Existing Product Research

Girlhood (2015)

The clip starts off with a mise en scene of one of the characters smiling while listening to music. The non- diegetic soundtrack play a popular pop song, which could connote that the movie is aimed at a female demographic. Her costume and make up suggests that the setting is at a small scale party, which we later find out to be true as she ends up dancing with some of her close friends.  The actor’s facial expressions and body language suggest that she is enjoying herself, which reinforces the theme of friendship in the movie. Towards the end the soundtrack is then sung by the characters (diegetic sound). This cleverly highlights the moral of the story as the character is trying to be more confident and comfortable with herself, with the help of her closest friends.  Therefore the lyrics ‘’ we’re beautiful like diamonds…’’ suggest that she is trying to be perfect in her own way.

The cinematography and editing is also effective in this scene as it, again, emphasises her newfound personality. The scene uses medium close ups of the character to reveal her facial expressions and body language to the audience. This allows the audience to sympathies and relate to the character as the act of dancing with your friends could make the audience think about similar situations they had. Therefore, this creates a sense of identification as the audience know that friendship can create unforgettable memories.

The BBFC rated Girlhood ‘’suitable for 15 years and over’’ which suggests that the target audience is teenagers. I believe that the film targets a specifically female demographic as it revolves around the lives of teenage girls and the experiences they go through. Also since the film is French, it could also appeal to a global audience as it involves characters of different minorities. It would also appeal to a particularly urban demographic who would also be involved in similar situations. 

Bicycle Thieves (1948)

The mise en scene in the beginning shows that the protagonist is an average worker as shown by his costume and body language. The iconography of the poster (which depicts a woman in a bathing suit) is sued cleverly in this scene as it shows the worker being distracted by it as he’s putting the poster up. This makes the audience know that something is bound to happen to the worker as he is not mindful of his surroundings. This then turns out to be true as the workers bicycle gets stolen.  This therefore demonstrates Barthes’ idea of semiotics and how signs, in this case the poster, lead to action codes that are easily predictable. The setting also suggests that the theft was likely to happen as it shows a normal day in the city. The actor’s facial expressions and body language suggest that he’s angry and also devastated (towards the end) that his bicycle was stolen. This could possibly suggest that the bicycle was a significant prop in the film, which is also reinforced through the title   ‘’ Bicycle Thieves’’.

The cinematography and editing is also effective in this scene as there are many examples of medium close ups to show the characters reaction to the bike being stolen. There are also some long shots as well as crane shots, to establish the setting which is the city. The editing uses a series of straight cuts, which is an example of continuity editing. This allows the audience to follow the linear narrative, which consists of: an equilibrium- the man painting, a disequilibrium- the man's bike being stolen, and a new equilibrium- the man being frustrated due to the theft, which demonstrates Todorov's theory of narrative structure.

The BBFC rated ''Bicycle Thieves'' suitable for all (U) as it does not contain any explicit content fro example substance abuse or nudity. Therefore the target audience is people of all ages, both male and female. I believe that the target audience would be young adults, as the film contains conventions such as tragedy and adventure, which appeals to this particular demographic.

Donnie Darko (2001)

The scene uses several film language techniques such as cinematography and mise en scene to put emphasis of the protagonist in the film. The actors costume suggests that he is an ''ordinary'' teenager just like the rest of the characters however, this contrasts his characters role in the film as he is going through an emotional phase in his life where he is trying to figure out what it means to be alive. The characters facial expressions and body language suggest that hes depressed and annoyed since the question is not accurate. The setting is in a classroom which connotes themes of progress and imagination. This links to the narrative as it revolves around the character being curious about different things. The cinematography is also effective in this scene as it uses a medium shot to show the protagonist and the teacher standing in front of the ''life line'' drawn on the board. The positioning of the characters is clever in this scene as the protagonist is placed next to the word ''FEAR'' which hints at the characters '' freak accident'' in the film, which lead to the development of his ''emotional phase'' in the film where he questions everything. The scene also uses a tracking shot while the character is making a small speech about the different emotions that we really feel as human beings. 

The scene uses a jump cut after the protagonist makes a speech. The setting of the classroom is immediately changed to the principals office, which suggests to the audience that the character is in trouble. In this scene the positioning of the characters is also effective as the protagonist is placed behind his parents to suggest that hes ''protected'' from any criticism that he might receive from the teachers. The scene also contains elements of humour as the insult that the protagonist sued towards the teacher was funny- which is also apparent when the father also laughs.   

The BBFC rated ''Donnie Darko'', suitable for 15 years and above. I believe that the target audience is mostly teenagers as the narrative follows the different phases and emotions that teenagers face which can allow audience to relate and sympathise with the character. I think that the audience will mostly be positioned as males as the main character is also male. This would allow them to sympathise with the protagonist much more.   

Room (2015)

The cinematography and the mise en scene in this scene is effective in terms of its narrative as it reveals the situation that the characters are in - trapped in a small room with limited resources. The scene is shot using a steadi- cam to give it a documentary like style to it to suggest that the characters are unfortunate and isolated. The movements of the camera foreshadow the characters imperfect lives. However the action codes (Barthes) such as making a cake, lighten up the mood and make the audience sympathise with the characters. The costumes of each of the characters also reinforce the idea of them being isolated and troubled as their clothes look worn out and dirty. The lighting in the scene is also low key to put emphasise on the unfortunate situation  that they are in. The low key lighting also allows the audience to partially see the characters facial features. In some parts the audience can see the marks and dark spots on their face which also suggests that the characters have limited resources and are unable to properly take care of themselves. The characters facial expressions and body language suggest that they are trying to make the best of what is given to them. For example towards the end the boy why there are no candles, however the mother tries to suggest that there doesn't need to be any candles. This particular scene gives the audience an advantage in terms of the narrative structure as the audience are aware that it is almost impossible for the characters to get what they want.  

In terms of editing the scene also reinforces the hybrid genre of the film which is thriller and drama. The scene uses medium long shots of the room to establish the setting and reveal to the audience how small the room actually is so that they can sympathise with the characters. 

The BBFC rated ''Room'' suitable for 15 years and above as it contains some strong language and themes of abduction and abuse. I think that the target audience would mostly be positioned as females as the themes of coping with life skills and raising a child would appeal to this demographic. The target audience would also be teenagers as well as adults as they might go through similar situations (trying to adjust to a new environment). 

The Lobster (2015)

The cinematography and mise en scene is effective in this scene as it reinforces the hybrid genre of the film which is a comedy- drama. The costume of the character in this scene suggest that the protagonist is a man in his early 30s who is depressed and unsatisfied with his life. This is reinforced by the narrative as it follows the life a newly-widowed man who is given a specific time to find a compatible mate or be turned into a wild animal. The scene starts of with the character sleeping and then being interrupted by the someone at the door. The action code of the protagonist getting ready to speak to the characters and putting his glasses on, foreshadows the characters personality in the film- an man who is depressed and trying to get his life back together. The costume of the protagonist is more scruffy whereas the costume of the visitor is neat and formal. The characters body language also suggests that he is dispirited.  The scene uses low key lighting to add to the dramatic and gloomy atmosphere. It also however allows us to partially see the characters facial expressions, which could suggest that the character is quite hostile and shy.

In terms of editing the scene uses the 180 degree rule incorrectly. The first medium long shot starts of with the camera on the protagonists left hand side, however it switches to his right hand side. This confuses the audience and creates unease. This could perhaps foreshadow how the protagonist is dishevelled and also confused. The 180 degree rule at this point is then used correctly - this could somehow be parallel to the conversation as the character now feels slightly more comfortable and open now that hes talking to someone.

The BBFC rated ''The Lobster'' suitable for 15 years and above, as it contains strong language, sexual references, and also bloody images. I think the target audience could be adults who are mostly female as the themes in the film such as love and friendship.