Film Poster Analysis- Hatchet

The film poster I have chosen to review is for the Slasher film Hatchet. After the Slasher genre saw a large decrease in popularity in the early 80s Hatchet was the film that would revitalize the Slasher and Horror genres entirely. Therefore the poster for the film needed to display and offer the audience enough enticement to encourage them to see the film. The institution that produced this poster included various denotations and connotations to do so, for example, the inclusion of the 'Slashing into cinemas October 5th' not only informs the audience of the release date, but also gives them a suggestion of the genre, which, for fans at the time, as Slasher films were few and far between at the time of release.
The institution also included various positive reviews about the film, to again entice their audience into watching the film, the reviewers names are also included to provide validation and also add positive connotations when regarding the new film. Furthermore, including such reviews as 'The NEXT ICON of Horror' and 'An NEW and UNEXPECTED BENCHMARK in Horror' presents to the audience, just how acclaimed the film is, and how it compares to other horror classics, again, to persuade the viewer that if they are fans of horror movies, that this is not only a good horror film, but it also injects some new ideas into the arguably withering genre.
The poster itself creates connotations in the audience's minds which evoke certain images in their minds, for example, the orange/red tinge of the poster, provoke thoughts associated blood. Not only are there colours associated with blood there is an axe in the right hand corner splattered with blood. As the media institution are trying to achieve the perfect horror setting in the poster, to best match the common stereotype horror setting, the poster itself has been set in a unnerving swamp, which, when the tag line 'Stay out of the swamp' are placed just beneath the centre creates tension and mystery when concerning the swamp in question. Even more concerning, is the fact that just above the tag line are two men in a boat. Such a technique is used to inspire excitement and anticipation in the audience, causing them to wonder what could happen in the film, as it progresses.
In conclusion, I feel that the film poster for Hatchet establishes a solid foothold in their audiences minds and interests, I feel the media text successfully introduces itself into the highly competitive Horror genre.
 

Analysis of 3 Opening Sequences

 Zombieland

The first opening sequence I have chosen to analyze is from the film Zombieland. The opening shot is of an overturned car, presumably from an embassy, or somewhere representing the USA, judging by the waving American flag.

The camera zooms out on the car, revealing others burning around it, suggesting chaos and disorder, the camera then tilts to and establishing shot, showing the White House, and the shaky camera control and bad quality suggests handheld camera, adding to the somewhat odd effect of the sequence. A roar is heard and the camera pans round quickly, to a low shot, looking up on a zombie, clambering over the upturned car, and chasing the camera man, a tracking shot follows the zombie in question, adding an adrenaline rush to the audience, before he leaps onto the person filming and devours them. The camera then zooms out, to an establishing shot of planet Earth in disarray, accompanied by the narrator's voice over, explaining how Earth fell into such a state.
The narrator then explains his set of 'rules' when regarding a zombie apocalypse. This sightly comedic approach to the end of the world sets the tone for the rest of the film. This is then followed by an establishing shot of a football ground and then descending into a tracking shot of a chase between a man and a zombie. Followed by the narrators first rule. This continues through the next rules.

Jackass 3D

The Jackass films have developed a reputation for their introductions, most commonly containing some variation of a ridiculous stunts, therefore, even for those who aren't familiar with the series, the Warning at the beginning of the film lets the audience see a glimpse of what to expect, this builds tension and anticipation for the upcoming carnage.

The opening mid-long shot is of a plain white background, heavenly music is playing, a door reveals the entire cast walking on screen in various ridiculous costumes. This again presents the audience with a taste of the eccentric nature of the film, the cast form a line, and the names of each cast member appear beside them. The camera switches out to an establishing shot of the entire stage, the camera alternates again to a mid shot of 'Johnny Knoxville' as he delivers his well known lines 'Hi, I'm Johnny Knoxville, and welcome to Jackass'. This almost trademark phrase is included mainly for the fans returning to the series, as it adds a slight nostalgic feel of the first film to the new installment.
The scene continues to each character's own small segment of mayhem. While being hilarious in the creative ways the stunts are performed the director evidently chose this introduction to have the audience laughing from the start.The music also changes to a heavy rock song, contrasting the peaceful aura we saw early on in the clip.

Trainspotting

 The introduction to Danny Boyle's 'Trainspotting' features our protagonist sprinting down a street, the camera staying at a mid shot but alternating between the protagonist's face, and his feet. The speech included also adds importance to the scene, as the clip progresses 'Renton' the protagonist mentions all the things you could have in a normal life, causing the audience to consider what life he possess. After we are introduced to Renton, we see a mid shot of him smoking a cigarette in a dingy flat, that is evidently neglected and not cared for. The mid shot switches to a long shot, where we see Renton start to fall.     

                     

We are then transported to a football game between the other characters 'Begbie', 'Sick Boy', 'Spud' and 'Tommy' and another football team, from this game we find out a little more about each of the characters, for example, Spud, playing Goalkeeper, tries to save a ball but does not succeed, which is then proceeded by various insults from his teammates, this could suggest Spud is the child of the group, who is somewhat bullied amongst the friends.
A free kick is conceded and Begbie, Tommy, Sick Boy and Renton line up in a human wall. The ball is kicked and the camera switches to a close up of Renton's face as he is hit by the ball, square in the forehead. As he begins to fall the camera again switches to him in the dingy apartment beginning to fall, mirroring the football scene. The camera switches between mid long shots of both these scenes, until Renton finally hits the floor, of the dingy apartment.
 The camera stays on a close up of the side of Renton's head and it begins to pan around his body, while it is in a state of ecstasy.
As the camera pans it zooms out, we notice a belt strapped around his arm, as the camera pans, until the whole body is visible, and we hear Renton utter the words; 'Who needs reasons when you've got heroin?'

Each scene differs from the other, due to factors such as; genres, directors and the plot lines of the films in general, for example, the introduction to Trainspotting takes it's time showing the audience the characters and their mannerisms, whereas the introduction of Jackass 3D is purely to show the audience the kind of stunts they will perform, and remind them of the bizarre nature of the film series.

Media Lesson Write Up

Throughout the course of todays media lesson we learned the basics about filming, how to zoom, focus and change brightness on a semi-professional camera, the Sony NX5.

Jason showed us the basics of how to set up the tri-pod and camera itself. We learned how to 'bubble' the camera, making sure it's level for filming perfectly straight. We then learned how to fasten the camera and tri-pod to give a steady base to film on. After a brief introduction to the camera, Jason let us turn on and figure out our bearings with a camera in groups of 4. He asked us to try and focus, zoom and change the brightness of the cameras, while explaining that the 'stripes' or 'zebras' were to let us know the brightest point of an object.
After figuring out the basics, we were then taught how to 'teach' the camera what white was in the brightness of the room, we did so by showing the camera a white surface and pressing the 'Auto White' button. With these basic skills we learned a few simple steps in being able to navigate a camera correctly, which in turn will help us greatly in our coursework, and being able to film our thrillers.

How is Tension Created in Through the Eye

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zpAAK68cMuA
Throughout the media thriller introduction- 'Through the Eye', the director uses different techniques used to not only gain and hold the audience's attention but to also evoke tension into the minds and sub conscious of the audience.This piece included a panoramic view of an entire CCTV room, the audience follows with the slow camera, revealing the build up of an assault or murder. The slow movement of the room creates tension in the audience; making them impatient to know what happens next that the guard does not see.

However, while the use of camera techniques can build tension rapidly, the use of  high pitch yet subtle music in the piece also greatly assists the way the audience feel about the situation that the clip is exposing us too, the slow build of the powerful music naturally raises the emotions in the audience. However the audience also have a suspicion something bad will happen, due to the re-occurrence of the man in the red jacket. This re-occurrence is only noticed by the audience, as the guard is not paying attention, this not only makes the audience tense, but also frustrated with the guard, as he has turned his back not only on his duty but on the safety of the public. The director has deliberately positioned the guard to make him appear lazy, therefore making the audience tense as they want him to turn around and notice the crime being committed.

The two criminals are both purposely wearing red as the connotations associated with the colour red, suggests danger and alarm. Red is also a bright colour, therefore attracting the audience's attention. This makes it easier for the audience to follow the two characters in the selection of CCTV cameras. Whereas everyone else are dressed in bland colours, making the two men stand out.

In conclusion, this thriller introduction has successfully used certain techniques to create a level of tension within the audience's conscious, that creates anticipation to know what happens next. By combining the use of colour, music and the positions of the characters, the director has fully achieved the necessary objective to create a tension building introduction.  

Favourite Film Reveiw- A Nightmare On Elm Street

Sleep. The safest, most secure realm the human mind can enter, where whatever happens the dreamer will wake, safe, and unharmed. Unless they live on Elm Street. In 1984, director Wes Craven created  a monster, one that would hunt you, torment you, ruin you, whenever you drifted into sleep. Challenging a once safe and untouched escape for the mind. This monster was Freddy Krueger. Driven to his death by an angry mob, Freddy was burnt alive, only to return as a spirit that haunts his victims dreams, and eventually exacts his fatal revenge. Wielding his iconic 'finger knives' Freddy creates brutal and imaginative ways to murder his victims.
As a fan of the horror genre, Nightmare On Elm Street quickly caught and maintained my attention with a talented cast, including, Johnny Depp, Robert Englund and Heather Langenkamp,  the terror and sheer helplessness of the teens situations was portrayed very well, while each character was relatable in each of their situations, and a natural reaction was to root for them to beat Kruger, it was interesting and somewhat exciting to watch each death unfold, as the ways in which Kruger kills his victims is not only interesting but vastly entertaining (Johnny Depp's death in mind).

Although I do not what to reveal too much about the film for anyone who
hasn't watched it, I can recommend it relentlessly, especially if you are already a fan of the horror genre and even if you aren't, the expertly acted, exquisitely produced, while retaining a certain amount of charm, A Nightmare On Elm Street, is not only one of the best horror films ever made but also definitely in competition with my favorite film.