Blockbuster vs. UK Independent Film:

Critically compare the contexts between the production of a big blockbuster and a small UK independent film.

Star Wars: The Force Awakens:

"The Force Awakens" is a huge blockbuster movie that came out in 2015 and many Star Wars fans were excited to watch it. Walt Disney Studios (the new owners of Star Wars after paying George Lucas for the franchise) are the creators of this film and was helped by Lucas himself.
Here's the "shopping list estimations" of the film's cost:
 
Film licenses (Abu Dhabi, Iceland, Scotland, London) = $17,000,000
Real sets (X-Wings, Millenium Falcon) = $26,000,000
Real costumes (Chewbacca, R2-D2, C3-P0) = $18,000,000
Casting (namely the legacy cast: Harrison Ford, Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher) = $40,000,000
Direct production (cameras including IMAX and 35 mm, lighting, post-prod, catering) = $25,000,000
Creatives (director Abrams, producer Kennedy, writer Kasdan) = $30,000,000
Music (composer Williams, soundstage rental, orchestra) = $22,000,000
Other (insurance, marketing and promotion) = $23,000,000

And the total cost is...  $201,000,000!!

After watching the trailer, I can see that this film would be a successful blockbuster, because of the whole Galaxy and planet scenes and designs, as well as the spaceships and the "Ultimate Death Star" (which is actually called the Starkiller Base). Also, there are familiar cast members in it from the original trilogy, like Harrison Ford (Han Solo), Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) and Mark Hamill (Luke Skywalker). Also, there are some actors who I may not know, but some other people might do, like Daisy Ridley (Rey), John Boyega (Finn) and Adam Driver (Kylo Ren).

The Red Shoes:

"The Red Shoes" is a classic film which was made in 1948 and is based by The Brothers Grimm fairytale of a young ballerina who has to dance to choose between the two things which she desires the most: Dancing and Love. It cost around £551'927, not as much as "The Force Awakens" had cost to make. Whilst watching the trailer, I realised that "The Red Shoes" is set in France, but still includes British actors, such as Moira Shearer (Victoria Page), Anton Walbrook (Boris Lermontov) and Marius Goring (Julian Craster) and that it is mainly more of a romantic film than an action one. I'm not familiar with these actors as I am with the cast of "The Force Awakens", but I can tell from the trailer that the cast of "The Red Shoes" were famous during the 20th Century.

Between the two films, I find that I'm more familiar with the more modern film, "The Force Awakens", to the 20th century film, "The Red Shoes", because of the time when I was born, really. I was into the Star Wars franchise before I was introduced to "The Red Shoes" by a relative. In my opinion, I prefer blockbusters than independent films, because I know that they are going to be filled with action and somewhat of an adventure.
Comparing the two films, there are various differences. 
One difference between the two is the popularities of the two films. In 1948, films were starting to gain popularity. Cinemas were only placed in certain areas at the time, such as Britain, USA, Europe and a few parts of Asia. They didn't have merchandise, such as toys, clothing and other items, for the film either, only posters and costumers that went in to watch the film. Whereas the Star Wars franchise started in 1977, with Star Wars: A New Hope and went up to the sequels and the prequles, until The Force Awakens came out. Cinemas were now built nearly all over the World and Star Wars also had its own merchandise: Toys, books, clothing, games, etc...! Also, actors from the original Star Wars trilogy were in the film, too, starring as their own characters from the films: Luke Skywalker, Princess Leia and Han Solo. 
Also, another difference between the films is mainly the producers of the films or the stories.
The Red Shoes are based off the story written by Hans Christian Anderson and Star Wars is  a series of different events folloeing one story plot, written by George Lucas. However, Disney brought Star Wars from George and with this information, fans may have also been anxious or excited to see what Disney could do with such a  huge franchise that many people enjoy.

Why are Films Important?:

There are many reasons why film is important for people. Firstly, it provides a lot of employment for actors, cameramen, directors, costume designers, concept artists, etc. It comes in many forms, such as Family, Educational, Factual and Escapism. Films tell stories, the majority of them are from special scripts and others are adapted from books, such as Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings and so on. They are widely available around the world in cinemas, on television and DVDs, providing entertainment even if you cannot read, hear or see.

Mind Map: Genre

Propp's Film & Media Theory:

Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone:
Propp's Character Theory:
 Villain - Voldemort,
 Donor - Albus Dumbledore, Rubius Hagrid
 Helper - Ron Weasley, Hermione Granger
 Princess - N/A
 False Hero/Anti-Hero - Severus Snape, Draco Malfoy, Professor Quirrel
 Dispatcher - Prophecy
 Hero - Harry Potter

Todorov's Narrative Theory:
 Equilibrium: Young 11 year old Harry Potter is being treated like a slave by his uncle and aunt as his parents had did tragically when he was a baby.
 Disruption: Harry finds out that he is a wizard and is taken to Hogwarts with Hagrid, Ron and Hermione, who become his companions. This is when they find out that things are happening in Hogwarts that shouldn't be happening (eg: The escaped troll in the bathroom).
 Resolution: Harry finds out that there are some dark wizards who are out to get him, who are lead by Voldemort. He goes to find the Philosopher's Stone, an ancient, magical object that makes the owner immortal.
 Restored Order: Harry learns more about the wizards who are after him, as he fights Professor Quirrel/Voldemort in the secret chamber.
 New Equilibrium: Harry settles in well at Hogwarts and his House, Gryffindor, wins the House Cup. But, at the end of the year, Harry has to go back to the Dursley's for the summer.

Analysis:
The main hero is Harry Potter, who had survived the killing curse from Voldemort.
Voldemort is the main villain, as at the start of the whole series, Hagrid had explained why Harry survived and who tried to kill him. Harry had said "Voldemort?" when Hagrid silenced him and said to call Voldemort by "He-who-must-not-be-named". Already, when I had watched this I had be given the impression that Voldemort - I mean "He-who-must-not-be-named" is the main villain.
Ron and Hermione are Harry's first two friends that he makes on the train journey to Hogwarts and they continue to support him throughout the film.

Alice in Wonderland (2010):
  Villain - The Red Queen, The Jabberwocky, The Knave of Hearts
   Donor - The White Queen, The Caterpillar
  Helper - The Mad Hatter, The Dormouse, Chesire Cat, The White Rabbit, The March Hare
  Princess - The White Queen...?
  False Hero/Anti-Hero - Bandersnatch, Bayard
  Dispatcher - The Prophecy
  Hero - Alice Kingsleigh

Todorov's Narrative Theory:
 Equilibrium: Alice is at an engagement party with her mother.
 Disruption: Alice follows the White Rabbit down the Rabbit hole and finds herself in Underland. She finds out that she may be part of the prophecy that she'll slay the Jabberwocky, a beast that is controlled by the Red Queen.
 Resolution: She, along with some new companions, go around Underland to find out more about the prophecy and to find out if Alice is The true Alice from the prothecy. Alice also has to save the mad Hatter from getting his head chopped off.
 Restored Order: Alice fights the jabberwocky after realising that she IS the true Alice and wins, putting a stop to the Red Queen's rule.
 New Equilibrium: Alice is now the hero of Underland, however, she decides to go back home to the party, as she need to sort things out there. When she gets back, she politely refuses to marry the man who proposes to her and becomes the head of a trading company that heads to China.

Analysis:
Alice Kingsleigh is the main hero in this film, as the film starts with Alice interrupting her father's meeting, claiming that she's had "the nightmare again".
Years later, after her father's death, she is to be engaged to Hamish Ascot, when she runs off and follows the White Rabbit down the rabbit hole, where she finds herself in Wonderland. Along with her friends (The Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, etc...), Alice fights against the Red Queen (who is the main villain) to free Wonderland.
The final fight at the end determines that Alice is the TRUE Alice, as she fights against another villain (who is mentioned throughout the film) the Jabberwocky.

Spirited Away:
  Villain - Yubaba
  Donor - River Spirit
  Helper - Lin, Kamaji, Boh, Radish Spirit, Yubaba's bird, Haku
  Princess (or in this case, prisoners) - Mr. and Mrs. Ogino
  False Hero/Anti-Hero - Haku, No-Face, Zeniba, Chichiyaku
  Dispatcher - Haku, Kamiji
  Hero - Chihiro (Sen)

Todorov's Narrative Theory:
 Equilibrium: Chihiro Origio and her parents are moving to their new home, which Chihiro is unhappy about. Her father makes the wrong turn and they find themselves in front of a tunnel which leads them to an abandoned cultural Theme Park on the other side of the ghost town.
 Disruption: After finding a boy named Haku, Chihiro is told that her and her parents are in danger and need to leave quickly. However, when she returns to her parents, they had been turned into pigs after eating the food from a restaurant and Chihiro runs away. Haku finds her and helps her to get to the bathhouse which is owned by Yubaba the witch.
 Resolution: Chihiro ends up working for Yubaba and helps around the bathhouse, making friends with Lin and Kamiji. She ends up saving a river spirit who gives her a gift and also letting a spirit called "No-Face" into the bathhouse. Eventually, No-Face ends up nearly destroying and eating the workers at the bathhouse. Chihiro manages to lead him away from it, as she catches a train to find Yubaba's sister with Boh and Yubaba's bird, so that she can save her friend, Haku.
 Restored Order: Yababa's sister, Zaniba, tells her about the spell that Yubaba had placed on Haku and helps her to be brave. Chihiro calls Zaniba "granny" and when she leaves, she finds Haku, healed from the injuries from paper spirits, standing in front of the door in his dragon form. On their way back, Chihiro discover's Haku's real name: Kohaku, and Haku immediately changes back into his human form.
 New Equilibrium: Chihiro faces Yababa's challenge and wins, freeing herself and her parents from the witch's clutches. She is lead to the edge of the town by Haku and Haku tells her when going through the tunnel she is not to look back. Otherwise she is trapped in the spirit realm. When she and her parents are back at their car, Chihiro looks back through the tunnel. Her mum tells her to hurry up, and Chihiro goes, the hairband that Ziniba gave her sparkled. And the car leaves the forest.

Analysis:
A young human girl is upset about moving house and her parents accidently find what they think is an abandoned amusement park. What it really is is the spirit realm, where spirits roam at night. Chihiro's parents end up as the "princess" in this film (or in this case, PIGS) as Yubaba - the main villain - turns them into pigs. Chihiro, with the help of Haku (who is a friend, dispatcher and a false hero), finds a way to save her parents so that they can return home.

Musical Journies:

I've chosen TWO music videos, which are both by Within Temptation.

1. Memories

This video is a journey through memories of an elderly lady.
This is very sad, because the lady is remembering when the house was beautiful and also remembering her loved one.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bhzJO34SCoc

2. Angels

This one is a journey of a murder, with flashbacks.
It shows the classic mistakes of the victim, the murder and how the victim gets revenge in the end.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ifTjdKrTPw

Typography:

Reviews:

Research 3 different magazine reviews and write a review from our interview with Henry Uniacke:

1. Empire Magazine's Review of The Dark Knight Rises:

Plot
Eight years after Batman disappeared, blamed for murder, Bruce Wayne (Christian Bale) is a wounded recluse, but Gotham is vibrant — until masked maniac Bane (Tom Hardy) decides it’s high time to bring the city down. Facing this new threat and mysterious cat burglar Selina Kyle (Anne Hathaway), Wayne decides the Dark Knight must rise, once again.

Verdict
With spectacle in abundance and sexiness in (supporting) parts, this is superhero filmmaking on an unprecedented scale. Rises may lack the surprise of Begins or the anarchy of Knight, but it makes up for that in pure emotion. A fitting epitaph for the hero Gotham deserves.

*The Empire is an American magazine which reviews  films, games, TV  series and movie stars.The typography is very bold and stands out from the background. We can see that the figure in the centre  is important because if we look to the left of the cover, we can see that the whole side of this cover is talking about The Dark Knight and Batman vs Bane.

2. Sayle Gallery Review of  "Wildlife-An Artist's View " (Jeremy Paul):

This October, award winning wildlife artist Jeremy Paul brings his new exhibition 'Wildlife - An Artist's View' to the Sayle Gallery. 

This new exhibition will showcase 35 of Jeremy's latest original wildlife paintings, many of which have been informed by Jeremy's recent research expeditions to Borneo and Yellowstone National Park (USA), to photograph indigenous wildlife in their natural environment. 

The exhibition also falls on the back of Jeremy's painting 'Winter Light', which shows  a barn owl flying over Kionslieu Lake, Foxdale on a winter morning, winning the ‘British Wildlife’ award for Wildlife in its Environment at the National Exhibition of Wildlife Art(NOWA).

 “As ‘wildlife in its environment’ is my main aim in most of my paintings, I am really pleased to get this award. This is the sort of work I really enjoy doing" -Jeremy Paul.

 'Wildlife - An Artist's View' will run from 30th October, until 20th December 2015.

*The Sayle Gallery showcases many artists' work and reviews them all in this magazine. I've decided to choose this painting of the next artist-Jeremy Paul- who will be showcasing his work on 30th October to the 20th December. I really like this picture because the rule of thirds is clear to me, as we can see that the owl is placed on the right side of the picture, whilst the landscape is shown everywhere else. He uses texture very effectively contrasting between the smooth snow and the delicate owl's feathers and the tuffs of grass. 

3. Cuisine Restaurant Review of the Restaurant of the year, Roots, Lyttelton:

Chef-owner Giulio Sturla (left) is the real deal when it comes to eating local. At his small restaurant, which he established with partner Christy Martin, he serves food he has grown, foraged or sourced locally from artisan producers and sustainable farms. Humble ingredients are transformed into dishes that make you pause to wonder and contemplate, as in a plate of delicate house-made ricotta, superbly smoky, smooth eggplant puree and small coloured brassicas.
Exquisite flavours are found in slivers of black foot paua with flavoursome fish broth, celeriac puree and salty garlic crisps. And the unexpected makes you smile, such as the pre-dessert board with a soft disc of lavender marshmallow, a warm madeleine and yarrow tea. Service is warm, attentive and capable, and wine offerings – chosen for their personal connections to the owners – are intriguing. Roots is very clever, but whole experience still manages to feel down-to-earth and friendly. 

*The Cuisine Magazine reviews different cafes, restaurants and written recipes. This cover is very bright and colourful and I think that the two colours of the text (pink and green) fit well with the type of food which is being portrayed on the cover. The cover heading is very bold, as well as the sub-heading. The food is displayed very artistically and makes you want to look inside the magazine. (And it makes me hungry...)

References:
http://www.empireonline.com/reviews/
http://sayle.gallery/
http://www.stuff.co.nz/life-style/food-wine/cuisine/
Google Images


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My review:

Henry Uniacke is a black and white photographer who had been inspired by the nature and landscapes of the Isle of Man.

His Element exhibition at the Sayle Gallery is a response to the elements and/or nature, such as the pure landscapes and the abstracted surfaces which he had found during his time on the island. A few of his photos have figure in them, suggestiong that he wanted to show us the different forms that can be created by the bodies.

"I prefer traditional photography," he said, during the interview, "When you develop it, you receive the nice grain effects and the tones on the photo are more realistic and easier to see than the ones that you would get in a coloured digital photo."

Henry Uniacke then showed us a practical exercise: He punched a hole into a piece of paper with a sharp pencil and then, he explained: "When you look through the hole, your finger should be on focus. It's a small trick to teach you to focus properly." He had held his finger in front of the hole, then he continued, "But when you take your finger away from the hole, " He did just that, "The finger goes out of focus." He handed us pieces of paper to our group and we had a go ourselves. And it worked.

And as the interview closes, one of my friends asked: "Do you crop any of your photos?"

And Uniacke answered: "Nothing here is cropped. They are all full-framed film."

I'll keep that in mind for the future...

Five stars from me to your exhibition, Henry Uniacke!

Beth Nicol.

Arnold Newman:

Arnold Newman:

Portrait of the photographer himself

 Born: March 3rd, 1918, New York City.
Death:June 6th, 2006, New York City.
Career: Photographer

This picture is of a man, leaning on a piano, looking towards the camera. I believe that this picture was taken during the mid-1950s(?)However, to me, there is no particular moment in time for when this was taken...However, the focal point, for me is the triangle, although most people won't see it, until you've seen the whole picture, so, in other words, you see the man, then the piano and then in between the piano and the man and then you'll see the triangle.The composition is very neat, even though it is not very colourful. The main "colours" are grey, black and white, with a few tones. There is a fair amount of light and the bright whiteness helps to bring out the shadows.

References: https://www.arnoldnewman.com

Google images




My chosen photo from our trip at Ballaglass Glen:

My chosen picture shows a tree trunk, although if you look at it from a certain perspective/position, you can see that it looks like a beast (which I have nicknamed: Ballaglass, after the glen).
This was taken a few weeks ago, on my first week back at college.
My focal point is the beast itself, because it's the first thing that my eye is drawn to.

The composition of my picture is very good, because the green leaves look as if they are framing the beast and the dark shades help show up the beast within the bright colours of the background and surroundings.

Altogether, this picture looks like something from a fantasy story, which is something that I like a lot.