Textual Analysis

Super 8 vs. Attack the Block – Representation of Youth

In this essay I will be discussing how the typical youth conventions nowadays are used in these two films: Super 8 and Attack the Block. Super 8 was directed by J.J. Abrams (2011), this film is about a small group of friends who live in a small Ohio Town who witness a disastrous train crash whilst making a Super 8 movie and they soon suspect that the whole train crash wasn't an accident. Shortly after, you begin to see a lot of unusual disappearances and events beginning to unfold. The local deputy, who is Joey (the main protagonists) father, tries to uncover the truth. However, the truth was far more terrifying than any of them could ever imagine. Attack the Block (2011) was directed by Joe Cornish, this film is about a small council estate in South London, where hostile aliens have fallen from the sky. A local teenage gang take it upon themselves to fight off the unwanted visitors, but quickly discover they are outnumbered by these pitch-black, bear like creatures with glowing razor sharp teeth. Attack the Block is a fast-paced and inventive action/science-fiction film with an unconventional set of heroes.

Both of these films represent youth by using two groups of young people who are adventurous and are willing to risk their lives for the life of others, each film represents the youths in different ways. Nowadays the media and our general society would see us being dangerous individuals, who go around causing havoc, but as we look at these films in more depth, we notice that Super 8 is completely opposite to how us youths are thought of today. None of the teenagers in Super 8 caused any pain to anyone, instead of doing what the typical teenagers in Attack the Block did, they spent their time writing scripts and filming for their own movie.

As I explored the films in more depth, the key points that I have chose to discuss really show the different types of youth and how we are seen in people’s eyes. Example one, the scene in which Super 8 opens with, the children are all dressed up in smart attire as they pay respect at Joey’s Mother’s funeral. The camera angle, which is a wide angled lens, shows the main protagonist Joey looking content and timid as he holds his Mother’s locket in his hand. This illustrates that he is an innocent young child, who is involved in one the kindest friendship groups as you can see them paying respect in his home for his Mother. This contradicts the way in which the society we live in thinks of us youths nowadays, we aren’t all bustling through the streets causing havoc, however, when you look at the opening scene of Attack the Block, it undeniably shows that yes, a few teens can be disrespectful and rebellious, the main reason why we think this is because the first thing the gang do is mug the nurse. She was defenceless, there was nothing she could do and in this opening scene, we notice the difference in dialogue. In Super 8 the youths are well educated and have perfect diction, then when you look at Attack the Block’s gang members dialect, you notice that they are very chav’ like and don’t seem well educated. Also, another difference is the clothing, from smart attire to a gang of tracksuits and scarf’s, which cover their mouths, resembling a terrorist’s look. It mirrors the way terrorists in the present day act and dress like and the way in which the gang members act are the way in which terrorists act. Going back to how our society perceives us, you can now understand their points in which we are all the same.  

Furthermore, the next two scenes that I have decided to analyse in more depth are the aliens arrivals in both films. Firstly, in Super 8, we actually didn’t know whether there were aliens or not, all we knew was that there was a train crash. The youths thought exactly the same as what we did. It was unusual! Joey and his group of friends simply ran when the train crash happened, this is a normal thing for any teenage group to do, because it’s what anybody would do. Although, when it came to Attack the Block it was a completely different story. Joe Cornish used a lightning speed effect so it looked like a comet had crashed to the earth, but instead they dropped crates to the ground, inside those crates were the aliens. The black, bear like aliens that in-fact were killing machines. Now, unlike normal youths, Moses and his gang went into crates armed with metal and wood that they collected from around them and went into the crate and smashed the baby alien to pieces. They didn’t know what was in there until they came out, there could have been anything in there and it may have not done anything to them. This inevitably conveys that people who look like Moses gang would definitely cause damage or harm to people that are either around them or in the way. Once again, Attack the Block links with what the society and media think of youths nowadays and then Super 8 contradicts this because they acted in the same way in which any person would do. Overall, the representation of the youths in these two scenes suggests that kids will be kids and some may act in a smarter manner and some may be completely ludicrous and self centered. The colours in these two scenes are also very significant when representing the youths. In Super 8, the colours are earthy and there are some really dark browns and some reds in there, this to me, implies that it’s quite close to home. In a way, it’s as if there is a passion in those colours, a passion for filming their own film, a passion for Joey and Alice. As we explore the scene from Attack the Block we notice the cold colours of blue and black, this represents the feeling in which Moses and his gang feel towards the aliens that have landed on their ‘territory’ and this can then again their damaged, criminal side, their cold blood towards their area and people. The colours put forth the differences between the two groups of youths from the two films, the browns and reds show heart and the blues and blacks show their coldness!

Lastly, I will be discussing the relationships between the main protagonists and how the friendships they shared gave them strength and will power to fight on and show how the representation of youth has contradicted society in Super 8 and that although Moses was a hero in Attack the Block, he still is a criminal for the way in which he saved his estate. Firstly, when looking at Super 8 and we see the scene where Joey saves Alice’s life from the alien underground, we notice how much strength and courage he has when he goes to speak to the alien. If I was him, there would be no chance of me going to speak to the alien, but Joey got up there because he knew that his friends were behind him and they needed saving and he just had full courage and if you were to look at the alien, you can see almost innocence. You may be thinking, that’s slightly strange for an alien to look innocent but the alien has a resemblance of ET. Originally, JJ Abrams wanted to work with Steven Spielberg on Super 8, which is the alien has resemblance of ET, the features are innocent looking and less alien like more toy like. It was almost like Super 8 was a love letter to Steven Spielberg, thanking him for working on it with him and for being a generally amazing film director/producer. With Attack the Block it’s a completely different story, once again, Moses the main protagonist out of the gang takes things into his own hands. He musters up the courage and strength as well for his friends, to be that heroic person in the film, he jumped from a multi story building, blowing up the aliens inside the flat. Now, bearing in mind that we just found out that Moses in 15 years old and has the courage to do that, it’s pretty impressive.  However, again, this shows that the Attack the Block gang do things in a different way, a way in which terrorist attacks are done (blowing things up) and a way in which most of the older generation perceive us.  It’s interesting! It’s basically saying that no matter what way they become heroic or save the day, it’s that strength comes through friendship and that no matter what happens, friends and others come before you do.

After analysing the two films in high detail, I noticed that youth was represented through the way in which the actors and actresses were portrayed. Example one, in the independent London situated film Attack the Block, we notice that the main characters in the film are a gang of ‘chav’s’. The way in which they speak and dress are the main give away as to who they are inside, personality wise.  In society and media usually any youths that are dressed in this way are in-fact addressed as troublesome people, they would usually be seen mugging people or inflicting pain on others, etc. We first see this happen in the beginning of Attack the Block when it all starts out negative, however, as the film progresses we notice a change of heart in the gang of youths, they end up helping people and a lot of positive attitude is spread throughout the characters. It's a completely different story when we look at Super 8, the gang of youths that are involved in this film are the opposite of what youths are thought of today. The film depicts this by the youths involving themselves in something that is harmless and creative, they wanted to make their own Super 8 film away form the rural area. This film evidently goes against what the older generations think of us and they do it by their use of language and positive attitude to their elders who are involved in the film. The representation of youth in both of these films have their negatives and positives.

And show that we should never, ever, judge a book by their cover. 

Essay Plan

Thesis Statement

In this essay I will be discussing how the typical youth conventions nowadays are used in these two films: Super 8 and Attack the Block. Super 8 was directed by J.J. Abrams (2011), this film is about a small group of friends who live in a small Ohio Town who witness a disastrous train crash whilst making a Super 8 movie and they soon suspect that the whole train crash wasn't an accident. Shortly after, you begin to see a lot of unusual disappearances and events beginning to unfold. The local deputy who is Joey (the main protagonists) father, tries to uncover the truth. However, the truth was far more terrifying than any of them could ever imagine. Attack the Block(2011) was directed by Joe Cornish, is about a small council estate in South London, where hostile aliens have fallen from the sky. A local teenage gang take it upon themselves to fight off the unwanted visitors, but quickly discover they are outnumbered by these pitch-black, bear like creatures with glowing razor sharp teeth. Attack the Block is a fast-paced and inventive action/science-fiction film with an unconventional set of heroes.
Both of these films represent youth by using two groups of young people who are adventurous and are willing to risk their life's for the life of others, each film represents the youths in different ways. Nowadays the media and our general society would see us being dangerous individuals, who go around causing havoc, but as we look at these films in more depth, we notice that Super 8 is completely opposite to how us youths are thought of today. None of the teenagers in Super 8 caused any pain to anyone, instead of doing what the typical teenagers in Attack the Block did, they spent their time writing scripts and filming for their own movie.


Point Number 1: Representation 

Super 8: How the children are first represented - they are genuinely lovely children and are just getting on with their life, in a normal matter. Innocent children - children's POV - perception: this isn't how everyone is in society!

Attack the Block: Demonised children - chav/gang-like, go around mugging people, the woman - live in a harsh world - Adults POV(nurse) - what is her perception of the gang?

Both: Mise-en-scene - the clothing they wear and their dialogue

Synthesis:

Point Number 2: Shock - horror!

Super 8: aliens arriving - crashing into the cargo trains - they act like a normal bunch of children, quite scared but they are adventurous when it comes to finding out the truth - seems like fun and games

Attack the Block: aliens arriving on earth - shot from the sky in crates - the teenage gang react by beating the shit out of the aliens in the crate

Mise-en-scene: lighting - special effects - flashing to show horror and the frightened children - shock - contrasting?

Cinematography: re-watch to find out the angles used to show the emotions on the children's faces when it happens - detailed analysis

Synthesis:

Point Number 3: Friendship/Strength 

Super 8: Joey talks to the alien - friendly - helpful

Attack the Block: Moses sacrifices himself to the aliens

Micro aspect:

Synthesis:


Conclusion:

Overall, whilst analysing the two films Attack the Block and Super 8 in high detail, I noticed how youth was represented through the way in which the actors and actresses were portrayed. For example, in the independent London situated film Attack the Block, we notice that the main characters of the film are a gang of 'chavs'. The way in which they speak and dress are the main give away. In society and media usually any youths that are dressed in this way are in-fact addressed as troublesome people, they would usually be seen mugging people or inflicting pain on others, etc. We first see this happen in the beginning of Attack the Block when it all starts out negative, however, as the film progresses we notice a change of heart in the gang of youths, they end up helping people and a lot of positive attitude is spread throughout the characters. It's a completely different story when we look at Super 8, the gang of youths that are involved in this film are the opposite of what youths are thought of today. The film depicts this by the youths involving themselves in something that is harmless and creative, they wanted to make their own Super 8 film away form the rural area. This film evidently goes against what the older generations think of us and they do it by their use of language and positive attitude to their elders who are involved in the film. The representation of youth in both of these films have their negatives and positives.

PEAS

 

Conclusion on Attack the Block vs Super 8

Overall, whilst analysing the two films Attack the Block and Super 8 in high detail, I noticed how youth was represented through the way in which the actors and actresses were portrayed. For example, in the independent London situated film Attack the Block, we notice that the main characters of the film are a gang of 'chavs'. The way in which they speak and dress are the main give away. In society and media usually any youths that are dressed in this way are in-fact addressed as troublesome people, they would usually be seen mugging people or inflicting pain on others, etc. We first see this happen in the beginning of Attack the Block when it all starts out negative, however, as the film progresses we notice a change of heart in the gang of youths, they end up helping people and a lot of positive attitude is spread throughout the characters. It's a completely different story when we look at Super 8, the gang of youths that are involved in this film are the opposite of what youths are thought of today. The film depicts this by the youths involving themselves in something that is harmless and creative, they wanted to make their own Super 8 film away form the rural area. This film evidently goes against what the older generations think of us and they do it by their use of language and positive attitude to their elders who are involved in the film. The representation of youth in both of these films have their negatives and positives.

Super 8 vs Attack the Block

Here is my presentation on my idea of the genre conventions and themes and messages in these two sci-fi/horror/comedy films.. Click here.

Homework.

Task 1: Dystopian Themes that are evident in the film Children of Men

From the left you can see themes from the actual film - then when you look to the right, you can see the same themes but ones that are actually happening in the world.

• Terrorism
• Religion
• Hope and faith
• Immigration
• Strength
• Unity
• Devastation

THEME AND TOPICS: V FOR VENDETTA

Voyeurism and the Male Gaze

Shots and Angles used in Psycho and V for Vendetta shower scenes

Lets start off with Psycho directed by Alfred Hitchcock in (1960) is a horror and in this scene of the movie, the lady in it: Marion, now in this first image I have capped it shows her shutting the door behind her as she turns to discard her robe. This shows a sense of privacy, one where she doesn't want to be disturbed throughout the showering process, the way she clicks it shut and eyes the door up and down is to show the viewer that she definitely wants privacy. Now in the second image, this shows her vulnerability  she is now undressed and is getting into the shower, this links to the male gaze. Why, because it resembles the fact that men find naked women attractive and the male gaze, you can see her bare legs and back and this would attract the male gender and intrigued them to watch more closely. With us being the audience we are invading her privacy which links to the male gaze even more.

The next technique that Hitchcock has used is a racking focus now this is when we see a shadow appear behind the curtain whilst Marion is showering, the racking focus draws the audiences attention to what's behind the curtain. This is also a sense of voyeurism as the person behind the curtain opens the door quite freely, whilst she is having a personal moment and is spying on Marion and she doesn't yet no it, but that person is going to murder her as they have been watching her. The next part of the sequence straight after we see the shadow open the door and appear behind the curtain, we notice the camera cut off straight away from her face to the person with the knife who is about to murder Marion. This adds tension as it all comes to a complete stop, this also gives the shock factor because it's as if Hitchcock has directed it this way for us to have the same shock she has about it. 

Now the last the shot that I am going to talk about is the part of the sequence where Hitchcock uses juxtaposition. This is where her eye meets with the plughole. Both of these two images don't relate in anyway and although they are two different things, the public eye, us the viewer can relate the two images by the way they are directed and merge into one another and we tend to look for the differences and similarities that are evident in both. The zoom shot of the plug whole with the water going down gives us a sense of her life being washed away and there is still blood going down too, it's as if every emotion of hers in going down the drain. The technique that he uses to shoot this part of the sequence is pan, into zoom into a graphic match. This is because the pan is moving with the water, going down from her legs to the end of the bath, the zoom then goes from the plughole merging into the eye which is a graphic match. 

In addition, when it comes to the V for Vendetta: Voice of London speech it isn't as intimate as the psycho scene, one; it isn't a women and isn't what's known as the male gaze because this sequence is of a man. Although, this could still be known as voyeuristic because the fact, we the public eye have once again interrupted someone in their personal space as they are showering with absolutely no clothes on. It is also isn't as intimate as there isn't as many close ups as there were the Alfred Hitchcock movie, Lewis Prothero's body isn't on show a lot as much as Marion's either. James McTeigue uses a pan to give it more aesthetically pleasing look that draws the public in.

McTeigue has also used shallow focus to when Prothero's taking the pills, the background image behind him has been blurred out, whereas the front image of him, hasn't. 

In the next part of the scene, the director has used silhouettes of the mystery person to appear (V) to add more tension to this part, the reason that he hasn't given the full features of the person is to give the viewer more shock and it leaves them on a small cliffhanger, it builds the tension of the scene up more. This is known as Voyeurism as 'V' has without asking, walked into a very private area of Prothero's. This link to the shower scene in Psycho because the man also invaded Marion's private space, just like V has Prothero. The image on the bottom right to this paragraph is known as a over the shoulder angle, it's where the audience can see what Prothero can't at first, it's as if we are looking in V's POV into the TV screen as it is switched off, just like Prothero's life will be, once V has dealt with him. This can also give us a sense that Prothero is now powerless as the TV has switched off and V is standing up strong, bold and tall behind him.

All in all, I think that the most voyeuristic clip out of the two is the Psycho scene. The reason for me choosing this one if because it is far more intimate (male gaze) and it is more attractive for guys to watch, which will bring more attention to it, rather than the scene in V for Vendetta when Prothero is showering because he overall looks powerless. 

Editing Techniques and Narrative Meaning of V for Vendetta

The editing techniques that James McTeigue has used in the domino montage scene range out to many. Firstly, we will firstly look at the shot/reverse shot. Now this where the two officers are talking in the police station, during this conversation, they get flashbacks to where all the bad things go wrong, such as, when the public people get given the masks and they put them on. When the police officer realises what V is doing and why, that's when the ball drops, thats when V decides to knock the dominoes down, it's to give an effect that he has won his freedom, the publics freedom. This is also a sense of juxtaposition, as the dominoes don't relate to the happenings going around them, however, when it comes to the public eye on watching this, we relate it and it is a sense of freedom, the dominoes are freed and so are everyone else in the country.

As I was saying about the flashbacks in the the first paragraph, you can see the clogs turning in the police officers mind (top left), as the flashbacks are happening it's what happened to cause all of this commotion in the first place. They use graphic: match on action for this as the different images merge in to each other to show the same story. Here you have Evey and V with the body language of someone who's just been given freedom, there is also another match on action during the domino montage scene where Evey is under the bed when her mother is taken, then when Gordon Deitrich was taken from her as she was under the bed.

In this part of the scene it's establishing the area of London and the way it works, now this is a wide angled view of the train tracks that are in London and they have come to a halt, it's at a time like this when the country is rebelling against their government, and you can see this, just by the way the cargo trucks and trains have stopped on the tracks. They won't work for the government whilst they treat the public people with little respect!



James McTeigue also uses rhythmic in this scene, it gives it suspense and makes the viewer wonder where the police officer is taking his information and whether it is going to be much use to them, later on in the film. As soon as the police officer (top left) has sussed out what V was after and why, the music stops and that builds up the tension/suspense even more.


(I also realise the night before that I may have done this completely round the wrong way, if so, I shall redo it this weekend)

Juxtaposition

These two images from the storyboard show juxtaposition because they are two completely different objects and they don't relate in any sort of way, however, when the viewer watches the film they tend to try and relate the two images by looking at the differences and the similarities.

300 Word Analysis V for Vendetta

V for Vendetta is an action packed thriller, which is about a shadowy freedom fighter known as 'V'.

In this sequence we see a scene where Eve and V are standing on a rooftop looking out to their surrounding area and at first you think, what is a stranger taking a young woman on top of a building for? Well, V wanted to show her the spectacular view that she was about to witness, the blowing up of The Old Bailey. Now, the director James McTeigue very cleverly used a wide-angle shot to give you a look at V's body language, whilst seeing him intentionally blowing up of The Old Bailey. His body language that is shown, really links with the explosion, the fireworks explode into array of colour's just like V's emotions, he's happy, proud and over the moon that his plan had worked. Eve, however, was on a lower level to V and this shows the audience, that she is less important and is in a very awkward situation right now and that maybe she was being used to make this plan of his work.

The slide then transitions into Chancellor Sutler's introduction or interrogation on the candidates who are trying to seek out where V and Eve were. The introduction of Sutler starts off with him being extremely close-up, his facial features and emotions being really evident. This really helps the viewers because it shows his importance as well, as he has taken up the whole screen. It gives a sense of him domineering his fellow 'friends'/candidates. The use of small lighting/spotlighting that McTeigue uses when Sutler interrogates Mr Creedy shows us that he is less important to the viewer than Sutler, this also happens with the others who are sitting facing the massive screen. 

Also, the director uses a wide-angle view to show the backs of the candidates and this also shows that maybe they aren't as important and that they aren't worthy and shouldn't be looked at. The music they use in the background makes the situation tenser and really puts what I’ve said into perspective. Having Chancellor Sutler on the screen that large seems like a fret to all of us!

Alice in Wonderland redesigned

So our job this week was to redesign the Alice in Wonderland (2010) set where she both shrinks and grows in the matter of four minutes, but not into just any ordinary design but into one of the darkest and mysterious designs going, into the Alien (1979) theme.

This is mine and Jasmin Sanders' idea, as you can see the drawing has no colour, the reason for this is because in most of Alien, there is no colour other than dark blue, black and metallic colours. Having no colour also gives it a more mysterious, grunge look which may help build up the tension if Alice was to shrink and grow in this dark compact space.

Our design has a mixture of scales, bones and shapes of what the Alien creatures have. If you look closely to our design the top section of the set is in-fact the shape of the Alien head, the rigid marks that are made are scale like. We've given some rips in the wall to show that maybe the Alien had been there before and got angry?

The main door that is most likely the main focus of the idea, has dark features to it and also the alien scales, the top again like the top section of the overall design is the alien head (as seen in the photo next to this paragraph.) This gives it a grunge look and also reflects the Alien theme. 

This small section here shows a table, this table reflects back to the original table in Alice and Wonderland. However, this design has the head of an alien on it. Me and Jasmin had discussed how we'd like her to get through the door and how we would like her to shrink and grow. Basically, we came up with the teeth being the key to one of the doors, but which one? Then the alien's blood would be the potion that would shrink her and the alien skin (ew) would be the ingredient that would make her grow. 

 The costumes done by Jasmin are very unique, grunge, and Alien themed. The first design (the larger costume) is an interpretation of Alice's first dress and also the smaller costume is the interpretation of her smaller dress - both costume/dresses keep the similar Victorian style to them. Also the colours that Jas has said she was to use were: blue and green hues for the background and black and white or grey for the costumes, which still goes with the darkness/mysterious setting.


Hope you enjoyed! 

                                        

Mise-en-scene

Mise-en-scene is all about the composition of the actor or sequence scene, where they can show the emotions or feelings of the actor in the way they set up the scene or where they position the person in the scene which can create an illusion of the space around the actor/actress. 

25+ Word Treatment

Sequel for Batman: Dark Knight Rises.


This wasn't just a normal day for Alfred, in-fact this day was completely the opposite, was what was in-front of him an hallucination or was it actually his old friend Batman?

V for Vendetta

I’d personally say that this mind-blowing film would be thriller, action, sci-fi and romance; because, yes, V was dark and mysterious throughout the whole film, he would kill civilians (police officers, members of the government,) and all that was because of the love he had for the public, he wanted Freedom for not just him but for the whole country that he lived in. V rebelled against the Government for this freedom, V wanted payback for all the pain they had caused families, to Valerie, to himself and to Evie.

Behind that black cloak and artfully coloured mask was a man with a heart, a man who was treated in the most ugly way by the Government, to which, eventually he saved himself from the pain, the ugliness, from the burning building, with that, however, he ended up with scars to show his triumph. In addition, he ended up falling in love with Evie, the girl who was with him throughout the process. The one who he showed his desire to show the country how they should get revenge, how they should get revenge on the Government for what they had done. V trusted Evie and V wasn’t alone with looking for Freedom, Evie wanted revenge for what the Gov had done to her Mother, Father and Brother. In-fact, all in all, when you see the sea of V masks at the end envelope the Country’s city state, you notice how many people actually wanted revenge and most of all freedom.

When you look closely at the film, you can see the tension rising, especially when Evie goes out after curfew and gets trapped by those two men. In that scene, the camera jumped from each man after each sentence they had finished. This tension explodes when V enters onto the scene to save her, which instantly makes us, the watcher think ‘What is this ludicrously looking man doing appearing out of nowhere?’ but then we come to find, he’s actually a hero/villain who means no harm to the kind, public. Also in most of the scenes when V is rivalled against members of the Government or Police, it usually takes place in the dark and has slow motion sword throwing and fast police shootings.

V’s character throughout the film shows intelligence and wit, his crafty ways helping him plot the most obscene murders. This although changed to remorse after he had sent Evie into imprisonment to show her what it was like to go through, seeing as he’s been through it, he wanted to show her that she can get rid of all fear. Also, as much as he didn't know of it at first (from my point of view), his actions towards Evie were of one in a relationship, he saved her and kept her healthy, what he did was show love towards her as he dies. 

Even though V thought of himself as nothing, just a man in a mask who has to save his country, he realises that he actually does have a heart, a heart made for Evie, to the women he fell in love with. All because he could trust her, the key points to a relationship.

All in all, V for Vendetta is about freedom, beliefs that you should stand up for, the gunpowder plot and romance.

Hi.

So hey, my name is Cara Alexandrou, this shall be my Film Studies blog for the Leigh Technology Academy. I hope it's up to scratch and I hope you enjoy, ciao.