Assignment 5:Film study & ConventionsTarget audience=Green

By Jodie & Jhane

Jodie = Red Jhane = Blue Together = black

Target=Green • Things which we have to consist of:• Title page• Level checklist• Exploration of films• Film of choice and reasoning• Genre• Subgenre• Hybrid• Stam’s theory• Mittel’s theory• Fuerer’s theory• Semantics(characters, locations, story traits, costumes, props, rituals)• Syntax• Iconography• Conventions of list of genre in relation to all films(at least 8 conventions)• Conventions analysis (at least 4) with examples from film + comparision to other similar films +

use/develop or challenge?• Dominant ideology (at least 3-4)• Audience (a + b ) + explanation + c • Audience theory (all four reasons)

Exploration of films

Film of choice : Half nelson• We chose the film ‘Half Nelson’ as It interested us, that Nelson had such a close bond with one of his students. It

made us question why he always felt the need to care and protect her

• We were engaged in the film as it lead us to think that the teacher and student would have an illegal relationship but they in fact didn't , the film was good in the fact it wasn’t predictable.

• It is a good representation of ‘Drama’ genre as it shows issues that we face in society today. It uses many drama conventions and interested us as it educates to some extent and also allows them to learn about positive role models.

Genre• The main genre that this film falls under is drama because the film is

based on nelson’s unpleasant drug habit, the way in which the film is concerned with Nelsons everyday dilemmas is very typical of a drama film.

• Dramas are usually based on some sort of issue or personal problem regarding the main the main character, and how they try to overcome it or deal with the situation this is explored throughout the film.

Subgenres

Drama is not the only Genre within this film, there are also a variety of subgenres such as Addiction Drama(i.e. the teacher has a drug addiction)School Drama(i.e a lot of the film is based in a school environment)romance( i.e. the girl that he had sexual relations with.) domestic drama( because the film focuses on the everyday issues of someone's life)Fiction- The historical content which is included in the film are with the students who learn about the American history and other historical events which have occurred previously and are said and shown to the audience.Crime- The criminal activities which occur on the streets and in the local area which can consist of drug dealing and crime related activities such as gangs at the end of the street which can be perceived negatively and indicate that their suspiciously involved in un-scene activities.Romance-the relationships which the teacher (main character) which occur with main women throughout the film including interests in a an ex-girlfriend and also a former student.

Fiction Crime

Romance

Hybrids School /addiction/drama

Addiction/issue/drama

Friendship/addiction/drama

conflict/ addiction /drama

Domestic/romance/drama

Many types of sub-genres within the film ‘Half-Nelson’ was displayed due to the occurrence of scenery. This consist of:

Historical Drama

Crime Drama

(School)

(Conflict)

(crime) (Friendship)

Stam’s Theory • Stam’s theory says that genre is not so easily defined under the ‘main

genres’ but can be classified in other ways such as budget, ethnicity focus or performer based.

• Another way to classify ‘half nelson’, in my opinion is, ‘Friendship’ because this film is strongly based on friendships and close bonds that are formed throughout the film.

• Another way to classify our film which is not in relation to a main genre can be social class and status or region.

• For example the teacher and the student, or the student and her brothers friend.

Mittel’s theory• Mittels theory is that genre is used to sell products.

This can also be related to ‘Half-Nelson’ as the film was based in America and therefore there was American historical content behind it (when the students name events occurred)

This can show awareness of their history but also shows impact of todays society.

.

People are familiar with addiction being a conventional theme of drama which then makes them eager to watch it. Therefore the fact that the film is a drama incises audiences.

This can be related to half nelson because the trailer demonstrates that the film is a drama film, as it reveals that the it is based on a drug addiction. It also shows a man having quite a strong relationship with a young girl

Point Example

This can show awareness of their history but also shows impact of today's society, This then encourages audiences.

Fuerer’s theory

Fuerer’s theory is based on the idea that genre is abstract, meaning that it is not easily defined because everyone has different ideas, ideals, cultures and therefore interpret conventions differently. What is familiar to one, may differ to someone else.

1) This theory can be related to the film chosen as ‘drama’ can be defined due to the use of different life experiences, cultural differences, racial conflict/prejudice etc. and is all down to audiences perceptions.

Person A will see this film as a drama due to the emphasis of racial prejudice displayed.Person B can classified this film as a drama due to the cultural differences.

Point Example

2) This theory can also be related to half nelson as some people may classify this film as just a ‘drama’ but others may see it as something else.

Someone may classify it as a drama due to the real life situations explored , but others may classify it as a Drama romance due to many intimate scenes.

Semantics How these are evident in your film(in relation to its genre/subgenre/hybrid)(overall genre- Drama)

Evidence from film/ how does it relate using examples?

Characters •Somebody who has an addiction issue(Teacher, student(s), drug dealer, absent parents)

Nelson has a drug habit.

Locations •Unorganised and untidy houses•School, local area, Teachers home

Nelsons drug habit is taking over him, his cleanliness gets the better of him, house is messy.

Story traits •Keeping the addiction a secret•Something happened in past to cause addiction

•He tells his student, not to tell anyone.•Broke up with ex girlfriend that he loved.

costumes •Casual jeans, smart shirts (anything that compliments role of character)•Glasses•absent parent= work clothes

•Nelson is a teacher who wheres shirts, which is what teachers are expected to where.•Nelson wheres glasses to hide his tired eyes

Props Cigarette, drugs, lollipop and bookwork

Nelson is repeatedly smoking and using drugs

Rituals •Drug use•Balancing addiction with everyday life

•Nelson is always sneaking around to take drugs.•Tries to balance drug habit with being a teacher.

Syntax of film• The syntax of this film is that when we are involved in situations that

may be difficult and life threatening, we must share our problems with others in order that they are resolved rather than getting worse.

• Make the correct decision when it comes to drugs, as it can take over your life, and be very hard to break free from

Tone• In the scene where nelson is going for a night jog, the surroundings are

tinted, with a dark shade of blue.• The lighting is purely reflected from the sky, there is very little use of

artificial lights. The pure blue surrounding connotes a feel of relaxation, due to the fact that blue is the colour of the ocean and sky.

• Blue also brings about a sense of peace and freedom, this could reflect nelsons mood, and the fact the jogging is the only way he can truly release from the stress and tension caused from his addition.

Tinted Dark blue sky Calming, (pure)

Blue represents freedom

Tone• The lighting sets a dull and romantic tone towards the mood

and era in the school disco. With soft lighting which is set creates an uneasy due to the colour blue (which a common use of colour like soft pink) as it is inappropriate between teacher and student.

• In this Case blue creates unease(only in this case)

The focus on the teacher and student close up

Conventions of genre/sub/hybrid

Examples from film Use/develop/challenge/why

Explores real life situations Fish tank Use, due to the fact that half nelson is based on a drug addiction, which many people are faced with

Shows the journey of a character

Slum dog millionaire Challenge, ‘half nelson’ doesn’t really focus on the journey of a character and how he's grown, but more about his everyday battles

Some sort of conflict Kidulthood Use as there is conflict with the teacher and a black man, regarding the child.

Happy ending Pursuit of happiness Use, as half nelson ends with the teacher and student being very content and making jokes

Audience can relate to character

My sisters keeper Use, as many individuals can relate to the drug issues within the film.

Violent scenes Crash Challenge, as ‘half nelson’ doesn't explore a wide range of violence

Addiction 28 days Nelsons drug habit

Conventions of a drama

More conventionsConventions of genre/sub/hybrid Examples from film Use/develop/challenge

Racial prejudice Freedom writers Challenge, ‘half nelson’ does not involve racial prejudice, this is shown as the white teacher, and black student get on very well, which wouldn’t have been the case many years ago.

Abuse/men controlling women Stories of Tina turner Use because in the film ‘half nelson’ there is a scene whereby he unwillingly forces a lady into sex

Romance/sex scenes Dirty dancing Use, as there are sexual relations between Nelson and a woman

Divorce A separation Challenge as Half nelson is not based on a divorce, it is focussed on addiction

Conventions analysis Conventions of genre/sub-genre/hybrid

Examples from your film (bullet points and screen grabs)

Comparison to other films in the same genre/ sub-genre/hybrid?

Use, develop of challenge?How/why?

Drama-conflict - When both men after the disco was wanting to drop Drey home.- When both men (drug-dealer and teacher want to spend time with Drey after she lost her key and got locked out.

Crash- the battle between pride and regulations (the police man feeling the black mans wife)

The film develops it because there is a divide of races which cause conflict, however the film develops it because they learn to get along/ put up with each other for Dreys sake.

Conventions analysis Conventions of genre/sub-genre/hybrid

Examples from your film (bullet points and screen grabs)

Comparison to other films in the same genre/ sub-genre/hybrid?

Use, develop of challenge?How/why?

Racial Prejudice

-Constant conflict between both teacher and drug dealer/ family friend in order to help student (which is expected in a drama film).

-Freedom Writers between teacher and students

It uses racial prejudice but then develops it towards the end as they don’t constantly battle.

Conventions analysis Conventions of genre/sub-genre/hybrid

Examples from your film (bullet points and screen grabs)

Comparison to other films in the same genre/ sub-genre/hybrid?

Use, develop of challenge?How/why?

Historical issues - The blacks have issues with the whites within the community for whatever reason (which had happened outside the film)

Freedom writers-again there were issues between the Latinos, English, blacks etc. because of previous events.

Uses- to cause conflict and to some what make the audience relate or highlight that there are pain within these areas for whatever reason which has occurred in the past.

Conventions analysis Conventions of genre/sub-genre/hybrid

Examples from your film (bullet points and screen grabs)

Comparison to other films in the same genre/ sub-genre/hybrid?

Use, develop of challenge?How/why?

Drama-Stereotypes -Blacks are drug dealers -White people are teachers or of higher status

Freedom writers- Blacks were loud and gang members

Develop-as their was the teacher who is higher empowerment was taking drugs just like the gang members.

DOMINANT IDEOLOGY EXAMPLE/EVIDENCE FROM FILM

WHY THIS DOMINANT IDEOLOGY IS PRESENT IN THIS FILM/GENRE.

• That black people are troublesome and involved in crime

• The little girls brother is in prison

• To reinforce stereotypical views of black people.

• Constant Drug trading from black people

• Gangs hanging around street corners

• To highlight the idea that there is high crime rate in an undeveloped area

• White people are entitled to better job positions

• The majority of teachers were white, even the head teacher.

• It reinforces stereotypical views on the system however, is developed by his abuse of drug usage

• People who are drugs, are not in the right state of mind and alone.

• When he is at home alone contemplating on his life's turmoil

• To aware and educate the audience to some extend of the lifestyles which can come alone with drug use.

Dominant Ideology

Audience• In my opinion, this film is for a mass audience because it reflects and shows audiences in many different

regions, life in undeveloped areas and occurring scenario's which could happen.Details of audience Target audience Secondary Audience Explanation of why they

would be attracted (watch) the film.

Age Teenagers Young adults Teenagers-they would see elements and wonder what inappropriate behaviour is occurring Young adult- again question what man would be a teacher(being a role model for children but does drugs)

Gender Women Men Women-head teacher and child/studentMen: lower teacher

Ethnicity Black White Black-majority black area; white-main teacher

Social Class Lower class Middle Class Lower-students/ drug dealer; Middle-teachers/parents

Social group Gangsters Chavs etc. Gangsters run the area, following by others

Sexual orientation Straight Lesbian, BI, Gay Mixed-teacher and student; Same- the teacher with women.

Profession/role Teachers Students Teachers-main character Students- focus point

C) The trailer(which is a marketing tool) attracts the target audience because it highlights the conflict and elements of the film which seems heightened by tension or even clips which make you question as to why. This draws the audience in and allows them to query and possible go on to watch.

Audience theory McQuail

Reasons why people watch the film Explanation

Entertainment Half nelson may be watched party for entertainment purposes. Certain scenes such as where he is dancing in the disco, are quite humorous and therefore entertaining.

Information This film gives information. It shows reasons as to why people may become so addicted to drugs. In this case drugs makes the teacher happy, due to the fact that he cant do anything without having drugs first.

Personal identity People who have suffered or are suffering from an addiction, and therefore seek personal identity with the character, as they have experienced certain real life situations that the character has.

Integration & social interaction Social interaction may occur when people discuss the situations that are explored throughout the film, they may also inform others about the film.