Narrative theory

The main theories that you need to know for narrative theory are :

• Barthes- Action, Enigma and Symbolic codes
• Propps theory- Character roles
• Levi Strauss- Binary oppositions
• Todorov- See below

You also need to refur to these different types of narrative.

Film Trailer Codes and Conventions

These are the typical conventions of a film trailer.

• Reflective of genre
• Graphic captions - director's name, date of release, text related to the film
• Non-diegetic music - this can help reflect the genre
• Production company logo i.e. 20th Century Fox or Paramount
• Narrative enigma - this can help set the film up
• Editing - Quick or slow depending on the genre to create tension, excitement or mood
• Close ups - This will show off the stars in the movie

Discuss the codes and conventions used in at least three film trailers. Two of these should be in the genre that you are planning to work in. Contrast a more mainstream Hollywood trailer with an independent film trailer.

• How is the genre of the film conveyed?
• How has the trailer been structured? Structurally, how are temporal shifts denoted through use of transitions?
• Which parts of the plot have been included? How do these seek to achieve narrative enigma?
• What information is being withheld from the audience? How does this set up narrative enigma?
• What is the effect of the pace of the editing?
• What connotations does the use of colour/mise en scene have in the setting up the audience’s expectations of the film?
• What connotations do the use of camera shots and angles have?
• Comment on the use of signs and signifiers which are used to construct genre.
• When does the trailer convey institution information? (Production company, director, cast) What associations do these create?
• What kind of audience do you think the trailer attempts to appeal to?

• How has sound been used? Is there a voice over? What is the effect of this?
• What kind of music has been used? Try to be specific in describing this and its effect.
• What connotations does the film title’s typography create? When does the title appear?
• How has text been used to convey key points or create narrative intrigue?

Golden trailer awards

The 13th Annual Golden Trailer Awards

 

 

Winners were announced at the awards celebration on May 31st, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.

Some of the winners included

Best in Show

Winner:

Dark Knight Rises "Chant", Warner Bros., Open Road Entertainment

Theatrical Trailers Nominees

Best Action

Winner:

Snow White and the Huntsman "Forever", Universal Pictures, Wild Card

Best Animation/Family

Winner:

The Muppets "Their Movie", Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures, Buddha Jones

Best Comedy

Winner:

Bridesmaids (Red Band Trailer), Universal Pictures, Workshop Creative

Best Documentary

Winner:

George Harrison: Living in the Material World, Grove St. Prod., The Ant Farm

Best Drama

Winner:

The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Sony Pictures, Mark Woollen & Associates

 

Best Horror

Winner:

The Devil Inside "Who", Paramount Pictures, Buddha Jones

 

Your Blog

You will need to decide what genre of film you are going to do for your film trailer. If for example you are going to do a horror film trailer look at the trailer for "The Devil Inside" which won best horror film trailer at the golden film trailer awards. Discuss why this film won the best trailer. Discuss aspects in relation to Media Language, Institution, Genre, Audience, Ideology and Narrative. Look at the typical codes and conventions of the film trailer and discuss by writing a written account on your blog why this film trailer won at the awards.

Advanced portfolio checklist

ADVANCED PORTFOLIO

RESEARCH AND PLANNING  /20

RESEARCH

NEEDED	I’VE DONE, FINISHED & UPLOADED
2 TRAILERS
2 FRONT PAGES
2 POSTERS
1 QUESTIONNAIRE
Golden Trailers
Recut Trailers (Edit and Sound)
Genre Research
Terminology

ORGANISATION

NEEDED	I’VE DONE, FINISHED & UPLOADED
Production schedule
Venue Lists
Actor Lists
Prop Lists
Costume Lists
Daily Planning sheets
Venue release forms
Risk assessment forms

PLANNING

NEEDED	I’VE DONE, FINISHED & UPLOADED
Storyboards – from groups
Shotlists
Chapter sheets for takes
Lists of shots running order
Filming Log
Poster Mock-up
Magazine front cover mock-up

A2 G324: Advanced Portfolio in Media

The purpose of this unit is firstly to assess candidates’ ability to plan and construct media products using appropriate technical and creative skills (AO3); secondly to assess candidates’ application of knowledge and understanding in evaluating their own work, showing how meanings and responses are created (AO2); and finally to assess candidates’ ability to undertake, apply and present appropriate research (AO4).

The unit requires candidates to engage with contemporary media technologies, giving them the opportunity to develop their own skills in these technologies. It also enables you to develop the skills of presentation that are required for further study at higher levels and in the workplace.

A promotion package for a new film, to include a trailer, together with a A film magazine front cover, featuring the film; A poster for the film.

Your blog will be marked and will consist of the following three categories.

Research and Planning
Construction
Evaluation

Welcome

Welcome to Miss Hartes A2 Blog. From this blog you will be able to access help and information in relation to your A2 Media Studies course.