Exploring: Japanese Matsuri 2014

The Japanese Matsuri convention held in Trafalgar Square was a thrilling experience. I got to view the best of Japanese culture and tasted their delicious food which was a bonus!

From this experience, I was inspired by various cultural elements that will definitely benefit the production of our film trailer. It also gave me ideas to consider such as the mise-en-scene, the ambient noise and how the actors will have to perform. 

Below are clips I took of the event, I filmed people wearing traditional kimonos because the look of these colourful and delicate garments stood out to me most. Using appropriate costumes will provide the viewer with a sense of authenticity. 

I was also able to absorb mannerisms Japanese people have; for instance they bow their head to show respect; minor details like this will make our film trailer seem more realistic. 

Pitch - The Bonsai Tree

The Bonsai Tree - Celina, Jasmine, James and Chandler from celinalaureta

Repertoire of Elements

Christian Metz' Development of the Genre Theory

Christian Metz (1931-1993) was a French Film Theorist and is renowned for incorporating Sigmund Freud's psychology and Jacques Lacan's mirror theory to film. According to Metz, films are a popular art form because they stem from the endless possibilities that depict imperfect reflections of reality as well as a way to explore the unconscious dream state. 

ICONOGRAPHY
Firstly, according to the oxford dictionary, the word icon is defined as: "A person or thing regarded as a representative symbol or as worthy of respect" In Media, iconography refers to the symbolic representations and images that have been linked to a certain genre for decades, hence why the word "icon" is key in understanding the element of iconography. For instance, some form of weapon, often covered in blood, is associated with horror films. This kind of mise-en-scene is considered to be an appropriate symbol as it conveys a chilling representation of violence and murder. Similarly, in romance films, a bouquet of roses can be used to emphasize the genre as it has connotations of passion and love. 

As shown in the picture, Western films usually feature a character wearing a particular costume (cowboy attire) such as a cowboy hat and a shotgun which clearly identifies the genre. 













SETTING
The setting is a significant part of the film as it engages the viewer through the way it provides a sense of authenticity depending on the genre. Sci-Fi films are a prime example for they are often set in futuristic locations and are frequently associated with outer space which help the audience identify the film genre. Futuristic films usually appear minimalist and simplistic. The set is usually sleek and creates a sense of openness because the setting is often made out of chrome or is painted white.  

NARRATIVEThe narrative is often considered to be the plot because it is the process of story telling however the subtle difference is that the narrative is the way the events are combined and presented to the audience. This involves the way events are arranged in order to gradually construct the plot in a way that will not give away too much information to the audience. Narratives can be classified in two categories, these are: linear and non-linear narratives. Linear narrative refers to a narrative which is arranged in chronological order. Non-linear narrative involves the use of editing techniques that scramble the narrative form; for instance, flashbacks and cross-cutting distorts the chronological order of the film.

CHARACTERS
The characters essentially tell the story as it unravels throughout the film. There are various archetypes but the most common has to be the film's main protagonist aka the hero who overcomes trials and challenges as the story progresses. Another archetype (who often conducts the challenges the hero faces) is the villain, the antagonist of the film and is the binary opposite of the hero. Villainous characters have evolved and are classified as generic like dirty cops who pervert the course of justice and the anarchist who seeks to cause havoc and chaos.

THEMES
Are considered to be the underlying message that is cleverly weaved into the film and the plot. Common themes in gangster crime include power-play/rivalry between organised crime organizations (mobs) seeking more/maintaining the power they have as well as revenge and vendettas. Themes are not restricted to one genre and can be found in films of different genres as some elements are suitable enough to incorporate in certain films. i.e. a horror movie theme of psychopathic killer can be embedded into a police crime film.

AUDIENCE RESPONSE
Concerns the way a film evokes emotion from the audience, be it tension or a sense of elation. For example, gangster films are often intense when depicting a rivalry between gangs. Climactic scenes usually involve gun fights and will lead to the character's death - this will evoke shock and empathy from the audience because they have identified with the main character throughout the movie. The violent crimes will also shock the audience in stark contrast to romantic films which are notorious for reducing the audience to tears.