Me and my moviesGenre: Fantasy

I have chose to write and research fantasy films because I love them and how they can make up this world or animal or story about something that’s not real. It makes me think how would you even begin to think of something like this and how did it become so real on screen. You have to have a good imagination to watch a fantasy film. Lots of fantasy films are crated from novels so already have a big following I think this is a part of what attracts me to fantasy films because if it’s a book and is now being made into a film it means it must be good enough For someone to want to make it real. Fantasy film is a genre that incorporates imaginative and fantastic themes. These themes usually involve magic, supernatural events, or fantasy worlds. Although it is its own distinct genre, these films can overlap into the horror and science fiction genres. This is a main reason why I like the fantasy genre because it can be so easily mixed with other genres especially romance and horror.Often fantasy films bring to life reality and centre around an ordinary person but in an extraordinary place. This makes fantasy more real if the main character is just like us, they don’t know about this place. Other things that attract me to fantasy films are the special effects things that aren’t real and you didn’t even know could be suddenly look like they are actually happening and could be. The story has a lot to do with why I like fantasy films because it interests me when its something completely new I've never heard or seen someone write or make a film about. Usually big fantasy films have new actors in them because the story in so un life like therefore sometimes if you know an actor to well you don’t believe the situation. However if a big star in a similar film or genre is in a film this will also attract me just as much as the story and special effects.

Why I have chose the fantasy genre…

The Journey to The Centre of The EarthDirector: Eric BrevigYear of production: 2008

Professor Trevor Anderson receives his teenager nephew Sean Anderson to look after for the next 10 days while his sister prepares to move to Canada. She gives a box to Trevor that belonged to his missing brother, Max, and Trevor finds a book with references to the last journey of his brother. He decides to follow the steps of Max with Sean and they travel to Iceland, where they meet the guide Hannah Ásgeirsson. While climbing a mountain, there is a thunderstorm and they protect themselves in a cave. However, a lightening collapses the entrance and the trio is trapped in the cave. They seek an exit and falls in a hole, discovering a lost world in the centre of the Earth.

The Hunger Games

Director: Gary RossYear of production: 2012

In a futuristic place the totalitarian nation of Panem is divided between 12 districts and the Capitol. Each year two young representatives from each district are selected by lottery to participate in The Hunger Games. Part entertainment and celebration, part brutal retribution for a past rebellion, the televised games are broadcast throughout Panem. The 24 participants are forced to eliminate their competitors while the citizens of Panem are required to watch. When 16-year-old Katniss's young sister, Prim, is selected as District 12's female representative, Katniss volunteers to take her place. She and chosen boy Peeta, are pitted against bigger, stronger representatives, some of whom have trained for this their whole lives.

Harry Potter Series Harry Potter and the Philosopher's StoneDirector: Chris ColumbusYear of production: 2001

Harry Potter and the Chamber of SecretsDirector: Chris ColumbusYear of production: 2002

Harry Potter and the Prisoner of AzkabanDirector: Alfonso CuarónYear of production: 2004

Harry Potter and the Goblet of FireDirector: Mike Newel Year of production 2005

Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix Director: David YatesYear of production 2007

Harry Potter and the Half-Blood PrinceDirector: David YatesYear of production: 2009

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1Director: David YatesYear of production 2010

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2Director: David YatesYear of production 2011

Harry Potter is an orphaned boy brought up by his unfriendly aunt and uncle. At the age of eleven, half-giant Rubeus Hagrid informs him that he is actually a wizard and that his parents were murdered by an evil wizard named Lord Voldemort. Voldemort also attempted to kill one-year old Harry on the same night, but his killing curse mysteriously rebounded and reduced him to a weak and helpless form. Harry became extremely famous in the Wizarding World as a result. Harry begins his first year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and learns about magic. During the year, Harry and his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger become entangled in the mystery of the Philosopher's Stone which is being kept within the school. All the films follow Harry and his friends through the 6 years at Hogwarts going facing the dangers from challenges and all the supernatural characters trying to bring down Harry Potter.

Star TheoryWhen I saw Journey to The Centre of The earth I didn’t know any of the characters so the star theory didn’t attract me to this film the genre did. However after watching more films with the actor out of this film, Josh Hutcherson, in them I then wanted to watch the film again and told other people to because it’s a good film and they liked one of the main characters. The next film I chose to research from the fantasy genre was The Hunger Games and I was attracted to this films because of Josh Hutcherson from The Journey to The Centre of The Earth. So when I chose to watch this film it was because of the star theory, I think they needed him and some of the other well known actors in the film because it’s a new kind of fantasy film with a different story. The Harry Potter Films had a lot of famous well known actors but they were mainly the older characters playing teachers, so this film didn’t appeal to me because of the stars cast in it. Star theory is a big part of making some fantasy films successful though because not everyone is attracted to the story but they think if someone they look up to as an actor wants to play a role in it then it might be good. Stars bring in a lot of fans whereas the theme and story alone need to be stronger to bring in new fans and audiences. I am more likely to go and see a film mostly because I like an actress or actor in it and a lot of people do this and so directors know this and use star theory to make their film more appealing.

This is when a film involves other things – scenes, props, similar characters, in a movie as another. Sometimes they are sequels or just using the same character in a completely different film. For example vampire themed films have become popular and the vampire character is used in lots of different films like comedy, horror, romance etc.. but its all the same character just used and played differently.

Intertextuality

Twilight trailerCodes and conventionsTwo main characters a boy and a girl and one of them doesn’t quite act normal around other people but is interested in the other main character. Dressed like teenagers going to American high school. An incident occurs revealing something representing the genre and themes. Stereotypical costume and make-up very pale skin like a vampire. Supernatural abilities shown throughout. Blood sucking, killing fights. The main villain always out to get the good main character, the good character protecting someone.

SettingRainy dull looking small town. Lots of scenes in school and classrooms to show they are young and appeal to the young teenage audience.Big dark forests representing a scary place linking with vampires being scary.

CharactersGoody guy vampires and Villain vampires. Helpless damsel who everyone loves who’s human and always needs protecting and looking after. The good and bad vampire covens and the normal school friends.

ThemesBlood, Vampires, Conflicts, Investigations, Battles, Runaway, Romance, Fantasy.

NarrativeLinear because the film goes in order, from us not knowing to eventually discovering new things and that some of the characters are vampires

IconographyThere isn’t any because its set in a made up town and place because of the genre fantasy.

Toy Story trailer - Linear filmCodes and conventionsThere are seven characters but the story is about woody who is the main character along with Buzz light year who is introduced a bit later in the film than woody. We first see woody so we know he is the main one and the story is about him, his human and his friends. They are toys, we know this because the little boy who owns them in the film plays with them, speaks for them and moves them, then he leaves the room and all the toys wake up and are alive. They are in the stereotypical little boys bedroom. An incident occurs a new toy is brought into the room who thinks he’s real.

SettingLittle - boys bedroom where most of the scenes are because that’s where the toys live.Toy box - what all the toys jump out of when the little boy leaves the room.House – we see round this when the toys are trying to see what presents the little boy gets for his birthday.Truck – when Woody is trying to help Buzz and they are trying to get away from the evil dog.Next door’s garden

Characters• Toys• New toy• Little boy• Little boys friends• Villain trying to steal the toys• Evil boy next door• Evil dog next door

ThemesRomanceFantasyToysIncidentRunawaySelf-discovery

Scott Pilgrim vs. The World TrailerCodes and conventions:The main character is Scott Pilgrim the story is about his life and a girl he becomes linked with. The story then becomes a lot about her and her life as well as his. He is dressed like a geek, a typical teenager in a failed rock band, messy hair, retro tops. The girl is very comic book character looking, blue, pink other bright coloured hair. Other characters are dressed, act and have superpowers just like they are in a comic book to give the whole film the look of reading one. Always a villain and a hero. Geek fighting for the girl he loves.

Narrative – Linear film

Setting:Small town lots of snow – they use a lot of snow in the scenes and talk about it.Nightclubs – this is where he meets the girl he falls in love with. A few of the scenes are in night clubs where he has the fights with some of the ex’s so there is lots of space and people watching.Bars – This is where one of the main scenes is when they have the battle of the bands. Also a few more of the fights happen with the ex’s in bars.I think the setting is in bars and nightclubs because the film is for young people and it’s meant to be fun and they need lots of space to fight.

CharactersScott Pilgrim the main character – geek of the comic book, becomes heroic.The girl – geek falls in love with her, has 7 evil ex’s7 evils ex’s – fighting the geek one by one to create the story, all been out with the girl.Scott Pilgrims friends – part of his band, in the battle of the bands and like the girlGeeks stalker – in love with the geek, helps him fight one of the ex’s

ThemesComic bookFightingViolenceLove FantasyComedy

IconographyVideo game coins when someone diesVideo game weapons (the hero sword)Comic book words when someone is hit/hurt (POW)Slow motion action in fightsVideo game sound effects

Media LiteracyI found out about films through technology mostly TV adverts or social networking sites. If a trailer comes on TV I will watch it if it looks interesting, however with pause and fast forward now I mostly don’t end up watching the adverts anymore so miss them. Another place I watch a lot of trailers is YouTube, sometimes before my video comes on the advertisement will come on and you can’t always skip it , this makes me watch trailers and makes me want to go and see films if it looks good. I think social networking is one of the best ways to advertise because of how many people are a part of it. I don’t usually see films advertised on twitter or Facebook which are other sites I spend time on, unless an actor I follow or a page I have liked says something about it because they are in it or like it.Magazines is another place I might see a movie poster for an upcoming film but I don’t buy magazines that much and I wouldn’t go out of my way to buy one just for looking at what films are coming out. I think the best way to advertise a film is online or in real life. Sometimes if I see an advert for a film on the side of a bus or on a billboard it will draw my attention and I will read it because of how big it is. This is another good way to catch everyone's attention from any audience because you only have to go out to see it, also a lot of people use buses daily. Another place I see films advertised is when I'm actually at the cinema when your waiting for the film to come on. I think this is a good way of advertising for the target audience because the right people are there. They usually play trailers that the film you’ve paid to watch is like, maybe from the same genre or writer/director.

Reception TheoryThis is when a person might like a film because it relates to them and their personality. They might enjoy a certain genre so will be drawn to a film because it has that genre. The way the film communicates to a person makes them dislike or like it. It’s were a film emotionally connects with someone because of something in hi life. For example a romance film might relate to someone and they might enjoy it more because of what's going n in their life. Romance is one of the main genres that tries to relate to peoples lives to make them connect with the film. Also comedy films do this because they try and show re life funny situations to make people laugh because maybe something like that has happened in their life. An example of a film that uses reception theory is ‘Meet The parents’ (Jay Roach 2000). His film shows new boyfriend going to his girlfriends house to meet her parents for he first time. This story is relatable to a lot of people in some way because most people have been in a situation like this. This theory helps films become more popular and people like them more.