One director which often directs similar films to ours is Quentin Tarantino. Tarantino is notoriously known for his explicit use of violence with lethal weapons and drugs. With the use of these iconographies, Tarantino creates a tense and hostile atmospherical feel to many of his films, such as Pulp Fiction and Reservoir Dogs. In Pulp Fiction, high class drugs are a stimulus which represents a surreal reality throughout the film, giving the audience the impression that the characters are some what irresponsible and dangerous to themselves and the people around them, due to their drug related habits. This relates to our film, as during the first opening scene, a large bag containing high class drugs is exchanged between two mysterious characters, showing the audience that they are menaces to society.
Drug use in Pulp Fiction
In Reservoir Dogs, the theme of violence is often used, where a sequence of events unroll after a group of anonymous men rob a diamond store. Tensions rise when the characters become suspicious as to which one of them informed the police that the robbery was going to take place. As things become more heated the characters become more violent towards each other, even resulting in petrel being pored over a man with the intention to set him on fire, as his ear being chopped off. This is similar to our film as violence will be a theme which is used to create similar effects, to show the audience that the characters have a deep routed interest in themselves, and would do anything to avoid justice or their own downfall.
Explicit violence in Reservoir Dogs
Another crime thriller film which is similar to ours is American Gangster. As well as using many iconographies similar to the ones in ours, such as weapons and drugs, American Gangster unravels the story of an ongoing battle between a drug lord and a New York City Police Department officer, by using a split narrative, switching between the drug lord's perspective and the detective's. This unique structure, allows the audience to experience the story from both the protagonist (the officer) and the antagonist (the drug lord), allowing the audience to gain a broad over view of the events as they unfold. Also, the split narrative encourages the audience to involve themselves more in the film, as they can follow both sides of the story and decide which side they want to succeed, wether it is the protagonist who brings the criminal to justice or the antagonist who escapes justice and destroys all glimpse of it. This is similar to our film, as ours follows the battle between a high class drug dealer and a police officer. The split narrative is used in our film, to give off the desired effect of the audience gaining a wider perspective of the story, showing the events unrolling from the protagonist and the antagonist, resulting in the audience getting more involved in our film.
Furthermore, American Gangster is set primarily in an urban city area, like wise is ours, which is filmed in an urban area with in South Yorkshire.
The antagonist in American Gangster
The protagonist (police officer) in American Gangster
Another crime thriller film which demonstrates features similar to ones we would like to show in our film, is Taken. In this tense opener to the two part series, the colour red is specifically used in one scene, where a building with a large red door is the location where a retired special forces officer's (Liam Neeson) daughter is being held after she has been kidnapped and introduced to the human trafficking market. The red door represents danger and prepares the audience that what ever lays behind the door may be a big threat, implying that something may happen. This is similar to our film, as just before one of our main characters (Lewis Lock) gets hit over the head with a weapon and seriously injured, he strolls past a red balloon which is floating in an ally way, oblivious to the fact it was even there. The colour red can be a very effective stimulus to the audience preparing them for what is ahead, as it has connotations of danger, violence, and fear, which can be triggered in the viewers mind every time they are presented with the colour in context with the specific film or genre. For example the red balloon, or possibly a red weapon.
Research into certificate of film: U
There are many different film certificates which are aimed towards different people. These certificates restrict and allow people to watch films. They are in place as some content may be inappropriate for some viewers. The restrictions are in place in order to protect viewers who shouldn't be exposed to some content.
One of these Ratings is a U. A U means Universal and it is aimed at children of four or more years. However, certain things upset different people so the makers can not predict how a person young or old may react to a particular film and storyline. The film will only have mild language so this doesn't reflect onto a child's behaviour. Mild language such as "damn" is seen as appropriate for a child film as it isn't seen as a bad word. The likes of sexual and violent behaviour will also be kept as a minimal as no anti-social behaviour will want to be copied. This rating allows minimal fight scenes where there are no strong emotions attached and the issue is resolved quickly. The rating U is generally associated with child films but there are films with a range of themes that are interesting to adults. The guideline is not for a specific age it is based on the content of the film.
U film restriction logo
PG
Next there are PG films which means parental guidance. This means that it is an okay for children but some scenes may upset the younger children. The producers allow parents to make the choice as to whether the film is suitable enough for their child. Like the U rating not all PG films are just made for children, it means they are made with a different audience in mind. However, they've probably made it like this in order to widen their target audience which could make them a larger profit. Although there are no scenes which are unsuitable for a child viewing there are serious topics which are looked into to give a moral to a story. These films can explore things such as bullying and racism. Sometimes they may also look at sexuality however, there are no explicit scenes which may upset children. Furthermore the language on these films are not as mild as a U film they can use words such as bitch. Violence is also mild as the viewer will be exposed to blood but the film will not focus on the attack itself.
PG film restriction logo
12 and 12A
12 film restriction logo
Although it doesn't or may not seem like there is a difference between 12 and 12A there is. Generally 12A is used in the cinema which means that when a child goes to the cinema they must be accompanied by an adult. However, 12 is normally used when purchasing DVD's. These rating of films allow more serious and visual images such as hangings and suicides but there will not be a huge focus on the action when it was done it will focus on before and after more. Drugs will also be exposed on the film such as misuse as it is an important message to get across and it may put children off drugs. Again the films made are to suit a range of audiences and not just 12 year olds. Horror films are also made for this age group as it is something for the younger and more scared audience. The violent scenes will also be in there but it will be gory and not to a huge extent. Weapons may also be used. As 12 year olds can still be immature topic such as bullying will not be showed or condoned as they can go out a repeat this without realising the upset it may cause. Despite this sexual activity can be included in these films as it has to be done discreetly. There are explicates used with words that some parents may not want their children to say. However, this language will only be used to emphasise the anger of a character.
12A film restriction logo
15
The film rating 15 restricts anyone under the age of 15 from seeing the movie. These films allow more severe topics and sections to be used in order to fit the target audience of their films. There is strong language and violence, sexual nudity, portrays of sexual activity and drug use along with other topics which would normally be unsuitable for the younger views. Phrases which may offend homosexuals and foreign people will be able to be used in these rated films as these are topics to which people of this age have already witnessed and been exposed to. Self harm and suicidal topics will be kept to a minimal and details should not be gone into with great detail as this behaviour can be copied by teenagers on a regular basis. Drug use can also be shown or used as a topic for the movie but it can not be encouraged or condoned in anyway as this may lead children or teenagers astray. Strong language is used within this rating but it is normally just done to emphasise anger or pain from characters emotions. They are also exposed to nudity which is only portrayed in a short manner as they don't want too much detail and focus on it as it may increase the restriction to an 18. They will also focus on genders as equal in order to prevent people thinking that one gender is more superior than another.
15 rating film restriction logo
18
There is also another film license which looks the same as the 15 age restriction but this one has the number 18. When this symbol is used it means that nobody under the age of 18 should be watching the movie. There is no theme restriction of what content is allowed in the movies as the adults can choose freely what to watch without other people's consent. There are not many restrictions of a film which are rated at an 18 as they are an adult and they can expose themselves to what they choose. Although there are not many restrictions of a film at this rating the creators may decide to cut some scenes which may lead to viewers potentially harming themselves.
R18
The last rating is R18 which is legally restricted to content. This type of film is generally sex related around the theme of adults which may seem inappropriate for younger audiences which is why it is related at the rating it is. These films can only be shown in cinemas which have the licensing to do so and the videos can only be sold in legal sex shops. These videos can only be retrieved this way things such as mailing the videos won't be allowed as anyone could get to them who may be under the legal age.
Our film will be rated certificate 15. This will be because there will be some strong language and some violence. I think this should be a 15 because the film will be exposing serious issues and it wouldn't be suitable for younger audiences. This could make children repeat or misuse the storyline. There will also be some elements of drug use.
Possible film distribution methods One way in which we could advertise and promote our film is through social media. Using sites such as Facebook and Twitter will let people know about our film as lots of young and older people use these sites. Social media will help to advertise our film as it is free and easy to use. We can set up a profile and get people involved, using images and quotes from the film and also showing the trailer to get people interested in the film. As people get to know about it and see the adverts on social media they become more likely to share the links so more and more people see it and get involved.
Facebook page, The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1
At the moment my Facebook account is full of advertisements for The Hunger Games Mockingjay Part 1. This is because i love the series and decided to like the page so that i knew when the tickets are on sale and can get involved with any competitions. Because i have liked the page it comes up on my friends page so that they know i have liked it and if they are interested can like the page as well. Another way you can advertise your film is through posters. These can be put up anywhere and are often seen on the side of buses and on bus stops. These are good places to put your poster as many people will see them as they pass the bus stop or as a buss passes them. They will then take note of the film and may research it to find out more about it. Posters are not a free way of advertising but they are noticed often.
Despicable Me 2 advert on bus stop
The Hunger Games Catching Fire Advert On Bus
A possible film distributer for our film could be e One. Entertainment one would be a good film distributer for our film as they have produced and distributed lots of crime and action films including, A Walk Among The Tombstones, A Most Wanted Man, Allies and The Perks Of Being A Wallflower.
All these films are linked to crime and some, The Perks Of Being A Wallflower, also include drug use and mental illness. Many of these films also have the same age range as we have for our film, age 15. With many popular films including Twilight, The Perks Of Being A Wallflower, Divergent, The Hunger Games distributed through entertainment one. These films also have big name celebrities including, Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Shailene Woodley, Theo James, Logan Lerman and Emma Watson.
This film distributer is also based in the UK so would be a good distributer to use as our film will be produced and distributed in the UK.
Trade on the Industry’s Best Relationships. Entertainment One Films UK serves as one of the premier names in independent film distribution. The organisation has grown to hold one of the country’s largest libraries of titles and boasts outstanding relationships with the country’s most esteemed industry partners. (copied from the website)
Entertainment one would also be a good film distributor to use as due to its location in the UK, it will not cost as much to distribute our film to the UK audience, saving us money.
Research into similar films: One film similar to the film we want to produce is Pulp Fiction. This is similar to our film as there is violence in the film. This links with ours as one of our characters is badly beaten and ends up in the hospital.
Plot summery
Hit-men Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield work for the powerful mobster Marsellus Wallace. Vincent has lived in Amsterdam for three years and is assigned with Jules to retrieve a suitcase that belongs to their boss. There is a shootout but Vincent and Jules do not die. Jules believes that God's hand has interfered in the bullets and he decides to redeem himself from his life of a gangster. Vincent is assigned by Marsellus to go out with his wife Mia while he is traveling and he is scared when she has an OD. Marsellus pays the boxer Butch Coolidge to lose his fight on the fifth round, but Butch wins the fight. He flees from Marsellus and his gangsters but his girlfriend Fabienne forgets to bring his golden watch that has been in his family for many generations. Butch returns to his apartment and he faces Vincent first and Marsellus later. But an incident with sadistic perverts brings Marsellus and Butch side by side.
Use of violence on weapons
Props such as weapons are also used in this film, this shows that the film i violence based and of a criminal nature. We would like to incorporate the use of weapons into our film, for example a glass bottle or knuckle duster, to be used when one of the characters is attacked and badly hurt.
Heroin bought in Pulp-Fiction
In Pulp Fiction a character accepts a large sum of money from a mobster in a cocktail lounge. This is similar to our film as one character receives a bag, which could be assumed to be money, from an unknown character in an ordinary cafe. This then links in with a character seen buying high grade heroin, this coincides with our film as in the bag that Lewis receives is high class drugs. Pulp Fiction Trailer
Unlike thriller films, crime thrillers offer a much more serious aspect, which is often established through iconographies such as drugs, weapons and violence. Crime thrillers notoriously have the effect to keep the audience on the edges of their seats, as they often establish an enigmatic theme, by constantly with drawing information from the viewer, resulting in suspense and tension being at a constant peak often throughout the film, until the very end, where the pieces of the puzzle are fitted together and all is solved. Unlike thriller films, often crime thrillers resolve, rarely leaving the opportunity to a sequel. An example of a popular crime thriller where similar iconographies are used is in Quentin Tarantino's pulp fiction, where a heavy use of drugs and violence involving lethal weapons is shown.
Often, crime thrillers are set in desolate, isolated, or hostile places. For example, 'Sin City' which is located in a dangerous city area. Also, as Sin City uniquely demonstrates, crime thrillers often feature very low lighting, creating a low key, almost apathetic mood to the film, adding desired suspension and an element of danger and fear to the film, or specifically desired scenes. In fact, Sin City often only shows black and white creating a monochrome effect. With the basic lighting throughout the film, the only bright colour which is often shown is red in this particular film. As the colour red represents danger, specific characters or scenes are associated with this colour to warn the audience of their violent or dangerous personality, or that something bad is about to happen. Furthermore, shadows are used in crime thrillers which have a very effective impact, just like the low key lighting does, by setting the enigmatic atmosphere which unnerves the audience.
The use of the colour red in Sin City
The tension which is created through these conventions is also enhanced and accentuated by the tense music which is conventionally featured in crime thrillers. The suspended, chromatic music creates large amounts of tension, making the audience feel as though something is about the happen, until the music crescendos and peaks, just at the climax of the scene. Often, the music will enhance it's pace and become more energetic during an action scene, for example a fight.
Also, crime thriller films use fast cuts, especially in scenes of fast paced action, to give the impression to the audience that the movements are fast flowing and energetic, which goes hand in hand with the fast paced, energetic music. The fast paced cuts also contribute to the verisimilitude of the film, as the characters can appear to be exchanging realistic powerful and fast blows to each other, for example in a fight scene.
One highly distinctive feature of crime thrillers, is the on going struggle between the protagonist character and the antagonist character, when there is a disruption in the equilibrium, and everything which seems to be good is knocked on its head. Following the interruption which results in the disequilibrium, a number of sequenced knock on events take place, which add suspension and tension to the film as it progresses, leaving the audience on the edge of their seats, striving to find out if the protagonist will succeed in restoring justice, or if the antagonist will destroy the protagonist's aims and destroy any aspect of justice which was trying to be served. This forms the rough main structure of the narrative. A crime thriller film which uses this split narrative very well is Ridley Scott's 'American Gangster', where the chain of events is un rolled and revealed from both the protagonists and antagonist perspective.
Also, usually at some point in the film, the protagonist will be knocked down and brought to their knees due to some kind of downfall, revealing them in their weakest form, exposing all of their faults. After this, the protagonist either regains all of their strength and courage before bring the antagonist to justice, or the story is left open to the audiences interpretation, leaving possible head way for a sequel.
Characters - They usually use similar characters within them, a policing character that takes their career really seriously and often puts it ahead of their private life. A sidekick often female that has many good characteristics however isn't as committed and put their career equally as important as their private life. An anti-hero a character that has a career in policing however lacks traditional heroic qualities such as courage and idealism, they are often less confident and appear to need support with many things. The criminals are similar to the police/detectives e.g the main criminal has the same characteristics as the main policing character.
Race - With policing characters race is often effective in this. However in criminal characters foreign characters and African-English characters are often used. They are often in similar groups for example Mexican drug smugglers. This can also be used as African-English characters can often be stereotyped as "Chavy" or criminal, because of incidents such as the riots that were instigated by a black group.
Sunday, 2 November 2014
The genre of the film we have decided to make is a crime film. These usually focus either on the criminal or on the police investigation. These films are often based around sinister actions of the criminal e.g. murder. These films can also be categorised as film noir or detective-mystery due to underlying similarities between these genres. Some sub genres connected to crime films include: crime comedies, crime thrillers, film noir, heist films, hood films, legal dramas, mob films, mystery films and prison films. Many different images can be used to present to the audience that the film is a crime film. Using props such as guns, knifes and other weapons usually show a film to be of criminal nature. When you think of a crime film you often think of run down areas showing the characters to be ruff and in bad condition. You also think of prison and police officers. These are all common images you associate with the crime genre. We often associate different cultures, races and ethnicity's with crime films as we stereotype people into society. We look at people and the clothes they are wearing and decide, their a gangster their a chav etc . . .We assume these people will commit crimes so use the stereotype in our films to fit with peoples assumptions. Many crime films revolve around either the crime or the police investigation and court case. When they are about the investigation we might see the crime committed but we may not know who did it, so we go through the investigation to find out who committed the crime. If they are to do with the crime we might begin before the crime, training for it and organising it. We might then see the crime and part of the investigation. Many crime films are usually set in built up cities so you have an idea of ordinary life but then the secret world of a criminal, meeting up in run down bars or someones flat. This shows the reality of the film as many of the themes running through the film can occur on a daily basis and you don't know about it. It also keeps it running as the criminal has to be on their guard to make sure no one finds out about the crime. Some themes involved in a crime film is the debate between a characters innocence and guilt. The death of a loved one, the crime in the film and an escape attempt from prison.
