Short Film - Codes & Conventions Part 1/3

Video	Mise-en-scene
Sebastian's Voodoo	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Voodoo Doll Needles Pestle	Workshop Africa	Low-key High-key (at end)	Shallowspace	War Paint	Cruel
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - Dark grey/browns Low Contrast Shallow Focus Framing High/Low Angle High Level Scale MLS MCU CU ECU Movement Tracking Tilt Zoom In/Out
	Editing
	Transitions Cheat Cut SRS Matches MoA Duration Quick Rhythm Style Continuity Editing 180 Rule
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel Sound		Non-Diegetic - Tribal Diegetic - Metal chains		Dramatic purpose High Volume Long Sustain
	Narrative / Genre
	Captivity, Myth Quest narrative. Closed Narrative. Drama -Tragedy, Horror - Macabre
Leave Me	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Photos Lens Camera Clock Pen Frame	Bedroom Outside Town centre Home party Lake	Highkey Natural Light	Frontally Offscreen Space	Male Suit Fancy Dress Woman's Dress	Typage Emotional
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour-Cool, Dull Low Contrast Low Exposure Shallow Focus Framing High Angle High Level Canted Framing POV Following Shot Scale ELS MS CU ECU Movement Steadycam Pan Tilt
	Editing
	Transitions Cheat Cut Inercutting Dip to black SRS Matches MoA Duration Quick Rhythm Style Continuity Editing 180 Rule
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel Sound		Diegetic - Speak Non-Diegetic - Muisc Ambient Sound Offscreen Sound		Emotional purpose Sustain Median volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Epic, Fantasy, Quest narrative, Closed Narrative. Drama - Love, Action / Adventure - Escape, Sci-Fic - Virtual Reality
3X3	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Baskball Mop Coffee Screens	Gym hall Office Corridor	High-key Low-key	Deep Space Frontality	Guard suit Clean suit Sports wear	Comdey Typage
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - Cool and warm  Deep Focus Framing High angel Low-level High-level POV Scale ELS LS MLS MS CU Movement Tracking Pan Crane Shot
	Editing
	Transitions Cheat cut Intercutting Matches Duration Slow-mo Slow-Rhythm Style Continuity Editing 180 Rule
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel sound		Diegetic - ball bounce Non-Diegetic - Music		Comical music Median Volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Fable, Quest narrative, Closed Narrative. Comedy - Fish-out-of-water Comedies
Mr. Foley	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Bandages	Hospital Carparking lot	High-key	Frontality Shallow Space	Nurse outfit	Typage
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - Cool Shallow Focus Framing POV High Angle Low Angle Scale LS MLS MS MCU Movement Tracking Steadycam
	Editing
	Transitions Dip to black Cheat cut SRS Matches ELM Duration Quick Rhythm Style Continuity Editing 180 rule
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Sound bridge Parallel Sound		Diegetic - Performer Non-Diegetic - all Sounds Post-Synchronization		Loud Volume No Reverb
	Narrative / Genre
	Tall tale, Fantasy, Closed Narrative. Comedy - Satire, Sci-Fi-Satanic Stories.
Half	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Bed Train	Home City Train	Low-key High-key	Shallow Offscreen	Pyjamas Casual	Typage
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - Cool, Yellow Hue Deep Focus Racking Focus Framing Low Angle High Level Bird’s-eye views Scale MLS MS MCU CU Movement
	Editing
	Transitions Cheat Cut Intercutting Matches MoA Duration Medium Rhythm Style Continuity editing 180 Rule Split screen
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Sound Bridge Parallel Sound		Diegetic - All sounds Non-Diegetic - Muisc Ambient Post-Synchronization		Medium Volume Loud Ambient
	Narrative / Genre
	Quest, Short story, Closed Narrative. Drama - Love, Gay and Lesbian,
A Family Portrait	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Camera Lighting	Photo Studio	High-key	Shallow Frontality	Formal	Caricatures
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - monochromatic, bursts Shallow Focus Medium Contrast Framing POV Scale LS MS MCU CU Movement Pan
	Editing
	Transitions Cheat cut SRS Matches Duration Quick Rhythm Style Continuity Editing 180 Rule
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
			Diegetic - Speech Synchronus Voice Over		Medium volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Fantasy, Tall tale, Closed Narrative. Sci-Fic - Virtual Reality, Comdey - Satire
Move	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
		World	High-key	Deep Frontality Offscreen	Travelling
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - Bright High Contrast Deep Focus Framing Wide Angle Lens Scale ELS LS MLS MS MCU Movement
	Editing
	Transitions Cheat cut Jump cut Matches MoA Duration Very Quick Rhythm Style Continuity Editing
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel Sound		Diegetic - Ambient Non-Diegetic - Music		Ambient - Low Volume Music - High Volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Short story, Tall tale, Biography, Closed Narrative. Action / Adventure - Lost Continents, Sci-Fi - Time or Space Travel
The Killing Joke	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Balloon Jack-in-a-bo	Streets Junkyard	High-key	Deep Space	Red Dress	Typage
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - cool, cloudy High contrast Shallow Focus High Exposure Framing Reframing High Angle Low Level Scale ELS LS MLS MS MCU CU Movement Tracking Tilt Pan Steadycam
	Editing
	Transitions Cut-in, Cut-Out Cheat cut Jump Cut Matches ELM Duration Slow to start Quick Rhythm in middle  Style Continuity Editing 180 Rule
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Sound Bridge Contrapuntal Sound		Diegetic - Ambient, protagonist cries Non-diegetic - music, gun fire Post-Synchronizarion		Ambient - Low Volume Music - High Volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Fantasy, Tall tale, Closed Narrative. Horror - Macabre / Serial Killers, Comedy - Comedy Thrillers
'Back to Solitude'	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Cigarette Drinks Mobile	Fields Home City	High-key Low-key	Deep Space Shallow Space	Leather T-shirts	Typage
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour- Bright, Cloudy Low Contrast Shallow Focus Framing Over the Shoulder High angle POV Scale ELS LS MLS MS MCU CU Movement Racking Focus
	Editing
	Transitions Dip to Black Cheat cut SRS Matches Duration Low Rhythm Style Continuity Editing 180 rule Reverse of editing (the beginning is the end)
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Contrapuntal sound		Non-diegetic - Voice Over
	Narrative / Genre
	Short story, Biography, Closed, Reverse narrative Drama - Love
Bloodrop	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Picture Train Chairs	Living room Stuido	High-key Low-key	Deep space	Casual clothes	Typage
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - clean Deep Focus  Framing High Angle Bird's eye view Scale LS MLS MS MCU Movement Steadycam Tracking
	Editing
	Transitions Cheat Cut SRS Matches Duration Quick Rhythm Style Continuity Editing
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel Sound		Non-Diegetic - Music Diegetic - Speech		Medium volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Fantasy, Short story, Tall tale, Closed narrative Sci-Fi - Virtual Reality, Drama - Love

Short Film - Codes & Conventions Part 2/3

Video	Mise-en-scene
Go All Day	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Desk Skateboard TV Locker	High School	High-key	Deep Space	Security guards Casual clothes T-shirts	Children
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - Cool Deep Focus Framing High Angle Reframing Scale LS MLS MS MCU Movement Steadycam
	Editing
	Transitions One Take Matches Duration Fast Rhythm Style Continuity Editing 180 Rule One shot Speed up
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel Sound		Diegetic - Ambient		Medium Volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Short story, Biography,  closed narrative Comedy - School Day
The German	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Planes	Sky Cockpit	High-key	Shallow Space Frontality	WW2 Fighter pilot	Typage
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - Bright Shallow Focus Framing High Angle Low Angle Low Level Scale ELS LS MLS MS MCU CU Movement Steadycam Tracking
	Editing
	Transitions Cheat Cut SRS Matches MoA ELM Duration Fast, Tense Rhythm Style Continuity Editing 180 Rule Slow Mo
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Sound Bridge Parallel Sound		Diegetic - Speech Non-Diegetic - Guns Ambient Post-Synchronization		High Volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Quest,Captivity, Realistic fiction, Closed narrative War - Aerial Combat, Aviation, Drama - Political Dramas
Address Is Approximate	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Computer Toys	Street	Natural High-key	Shallow Space	Casual clothes
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - Bight, Simple Shallow Focus Framing High Angle Low Level Scale MS MCU CU ECU Movement Zoom shot Tracking
	Editing
	Transitions Cheat Cut Cut-in, Cut Away Matches Duration Low Rhythm Long Take Style Continuity Editing  180 Rule
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel Sound		Non-Diegetic - Music		Low/Medium Volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Fable, Quest,Tall tale, closed narrative Action / Adventure - Searches/Expeditions, Sci-Fi- Virtual Reality
The Gift	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Present Robots	City	High-key	Deep Space	Winter clothes	Typage
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - Cool, Dull Shallow Foucs Framing High Angle Reframing Scale LS MLS MS MCU Movement Tracking
	Editing
	Transitions Cheat Cut Matches Duration Slow Rhythm Style Continuity Editing 180 Rule
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel Sound		Non-Diegetic - Music, machinery Diegetic - dialogue		Low Volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Fable, Fantasy, Realistic fiction, Tall tale, open narrative Sci-Fi- Virtual Reality, Action / Adventure - Conspiracy Thriller, Treasure Hunts
Sight	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Sofa Bookshelf Carpet	Home	High-key	Shallow Space	Pyjamas	Typage
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - minimalistic Low Contract Shallow Focus Framing POV High Angle Low Level Bird's eye view Scale MLS MS MCU CU Movement Tracking
	Editing
	Transitions  Cheat Cut SRS Matches Duration Slow Rhythm Style Augmented reality Continuity Editing 180 Rule
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel Sound		Diegetic - Speech, Ambient Non-Diegetic - Music, Computer sound effect		Loud/ medium Volume Sustain
	Narrative / Genre
	Captivity, Tall tale, News, Closed narrative Sci-Fi- Virtual Reality
Lost Memories	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Phone Camera	Paris	High-key	Deep Space Frontality	Winter Clothes	Yypage
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - Cool Shallow focus Framing High Angel Low Angle POV Scale ELS LS MLS MCU CU ECU Movement Track Streadycam Pan
	Editing
	Transitions Cheat Cut SRS Matches Duration Quick Rhythm Style Continuity Editing 180 Rule
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel Sound		Non-Diegetic - Music Voice Over		Music - Volume Low
	Narrative / Genre
	Realistic fiction, Biography, Closed narrative Sci-Fi- Virtual Reality, Drama - Life Story
Thrush	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Drink	Garden House City Clubs	High-key	Shallow Space	Everyday Clothes	Typage
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - Natural/B&W Shallow Focus Framing High Angle Scale MLS MS MCU CU Movement
	Editing
	Transitions Wipe Cut-in, Cut Away Jump Cut Matches Duration Quick Rhyhtm Style Continuity Editing 180 Rule Montage
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel Sound		Non- Diegetic - Music Voice Over		High Volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Quest, Biography, Short story, Closed narrative Drama - Life Story, Comedy - Teen/Teen Sex Comedies
Plot-oon	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Bombs Cow Drink parasols	Garden War (trenches)	High-key	Shallow Space	Arms toy
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - Bright High Contrast Framing Bird's Eye View High angle Ranking Focus Low Level Scale ELS LS MS CU Movement Hitchcock Zoom Tilt Tracking Zoom
	Editing
	Transitions Cheat Cut Matches MoA Duration Quick Rhythm Style Continuity Editing 180 Rule
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel Sound		Non-Diegtic - all Sound Voice over Post-Sunchronizarion		High Volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Historical fiction, Short story, Closed Narative War - Anti-war, Civil War, Comedy - British Humor, Parody
Blinky™	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	TV Bubble Gun Knife	Home Garden City	High-key Low-key	Shallow	Casual clothes
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - natural Low contrast Shallow Focus Framing Low Level High Angle Scale LS MLS MS MCU CU Movement Tracking Zoom Steadycam
	Editing
	Transitions Cheat Cut SRS Matches GM Duration Quick Rhythm Style Continuity Editing 180 Rule
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel Sound		Diegetic - Speech Non-Diegetic - Music and Robot		Medium/High Volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Realistic fiction, Quest, News, Closed Narrtive Sci-Fi- Virtual Reality, Horror - Serial Killers, Macabre
Plot Device	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Button Mail Car Gun	Office Street	High-key	Shallow	Casual clothes Bride Spy	Typage
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - natural, B&W Shallow Focus Framing Low Angle Low Level High Angle Scale ELS LS MLS MS MCU CU ECU Movement Tracking Zoom Tilt
	Editing
	Transitions Cheat Cut SRS (Re) Establishing Matches MoA Duration Quick Rhythm Style Continuity Editing 180 Rule
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel Sound		Non-Diegetic - Music Diegetic - Speech Voice Over Ambient Sound		High Volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Fantasy, Realistic fiction, Tall tale, Closed Narrative Sci-Fi - Virtual Reality, Aliens, Extra-Terrestrial, End of World, Action / Adventure - Guy Films, Comedy - Teen/Teen Sex Comedies, Crime & Gangster - Film Noir, Drama - Teen (or Youth) Films, Horror - Classic Horror

Short Film - Codes & Conventions Part 3/3

Video	Mise-en-scene
Perfection	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Game Doll Violin Awards	Living Room Bedroom	High-key	Shallow	Baby Clothes Dress Female suit	Typage
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - B&W Shallow Focus Framing Low Level Over shoulder Scale MS MCU CU ECU Movement Zoom
	Editing
	Transitions Dissolve Cheat cut Jump Cut Matches Duration Quick Rhythm Style Continuity Editing 180 Rule
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel Sound		Non- Diegetic - Music Diegetic - Ambient		Loud Volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Quest, Short story, Biography, Closed Narrative Drama - Life Story
This is Me	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Hospital Equipment Toy Aeroplane	Hospital Garden	High-key	Shallow	Swimming trunks Child clothes	Typage
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - Cool, Bright Shallow Focus Framing High Angle Scale LS MS MCU CU Movement Zoom
	Editing
	Transitions Superimposition Cheat Cut Matches GM Duration Quick Rhythm Style Continuity Editing 180 Rule
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Contrapuntal Sound		Diegetic - Speech Non-Diegetic - Music		Medium volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Short story, Biography, Closed Narrtive Drama - Medical, Comedy - British Humor
Surprise	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Mirror Bath Cake Glass	Bathroom	Threepoint	Shallow	Towels Underwear
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - B&W High Contrast Deep Focus Framing Bird's eye view High Level Low Level Scale LS MLS MS MCU Movement Steadycam Crane shot
	Editing
	Transitions Reversed sequence Matches Duration Long Take Style Continuity Editing
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel Sound		Non-Diegetic - Music		High Volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Short story, Closed Nartive Drama -Tragedy
Lovefield	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Crow Sign Knife Car	Farming Fields	High-key	Deep	American farmer	Typage
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - Dark, Neutral Shallow Focus Framing Low Level Low Angle Scale ELS MLS MS MCU CU Movement Tracking Pan Tilt Crane Shot
	Editing
	Transitions Cheat Cut Matches Duration Long Take Quick Rhythm Style Continuity Editing 180 Rule
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel sound		Non-Diegetic - Music, Crow Diegetic - Ambient Synchronous Sound		High Volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Short story, Tall Tale, Closed Narrative Horror - Classic Horror, Drama - Melodramas
Loop	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Blood Phone Cup Coffee	Kitchen	High-key	Deep	Pyjamas Police	Typage
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - Neutral Shallow Focus Framing Low level High Angle Worm level Bird's Eye View Scale LS MS MCU CU Movement Tracking
	Editing
	Transitions Cheat Cut Matches Duration Quick Rhythm Style Continuity Editing 180 Rule
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel Sound		Diegetic - Ambient		Medium volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Short story, cyclical, Closed Narrative Drama - Life Story, Horror - Macabre
Desserts	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Eclair Fish hook	Beach Sea	High-key	Deep Frontality	Red Coat	Typage
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - Dull Shallow Focus Framing Low Level High Angle Scale ELS LS MS MCU CU Movement Tracking Tilt Pan
	Editing
	Transitions Cheat Cut (Re)Establishing Matches ELM Duration Long Take Style Continuity Editing 180 Rule
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel Sound		Non-Diegetic - Music Ambient		Quiet volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Captive, Tall tale, Closed Narrative Horror - Macabre
Tick Tock	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Box	University Halls Outside	High-key	Deep	Casual clothes	Typage
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - Dull, Natural Deep Focus Framing Following Shot Scale MLS MS MCU Movement Steadycam Tracking
	Editing
	Transitions Reversed sequence Matches Duration Long Take Style 180 Rule
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel Sound		Diegetic - Speech Non-Diegetic - Music Ambient		Loud Volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Quest, Short story, Reversed, Open narrative Drama - Love story.
'Ronan's Escape'	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Sandwich Football Bell Bird Baton	School Gym Bus Field	High-key	Deep Offscreen	School uniform	Typage
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - Bright, Warm Shallow Focus Framing High Level High Angle Low Level Ranking Focus Scale ELS LS MLS MS MCU CU ECU Movement Tilt Tracking Steadycam Crane
	Editing
	Transitions Cheat Cut Cross Dissolve (Re)Establishing SRS Matches Duration Slow Rhythm Style Continuity Editing 180 Rule
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel Sound		Diegetic - Speech Non-Diegetic - Music Ambient		Slow Tumbre Medium volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Short story, Biography, Closed Narrative Drama - High School, Life Story
Love Sick	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Car Baby Bus Bike	Park City Cafe	High-key	Shallow	Casual clothes Suit	Typage Comical
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - Bright Shallow Focus Framing Low Level Bird's Eye View Scale LS MS MCU CU Movement Tracking Pan Tilt
	Editing
	Transitions Cross Dissolve Cheat Cut Matches MoA Duration Quick Rhythm Style Continuity Editing 180 Rule
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel Sound		Non-Diegetic - Music Voice Over Ambient		Loud Volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Fantasy, Quest, Short story, Closed Narrative Comedy - Teen/Teen Sex Comedies, Screwball Comedies, Drama - Love
Within Temptation	Mise-en-scene
	Decor	Setting	Lighting	Space	Costume	Acting
	Toy Grenade	Bedroom	High-Key	Shallow	Smart Clothes	Typage
	Cinematography
	Quality Colour - B&W Shallow Focus Framing High Angle Bird's Eye View Scale LS MS MCU CU Movement Tracking
	Editing
	Transitions Reverse sequence SRS Matches Duration Quick Rhythm Style Continuity Editing 180 Rule
	Sound
	Sound Editing		Source		Qualilty
	Parallel Sound		Diegetic - Speech Non-Diegetic - Music		Loud Volume
	Narrative / Genre
	Myth, Realistic fiction, Open Narrative. Drama - Tragedy, Social Problem Film, Horror - Macabre

Periods and Deadlines for completion.

Below are the list of dates and periods that certain specific criteria need to be met by to complete the coursework on time.

Research - 18th June - 30th September 2012
Planning - 1st October - 17th November 2012 (both main and ancillary tasks)
Production - 19th November 2012 - 18th January 2013
Post-production - 1st December 2012 - 31st January 2013

Draft deadlines for both main and ancillary tasks.

First Draft - 15th December 2012
Second Draft - 7th January 2013
Third Draft - 18th January 2013
Final Draft - 31st January 2013

Product should have been complete on 31st January 2013 (& on my blog).
Evaluation should have been complete by 1st March 3013 (& on my blog).

All the dates are flexible however the product and evaluation completion dates must be completed on the dates given, as they are the dates that our teacher has given us so he can mark and assess each of our products in the needed time frame. Therefore I must meet these deadlines for my coursework to be graded and assessed.

Magazine Film Review - Codes & Conventions

As well as researching into the codes and conventions of the film poster, another ancillary task, that needs to be completed is a film review for a magazine. This again meant that I needed to research and investigate into current magazines to understand how they were composited together and what features were unique to the review. I bought and investigated into the film reviews from "Total Film" and "Empire Magazine". I have analysed four reviews from both magazines these being the double page, single page, half page, and column size review. This will give me a foundation understanding for the key and necessary elements for a review, as the column size is smaller and therefore the key elements are necessary, where as the double spreads, being larger will use more sophisticated, second or tertiary elements will be used.

Images: From analysing all eight reviews one of the key elements to engage the audience is to include a image of the film. This image should be taken from the film and reflect and connote the films genre and cinematic style. The image is usually positioned at the top left hand corner of the review as it is usually the first place the audiences eye is attracted to and therefore should suggest and reveal to the audience the type of film, and should also engage them. The image size is relational to the amount of content that is in text body and should feel all the free and available space on the page.

Title: The title should be positioned below the image and is usually the largest font on the page, and therefore is the most significant and also the next element the audience looks at after the image. However the style of fonts and sizes is all relational to the house style of the page with some magazines using the san serif and other using serif font.


Text Body: Text body takes up the largest amount of relatives space on the page, however is usually in the smallest font. In all the reviews that I have looked at the text body has been designed and laid out in columns to feel the available space. The style matches the house style of the page and usually reflects the same style as the title however being in a smaller font.


Rating: On every review I looked at there was a rating to indicate how good or bad the film was. In all of the reviews there was a star rating (1 to 5) indicating how goods or bad the film is. Depending on the magazine this was either positioned at the beginning of the review below the title or at the end of the review, after the text body.


Other (background) information: On all of the reviews they had to some extent some background information about the film, such as the director's name, the release date, the cast, and the certificates (etc). This was usually in the same style as the text body but positions in different places according to what magazine reports. For example "Total Film" positioned the further information at the end of their review whereas "Empire" positioned it at the beginning of the review.


Author's name: Of all 8 reviews there was the authors name of the article at the bottom of the page positioned within the text body at the end of the last sentence. Though it was positioned in the text body this style of font was similar with the major difference being that it was a bold font separated from the main content.


Verdict: On every review there was a verdict or conclusion summarising what they commented on within the text body giving the audience and overview and final summery to take away from the article. This was positioned in all the reviews at the end, after the text body.

After investigating into the current code and conventions of a film review I have a much better understanding of the needed and necessary elements that are usually used in a traditional review. Now I can go away and start to consider how I would like my review to be designed and composed, however I still feel that I need to investigate into the style of writing a review with researching into the actual written content of the text body. This will help me and support me in my writing as I will begin to understand the structure and necessary language that is used in writing a review, opposed to a commentary or essay style of writing.