Evaluation 2

Question 2:- How does your opening sequence represent PARTICULAR SOCIAL GROUPS?

For our media product, it was imperative for the audience to read our character as we wished to have portrayed him (Cornelius) as. We understood that a representation of a character is a fundamental element in creating a successful media product; this is because it allows the audience to distinguish the protagonists and antagonists, which is present in most films. Representation is the stereotypical view that society has on characters. It mediates and manipulates stereotypes in order for the audience to easily understand and can be proven to be more entertaining. Various elements that may be present on and/or in characters effect their representation. For example, the typical representation of a character who is known as a geek in a narrative would wear thick glasses, a shirt with the top button done up, neatly combed hair, an oversized backpack and trousers done up over the waistline. Also the way the actor must act is important in portraying a geek. The actor would have to act very intellectual, so he/she will need a script that includes formal words and the manner in which the lines will be said in would have to be considered. This character would most probably be in a teen movie, as their roles would not fit in other genres. “Superbad” illustrates a classic geek whose name is “Fogel” in the narrative. His awkward poster and flimsy actions make him a perfect geek and it is very easily notable that this character fits in this category. Similarly, we intended to make “Cornelius” a stereotyped character, though his personality and traits are far from conventional, we wanted the audience to categorise him under a certain group.

The way costume is used is not just to enforce the actor’s frame of mind to “get in the shoes of the character” but it is also to enforce the illusions of the fictional world the director intends to create. If the costume does not match how the actor is acting, the audience will be left perplexed and frankly, not entertained. This, alone, will result in an unsuccessful media product if not well thought-out and well executed. Therefore, a visual representation of a character is just as important as any other element present in a media product. Costume can determine the lifestyle, characteristics, frame of mind and conditions a character is in. For example, in “The Dark Knight” a character called “The Joker” is portrayed as a psychotic, cold-blooded murderer who only wishes to see the downfall of his adversaries with no motives what so ever. This particular picture of this character is made from a range of different elements of his representation. His costume alone suggests to his psychotic, carelessness and that helps the audience in making a judgment about him. His green highlighted long, curly hair and the scars on his face painted over by clown make-up suggest to the audiences’ worst nightmares. Just from this, the audience can expect reasons for his appearance, asking question and challenging their imagination by only using visual elements. For “Cornelius” we constructed a costume to suggest to his psychotic enthusiasm for the truths about the 9/11 attacks. We decided to give our actor a baggy shirt, glasses with a thick black frame and in the cut-back to when he sees himself in a mental asylum, we gave our actor a straitjacket and white trousers to show that he was in a mental asylum. We wanted these elements to create an initial judgement for the audience, in the opening sequence, which would then be distorted later on the progressive narrative. Similar to how “Foster” from “Falling Down” is portrayed in the opening sequence, where we see him in his car with his shirt and glasses on, waiting in the traffic, then after the opening sequence he avert his humble silence for violent behaviour. This challenges the initial reactions of the audience and makes us ask many questions. We also wanted this as “Cornelius” had no dialogue, it was essential to make sure his visual representations were correct.

It is important to understand how the setting around a character makes a difference to how the audience may judge a character. For example, in “Kidulthood” a character called “Sam” is understood to be living in an apartment with his mother and brother. In “Sam’s” bedroom there is an army outfit handing on his closet, posters of women and a poster of a rap star with his middle finger up. This suggests to “Sam’s” gangster-like interests. It is clear that “Sam” could be seen as a gangster in the progressive narrative.

We did not just use the clothing that “Cornelius” was in to show his characteristics, we used the office that the opening sequence was set in to elevate the illusion and to enforce the visual representations of “Cornelius”. We used a number of papers all scattered on the desk in front of “Cornelius” to show his work habits, the numerous folders on the shelves and on the desk also. This was as important as how we set the costume of “Cornelius” as this established the representation of our character.

The way an actor acts could be seen as the most vital of all aspects in representing a character. If a character is unable to speak, his/her movements become their only way of communication towards the audience, therefore it is vital that the movement of a character is correct. In “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” a character called “Ace Ventura” uses much exaggerated movements, this adds to the comical genre of the narrative. In the opening sequence, he is delivering a package and while doing so he throws it around, kicking it, thinking he is playing football. This made the audience think and ask questions towards his odd behaviour.

In our narrative, we intended to portray an intellectual middle-aged man who expresses his energy through the manner in which he speaks in. For example, he speaks slowly and exaggerates many of his words following his hand gestures. This will show the audience that he is not a normal person and like “The Joker” it will arouse questions about “Cornelius’s” history and even childhood. Though there is no dialogue given to our character in our opening sequence, it makes it very difficult for the audience to make a judgement of the character; this was deliberate, because we wanted our character to remain shrouded in mystery. Comparable to “Falling Down” where “Foster” is given no line of dialogue yet we are able to establish that he is uncomfortable around what is happening. This made us rely heavily on how our actor will need to act.

As the director, I was looking for an actor with a lot of energy and whose normal personality many mirror one of the characteristics “Cornelius” has, the ability to show a clear difference between over-excitement and dead silent calmness. This was very important as it was vital for us to communicate “Cornelius’s” psychological elusiveness. In our opening sequence made attempted to demonstrate these characteristics “Cornelius” has. For example, when “Cornelius” wakes up, he blindly looks forward and then quickly starts to fiddle with his papers and folders trying to find something in frenzy. Then when we puts his pencil down to start drawing, he, almost violently, thud his pencil on the paper. We wanted these aspects to point to his unpredictable psych. I told my actor, to stay in the role of “Cornelius” throughout the shooting; this would help ensure continuity was successful and allows the actor to remain consistent in acting like “Cornelius”.