Unit 26 – Film Studies

BTEC Level 3 Diploma in Creative Media Production

UNIT 26 ASSIGNMENT – Film Studies

Credit Value = 10

Student Name: Teacher: Miss Potts

Date assignment issued: September 2011 Final Completion Date: February 2012

Introduction

Through following this unit you will develop an understanding of a number of theoretical approaches to film and apply them to specific films. You will come to understand that films do not exist in a vacuum, nor do they simply appear like flowers in the spring. Rather, they are created by a range of determinants and influences which include, amongst others, the culture and politics of the country where they are produced,the finance that enables their production, the technology of film production, distribution and exhibition, andthe nature and structure of the industry which produces them.

In addition, you will explore the often complex relationship between audiences and films and will be ableto understand why and how audiences watch and make sense of films in particular ways.There are opportunities in the unit to develop and apply research techniques through the completion of a piece of practical audience research. The unit will also help to put production work done in other units into context.

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Unit 26 – Film Studies

Learning outcomesOn completion of this unit a learner should:1 Be able to apply different analytical approaches to films2 Understand the relationship between films and their production contexts3 Understand the relationship between producers and audiences4 Understand the relationship between audiences and films.

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Unit 26 – Film Studies

Task 1

Working on P1-D1

D1

Analytical Approaches to film

As a class you will be watching a variety of clips and films from different genres and time periods, completing activities on each.

Genre theory, film language and semiotics:

Activity One: Individually, analyse 15 screen shots of two science fiction films (ET and Independence day), comparing how they use cinematic techniques and genre conventions to appeal to their target audience.

Activity Two: Individually, compile a ‘genre cycle’ mind map showing how the western genre has evolved over the last 50 years.

Activity Three: In pairs, after watching the film ‘Unforgiven’ analyse whether you think the film conforms or challenges the conventions of the Western genre. You should present this analysis as a piece of written work.

Narrative Theory and Structuralism:

Activity Four: Individually, choose three western films that you have enjoyed and apply Propp and Todorov’s

narrative theory to each film. Display your analysis as a table.

Activity Five (For a Distinction…) : After watching the film ‘Momento’, complete the following essay: ‘How do audiences decode the narrative of Memento?

Feminist Theory:

Deadline for Task

1:

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Unit 26 – Film Studies

M1

D1

Activity Six: In pairs, research the role of women in Western OR Science fiction films. Present your research to your class using detailed examples from films and include visual elements to keep your audience interested and to back up your points. This presentation will be filmed as evidence and you should also add your notes, PPT and research to your file.

For M1: Use feminist film theory to analyse your research and to answer the question ‘to what extent can we say that science fiction or western films only represent women negatively?’

For D1: Include evidence of your understanding and research of feminist film theorists including: Laura Mulvey, Molly Haskell, Teresa de Lauretis and Carol J. Clover.

Task 2Working on P1-D1

Working in pairs, you will create a 10 minute documentary of the work of Martin Scorsese. You must use a range of auteur theories to examine whether Scorsese is an auteur director.

You should use clips of his films as examples to back up the points you make.

For a Distinction:Examine whether auteur theory is still relevant today.

Deadline for Task

2:

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Unit 26 – Film Studies

Task 3

Working on P2-D2

Working in pairs, you will compile a blog case study examining how the film ‘Slumdog Millionaire’ was produced, marketed, distributed and exhibited.

Your case study should include research using different media (eg: radio, internet, newspapers etc…)

You blog must include visual and interactive elements.

Deadline for Task

3:

Task 4 Working on M2-D2

Individually, you will write an illustrated 800-word essay titled, ‘Old films for new,’ comparing the contemporary remake of ‘Psycho’with the original version.

Your essay must focus on production contexts and factors influencing that context. You must include information on

financial determinants, technologies of

Deadline for Task

4:

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Unit 26 – Film Studies

production, a comparison of the distribution and exhibition

platforms, the development of genre and stars, social, political and regulatory issues,

Task 5 Working on P3-D3

Your teacher will introduce you to a number of Audience Theories during your lessons. You must produce a ‘Student Friendly guide to Audience Theory’ which be given to AS and A2 Media students to help them revise! You must include visual elements to help explain the theories and you must use examples from films to back up your points.

For a distinction: You should include a critical evaluation of how useful or outdated these theories are.

The theories to include are:

The Effects Model/ Hypodermic Syringe model Uses and Gratifications Model The Ethnographic Model Mode of address Model

Deadline for Task

5:

Task 6

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Unit 26 – Film Studies

Working on P3-D3

P4-D4

You are going to be watching and analysing the audience reception of the film ‘Avatar’ by completing a number of short activities.

Activity 1: In a table format, analyse all the different ways that the film ‘Avatar’ was marketed and how they attracted their target audience. Be sure to include analysis of the following marketing strategies:

Social networking sites Product tie ins Synergy

Reviews Premieres Festivals Awards On line presence TV and news appearances

Activity 2: Research the variety of different new media technologies that have been used to create the film ‘Avatar’ and present as a mind-map. Include examples of how the new technology was used as a marketing strategy and how it helped target audiences.

Activity 3: Research how successful the film ‘Avatar’ was. Find out the following:

release patterns of the film, DVD release patterns, box office figures, DVD sales figures.

Activity 4: You are going to research the theory of ‘fandom’ in relation to ‘Avatar’ and create a radio broadcast entitled ‘Fans: exploited or influential?’ Include the following in your broadcast:

The many definitions of fandom – how do fans define themselves?

The development of ‘Avatar’ fandom. Examples of how fans have been able to influence

meaning & value to

Deadline for

Task 6:

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Unit 26 – Film Studies

a) individual (cult?) filmsb) genre films (Science Fiction?)c) stars (male, female - does this correspond to the fan

base?)d) directors (fans who are students of film?)

Examples of activities of ‘Avatar’ fans - how do they 'celebrate' and express their enthusiasm?

Examples of what is offered to fans by different media (print & broadcast) - especially New Media?

Can fandom be damaging? Include examples of audience theory to back up your points.

Examples of fan fiction for ‘Avatar’

For a Merit: An analysis of whether fans are exploited by the film industry.

For a Distinction: An analysis of how fandom is used by producers as a form of marketing and show an understanding of the legal issues surrounding fandom.

Task 7Working on P4-D4

You are going to write an article on why they like a particular film for a fan website. See here for film fan websites you could contribute to OR you could create your own fan website: http://www.hollywood.com/fans/

You must include some audience research to discover why other people like the same film as you. You should analyse this research to include in your article but also present your research in your folder.

Your audience research should include: vox pops, questionnaires, internet surveys, comments from social networking pages, film reviews.

You article must include the following:

Detailed examples of from the film you enjoy and

Deadline for Task

7:

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Unit 26 – Film Studies

why you and others like it, Pre and post viewing experiences from you and

others who enjoy the film. Different readings of the film (including your own

preferred reading)

Analysis of how the film has been received globally.

If you think you are complete…..

use the assignment checklist for a final check; submit the assignment for IV’ing.

Appendix

Websites:http://www.ggower.com/fans/winners.shtmlhttp://www.filmreference.comwww.mtv.comhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/film/1999/apr/06/featureshttp://www.slashfilm.comhttp://www.onlinefandom.comhttp://www.christophernolan.net/memento_un.phphttp://www.mediaknowall.com/alevkeyconcepts/audience.html

Text Books Film Theory: An Introduction by Robert Lapsley (Author), Michael

Westlake (Author) It's Only a Movie: Reel Life Adventures of a Film Obsessive by Mark

Kermode

Introduction to Film Studies by Jill Nelmes

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Unit 26 – Film Studies

Film Studies: The Essential Resource (Essentials) by Peter Bennett, Andrew Hickman, and Peter Wall

Understanding Audiences and the Film Industry (Understanding the Moving Image) by Roy Stafford

Film/Genre by Rick Altman Film Remakes by Constantine Verevis The Ultimate Fan's Guide to Avatar, James Cameron's Epic

Movie Fandom: Identities and Communities in a Mediated World (Paperback)

by Jonathan Gray

Self Assessment Checklist

Task What you will have produced Deadline1 is

linked to P1-

D1

Screen-shot analysis Genre cycle mind map Unforgiven podcast Narrative Theory Table Memento Essay (D1 only) Role of women presentation (PPT, DVD and

observation record.)

2 is linked to P1-

D1

Martin Scorsese documentary

3 is linked to P2-

D2

Slumdog Millionaire case study on blog.

4 is linked to M2-

D2

Old for New ‘Psycho’ essay

5 is linked

‘Student Friendly guide to Audience Theory’

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Unit 26 – Film Studies

to P3-D36 is

linked to P3-

D3

P4-D4

Marketing Table New Technology mind map Research figures Fandom Radio Broadcast and observation

record.

7 is linked to P2-

D2

Fan website Article

Final things:

Page number your portfolio (make sure it is all in the correct order) Include a bibliography stating all your sources; Use appendices to store any additional information eg, your screen dumps or

newspaper articles; Make sure you create your own front cover with your name, the BTEC details

and the unit details plus your teacher’s name.

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