Representation of sexuality hw

Shots

The very first shot was a two shot of both women, this immediately suggests a relationship between the two, however as it is at the very beginning of the clip the audience cant decode a particular relationship just yet, however according to the mise-en-scene of this shot their distance is rather intimate, therefore this represents a physical involvement with one another, which moments later it is revealed that one woman loves the other.

There is a medium close up shot of which one woman has her hands placed on another woman's shoulders so loosely, almost lingering afraid to let go. This shot represents her longing for the other which represents her sexuality as a lesbians, also in addition to this the intimate distance has became even closer, enforcing a more obvious way than before, her physical involvement with the woman standing in front of her.  (00:15)

A steadicam shot is used which creates a smooth movement as the camera moves around the woman who the audience has decoded as a lesbian. This creates continuity and displays the area in which this woman is, showing the library she sits in and also her facial expressions as the voice over reads like a mind track.  

There is a master shot in which one woman is reaching over for the other this represents her to be longing for the other woman once again as the other woman is sleeping, its as if she knows what she is doing is considered wrong (especially in the time that this clip seems set), which represents her sexuality is one which isn't accepted by the general public at this time, this enforcing the idea that she is gay. (00:54)

A zoom is used, which highlights how significant the action of her pretending to run her hand over the other woman's body is. This shot represents that she is in fact lesbian as it shows us exactly what she wants, even more so prior to this shot when we can see her eyes tightly screwed shut which tells us makes it look as if she is imagining what would really happen, like imagining if she was touching her. (1:13)

The hand is also put in focus as opposed to her face or anything else surrounding the image, this represents to the audience that this is all she thinks about (touching the woman) and that possibly it is all that makes sense to her as it is the only thing within the shot that is clear.

A master shot is used which shows the 3 main characters, and signals to the audience that this is a significant area and something dramatic is about to happen, also through this shot we can see the placement of the characters, the man seems to be standing in between the two women as the lesbian stares at her, this represents that he is going to be a disruption and get between these two women.

A tracking shot is used when the man walks over to the lesbian, this highlights his importance at this moment in time, the sound that accompanies this shot suggests that he is negative within this clip as the music only changed when he became influenced in this clip.

Another medium close up shot is used when the boy is holding up the lesbians chin after she has agreed to marry him, despite the fact he seems knowledgeable to the fact that she is a homosexual. This shot represents the boys sexuality to be straight as he seems to want to kiss the woman even though he knows that she is not into him, this then leads on to the audience decoding that he doesn't particularly care for her feelings (despite their new call to get married), but he is in fact more interested in the kissing rather than who he is kissing, this is enforced more so when he threatens to tell the sleeping woman about the lesbians love for her if she doesn't marry him. (3:51)

A medium close up shot shows the man licking the lesbians hand and when it shifts to a medium close up shot of her face, you can see she is uncomfortable. However due to the initial shot which I have mentioned this represents him to have a sexual desire for this woman, and due to it being a woman and him a man, he is represented to be heterosexual. (4:19)

Sound

At the very beginning the lesbian narrates the moment saying 'she looked so beautiful', this shows that she is thinking this and hasn't said it aloud, which represents that she is scared to spread her feelings. The genre of this clip seems to be period drama, from this it is learnt that homosexuality wasn't accepted in that era, which gives the audience understand for why this was only thought, but because the audience was meant to hear this we can connote that she is in fact gay.

There is non diegetic sound which is mood music, it is soft orchestra music which is used whilst she is narrating her love for the other woman and when she is running her hand over the aura of her body, this represents her lesbian nature to not just be of lust despite her action but of sweet, innocent love. The music forces the audience to feel sympathetic for her because she cant say how she feels.

There is synchronous sound of the mans panting as he undoes the lesbians glove before he is about to lick her hand which illustrates his need and represents him to be straight as he seems he is quite desperate to feel her. There is no other sound apart from when he is smoothing down her clothes, the lack of other sound emphasizes what is happening at this very time which is a straight man knowingly coming onto a gay woman, which represents his sexuality to be quite forceful an desperate despite the evident which he knows.

Editing

This clip uses a lot of fades which produces continuity but also represents the fastness of time that she feels, which revealed later is leading to her marriage, these fades represent how everything is going so quickly and before she knows it this secret life she leads of longing for another woman will be taken away from her.

There are also cuts used when the lesbian is looking at the sleeping woman, this editing simply portrays what the lesbian is looking at, however this enforces the sexuality of being gay, showing that she focused on her, the constant cuts show that she is always looking at her. Another example of this is when the woman is undressing and then it cuts to the lesbian and you can see her looking in that direction, the audience then decodes that she is watching her, again longing for her.

Mise-en-scene

It could be suggested that the sexual orientation of both women is in fact lesbian as they sleep in the same bed together and at the end of the slip the woman is undressing in the same room as the definite lesbian, the only reason the audience is denied of this suggestion is because the lesbians speech is in narration as she explains her feelings for her which suggests her feelings are a secret and also the lesbian only pretends to touch when she is sleeping, or looks at her in a longing manner whilst she is sleeping, thus so it isn't obvious. On top of this the man warns to tell the sleeping woman of the lesbian undeniable feelings which enforces the idea that she doesn't know, so the audience decodes the idea that the other woman is represented to be straight.

Initially, the audience doesn't see that the lesbian hasn't been painting the woman but because of the way that she is staring at her the audience is lead to decode the idea that the lesbian is painting the woman (even though this isn't the case). This represents the lesbian to admire her beauty so much that she wants to capture it, this represents another longing and more so a physical attraction to the woman that sleeps in front of her.

There is no differing costume between the two women which suggests there is no difference between the two women and due to the other woman being openly straight and the lesbian keeping her sexuality hidden, this represents the lesbian to be ashamed of her feelings and doesn't want to draw attention to herself and have people finding out about her sexuality as a result. Her costume defies the stereotypes paired with her homosexuality however it must be taken into consideration that this is a period drama and in those times there wasn't many people who were openly gay so the stereotypes weren't as strong.

Hotel Babylon homework

Shots
The first shot shown is a long shot which shows a black man in a suit working, waiting on white people who are relaxing in what I am assume to be a spa or resort. This represents their to be a difference in hierarchy within ethnicity in this clip, the white people are above the black people and the black people are there to work for the white people.

An over the shoulder shot is then shown when a black man gets out of the pool and this juxtaposes the situation already, the working black man is shown to be startled by a fellow black man relaing in this predominantly white setting. In this shot we can see the difference in the two black men, the one that has just got out of the pool has tattoos and dread locks, a stereotypical image of how black people are represented, therefore the suited black man juxtaposes and denies this stereotype. The fact that the 2 black people seem to know each other assumes that everyone within this ethnic background knows each other and they live with in a tight circle with each other. The audience is informed the two know each other through the use of their conversation when they refer back to old times. The word 'ganja' is used which is Jamaican term which suggests that both men are from a Jamaican ethnic background, it also represents a stereotype on black people to be living in a rough way and involved in drug culture. (00:20)

There is a reverse over the shoulder shot of the 2 french cleaners stripping for the Chinese man, prior to this there is a close up shot of the money on the table, there is an instant link between these shots and realize the french women have been represented to be desperate for money. This action is also represented to be okay and normal as the older maid seems as if she is used to this, however the young maid seems unsure about the action. A master shot shows the older maid to be walking to the door to shut it, whilst the other maid is standing twiddling her fingers, representing her to be feeling awkward with the situation. The Chinese man turns on music as if he is used to this situation also. The older french maid encourages the younger maid, a close up of the younger maids face is used, showing her to be awkward once again. This juxtaposes against the initial stereotyped represented at the beginning of the scene. (1:25)

Sound
The accents in this clip are very important as they represent the different ethnicity's, both black men juxtapose against each other as the black man in a suit speaks in a posh accent which is against his stereotype, however the other black man speaks in a less posh accent and uses colloquial words such as 'blood' which is the representation of a black person conforming to their stereotype.

Editing
Cuts are mainly used in this clip to maintain continuity. The editing between the shot reverse shots allows us to see the opposites of the two black men and the one which conforms to his stereotype (Tel) and the one who denies his stereotype (Ben), the editing allows us to see a visual difference, Tel has dreadlocks whereas Ben has a short smart haircut prepared for work. However this editing also allows the audience to see a similarity of an earring which suggests that everyone of a black race is stereotyped to have this as within this clip these 2 men are representing the black community.

Eye line matches are also used within this clip, a key one I noticed is when the white female is looking down on the italian chef, although this is not meant in a racist way, this represents white people to be the dominant ethnicity over any other.

Mise-en-scene
The money on the bed when the chinese man is paying for the women to strip represents chinese men to be quite rich in that region, the women who accept the offer to strip for money represents that they are desperate and suggest that perhaps they come from a poor background in France. Also, the chef in the kitchen is italian which conforms to the stereotype that all italians are good cooks as when people think of italy they think of food.

Section B Homework

"Successful media products depend as much on marketing and distribution to a specific audience as they do upon good production practices" To what extent do you agree with this statement within the film area. You may make reference to other areas in your answer:

• Film
• Music
• Newspapers
• Radio
• Magazines 
• Video Games 

When creating a film the producers are aware of the target audience so when it comes to the marketing and distribution of a film, the producers must appeal to converge their film in other areas of the media to make the film successful when it is released. This results also in bigger profits also as the media product is now subjected to different media areas. So I agree with this statement as with a specific audience is as important as 

Disney is a prime example of a film company that has made a lot of money through many media products, not just limiting itself to film. Disney's target audience is children so not only through the context of their film do they specify their company to target children, but through alternate media products. 

One alternate media product Disney use is soundtracks, most Disney films contains songs and these songs are formulated into cds where they are then sold of separate to the film. Frozen is Disney's most recent film which is still being shown in cinema, however the CD has already been released. The Frozen soundtrack has already sold over 86000 copies. When topping the charts, this soundtrack not only boosts profits for the production companies, but it alerts more of the general public to what is showing in the cinema and boosts the film sales in the cinema and when on DVD as albums can be viewed both physically in person or via the internet (itunes). Also, the tracks can be mentioned via radios if it chart tops, therefore advertising the film simultaneously, this markets the film more so. Disney also use media products such as video games, toys, costumes etc. 

Disney has evolved from just using cartoon characters and has used humans, for example, Pirates of the Caribbean. Pirates of the Caribbean cast Johnny Depp, a well known actor by all, as the main character. In this film Johnny Depp was used as a unique selling point and a key factor in the marketing sector as he expanded the target audience as adults who like him were persuaded to watch the film due to the fact that he was in it. This increased the profits. The production budget for this film was $125,000,000. The film grossed an income of $654,264,015. This means the film had a profit of $529,264,015. All statistics have been gathered from the-numbers website. 

Disney is a production company that spends a lot of money to make a lot of money, however not all films have to do this. Haxan films was the production company for The Blair Witch Project which has a budget of $60,000. The Blair Witch Project grossed with $140,539,099, therefore this film profited with $140,579,099. (All statistics have been collected off of imdb.com). In comparison to Disney, Haxan films is a very small production company and the profit of The Blair With Project was very surprising, especially due to the fact that Haxam films didn't have the opportunity to converge with as many products, especially with such a low budget.  The marketing for this film was very little in contrast to Disney, therefore they benefited through the quality of production practice. Disney benefit more so from their marketing and distribution to a specific audience. 

However, Haxan films would of profited more with the use of marketing and distribution however it was hard to target to a specific audience as it as not as specific as those who watch Disney. Overall, I think quality of production practice is important and helps create an income for the film, but I think without the marketing and distribution to a specific audience it is unlikely you will have as big a profit. I believe in the term "you have to spend money to make money", therefore you are most likely granted to profit more money if you start of with a large budget. 

Section B Practice

To what extent does digital distribution affect the marketing and consumption of media products in the media are you have studied? Candidates must focus on the following media areas: Film.

Digital distribution is the marketing, logistics and licensing of a film via the internet. This is said to be a lot quicker and a lot cheaper.

The consumption of film via DVD is now a lot quicker as films are screened in cinemas for shorter periods of time due to the bettering of logistics. This means that the film is sent to cinemas a lot quicker, this is because of the files being sent by a secure, locked email as opposed to be film tape being delivered. This is also a lot cheaper as the distributors save money on film tape as it is just done electronically now. So as said, The consumption of film via DVD is now a lot quicker.

Digital distribution betters the marketing of film as trailers of the upcoming film can be streamed via internet websites such as YouTube or on the television, this broadens the amount of people who see the trailer and the expands the amount who want to see it. Also, by doing this the more people who see it, the more people will use 'word of mouth' publicizing, as they will talk about it to their friends and then they may research the trailer. This increases the amount of those who consume the film, however is a form of of marketing.

Digital distribution can also air interviews held with actors and director of the movie, which also markets the film. The PR tour can be taped, uploaded to the internet and spread globally, this can create more of a buzz of the film and therefore promote it as due to the actors being in the film, a person may want to see the film based on that fact alone.

Lastly, digital distribution can market a film globally in a cheaper, more economic way. As opposed to shipping film tape all around the World, costing the companies more money, as I have said the film file can be sent to a screening via a locked file. However a negative point of digital distribution is the fact that somehow these files are able to be unlocked and hacked and the film can be uploaded illegally and watched online, this reducing the films companies profits and reducing the films hits in the box office.

Also since films have been consumed on DVDs, it is not easy to copy a film onto your computer and illegally upload it, again decreasing the films sales and hits in the ratings departments.

Harry Brown

• Harry Brown was released in 2009 
• The classification is rated R, a UK 18
• The companies responsible for making it were:

1. Marv Films
2. UK Film Council
3. HanWay Films
4. Prescience Film Fund
5. Framestore
6. Prescience

• The production companies were Lionsgate and Samuel Goldwyn films.
• The budget of this film was $7,300,000
• The film grossed $10,329,747
• This film profited $3,029,247

Brief Synopsis: 

This film is about gang crime and violence on an estate that was once peaceful and a nice area to live in, the film follows Harry Brown who wants revenge as his friend is murdered on the estate in a subway with his very own weapon. Harry sets out to find the killer and his military background and knowledge benefits him even though he is old. He does this because the police claim there is not enough evidence to put the person who killed his best friend in prison, which angers him. Eventually Harry Brown finds the killer and kills him and the film ends with Harry walking through the same subway in which his friend was killed. This tells the audience that because of Harry Brown the estate is now safe. 

How the story is told: 

The story is told in a way that Harry Browns actions are justified as the gang are shown to be drug takers, violent (when they kill his best friend especially) and they also constantly use foul language. Also they are shown on an estate that used to be calm so are represented to be disturbing the peace. The creators of this film wanted the audience to dislike the gang, so when Harry went to find and kill the killer, he was seen as a hero despite his actions.

All statistics and initial information: imdb.com

We watched part of the film again in class and discussed certain things. This film was filmed very precisely and thought out carefully, for example:

• The beginning of the film was shot on a hand held camera to express realism, and to defy the stereotypes that all of Britain is posh, as with the hand held it seems like an account, and the audience watches as the gang shoots at people. 

• In the interviewing scene, every person being interviewed was wearing a hoodie, a stereotype of youth gang culture. This represented them to be harmful and disrupting, as all of them are being questioned on the murder of Harry Browns friend. 
• The film shoots Harry Brown carrying out normal day tasks at the beginning which shows that he is just a normal person. The shots also show him cleaning up, this foreshadows the film as it is a representation of him cleaning the estate up when he plans to take out the gang. 
• The way the film is filmed keeps the image of it very naturalistic and provides a sense of realism, an example of this is the lighting when Harry is in his flat watching someone get beat up outside, the lighting is dim rather than bright highlighting everything. It makes you feel as if the film is real. 

• To me, this film focuses on the idea of realism, they want to show a side of London which isn't often seen. This is shown in various ways just through the first part. For example, when the police officers are passing across a block, graffiti is covered on the walls, which is found a lot in urban areas, but people from other regions may not think of London this way. 
• The titles have purposely been put in a small font, this shows that these are just ordinary people and there is nothing special about any of them. The titles are also put in a line which shows that everything has its place, also it shows theoretical equality and this foreshadows because Harry commits the exact same crime, however the audience does not feel sorry for the gang and support Harry.
• When in the interviewing scene, the solicitor and the gang member are shot to be far apart. This is quite amusing because although the solicitor is under obligation to support the gang member, they are very different and don't wish to be associated together. It is a juxtaposition by putting these 2 next to each other, because the solicitor is in a suit being formal and proper whereas the gang member is in a tracksuit and hoodie. By putting these to next to each other it shows the opposites of people in the world, good and evil.

Gender representation in the hustle

The first camera shot I am going to be talking about is when there is a high angle shot and an over the shoulder shot used at the same time. This shot shows women to be of lower relative status than men. The framing of this shot shows the man looking down at the woman and more so, the woman looking up to the man, almost in a submissive manner, this shows clear male dominance. A master shot is used when the 2 men are sat in a room smoking. This shot allows the audience to see glasses of what is connoted to be alcohol in their hand and cigarettes. In the context of this clip these 2 men are finalizing a business transition which is stereotypically a male trait as men are believed to be the breadwinner and women as an expressive, caring role. Juxtaposing against this part of the clip and backing up my point, the shot before this is a medium shot of a a woman trying on a dress, admiring herself in the mirror. The dress is slightly revealing and classed to be sexy, a stereotypical trait women are meant to be or aspire to. The tilt shot used which highlights her body emphasizes this point. 

With editing, I noticed the eye line matches between the shop assistant and the women who couldn't afford the dress. Due to height differences the man is looking down on him, however this has been done purposely to show a matter of hierarchy, and this consists of men being above women and looking down on them as if they are below them. As the woman meets his eyes by looking up she seems dependent on him and due to the context we know she wants him to lower price, this represents the feminine gender to be dependent against those of a masculine gender which is what the media often stereotype. This clip uses a wipe transition however this does not represent gender, this simply provides continuity within the clip. The wipe moves from one situation to another and it is very noticeable but it works very well. 

Dialogue is used and the male shop assistant has a controversial feminine voice, this shows him as partially feminine. This is then suited with his profession, in retail, which is often associated as a preferred hobby for those of a feminine gender, the dialogue used between the men conferring about business juxtaposes this as their voice are low which is a stereotype for masculinity. This shows a clear difference between the 2 genders. There is synchronous sound when the woman is emptying the contents of her bag onto the floor, the use of this sound allows you to hear clattering which emphasizes her hysteria that she has lost her ring. This agrees with the stereotype that feminine people are more emotional than masculine. 

Concerning Mise-en-scene most of the clip takes place in a retail shop and 2 out of 3 customers are women, and the only man that is actually a customer asks the feminine man whether he can help him buy something for his wife. This represents those of a feminine gender to be materialistic and vain , and concerned with their looks where as those who are masculine are most likely working. This setting works hand in hand with the bar where there is no men, only women. There is smoke everywhere and then men are drinking a liquid which the audience connotes for whiskey which is a stereotypical masculine drink (whereas a feminine drink would be wine). The mood of the room is very calm and laid back juxtaposing the hysteria of the retail shop as the woman has lost her ring. 

Gender is represented in a stereotypical manner in this clip and there is a clear difference set between the genders of feminine and masculine. 

British Film Industry History