Sonny and Cher music video

Managed to download Handbrake, meaning I can upload the videos I mentioned in the earlier post, here is the music video me Chloe created

Genre planning

Here is our planning for the genre of our trailer, we weigh up the pros and cons of each genre and show how we came to our decision to make a social realist trailer.

Media and Collective Identity

We received a handout about media and collective identity. Here is my summary of this booklet:

The booklet starts out by discussing collective identity and introduces the ideas of two 'influential' media theorists, Buckingham and Gauntlett. Gauntlett seems to go into more detail when discussing identity, he theroises the extremes of identity, such as considering that 'we are all incrediably similar, but are programmed to value miniscule differences.' After presenting the ideas of these theorist the booklet goes on to explain how some of society take identity for granted, as we share our identity and our information on sites such as Facebook so freely. Goffman and one of his theories is also included as a form of explanation of collective identity, as he combination of the clothes we wear and the media we consume creates 'the presentation of self.'

The booklet goes on to explain how British films may serve to 'construct, reinforce or challenge notions of British identity.' To make this task simpler British cinema is broken down into three sections. The British Film Industry, the Burden of Representation and, British social realism. The section labeled the British Film Industry welcomes us to the conventions of the British film industry, introducing the category system and arguing the case for and against the link with Hollywood. An interesting point is made regarding the British Film Industry making movies to show our collective identity or just to make money, some argue that there is a split in British movies, some are made to rival Blockbusters and others are set with low budgets and are happy to turn a small profit and for the movie to be viewed by small numbers. They say this split is what is stopping 'serious' British movies that can change our collective identity to a more up to date and challenging one than previously conceived. Due to this link with Hollywood British filmakers are left with a dilema, they can pair up with an international company for funding and produce a film clearly aiming for an international audience; they could go for a niche market and hope British and European arthouse fans will be attracted or finally; they can make a low budget movie aimed at the mainstream British audience that will attract America through it's pecuilar topic and quirkiness.

The booklet goes on to describe how the representation in British film can construct a collective identity. It seems that representation in British film constructs a collective identity for those represented, as those represented can relate to the characters and a collective identity is formed for the group represented. As the audience view and accept the group being represented the identity of the group is strengthened, as knowledge of the group intensifies. The booklet quotes Bend It like Beckham as a case study, this is a good example as the representation of Sikhs is very realistic. The fact the misenscene is so true to the religion adds to the collective identity as it portrays the Sikh culture to a wider audience, and gives the audience a true portrayal of their lives. Unlike other representations there isn't a negative spin or any stereotyping involved, so the audience don't get the wrong idea about that culture.

British social realist texts add to collective identity as they deal with real social issues. This means the settings and the characters are meant to be realistic and believable. This realism of character traits will add a true and fair representation of a social group, thus giving them a collective identity.

Explain how stereotyping in British TV drama and British film contributes to a sense of collective identity

Essay Introduction:
The theory of collective identity suggests that people listen to the stereotypes portrayed in different media outlets and they let the stetreotype influence and sometimes even difine them. This would mean stereotyping contributes greatly to a sense of collective identity as people would change themselves to fit this stereotype and in turn fit in with society and the identity that suits them. It is also arguble however that stereotyping is drawn from collective identity itself, meaning that the media outlets see their audience, know how to impress them and create stereotypes accordingly. This interpretation would limit the effect stereotyping contributes to a sense of collective identity as it would appear collective identity contributes to sterotyping. Which theory is right is difficult to determine, as both have valid arguments for and against their main points.

Research

Decided to start some research into other film trailers, as this is what me and Chloe have decided to complete a film trailer as our main project film, youtube is the best place to look for videos and there were many professionally constructed pieces we looked at as an example of techniques used by the industry, here are some of those videos:





These are all films that are well known enough to have a good reputation and to have a good looking trailer but they are not big budget films with huge special effects, so I can learn more from films that are more realistic as I will have to make a trailer that does not involve Special Effects and my trailer will have to look realistic, this is why I believe I can learn from the above trailers.

I have also researched other A2 media projects on youtube, as a surprisingly large amount of students post their trailers online, here are some examples:




I believe researching past efforts of making a film trailer by people who are in the same situation as me might help, as I can learn from their mistakes and pick up on techniques they used that worked well and made the footage less amateur. There are some good trailers featured there and some that could use some work but I think overall researching previously made coursework attempts will help me as they made their trailers in the same position I will and so they have the same technology as me.