Opening credits

SAW VI  (Mrs Leconte)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uppd-6DM4fQ

In the opening scene of saw 6, they show the rusted mechanism working. The main character in the film which is "jigsaw" makes his own traps, and how the mechanism works. The shot then zooms out of a key hole opening a door and shows the film production company's logo "Lionsgate". The font of the writing looks dull and brownish colour but the background looks like red clouds, this can indicate to fire and hell.

The screen fades into black and then fades into "twisted pictures" which gets barbed wires weaving through it and then a spike going thorugh the wires then tightening them. The wires look very disturbing and look like it has a little bit of red on it, which can mean it has blood. After the wires go the letters all has marks on them which can indicate to scars on a humans body. The sounds of the wires are very screeching and disturbing. The scars of on the letters and the fiery background on "lionsgate" can give an idea to the audience the genre of the movie. When the spike lets go of the wires a sudden flash happened and we get the sound of the thunder. Thunder is mostly used in horror movies and people usually get scared of thunder. In horror or thriller movies they use it to show the murderer's face in a sudden flash to give the audience suspense and fear, its also most commonly used when something bad is about to happen.

The screen then starts to show someone with a trap on her head and a insect crawling on her arm. Insects are most commonly things that people dislike and in horror/thriller movies they are irritating. The scene shows the girl and writing of the producers again with a disturbing violin playing with a very high tone. At the end of all the action it shows the girl and zooms out of her face slowly then shows another quick flash of her and suddenly cuts straight to the title with the echo of her scream. 

 The title is metallic and has blood on it, the audience gets disturbed of the film already and looking at the action happening at the opening scene they can guess the genre.

Narrative Theory

Narrative Conventions ( Mrs Leconite)

Narrative conventions are:

• Genre
• Character
• Form
• Time

Vladimir Propp is a Russian critic. By breaking down a large number of Russian folk tales into their smallest narrative units. By analysing types of characters and kinds of action, Propp was able to arrive at the conclusion that there were thirty-one generic narratives in the Russian folk tale.

Characters that perform a function

• The hero that seeks something
• The villain who opposes or actively blocks the hero's quest
• The donor who provides an object with magical properties
• The dispatcher who sends the hero on the quest with a message
• The false hero who disrupts the hero's success by making false claims
• The helper who aids the hero
• The princess act's as the reward for the hero and the object of the villains plot
• The father who rewards the hero for his success

1. A member of a family leaves home (the hero is introduced);
2. An interdiction is addressed to the hero ('don't go there', 'go to this place');
3. The interdiction is violated (villain enters the tale);
4. The villain makes an attempt at reconnaissance (either villain tries to find the children/jewels etc; or intended victim questions the villain);
5. The villain gains information about the victim;
6. The villain attempts to deceive the victim to take possession of victim or victim's belongings (trickery; villain disguised, tries to win confidence of victim);
7. Victim taken in by deception, unwittingly helping the enemy;
8. Villain causes harm/injury to family member (by abduction, theft of magical agent, spoiling crops, plunders in other forms, causes a disappearance, expels someone, casts spell on someone, substitutes child etc, commits murder, imprisons/detains someone, threatens forced marriage, provides nightly torments); Alternatively, a member of family lacks something or desires something (magical potion etc);
9. Misfortune or lack is made known, (hero is dispatched, hears call for help etc/ alternative is that victimised hero is sent away, freed from imprisonment);
10. Seeker agrees to, or decides upon counter-action;
11. Hero leaves home;
12. Hero is tested, interrogated, attacked etc, preparing the way for his/her receiving magical agent or helper (donor);
13. Hero reacts to actions of future donor (withstands/fails the test, frees captive, reconciles disputants, performs service, uses adversary's powers against them);
14. Hero acquires use of a magical agent (directly transferred, located, purchased, prepared, spontaneously appears, eaten/drunk, help offered by other characters);
15. Hero is transferred, delivered or led to whereabouts of an object of the search;
16. Hero and villain join in direct combat;
17. Hero is branded (wounded/marked, receives ring or scarf);
18. Villain is defeated (killed in combat, defeated in contest, killed while asleep, banished);
19. Initial misfortune or lack is resolved (object of search distributed, spell broken, slain person revived, captive freed);
20. Hero returns;
21. Hero is pursued (pursuer tries to kill, eat, undermine the hero);
22. Hero is rescued from pursuit (obstacles delay pursuer, hero hides or is hidden, hero transforms unrecognisably, hero saved from attempt on his/her life);
23. Hero unrecognised, arrives home or in another country;
24. False hero presents unfounded claims;
25. Difficult task proposed to the hero (trial by ordeal, riddles, test of strength/endurance, other tasks);
26. Task is resolved;
27. Hero is recognised (by mark, brand, or thing given to him/her);
28. False hero or villain is exposed;
29. Hero is given a new appearance (is made whole, handsome, new garments etc);
30. Villain is punished;
31. Hero marries and ascends the throne (is rewarded/promoted).

I relate Propps theory to shrek and beauty and the beast because in beauty and the prince "Bella" is the Reward given to the hero. As for shrek "Fiona" is a reward and also the princess.

The beast and shrek are both the hero's and their helper would be the donkey for shrek and the items which are actually the servants of the house for the beast. 

The villain who is also the false hero is "king Farquaad" in shrek and in the beauty and the beast it would be "Gaston".

Trodov's theory

 Todorov proposed a basic structure for all narratives. He stated that films and programmes begin with an equilibrium, a calm period. Then agents of disruption cause disequilibrium, a period of unsettlement and disquiet. This is then followed by a renewed state of peace and harmony for the protagonists and a new equilibrium brings the chaos to an end.

I can relate Trodov's theory to harry potter series because the harry potter movies start of with everything as they should be and something happened they get a problem about Voldermort and then things get confusing and that's where the action starts.

Barthes theory

"a galaxy of signifies, not a structure of signified; it has no beginning; it is reversible; we gain access to it by several entrances, none of which can be authoritatively declared to be the main one; the codes it mobilizes extend as far as the eye can read, they are indeterminable...the systems of meaning can take over this absolutely plural text, but their number is never closed, based as it is on the infinity of language

He is basically saying that a text is like a tangled ball of threads which needs unravelling so we can separate out the colours. Once we start to unravel a text, we encounter an absolute plurality of potential meanings. We can start by looking at a narrative in one way, from one viewpoint, bringing to bear one set of previous experience, and create one meaning for that text. You can continue by unravelling the narrative from a different angle, by pulling a different thread if you like, and create an entirely different meaning. And so on. An infinite number of times. If you wanted to.

All you need to know, again, very basically, is that texts may be ´open´ (IE unravelled in a lot of different ways) or ´closed´ (there is only one obvious thread to pull on).

Barthes also decided that the threads that you pull on to try and unravel meaning are called narrative codes and that they could be categorised in the following five ways:

·         Action/proiarectic code & enigma code (IE Answers & questions)

·         Symbols & Signs

·         Points of Cultural Reference

·         Simple description/reproduction

Aristol's Theory

Reality is difficult to understand, and we struggle to construct meaning out of our everyday experience. Media texts are better organised; we need to be able to engage with them without too much effort. We have expectations of form, a foreknowledge of how that text will be constructed. Media texts can also be fictional constructs, with elements of prediction and fulfilment which are not present in reality. Basic elements of a narrative, according to Aristotle:

"...the most important is the plot, the ordering of the incidents; for tragedy is a representation, not of men, but of action and life, of happiness and unhappiness - and happiness and unhappiness are bound up with action. ...it is their characters indeed, that make men what they are, but it is by reason of their actions that they are happy or the reverse." (Poetics - Aristotle(Penguin Edition) p39-40 4th century BC )

Successful stories require actions which change the lives of the characters in the story. They also contain some sort of resolution, where that change is registered, and which creates a new equilibrium for the characters involved. Remember that narratives are not just those we encounter in fiction. Even news stories, advertisements and documentaries also have a constructed narrative which must be interpreted



Film Censorship

Film Certification (Mrs Leconite)

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI6xgWQyuEc&feature=related 

Film censorship concerns everyone that watches films. It has come part of our lives and is for protection. Its for the protection of society. Every film has a certificate that verify's what the film includes. Film certifacate is to make people aware of what they are watching and what the film would include.

Film Certification

Uc - Universal Particulalry suitable for children

U   - Universal

PG - Parental Guidence Reccomended

12 - Suitable for persons over the age of 12

15 - suitable for persons of ther age of 15

18 - suitable for persons over the age of 18

These diversions exiist for about 85 years. very few films ge banned, they get sent back to the studio or the productions to be edited or cut for the audience . Films get checked by BBCF (British broad film classification) first to classify which certifcate is more suitable.

Uc

Its unpredictable to know what a child may be upset with, because differrent children can be affected by diffrent things. However U films should be suitable for people over the age of 4. If the film has any scenes with violence, horror or threat it would finish quickly and tell the children that everything would be fine also warn them that there wrong things to do. U films are the type of films that make it clear to kids what is wrong and what is right.

Theme /Topics - Films and subject that is generally suitable for younger audience probably educational.

Language -  There should be very little mild language used.

Nudity - There can be occasional glimpses of people who have no clothes on, but not lined to any sexual content.

Sex and relationships - Only mild references such as making love and mild behaviour (e.g. kissing) are allowed.

Violence and threat - very little violence only, little bit of threat and menace are allowed

Dangerous Behaviour - Definatly no dangerous behaviour is allowed as children influenced very easily

Weapons - There houldnt be any focus on weapons especilly the ones easy to get hold of

Horror - There shouldnt be any scary moments of monster, ghosts and witches and should be over quickly, also let the young person know that it everything will be okay.

Drugs - Drugs shouldnt be mentioned in any circumstances unless it is to teach them that drugs are dangerous.

Discrimination - there shouldnt be any language that would offend a person’s race, colour, gender, sexuality or disability, religon or beliefs unless the film or DVD teaches it to be wrong.



PG Parental Guidence

These films can be viewed by any ages but some scences can be unsuitable for young people. 

Children of any age can watch these films with or without an adult, these films should be a problem to any child above 8. However the PG lets the parents now that a content of the film can upset a sensitive child.

Theme/Topics - These films must include things to enlighten children about some truths about life such as crime, racism, bullying or violence in the home. There must be nothing which suggests these are good things.

Language - Mild bad language only.

Nudity - Some nudity is allowed, except if it includes sexuality.

Sex and Relationships - Sex can be mentioned, suggested or joked about, but only discreetly.

Violence and Threat - It can include more violence than there is used in U, but without detail. Violence which takes place in a comedy, fantasy, or historical film may be treated less strictly.

Dangerous Behaviour - There should be no fighting techniques or other harmful and dangerous activities that children might easily copy.

Weapons - There shouldnt be any weapons taking place or shown attractive in anyway. The weapons shouldnt be thing that can easily get  hold of.

Horror - Frightening scenes should not be too long or scary. Horror scenes which are part of a fantasy film may be treated less strictly.

Drugs - There shouldnt be anything about illegal drugs unless the film carries an anti-drug message.

Discrimination - There can be no language or behaviour shown that would offend a person’s religion, colour, gender, sexuality or disability, unless the film or DVD teaches it to be wrong or is presented within an educational or historical context. Discrimination by a character who is seen as a hero by the audience is also unlikely to be allowed.

12

Suitable for 12 years and over. No-one younger than the age 12 is allowed to watch an 12A film unles they have an adult that allowes them. No-one younger than 12 may rent or buy a ‘12’ rated video or DVD. Responsibility for allowing under 12s to view lies with the accompanying or supervising adult.

Theme -  Themes with mature content are alowed but the content must be suitable

Language - the use of language must be used very mild and e.g f*** must be censoerd

Nudity -  Nudity is allowed, but it mustn't contain too much detail

Sex - Sexual activity can be shown but not beyond what is suitable for them, it can be shown educational but again wihtout too much detail.

Violence -Violence shouldnt be shown with any detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood. Sexual violence may only be implied or discreetly indicated.

Imitable techniques - Dangerous techniques like suicude's or combats are less likely to be alowed. There shouldnt be any use of weapons that are easliy accessed

Horror - No irratating scences are to be alowed. Occasional gory moments only

Drugs - Use of drug shouldnt be insturctional and must be clear that is is inappropriate

Discrimination - The film or DVD as a whole must not approve of language or behavior that would offend a person’s religion, colour, gender, sexuality or disability. Aggressive use of this type of language and behavior is unacceptable unless clearly not approved of.



15

No-one younger than the age of 15 is allowed to watch a film in a cinema, buy or rent a dvd or the film.

Theme - No theme is forbidden for 15 year olds , the theme provided is appropiate.

Language - There may be frequent use of strong language; the strongest terms (eg ‘cunt’) are only rarely acceptable. Continued aggressive use of strong language and sexual abuse is unacceptable.

Nudity - There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

Sex - Sexual activity and nudity may be portrayed but without strong detail. The depiction of casual sex should be handled responsibly. There may be occasional strong verbal references to sexual behaviour.

Violence -Violence may be strong but may not dwell on the infliction of pain, and of injuries. Scenes of sexual violence must be discreet and brief.

Imitable techniques - Dangerous combat techniques such as ear claps, head-butts and blows to the neck are unlikely to be acceptable. There may be no emphasis on the use of easily accessible lethal weapons (in particular, knives).

Horror - Sustained or detailed infliction of pain or injury is unacceptable.

Drugs-Drug taking may be shown but clear instructive detail is unacceptable. The film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug use.

18

No one younger than 18 is allowed to watch an 18 video in cinemas and not alowed to buy or rent a dvd or film.

The BBFC respects the right of adults to choose their own entertainment, within the law. It will therefore expect to intervene only rarely in relation to ‘18’ rated cinema films. In the case of videos, which are more accessible to younger viewers, intervention may be more frequent.

There are no constraints at this level on theme, language, nudity or horror. The Board may, however, cut or reject the following content

Any detailed portrayal of violent or dangerous acts which is likely to promote the activity. This includes also instructive detail of illegal drug use

The more explicit images of sexual activity - unless they can be exceptionally justified by context

Sex Education at ‘18’

Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safe sex and health, exceptions to the normal constraints on explicit images may be made in the public interest. Such explicit detail must be kept to the minimum necessary to illustrate the educational or instructional points being made.

Sex Works at ‘18’

Material which appears to be simulated is generally passed ‘18’, while images of real sex are confined to the ‘R18’ category