Evaluation
For my research investigation I examined the
issue of how contrasting genres use Propp’s character functions. I found out
that it is easier to distinguish who the hero/villain is in simplified linear
narratives such as fantasy films however its harder for complicated non linear
narratives such as action film. My two texts were The Dark Knight Rises and The
Black Cauldron I took conventions from each of the genres to construct two
action film posters and one fantasy poster.
The first genre I produced was for the action
genre. Key conventions of an action film are big city location and one main protagonist
who has a mission to complete. I used these specific conventions in my
production getting a male model to be the main focus in my poster as this
connotes that the narrative will revolve around him. Also the expression on his
face and the title 'Sudden Justice' suggests that justice needs to be returned
this provides a motive and a mission to be completed and suggesting a clear
binary opposition. The background for my action posters is of a city background
with the model surrounded by tall buildings that is a stereotypical location
for an action film.
Fantasy film conventions from my research
investigation are very dark and mysterious, also teaser film release posters
are often very enigmatic and don’t give too much information away for the
preferred audience to decode. The model I uses wore dark makeup especially
around her eyes to give her character sinister connotations, her face is
covered with shadow to further support the secretive connotation. The poster
itself is very plain relies upon an enigma for the films narrative, with the
tag line ‘just one bite’ adding anchorage. The model handing an apple to the
audience suggests that’s its deadly and shouldn’t be taken also the title ‘
White’ doesn’t suggest a lot especially as the model is a contrast by all in
black. A passive audience should be able to decode the enigmas and conventions
used, as they would be familiar with the genre. My research suggests that the
use of the Disney logo would not allow for any oppositional reading to be taken
by a mainstream audience.
Through the use of facial expressions lighting
and body language in my fantasy film ‘White’ the model is portrayed as the
villain. As she has a stern facial expression that is very serious and
unfriendly also she is in very dark low-key lighting with shadows covering some
of her face giving her character mystery and connotes that she has a dark side.
This is very similar to all the scenes in The Black Cauldron that feature The
Horned King as they all have low-key lighting and is often only seen through
the use of shadows. In my Action Film Posters ‘Sudden Justice’ the model will
come across as the hero as he is center focus also he is looking down on the
city this could connate that he is watching over looking after it. However only
half the models face is on show and this is covered in shadows and this
suggests a dark side and a mystery to the character, which could also connate
that he is the villain and he is looking down on the city as he’s waiting for
its down fall. This is very similar to The Dark Knight as Batman is seen as the
cynical protagonist and has a dark side and is not viewed as a stereotypical
hero and I took influence from this and used it in my posters. The lack of face
showing means that there is mystery and enigma surrounding the character this
is a pull for an active audience as they would be interested in finding out
more and would take a preferred reading.
To improve my production I would do three
completely different posters rather then two of the same this was I could show
more of the different genres as the two films I chose for my research
investigation have hybrids of many genres and I could have shown this more for
example doing a horror poster for The Black Cauldron or thriller for The Dark Knight.
I would have used different action conventions for my two different actions
films one that would have adhered to the genera and one to subvert the genera.
