Film censorship is the removal of material which may be considered offensive, sensitive, or harmful in accordance to a media censor, this is usually generalized and avoided by the introduction of age restrictions or recommendations for films in Britain we have the BBFC(British Board of Film Classification).This classifies films and certifies them for public distribution, alongside several acts of Parliament such as the obscene publication Act.
They role is important to the film industry because they don't audience to see something that is going to offend them or seeing sexual scene of someone being rape can be controversial as they role can stop the film people from what they are doing is not right the people, the role is so important that the directors of the films are not being bias for example showing a historical film if the context is one sided this can cause the film to be censored.they role is to protect the public from anything offensive or could cause any harm.
Things that get censored are racism, sexual violence,graphic tortured scene, offending culture ,use of weapon, nudity, religion.
For example Human centipede was censored because of the consisted showing of any other characters. people being brutalized, degraded and mutilated for the amusement and the arousal of the central character this wasn't acceptable for the audience watching it as the character that was being portrayed as a enjoying what he was doing that is not a good thing for the audience to see it offend them because its suppose to be serious content.
Another example of the a film that first got censored was the exorcist in 1973 this was some case for the religious reasons. it wasn't acceptable for the audience has it offended the audience believe., disturbing for the audience viewing the film can be disgusting.
Th differences between banning and cutting a scene is when a film is edited or has had a scenes taken out of it to make it appropriate for the viewing.And banning a film is taken away from cinemas viewing completely due to in decent, harmful or offensive material.
In my lesson we had to a debate about censorship the other one was Forna versus kermode
things that identify between the both argument where this:
For censorship :Forna
The use of racial themes can cause racism around the audience whose viewing and it will cause major issue in the society.Social stereotype can offend people around the community, illegal act can encourage their acts on people to do something to hurt each other within the society. woman being rape can make the audience enjoy whats being shown in front them which can lead to problems.
Against censorship: kermode
Being told what yo can't and can watch is not acceptable how you suppose to know whats wrong and right if you don't watch something that is terrible a person have to make their own decision they shouldn't be forces to follow the rule.
Fear of expression, its against human rights people have freedom of speech that means that they can make their own decision and do whats please them and no one shouldn't stop them on what they believe into. its also their opinion know whats real and whats not real by watching the film on screen. Its peoples decision to response in certain way if their don't like whats being shown to them they can stop watching it no one is forcing them to watch it.
In my opinion i am defiantly for censorship because, it protect the public from anything offensive, watch can being the community together instead of destroying it and i believe that a lot of crimes happen through what stuff we see which leads people to kill one another. censorship is very good for controlling what it can be shown and what it can be shown.
what i have learned about film regulation is that if i'm planning to make a thriller film i have to consider if the themes are offending any of the audience it have to meet with the British Broad Of Film Classification criteria i have to be careful on deciding on what particular theme i will use so that the audience can not be offended by the theme i choose.
Narrative Theme
Narrative themes are topics or ideas within a film to create understanding themes could depend on genre for example romance , the theme would be love , obsession that would be the themes of a romance. narrative theme create an impact on the audience it allows them to engage with the emotions and it also allows the audience to empathize with the characters it allows the audience to relate with their events and emotions shown in the film.
Themes are important for the audience because it allows them to understand the narrative of particular genre for example in a thriller film the theme of a thriller film won't be about love its manly about something to do with murder or revenge that's more common on narrative theme of thriller film the audience won't expect to see a random theme as it will confuse the audience they won't bother to watch the film anymore as the theme is not based on the particular genre that's why themes are extremely important.
Some themes can fall into different genre as well for example in thriller there's obsession,it can fall into the romance genre as well as a thriller genre t depend on the particular genre that can be linked between one another.
Commons themes in thrillers are: revenge obsession death kidnappings survival captivates
Its clear for the audience to understand the themes so that they won't have assumptions about the characters playing n the film it also help narrative as it is made clear what type of theme the film they are about to view.
sub-genre
in a psychological thriller the theme will be based on guilt and obsession, and mental emotional character which tries to over come their brutish enemies but rather their are resilient on their own mental resources.
In a comedy thriller it combines with the elements of comedy thriller which combination of humor and suspense or actions film such as Mr and Mrs Smiths which is a comedy thriller.
The themes on this comedy thriller is action and suspense this s because the image shows how the two characters are standing in a particular way that could show straight away that this is a comic film the characters on the post look calm, the audience already tell what type of themes it highlights the films.
The themes has a impact on the audience has it makes easier for the audience to understand the ideas of the themes that is been used to make a film the way it is, it allows the audience judge what they are watching the theme is related based on genre, as for the production they wouldn't want to confuse the audience with a theme that hasn't got nothing to do with the genre it does that the audience wouldn't understand the message that's being sent to the audience so its very important for the themes to meet the understanding of the audience.
In my own relation of thriller themes that i will use will be revenge because i would want the audience to feel uncomfortable as i will want the people performing in my thriller to show the strong message based on revenge so that the audience can get a clear message straightway, the reason why i would use revenge because i believe that its a powerful theme that can build tension and suspense for the audience creating a mysterious set.
Setting and Iconography can relate to location, where the scene is being taken place or where a scene is set.This can be an outside location or inside.with a thriller film the typical conventions of setting would be a haunted house, dark ally , props are objects used by the actors performing in a film ;depending on the prop used these objects can help determine the narrative, identity of the character and genre.
Setting and Iconograpghy is important convention because it gives the audience understanding of what type of objects its been used and why the set is used in particular location it helps to make
The setting is made evident at the beginning that it is an deserted surroundings.The main actions take place within a cafe on the outskirts of a dirt road, usually where truckers stop, numerous props used to indicate the narrative, a newspaper with 666 deaths on it draws attention to the potential narrative of what the film may be focused around , although the males tinted glasses can noted as a costumes it is also a prop in displaying the type of character he could be.
props when thinking about the typical use of props in a thriller opening could be such things as weapons come to mind , if there's antagonist a knife and gun may be used to kill the victims.other props that can demonstrate characteristics for example if there's female victim she may have a hand bag or child would have a toy with them.
The dark forest setting is a more stereotypical associated with psychological and crime thriller where murders and conflict can take place and also a haunted houses would be a setting where horrible spirits and something tend to happen in haunted house this is conventional to a thriller as haunted house would straight away create fear the audience watching a thriller film they are expected to see this through a thriller film as haunted house is represented as bad spiritual place straight the audience would feel uncomfortable seeing the setting it makes the audience feel frightened. And also a haunted can create this idea to the audience that haunted is.
Iconography is an important aspect of genre, the audience are expected to see certain objects on the screen when we see a particular genre, for example in a thriller films, hammer,dark clothing, blood, candles fire, doors, guns and knives, we also expected to see a young girls ' normal ' objects use of dark and light this indicates what kind of genre it is for the audience as straight way the audience can tell what is expected to be seen in a thriller films they will be a lot of weapon on the set that when setting comes along with the iconography it create a idea for example if the audience sees blood it create this message in their minds that murder has happen.
when we watch film we notice how it is part together at a certain points each scene may last a few seconds or continues for few more minutes. The length of each shot determines the pace of the film and helps determine the mood, in between these scenes is some use of editing.Editing can be during the filming or usually done after the filming has been shot editing stage.
Speed of editing
Slow editing has been numerous of effects, it is mainly used in action films to create dramatic effects, but it can be used for this in a thriller film it can create suspense and make a scene seem scary from the build of tension.
Fast editing can be used for effects such as time lapsing, whereby each film frame is captured at a rate much slower than it will be played back, when replayed at normal speed, time appears to be moving faster, so it is lapsing.
To create tension the best form of editing is fading and slow motions effects, this allows the action to take its time to be revealed to the audience leaving them in suspense for a lot longer than normal time would , fades gives illusion of scenes drifting in and out and therefore it makes it able to flow as the tension rises.
Film trailers are an excellent way of connecting an audience to a film and this is achieved through the editing, film trailers mainly use a mixture of editing style , techniques and also speed to appeal to an audience and also to advertise a film.
This trailer of the film Reservoir Dogs, there are numerous editing styles and techniques used in order to sum up the entire narrative in few minutes.A lot of scenes are connected in order to show the different characters and action within the film. At around 12 seconds there is the use of slow editing, this creates dramatic effect when the characters in their suits walking down the street ; it shows them being cool and collected.The editing makes it appear to be a lot more slower than real life filming.Throughout the trailer are connected shots of the entire narrative to some up the story-line to the audience, until around 1:12, when the actors names are mentioned the edits range in between all the character to show what actor plays what character.This edits helps the audience understand who plays what character the quickened pace of it creates a dramatic outcomes.
The trailer of Pulp Fiction there are a lot of differences to Reservoir Dogs, although made by the same director with the similar type genre the edits within the trailer where different immediately, there was a faster use of edit to show the scenes, within the first few seconds there was around 9 different edits jumping to different scenes, this creates dramatic effect for an exciting action like narrative.The only suspense was the lead up with music. There was no suspense with this trailer because slower edits where not used, just as Reservoir Dogs the use of text was included after the filming stage to show actors names and what narrative was about.When showing the actors scenes quickened between them all.
Reaction shot is a shot which cuts away from the main scene in order to show the reaction of the character to it.
This is a reaction shot of a character in scream as this shot shows her facial expression through reaction shot she seems surprised something terrible is happening through the phone conversation this makes the audience connect with the female victim
as the reaction shot focus on the character on the screen.
Slowing editing is when clips are joined together at slower pace than an ordinary edit, in order to create suspense this create fear and excitement for the audience.
This is the famous scene shower of psycho in this scene we see the lady having a shower its a slower pace creating a tension and suspense for the audience watching this scene as the actor is aware of something tragic is going to happen.only the audience might know whats exactly is going to happen as this is conventional to thriller.
Montages is the speed of editing, this is reverse of slow editing in which in which shots are quickly joined together in order to create excitement.
This is used to create excitement for the audience as they want to see particular scenes in the film being shown to them this shot kind of confuses the audience as they are unaware of the situation of the character on the screen.
Straight cut is an abrupt cut from one edit to another which may have significance in the following of the narrative.
This is a clip from Reservoir Dogs it shows the important story-line by showing the audience how effective straight is used in this scene.
Fade out is when an edit fades from a scene into a black black, usually making an end of a film or episode (fade in -from black scene into an editing).
Dissolve is when an image is blended into another, the other disappears as the other one comes on the screen.
Wipe-cut is when the border around the screen or between the images, one images replaces another without dissolving.
Jump-cut is a cut in film editing in which two shots of the same subjects are taken from camera positions that vary only slightly.
180 degree rule the axis between two characters and 180* arc on which cameras may be positioned like an invisible line in which the camera can not cross otherwise the rules will be broken.
Shot reverse shot is mostly used in films where conversation is taking place when one shot is quickly followed.
In my own relation to my thriller opening there will be a lot of editing techniques i can use mainly the one that can build tensions to satisfy the conventions of a thriller genre , a slow edit during certain scene will empathise on action and make the audience concentrate more, i might choose stay away from using fast editing as it gives the impression of action and dramatic effect.If i want the audience to use their own imagination i will use the kuleshov effect to impact in relation to dragging out a narrative where i must show and explain everything using this effect creates mystery the audience must figure out.
In everything there is beginning, middle and end.A narrative in its most central senses is a series of events, but in order to construct meaning from narrative those events must somehow be linked together.
Conventions; there are a series of codes and conventions that helps us to interpret and understand the text it need to be considered when we look at the narrative:
Genre
Character
Time
Form
Propp's analysis of folktales:
Vladimir propp analysed a whole series of Russian folktale and decided that the same events kept repeating in each of the stories, creating a repetitive consistency within all tales. Morphology of the folktale, was first published in 1928 and has had a huge influence on literary theorists and practitioner ever since. Propp extended the Russian formalist study of language to his analysis of folktale.He broke down tales into the smallest possible which he called narrative function. necessary for the narrative to exist and displays a consistent pattern in most stories.
Propp's Theoretical Idea of Narrative: characters that perform function
The Hero-the major character is usually the hero(protagonist) with whom the reader will normally associate most strongly and who is the key person around which the narrative is told. Although this person is often a hero in some sense, they may also take another form, such as victim or seeker after some treasure of knowledge.
The Villain- The main person who seeks to stop or destroy the hero is the villain, such as as Darth Vader in Star Wars.The villain typically is morally bad, highlighting the goodness of the hero.The villain may seek to prevent the hero from achieving his goal or may quest after the same thing.The villain may also be a tempter , for example Darth Vader tries to seduce Luke sky-walker over to the 'dark side'.
The Donor-The donor is a person who gives the hero something specially such as a magical weapon or some particular wisdom , they may typically be Gods , sorcerers or wise persons. although they may be gatekeepers . this role may be combined with that of a helper.The donor may also be capricious and not easily swayed and may not give up their gift without setting the hero another task , from a simple riddle to a whole other quest.
The Dispatcher- An early role in the story is that of the dispatcher who sends the hero on missions.This may be a family member , mentor or a close friend it can also be the princess's father , who gives the hero a set of quests of to be completed before he gains the hand of the princess.The dispatcher may also be combined with another role, for example the false hero who then trails along behind (perhaps disguised as a helper)
The false hero-A variant on the villain and the potential complication within the plot is the false hero, who appears to act heroically and may even be initially mistaken for the real hero.The false hero will try to steal the hero's grabbing the credit and perhaps try to marry the princess instead,the false hero may also gain respect or other control of princess's father , frustrating the hero's ability to gain the hand of the princess.
The Helper-The hero is supported in his or her quest by a helper , often a wise old man or magician , who appear at critical moments to provide support the contrast between the limitations of this person and the hero may provide a further exposition of hero's defining characteristics such as intelligence, determination, courage other helpers appears along the way as friends or random people who fall into the predicament and support the hero.
The Princess-The princess may take two forms, first she may be the object which is deliberately sought by the hero, perhaps finding where the villain has taken her.Secondly, she may be the reward, such that after completing some other mission , he gains her affections or hand in marriage. The princess may be seen very little in the story, perhaps only appearing only at the end or may be an integral character for example where she accompanies the hero on his mission , where he may win her heart by the courage and determination of his actions.The princess may be wooed by many . in particular by the false hero.when we see the princess being won by false hero may rail and rant in frustration as we see her falling unwittingly into her clutches.
Her father-finally, there is the princess's father , who constrains the princess or who may dispatch the hero on his mission to save the princess.
The Princess's father is a key figure for the hero to persuade. as the father is almost always protective of his daughter.The father may also be in composition in some way in hero for the princess's affections and a triangle may form.
preparation
A community/kingdom / family is an ordered state of being a member of community/kingdom/family leaves a warning is given to the leaders of the community or rule is imposed on the hero.
The warning is discounted /the rule is broken
The villain attempts to discover something about the victim of the broken rule
The villain tries to deceive the victim to gain advantage
The victim unwittingly helps the villain.
Complication
A state of disorder
The Villain harms a member of the community / kingdom / family
One of the members of the community/kingdom/family desires something
The hero is sent to get what is desired
The hero plans action against the villain
Transference
The hero leaves home
The hero is challenged or attacked / he meets the test is given magical power from the helper.
The hero then reacts to the donor
The hero arrives at the place where he can fulfill his request
Struggle
There is a struggle between the hero and the villain
The hero is branded
The villain is overcome
The state of disorder is settled
Return
The hero returns
The hero helps pursued
The hero escapes or is rescued
The hero arrives home and is not recognized
A false hero claims the reward
A task set for the hero
The task is accomplished Recognition for the hero is recognized
The false hero or villain is unmasked
The false hero is punished
The hero attains rewards (princess or the kingdom )
Criticisms
Some critics may claim that there are many more characters types than propp suggests that they should have identity, propp's theory of narrative seems to be based around a male dominated idea that they are the hero's of the story it's not likely for the story-line to reverse in anyway for example the hero could be a woman the reward could be a man.
The critics argue that propp's of characters and events is restrictive changing the traditional format would change the whole propp's propose a narrative e.g the hero may , villain earlier , the narrative.
Also propps theory applies to fairy-tales and similar narratives based around quests, it does not apply to all narratives.
Todorov theory on narrative
Todorov suggested that story began with an equilibrium or statue where any potential opposing forces are in balance there are events, setting in chain a series of events problem are solved so that the order can be restored and the order of the narrative continues it consists of five stages.
- State of equilibrium all as it should ,
-A disruption of that order by an events.
-A recognition that disorder has occurred
An attempt to repair the damage of the disruption
-A return on restore of the equilibrium.
Start = Middle = End Equilibrium=Disruption=Middle=Resolution=End, Restored order =New Equilibrium.
The first turning point of the story. where the main character makes the decision that defines the outcome of the story.
The resolution:All mystery is solved.
The protagonist understands his or her goal and begins to work toward it.
The audience gets to know the main character.
The greatest overall tension;the phase in which everything goes mostly wrong.
The Armour handsome man. is stereo- typically handsome with blonde hair, his good looking, he parades to a castle on a horse, the importance of this character is that the character sets the scene of a fairy-tale and how he could be a handsome prince about to rescue a defenseless princess.
A wolf in grannies clothes its similar to the famous fairy-tale of the little red riding hood the importance of this character shows how the story will not be a stereotypical fairy-tale as it breaks the idea of propp's theory already we are expected to see a princess lying in a bed as we can assume this male character is a princess on a quest to rescue a princess.
In my own relation although these theorist ideas were crucial when thinking of my own thriller about my narrative theory for my opening of a thriller, i believe that it didn't apply to my dynamic of a thriller opening, but more like a fairy-tale , so in research of other theorist and came across Rowland's narrative theory on conventions and codes Rowland's narrative theory calms that a narrative can be broken down into five codes on sets of rules these are which refers to the events taking place, which can refers to the questions raised and answered which refers to the characters and characterisation, which refers to the information and expiation which can also refers to the connotation of sign.
Action code- refers to the events taking place
Enigma code-which refers to the questions raised and answered
Semantic code-which refers to the characters and characterisation
Referential code-which to information and explanation
Symbolic code-which refers to the connotations of signs.
Directed in a way how we see a narrative can be viewed from different angles and perspectives a story might give a important meaning that is obvious to the audience but when the story is untangles or is viewed from a different viewpoint may be a complete different story i think this compliments thrillers genre films as to keep the suspense and mystery you want to be able to give wider narrative to keep the audience aware o f what is always going to happen next , when basing on psychological thrillers. The narrative of the story may be something the audience does not expect at all.
This is a trailer from identity (2003) in this clip of the film the narrative film is displayed so far is a group of travellers who are stuck in a area due to bad weather conditions.One by one each of them are killed by supposed killer, all accusing each other they identify a common similarity among-st them.The audience believe that the only narrative within the film is the one we have been showed, the narrative have been described above, however , the audience then become aware of the characters and the situation at hand is a make believe story created in mind of a man with split personality. Each character is an imaginary person of this one man, and the killings are not real. when at Barthe's theory this type of thriller compliments his ideas and approaches of the audiences being shown a different view point to the film and all is not what is appeared to be obvious we believed the narrative of the film was about this group of people being killed when in fact the narrative was something completely different adding this to my own thriller may help support the 3 , shock, surprise, suspense.
