Our Girl- Representation Task

Gender in television: representation of stereotypes
In our girl we are seeing a woman in the army, this concept itself breaks stereotypes of women being weak and powerless.  

In this photo we still notice stereotypical aspects to her presentation. She is shown here wearing makeup with her hair still looking better than we should ever expect, she also carries a clean and presentable look, this insinuates that she has not yet seen field action. We can see Georgie wearing her dog tags as though they are jewellery, whether this is used as a reinforced view that she is in the army is not apparent. Also, the way she has positioned herself shows she is relaxed, however judging by her background she has found herself in a corrupt and dangerous environment.

Analysing an episode of 'Our Girl' using the 4 key areas.-

Lance Corporal Georgie Lane, an experienced army medic, joins Captain James and 2 Section on a humanitarian tour to Kenya. She has promised her fiancé, Doctor Jamie Cole, that she will return home soon to marry him. 2 Section are posted to a refugee camp near the border of Somalia, and as soon as they pull into the camp, Georgie jumps straight to work when an IED explodes, harming many refugees. When aid worker Kicki is kidnapped, Georgie's determination to find her lands her in great danger.

Camera work-

During establishing shots and ariel shots we can see that the program/drama is set in a country which has a warm and dry climate with near-desert landscapes. We find out later on that the drama is actually set in Kenya.

The filming during sudden and spontaneous scenes is a mixture of hand-held camera shots which create a shaky effect. This way of filming allows the viewer to become submerged into the action and feel as though they, themselves, are stuck in the tense scenario.

majority of the camera work used in Steadicam however occasional crane shots are used, especially during operational movements within the team; when the other soldiers are moving around a site. it is used so we can assess all of the drama going on and understand the storyline and plans better.

Many tracking shots are used to help the audience maintain their understanding of the action going on.

Editing-
The ordinary continuity editing is used to show endless action and allow the scenes to piece and flow together. There were cross cutting scenes and these were made evident by the music used and the way the continuity shots had allowed us to follow the two story lines. The cross cutting shots appeared when the two storylines/ plots were possibly close to colliding. A few jump cut scenes were used to help the audience establish the main characters space as she was being held captive, this was helpful as it allowed the audience to know more than the character (dramatic irony).
During scenes when characters were being moved or captured there was plenty of fast paced editing purely to build up the tension for the viewers.

Sound-
The programme contain both diegetic sounds and non diegetic sounds. an example of a diegetic sound and occasionally synchronous sounds would be gun shots, explosions and the sounds of vehicles when they are on screen or even if they are heard in the background. On the other hand there is no appearance of a voice over at any point of which we watched. Music was used in some scenes as a non-diegetic sound, the pace of the music varied to persuade tension and anxiousness, it also allows the audience to see who exactly is in control at that point in time.   

Mise-en-Scène -
In this drama I was expecting a level of defying the normal everyday stereotype, in other words I was expecting an incredible feminist view or an anti terrorism viewpoint. Unfortunately I was deeply disappointed. The production allowed terrorists to be shown in the normal stereotypical way and women were shown to be annoying and non-tactical to a certain degree. The only part that I was quite surprised, which obviously follows a deeper plot line, is that the secondary leader of the terrorist group was British.

Research the film Star Wars: The Force Awakens directed by JJ Abrams.

 Find out about the following:

• Producers/ Production companies

JJ Abrams (also the film's director), Kathleen Kennedy and Bryan Burk.
production companies-  Lucasfilm (George Lucas' own production company, owned by Disney), Bad Robot (Director JJ Abram's own production company) and True North Productions (British production company).

• Director

J.J. Abrams             

• Screen writer

Writers:

Lawrence Kasdan,  

J.J. Abrams
Michael Arndt
George Lucas		(based on characters created by)

• Actors-

This movie stars many actors such as:

Harrison Ford	...	Han Solo
	Mark Hamill	...	Luke Skywalker
	Carrie Fisher	...	Princess Leia
	Adam Driver	...	Kylo Ren
	Daisy Ridley	...	Rey
	John Boyega	...	Finn
	Oscar Isaac	...	Poe Dameron
	Lupita Nyong'o	...	Maz Kanata
	Andy Serkis	...	Supreme Leader Snoke
	Domhnall Gleeson	...	General Hux
	Anthony Daniels	...	C-3PO
	Max von Sydow	...	Lor San Tekka
	Peter Mayhew	...	Chewbacca
	Gwendoline Christie	...	Captain Phasma

• Budget

$245,000,000 (estimated)

• Locations

England, Ireland, Iceland and United Arab Emirates.

• Greenlight date

30th October 2012

• Screens shown on (opening weekend, peak figure, weeks at cinema)

5,500 screens (roughly) worldwide on its opening weekend.

• Critical reaction (Rotten Tomatoes & Metacritic)

Rotten Tomatoes score of 92% and a Metacritic score of 81%.

• Box office figures: worldwide, US, China

$2 Billion worldwide over its time in the box office

• Music (composer of score/ soundtrack)

Soundtrack by John Williams

• Marketing (teaser trailers, trailers, TV spots, posters, websites etc)

Teaser trailer was released in 2014. Followed by full trailers, TV spots and film clips. posters were released also.

• Tie-in products

Lego, action figures, costumes as well as toy Lightsabers.

• SFX (special effects - technology used)

Produced by many companies and studios. Film in majorly practical effects.

• Any issues

Harrison Ford-  the Millennium Falcon set landed on him. as a result he broke his leg. He also had a plane crash during filming.

FILM PRODUCTION

Development -
This is simply the process of 'finding' a story. Ideas for films come from a variety of sources, they can range from novels, real life events to computer game adaptations. Once you've got an idea you'll need someone to write a pitch for you which you take to a film producer in an attempt to get some funding to make your film. Even at this very early stage you need a very clear idea of who you're aiming you film at so you can include elements that will appeal to them.
Pre-production -
 Once you've got funding you establish your budget and can begin to get a film crew together, you can storyboard the script. You also need break the script down into individual scenes and identify all the locations, props, cast members, costumes, special effects and visual effects needed.
Production -
This is simply the process of 'making' the film. Provided you've done your job properly in the pre-production stage making the film should be straight forward. 'Film' is very expensive and difficult to store so an increasing number of film makers are using digital cameras to save money.
Post-production -
During this stage you take all the 'film' you've shot and give it to a film editor. They will then begin putting it together. Special effects will be added, a soundtrack will be added, any missing dialogue will be re-recorded and added resulting in a 'rough cut'. This will be shown to the director and a test audience who will offer feedback. Often this causes scenes to be filmed and added or removed.

In today's lesson you need to find out what the following key roles and areas entail:

• Writer-

Writers are integral to the development process. The writer plays many rolls within production but ultimately their work will result to the final script. Whether they decide to approach a producer with an original idea or whether they are asked to breathe life into a story, they work very closely with  the producer, script editor and possibly director. This all ensures the movie maintains a strong entertainment value and an effective structure.

• Producer-

The producer is in charge of every aspect of the films production. This role would include putting together a cast and crew, turning a basic storyline into a profitable film, approve locations, and manage the budget. Their key responsibility is to create a comfortable working environment where the talents of the cast and crew can flourish. Producers are accountable for the success of the finished film (the films profits..etc.) . They steer the film from beginning to completion and beyond.

• Casting director

A casting director is the person who is in charge of all the actors employed. They also have to negotiate contracts and choose which actor/ actress will be most appropriate to play the part. To reach certain conclusions comunication between the castind director along with the with the Director and Producer must be made in order to understand requirements.

• Director

The director will be the appendage of the crew who will drive the team during a films production. The director works throughout production with things such as casting, script editing, filming and editing. The director is the person who makes the links between the teams of production, technicality and creativity.

• Film finance-

This is a stage with occurs during the development process prior to pre-production. It allows the team to determine the potential value to the film overall. Values could be based on things such as: Theatrical releases, and including DVD sales, and release to broadcasting television networks both domestic and international as well as inflight airline licensing.

• Camera operator

Also known as the cameraman or camerawoman. They are the professional operator of a film or video camera. A camera operator is  usually found operating a professional video camera.

• Editor

An editor will be the person who is in charge of constructing a contextually ordered mass of different clips. Editing can involve correction, condensation and organization.

• Production designer-

a production designer or P.D works directly with the director and producer to produce the story. They are responsible for the physical overall look of a filmed event 

• Marketing

The over all aim is to convince the public that this is a 'must-see' movie. the marketing campaign should reach target audiences before and during film releases.  When the film opens, audiences’ interest should be at its peak. This is how the profits for the film are made. The more interest the film gets the more money will spend on that said film.

• Exhibition

The exhibition is basically just the place to show the film. Film premiers being a main event which also helps to boost the publicity, but if we cant attend those there is always the  near by cinema.

My Top Ten TV Drama Shows

1) Endeavour- (Crime and Thriller)

 Series One

 Series Two

 Series Three

In 1965, young Detective Constable Endeavour Morse has become disillusioned with the job - but then the search for a missing schoolgirl draws him back to Oxford, the city which will shape and define his destiny. As he gets deeper into a full-blown murder investigation led by Detective Inspector Fred Thursday, Morse finds himself risking everything in a quest for justice that will ultimately shape his future.
I first watched endeavour when the first episode aired on itv1. I had watched many of the previous Morse episodes (containing the older Morse detective) and I was intrigued to see how Morse's career had developed. Its Adverts gripped me and when I began to watch the series I was hooked. My eyes couldn't leave the screen.


2) Vera- Crime)

Series One

Vera is a British crime drama series based on novels of the same name, written by crime writer Ann Cleeves. It was first broadcast on ITV on 1 May 2011, and to date, six series have been broadcast. The series stars Brenda Blethyn as the principal character.

Vera has very complicated story lines, of which I enjoy because it really gets my brain working. with a new case to solve each week I am left marvelled how Vera manages to cope with her social life, job and health.

3) The Secret Garden (Korean Drama) - (Romantic and Fantasy)

It aired on SBS (Seoul's Broadcasting System) from November 13, 2010 to January 16, 2011. A rationalizing Cinderella story between a stuntwoman and a high-end department store CEO.
I've been watching international dramas for about a year now on an app called 'Drama Fever'. Korean dramas are my favourites because they are so unbelievable that I find them very entertaining. This drama is one of my favourites because it incorporates a magical theme.

4) Breaking Bad- (Crime)

Breaking Bad is an American crime drama television series. The show originally aired on the AMC network for five seasons, from January 20, 2008, to September 29, 2013. It tells the story of Walter White, a struggling high school chemistry teacher diagnosed with inoperable lung cancer. Together with a former student White turns to a life of crime, producing and selling crystallized methamphetamine to secure his family's financial future before he dies. This is a gripping drama and you will want to play episode after episode after episode.

5) Heirs- (Romantic and morality)

The Heirs, also known as The Inheritors, is a South Korean television series.  The trendy drama is set in a high school populated by the privileged and uber-rich. It aired on SBS from October 9 to December 12, 2013.
This was the First Korean drama I watched and not one that have found since has had such an impact on me. This Drama taught me about the governmental views Koreans have and also how they rely drastically on the capitalist influence in the class system.

6) Game of Thrones-

Game of Thrones is an fantasy drama television series. It is an adaptation of A Song of Ice and Fire, George R. R. Martin's series of fantasy novels, the first of which is titled A Game of Thrones. It is filmed at Titanic Studios in Belfast and on location elsewhere in Northern Ireland, as well as in Croatia, Iceland, Malta, Morocco, Spain, Scotland, and the United States. The series premiered on HBO in the United States on April 17, 2011, and its sixth season concluded on June 26, 2016.
I started watching the series just after series four had come out onto box set. The complex storyline was difficult to grasp but I still thoroughly enjoyed the excitement of the action. Blood baths, magical speculations beyond belief and far from romantic relationships are seen in this epic show.

7) New Tricks- (Procedural comedy-drama)

New Tricks is a British procedural comedy-drama that follows the work of the fictional Unsolved Crime and Open Case Squad (UCOS) of the Metropolitan Police Service. Originally led by Detective Superintendent Sandra Pullman, it is made up of retired police officers recruited to reinvestigate unsolved crimes. The series title is taken from the proverb "You can't teach an old dog new tricks". New Tricks began as a one-off episode broadcast on 27 March 2003. This attracted sufficient viewers for the BBC to commission a series of six episodes, which began on 1 April 2004.
This drama is comical and transfixing. I enjoy all of the jokes and plots which are overlapped through the episodes.  

8) Answer Me 1997- (Bildungsroman, Romantic and Comedy)

Reply 1997, also known as Answer Me 1997 or Respond 1997, is a 2012 South Korean television series that centres on the lives of six friends in Busan, as the timeline moves back and forth between their past as 18-year-old high schoolers in 1997 and their present as 33-year-olds at their high school reunion dinner in 2012, where one couple will announce that they're getting married.
The story line for this drama is very clever and allows you to make predictions to the story line as well as be surprised of the outcome.

9)  Midsomer Murders - (Crime, Comedy drama)

Midsomer Murders is a British television detective drama that has aired on ITV since 1997. The show is based on Caroline Graham's Chief Inspector Barnaby book series, as originally adapted by Anthony Horowitz.

10) To The Beautiful You- (Romantic)

To the Beautiful You is a 2012 South Korean television drama series. It aired on SBS from August 15 to October 4, 2012. a Korean girl who lives in the United States sees a track and field competition on TV, and becomes attracted to a high jump competitor. She begins to idolize the young athlete and eventually transfers to Korea to attend the same school that the athlete attends after he suffers an accident that could potentially end his career. There is a catch, however: The athlete attends an all-boys high school so the Korean girl cuts all her hair off and wears boys' clothes to disguise herself as a boy to enter the school.
Her identity is discovered by many people however this is how she will determine her true friends.

5X5


Films, TV shows, Songs, Actors and Actresses, Quotes

Films

1) Lion King -
This film has been number one on the list of 'my favourite films' since I was very young. I never get tired of the captivating animations and incredibly catchy songs.
Lion Cub Simba is so eager to become king and follow in his fathers paw prints that he is slightly unaware of the dangers around him, instead he treats them as a game. Simba goes through many transitions and predicaments including loosing his father and running away from home.
With out Simba's presence the kingdom of the Pride lands is left to his uncle, Scar. The kingdom is overcome with ruin as the hyenas take over and strip the lands of food and water; the hyenas have neglected one of the greatest natural events, 'The circle of Life'. Simba returns home and claims the Pride lands for his own and restores it to its former beauty and glory.

2) Moulin Rouge-
This film stars two of my favourite actors, Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. It takes place in the, usually, romantic city of Paris. At the Moulin Rouge, a night club for gentle man, Harry Zidler (Jim Broadbent) owns his pack of 'Diamond Dogs' and the star of his show Satine (Nicole Kidman). A curious young English writer, Christopher (Ewan McGregor) has been dragged into a plan and suddenly ends up in The Moulin Rouge. slowly he and Satine fall in love. Christopher has been asked to write a performance for The Moulin Rouge and to express his love for Satine he includes a secret song. When The Duke, who is engaged to Satine, discovers their secret love he threatens Christopher out of passionate anger and jealousy and forces him to leave Satine and the show. 
On opening night Christopher gate crashes the show and outbursts his anger, love and passion towards Satine in front of a live audience. as Christopher is leaving Satine begins to sing the secret song and their love is rebuilt. the curtains close ready for the finale. 
During the whole film Satine has be suffering from Tuberculosis and has been told that she will die. Unfortunately she kept this a secret from Christopher. She dies in his arms behind the curtain.    

3) The Kite Runner-
This story reveals the brutal life of living in Wazir Akbar Khan district of Kabul, during the fall of Afghanistan's monarchy through the Soviet military intervention. This tells the tale of a boy, Amir, who was pulled from his successful life and became part of  the exodus of refugees to Pakistan and the United States, and the rise of the Taliban regime
After spending years in California, Amir returns to his home to help his old friend Hassan, whose son is in trouble.

4) Secret Life of Bees-
Set in South Carolina in 1964, this is the tale of Lily Owens, a 14 year-old girl who is haunted by the memory of her late mother. To escape her lonely life and troubled relationship with her father, T-Ray, Lily flees with Rosaleen, her caregiver and friend, to a South Carolina town that holds the secret to her mother's past. Taken in by the intelligent and independent Boatwright sisters, Lily finds solace in their mesmerizing world of beekeeping. She experiences happiness and unbelievable amounts of grief in this soul shattering film.

5) War Horse-
Young Albert enlists to serve in World War I after his beloved horse, which he raised from birth, is sold to the cavalry. The Horse falls into hands of man owners and is a part many tear jerking, heart wrenching events. Albert's hopeful journey takes him out of England and to the front lines as the war rages on.  Many events over come the separated pair of best friends. it is definitely a film which will change your attitude as a whole.

TV Shows

1) Endeavour
In 1965, young Detective Constable Endeavour Morse has become disillusioned with the job - but then the search for a missing schoolgirl draws him back to Oxford, the city which will shape and define his destiny. As he gets deeper into a full-blown murder investigation led by Detective Inspector Fred Thursday, Morse finds himself risking everything in a quest for justice that will ultimately shape his future.
This show is filled with horror, action, suspense and mystery. Everything you would want in a murder mystery!

2) Game of Thrones
While a civil war brews between several noble families in Westeros, the children of the former rulers of the land attempt to rise up to power. Meanwhile a forgotten race, bent on destruction, plans to return after thousands of years in the North.
This show is just too hard to explain. It has six series and I am not going to go into any detail. Just watch it.

3) Jonathan Creek
Working from his home in a converted windmill, Jonathan Creek is a magician with a natural ability for solving puzzles. He soon puts this ability to the use of solving impossible crimes and mysterious murders. he teams up with many young heroines and solves the unimaginable.

4) To The Beautiful You
To the Beautiful You is a 2012 South Korean television drama series.
A high school girl who's inspired by a gold-medal High Jumper devises a scheme to motivate him by attending his school by disguising herself as a boy.

5) The Heirs
This drama is based on the strong differences between the upper class and working class, exposing the extremity of capitalism in South Korea. this drama follows a group of privileged, elite high school students as they are groomed to take over their families' business empires. and the introduction to a scholarship student to their school with 4 part time jobs. She lives the life of meritocracy.

Songs
1) Lifted - CL
"Lifted" is a song that serves as the American debut single by South Korean singer CL.
2) Gives You Hell- All American Rejects
"Gives You Hell" is a song by American rock band The All-American Rejects.The song is The All-American Rejects' most successful song to date.
3) Clint Eastwood- Gorilaz
"Clint Eastwood" is a song by British virtual band Gorillaz, released as the first single from their self-titled debut album in March 2001. The song is named after the actor of the same name due to its similarity to the theme music of The Good, the Bad and the Ugly. I first heard the song on the film 'The Family'. The film is based on the French novel Malavita . Its is a crime comedy film staring Robert De Niro, Michelle Pfeiffer, Tommy Lee Jones, Dianna Agron, and John D'Leo.    
4) Control- Chase & Status ft. Slaves-
The screaming raw vocals from Slaves frontman Laurie Vincent, fused with hard-hitting trademark C&S riffs, are clearly made for festivals and arenas. 
"Control" is an incredibly catchy song with a mixture of heavy metal and dancing tunes.
5) SAVE ME- BTS-
BTS are a 7 member South Korean singing and dancing group. they compose their own music and produce it themselves. I listen to many of their songs but "SAVE ME" is one of my outstanding favourites. it has a nice up beat during the chorus and then a smooth mature tune during the verses. I can listen to this song whenever I feel like it because it reflects any of my moods.

Actors and Actresses
1) Nicole Kidman-
My admiration for, the Australian red head, Nicole first started when I watched the film Moulin Rouge. It is slightly odd because she acted as the role of a courtesan, possibly not the best way to have picked up a role model. I have seen her in many other films such as Paddington, The Railway man, Australia, Bewitched and Eyes Wide Shut.  
2) Benedict Cumberbatch-
Well known for lead role in the modern time BBC drama series 'Sherlock' Benedict Cumberbatch made quite an entrance into the Acting industry. he stared in one of my all time favourite films 'The Hobbit' as the voice of Smaug, the dragon, and the necromancer. In 2014 he stared in the historically generalised film, during World War 2, 'The Imitation game'. He played the role of Alan Turing and he managed to  captivate the brutal life in which the war hero lived. He has stared in many other films such as 'The Jungle Book', 'Zoolander 2', '12 Years a Slave', 'Star Trek: Into Darkness' and 'War Horse'.
3) Ewan McGregor-
I first saw Ewan McGregor in the film 'Big Fish'. a mystical unbelievable tale about a father and a son whose relation is just too far from ordinary. Ewan McGregor also stared in 'Moulin Rouge' and he sang. it was the first time I had heard him sing and his voice is commendable. He has stared in other films such as:  'Jane Got a Gun', 'Star Wars..', 'Son of a Gun', 'The Impossible', 'Salmon fishing in the Yemen', 'The Ghost', 'Storm Breaker', 'The Island' and of course 'Trainspotting'.
4) Billy Boyd-
This actor I know from The Lord of The Rings. he plays the character of young, mischievous Peregrine Took.
5) Michelle Pfeiffer-
One of her first big movies was 'Grease 2' where she plays a dumb blonde who is love stricken for a cool rider. She is also in the film 'The family', which I mentioned earlier. staring in 'The witches of Eastwick',   'Married to the mob', 'Batman Returns', 'One fine day', 'The Prince of Egypt', 'Hairspray' and 'Stardust'

Quotes
1) 'Not all those who wander are lost' - The Lord of the Rings 
2) 'Oh Yes, The past can hurt. But the way I see it you can either run from it or learn from it.' Lion King
3) 'Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if one only remembers to turn on the light' - Dumbledore, Harry Potter
4) 'Hope is a dangerous thing' Shawshank Redemption
5) 'If you need a friend, get a dog.' Wall street.