London To Brighton Fitting in Todorov's Theory

London to Brighton fits in Todorov’s Theory, but it does not follow it in order since the film is non-linear.

The equilibrium of the film is the lives of the characters eg Kelly is a prostitute. Though it is not a happy equilibrium and seems unusual to the spectators, it is Kelly’s normality to her because she’s been living with crime for a long time. Another example of a character’s normality is Stuart. He too is living with crime, as he is a gangster, however, he is living a better life than Kelly, as she lives on the streets.

The disequilibrium was when Derek had to find Joanne. This is his disequilibrium as his life is being threatened to find Joanne. Another disequilibrium in the film was when Joanne stabs Duncan. This is her first taste of blood and this slowly strips away her innocence, as she is still a child. The main disequilibrium in the film was when Stuart finds his dad bleeding to death. If he didn’t find him dead, there would be no disequilibrium to drive the story forward.

The attempted repair was when Kelly saves Joanne from Duncan, and the other people involved with crime, to keep her innocence. Another attempted repair was when Derek tries to find Joanne and Kelly in order to save his own life. Stuart’s attempted repair was him avenging his father’s death in order to keep his reputation as gang lord.

The new equilibrium is when Joanne is taken to her grandma’s place. This is a happy new equilibrium for her as her destination was her grandmother’s place. The new equilibrium for Stuart and Kelly is just them going back to their normal lives except some people they know are dead.

Reflective Analysis

The brief was to create a 3 minute sequence with no dialogue representing a genre and creating visual meaning to the spectators. The genre my group decided on was supernatural thriller. We chose supernatural thriller because it’s very familiar to us, it’s also similar to the horror genre and the props are easy to access. The only difference between the horror and supernatural thriller genre is the horrors are usually set in unrealistic places and thrillers are set in realistic settings. The purpose of the film was to create disequilibrium as the protagonist (the girl) meets her ghost. This follows the Todorov narrative as before there was equilibrium and the part we are representing is the disequilibrium. The narrative of the film is linear as there are no flash backs in the sequence. My part was to do cinematography. I chose this part because I wanted to practise more on cinematography and wanted to represent meaning through the shots and angles. It’s important to show meaning because it’ll make the sequence more interesting for the spectators and create more than I meaning. After screening, feedback was given to us by the spectators. Most of the comments were good, however, there were some comments about the music and editing.

The camera is immediately focused on her. This connotes that she is the protagonist of this sequence. A tracking is used on the protagonist so that the spectators are following her. At this point, the spectators don’t know where she’s going and so far, they only know as much as the protagonist knows. This is conventional to the supernatural thriller genre because the camera usually follows the protagonist, which creates restrictive viewing and builds tension. She is also in the middle of the shot to reinforce that she is the main focus.

A POV shot is used when Min Yee is walking towards the tunnel. This foreshadows to the spectators where she is going. This adds meaning because the spectators are seeing everything she is seeing and adds more effect. It also builds tension as what they are seeing is quite restricted. This is conventional to the genre because POVs are used to add more effect as the spectators can only see through the eyes of the protagonist.

A close up of Min Yee's face is used. This is so that the spectators can denote her expression and feel how she is feeling. The close up connotes the anxiety and fear Min Yee is feeling. This is conventional to the genre because close ups are always used for restriction and to build suspense and tension.

A low angle is used on the ghost. This connotes she is superior and dominant. This helps increase the tension and fear as the spectators can only denote her dominating most of the shot and the low angle also creates a shadow over her face which hides her identity and connotes her mysteriousness. This is conventional to the genre because low angles are used to reinforce the dominance of antagonists.

A close up of the gate is used which creates more suspense and tension as this is the last shot. The spectators are yet again restricted from viewing as both the protagonist and antagonist are hidden away from view and so they are forced to use theatre of the mind. This is conventional to the genre because Theatre of the Mind is usually used when the spectators cannot see what the protagonist or antagonist is looking at.

We meet the brief, however, the sequence is 2minutes and 20 seconds long. I believe I fulfilled my role quite well, however, I think there might have been a bit too many side shots of Min Yee. I think I have clearly represented the genre because most of the spectators got exactly what the genre was once they saw it. Also, common conventions, such as low angles to connote dominance, is used to represent the ghost and her power. The scene fits in appropriately into Todorov’s narrative as the part we have represented is the disequilibrium. What I could have improved on was to take less side shots and added in a wider variety of shots and angles, to make the sequence more interesting and to create more visual meaning to the spectators.

How Is Genre Represented Through The Micro Elements In Slumdog?

‘Slumdog’ was directed by Danny Boyle and written by Simon Beaufoy. The film originated from a novel, ‘Q & A’ which was written by Vicas Swarup. ‘Slumdog’ was released in 9 January 2009. ‘Slumdog’ was distributed by Pathe Pictures and produced by Celador Films. It’s production budget was $15 000 000. The leading actors are Freida Pinto and Dev Petal. The film’s location was set in Mumbai, India. The film is classed as a British film because the director is British.

‘Slumdog’ is made up of four genres: drama, romance, crime and bollywood. This makes the film a hybrid because it has more than one or two genres. Representation is used throughout the film to highlight these four genres starting with crime.

The genre crime is represented through mise en scene. Salim wears dark clothing signifying his shady character. This conforms to the crime genre where an evil antagonist is a common convention. Jamal wears a white shirt to signify his good character. This also conforms to this genre where a good protagonist is common in the convention. Lighting is used to represent crime. The lighting was very dim on Salim when he was in the building with his boss and a group of girls, as well as, Latika. This signifies his dark personality. Jamal is usually bathed in light to signify is good personality. This conforms to the crime genre. Latika is usually in dim and bright lighting. This signifies she is trapped in the darker side, however she is still good. The building where Salim works in is dark and looks quite tacky. This signifies the peoples' dark and horrid personalities, which is a common convention for antagonists in crime genres. The dark, tacky building may connote the peoples' past as well, telling the audience that their pasts may have been horrible and so it reflects off their personalities and their environment. This is also conforms to crime genres because it is common for an evil antagonist to live or work in a dark, dingy area. The mansion Latika stayed in was very bright. When the man who owned the mansion comes in, the mansion appears darker and so changes the atmosphere. This signifies a disruption in the happy atmosphere and creates tension within the mansion. This connotes there is tension between the characters and there is suspense within the audience because they don't know whether the man will kill Jamal if he found out who he is. Tension and suspense between the protagonist and antagonist are common conventions and conforms to the crime genre. Props such as guns are used to signify power. Salim points a gun to Jamal's head to signify his power. This connotes his threat towards Jamal in order for him to do what he says. Money is also used to signify power. Salim works for a man who has a lot of money. This connotes that Salim wants this amount of power as well, and in order for him to obtain that, he has to work for him.
Cinematography, such as low angles, is also used to represent the genre crime. Low angles are used to signify the amount of power a person has. For example, teen Salim holds a gun to the man’s head, which is shown at a low angle to signify his power. This connotes he has full control of the situation. Extreme close ups are used to represent the crime genre. Salim holds a gun however, the gun is in focus and Salim isn’t. The focus of the gun signifies the amount of power it gives the holder and connotes a threat to the audience. This is a common convention in crime genre because the focus of the gun conforms to this genre.
Non-diagetic sound is used to represent crime. The sounds of gun shots are used to signify danger and threat, for example, Salim gets shot in the bathroom by a group of men. This conforms to the crime genre because gunshots are common conventions of crime genres. Silence is used to bring tension. There silence between Jamal and Salim when the gun is pointed at him. This brings tension and suspense to the audience for they do not know whether Salim will pull the trigger or not.
Editing techniques, such as cuts, are used to represent crime. Scenes are cut from place to place, such as the cut from Jamil and the blind singer to the scene where Salim and Jamil go and look for Latika in a sex house. This signifies action codes because the audience knows the story will carry on because one scene has been cut to the next, which adds to the story. This is commonly used in crime genres, as well as other genres, to push the film along and to add in other aspects, which will add more elements of the crime genre. Fast editing is also used. When Salim and Jamal rescue Latika, the man who took care of her came out and so action was taking place with fast editing. This signifies action is taking place and a lot of things are happening at once. This conforms to the crime genre because fast editing is usually used to promote action.

The genre drama is represented through mise-en-scene. Jamal works in a phone company where he serves tea. The place doesn’t look out of the ordinary and is extremely busy. This signifies the reality of Jamal’s life for he works in a busy compact building because he hasn’t been to school for a long time. This connotes Jamal isn’t very educated and so his job is to serve tea which isn’t a higher purpose. This conforms to the drama genre because Jamal’s job is realistic due to the lifestyle as a young boy. The clothes Jamal and Salim wore when they were boys are dirtied and tattered. This signifies they are poor and are trying to survive by themselves. This conforms to the drama genre because there is realism within their costume and tells the audience about their lifestyle.
Cinematography is also used to represent the drama genre. Extreme close ups are used on Jamal’s face to show his expression when he’s in the game show answering the questions which he knew the answers to due to his past. The expression on his face signifies his sorrow and seriousness when he has flashbacks of his past. This is used in drama genres because expressions focusing on certain things create realism and makes the audience feel sorry for the focused character which is a convention in drama.
Sound is used to represent the drama genre. Synchronous sounds in the street Jamal and Salim walk through creates a sense of cluster to the audience. This signifies that the street is very crowded and busy. This connotes that it is becoming more and more difficult for Jamal to be reunited with Latika. This conforms to the drama genre because it gives a sense of realism to the place. Asynchronous and diagetic sounds are used in the train station to create a sense of place. Jamal and Latika are at the train station and trains drive past. This signifies realsim, because the place they meet is realistic and easy to get to. This connotes that their meeting will be short because the trains are moviong quickly and that some actioon will be taking place. This subverts to the drama genre because trains and train stations are usually used in action films which promotes action.
Editing is used to represent the drama genre. Slow paced editing is used to make situations realistic. This was used when Jamal was in the police station. This signifies that the day was long for Jamal and connotes the seriousness of the situation. These are common conventions used in drama to give a sense of realism. Shot reverse shots are used to show the conversation between Jamal and Salim. This signifies their relationship. This conforms to drama because relationships are important because the audience can relate to the characters.

The genre romance is represented by mise-en-scene. The mansion Latika was living in was very bright and clean when Jamal found her. This connotes that Jamal has found his place of heaven because he has been looking for Latika all his life. This also connotes the happy atmosphere when the two make contact. This conforms to romance genre because happy atmospheres are often used in romance. When Jamal and Latika are together, the space between them is small. This signifies their relationship and the audience is entering their world. This conforms to the romance genre because the two lovers are often focused being alone with the audience entering their world.
Cinematography is also used to represent the genre romance. Two shots are used to represent romance. Two shots used on Jamal and Latika shows the space between them and signifies their relationship. This connotes that they are close because they are standing very close to each other. Shot reverse shots are also used to signify Jamal and Latika’s relationship and also to see the expression on their faces when they see each other again. This conforms to the romance genre because relationship is a common convention which is usually shown through cinematography.
Sound is used to represent the genre romance. When Jamal and Latika are seen together, calm music is played in the background. This signifies their relationship and connotes a link between the characters. This conforms to the romance genre because the same music plays whenever Jamal and Latika see each other. Jamal and Latika talk calmly and lovingly to one another. This signifies their relationship as their dialogue is different to one another than other characters in the film. This conforms to the romance genre because the lovers always talk to each other in a loving way.
Editing is used to represent the genre romance. When Jamal and Latika see each other, the pace of the editing is slow. This siginifies their moment and connotes their relationship. This conforms to romance because romantic films are usually slow paced.

The genre bollywood is represented through mise-en-scene. The location of the film is India. This signifies the story will be taking place there and connotes the cultural difference between Western countries to Asian countries. This is a common convention in bollywood films because bollywood films are usually Indian based. Latika is wearing a yellow scarf. This connotes she is happy. Bright colours such as yellow are often worn in bollywood films because it is one of the conventions because traditional clothing is brightly coloured.
Cinematography is also used to represent the bollywood genre. High angles are used to when everyone in the train station was dancing. This signifies the unity within the people and connotes that harmony has been restored when the audience denote the people dancing. This conforms bollywood because in bollywood films, everyone dances at the end in unison. Long shots are used to show the people dancing. Jamal and Latika are in the middle of the shot to signify they are the main focus. The other people within the long shot connote the exaggeration of their happiness finally being together. This conforms bollywood because the endings of bollywood films are usually happy.
Sound is used to represent the genre bollywood. Child Jamal and Salim speak to each other in Hindi. This signifies they're from India and connotes they re a different culture. This conforms to the bollywood genre because bollywood films usually have Hindi dialogue than English. Indian soundtracks are played when the children run away from the police. This signifies the country they are in and reminds the audience that the film's location is in India.
Editing is used to represent the genre bollywood. Fast paced editing is used when everyone dances. This matches the speed of the music and makes the audience alert. This conforms to the bollywood genre because there is always fast editing when there is dancing. At the end of the film, it stops when Jamal and Latika's lips touch. This signifies romance and their relationship because of the intimacy. This conforms to the bollywood genre because there is no kissing in bollywood films, however, their lips just touch.

With all these micro elements, such as mise-en-scene, included within the film, these help represent the four genres of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.

Editing and Cinematography

00.00 - 03.00 minutes

In the beginning, the editing is when the two protagonists spot the antagonist unloading his truck. This gives the audience the idea that the protagonists are taking a long and good look at the antagonist and his actions. Although the editing id slow paced, the camera cuts back and forth to the protagonists and antagonist to keep the audience restricted. This is used to build tension and to keep the antagonist’s identity hidden.

Panning is used when the car drives past the antagonist to give the audience a sense of movement. The movement also restricts the audience from what is going on because of the trees going past and the protagonist in the background creating more tension.

Long shots are used on the antagonist to show his actions and his surroundings, which reflects off his representation. Close ups are used on the protagonists to show their expressions and to make the audience feel how they feel.

Within the car a POV shot or close up is used to signify Trish’s fright when she is trying to find the mobile phone. She was looking for the phone frantically and in a messy order. This signifies her fear and connotes she wants help as soon as possible.

A low angle is used when she retrieves the phone. This signifies she has some power because she is trying to handle the situation by calling for help even though she is still quite scared.

A close up on the mobile phone is used to signify its status. However, the screen reads ‘LOW BATTERY’ which signifies trouble for the protagonists as they cannot receive help and this connotes to the audience the trouble is going further.

Canted panning is used to make the audience share the same experience as the protagonists. This creates the same emotions within the audience, such as fear and tension to make them experience the situation. The audience has a POV of the car’s movement as the truck quickly reveals itself from its restricted area.

A tilting pan is used to create some tension. As the truck comes forward, the camera then moves up to show the driver, but it is quick and unclear. This keeps the antagonist’s identity hidden and brings tension.

Backwards tracking is used to signify the speed of the truck. This brings tension because the antagonist is gaining on the protagonists, which increases the danger. As the camera tracks backwards, the truck becomes more and more visible slowly revealing the antagonist and making the audience feel scared for the protagonists.

Forward tracking and POV is used to put the audience in the antagonist’s shoes and signify his speed. The speed of the tracking signifies the antagonist’s lust to want to kill the protagonists. The tracking is used showing the protagonists’ car coming closer to the camera.

The close up of the antagonist’s wheel and protagonists’ car in the background is used to signify the antagonist’s power. The wheel of the truck is dominant in the shot and is bigger than the car to signify it’s significance and that the truck is the predator and the car is the prey. A shot of the wheel shows it is catching up to the protagonists.

Close ups, long shots and canted angles are used to build tension and a sense of action. The canted angles help the audience experience the protagonists’ feelings and make them feel disorientated. Long shots signify the actions of the two vehicles and the struggle the car is going through. Close ups are used to show the protagonists’ facial expressions and let the audience reflect off their expressions. A close up is also used when the truck hits the car to signify the impact the car was given.

Another close up of the truck’s wheel is used to signify its power. The car in the background is shown swerving in and out of control as the truck stays in perfect movement, which signifies its control. This connotes that the antagonist has the upper hand and the antagonists are helpless.

A POV shot of the truck following the car is used to increase the terror. As the car swerve right, the camera follows its direction, to give the audience the idea that they are looking through the antagonist’s eyes and it gives them a taste of their power. This also signifies how close the antagonist is to their victims’ and connotes the amount of danger they are in.

Two shots outside the windscreen of the car are used to show the impact of the hits they are receiving. The protagonists are seen being thrown about by the antagonist’s hits. This signifies the antagonist’s power and connotes the protagonists’ weakness. Their frightened expression also reveals their feelings and connotes their weakness.

Within the two shots, the truck is seen in the background moving left and right, following the protagonists’ actions and is desperately trying to keep under control. The frantic movement of the truck signifies how desperate the driver is to keep them in their control or how impatient they to get rid of the protagonists.

A POV shot of Trish is used to try and catch the identity of the antagonist. The dark, beat-up, old truck is driven beside their car, which reflects off the antagonist’s character. The size of the truck signifies its power. The camera movement was quick to signify how desperate Trish was to catch the antagonist’s identity. However, the truck inside was dark, hiding the antagonist’s identity and signifying his mysteriousness. The camera turns from Trish to the truck when it drives by her side.

Fast editing is used to emphasise the action and chaos taking place. The camera cuts from the truck to the car and to the characters quickly, to keep the audience alert and to match the pace of the action.

A long shot is used to show the escape of the protagonists from the antagonist. This signifies to the audience the danger is passing. This connotes the loss of control of the antagonist. The protagonists drive off the road into the field as the antagonist drives ahead.

Another long shot is used, including both vehicles to signify the danger is leaving. The antagonist doesn’t show any sign of wanting to chase the two as they enter the field. A long shot is used to show the truck drive past, completely ignoring the car as it stops in the field also signifying the danger has passed. As the truck drives past, the camera tilts, focusing the on the protagonists, signifying their shock after the incident.

Here the editing is slowed to signify everything is calm again.

Casino Royale - Poison Scene

A mid shot is used on the character to signify he is the focus. He is alone to signify that he is the main character of the scene. A canted angle is used to signify the character is disorientated which also has effect on the audience because the camera isn't still. A long shot is used to signify the character stumbling towards his resting location. Panning is used to follow the character to make the audience feel like they are following the character. Titling is also used to follow the character. A close up is used on the bag to signify to the audience that the main character is taking out something from his bag. A mid shot is used so that the audience can see everything the character is doing, his position and his facial expression to connote his weakness and vulnerability. A close up of the phone is used to signify to the audience how fast he is pressing the button to signify how desperate his is. A mid long shot is used to signify the character is unconscious and a person coming to his rescue. Her back is faced towards us to offer mystery to the audience. A close up of the hands is used to signify her struggle to save Bond. A close up is used on the character to signify he is better and has gained his strength.

Slumdog Research

Release Date: 9 January 2009
Director: Danny Boyle
Production Company: Celador Films
Distributor: Pathé, Pictures
Production Budget: $15 000 000
Advertising Budget:
Main filming locations: Mumbai, India
Genre: Crime, Drama, Romance
Male lead: Dev Petal
Female lead: Freida Pinto
Writer: Simon Beaufoy

Who do you think the target audience is? Why? (Mainstream or niche?)
I think the target audience is a niche audience, because there aren't many films that are British films and are set in India. I think that mainly Hindi people would watch this because it shows their culture and they would understand some of the things they are talking about in the film and relate to it.

What do the budgets tell you about the film?
That the film was quite cheaply made unlike other films, however, the film won 8 Oscars, unlike Casino Royale who did not win an Oscar and who's budget was $150 million. This tells me that you don't need a lot of money to make a really good film.

Slumdog is classed as a British film, why?
Because the director is British.

What is the criteria for classifying a film as ‘British’?
The director has to be British for the film to be classed as British.

How was the film received? (research critics reviews/awards won)
Slumdog has received many good reviews. "Slumdog Millionaire is as acerbic as it is clear-eyed about the brutal power dynamics in modern-day Mumbai. But, at the same time, what makes it so warming and what has been inspiring audiences all across the world to cheer at its rousing ending" - by Peter Bradshaw 'Guardian UK' http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/m/slumdog_millionaire/# .It has won 8 Oscars.

How was the film advertised? (Where? How long for?)
The film was advertised throught televison, on billboards and on buses. It was advertised for at least a month or just over amonth.

Why do you think the film was so successful?
I think it was so successful because it was based on real life and it sorta highlighted, to the people watching this, that they should be aware of what really happens in the world and that everything is not as it seems. It is also based on a true story.

Helpful websites:

Internet Movie Database: www.imdb.com
Sight & Sound magazine: http://www.bfi.org.uk/sightandsound/
Guardian film reviews: http://www.guardian.co.uk/film
Official Slumdog site: http://www.foxsearchlight.com/slumdogmillionaire/
Wiki info on Slumdog: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slumdog_Millionaire
Review site: http://uk.rottentomatoes.com/m/slumdog_millionaire/
UK Film Council: http://www.ukfilmcouncil.org.uk/
BAFTA: http://www.bafta.org/

Filming Experience

Our filming experience was quite fun. What went well was everyone knew what they were doing and we got along, as well as, listening to each others ideas. What didn't go so well was how we were going to do it and the location of where to fim. This took up time and so we didn't have enough time to finish the filming. Also, there were some difficulties with the camera and the camera shots, so we had to retake both takes.