Practical Coursework- Question 5.

5. Certification Research.

12A/12 –
Suitable for 12 years and over Exactly the same criteria are used to classify works at ‘12A’ and ‘12’. These categories are awarded where the material is suitable, in general, only for those aged 12 and over. Works classified at these categories may upset children under 12 or contain material which many parents will find unsuitable for them. The ‘12A’ category exists only for cinema films. No one younger than 12 may see a ‘12A’ film in a cinema unless accompanied by an adult, and films classified ‘12A’ are not recommended for a child below 12. An adult may take a younger child if, in their judgement, the film is suitable for that particular child. In such circumstances, responsibility for allowing a child under 12 to view lies with the accompanying adult.

15 –
Suitable only for 15 years and over No one younger than 15 may see a ‘15’ film in a cinema. No one younger than 15 may rent or buy a ‘15’ rated video work.

18-
Suitable only for adults. No-one younger than 18 may see an ‘18’ film in a cinema. No-one younger than 18 may rent or buy an ‘18’ rated video.

12/12A-
-Discrimination
Discriminatory language or behaviour must not be endorsed by the work as a whole. Aggressive discriminatory language or behaviour is unlikely to be acceptable unless clearly condemned.

-Drugs
Any misuse of drugs must be infrequent and should not be glamorised or give instructional detail.

- Horror
Moderate physical and psychological threat may be permitted, provided disturbing sequences are not frequent or sustained.

- Imitable behaviour
Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied, or appear pain or harm free. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

- Language
Moderate language is allowed. The use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’) must be infrequent.

- Nudity
Nudity is allowed, but in a sexual context must be brief and discreet.

- Sex
Sexual activity may be briefly and discreetly portrayed. Sex references should not go beyond what is suitable for young teenagers. Frequent crude references are unlikely to be acceptable.

- Theme
Mature themes are acceptable, but their treatment must be suitable for young teenagers.

- Violence
Moderate violence is allowed but should not dwell on detail. There should be no emphasis on injuries or blood, but occasional gory moments may be permitted if justified by the context. Sexual violence may only be implied or briefly and discreetly indicated, and must have a strong contextual justification.

15-
- Discrimination
The work as a whole must not endorse discriminatory language or behaviour.

- Drugs
Drug taking may be shown but the film as a whole must not promote or encourage drug misuse. The misuse of easily accessible and highly dangerous substances (for example, aerosols or solvents) is unlikely to be acceptable.

- Horror
Strong threat and menace are permitted unless sadistic or sexualised.

- Imitable Behaviour
Dangerous behaviour (for example, hanging, suicide and self-harming) should not dwell on detail which could be copied. Easily accessible weapons should not be glamorised.

- Language
There may be frequent use of strong language (for example, ‘fuck’). The strongest terms (for example, ‘cunt’) may be acceptable if justified by the context. Aggressive or repeated use of the strongest language is unlikely to be acceptable.

- Nudity
Nudity may be allowed in a sexual context but without strong detail. There are no constraints on nudity in a non-sexual or educational context.

- Sex
Sexual activity may be portrayed without strong detail. There may be strong verbal references to sexual behaviour, but the strongest references are unlikely to be acceptable unless justified by context. Works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation are unlikely to be acceptable.

- Theme
No theme is prohibited, provided the treatment is appropriate for 15 year olds.

- Violence
Violence may be strong but should not dwell on the infliction of pain or injury. The strongest gory images are unlikely to be acceptable. Strong sadistic or sexualised violence is also unlikely to be acceptable. There may be detailed verbal references to sexual violence but any portrayal of sexual violence must be discreet and have a strong contextual justification.

18-
- Sex
Where sex material genuinely seeks to inform and educate in matters such as human sexuality, safer sex and health, explicit images of sexual activity may be permitted.

- Sex works at ‘18’
Sex works are works whose primary purpose is sexual arousal or stimulation. Sex works containing only material which may be simulated are generally passed ‘18’. Sex works containing clear images of real sex, strong fetish material, sexually explicit animated images, or other very strong sexual images will be confined to the ‘R18’ category. Material which is unacceptable in a sex work at ‘R18’ is also unacceptable in a sex work at ‘18’.

Practical Coursework. Questions 1-4

1. Contact details and weekly timetable comparison.
Phone numbers, facebook accounts, addresses and email addresses shared between group members.

2. Self Evaluation of skills.
a. Organisation, Deadlines & Reliability.

Organisation: Karis- 4. Hannah- 4. Jack- 3. Nick- 2.
Deadlines: Karis- 2. Hannah- 3. Jack- 2. Nick- 3.
Reliability: Karis- 4. Hannah- 4. Jack- 4. Nick- 4.

b. Technical.

Editing: Karis- 3. Hannah- 3. Jack- 3. Nick- 3.
Camera Work: Karis- 4. Hannah- 3. Jack- 3. Nick- 3.
Light and Sound: Karis-3. Hannah- 1. Jack- 3. Nick- 1.

3. Evaluation of Preliminary Coursework Assignment.
- Skills:
-Camera:
- Using video cameras and equipment such as tripods, USB leads and tapes, how to connect the camera to a computer and upload footage.
- Practicing steadying the camera, useful when we come on to use point of view shots.
- Using different camera angles, high, low, canted etc. to add variety to a piece of footage and create the right mood and atmosphere.
- Editing:
- Using the camera in conjunction with a computer.
- Learning how to edit using Final Cut Express.
- Learning how to take footage from the camera and make it into an actual piece, with strong continuity.
-Teamwork:
- Communication. Working well together in a team, making sure everything was working correctly, the right things were being filmed and nothing was being missed out.
- Sharing Duties. Making sure everyone had a go with the camera (making sure everyone was able to record something, zoom, and watch back), and that no one was left out, explaining something to someone else if they did not understand and vice versa.
- Story:
- Use of characters. The characters were easy to understand, their clothes and attitudes (tone of voice) were a good representation of the character they were meant to be portraying.
- Message. The message that one character was in trouble, and the other was about to talk to them about it was clear by our use of camera angles, mise en scene (particularly setting and costume), and the dialogue included in the piece.

4. Location Scouting.
- Houses.
- Hannah: Furneux Pelham.
- Jack & Karis: Stansted.
- Nick: Nr Dunmow.
-Transport Links.
- Trains/buses/cars in and around Newport & Stansted.
- Homes:
- Able to film in and around our houses, bearing in mind alterations to furniture layout and lighting.
- Possibility of filming the inside and outside of different buildings and using editing to make it appear they are all part of the same one.
- Local Area:
- Woods in Stansted & Furneux Pelham.
- Train Stations in Newport & Stansted.
- NB: We have to think about where we would be able to source lights, ie. If we were filming in the dark, may still need some source of artificial light.

Obsessed Trailer (2009)

Camera/Editing- Cross cuts towards the end between situation and emotions. Superimposing of the credits fading and dissolving on screen. As the action builds up towards the end the cutting rate increases dramatically to build tension and drama. Close up on emails and small but significant actions.

Sound- Always in the background underneath the voiceovers. The beats in the music correspond well with the action takes place and marks any major actions with beats.

M-E-S- Atmosphere of emotion starts of happy by the voice of characters which changes throughout the trailer much like Taken trailer. Influenced by music.

Taken Trailer (2008)

Taken is a Thriller.

SOUND- music and dialogue Voice overs while the shot locations changes. Music at the beginning continues while the drama does. The sound changes as the drama changes. It creates tension and suspense.

EDITING- Fast cutting rate towards the end while the action takes place. It cuts back to the man talking on the phone, Cross Cuts. Special effects include the flashing of images and the superimposing of the credits appearing on screen.

M-E-S- Expression of the whole clip, Atmosphere of being happy and a cliffhanger of how they feel when she gets taken. Lights at the beginning are bright and are natural. Towards the middle and end the lights change to a darker atmosphere giving the sense of mystery. Costume, we can tell it is set in a modern day situation. Setting- Accent they are American.

WOW!

This was our first lesson on blogging. Our teacher introduced us to the blogging world. We viewed a powerpoint explaining all the key features of blogging which put us in a position to start blogging. 

We have discussed ideas for our thriller opening coursework and have shared our favourite thrillers with each other to give us more inspiration.