AS GCE MEDIA STUDIES

1. AS GCE MEDIA STUDIES

2. Aims and Objectives • Understand how and why editing techniques vary • Capture footage onto Final Cut Pro • Begin a rough edit of a film based on shot/reverse shot

3. What is Editing? Film editing is part of the creative post-production process of filmmaking. The term film editing is derived from the traditional process of working with film, but now it increasingly involves the use of digital technology.

4. What is Editing? When we watch a film we notice how it is joined together at certain points. Each scene may last a few seconds or continue for a few minutes. The length of each shot determines the pace of the film and helps determine the mood. In between these scenes is some use of editing. Editing can be done during filming or usually done after filming has been shot ‘edit stage’.

6. Editing Techniques http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sZJUgsZ56vQ

7. Editing Techniques • Slow Pace initially • Dissolves to black • During action fast pace cuts • No special effect editing

8. Editing Techniques • Slow Pace initially • Dissolves to black • During action fast pace cuts • No special effect editing http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr7w6u4kGeY

9. Editing Techniques • Slow pace initially • Dissolves to black • During action fast pace cuts • No special effect editing • Slow Pace that speeds up • Fast cuts and dissolves • Matches the beat of the music

10. Editing Techniques Cut: An abrupt transition from one shot to another. Dissolve: An overlapping transition between scenes where one image fades out as another fades in. Editors often use this to indicate a change in time and/or location. Wipe: A transition between shots in which a line passes across the screen, eliminating the first shot as it goes and replacing it with the next one.

15. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3nWnM4wapU

16. Research Task • Have an understanding of how genre is communicated to the audience by the filmmakers • Understand how the audience interpret genre • Be aware of audience expectations of genre • Know how to define genres, know their codes and conventions • Be aware of genre elements and recognise them within texts

17. Research Task • Consider how defining genre can be problematic, for example genres can change over time….

18. The typical conventions of 1930`s gangster genre are smart suits, acts of violence, murder, weapons and luxury items associated with the lifestyle such as cigars and fine liquors. The influence from the time is obvious here as Al Capone was well known for fulfilling all the mentioned conventions. He wore the most expensive suits money could buy, constantly smoked cigars and once stabbed someone to death at a dinner party with a fork rather than a knife.

19. The codes and conventions have changed dramatically since the 1932 version of Scarface , the conventions now focus much more on drugs and money i.e. cocaine. The original conventions are also a lot more elaborate , the violence is a lot more graphic , the guns are custom made (exaggerates the power of the gangsters), the suits look more flash and the characters are larger than life. Scarface is a very realistic representation Miami in the 1980`s.

20. The conventions in Menace to society are similar to that of Scarface though in a racially tense context. The opening sequence of the film sees the main characters being watched as if they are about to steal and shooting the Chinese shop keepers. The code of racial discrimination is instantly shown here as well as the original conventions of murder and violence. One of the main reasons why this culture grew so quick and became so popular is due to the east coast west coast feud in gangster rap between Christopher Wallace (east coast) and Tupac Shakur (west coast), which influenced the convention of unity between ethnic groups as well.

22. Theories and Theorists • Uses and Gratifications Theory (Blumer and Katz) • Diversion - escape from everyday problems and routine. • Personal Relationships - using the media for emotional and other interaction, eg) substituting soap operas for family life • Personal Identity - finding yourself reflected in texts, learning behaviour and values from texts • Surveillance - Information which could be useful for living eg) weather reports, financial news, holiday bargains • Steve Neale • Steve Neale (1990) argues that Hollywood’s generic regime performs two inter-related functions: • To guarantee meanings and pleasures for audiences • To offset the considerable economic risks of industrial film production by providing cognitive collateral against innovation and difference.

23. Research Task • Create a presentation based on a particular genre, using case-studies (films), that answer the bulleted points. • Have an understanding of how genre is communicated to the audience by the filmmakers • Understand how the audience interpret genre • Be aware of audience expectations of genre • Know how to define genres, know their codes and conventions • Be aware of genre elements and recognise them within texts • Consider how defining genre can be problematic, for example genres can change over time • Apply relevant theory to your findings • Presentations will take place on Tuesday 25th September