Coursework Research - Breaking fourth wall

RESEARCH: BREAKING THE FOURTH WALL

What is it?

Definition: A dramatic technique in a work of fiction where characters display an awareness that they are in such a work.

Breaking the fourth wall is a unique thematic device at the disposal of the filmmaker. Most cinematic techniques pull us into the story and forget we're watching the film but breaking the fourth wall does the opposite: it reminds us that we're actually an audience member watching whats happening on screen. We love when characters in films break the fourth wall and talk to us, meaning they ignore the imaginary “wall” that keeps the actors from the audience. Whether they do this through expressing inner thoughts, acknowledging they’re in a film, or venting to the camera (and in turn, the audience).  In the opening two minutes of a film, it's normally the part of the film getting the audience into the film, yet using this technique, it adds a dynamic to the opening, catching the attention of the audience and makes sure that we are drawn to this character and their thoughts and intentions. The following films break the ever-so-sacred fourth wall, but only 'Ferris Bueller's day off' breaks it in the opening.

Examples:

'Annie Hall'
A classic breaking of the fourth wall comes from Woody Allen’s classic romantic comedy, “Annie Hall.” Allen’s character Alvy Singer often breaks the fourth wall to comment on details of his relationship with Diane Keaton’s character. The video to the right shows Woody Allen breaking the fourth wall to complain about queues outside movies when the man behind him interrupts.

'High Fidelity'
In the 2000 film, “High Fidelty” John Cusack’s character Rob Gordon famously breaks the fourth wall to tell the audience the top five things he misses about Laura. Watch below.

'Ferris Bueller’s Day Off'
The lovable Ferris Bueller (played by Matthew Broderick) is constantly talking to the audience like they’re his best friends. The film makes it clear in the very beginning that it’ll be ignoring the rule of audience movie separation. Bueller continues in the film to offer to the audience some great advice on how to trick your parents into think you’re too sick for school.

Is it something I would contemplate in my own coursework?

Breaking the fourth wall is definatly something I would consider trying in my coursework. Whether it would work effectively is another matter. Deepending on the plot, setting, genre, characters and the cast i think it could work. It is something that interests me but i think for it to work effectively, I would need a cast member that feels comfortable doing it and knows how and what to do so that it would be easier to complete.

- Lily Ray

Coursework Research - Character

RESEARCH: CHARACTER

A character is the representation of a person in 











A narrative or dramatic work of art (such as a novel, play, or film). 

How important are characters particularly in the opening 2 minutes of a film?

Character introductions are especially important. The moment a character is introduced carries the ability to invoke some of the most powerful emotions: joy, anger, fear, and envy. Not only can this moment inspire an intense audience reaction, but it can also offer a unique opportunity for insight and explanation. We can learn about a character in many different ways. We can learn by what they do and what they say. We can also learn by what other characters say about them and how they react to those characters. The best character introductions in film not only use these means, but they do it in a concise and creative way. 

Character profiles of three different existing feature film characters:

Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003):

The music swells as the great Captain Jack Sparrow sails into Port Royal. It's a dramatic and heroic moment... until the shot reveals his sad, sinking boat. Jack jumps off the mast just before it becomes fully submerged underwater and swaggers past the dockhand. The mere image of his arrival on his sinking boat is enough of an analogy to understand Jack Sparrow. He is a pirate that could be a great Captain, if only he had the means. It could be seen that his entrance could be considered sad - he salutes his dead comrades and then returns to bailing water out of his ratty boat. Instead of coaxing pity out of the audience, this backdrop allows Jack to show the audience style, attitude, charm, and impeccable timing. This introduction relies on the character's personality to turn a depressing situation into a glamorised entrance that leaves the audience wanting to see more of Captain Jack Sparrow.

Sundance in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (1969)

It's a scene that shows the importance of character reactions, where Sundance shows his importance during a blackjack game. This scene not only establishes Butch and Sundance's relationship, but it shows the audience that Sundance is a man to be feared. The last part in the character introduction scene includes Macon asking Sundance how good he is with a gun. Sundance responds by shooting Macon's gun belt off of him, without inflicting any injury. With this swift move, Sundance's superiority is secured. 

Darth Vader in Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)

When Darth Vader made his film debut, he secured his place as one of the greatest villains of all time. His appearance is enough to secure such an honor, but it is his manner that seals his fate in film infamy. The Rebel ship has just seen a laser-gun battle and dead bodies litter the corridor. From the passageway, Darth Vader appears all in black. He immediately commands respect as the Storm Troopers stand at attention. His helmet, cape, and voice make the moment even more dramatic. He strides past the dead bodies and continues on to interrogate a Rebel Officer. He kills the officer with a chilling ease that could make any audience member shudder. His appearance, presence, and actions make him the ultimate image of evil.

What makes these characters so iconic?

These characters are so iconic because they create a vision for the audience of something from imagination to reality. If done correctly, the character introduction can begin the transformation of a character into an icon. Especially Darth Vader and Jack Sparrow, the viewers are bought into a franchise because they either love or hate the character that has been produced. 

What do important characters add to the narrative?

Characters can add and have a great affect on the narrative. This is because everything the character portrays on the screen is with either narrative or no narrative, the former having a greater effect on the audience, mostly due to the viewers wanting to know what the main characters are thinking and this is when narrative can help. When there's no narrative, however, we look and concentrate on the dialogue, body movements and facial expressions of a character, more aware of what the character is going to do an what they say than the narrative of a story. 

How much does the audience find out about them in the opening two minutes?

In the opening two minutes, a viewer can find out a lot about a character, such as an action film or perhaps a crime movie where we are thrown into the chaos. Yet, it is more likely that an audience still have no idea what a character is about after the opening two minutes. This is is because it's only two minutes, and we still have the same characters to develop over hours to come, so the directors don't want to give too much away too quickly, otherwise the plot can't go anywhere. Due to this its very common for the introduction to a character in the opening two minutes to have a couple of lines of narrative, some scenic shots, depending on the genre, but other than that don't expect much to unfold about a character in the opening two minutes.

LR

Coursework Research - Narration

what is Narration?

Narration is the use of a written or spoken commentary to convey a story to an audience.^[1] Narration encompasses a set of techniques through which the creator of the story presents their story, including:

• Narrative point of view: the perspective (or type of personal or non-personal "lens") through which a story is communicated
• Narrative voice: the format (or type presentational form) through which a story is communicated
• Narrative time: the grammatical placement of the story's time-frame in the past, the present, or the future

A narrator is a personal character or a non-personal voice that the creator (author) of the story develops to deliver information to the audience, particularly about the plot. The narrator may be a voice devised by the author as an anonymous, non-personal, or stand-alone entity; as the author herself/himself as a character; or as some other fictional or non-fictional character appearing and participating within their own story. The narrator is considered participant if he/she is a character within the story, and non-participant if he/she is an implied character or an omniscient or semi-omniscient being or voice that merely relates the story to the audience without being involved in the actual events. Some stories have multiple narrators to illustrate the storylines of various characters at the same, similar, or different times, thus allowing a more complex, non-singular point of view.

Narration encompasses not only who tells the story, but also how the story is told (for example, by using stream of consciousness or unreliable narration). In traditional literary narratives (such as novels, short stories, and memoirs), narration is a required story element; in other types of (chiefly non-literary) narratives, such as plays, television shows, video games, and films, narration is merely optional.

Give one example of the use of Narration in each of the following genres:

• COMEDY - usually the narration comedies is witty and humorous. for instance in 'The Inbetweeners' there is narration however it does not deal with meaningful feelings, but it includes funny jibes.
• Horror - The narration in Horror films usually includes serious and direct dialogue, i believe this is due to the suspension building up throughout the plot. For example, during the film 'The women in black' the dialogue is mature and humorless.  
• ACTION - the narration during an action film is usually fast and quick due to the suspension building up throughout the plot. An example of an action film could be 'Skyfall - James Bond'. This film encourages the audience to want to know what is going to happen next as there are continuously knew things occurring that you want to find out more about. 
• DRAMA - The narrative of a drama film could be any emotion, because when the problem occurs during the middle of the film, it could end happily, or sad. It could leave any emotion. For example, with 'Toy Story' everything is all going well until Andy buys a new toy (Buzz Lightyear) and Andy doesn't like him because he is jealous, causing the audience to possibly feel sorry for Andy. 
• ROMANCE - The narrative for a romance film it to share feelings and emotions between the couple. The problem in a romance film could involve the couple breaking up or having an argument. This would cause the audience to feel upset or sorry for the characters which creates emotion. An example of a romance film could be 'The Fault in Our Stars' which is a sad film as the problem is where both of them have cancer. This is the dilemma which may or may not be solved but it is romantic because the couple are both very loved up. 

NARRATIVE THEORY: 

• Propp: Vladimir Propp broke up fairy tales into sections. Through these sections he was able to define the tale into a series of sequences that occurred within the Russian fairytale. Usually there is an initial situation, after which the tale usually takes the following 31 functions. 
• Todorov: 
• Barthes:
• Levi-Strays:

what is required for a good piece of film narration?

i understand that a good piece of film narration requires a clear and loud voice as this allows the listener to easily engage with the speaker. 

A good piece of film narration should also have appropriate language choice for the subject matter it is narrating. This language choice should be fitting with both the genre of the movie and the target audience of the movie, for instance, a piece of narration for a children's movie would use simple language opposed to more complex dialect as the target audience, that being children need to both understand and engage with the speaker.

Is narration something that you are contemplating for your own coursework?

Currently, we are planning our coursework, however the topic of narration has not occurred. although, having researched about how it can improve films, we may consider it. I believe more thought and discussions should take place before making an important decisions. 

DG

Coursework Research - Settings

Settings 

what is setting?

The place or type of surroundings where something is positioned or where an event takes place. A strong setting is almost like a character in its own right. It has heart and soul, different moods, the ability to change, an influence on people and events. 

What Exactly Is Setting?

Setting is the backdrop against which the characters act out the events. A story with a poorly-portrayed setting is like a play on a bare stage. You have character and plot (the important parts) but no sense of place.

And that's kinda dull for your readers!

Setting matters, then. And in order to make it as atmospheric as you can, you need to make it multi-dimensional.

How? By understanding that a story's setting extends way beyond houses and streets and trees. Here are the different elements...

what are conventional settings we expect to see used in the film openings of each of the following genres: 

• Comedy - During the opening scenes of a comedy film, the setting can be anywhere, usually somewhere normal with any possibility. For example, during the opening scene of american pie we see a room with a young man watching inappropriate videos on his television. The man's parents then enter his room as they are saying goodnight to him. This opening would be considered an opening due to it being relatable and awkward between children and parents.  We then understand that the film we are about to watch is a comedy. 
• Horror - during the opening scenes of horror films, the setting is usually in a place that is dark, mysterious and eerie. for example the opening scene of 'the women in black' there is three little girls playing with their dolls, however when the scene progresses all three girls look towards the camera. Then, the girls get up and walk towards a window, you see all three jump with grieving and shouting which i presume  are the mothers of the three children. this then shows us that the film is going to be about horrific events that have happened and maybe that are going to happen. 
• Romance - The setting for a romantic film, again is somewhere normal where nothing can happen. for example, During the opening scene of 'Love Actually' there is 5 or so characters singing in a booth, however during this opening the camera moves towards the producers who are shocked/laughing. This tells us that the singing is not serious. however the song is about love which may have some reverence to the genre of the film. 
• Action - The setting for action films is usually hectic and manic due to a lot of things happening. for example, during 'sky-fall' there is an animation. However, this animation has a lot of different objects movie around the screen. For example, there is guns during the animation which may imply a lot of chasing which ultimately leads to the genre of action. 
• Drama - An example of a drama film would be forrest Gump. Together with his appearance (with the exception of his shoes) the props are a tidy and neat suitcase suggesting he may be off to work but also that he appreciates and takes good care of his belongings. There is no dialogue in the opening two minutes, yet I believe we can already say a lot about the character. For example, his shoes are extremely muddy, whereas the rest of his clothing is extremely smart and presentable indicating that they usually are very clean and tidy, and that his muddy shoes have something to do with the plot. The opening ends with a bus stopping in front of the character that we assume is Forrest, which could be seen as an effective way of leading the audience on to the rest of the film, as we join the character on his journey.

How important is setting in the construction of mine-en-scene and creating an understanding for the viewer? 

MISE-EN-SCENE

Mise en scène encompasses the most recognizable attributes of a film – the setting and the actors; it includes costumes and make-up, props, and all the other natural and artificial details that characterize the spaces filmed.  The term is borrowed from a French theatrical expression, meaning roughly “put into the scene”.  In other words, mise-en-scène describes the stuff in the frame and the way it is shown and arranged.  We have organized this page according to four general areas: setting, lighting, costume and staging.  At the end we have also included some special effects that are closely related to mise-en-scène.

SETTING 

Setting creates both a sense of place and a mood and it may also reflect a character’s emotional state of mind.  It can be entirely fabricated within a studio – either as an authentic re-construction of reality or as a whimsical fiction – but it may also be found and filmed on-location.  In the following image, from Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette (2006), the ornate décor evokes 17th century France and the castle of Versailles.  But here the baroque detailing overwhelms the character, conveying her despair.  The actress’s position in relation to the objects within the frame suggests that, as a pawn in the dynastic enterprise, Marie Antoinette is little more than a footstool.

after reading the articles above from the website - https://collegefilmandmediastudies.com/mise-en-scene-2/ i believe that the setting is very important when constructing a mise en scene. 

DG 

Coursework Research - Camera shots and angles

Camera shots and angles and their effect on film making

Camera shots

Extreme Long Shot 

Extreme long shot lengths are used as a scene setting, establishing shot, they usually show the exterior of a building or a landscape.

Long Shot

Long length shots usually feature the image as life size rather than larger than life. These shots are focused on the characters but plenty of background detail is still visible. 

Medium Shot

Contains a figure from the knees/waist up and is normally used for dialogue scenes, or to show some detail of action. 

Close Up 

This shows very little background, and concentrates on either a face, or a specific detail of mise en scène. Everything else is just a blur in the background. 

Extreme Close up 

An extreme close-up of a face, for instance, would show only the mouth or eyes, with no background detail whatsoever.

Camera Angles

The Bird's-Eye view

This shows a scene from directly overhead. Familiar objects viewed from this angle might seem totally unrecognisable at first.

High Angle

Not so extreme as a bird's eye view. The camera is elevated above the action using a crane to give a general overview.

Eye Level

A fairly neutral shot; the camera is positioned as though it is a human actually observing a scene.

Low Angle

These  give a sense of speeded motion. Low angles help give a sense of confusion to a viewer, of powerlessness within the action of a scene.

Oblique Angle

Sometimes the camera is tilted to suggest imbalance, transition and instability 

The effect of camera angles and shots on storytelling 

Different camera angles can add and induce different meanings and level of engagement for the audience. Camera angle for each shot can add moods to the scene and create powerful relationships between the audience and character, the same for camera shots. For example the distance between the camera and the subject define relationship and importance between the character and the scene.

3 film openings where a specific camera shot/angle has been used to excellent effect

In the film opening to 2010's release "Submarine" several different camera shots and angles were used to introduce the character and setting. Middle length shots are used to introduce us to the setting of his bedroom,show us where he lives. and long shots/extreme long shots to  we are then introduced to the main character "Oliver Tate" using middle and close up shots. I think the mixture of these shots, has been used to create excellent effect because the face he was slightly out of focus in the close up shot and the mix of long shots makes the character seem distant and closed off.

The film opening to "The breakfast club" released in 1985 used a large variety of camera shots and angles, varying from extreme long shot to extreme close up. These angles and shots are used to introduce us to the characters, the atmosphere of the school and its location. I think this is a good use of camera angles and shots to introduce the film to the views.




 In 2009's release of the hangover, multiple camera angles and shots are used, mainly middle and long shots are used to introduce the characters and the setting, there are no close up shots

Shorter shot lengths can change the effect on the viewer, Shorter shots show very little background and it usually concentrates on a face or specific detail of mise-en-scene. Most of the detail in the background is out of focus bringing our attention to items in the foreground, like an expression. Having a close up shot of someones face makes us either feel extra comfortable with a character or extremely uncomfortable. Extreme close ups include just the eyes or mouth, tight focus is required and these shots are very hard to film as a slight camera shake or error in focal length is noticeable.

Long shot lengths have a certain effect on the viewer or the film in summary. Long length shots usually feature the image as life size rather than larger than life. These shots are focused on the characters but plenty of background detail is still visible. Extreme long shot lengths are generally used as a scene setting, establishing shot, they usually show the exterior of a building or a landscape, sometimes used to show scenes of thrilling warfare, there is very little detail in the shot, it gives a general impression rather than specific information. In short, long shot lengths are designed to show the detail and set the scene even a character depending on the type of the shot.

ML

Practise - Mise-en-scene

MISE-EN-SCENE

WHAT IS MISE-EN-SCENE?

When applied to the cinema, mise-en-scène refers to everything that appears before the camera and its arrangement— composition, sets, props, actors, costumes, and lighting. The “mise-en-scène”, along with the cinematography and editing of a film, influence the verisimilitude or believability of a film in the eyes of its viewers.

Key Aspects

Set design

An important element of "putting in the scene" is set design—the setting of a scene and the objects (props) visible in a scene. Set design can be used to intensify character emotion or the main mood, which has physical, social, psychological, emotional, economic and cultural importance in film. One of the most significant decisions made by the production des production designer and director is deciding whether to shoot on location or on set. The main difference between the two is that décor and props must be taken into consideration when shooting on set. However, shooting on set is more commonly done than shooting on location as a result of it proving to be more cost effective.

Lighting

The strength, direction, and quality of lighting can effect an audience’s understanding of characters, actions, themes and mood. Light (and shade) can emphasize texture, shape, distance, mood, time of day or night, season, glamour; it affects the way colors are rendered, both in terms of hue and depth, and can focus attention on particular elements of the composition. Highlights, for example, call attention to shapes and textures, while shadows often conceal things, creating a sense of mystery or fear. For this reason, lighting must be thoroughly planned in advance to ensure its desired effect on an audience.

Space

The representation of space affects the reading of a film. Depth, proximity, size and proportions of the places and objects in a film can be manipulated through camera placement and lenses, lighting, set design, effectively determining mood or relationships between elements in the story world.

Composition

The organization of objects, actors and space within the frame. One of the most important concepts with the regard to the composition of a film is maintaining a balance of symmetry. This refers to having an equal distribution of light, colour, and objects and/or figures in a shot. Unbalanced composition can be used to emphasize certain elements of a film that the director wishes to be given particular attention to. This tool works because audiences are more inclined to pay attention to something off balance, as it may seem abnormal. Where the director places a character can also vary depending on the importance of the role

Costume

Costume simply refers to the clothes that characters wear. Using certain colors or designs, costumes in narrative cinema are used to signify characters or to make clear distinctions between characters.

Makeup and hair styles

Establish time period, reveal character traits and signal changes in character.

Acting

There is enormous historical and cultural variation in performance styles in the cinema. In the early years of cinema, stage acting and film acting were difficult to differentiate, as most film actors had previously been stage actors and therefore knew no other method of acting. Eventually, early melodramatic styles, clearly indebted to the 19th century theater, gave way in Western cinema to a relatively naturalistic style. This more naturalistic style of acting is largely influenced by Constantin Stanislavski’s theory of method acting, which involves the actor fully immersing themselves in their character.