Friday, 29 February 2008

Fri 29 Feb

12MS
What defines Hollywood? A consideration of Hollywood films and marketing through comparison of film posters.

13FS
Finished 21 Grams and began discussion into its meaning and how it's melodrama and an Inarritu film.

12FS
The class became the UK Film Council and decided the fate of five projects. For their efforts (which were excellent) they got an exam Q to do for Thurs. 6.

Have a good weekend.

Thursday, 28 February 2008

Thurs 28 Feb

12App
The return of unit 2 which will need returning, with vast improvements, to me by 18 Mar. Be sure you know what you need to do.

13MS
Discussed Scarface as a gangster and compared it to a 13 min. section of 1983 version. Assignment: To what extent did Scarface follow the gangster genre? 5/3 - doesn't have to be essay

12MS
Related Bourne Ulitmatum to MED2 spec. Considered the innovative aspects of the film: overlapping narrative with Bourne Supremacy & editing style.

Q: Choose 2 film and/or broadcast fiction texts (including Bourne 5/3Ultimatum) which appeal to different audiences. Compare their content and style.

Wednesday, 27 February 2008

Weds 27 Feb

13FS watched another 30 mins of 21 Grams

13MS
finished Scarface and brief discussion about the film.

Tuesday, 26 February 2008

Tues 26 Feb

12App
Continuing working on unit 3 - unit 2 will be returned Thurs.

12FS
Yesterday's exam practice was promising - but should've been as you knew what you were being tested on. There still needs to be a greater awareness of using the stimulus material as a springboard for your answers.

Filled in some gaps on history of exhibiton in UK: how the multiplex saved cinema. Brief discussion about architectural abominations. UK Film Council on Friday - be prepared!

13FS
Screened first 55 mins of 21 Grams.

13MS
Feedback on essays; screened first part of Scarface (1932)

Monday, 25 February 2008

Mon 25 Feb

12App
The handing in of unit 2 for a formative assessment.

12FS
FS2 exam prac focusing on on cross-media ownership.

Friday, 22 February 2008

Fri 22 Feb

13App
Getting on with it. Agreed that Chris and Darren can have until 6 Mar to finish unit 4.

Thursday, 21 February 2008

Thurs 21 Feb

13FS
Introduction to authorship. Discussed origins of auteur theory - see PowerPoint in Common > Film & Media > Film Studies > Authorship. Be prepared, when watching 21 Grams next week, with a list of what you expect from melodrama and what you expect from Inarritu.

13App
Review of Unit 4 so far - deadline 2 week's today. You must be absolutely clear on what you need to do and do show me drafts before the deadline.

12FS
Continue discussion about multimedia companies owning the major studios and synergy. Looked at Sony as owner of both hard and software; compared format wars of '70s with BluRay and HD DVD. Exam practice on Monday on this subject.

20 Feb

12MS
Finish Bourne ID.

13MS
Mr Gates' intro to horror.

Tuesday, 19 February 2008

Tues 19 Feb

13FS Wrapped up melodrama (read textbook) with example from All That Heaven Allows. Consider Innarittu as an auteur for Thurs 21st.

Some time for PAL.

12App
Gave an example of a Treatment from last year. Emphasised need to get started on shooting.

13App
Started returning unit 4s

12MS
Screen Bourne ID 1

Monday, 18 February 2008

Mon 18 Feb

12App Hardly anyone hit the deadline for unit3 work; due in tomorrow! Don't forget those of you who haven't finished unit 2 need to do so.


12 Film

DO NOT ARRIVE LATE TO FILM LESSONS OR YOU WILL GET A DETENTION!

Discussed why the major studios are part of large media corporations and compared to the '70s media conglomerates. Synergy rules


13App

Chris and Darren's final version of unit 4: 3 March!



Friday, 15 February 2008

Film Alert for Yr 13 Film and Media

Sat 21.30 C2: The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada - important for genre & authorship

Mon. 13.15 C4 The Day the Earth Stood Still - for SF

Thursday, 7 February 2008

Thurs 7 Feb

Yr12 Applied
Be clear in which parts of unit 2 you must complete over the 1/2 term. Don't be overwhelmed by the amount of detail; much of it is straightforward but evidence is required.

Yr13 Media
Continuing our discussion of ideology & SF using doc as stimulus.

Yr12 Media
MED Unseen practice: Blackpool
Life on Mars sequel, Ashes to Ashes, starts tonight: WATCH!

Wednesday, 6 February 2008

Weds 6 Feb

Yr13 Film

Continued our discussion of Babel as melodrama with extracts from In the Mood for Love and Crash plus the evacuation of Susan from the village.

Due in on 19th: drafts of scripts; filmmakers should show some footage or detailed planning.


Yr13 Media
Notes on SF as a genre plus discussion of ideology (again).

Started documentary on SF with discussion about er... you got it.

Tuesday, 5 February 2008

Tues 5 Feb

Yr12 Applied

Continuation of finishing stuff that should've been finished yesterday.



Yr12 Film

Discussed the 3D success of Hannah Montana: differentiated Hollywood product from Home Ent/Internet; premium pricing to increase revenue in a mature market; counter programming against SuperBowl.



Brief discussion on role of Film Council which should be researched to find out about how it supports, and what type of films it supports or 18 Feb.


Yr13 Film
Introduction to melodrama. Examples of its concerns and brief history; it is a bourgeois form that was once progressive (against the aristrocracy). Extract from Meet Me in St Louis - a subversive destruction of the family.

What makes Babel a melodrama?

Yr13 Media
Poorly done essay (mostly) so do it again for 20 Feb: 'Genres embody ideological values.' Discuss with reference with one genre. Those who did it should use different case studies.

Extracts from Day the Earth Stood Still and Silent Running.

Monday, 4 February 2008

Monday 4th Feb

12Applied

NO ONE handed in ALL the work! Why is that? Laziness? Lack of organisation? Mr McDermott has investigated Google Calendar in an effort to be more organised - check it out.

Unit 3 assignments were given out to be completed, except all of 4, by 18 Feb.

12 Film

Finished Indie case studies in Carolco.

Discussed role of DVD in generated $$$ from sales and back catalogue. This cash cow is ailing and the future may be downloads. Platforms of distribution and how they've changed in the last five years.

Research: find out about the holding companies of the major studies and what other companies they own; same deadline as micros: 18 Feb.

Friday, 1 February 2008

Friday 1 February

13 Applied

Watched Daybreak Express, and some other extracts, of non contemporary documentaries as students should look beyond the modern for ideas.

Ferment was a fabulous example of matching form and content.

This research needs to be included in unit 4 but don't simply rely upon what we've done in class!