Methods of employment within the media industry

Methods of obtaining employment within the creative media industry is most commonly known from word of mouth. The saying ‘It’s not what you know, it’s who you know’ which in some cases are very true for this industry. Personal attributes needed/wanted for this job sector would be an imaginative personality, as well as being somewhat of a leader, which would be true for such roles as producer or director. And the imaginative side would apply to animation artist and scriptwriters. Skills needed would most likely be somewhat talented within using film equipment and knowing how to use them, as well as a knowledge of audiences for someone writing a script and that would want to know who to aim the genre at. Training, such as university and college would apply, but not necessarily, after researching this job role it seems that the interviewer would look more closely at the personal attributes and skills, so in my opinion I would a portfolio would be important, which applies to the educational side of the media industry, however I feel that distinctions in creative media study’s wouldn’t hurt.

When researching job roles in the media, I found that when applying for such job roles as directing, someone would need many different skills and attributes to be taken seriously, such as being a leader, and being able to tell someone what to do and how to do it, and to get it done. Communication would be a big deal with this line of work. Getting into this job would be a difficult thing without the right connections, but working your way from the bottom to the top, for example becoming a runner for a few years and moving up and up and up. When researching this, I found a blog that a young man wrote, explaining how he started from the bottom and worked his way up to more responsibility:

–          “My experience in television has ranged from working as a news cameraman to director of an outside broadcast unit (including responsibility for hiring staff). During this time I have helped many people learn how to get themselves established in the television industry.”

–          http://www.mediacollege.com/employment/television/find-job.html

Different Types of Writing

A script is a person’s creative and imaginative story that they have written themselves. Usually when one writes a script it is genuinely meant that they wish to turn that script into a movie or short film. Wanting to project their personal image of what they have written to real life or animation, whether it be a short film or a feature film. A script is similar to a book, however very different at the same time. For example, a script contains camera angles, dialog, transitions and any other media terminology used when describing a scene. When I was writing the script for my genre scene “Living with idiots” I used many different media terminology when I was trying to get the image in my head onto paper. For example, I used parenthetical, which is a way to explain the way a character says something, for example, If my character “Milly” said something, however I wanted the person reading the script to know how she said it, I would add parenthetical. A strength with writing scripts is that a person cannot be too descriptive with the set or what the character is wearing, and focuses on the dialogue and the plot. However, a weakness with this particular way of writing is that it is more technical than writing a book, because one would need to add fade in/out’s, transitions, scene headings, camera angles etc. Once I was finished with my genre script, there were many mistakes that I needed to develop, mostly grammar and spelling mistakes. Which have been rectified and fixed, although when it comes to the technical side of media, I’m rather confident.

A review, is the honest and personal opinion of the writer about any form of media or object, for example a review of a game controller, how the person feels about the game controller; the size, the buttons, the analogue stick, also reviews are most commonly on films, for example, I read a film review on “A Clockwork orange” on the website “rotten tomatoes” which is a website for people that wish to review films as a hobby rather than a profession. I have written many film reviews, as well as game console and gaming object reviews, for example, I wrote a film review on “Be Kind Rewind” for my media course. I also wrote an object review on the Xbox controller. One of the strengths for writing reviews is that there is no wrong or right answer, it is genuinely the writer’s personal opinion. Although, a weakness with writing a review for a film is that many people may not agree with your opinion, whether it is good or bad, disputes could be formed and problems could be made due to how strongly the writer feels about what he or she is reviewing. Developing a review is mostly on grammar, facts about the film and the structure. Even though what the person is writing about is personal and the only person that can work on their opinion is the person writing it. Although, when I was writing my film review of “A Clockwork orange” I developed on it, by the structure of the review, in which I was told to write in an order, like, perhaps 100 words on the plot and 100 words on your opinion.

A blog is usually a person either writing or recording themselves talking about a subject that they feel strongly about. For example, I wrote a blog about anti-hero’s in films. Where I wrote about how within a film, the hero doesn’t necessarily have to be the generic strong, handsome type that saves countless lives and lives a double life. But even just a person who has nothing special about him or her, but they make a difference anyway. One of the strengths of writing or recording a blog, is that a person can choose a subject or be given a subject that they feel passionate about, and can talk freely about. However, a weakness with this type of writing is that again someone may not agree with your opinion and try to argue that their opinion is dominant, another weakness is that sometimes when a person is writing about something that he or she feels passionate about, problems with verbalising or writing how they feel can become difficult, I personally have gone through this many times when writing about something I feel passionately about, for example, when I was recording my video blog about “A Clockwork Orange” writing the script for it came very difficult to me, because “A Clockwork Orange” has always been a favourite film of mine, and I feel very strongly about what the film means and how the film is meant to be portrayed to the audience, and many people don’t agree with me, and trying to find the words to explain a film as deep as this proves difficult. When developing a piece of work such as this a person must focus on their weaknesses, for example, when I was developing my “A Clockwork Orange” blog, I focussed on the parts that I could make better and the problems with it, such as editing the blog to make it more entertaining and smooth when being watched. Other ways of development that I used personally, is that when I was working on my written blog about anti-hero’s I focussed on facts about the films that anti-heroes appear in, such as directors, character names etc. This helped very much when looking for a higher grade.

Broadcast and non-broadcast audio Script

Hello, ladies…gentleman. This is Emily Bowles, coming to you live from the smiley onion productions headquarters. Now, this is a small podcast about broadcast and non-broadcast audio. Even though there are many ways of listening to audio, one of them is;

Broadcast audio is a traditional way of transmitting music and radio programs without using the internet. Such as over a car stereo, or a home radio that is not connected to the internet and is getting signals, so such broadcast radio stations as RADIO 1 or MAGIC. There are many good points to listening to broadcast audio, such as broadcasting it live, so that someone doesn’t have to wait a while for it to download, or for it to buffer as you would if someone was listening to a non-broadcast audio.

Another way of listening to audio, is non-broadcast, which has been around for almost 10-15 years, and is the exact opposite of broadcast audio, which implies that this type of transmission methods are streamed over the internet or needs to be downloaded, through such a websites as BBC iPlayer, which have such podcasts as, “THE LISTENING PROJECT” which is about real life stories that have been sent in from listeners via the internet. Another example, is the website soundcloud, such as podcasts like, “MODERN DAY PHILOSOPHER ”  which is a comedy podcast where Philosophy are the topics covered by Danny Lobell, who is joined by other comedians.

–          https://soundcloud.com/danny-lobell

However problems with non-broadcast audio, are such things as having to wait for a podcast to be downloaded, or buffering, due to a slow connection when listening to a radio show over the internet. Buffering, is when a person is listening to something online and the internet is slow or a low a connection. For example within the MAGIC website the audio file is being downloaded in small parts while being listened too. When looking into the MAGIC website I found a button on the top left hand corner where there is a “LISTEN LIVE” button. Although problems with broadcasting without the internet is that you can’t pause, fast forward or rewind, as well as having to listen through the adverts.

–          http://radioplayer.magic.co.uk/live/

Listening to broadcast audio can also be streamed through a mobile phone, for example, a person could be listening to “SMOOTH RADIO” over their home radio, and, when they need to get a bus to work, they continue streaming the same radio station through an app on their phone, for example, the “SMOOTHRADIO” app, which can be downloaded through any phone. Showing that a radio station such as this, can be non-broadcast and broadcast audio at the same time.

–          https://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/smooth-radio/id383949934?mt=8

Other examples of non-broadcast audio, such as in store radio, are streamed through the internet in such stores, as ASDA, which in fact have their own radio station. Another example of in-store radio, is the old HMV radio station, and the “SUPERDRUG” in store radio station, which so far, is not being streamed through the internet or being able to be download on an app or on a phone, and is only being broadcasted through the in store radio station. Although the store did in fact post a tweet on the 9^th of May, stating;

“From 5th June Superdrug in-store radio is live with DJ Lou bringing you updates on the latest offers, taking song requests and shoutouts!”

–          https://twitter.com/superdrug/status/332525197603246080

 

“SUPERDRUG” are using social media to highlight their in store radio. Promoting it, and making a big deal of it, this shows that their radio is an important factor in their marketing.  

 

Fable 2 Review:

The game I have reviewed, is “Fable 2” which is an action, role-playing game, with an open world, from the Fable franchise. It was originally announced in 2006, and was released in October 2008, it was also called “the game of the year”, the player could also choose to be either male or female. The game takes place in the Victorian town of Albion. It follows the character, Sparrow who is making his or her way to find the person who murdered his or her sister. On the way, finding highwaymen, as well as enlightenment. With the character, a dog follows, that molds to the players way of playing. For example, the more evil deeds the player does, the darker the dogs fur will get, and the more good deeds the player does, the lighter its fur gets. As well as character appearance.
The visual style that I can see when playing this game, is a medieval type. For example, the clothes of the character, as well as the cities, are more like a mixture of Victorian times and medieval times, with monsters and magic, as well as the type of language they use, which personally I like, because it gives the player a worldly experience, like exploring a world that is very different from their own, from the forests to the monsters, gamers usually love to experience something different. Which I think this game does. The gameplay as a whole I believe is very enjoyable. Mostly because even though the actual main quest can get boring there are very many mini quests for the gamer to enjoy if the main quest gets too hard or too boring. As most games, the quests get harder and harder the longer you play and the further you get into the game, and the same goes for the rewards, going through the game the rewards get better, and harder to receive. The music within the game, seem to be traditional medieval music, or inaudible. A main problem that I have with this game is the character customization. Choosing a gender isn’t enough anymore in my opinion, with the advances of technical gaming I think there should always be more of an advancement in character customization, I feel this way because being a ‘gamer’ myself I always feel more connected to a character that I have created in depth, creating a character that you look like or a character you wished you looked like. Which either way I feel is more enjoyable for the gamer.

I feel the intended audience for this game varies, mostly because there is many uses of bad language and sex, as well as the dark plot within the game. Which would lean more towards, teen-adult age range. Which I think is more of a wider audience anyway. As I said before choosing a gender for the character means that the game can call upon both genders, boys and girls would like to play this game with their own genders, or for hard-core gamers, playing as a male, and after completion, playing as a female. I feel like this game would be for a casual play, mostly because of all the smaller quests, so someone can play for an hour, then quit and come right back to it at any time for any amount of time.

The genre I feel is a fantasy/adventure type, mostly because of the game style, having monsters and castles and magic and evil deeds, as well as having a large map for a wider variety of places to explore, which gives it a more adventurous type of feel to it. 

                                                         

3 Differences between Thriller and Horror:

One difference, is that horror films are usually very gory and bloody, wear as, thrillers are mostly less of this and more sociological and shocking, for an example, the film ‘the shinning’ is a thriller, because even though a small amount of blood is shed, it is not usually depicted as a gory film, and even though some would say that it should be classed as a ‘scary film’ my personal opinion is that it is not. Because, compared to a film, such as, the cabin in the woods, the plot are very different, in a way that a thriller film has a more intricate story-line, where a horror film, is trying to work around the jump-scares, and the plot has many holes.

Another difference, is that in horror films, it tends to be jumpy in a way that something comes out to scare the audience, and in thrillers, it’s mostly realistically horror that scares the audience, for example, within a thriller, a character that is a small child or teenager could be kidnapped, and this type of thing would scare, parents and an audience of that age group, because it could happen to anyone. An example of this, would be “taken”  and a film that is based around parts of the film that is meant to make the audience, shed their skin would be “mamma” in a way that even though the plot is there, and makes sense. It is still not as strong as “taken” would be when critiqued.

Lastly horror is based around something scary, such as ghosts or zombies, were a thriller is based around something more realistic such as a murderer or psychopath, and even though both types of characters are scary, one will always be more scary than the other, and for me, that would be a murder or psychopath, because two exist and the other two don’t (still to be proven) and for me, watching a film about a zombie apocalypse, yes it is scary, but watching a film based on a true story will always give you that extra chill, because the film is putting into their minds “this could happen to anyone” for example, “the devils knot” which is a thriller about three young boys being murdered, and three teenagers are the blame because they worship Satan, which is based on a true story, and to think that things like that (and worse) happen in everyday life, honestly scares me, and I’m sure other people too. Whereas a horror film, such as “insidious” that targets a normal family, which makes the audience wonder if again, this could happen to anyone, then turns it around back to the horror genre, and it turns out, that the scary ghosts and demons are targeting people with special powers.

What are the main conventions of the Western genre? Explain and describe at least three with relevant examples.

The most important convention in a western films, I think; is the amount of cowboys. I feel this would be a simple one, mostly because cowboys in Westerns is like socks and shoes. They go together. If there was a western film, for example ‘Lone Ranger’ that is about an American Indian and a cowboy. Both western aspects. Which is why, I feel, that Cowboys and Aliens was such a hit in the box office. Because the two genres mixing isn’t something that usually happens.

The second convention of a western genre, is the horses, mostly because most western films are set in the late 1800’s and cars were rarely used in those times, and it was cheaper to travel by horse, for example, the film ‘true grit’ almost every character in that film was riding a horse, or at least owned one. I think this aspect in western films is very important due to the fact that a cowboy, riding a horse is a famous way of connecting that to the western genre.

Lastly, guns, is a very important convention within western films, because of the classic ‘stand-off’ related to western films, and without weapons a western film wouldn’t have the action that the audience want. Nothing says western than a gun belt with matching spurs. Even children animations, based on a western genre have guns, for example, the film ‘Rango’ even though for children, the film could never have been a true ‘western’ if guns had not been used.

What are the main conventions of the Western genre? Explain and describe at least three with relevant examples

The most important convention in a western films, I think; is the amount of cowboys. I feel this would be a simple one, mostly because cowboys in Westerns is like socks and shoes. They go together. If there was a western film, for example ‘Lone Ranger’ that is about an American Indian and a cowboy. Both western aspects. Which is why, I feel, that Cowboys and Aliens was such a hit in the box office. Because the two genres mixing isn’t something that usually happens.

The second convention of a western genre, is the horses, mostly because most western films are set in the late 1800’s and cars were rarely used in those times, and it was cheaper to travel by horse, for example, the film ‘true grit’ almost every character in that film was riding a horse, or at least owned one. I think this aspect in western films is very important due to the fact that a cowboy, riding a horse is a famous way of connecting that to the western genre.

Lastly, guns, is a very important convention within western films, because of the classic ‘stand-off’ related to western films, and without weapons a western film wouldn’t have the action that the audience want. Nothing says western than a gun belt with matching spurs. Even children animations, based on a western genre have guns, for example, the film ‘Rango’ even though for children, the film could never have been a true ‘western’ if guns had not been used.

 

When comparing western film posters to other western genre film posters, I have noticed that they are all very similar, for example, the film poster for; “Robin Hood of Texas”

As you can see the style of the poster is very old fashioned, with simple colours and nothing too bright. Also the man is wearing a cowboy hat, holding a gun, and there is a man riding a horse behind him. These three images are widely connected to any western genre film.  

When compared to another western film poster, the differences where almost non-existent, for example, this film poster, “Gun smoke” that has obvious differences in the picture, but even the colour is similar. The man is wearing a cowboy hat and holding a gun.

 

Coming of Age Films

I feel like this is because of the generation gap. Teens and young adults would of course be more relatable to teens and young adults. When searching for more information on this subject, a quote from; http://www.theskykid.com/movies/coming-of-age-films-defenition/

“Coming of age movie is a movie where the central plot revolves around a person suddenly facing a life changing experience, trial or tribulation. That person once was naive or childish or pre-pubescent is now suddenly older and wiser because of the experience. They see life and their place in the universe for the first time.”

So once reading this, I decided that coming-of-age films is about a big step from childhood to adulthood from a scary and traumatic experience, or even a happy experience, such as falling in love and being crushed. I believe that this would most likely come from ages 16-20, and although it may seem ageist, however, with films such as these it seems that the main characters are of young ages, so that their problems could somehow connect with problems of the audiences personal experience.

Cult Film

There is a difference between cult fans and hard-core fans. Mostly because when someone says ‘cult’ the immediate thought is something satanic or evil. And when researching cult films it seems that this type of audience does seem like they would give their life for a film, whereas hard-core film audiences just love that film so much to watch it as many times and as often as possible, memorizing the lines, naming all the characters. Whereas a cult film follower would know their chosen film better than they know themselves. For example, Stanley Kubrick’s ‘A clockwork orange’ was banned in America because many of its audience liked and even imitated the violent and sexually explicit content more than what was called ‘acceptable’ so in my opinion I would say that many of cult audiences are fans of ‘A Clockwork Orange’

Adaptions Genre Questions

I think that famous film directors would prefer to re-make famous films for the obvious reasons; they are scared that they might put in millions of pounds to a brand new film that people may or may not like. However, if they re-make an old film, that was very popular, and already has a fan base, the worry won’t be there, mostly because even if it’s bad, people will still buy tickets and see it at the cinema, to see if its anything like the original, or if better, so either way the producers win. For example, Tim Burtons “Alice in wonderland” That film grossed allot of money, because not only was it a previously famous film, but also Tim Burton is a very, very famous director, which means that widening audiences.

This also applies to directors that adapt comic books into films. I believe that any comic-book loving person would always love to see their favourite drawn character being brought to life in front of you. And im sure that the directors know this, so it’s almost certain that a large audience will want to see an adaptation of a comic-book. For example, the avengers. This film grossed millions.