Working Title: Killer Country

Outline: In the middle of the British countryside, a female ex-MI5 agent finds out top secret documents regarding climate change which she plans to release to the public . Donna is completely unaware of her dangerous situation and the severity of what she is doing, whilst she is relentlessly stalked on her daily dog walk. News reports later emerge of a young woman’s suspicious death in the middle of the forest, as a seemingly innocent Police investigator gets assigned to the case. Through many twists and turns of the story it transpires that the police officer investigating her death might not be entirely innocent all along. Meanwhile Bill Ackley, the police investigator finds himself uncovering more secrets that get him into further trouble with higher authorities. At the end of the film, it shows that Bill Ackley is totally innocent, and that what he was saying the entire time was completely true. The scenes of crime team were entirely corrupt by the government, co-ordinated by Jennette Banks, the senior CSI detective who helped plant false DNA evidence on Ackley.

Location: London & some of the British countryside

Character breakdown: Main character(s) –

Bill Ackley. 49 years old, white. He has recently been promoted to a police detective in London. He moved to the UK from the US as a child, and joined the Navy where he was nearly killed in a bombing. Afterwards, he decided to join the police force. Ackley is looking to retire soon and plans for the investigation into Donnas death to be his last. It is implied and shown throughout the film that Ackley and Kensington knew each other from years ago and the investigation is put at risk because it is implied that he could have had something to do with it. However, it is revealed at the end of the film that he was set up by the corrupt scenes of crime that planted vital DNA evidence to frame him.

Donna Kensington. Around 42 years old. White. It transpires that Bill knew Donna all along and may have been involved in her death. She discovered top secret information regarding the government covering up climate change by mistake whilst on holiday in the countryside, she then plans to release the information to the public. Whilst on a innocent dog walk, she is murdered. But by who?

Jennette Banks– An experienced scenes of crime officer, yet she appears to have an increased interest in Donnas death. Yet she is a highly though-of individual who has a clean record. Perhaps she could have something to do with the murder and cover up?

Genre: Thriller/Mystery

Target Audience: “mainstream audience of 30-49 year olds”, the characters reflect the target audience

Films/TV Influences: Killing Eve, Skyfall,

Actors/Directors:

Actors: Frances McDormand, Kevin Bacon, Viola Davis

Directors: Shannon Murphy

I think I demonstrated strengths in the photography aspect of the coursework as well as arranging photographs on my final prints with reference to other media products and understanding of the wider industry. I believe that I linked to the brief and target audiences needs/interests.

Things I need to improve on are my photoshop skills and more variety in photograph content. I also need to add more content with the billboard poster.

Your target audience for your media production is a mainstream audience of 30-49 year olds. 

Complete these tasks:

1. Define the term ‘mainstream’

Mainstream is a term used to describe ideas and attitudes shared by most people and is regarded as normal

2. Identify five contemporary (last 10 years or so) mainstream films for each of these genres/subgenres:

Action

• John Wick (2019)
• Taken 3 (2015)
• 118 (2019)
• Baby Driver (2017)
• Mad Max (2015)

Superhero

• Avengers Endgame (2019)
• Black Panther (2018)
• Guardians of the galaxy (2014)
• Spiderman: Homecoming (2017)
• Wonder Woman (2017)

Crime

• Mission Impossible: Fallout (2018)
• James Bond: Spectre (2015)
• Hot Fuzz (2007)
• Nightcrawler (2014)
• Oceans 8 (2018)

Musical

• La La Land (2016)
• Mamma Mia: Here we go again (2018)
• The greatest showman (2017)
• A star is born (2018)
• Aladdin (2019)

Fantasy

• Fantastic Beasts (2018)
• Alice in wonderland (2010)
• Harry Potter & the deathly hallows (2011)
• Maleficent (2014)
• Snow White & the huntsman (2012)

Historical drama

• Mary queen of Scots (2018)
• 12 Years a slave (2013)
• Suffragette (2015)
• The Kings speech (2010)
• Lincoln (2012)

Western

• Hostiles (2017)
• The Hateful Eight (2015)
• The Revenant (2015)
• The Lone Ranger (2013)
• Django Unchained (2012)

War

• Dunkirk (2017)
• Hacksaw Ridge (2016)
• Fury (2014)
• Allied (2016)
• American Sniper (2014)

Horror

• Us (2019)
• Get Out (2017)
• It (2017)
• A Quiet Place (2018)
• The Witch (2015)

Science fiction

• Arrival (2016)
• Blade runner 2049 (2017)
• Annihilation (2018)
• Intersteller (2014)
• The Martian (2015)

2. Read and take notes on this article by Stephen Follows: https://stephenfollows.com/what-older-cinemagoers-are-watching/

The genres older cinemagoers are watching

Drama has the oldest audience overall, with over 60% of cinema-goers who watch dramas being older than 25. The oldest age group are best represented among dramas. Other genres which perform poorly with older audiences are Animation (13%), Sci-fi (16%) & Action (16%).

The most popular films with older cinema-goers

(45+ AS % Of audience)

• Sweet & lowdown (100%)
• Mr. Turner (81%)
• The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel (81%)
• Philomena (79%)
• The Queen (77%)

Popular actors/actresses with 45+ age segment showed that Judi Dench appears in 9% of movies within this group. As well as Cate Blanchett (5 appearances), Meryl Streep (4), Maggie Smith (3), Ralph Fiennes (3) & Jim Broadbent (3).

3. Create a SurveyMonkey for adults aged 30-49 and aim to get at least five responses to your survey. Your survey must include the questions:

• How old are you?
• What is your favourite film?
• What is favourite genre? (Give options)
• What is your favourite film era (50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, 90s, 00s, 10s)
• What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
• What features make you want to watch a film? (Add options to this)
• Do you visit film websites?
• Do you engage with films on social media?
• Do you use streaming sites to watch films?
• Are you aware of the film company Universal?
• If yes, could you name a film made by Universal?
• Are you aware of the film company Columbia?
• If yes, could you name a film made by Columbia?

My Survey Monkey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/7HXMCW8

Stretch and challenge task: Analyse the survey data – what does this information tell us about film trends among this age group? (150-250 words)

It shows us that younger audiences enjoy more animations and fictional films, whereas older audiences enjoy almost the opposite. Their lack of interest in animation, sci-fi & action suggests that they enjoy more realistic approaches and representations in the film genres. It shows us that 15-24 year olds are most interested in horror (54%) & crime films (41%), whereas 45+ enjoy Dramas (28%), Romance (24%) & Mystery (22%). Although the 35-44 age range is fairly consistent across most genres, (with the lowest of 12%- Horror to 21%-Animation). These results are almost the inverse of what I would expect, suggesting that these age ranges likely were with their children to see Animation films which might help explain the data results. It clearly shows that the Horror genre is targeted towards 15-24 year olds, and a complete lack of anyone under 15 seeing these films. (which can be as expected due to the age ratings of most horror films being 15/18+). However, it could be argued that streaming sites such as Netflix may sabotage this data.

How do visual elements create meaning in this music video extract?

In Dave’s music video “funky Friday”. The video references different gang lifestyles which Dave and Fredo have partaken in. The scene starts with an extreme long shot of the countryside with a Lamborghini. This links the reference to the “country” in the song as a place where drug dealers go, as well as the expensive car to showcase their wealth. The music video throughout is relatively fast paced and a part of British hip-hop and grime. The music video shows Dave wearing designer brands such as Gucci and referencing that he shops at Harrods, further introducing the idea that he has fame and power in the world.

Dave mentions an “island girl” that he likes, which is further portrayed through the use of a tropical setting, with flower and fruit growing in the background. The use of clothing in the scene shows the girl dressed in pink and Dave dressed in a silk blue jacket, suggesting that he has money to be comfortable in every situation. Throughout this scene there is a continuous use of red and blue contradicting each other, perhaps highlighting the modern Romeo and Juliet scenario. Roland Barthes’ theory relates to the concept of semiotics (the study of signs) and, more specifically, denotation and connotation. Denotation is the literal meaning of the text whereas connotation is a more inferred and ‘hidden’ meaning. In this music video, there is a presence of the literal hip hop/grime lifestyle of money whereas in connotation it refers to how Dave and Fredo got into their position in the first place. There are also mentions of knife crime through the reference of his girlfriend holding a “dipper” (knife).

There is a use of Rottweiler in the music video, these types of dogs are usually feared and used in music videos to symbolise power and how the artist is entitled to have the protection of the dog. Dogs of this type of breed are usually portrayed in a lot of rap songs and albums. Offset, 21 Savage & metro Boomin’s album “Without Warning” portrays a dog of a similar breed (Doberman) attacking someone/thing. Neale’s genre theory is the idea that genres may be dominated by repetition, as it shows in this case. This music video portrays most stereotypical rap videos with the use of expensive cars, clothing and dangerous animals, rappers such as Cardi B, the Migos & Travis Scott all use these methods to show off their wealth.

Dave suggests that he is self-made by the reference of “one hand on the cash I’m making” whilst he is holding a Gucci bag. Both rappers also reference the American justice and British prison system by mentioning him running away from the police whilst a bald eagle appears on screen, suggesting that he is running from both the British and American police.

How do visual elements create meaning in this advertising extract?

The beginning setting show it is set in the UK and is therefore familiar to the audience, the Warburtons van makes it clear to the audience what it is advertising. This is reinforced by what we assume is the ‘top man’ in the Warburtons industry as he wears an orange tie, the same as the iconic Warburtons logo. The use of Robert De Niro in the extract shows a celebrity figure in the advert which the British public are familiar with and recognise as he featured in many films such as Goodfellas. Throughout the interaction between the Warburtons manager and De Niro there are a continuous use of close-ups to make it appear more personal and direct. The change in lighting with the blinds mimics the style of interrogation in many New York mob films, something which De Niro is associated with.

The use of extreme electric guitar in the background during the montage makes it clear to the audience that it is only a joke and is not to be taken seriously. The advert is meant to be more comical to therefore stand out from other competitors in the industry. Neale’s genre theory is the idea that genres may be dominated by repetition, but are also marked by difference, variation and change. The Warburtons advert supports this theory that the brand is trying to sell their identity as something which isn’t as ‘serious’ as most advertisements out there, so consequently their product will stick in more people’s heads as a result.

Gerbner’s cultivation theory is the idea that exposure to repeated patterns of representation over long periods of time can shape and influence the way in which people perceive the world around them. This theory applies to this advert because the audience are familiar with the New York style mob movies and the portrayals and popular actors as a result, so the crossover between an American actor and a British advertisement is a more unique concept and stands out more than most basic adverts.

It is made clear to the audience that the advert is a skit of other films. The reference to Bolton, a commonly known British town being taken over by American mobsters over bagels is a funny concept so therefore the advert succeeds in sticking in people’s heads. The cross-over of these types of feared characters are also seen in the Direct Line adverts with the use of the fictional character of Winston Wolf.

How do visual elements create meaning in this film extract?

The film extract of the film creates meaning through the use of eerie silence at the beginning of the scene, as the audience expects something to happen in the scene. The costumes make it clear that is a historic event, the clothing suggest it is during WW2 (It is set in 1940-Dunkirk). The close-up of the leaflet flying down on the soldier’s heads suggests helplessness as it reads “we (the Germans) surround you”. It represents the idea that they are truly trapped on the beach much like the historical event.

There is no dialogue in the beginning of the scene, showing anticipation for something to happen. The silence is then broken by the sounds of gunfire at the soldiers as the fast-paced music begins, a common use in chasing scenes. The positioning of the soldiers running away show every soldier around the main character be shot dead, highlighting the harsh but true reality of war. The fast-paced music shows the pressure that soldiers are put under in life-threatening conditions. Neale’s genre theory is the idea that genres may be dominated by repetition, but are also marked by difference, variation and change. The film supports Neale’s theory by being a traditional war film, however it plays on the true events of Dunkirk as represented by Christopher Nolan.

Throughout the chasing scene there is a use of a handheld camera to symbolise the true panic of the soldier as he is attempting to escape. The idea of these soldiers being helpless is reinforced when he appears to escape only to be shot at again, yet this time is saved by the French. The music comes back as the French are attacked and there is a shot of the camera tracking the soldier as he runs away from the confrontation, symbolising that he can’t escape the conflict. He then enters Dunkirk beach where there are many more soldiers awaiting their fate, showing the beginning scene of the film. Todorov’s narrative theory is the idea that all narratives share a basic structure that involves a movement from one state of equilibrium. The scene starts off as peaceful, using silence within the film, however the disruption comes as the Germans attack the group of soldiers. The resolution shows the soldier at the end of the scene getting to safety on the beach, yet it is only the beginning of the film so therefore there are more disruptions throughout, with the text at the start predicted.