T1 | Wk 4 | Friday - Character developmemt

 CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT

Task:

You're develop a fully realised protagonist including:

• Backstory (not shown in film)

• Core internal conflict

• External conflict

• Character arc

• Symbolic elements (costume, colour palette, setting)

• Representation analysis (how might audiences interpret this character?)

  
  

  Link to the following theories:

  • Propp (if applicable)

  • Levi-Strauss binary oppositions

    Claude Lévi-Strauss’s theory of binary opposition posits that narratives are driven by pairs of opposing, contrasting elements (e.g., good/evil, human/monster) that construct meaning and create conflict. These, often stereotypical, character dichotomies—such as hero vs. villain, young vs. old, or male vs. female—help define character roles and deepen the plot. 
    Key Examples of Character Binary Oppositions:
    • Good vs. Evil: Hero vs. Villain (e.g., Harry Potter vs. Voldemort, Snow White vs. the Queen).
    • Human vs. Non-Human/Supernatural: Sarah Connor vs. The Terminator.
    • Rational vs. Irrational: Logical, calm characters vs. emotional or chaotic ones.
    • Modern vs. Traditional: Characters representing new ideas vs. old customs.
    • Active vs. Passive: Dominant/strong characters vs. weak/vulnerable ones (e.g., in film posters).
    • Gender/Age Stereotypes: Male/female, young/old, or knowledgeable/ignorant. 
    Function in Narrative:
    • Conflict Generation: The tension between opposing forces drives the story.
    • Meaning Creation: Characters are defined by their relationship to their opposite (e.g., "bravery" only holds meaning when contrasted with "cowardice").
    • Structure: These opposites, often derived from myths and legends, organize the narrative. 
    While traditionally rigid, modern applications of this theory often show more complex or blended, rather than purely opposing, character roles. 

  • Hall (encoding/decoding readings)

T1 | Wk 4 | Music Video ideas for amateurs - REJOICE

 https://www.neuralframes.com/post/99-music-video-ideas

T1 | wk 4 | Wed - Drama genre conventions

 Hi guys,

In your exploration of the drama genre and how to pull it off, I'd like you to do some research.

I want you to find 3 drama film and/or short films and analyse the conventions of the genre, just like we did for the Thriller genre last year.  

Explore;

- common themes

- codes (narrative and technical) 

- conventions commonly used

- examples of successful drama films/ short film and what made them successful from an audience perspective

The closer to your idea, the better. If you are exploring themes of relationships and friendships or betrayal, look for examples similar and how they did that. 

Present your findings in a blog tool. You have until Friday to complete this. 

Here's some research help to start you off;

https://www.slideshare.net/slideshow/codes-and-conventions-of-drama-60946285/60946285

T1 | Wk 4 | Wed (due next Friday) Short film pre-production planning

This will be due NEXT WEEK FRIDAY so it will be a combination of class-work and homework.

1. By now you have decided on an idea you're going to run with (you've picked a story & a genre) 

Now;

2. Do a visual brainstorm with a few inspirational shots of what 'look and feel' you're wanting, ideas you're thinking of etc. Scan this and upload to your blog. This needs to look like a mood-board / vision- board and be very visually informing.

3. Film a PITCH for your music video (either via I-phone / camera). Upload this to your blog. (Pitch your film as though you were seeking investment for your project). (already done :))

4. Audience research - Show your pitch to 10 people and gather initial feedback on the idea. Create a blog post that outlines the main thoughts about the idea from those who watched the pitch. 

Questions to ask (along these lines)

- What genre of movie do they watch most?

- What do they expect out of your genre when watching movies or TV series? (what conventions / elements do they expect to be included)?

- Why do they watch short form content (if at all)?

- How often do they watch / consume movies / short films? 

- What is their initial thoughts of your pitch and what critique (if any) do they have of your initial idea?

5. Create a CONCEPT and TREATMENT (using template documents provided) for your choice of music video. Upload this to your blog

6. Create a blog post that highlights some ideas for locations. You will want to include the following;

- photos/ stills from music videos whose look and feel is what you're using as inspiration

- a rationale behind your creative choices for location (remember to comment on location as a huge factor of mise-en-scene, perhaps how your location will influence your lighting options (is it set outside in natural light? Are you wanting shadows and artificial light? Are you wanting a bright 'sunny' day?)

- Options for your first, second and third choices of shooting locations. Put up photos, maps and a brief description of each location as well as pros and cons for each one. What may be a foreseeable hindrance (is it a public place with lots of people in the background? Is it subject to rain / weather? Would you need permission for specific buildings?)

7. Read through the Codes and Conventions research from last week. Include these in your concept and treatment, highlight codes and conventions you are choosing to use (or thinking of using) for your music video. Think about codes and conventions of your particular genre and then include some details and pictures for what you're planning on doing for the different technical elements that would all be the codes and conventions of your product.

T1 | Wk 4 - Thurs - Fri Wk 5 - Planning for your Music Video (REJOICE)

Please watch the briefing video below and get on with your checklist for the week, it's a busy one! :)

This will be due NEXT WEEK FRIDAY so it will be a combination of class-work and homework.

1. Decide on an idea you're going to run with (pick a song  & a genre) 

2. Do a visual brainstorm with a few inspirational shots of what 'look and feel' you're wanting, ideas you're thinking of etc. Scan this and upload to your blog. This needs to look like a mood-board / vision- board and be very visually informing.

3. Film a PITCH for your music video (either via I-phone / camera). Upload this to your blog. (Pitch your film as though you were seeking investment for your project).

4. Audience research - Show your pitch to 10 people and gather initial feedback on the idea. Create a blog post that outlines the main thoughts about the idea from those who watched the pitch. 

Questions to ask (along these lines)

- What genre do they listen to most?

- What do they expect out of your genre when considering a music video for the music? (what conventions / elements do they expect to be included)?

- Why do they watch music videos (if at all)?

- How often do they watch / consume music video content? 

- What is their initial thoughts of your pitch and what critique (if any) do they have of your initial idea?

5. Create a CONCEPT and TREATMENT (using template documents provided) for your choice of music video. Upload this to your blog

6. Create a blog post that highlights some ideas for locations. You will want to include the following;

- photos/ stills from music videos whose look and feel is what you're using as inspiration

- a rationale behind your creative choices for location (remember to comment on location as a huge factor of mise-en-scene, perhaps how your location will influence your lighting options (is it set outside in natural light? Are you wanting shadows and artificial light? Are you wanting a bright 'sunny' day?)

- Options for your first, second and third choices of shooting locations. Put up photos, maps and a brief description of each location as well as pros and cons for each one. What may be a foreseeable hindrance (is it a public place with lots of people in the background? Is it subject to rain / weather? Would you need permission for specific buildings?)

7. Read through the Codes and Conventions research from last week. Include these in your concept and treatment, highlight codes and conventions you are choosing to use (or thinking of using) for your music video. Think about codes and conventions of your particular genre and then include some details and pictures for what you're planning on doing for the different technical elements that would all be the codes and conventions of your product.

Some A2 music videos for inspiration

 1. Arctic Monkeys - 505 (this got an A grade)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eq4pRpUuEK0

2. Last I heard 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O5jKLVXSV14

3. Team - Lorde (A grade) 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y76JvDPNsX4

4. Sweater Weather 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVgfhV6L6fE

T1 | Wk 4 | Mon - Tues - REJOICE

Representation Assignment 

- Create a blog post labelled 'Representation Research'

- choose a group in society and analyse how they have been represented in particular music video genres.

- You may choose to look at something broad like 'women in hip-hop music videos ' , something like how a specific ethnic group/ race is portrayed or something more specific like love and romance in pop music videos. 

Action Plan

- Find newspaper, blog or journal articles that have been written in response to the portrayal of these groups in the media that will form research for your project.

- Analyse 5 music videos and provide examples that conform to or challenge stereotypes.

- Summarise your findings in a research presentation.

- Include at least one theorist and apply the media theory to your findings, commenting on and describing how it is relevant to your findings.   

T1 | Wk 4 | Monday - Pre-Production planning REJOICE

   Resources for pre-production - Concept + Treatment

Read through these websites / articles and use this as research towards planning your own media product.

 

1. Conventions to borrow or talk about using 

http://music--videos.weebly.com/styles-conventions-and-techniques

2. Styles of music videos 

https://music-video36.webnode.co.uk/types-of-music-videos/

3. Mood + Tone explained

https://kinnu.xyz/kinnuverse/culture/how-to-actually-watch-movies/film-tone/