L01 Task 2 Analysis of Notorious

L01 Task 2 Analysis of Notorious

Hello this is Shayi Aluwoade, coming with an analysis on the 2010 hit UK film “Notorious”

Purpose

The purpose of Notorious is to inform the people about the life of the legendary rapper biggie smalls, as it is a biography genre film as well as musical genre film. An example to show that the film is informative is at the start of the film as it shows the rapper Biggie smalls growing up in Brooklyn and how it was like for him etc, as it gives us the aspects of life throughout Brooklyn, connoting to us the almost social realism of poverty. The film is also educational in some aspects as it depicts what it is like drug dealing in the streets of Brooklyn as we are educated on the struggle the artist grew up in one of the worlds dangerous neighbourhoods being Brooklyn, New York.

The reason this film was made, is because Biggie smalls was one of the greatest musical artists of the generation and therefore a film documenting his life was needed. The purpose of the entertainment, also denoted is to entertain the audience as there is a lot of music throughout the seen, as well as some fast paced scenes which in some cases include violence,  as I can connote that this would entertain the audience

Genre

The genre of my film is a biography/musical as it is informing the user about the life of the protagonist Biggie smalls, it could be also classed as a drama as a lot of dramatic things happen, the genre has a wide target audience ranging from middle aged people who would of listened to his music in the 90s and mainly teenagers who are may be interested in old school music, or just music in general and therefore are interested in a film documenting a legendary Hip hop musicians life.

Style

The style of the film is based in the 90's so therefore the aesthetics are very old school based which connotes the environment Biggie smalls is growing up in and is around, it also connotes verisimilitude, as the film is presented in Brooklyn which connotes to the user the actual environment Biggie grew up in as he was actually born and raised in Brooklyn, It is a 20th century film as it is based in mainly the 90's.

Form

The film I am looking at is a feature film as it runs for 122 minutes, the film was distributed throughout America as the protagonist is from New York, therefore it would have been largely advertised throughout the city, but also throughout the whole of America as for example, many people in the West coast of america had a big interest in Biggie smalls music, and he is regarded as a legend throughout the whole

country. although Biggie was well known all around the world, I think it would mainly interest teenagers, as it connotes the music that they are mostly into being hip hop, however middle aged people who may have listening to Biggie in say the 90's may also be interested.

Narrative

There is equilibrium and disequilibrium, throughout the film as there are positive and negative aspects connoted, for example around the start positive music happens to be playing, as it is country music with his mother, in what seems to be a happy environment, but however as the film progresses, and there are more aggressive scenes, for example the lead protagonist selling drugs, aggressive music is playing, connoting the scene as selling drugs is a negative aspect, reflecting back to Todurov's theory that their must be an equilibrium,  as although there is disequilibrium in some aspects I would say the positive events and negative events balance each other out. The main protagonist is Biggie, and the antagonist near the end appears to be Tupac as although they are positive towards each other, near the end it turns into a conflict which is a disequilibrium in many aspects as at first they were friendly towards each other which connotes that the conflict is almost un balanced. There is also a resolution as the protagonist and antagonist both end up being killed which could represent equilibrium as the balance is, not only one dies, but they both die.

Content and meaning

Mise-En-Scene         Shayi Aluwoade

The location fits into the diegesis as the majority of the film is based in Brooklyn where the rapper Biggie smalls grew up and therefore it fits in, as the story is about the struggle and musical aspects of Biggies life. Brooklyn is not only where he grew up, it is a well known poverty stricken area, with a big musical background which therefore connotes verisimilitude as it connotes social realism.

Based off the film, there is a big aspect of survival as throughout the film the Brooklyn scene is connoting the hard lifestyle the artist has to live Brooklyn, New York is a very hard place to grow up in due to the amount of poverty there and it is a survival as well as a struggle, stereotypically

Props are also used for example the microphone connotes to the audience that it is the main prop throughout the film as it is the thing that mainly changed his career, as the microphone could be a metaphor for Biggie himself as it is basically his voice being amplified through, for example at the start of the film where he has his first rap battle the camera focuses on the microphone being passed over to him as it is comprehending that it is a vital prop throughout the film. Biggie is also using this prop to force his music, and also his culture among the audience as the music is a reflection of his lifestyle so therefore you are getting almost an insight into his culture.

Stereotypes could also be reflected by the microphone as for example a microphone is very stereotypical of a black Brooklyn male as rap culture is usually affiliated with his culture as it is one of the only careers out of Brooklyn therefore the microphone connotes this ideology. Costume also has a big effect on the scene as the clothes Biggie is wearing, and the people around him are wearing reflect his lifestyle, like low caps, baggy clothes. For example you would wear a low cap so the police can't see your face due to all the drugs you would be selling, this is why Biggie is wearing these clothes, also all black as it connotes to the user the lifestyle Biggie is living, as he is living in struggle, having to sell drugs as the only option, as his family are struggling and it is hard to get employed for him.

A gun is also a prop commonly used as it represents danger, again connoting the Brooklyn lifestyle to the user as a gun is a very violent, negative prop and Biggie happens to carry one on him a lot of times, even going into school which again connotes the danger to the user.

   Camera Work

The shot denoted here happens to be an establishing shot. This shot is used to connote to the audience the current landscape that the actor Biggie smalls is around/in, as you can see the photo is of New York city which is connoting the audience how amazingly big the city is and how tall the buildings are etc., in the scene Biggie is looking outside of the office of the record label he is signed to which could also connote to the audience like he is on top of the music game almost as he is looking down on the city in some aspects and also on top of the city, even though he started out his life living on the streets. The shot denoted is shot at a wide angle as this is needed in order to fit the city in as New york of course is a very large city, this therefore connotes to the user the city environment the actor is living in, The camera has also been used in a pan type movement in order to capture the whole city, to again connote to the user the environment the film is in. Everything is in focus in this particular shot connoting that the focus is on the whole city.

Another example of this is in one of the opening scenes where the rapper Biggie, is having a "rap battle" the shot denoted in this scene is a close up shot. This emphasises on the character as the shot is a close up of Biggie, which also connotes his facial expressions and emotions to the user as it is an aggressive scene as it is a microphone battle. The angle being denoted is a wide angle shot of the Protagonist as it connotes to the user again the emotions of the current Protagonist and also it is connoting that he is in control. The focus denoted to the user is also a shallow depth of field, as the Protagonist is the one with the microphone and therefore the focus is on him so the background is slightly out of focus, connoting to the user that the Protagonist is in control. The camera movement denoted is also a tilt as it is going up and down from the bottom of the microphone to the Protagonists face.

Another example of a camera shot denoted is the scene in which Biggie is performing the song juicy live which happens to be shot at a medium long shot as it is connoting the user that the Protagonist in this scene is not only the main Protagonist in focus but also his fellow performers on stage, you can also see the crowd which connotes that it is a very big event and although Biggie is the main antagonist in focus there is also the other performers and crowd. The angle denoted is a medium angle to connote to the user that he is the main in focus, which also links to the focus used as everything is in focus and nothing is really blurred out connoting to the user that the fans are a very important factor in the Protagonist, Biggie's success as well as his fellow stage members. It is also a pan shot denoted as it is connoting the stage and venue environment to the user.

Another shot denoted is a crowd shot in which the antagonist Biggie is in a classroom, with a crowd of fellow students which is connoting to the user the school environment in a Brooklyn school as it is connoting the fact that it is a very multi cultural place in New York as in the classroom their are many students, all of different races. The shot denoted is also connoting the aesthetics of a school classroom in this era of time, as it is a pan shot showing for example all the old style desks etc. The shot denoted has also been shot so that everything is in focus, e.g. the students surrounding him which is connoting to the user a real insight into the life surrounding the protagonist Biggie as this engages the user into the film as the user would be very interested in his life as he such a world favourite musician.

Editing

The shot used here is a high angle over the shoulder shot of Biggie juxtaposed at the character Lil Cease which connotes the class and power difference between Lil Cease and the protagonist Biggie.

A montage cut is also denoted to represent Biggie rising in mainstream popularity as it keeps cutting while he is in the studio for example it cuts from him in the studio recording his hit song "juicy" to the cd's and album covers of the album being made as it is cutting between these scenes connoting to the user that Biggie is finally starting to make it, it then skips to a time lapse of the city as it is fast forwarding e.g. to like I stated before connoting that his album is being made etc.

Another example of editing is crosscutting. This is displayed in the film near the beginning sequence, when the protagonist Biggie appears to be dealing with Illegal drugs, and while in the process, his mother appears to walk in, while this happens the camera cuts to each individual while they are conversing,

Another example of editing is eye-line match, as there is one scene in the film when the protagonist Biggie, is looking at his girlfriend for the first time when he meets her, and as an audience we are looking through the eyes of the protagonist, to give the audience that feel of social realism, as we are seeing it from his perspective.

Sound Analysis

The diegesis of the film is the Notorious movie which is a story/biography denoting the life of rapper Biggie smalls. The Narrative of the film is set in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn.

There are not many diegetic effects however, in certain scenes you can hear birds chirping, loud cars and in general, sounds you would here in a big city which connotes the new York environment in many aspects and also social realism. However there are non diegetic effects throughout the film in multiple stages. Biggie smalls appears to be narrating the events and his current thoughts/mind-set in some aspects.

The film features a lot of sound effects including things like gun-shots for example when the rapper Biggie smalls is shot dead, right at the start of the film. There are also many sound effects like engine sounds, cars etc. Like I stated before, this connotes the New York environment, as New York is interpreted worldwide for its busy, loud atmosphere as it is one of the worlds most busiest and renowned cities. This also connotes why during outside scenes you can hear trains going past, clock bells and many other aspects of sound effects and diegetic sounds, as this again creates a sense of social realism to the user. Brooklyn also is a very rough dangerous area so therefore you can hear a lot of beeping car horns in the film, as this connotes the hostile Brooklyn environment to the user so they can an aspect of how it is growing up there, again denoting social realism to the user.

Voice overs are another vital point in this film as Biggie smalls narrates the story in many aspects, throughout the film for example when he is selling drugs he is gives us an insight of his current thoughts/mind-set which connote to the viewer, for example near the start of the film Biggie smalls is selling drugs, and while this scene is playing, he is narrating on the current scenario implying to the user that he was "getting paid" which connotes to the user that he is getting money, through illegal activities of course. He also connotes his life to the user in other ways by addressing the viewer his current thoughts, for example at one point he narrates and says "I was not the man my mom wanted me to be, but I am going to be the man I needed to be"

Incidental music is also a big factor throughout the film as it reflects the equilibrium in many aspects for example, at the start, Biggie's mom is playing country music, which could connote positivity for example being with his mom even though they are living in a life full of struggle as has been connoted to the user throughout the film as at the start they are joking with each other, Biggie smalls and his mother, and its all positive vibes basically, but however for example when Biggie smalls gets shot right at the start, which of course flashbacks to himself growing up as a young child, an aggressive, gangster form of hip-hop is playing which reflects on the equilibrium as this is the scene where he gets shot, and killed and of course like I mentioned the music reflects this as it is kind of negative music playing which overall connotes to the user the balance throughout the film.

Also when Biggie is selling drugs on the streets, gangster, aggressive hip-hop is playing which again reflects the Brooklyn lifestyle and how it is so hard growing up in a poverty stricken area with not many career options apart from selling drugs or making music, which shows why the majority of the music is aggressive, negative in some aspects as it is reflecting the day to day life he has to live and how hard it is. Incidental music in general is played all throughout the film, and the majority of the music is from the artist himself Biggie smalls as for example when he is getting on top of the rap game, juicy his main hit song starts playing which is a very soulful, positive song which reflects the lifestyle he is currently living as he does not have to go back to the hoods of Brooklyn and sell drugs anymore as he is finally becoming rich which again connotes to the user aspects of equilibrium in the film.

Production process

 For pre production they will have had to hire out a studio, get all the props ready like guns, microphones etc. and also hire out venues to recreate a live show almost. As for example There is a scene where Biggie is recording his hit song "Juicy", therefore I can Denote they will of needed to hire a studio in order to create this scene, and also create the social realism.

For production they will have had to execute each scene perfectly including the scene where the protagonist gets shot etc. For example there is a scene denoted in which Biggie gets shot, while in a car, via a drive-by shooting outside a club, so therefore, as a production team they will of had to execute the scene perfectly, in order to again connote social realism.

For postproduction they will have had to add final effects to the film such as making sure all the camera angles etc. were spot on and that the effects were good. For example there is a scene were it is cutting to different parts of the process of his Cd's being made which will of course, have to had been edited after the video had been filmed.

L01 Task 2 Feedback

OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Media    Unit: 34 Web authoring and design  

Student Name:  Shayi Aluwoade    Class: 12 y       Minimum Target Grade for task:    M        Personal Target Grade for task: D         Provisional grade awarded:  P

Assignment: Production of a series of vlogs analysing a film produced by Warp Films or 20^th Century Fox

LO1: Understand media products and the institutions that create them      

Task interim Key Tracking Assessments	Work to complete	P	M	D	Feedback and Upgrades Required
LO1,Task 2:Textual analysis of chosen film	a) purpose b) genre c) form d) style e and f) content and meaning g) production process	- -		✓ ✓ ✓ ✓	P ·      Sound and mise en scene is the strongest sections of your analysis. ·      Thorough understanding of the genre of the film
					I Overall you made a good start to this essay, but you have a lot of work missing. To secure the Merit grade: ·      You need to complete camerawork and editing. ·      Include entertainment as the purpose too. ·      You get disequilibrium and equilibrium mixed up. See my notes ·      Editing is incomplete ·      You get angles and shot types mixed up,.
					N ·      You will have a 1-2-1 with Miss Edwards about this work in lesson ·      Complete the self- assessment below in red and post this feedback sheet to your blog. ·      Complete the improvements that are mentioned. This is due in Wednesday 11thNovember. ·      You must submit your LO1,Task 1 video too ASAP
Literacy/ Numeracy/Oracy Self-assessment – what do I need to change to pass this task or work on for the next task? (in red) What grade have you been awarded for this task:                Have you met your MTG? Yes - Distinction      -   Explain angles and shot types properly - - -   Assessment on your Unit blog.	P  A range  of key terms used
	I Capital letters needed for nouns: Biggie Smalls, 20th Century Fox, Lil Cease, Juicy, New York Protagonist should not have a capital letter unless it used at the start of sentence. Use a capital I when referring to yourself. Homophones: there instead of their, hear instead of here. Capital letters needed at the start of sentences. More full stops are needed as sentences can very long therefore difficult to read.
	N  Complete the literacy improvements