A2 Portfolio

These images show how I was influenced by existing products in terms of elements of mise-en-scene. By looking at these products and seeing how the themes of these videos were being produced I was able to make a decision about how I wanted to use props and other elements to portray my narrative. The photo's link into how I wanted to create a narrative for my character with a back story so by using photos I was able to give visual aid to the viewer and create a past.

I created these image boards before I started filming so I could identify how to style my cast member in relation to my genre. Below is an example of how I styled my actresses hair after researching into styling in the chosen genre. I found that performers in the indie/alternative usually wear their hair down and in a natural way. To reflect this in my video, I styled my actresses hair by curling it loosely with a curling wand. I think that the way I styled my cast members hair reflects the genre as the styling is not over the top like the conventions of the pop genre, but more simplistic which reflects the style of the indie genre.

Below is another image board that I created as inspiration for my ancillary texts. By looking at these images I was able to get inspiration of expressions, poses and shot types that have been seen in my chosen genre. Before I shot my ancillary texts I showed this image board to my actress so she had a clearer idea of how I wanted her to be posed and how I wanted her expressions to be.

Below is a comparison of how I was inspired by these images and how I interpreted the original images to make my own. By keeping the black and white element I have also kept another convention of the genre.

Laura Mulvey's male gaze theory looks at the way women are viewed in the media. I have chosen this shot from my video to look at in relation to this theory. Mulvey states that media products often focus on the curves of a woman's body. This shot could be said to be doing that. Although it was not my intention some people may view it in this way. Women being viewed in this way is not typical of my genre, it is more likely to be seen in R&B or Pop media products.

Richard Dyer's star theory suggests that performers are constructed by media institutions to appeal to a specific audience. For the coursework project I had to create a performer and products that promoted this performer. An example of how I showed the audience that the actress in my video is the performer too, is the element of lip syncing.

Another way in which representation theory can be applied to my product is through the use of Tessa Perkins stereotypes theory. After researching into conventions of my chosen genre I found that using darker colours for clothing was typical of the genre and that using outrageous costumes and styling was not. Therefore I styled my performer in relation to these conventions to create a realistic looking product.