Applying narrative theory to the opening scenes of Attack The Block and Slumdog Millionaire

Apply narrative theory to the opening scenes of Attack The Block and Slumdog Millionaire

Slumdog millionaire:

A key part of slumdog millionaire is that the whole film has a circular narrative, meaning that the film wont be starting at the start and the events that take place wont happen in chronological order. The film starts with a scene that cuts between Jamal's torture and the start of him being on the show. If the film had a singular narrative, Jamal being on the show would happen near the end just before him being tortured. A circular narrative is used so Jamal can explain his experiences which he uses when answering the questions on who wants to be a millionaire.

Attack the block:

In the opening scene of attack the block, Todorov's narrative theorem can be applied. At this point in the film it would be the equilibrium because this is the "normal" life for the characters. For example, Sam is walking home from work which we presume she does daily and the gang are out on the streets causing trouble. However by the end of this scene you could see it as the disruption of the equilibrium because the gang rob's Sam which results in them meeting for the first time.

Using the key developments in film history timeline Discuss how key events in the development of film technology affect the micro elements in a scene of your choice from Attack The Block

Discuss how key events in the development in film history affect the micro elements in Attack the Block

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQflXXMSgqM

A part of film history that would have effected this scene would have been the steadicam, which was first introduced in 1975. This lets the camera man get closer to the action and the actors. This results to the audience, watching the film, being more involved and even making them feel like they are in the film. This makes the scene and the idea of the protagonists being killed by the aliens, more intense and exciting, which makes this scene work ad much better.

Another aspect of film history is the paramount case which happened in 1952. This influences the film because it wouldn't have been able to have actors like Nick Frost or Jodie Whitaker. Actors before the paramount case were signed and stuck with a certain production company and could only make films with them so for example Nick Frost might not have been able to be in the film if it was made by a different production company to who he was signed with.

Also, digital and CGI effects affects the film heavily. It makes acting difficult for the actors as they aren't able to see the "alien". On the other hand it makes for much more realistic aliens and makes the film much more believable which is one of the most important aspects.

Mark Kermode’s sci-fi

Here are the notes and ideas I came up with while watching Mark Kermode’s secrets of cinema: sci-fi

Mark Kermode’s superhero

These are my notes and ideas I came up with while watching Mark Kermode’s secrets of cinema: Superheroes

Mark Kemode’s horror

While watching the horror episode of Mark Kemode’s series, this is what I came up with about the horror genre

Paul film review questions

Paul

1. The character, Graeme Willy's costume is used to show he's a sci-fi nerd and enthusiast. We can tell this by what he wears because he mostly wears t shirts that have sci-fi films on them like star wars. It really shows how much of a fan he is when he is shot and most upset about getting blood on his empire strikes back t shirt.

2. Both non diagetic shound and diagetic sund is used in the opening scene. The non diagetic sound is the song that's playing over the top of the scene. The diagetic sound comes from the things the main characters say and any other sounds you can hear from the comic convention.

3. Cinematography is used to cause a moment of distress for Graeme in the opening scene. The cinematography is used to do this by zooming in on Graeme who's talking to Clive. While Graeme is talking, Clive sneaks off to a stall that caught his eye. Once Graeme has finished talking he realises that Clive has disappeared.  

4. While the opening credits are playing, there are sci-fi graphics on screen. Once the opening credits are shown it cuts to Graeme and Clive standing in the real world. This could be used to show that the film is set on Earth. Alternatively it could represent how much they want a sci-fi inspired adventure they've seen in films or books.

5. The narrative structure is in chronological order so you can apply Todorov's narrative theory to it. The film starts with 2 ordinary people, on holiday. The disruption is meeting Paul and finding out he's in trouble. The rest of the film follows Graeme and Clive trying to protect Paul and getting him to safety.

6. The obvious choice of genre for the film is sci fi because the film's main character is an alien but it is also a comedy because of the amount of jokes throughout the film

7. At the end of the film there was a definite feel of relief because the protagonists had succeeded in protecting Paul. Like in lot's of sci fi films the alien had to leave and it was quite sad to see the main characters having to say bye, but was made less emotional by jokes being put in.

8. I don't really have any improvements for the film.

Spirited away booklet 2, The elderley

The elderly

The elderly in films:

• old
• wise
• mentor/teacher like character
• sometimes give answers
• kind
• grumpy
• confused
• unhelpful
• chidlike

Kamaji- old, wise, clever, humble, interesting
Yubaba- caring, family like, helpful, 
Akio- caring, mature, protective, irresponsible, kind
Yuko- kind, caring, irresponsible, ignorent
Zeniba- old, mysterious, kind, helpful

Older characters are presented as helpful in spirited away. They have a family like sense about them and they are there to help the protagonist. Their role in the film is to guide the main characters in the film thanks to their knowledge and because they are wise.

Spirited away booklet 2, task 9

Answer these questions:

1. How does The director of Spirited Away blend realism with fantasy?

The director blends realism with fantasy by the family accidentally discovering the fantasy location of the film when exploring. The fantasy location is separated by an old temple the family chose to explore.

2. What life lessons does Chihiro/Sen learn from her experience?

Life lessons Chihiro learnt were to be more independent, she didn't need to rely on her parents as much and to not give up even when things were hard for her.

3. Even though the setting is fantastical, what every day struggles does Chihiro face?

The main every day struggle Chihiro faces is the way she interacts with other characters. Like in real life, she meets people who want to help her but she also meets people who don't want to help. This is similar to real life because they could be similar to character stereotypes you might meet in every day life.

4. Pick out three conventions of Coming of Age films that are present in Spirited Away. Explain how they are used in the film

Different types of characters: this is used to either help or hinder Chihiro. Some characters are there to help her but on the other hand some don't help her.

Character development- Chihiro's character develops throughout the film. She starts acting like a frightened child who relies on her parents but throughout the film, she becomes more independent and mature.

5. What message do you think director Hayao Miyazaki wanted to send to young girls?

I think the message the director is giving to young girls is that they can be more independent and mature even at a young age.

Spirited away booklet 2, task 8

Coming of age in spirited away:

Reasons Spirited away is a coming of age film:

The film's main character is a teenager and the film follows her in trying to save her parents. It's a coming of age film because while she is trying to save her parents she is becoming more mature and more independent. At the start of the film she relied on her parents and wasn't independent.

Reasons spirited away isn't a coming of age film:

It isn't a coming of age film because most of the film is set in a mythical location. The whole point of a coming of age film is it covers relatable situations in relatable, recognisable locations. Also, most of the characters aren't recognisable and not comparable to those in the real world.

Spirited away booklet 2, task 7

Coming of age

Ideas on coming of age:

• Becoming an adult
• Becoming mature
• leaving childhood
• a new chapter

Here's what it says on google on coming of age:

5 famous coming of age films:

1. Love Simon
2. Boyhood
3. The edge of seventeen
4. Juno
5. Ferris Bueller's day off

Coming of age in Ferris Bueller's day off:

The film follow's 3 teenagers who are soon to be becoming adults. It's a coming of age film because it is set in the real world. Lot's of the film is set in school which is represented as dull and boring which is how teenagers often see school.

Another coming of age theme that appears in the film is love because of Ferris and Sloane. Throughout the film they discuss their plans for the future.

Another coming of age theme that appears throughout the film is the interaction of parents. Ferris' parents clearly trust and care for him and they have a good relationship but Cameron has issues with his parents, mainly his dad which some teenagers could relate to.

Breaking rules is a main theme of the film as the protagonists bunk off school and "borrow" a ferrari.   

Spirited away booklet, task 7

Task 7:

How are young, female characters presented in spirited away?

At the start of the film Chihiro is presented as often scared. An example that back this up is when the family have to stop at the dead end, the parents are up for exploring, what they think is an abandoned theme park, but Chihiro doesn't want to because she is afraid of getting lost or getting hurt. Cinematography is used to show how young and small Chihiro is when walking with her parents. While the whole of her is in the shot you can only see a small portion of the parents. This represents how the parents, are bigger, braver and even stronger.

Throughout the film, her character changes because she learns to work things out by herself and without her parents. She becomes less scared and starts to be more independant with some help from some of the people she meets.

By the end of the film though she is far more brave and doesnt need support from her parents. This is shown because she is the only person who can save her parents through the film, when they have been turned into pigs. This shows she is capable of looking after herself and that she has become far more mature.

This shows that Chihiro's character changes mainly becoming braver, stronger and more mature, resulting in her being able to save her parents and stop them from being pigs forever.