Mise-en-Scene and our location for Film Opening
We have located our opening scene in a school during after hours so that the school is empty, this allows us to have more control over how we film and a bit more freedom as it would be harder to do it in a non-school environment Also we have the characters wearing normal teenage clothes, this represents our target audience which are teenagers. Dressing them casually sets the film well in our setting. Here are pictures of our location:-
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| The Corridor |
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| The Classroom
Posted by Guleed Hashi
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Camera Shots in our Film Opening
Our Film Opening is a continous shot, so there were no visible cuts added by editing, thus we had to use techniques such as zoom, to add the found footage element to our film. We did not have to experment with our shots or angles as we had to follow the protagnist as he spoke to the camera while his freind filmed so everything was set out for us. With us planning what we needed in each shot, it heped us with what specific Camera Shot we wated throughout our film, which was mainly the Mid-Shot.
Posted by Guleed Hashi
Posted by Guleed Hashi
Monday 25 February 2013
Group Planning-Shot Sequence and Shot List
As a group we planned our Shot Sequence's and did a list in order to ensure our movie shoot goes well.
Here is a video of our Shot Sequence with us discussing what changes we made to and how we improved it.
Here is our Shot List which we planned before shooting our film opening to see which shots we were going to include and which not. Here are the final shots we were going to include.
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| Click to Enlarge |
Storyboard for Film Opening
This is our storyborad for our film opening. The storyboard mainly shows what shot types we will be using and how our idea looks visually. A storyborad is created in the planning stage of film making.
Posted by Bansari Raval
Sunday 24 February 2013
Group Planning-Initial Idea's
Our Final Initial Idea
Out of our two initial ideas we picked the romantic comedy. This what about a young gay male that falls in love with another boy in his school (The Jock), he brings himself to confess and to add to it he does it on camera with his males best friend only to find out that his love in on the stairs with a female. The gay boy (Tyler) thinks he has been lead on be cause of how friendly the jock (Max) was not understanding it was all cause Max thought they was just good guy friends sharing secrets and talking and only doing so because he was unaware of Tyler`s homosexuality.
The unconventional side to this is that:
1) He is gay instead of that girl like boy, boy likes girl scene.
2) His friend the camera that he is his moment with is a straight male this also challenges the gay boy has girl best friend stereotype.
3) Also Tyler is wearing average boy clothing instead of that feminine look, wearing colours like pink etc... He is dressed slightly masculine for a teenager making it impossible for Max to have been suspicious. Moreover, his does not talk in a gay feminine tone or give off gay body language which is another major stereotype.
By- Guleed Hashi
Out of our two initial ideas we picked the romantic comedy. This what about a young gay male that falls in love with another boy in his school (The Jock), he brings himself to confess and to add to it he does it on camera with his males best friend only to find out that his love in on the stairs with a female. The gay boy (Tyler) thinks he has been lead on be cause of how friendly the jock (Max) was not understanding it was all cause Max thought they was just good guy friends sharing secrets and talking and only doing so because he was unaware of Tyler`s homosexuality.
The unconventional side to this is that:
1) He is gay instead of that girl like boy, boy likes girl scene.
2) His friend the camera that he is his moment with is a straight male this also challenges the gay boy has girl best friend stereotype.
3) Also Tyler is wearing average boy clothing instead of that feminine look, wearing colours like pink etc... He is dressed slightly masculine for a teenager making it impossible for Max to have been suspicious. Moreover, his does not talk in a gay feminine tone or give off gay body language which is another major stereotype.
By- Guleed Hashi
Saturday 23 February 2013
Target Audience
The target audience for our film are young teenage females and males aged between the ages of 15-20 and maybe even higher. The reason for this is we are dealing with homosexuality in an romantic comedy genre which is rarely shown and an older and preferably mature audience would be ideally better to view a film like ours. Our audience will include a higher number of girls as romantic comedies are tend to viewed by young girls to older women. Therefore we are likely to target more young girls than boys.
Posted by Guleed Hashi
Posted by Guleed Hashi
Initial Ideas
Guleed and Bansari’s initial ideas
Idea 1
Genre- Romantic comedy
Mise-en-scene- Busy school hall, our preps will be books, normal casual wear that will be worn by all characters to make the environment more obvious. Also it will be done in a school so that it helps it more realistic.
Idea- This idea is about a Rom-Com with a guy liking a boy in her school who is your average ‘jock’ type character which is dating the hottest girl in the school. Our two minute opening sequence will be done like a found footage, the boy will come `recording the best moment of his life with his friend (male) down the school corridor to confess when he is shocked by what he has seen. This gives it an unconventional twist.
Idea 2
Genre- Crime Thriller
Mise en scene- Court Room, Car park, Men and women in suits, Cars
Idea- This idea consists of an young man that has joined a law firm recently, this young man gets framed and goes to make a deal with a major partner at another law firm, however this means that he has to go behind his bosses back but he is not sure if hurting his close ones is worth clearing his name. There will be non-diegetic music to add suspense to the opening.
Friday 22 February 2013
Homosexual Characters in Romance Genre
Homosexual Characters are hardly ever seen in romantic comedies, and if they are they seem to be an extra comical show piece in the whole film to add to the comedy of the film. They are hardly portrayed as equals of the heterosexual characters in the films and have very limited amount of screen presence usually lasting in minutes or even seconds sometimes.
However they're have been a wide range of films that have portrayed homosexuality as they're central themes however they are not romantic comedies and if they are they are independent films.
A big breakthrough film for portraying homosexuality in mainstream cinema was the film Brokeback Mountain. Till this date no film has portrayed homosexuality as well as this. Ang Lee won the Oscar for Best Director in the year 2006. The use of mainstream actors brought light to the film. Actors such as Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhall and Anne Hathaway brought even more success to the film with their brilliant acting. The film was backed by independent distributer Focus Features and with a budget of only $14 million the film became a huge commercial and critical success earning $178,062,759 and 3 Oscars.
Brokeback Mountain may be considered a contemporary classic with it's groundbreaking portrayal of not only romance but daring to portray homosexuality in front of the mainstream audience's even in the 21st century. As a media student I see that films like this to be made in the near future may still take some time, but what ever it may be it's worth a try.
Posted by Bansari Raval
However they're have been a wide range of films that have portrayed homosexuality as they're central themes however they are not romantic comedies and if they are they are independent films.
A big breakthrough film for portraying homosexuality in mainstream cinema was the film Brokeback Mountain. Till this date no film has portrayed homosexuality as well as this. Ang Lee won the Oscar for Best Director in the year 2006. The use of mainstream actors brought light to the film. Actors such as Heath Ledger, Jake Gyllenhall and Anne Hathaway brought even more success to the film with their brilliant acting. The film was backed by independent distributer Focus Features and with a budget of only $14 million the film became a huge commercial and critical success earning $178,062,759 and 3 Oscars.Brokeback Mountain may be considered a contemporary classic with it's groundbreaking portrayal of not only romance but daring to portray homosexuality in front of the mainstream audience's even in the 21st century. As a media student I see that films like this to be made in the near future may still take some time, but what ever it may be it's worth a try.
Posted by Bansari Raval
Preliminary Tasks
Posted by Bansari Raval and Guleed Hashi
BBFC Rating's
All films carry a classification clearly outlining what age the film is suitable for and which not. The BBFC (British Board of Film Classification) take care of classifying and rating films in the UK. Here is a image showing all the film ratings:-
We as a group decided to rate our film a 15 due the fact it deals with homosexuality which to some what is a bit hefty for a 12 rating and not as serious for a 18 rating.
We as a group decided to rate our film a 15 due the fact it deals with homosexuality which to some what is a bit hefty for a 12 rating and not as serious for a 18 rating.
Posted by Bansari Raval
Logo's
The DreamWorks logo shows a young boy on a crescent moon while he is fishing, this logo came from the disagreement of co founder Steven Spielberg and visual effect supervisor Dennis Muren. Spielberg originally wanted a computer generated image however Muren suggested a hand painted one, then Robert Hunt was contacted to do both and he used his son to be the model for both images, soon after Spielberg likes the CGI (computer generated) image better.
The Warner Brothers logo has the same shield and WB initials in it however it does change according to what the movies is going to show. It originally looked like s shield with a picture of the studios opened in 1918 in Hollywood in the background of the WB.
Posted by Guleed Hashi
Thursday 21 February 2013
Film Production and Distribution Companies
Film Production and Distribution companies are companies that help the film financially and if an conglomerate help the film establish on a global market. On a production level they help produce the film sorting out the budget and other things such as casting, who will direct etc. On a distribution level they help market the film and exhibit it globally.
Here are a few companies that do this:-
Universal Studios- An American conglomerate film company, it is known to be one of the oldest surviving companies in the world. They have worked there magic for a long time and continue to do so. They celebrated 100 years in 2012. The company is based in California but is a globally established company and known around the world. It is the second oldest studio in the world. Universal Pictures have produced and distributed many famous here are some examples of these films:-
Paramount Pictures- The company was founded in 1914 and is like Universal celebrated 100 years in 2012. It is like Universal on of the oldest studios to still exist in Hollywood and is globally well known. It is one of the last studios to be based in the Hollywood district of L.A. It is the third oldest studio in the world. Here are some the films they have a hand in producing and distributing:-
Dreamworks Animation- Another famous American film company which is quite recently found. It was found in 1994 and since than has produced and distributed a string of successful films and continues to do so. Here are some examples:-
Posted by Guleed Hashi
Here are a few companies that do this:-
Universal Studios- An American conglomerate film company, it is known to be one of the oldest surviving companies in the world. They have worked there magic for a long time and continue to do so. They celebrated 100 years in 2012. The company is based in California but is a globally established company and known around the world. It is the second oldest studio in the world. Universal Pictures have produced and distributed many famous here are some examples of these films:-
Paramount Pictures- The company was founded in 1914 and is like Universal celebrated 100 years in 2012. It is like Universal on of the oldest studios to still exist in Hollywood and is globally well known. It is one of the last studios to be based in the Hollywood district of L.A. It is the third oldest studio in the world. Here are some the films they have a hand in producing and distributing:-
Dreamworks Animation- Another famous American film company which is quite recently found. It was found in 1994 and since than has produced and distributed a string of successful films and continues to do so. Here are some examples:-
Posted by Guleed Hashi
Titles
Romantic Comedy film titles tend to be designed with bright and fluffy colours, showing straightaway it is a 'happy' genre full of the love and harmony people would expect them to be, with the design of the titles doing them full justice. As you can see from the films here the titles are either in the colour of white showing simplicity and connoting purity or bright pinks and reds which are ideally the key colours of love which you can never go wrong with if used.
Posted by Guleed Hashi
Target Audiences
Romantic Comedies have an specific target audience like any other genre. They usually seem to target a large female base between the ages of 15-65 plus due to the story lines conventionally follows around love. Typically the woman falling in love with another man.These sorts of films tend to attarct females more than males as the women wish to be in the central protagnists 'shoes'.
A graph here shows breifly in percentages which age group is likely to watch romantic comedies the most. As you can see from the graph they are most likely to be viewd by 15-24 year old. Thisn maybe due to most romantic comedies are either teen romance s or based on a young woman falling in love rather than older owmen in their 40's.
Posted by Bansari Raval
Posted by Bansari Raval
Wednesday 20 February 2013
Stars and Typecasting in Romantic Comedies
Typecasting is the process which by an actor or actress gets strongly idnetified for a specific character or type of roles they pursue. Actors and Actresses are usually better with doing a range of genre's throughout their career's however their are those some unfortunate stars who end up doing the same genre repetitively inevitably to end up being typecasted. In this case these stars of opted to only do the romantic comedy genre.
Jennifer Aniston- Starting out with one of the most famous sitcom's ever to come out on TV at the end of the 20th Century Friends. She became a household name immediatly, however it inevitably typecated her as a Rom-Com queen which till this date she has never been able to really forge and show a wider vareity of roles. Here are some her Rom-Com's:-
Meg Ryan- One the best Rom-Com actresses to ever grace the silver screen. She may not have done a whole load of romantic comedies but she is best remebered for them. Here are the films that lead to that:-
When Harry Met Sally....(1989)
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
You've Got Mail (1998)
Matthew Mcconaughey- As an actor Matthew Mcconaughey as tried to do many different types of films but the films again he is best remebered for are his cheesy Rom-Com's. Here are those films:-
The Wedding Planner (2001)
How To Lose a Guy In 10 Days (2003)
Failure to Launch (2005)
Ghosts of Gilfriends Past (2009)
Julia Roberts- As an actor she is probably one of the best in Hollywood however most of her films that have given her that recognition are all romantic comedies. And it doesn't do her justice that she stared in one of the most famous romantic comedies of all time:-
Pretty Woman (1990)
My Best Friends Wedding (1997)
Runaway Bride (1999)
Notting Hill (1999)
Valentine's Day (2010)
Posted by Bansari Raval
Jennifer Aniston- Starting out with one of the most famous sitcom's ever to come out on TV at the end of the 20th Century Friends. She became a household name immediatly, however it inevitably typecated her as a Rom-Com queen which till this date she has never been able to really forge and show a wider vareity of roles. Here are some her Rom-Com's:-
Picture Perfect (1997)
Rumour Has It (2005)
The Break Up (2006)
Marley and Me (2008)
He's Just Not That into You (2009)
Meg Ryan- One the best Rom-Com actresses to ever grace the silver screen. She may not have done a whole load of romantic comedies but she is best remebered for them. Here are the films that lead to that:- When Harry Met Sally....(1989)
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
You've Got Mail (1998)
Matthew Mcconaughey- As an actor Matthew Mcconaughey as tried to do many different types of films but the films again he is best remebered for are his cheesy Rom-Com's. Here are those films:- The Wedding Planner (2001)
How To Lose a Guy In 10 Days (2003)
Failure to Launch (2005)
Ghosts of Gilfriends Past (2009)
Julia Roberts- As an actor she is probably one of the best in Hollywood however most of her films that have given her that recognition are all romantic comedies. And it doesn't do her justice that she stared in one of the most famous romantic comedies of all time:-Pretty Woman (1990)
My Best Friends Wedding (1997)
Runaway Bride (1999)
Notting Hill (1999)
Valentine's Day (2010)
Posted by Bansari Raval
Director's Style
Every Genre have a set of significant directors to their name. Romantic Comedies seem to have many as well but the four which I identified to be masters in this genre are:-
Rob Reiner
He has directed many Romantic Comedies over the years. Some of his most famous romantic comedies being:-
The Princesses Bride (1987)
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
Rumor Has It.....(2005)
Garry Marshall
The director of the perhaps the most famous rom-com film ever Pretty Woman (1990). Other than that he has directed many other rom-coms as well. Which are:-
The Other Sister (1999)
Runaway Bride (1999)
The Princess Diaries (2001)
Valentine's Day (2010)
New Year's Eve (2011)
Nancy Meyers
She is maybe one of the most successful female directors in Hollywood who have made very successful films. Her films include:-
What Woman Want (2000)
Something's Gotta Give (2003)
The Holiday (2006)
It's Complicated (2009)
Woody Allen
He has done a whole range of genre's experimenting with his films but he has given the industry some of the most memorable romantic comedies. Here are some of them:-
Annie Hall (1977)
Manhattan (1979)
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
Midnight in Paris (2011)
Posted by Bansari Raval
Rob Reiner
He has directed many Romantic Comedies over the years. Some of his most famous romantic comedies being:-The Princesses Bride (1987)
When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Sleepless in Seattle (1993)
Rumor Has It.....(2005)
Garry Marshall
The director of the perhaps the most famous rom-com film ever Pretty Woman (1990). Other than that he has directed many other rom-coms as well. Which are:-
The Other Sister (1999)
Runaway Bride (1999)
The Princess Diaries (2001)
Valentine's Day (2010)
New Year's Eve (2011)
Nancy Meyers
She is maybe one of the most successful female directors in Hollywood who have made very successful films. Her films include:-
What Woman Want (2000)
Something's Gotta Give (2003)
The Holiday (2006)
It's Complicated (2009)
Woody Allen
He has done a whole range of genre's experimenting with his films but he has given the industry some of the most memorable romantic comedies. Here are some of them:-
Annie Hall (1977)
Manhattan (1979)
Hannah and Her Sisters (1986)
Midnight in Paris (2011)
Posted by Bansari Raval
Gender Representations in Romantic Comedies
Gender Representation plays a big part in Romantic Comedies since stereo typically they revolve around a female character and the films tend to be female centric. Due to Romantic Comedies being targeted at females over the years the types of films that have been made have changed but still stick to the codes and conventions of the genre. There are many female characters in romantic comedies that are similar in the way they are presented to the audience, however different.
Holly Golightly- Breakfast at Tiffiny's (1961)
One of the most famous characters in film history and played by well known Hollywood actress Audrey Hepburn, Holly became an household names in the early 60's. Holly is represented as a free and independent woman in society which at the time was new as women's role in society was usually to stay home and take care of the house and the children. However 60's was a change of a many things for women. Many called it a decade of liberation of women. Holly living up to those expectations as a young and attractive women who lived by her own rules. Holly was not a stereotypical representation of a woman in romantic comedies who tend to be 'damsel in distresses' or in 'love' with a man who doesn't acknowledge them that way.
Another bright and witty character represented as a strong feminist and thinks she knows what men should do and shouldn't. However throughout the end of the film she becomes the 'damsel in distress' and feels no man will love her after breaking up with her fiance. She ends up calling Harry for a leaning shoulder to cry on, showing she is reliant on a man after all to help her through her problems.
Vivian Ward- Pretty Woman (1990)
Julia Roberts become an household name after this film, however her portrayal as Vivian is still something that comes as an unconventionality in the romantic comedy genre. Due to the fact this maybe is the only romantic comedy that showed the female as some what in a negative light since she played a prostitute. Her dependency on men comes through the fact it is her job that she does due to the situation she puts herself in which is explained in the film. It may challenge the gender stereotype with Vivian roaming the streets at night to earn an living shows she's much more strong and brave than the audience initially perceive her to be. However the films ending conforms to the societal stereotype of a 'happily-ever-after' ending of the two main characters settling down, therefore Vivian is not exactly seen as a challenge of the female representation in Romantic Comedies but just seen as 'unconventional'.
Bridget Jones is probably the most annoying character you can come across in this genre. She is represented as independent and a career orientated woman. However her drawbacks would most probably be that she constantly talks about the lack of a 'man' in her life which can sometimes get really strenuous for the audience to watch. Understandable she is in her mid 30's but getting involved with the wrong men and than crying her heart out with not getting things right in her life sounds like a child not getting they're favorite toy for their birthday. This to me is a wrong representation of woman in the genre. To this date this film has either become a mockery for film critics and audiences alike or they have praised Renee Zellwegar's performance what ever be it this film still either stands to irrtate audiences or watch when they probaly feel extremely down.
Romantic Comedy films have since become sterotypically like that following the trend of women being reliant on the man for something even though they are shown as 'independent'.
Men in Romantic Comedies are seen as the prey to the females 'predetory' advances which always some how seem to end up wrong in contemporary rom-com's. However many rom-com's represent the male protagonists who are opposite the female lead to be careless about women and their hearts. They are shown to be womanizing, players who use women to satisfy themselves than leave as soon as they become 'bored'.
An example of this is Hugh Grants character Daniel Cleaver who is an unforgiving womanizer and never takes a relationship (if that what it could be called) seriously and cheats on Bridget with another work colleague.
Homosexual characters are hardly ever shown in romantic comedies and if they are they are portrayed as a joke or side kick which genrally brings comic action to the films. They usually if at all are hardly ever portrayed on screen or don't have that much screen presence. They hardly ever show affection on screen where as the hetrosexual couples do, the difference highly evident. There are only certain films that I can list as examples due to limited films made on this topic.
Here are certain examples:-
Must Love Dogs is a 2005 romantic comedy film, which involves a side homosexual relationship which is mentioned breifly and not focused on as a side story showing that this is just breifly hinted at.
I Love You Philip Morris is probably one the only romantic comedy film to portray a homosexual relationship between to protagnists as the main storyline of the film. The film shows Jim Carrey's character fall in love with Ewan McGregor's character and the different events that follow them throughout the film making them seperate and reconcial throughout the film. However it only had a limited release grossing around $20 million.
The Broken Hearts Club: a romantic comedy, is a 2000 romantic comedy film, which deals with issues throughout the film all surrounding homosexual relationships. The film focus's on universal themes of romance, acceptance and family as opposed to serious issues like AIDS, coming out and sex which are more controversial and sterotypical topics that are covered in LGBT films. The film got a limited release and only ended up grossing $2,019,121.
Overall homosexual characters are hardly portrayed in romantic comedy films due to public acceptance and them finding it's a bit too post mordern to be shown in films in the 21st century today. If films are released they get limited releases therefore not finding a wider audience to view the films. They are mainly treated as independent films.
Posted by Bansari Raval
Holly Golightly- Breakfast at Tiffiny's (1961)
Sally Albright-When Harry Met Sally (1989)
Vivian Ward- Pretty Woman (1990)
Bridget Jones- Bridget Jones Diary (2001)
Bridget Jones is probably the most annoying character you can come across in this genre. She is represented as independent and a career orientated woman. However her drawbacks would most probably be that she constantly talks about the lack of a 'man' in her life which can sometimes get really strenuous for the audience to watch. Understandable she is in her mid 30's but getting involved with the wrong men and than crying her heart out with not getting things right in her life sounds like a child not getting they're favorite toy for their birthday. This to me is a wrong representation of woman in the genre. To this date this film has either become a mockery for film critics and audiences alike or they have praised Renee Zellwegar's performance what ever be it this film still either stands to irrtate audiences or watch when they probaly feel extremely down. Romantic Comedy films have since become sterotypically like that following the trend of women being reliant on the man for something even though they are shown as 'independent'.
Men in Romantic Comedies are seen as the prey to the females 'predetory' advances which always some how seem to end up wrong in contemporary rom-com's. However many rom-com's represent the male protagonists who are opposite the female lead to be careless about women and their hearts. They are shown to be womanizing, players who use women to satisfy themselves than leave as soon as they become 'bored'.An example of this is Hugh Grants character Daniel Cleaver who is an unforgiving womanizer and never takes a relationship (if that what it could be called) seriously and cheats on Bridget with another work colleague.
Homosexual characters are hardly ever shown in romantic comedies and if they are they are portrayed as a joke or side kick which genrally brings comic action to the films. They usually if at all are hardly ever portrayed on screen or don't have that much screen presence. They hardly ever show affection on screen where as the hetrosexual couples do, the difference highly evident. There are only certain films that I can list as examples due to limited films made on this topic.
Here are certain examples:-
Must Love Dogs is a 2005 romantic comedy film, which involves a side homosexual relationship which is mentioned breifly and not focused on as a side story showing that this is just breifly hinted at. 
I Love You Philip Morris is probably one the only romantic comedy film to portray a homosexual relationship between to protagnists as the main storyline of the film. The film shows Jim Carrey's character fall in love with Ewan McGregor's character and the different events that follow them throughout the film making them seperate and reconcial throughout the film. However it only had a limited release grossing around $20 million.
The Broken Hearts Club: a romantic comedy, is a 2000 romantic comedy film, which deals with issues throughout the film all surrounding homosexual relationships. The film focus's on universal themes of romance, acceptance and family as opposed to serious issues like AIDS, coming out and sex which are more controversial and sterotypical topics that are covered in LGBT films. The film got a limited release and only ended up grossing $2,019,121.Posted by Bansari Raval
Character Types in Romantic Comedies
In romantic comedies the way the characters are portrayed in each movie is extremely similar; this is so that they are seen as the conventional romantic comedy character. It is usually about a guy that gets all the girls that he wants when he wants and a girl who is extremely pretty not like most of the girls this and is not so interested in him at first or doesn't show it and this is what makes him chase after her and want to eventually start dating her. Moreover, there is usually an ex-girlfriend in the movie that instantly does not like the ‘new girl’ that has her ex-boyfriends attention and tries to get in their relationships way either with her popularity and her friends or just being mean and making her look like a fool. A major example of this conventional type of movie is Mean Girls you have Cady (red head) is the new girl and then Regina (blonde to the left) is the ex-girlfriend. This type of conventional teenage romantic comedy happens all the time and is very common. Another example is Bratz its is the exact same thing however the change is in the scene, the characters, actors, script and a few other things but everything else is pretty much the same.
In addition in conventional movies like above there is always the ex-girlfriend or current girlfriends, friends that she has to help her look more intimidating but this is mainly used in high school based movies.
An unconventional romantic comedy is She’s The Man, the whole movie is done through a girl being around the guy she likes as a herself and pretending to be her twin brother at a football school (being the man). This allowed Viola (girl) to get the boy she likes through also being her brother Sebastian. This movie is not the mainstream romantic comedy that comes to people’s minds when they think about romantic comedies.Posted by Guleed Hashi
Tuesday 19 February 2013
Narrative Structure's in Romantic Comedies
Narrative stands for a process of telling a story. Narrative theories can be found in wide range of genre's, sometimes without you even realising that it consists of the theory. When writers write a story they tend to use these theory's as a base of what they may include in their story. My main focus will be four theorists who theories sudied the way narrative works in film intensively. Till this date these theories are relavent for the industry and types of film they make. In my case I will be looking at how these theories are found in the romantic comedy genre.
Tzvetan Todorov's Theory of Narrative
Todorov is a franco-bulgarian philosopher. He studied fairy tales to come up with the following theory:-
The Break Up (2006) staring Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn
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Equilibruim-Gary Grobowski and Brooke Meyers (central characters) meet at a game, go on a date, start dating each other.
Disruption-They start argueing, with Brooke saying 'why can't you do this one little thing for me?' which leaves her feeling unappreciated, with Gary's perceived immaturity and unwillingness to work on improving their relationship.He is frustrated by Brooke’s perceived controlling, perfectionistic attitude, and expresses his desire to have a little more independence
Recognition-They both fall out and break up, since none of tehm want to move out of their condo, they compromise and live as roomates. However they do things to provoke each other.
Complications-They both end up pushing each other to the limit. Eventually Gary tries to win her back by cleaning the condo and preparing a fancy meal. But Brooke cries and says she doesn't feel the same way. They than part ways with Brooke taking a tour around Europe and Gary taking an more active interest in his tour gudie business.
New Equlibrium- They both meet again coincidently with Gary bringing home some groceries and Brooke on her way to a meeting. After they akwardly catch up with what they are doing in their lives, they part ways but each glances back over their shoulder and they share a smile.
Propp was a sovient formalist scholar, who studied fairy tales as well and recognised a set of stock charcters in every story.
Robin Wright-Buttercup, Princess of Florin and Westley's love interest. (The Princess)
Chris Sarandon-Prince Humperdinck, heir to the throne of Florin, who becomes engaged to Buttercup. (The Villain)
Wallace Shawn as Vizzini, a self-described criminal genius of Sicilian origin and the employer of Inigo and Fezzik. (The False Hero)
Billy Crystal as Miracle Max, the last miracle worker in Florin, who was fired by Humperdinck many years ago, and saves Westley's life to get revenge on the Prince. (The Doner)
Margery Mason as The Ancient Booer, a woman in Buttercup's dreams. (The Helper)
Romantic comedies are pretty straightforward to understand so they hardly ever have codes in them to crack or solve. However all romantic comedies have the Cultural Code; the code is love, which is understood all around the world. They even include the Semic Code the culture making the text, so e.g. the type of setting affects how the story is told being an factor.
Many romantic comedies explore the cultural and symbolic codes here are a few examples:-
Posted by Bansari Raval
Tzvetan Todorov's Theory of Narrative
Todorov is a franco-bulgarian philosopher. He studied fairy tales to come up with the following theory:-
- Equilibruim-A state of normality
- Disruption-An event that disrupts the normality
- Recognition-The hero recognises the disruption
- Complications-The hero meets problems in trying to restore the the equilibruim
- New Equlibrium-The hero restores a new state of normality
The Break Up (2006) staring Jennifer Aniston and Vince Vaughn
.jpg)
Equilibruim-Gary Grobowski and Brooke Meyers (central characters) meet at a game, go on a date, start dating each other. Disruption-They start argueing, with Brooke saying 'why can't you do this one little thing for me?' which leaves her feeling unappreciated, with Gary's perceived immaturity and unwillingness to work on improving their relationship.He is frustrated by Brooke’s perceived controlling, perfectionistic attitude, and expresses his desire to have a little more independence
Recognition-They both fall out and break up, since none of tehm want to move out of their condo, they compromise and live as roomates. However they do things to provoke each other.
Complications-They both end up pushing each other to the limit. Eventually Gary tries to win her back by cleaning the condo and preparing a fancy meal. But Brooke cries and says she doesn't feel the same way. They than part ways with Brooke taking a tour around Europe and Gary taking an more active interest in his tour gudie business.
New Equlibrium- They both meet again coincidently with Gary bringing home some groceries and Brooke on her way to a meeting. After they akwardly catch up with what they are doing in their lives, they part ways but each glances back over their shoulder and they share a smile.
Propp was a sovient formalist scholar, who studied fairy tales as well and recognised a set of stock charcters in every story.
The Hero-the character who seeks something
The Villain-who opposes the hero's quest
The Doner-gives hero a magical property
The Dispatcher-sends the hero on his quest
The False Hero-disrupts the hero's quest
The Helper-helps the hero
The Princess-the hero's reward
Her father-who rewards the hero
The Princess Bride (1987) is a cliche example of these stock characters, which are found in this film:-
Cary Elwes-Westley, a farmboy and Buttercup's love interest. (The Hero)The Princess Bride (1987) is a cliche example of these stock characters, which are found in this film:-
Robin Wright-Buttercup, Princess of Florin and Westley's love interest. (The Princess)
Chris Sarandon-Prince Humperdinck, heir to the throne of Florin, who becomes engaged to Buttercup. (The Villain)
Wallace Shawn as Vizzini, a self-described criminal genius of Sicilian origin and the employer of Inigo and Fezzik. (The False Hero)
Billy Crystal as Miracle Max, the last miracle worker in Florin, who was fired by Humperdinck many years ago, and saves Westley's life to get revenge on the Prince. (The Doner)
Margery Mason as The Ancient Booer, a woman in Buttercup's dreams. (The Helper)
Claude Levi-Staruss Binary Opposites
Levi-Strauss was a French anthropologist and ethnologist. Levi-Strauss claimed that stories can only exisit with Binary Opposites, which are elements aganist each other, for example,
- Hero vs. Villan
- Protagnist vs. Antagonist
- Motivator vs. Observer
- Empowred vs. Victim
Micro Binary Oppositions wih in the story:-
- Woman vs. Man
- Strong vs. Weak
- Old vs. Young
- Rich vs. Poor
The Proposal shows certain binary oppositions such as:-
Boss vs. Employee
Empowred vs. Victim
Woman vs. Man
In the film Ryan Reynolds character Andrew Paxton is constantly in conflict with his boss Sandra Bullock's character Margarate Tate.
Roland Gérard Barthes Codes
Barthes was a French literary theorist, philosopher, linguist, critic, and semiotician. He explored how an audience decodes a text and outlined a list of codes that we all use to construct meaning from a text.
- Engima Code-anything that sets up a question of a mystery
- Action Code-actions and behaviour in the text that are universally understood (e.g. a fist fight)
- Semic Code-the way characters, events, settings are ascribed meaning by the culture making the text
- Symbolic Code-use of binary oppostions or psychological symbols
- Cultural Code-codes that are understood throughout the world
Romantic comedies are pretty straightforward to understand so they hardly ever have codes in them to crack or solve. However all romantic comedies have the Cultural Code; the code is love, which is understood all around the world. They even include the Semic Code the culture making the text, so e.g. the type of setting affects how the story is told being an factor.
Many romantic comedies explore the cultural and symbolic codes here are a few examples:-
Posted by Bansari Raval
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