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Analyse one of your products against narrative theories

Our AS coursework product 'Conflict' conforms with several narrative theories. Although we only filmed the opening, we had the key narrative elements within that and also the storyboard/treatment serves well in supporting this analysis.

One theory that can be applied is Strauss' theory of binary oppositions as when events take a turn for the worst and the protagonist is in the alleyway, the lighting in front of the protagonist is light whereas the lighting the threatening youths is very dark and blacks out all of their features, leaving only silhouettes, which creates further enigma. This mis-en-scene encapsulates binary opposition at its best, as it helps clearly portray the roles of the victim and the oppressor.

Another theory that can be applied is Todorov's three part structure which begins with an equilibrium, then a disruption which causes disequilibrium, and at the end a resolution where a new equilibrium is reached. In Conflict the equilibrium consisting of the protagonist's life is established using establishing shots such as of him walking down the road, listening to music in an ordinary manner and also lighting to depict a normal day. The disruption occurs as the main character encounters danger from a  group of antagonists, and in the opening there is no resolution as otherwise the film would be completely pointless. This 'cliffhanger' effect used early on in the narrative is to hook the audience to the product.

A contemporary theory that can be applied is Allan Cameron's 'modular narratives' theory (2009). His theory has 5 parts, and relates mostly to modern cinema. Only one part can really be applied to Conflict. Cameron suggests that products can be 'anachronic' which means that flashbacks/flashforwards and a general lack of chronological structure is used as a key feature of the narrative. In my film, this is the case as is seen in the opening which further on turns out to be a flashback. By using this method we hoped to make the narrative more exciting and complicated for the audience to decipher, in the hope of gaining full attention and also just to experiment with alternate filmmaking.

Development of skills

Whilst making my A2 coursework I learnt a range of skills on both Photoshop CS5 and Final Cut Pro. On Photoshop it is difficult to comment on what exactly I learnt, as most of it has been experimental since I knew nothing on the programme before. To create the digipak I searched for basic Photoshop tutorials and from those learnt how to make layers and duplicate layers. With that I discovered text layers and also how to change/download fonts. I also learnt how to import images such as industry information into Photoshop to use on our original images. From experimenting I was able to see how to select certain areas and erase, change the amount of blur or colour them. I used gradients in drafts of the digipak but in the final I mainly used pixelation effects, a change in colour levels and text layers to create the final piece.

For the music video, I used Final Cut Pro to edit. From searching the internet I found various techniques that would positively enhance the product. Firstly, I discovered how to use the 'b' & 'a' letters as a short cut for using the blade to cut which proved very useful. I learnt how to delete audio, such as the unwanted talking on our original footage, by locking the visual and then being able to delete the audio layer. From experimenting with various colour and image effects I learnt which ones worked well with different lighting and also how to change the overall atmosphere of the picture. I used desaturation throughout to make the tone dark and bleak, to suit the song. A very useful tool I learnt was the one for adjusting speed of a clip by pressing 'ctrl+j' because it was simple but made scenes in the music video work much better than originally planned.

Research; Kidulthood

Media texts created by institutions about youth have complex backgrounds as to who made them, who for, what this does to the reputation of youth and whether or not they conform to news stereotypes.  

The 2006 film Kidulthood, written by Noel Clark, is predominantly an 'anti youth' film as it represents youth in a negative light throughout with the use of graphic violence, promiscuity and prostitution, drug abuse and disrespectful language.

However, beneath these disturbing scenes portrayed by characters all around 15 to 19 years old there are emotional qualms which spur empathy in the audience for the characters such as the distress attatched to being pregnant, and thus the text becomes a pro youth piece made to educate the ignorant and possibly change their views by forcing them to look beneath the surface.

Henry Giroux explains the empathy factor by stating that 'for youth, especially those who experience ruthless subordination and oppression, nihilism often translates into senseless violence, racism, homophobia, drug addiction, date rape, suicide pacts, escalating homicide rates, and a refusal to participate in building communities of hope and alliances with other oppressed groups'.

The film was made by Noel Clarke, distributed by Revolver, and has a wide range in the target audience. The first is adults who may not have previous first hand experience of the topics depicted, many middle or upper class and those interested in niche films that aren't necessarily quintessential British products such as Notting Hill. The other main target audience is young people aged 14-25 who can identify with the themes and therefore find the film to be highly entertaining whilst at the same time witnessing the consequences of actions that may not be dissimilar to their own and thus acts as a warning.

The product conforms heavily to the 'thuggish' stereotypes of youth that are created and projected by the press because of the themes, mis-en-scene, locations and even the actors. It also slightly mocks the racial prejudice as sometimes seen in the press when Moony says 'Ain't it ironic though, bllack cab don't take black man'. On the other hand whilst their actions conform, their emotions subvert as a personality is rarely conveyed in the press unless it is that of a victim. This is to show the gritty reality that Noel Clarke was so passionate about showing.

essay plan; 'Analyse a product you created on representation'

- Product: Conflict, include genre and background narrative information.
- Representation of characters: Yobs, use key terms like 'short cut' and explain.

- Representation of context: London, gang culture, crime

- Representation and how it's portrayed through mise-en-scene, editing, sound, lighting and camera movements.

- Include some constraints that affected representation; budget

- Refer to representation of the above to existing theories:

• Gaye Tuchman and sexism, men twice more likely to be in the product.
• Hegemonic marxist theory.
• Audience gratification