Evaluation

Blood On The Front (Sang Sur Le Front)

EVALUATION.

When researching into the conventions of film noir we attempted to incorporate them as much as possible into our opening sequence to make it as real noir as we could. We decided to incorporate specific character types into our

opening sequence and fit the conventions for film noir. For example, our opening sequence included 2 detectives, which spoke in 1940’s American accents to suit the genre. We also incorporated generic conventions by the visual style of our opening sequence. Our final edit is in black and white and many scenes, such as the interview scenes and conversation between the two detectives have light coming from one side casting interesting shadows across the subjects face which creates a low key lighting effect – something associated with film noir. To further incorporate the film noir genre into our opening sequence to make it suite real media products we chose a theme to fit the genre – a crime scene. Also using

iconography we gave our opening sequence the noir feel, for example, smoking, old-fashioned camera, suits and trilbies.

Our sequence uses the conventions well enough to develop them further to give our sequence a modern twist of classic noir making our opening sequence a neo-noir in terms of subgenre. As we have incorporated the classic conventions of film noir our film is still a neo-noir as we have been aware of modern circumstances and technology, unlike classic noir

films.

Our use of conventions indicated what other film noir films have influenced our work. For example our opening scene – the tilt down from the sky and moon onto the path was influenced from the opening sequence to the film noir ‘Sunset

Boulevard’ which tilts down and follows the road.

Q1. IN WHAT WAYS DOES YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT USE, DEVELOP OR CHALLENGE FORMS AND CONVENTIONS OF

REAL MEDIA PRODUCTS?

Film noir films are usually aimed at those of an age range of 16+ because of some scenes used in most movies of this genre. It usually attracts those who like films including mystery, action, temptation, murder and suspicion, which attracts more males than

females, with endings that can lead to a sequel. After taking in the results from our research we made sure that when planning out our clip we took into consideration that males should be more involved into the storyline than women. The scenes aren't too drastic

and are viewable for the film Noir age range of 16+ and that it is still relevant to the same social group. Gender in our clip is represented in the same was as original film noir films; meaning the wardrobe consisted of women wearing classic 50’s dresses and big hair, whereas the men wore suits with shiny shoes and having their hair gelled back looking presentable and high of power and authority along with putting on a butch voice mainly during the interview scene to show they mean business. The men are still seen as dominant in the interview scene, mainly where the two detectives are positioned above the villain, towering over her to show she is in lower authority than them. The females are still shown as flirtatious and playing hard to get but in a way that she doesn't ’t let

the truth out and she can defend herself without having to rely on others to help her out and stick up for her. This links to the target audience as our clip provides all the main features of a film noir film, from their wardrobe, to the soundtrack and the scenes within it. This shows our target audience that the genre is a classic and also brings them into the clip involving them in wondering about the

mystery and suspicion of the storyline.

Q2. HOW DOES YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT REPRESENT PARTICULAR SOCIAL GROUPS?

The kind of media institution that might distribute our media product may be a production company such as ‘Paramount Pictures’ because they have produced many different types of Noir films such as ‘Sunset Boulevard’

and ‘Among the living’ and although these have many differences to our opening sequence in relation to style and audience they are also very similar in a way that I believe that Paramount would enjoy our film. As the film is

quite graphic and mature it would be a hit with the older and more intellectual audience but because it isn’t too graphic and brutal it could be suitable to a wider variety audience and for this reason I think that it could be a

profitable movie that Paramount would want to be involved in.  

I think that our film would be a big hit to be made into a movie as it has a classical and refined style yet it isn’t so mature as to be rated over a 15 certificate which would mean that it could be seen by more people. I also think

that Paramount would want to be heavily involved with the distribution if they are the ones to finance the project and due to the fact that they are a very vertically integrated company and have been heavily involved with past projects. To release this movie I think it would start with some viral advertisement over ‘Facebook’, ‘YouTube’,

and ‘twitter’ to first drip feed it to the audience and give them small tasters to the movie then it would be released in a staggered fashion starting off in major cities such as London, Manchester or Liverpool then release

it into smaller towns. I would suggest that it be majorly released in Autumn to come into time with horror and corrupt styled films to set the scene in and outside of the cinema. I estimate that the budget would be

approximately £20,000,00 - £30,000,00 and the profit in box office would be approximately £35, 000,00. The budget if quite high as a noir styled film like ours requires a lot of Mise En Scene to create the correct setting

and this could prove to be quite expensive. I think that a film of this type would provide various opportunities to create merchandise and possible a game with a similar story line. Merchandise could be items such as T-Shirts,

Posters, Lighters and cigarettes as they all fit in with the noir style.  

I think this movie would be released because it offers a lot of profitable ideas and the style is timeless and everyone wants to see a good noir, murder based film. Mise En scene was an absolute massive part of our film as

it’s the very aspect that sets the mood, atmosphere and time scale. We used costume (50s style suits and dresses), props (cigarettes & fake blood) and location (promenade and dark interview room) to set the time scale and atmosphere to grab and draw the audience into our film. In the editing process we added music and changed

the contrast to make it black and white, while also adding live text for the beginning credits starting with the actors, then the production and finishing with the director. I think that the visual style was well set for our film thanks to thought out postproduction discussions plus overall creativity and thought. Thanks to these factors I

think that a company like Paramount Pictures or warner bros would most definitely want to invest to produce and distribute our film.

Q3. WHAT KIND OF MEDIA INSTITUTION MIGHT DISTRIBUTE YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT

AND WHY?

The research we did was looking through different movies such as ‘Sunset Boulevard’ and ‘The Man Who Wasn’t There’ and after the audience profile we came to a group conclusion to create our film sequence a 15. This has been decided as this can maximize our target audience for the respectable age of 15+ . We thought the movie could appeal to anyone I think we have shown good camera work and used a good script to attract

both sexes for the age of the film set. However the style of our film of a Noir can be difficult to get across with some female audiences because of

the crime scene and interrogations its not really some people ‘cup of tea’ but I think we have showed enthusiasm throughout it and got it across very well.

- If we compare our film ‘Blood On The Front’ to any other Noir film I think we come close to the most has to be ‘Sunset Boulevard’ the title sequence on that is quite similar to our sequence also the black and white colour to set the scene of a Noir film, however ours is also different ; we made our film original, more 21 st

century and tried to make a different storyline but with the background of Noir running throughout, but comparing is ‘Sunset Boulevard’ however that was rated a PG film in 1950 but we have modernized and put

our film older due to language and use of props been used.

Q4. WHO WOULD BE THE AUDIENCE FOR YOUR MEDIA PRODUCT?

Because we chose to make our clip based on film noir, during our research we found that they aren't as popular as other genres such as horrors and are usually distributed and promoted from companies/promoters such as 20 th Century Fox or Paramount. During the

production of the film it would be more likely to be produced in a small, uncommon studio rather than some well-known, luxury Hollywood studio. Our piece would more likely be a TV movie that would most likely be shown on movie channels such as Hallmark or a channel that specializes in shows and movies that have some link to film Noir. Not only would it be released for fame or popularity, but

also for feedback from the public and its storyline would give the company opportunities and ideas for sequels, along with helping promote the actors. It can also offer opportunities for merchandising if the film becomes successful enough, and a lead to sequels will

also help the clip have a greater impact in the film noir genre history. Even more so, it can make public scenes in the clip become more populated and like a tourist attraction if it became highly successful; like The Beatles and Abbey Road. A wide use of camera angles and effects also helps to attract the audience as it keeps them intrigued and able to understand the storyline more. For example the use of camera tilts shows the dominance of the different characters in the scenes and the extreme close up of the culprit at the end with half a shadowed face helps express the mystery and suspicion. The use of transition effects also makes it easier to show the

changes between the scenes. The audience are put in the position of the culprit. Being in this position helps show the story from their eyes and helps the audience understand why the villain did what they done but doesn't ’t show you the scenario from anyone else's point of view, so there is only one side to be able to stand by. This has the impact that the culprit is alone on this and has to defend

themselves which the audience then follows.

Q5. HOW DID YOU ATTRACT/ADDRESS YOUR AUDIENCE?