Evaluation of my Portfolio.

The purpose of writing a script and producing the 9 key frames was to show our abilities of creating our own scenes that have never been made before and to show our abilities on how to create either a disruption or resolution scene, through a sequel or a prequel. In my portfolio/script work, I decided to work on a disruption scene for a sequel of my chosen film Attack the Block, this explored my macro which is the representation of youth and how people can be stereotyped by their local/home environments, clothing, attitudes and whether they are positive or negative towards society. The purpose of producing our 9 Key frames was to select specific moments from our script that could be filmed to construct our macro study, I genuinely thought my idea of bringing Moses out of Prison was ideal for my Macro. Significantly because this scene shows that Moses has grown up and become more intellectual whilst serving his sentence in Prison as there was nothing more to do in there, other than read. Also, by doing our 9 key frames and script, it got our imaginations flowing and we got to discuss a variety of things such as location, costume, props and camera angles/shot types, this was useful when it came to producing our script and 9 key frames. The reason for this is because when it comes to my Scene I have chosen, the environment (Council estate in which the gang members live in) is significant to the whole plot. You see that Moses has grown up and their home environment. New buildings/flats have been formed, so this also shows the area growing up, which relates back to my Macro study of representation of youth and how the environments depict/stereotype who people are. Which is significant to the purpose of producing our 9 key frames and creating our scripts.

Before creating the script, I went back to my textual analysis, narrowing down some key points from it that i'd need for my script and my 9 key frames. Producing some notes from my textual analysis therefore helped me to make some decisions on what I needed to do to carry on the story from the first film to my sequel, keeping some characteristics and changing some, changing their home environment etc to show a new life emerging as they grow with age and step away from the crime scenes. The significance of completing our textual analysis was to go into more depth on the messages that the director was trying to convey and how they were to do so, this is something that we as students have had to take into consideration. Therefore, we had to generate our own messages throughout our script and through the 9 key frames and initiating that through the different characteristics, clothing, environment and the camera angles and shots. I used several elements to create meaning, example, the location to build up the fact that Moses and the  environment have grown up, representing youth. Camera angles and shots show the relationship between the 'gang' members which shows the representation of youth and how we depend on one another and how others should come before us.

I had one major decision when it came to creating my script, it was whether to keep the same narrator as the first film (the nurse) or whether to change it or not. After making a list of pros on cons on this, I thought that it'd be ideal to change the narrator to Moses. This instantly makes the movie different from the first as the perspective changes, rather than having the Nurse see the gang members as threats, we will now see through Moses perspective that they challenge the typical youth stereotype in many different ways. Instantly, the audience will begin to realise that we shouldn't be judged by our clothing, home environment etc. This is why I thought it'd be much more interesting to change the narrator. You could however say that the narrative threads are similar, because they are all the same characters just grown up and they are still a 'gang' and are all still close friends/family. I also decided that it was best to keep the genre of sci-fi/adventure the same as the previous film. Specifically because it worked well in the last film, it involves some comedy and it's one of thee top rated genre's out that draws the audience in. The micro elements that I have analysed through my textual analysis have helped me through the process of creating my script and producing my 9 key frames. There are seven different elements that we had to analyse; mise-en-scene, location, costume, props, actors, camera angles, composition and shot types. These all played different roles in the two processes. For instance, location is key, especially in my sequel as Moses and his 'gang' were stereotyped by their home environment in the first Attack the Block movie, which tends to happen in society. To make my film challenge society, I have decided to make their home environment brand new, rather than having high rise flats in a council estate, i've made them more blocks of small flats. By doing this, it shows that both Moses and the home environment have become more grown and sophisticated, so now the 'gang' won't be stereotyped by their environment anymore. The second element that mixes in which location and stereotyping is the clothing, now the actors and the clothing are a real key point. They are the most important thing and they carry the story through (and the messages). Again, I have brought some of the previous clothing through to the new one, still wearing hoodies and caps (the gang), however, with Moses. I have decided to keep him in a hoodie and a pair of jeans that have been pulled up to the hips now, rather than below his bum. Giving him a less 'gang' or 'chav' look. This already shows that he is grown up and sends through the idea to the audience how youth can be represented in different ways, through environment and clothing and how this can challenge and contradict stereotypes.

The location report played a really important part to construct our 9 key frames. It meant that we could find a location that was suitable and well poised enough for our sequel or prequel. Many of us found the right locations around our rural area and generated ideas from these locations for a draft. Once we had discussed with our teacher whether they are suitable or not for our film, we dressed our actors in their costumes and posed them outside these suitable locations. 

Overall, I think my script was highly positive and met all the purposes. I showed all of my capabilities of making a disruption scene in a sequel and how all the micro elements that I have discussed in my textual analysis have been put to use in my sequel, similarly to JJ. Abrams. This can be seen throughout my 9 key frames too as you can see the different camera angles, shot types, location, actors and their clothing. All these key points link back to my macro and this is evident throughout my script and 9 key frames. If i was however to improve anything, it would be the 9 key frames, I'd dedicate more time to getting the photos, actors and clothing together at the locations I have plotted. I will also make these photos seem more sophisticated by using a higher definition camera. Other than that, I think I have been highly successful.

9 Key Frames

1. Photo of the empty corridor - long shot - I have chosen this shot because it gives you an idea of how dull and vague the prison life is. Having an empty corridor shows how empty and boring your life can be throughout your sentence in prison, showing that the individuals who have been sentenced need to 'grow up' to become someone better and to not be put away. Going back to my Macro: representation of youth - growing up.

2. Distant figures of two people walking down the corridor - one in all black (Police- left and Moses - right - prison uniform) - long shot. I have chosen to do a long shot from the two characters as it can show the distance that prison has caused against reality or the outside world for Moses. Where he has been put away for prison for so long, he has grown up and has distanced himself away from the crime scenes etc.

3. Mid-close-up of Moses and Mayhem - shows top half of body - outside prison. This image conveys their relationship and how although Moses has distanced himself away from the crime and grown up, he will forever be a part of his 'family' (gang) because they are more his brothers than anyone in the world. Showing their friendship and unity, going back to my macro of representation of youth, where young individuals need friends to get by and to grow.

4. Over-shoulder angle of Nurses shoulder, talking to Moses. The close-ness of these two characters also shows that even though Moses has been locked away for some time in prison, he is still close to his friends. Reinforcing friendship and growing up.

5. Moses and Pest talking, shocked expressions of their face, hoodies (Pest with a cap) - mid close-up. The distance between the two shows that where Moses has been locked away, these two have lost a bit of their friendship, they feel slightly intimidated by one another. Especially Pest as Moses has grown up and started to become more intellectual.

6. Moses talking to two unexpected people, government speakers, over-shoulder angle over Moses shoulder. The slouched position of Moses shoulders shows that he is wary about who these two people are, also the smiles on the government speakers faces look false, conveying that they aren't really sorry about coming here on a private day like this, they just want him to commit crimes again to help out the estates.

7. Walking home from Prison - mid shot - backs (Pest and Moses). This here shows Moses leading the way, this shows his adulthood and how he has grown up throughout his sentence in prison.

8. Outside the Council Estate/ Flats (Moses - left and Pest - Right). This shot shows the two friends coming together again, as friends. This shows they are beginning to feel more comfortable, especially when they are so close to home and that they are going to be living with one another again.

9. Inside the Council Estate, looking at their new flats/building block (Moses - left and Pest - Right) - Mid- close up of backs. This image conveys them looking at the new council estate, the new buildings that are cleaner/fresher than the previous lot that Moses had seen before going to prison. Having new buildings/estate shows representation of growing up, which links to my macro of representation of youth - growing up because usually people are stereotyped for their home/surroundings or environment in which they live in.

Textual Analysis: Final

In my textual analysis, I will be discussing how the typical youth stereotype conventions are conveyed in the two films: Super 8 and Attack the Block. I will argue whether they have positive or negative attitudes towards the typical youth stereotypes. Super 8 was directed by J.J. Abrams (2011), it’s about a small group of friends who live in a small Ohio Town who witness a disastrous train crash whilst making a Super 8 movie and they soon suspect that it wasn’t an accident. Shortly after, unusual disappearances and events begin to unfold. Attack the Block (2011) was directed by Joe Cornish, it is about a small council estate in South London, where hostile aliens have fallen from the sky. A local teenage gang take it upon themselves to fight off the unwanted visitors, but quickly discover these pitch-black, bear like creatures with glowing razor sharp teeth outnumber them. Attack the Block is a fast-paced and inventive action/science-fiction film with an unconventional set of heroes. Both of these films represent youth by using two groups of youths who are adventurous and are willing to risk their lives for the life of others. Each film representing youth in different ways. Society would see youths as being dangerous individuals, who cause havoc, but as we look at these films in more depth, we notice a positive attitude from Super 8 as it challenges the stereotypical youth conventions in Society. We notice they are down to earth individuals, who work as a group to make a successful movie, rather than causing and inflicting pain on others by mugging and beating individuals, like the gang members in Attack the Block, obviously having a negative impact on Society. The individuals in the group of children in Super 8 can be seen as well educated children as they have written their own scripts and become actors, they have manners and are very well spoken, especially seeing as the film was set in 1970/80’s. Whereas, when you look at Attack the Block, the members are un-educated and they spend their time causing havoc around their council estate, talking in a language that resembles ‘chav’s’. Attack the Block’s youths are realistically how youths are perceived in Society today and justifies the words of Society.

The key points that I have chosen to discuss really show the different types of youth and how they are seen through the eyes of society. The scene in which Super 8 opens with, the children are all dressed up in smart attire as they pay respect at Joey’s Mother’s funeral. The camera angle, which is a wide-angle shot, shows the main protagonist Joey looking content and timid as he holds his Mother’s locket in his hand. This illustrates that he is an innocent young child, who is involved in one o the kindest friendship groups as you can see them paying respect in his home for his Mother.  This contradicts Society and sends out a positive attitude, as these children aren’t violently bustling through the streets causing havoc. In addition, it’s obvious how much of an impact Joey’s Mother had on him and his friends, it portrays that Joey must’ve depended on his Mother a lot before her death. However, when you look at the opening scene of Attack the Block, the teens are shown as disrespectful and rebellious youths. The film therefore justifies what Society think of the youths, because the gang harass the nurse, showing violence. The nurse being female as well shows a higher case of vulnerability as they are seen as a weaker individual to men and the gang. This is conveyed through the enclosed circle the gang have formed around her causing her vulnerability because she can’t escape without a fight and they have knifes which could cause her death, she was utterly defenceless. Society stereotypes youths as threats because most are seen with knifes on many occasions. Also, noting that when the aliens arrive on earth, they beat the baby alien inside the crate, with a variety of sticks and metal poles. Once again, Attack the Block conforms to the stereotypical youth conventions. Furthermore, we can depict the difference in dialogue and diction in the two films. In Super 8 the youths are well educated and have perfect diction, then when you look at Attack the Block’s gang members dialect, you notice that they are very ‘chav’ like and don’t seem well educated, mainly because they are uneducated and are not attending school, unlike the group in Super 8. Another difference is the clothing, from smart attire to tracksuits and scarf’s, which covers their mouths, known as balaclavas. Resembling the look of the people in the 2011 riots. At the time in which Attack the Block was made it was around the time of the London Riots, where gangs were ‘looting’ shops, etc. This conforms to the typical representation of youth as the gang members in Attack the Block harass people, carry knifes and this is what was happening throughout the London riots. The gang members in Attack the Block mirror the individuals in the 2011 riots. Wearing snapback caps, tracksuits, hoodies, scarf’s around their mouths, this can also mirror the way in which terrorists look like. This therefore reinforces the way in which Society perceive the youths.

Furthermore, the next two scenes that I have decided to analyse in more depth are the alien’s arrivals in both films. Firstly, in Super 8, we actually didn’t know whether they were aliens or not, all we knew was that there was a train crash. The youths thought exactly the same as what we did. Joey and his group of friends simply ran when the train crash happened, this is a normal thing for any teenage group to do, because in reality, no one would stand still during a train crash. Although, when it came to Attack the Block it was a completely different story. Joe Cornish used a lightning speed effect so it looked like a comet had crashed to the earth, but instead they dropped crates to the ground, inside those crates were the aliens. The black, bear like aliens that in-fact were killing machines. Unlike normal youths, Moses and his gang went into crates armed with metal poles and Moses is seen carrying a knife, the gang collected the metal poles from around them and went into the crate and smashed the baby alien to pieces. They didn’t know what was in there until they came out, there could have been anything in there and it may have not done anything to them. This inevitably conveys that people who look like Moses gang would definitely cause damage or harm to people that are either around them or in the way. Moreover, we notice that as well as the group of youths in Super 8, Attack the Block’s gang members are also adventurous. Which you can see by them running into the crate to kill the baby alien, the group in Super 8 are seen as adventurous as they take it upon themselves to find out the reason for this crash, whilst adults and others are seen hiding in refugee camps etc. I think that both directors have chose to represent youth in this way, to give out a positive attitude to almost contradict what Society are saying.

Once again, Super 8 contradicts Society because they are down to Earth and they absolutely adore their families. Joey’s Mum obviously played a huge part in his and his friend’s life because of the respect they paid at her funeral. Overall, the representation of the youths in these two scenes suggests that some youths may act in a smarter manner and some may be completely ludicrous and self-centred. When looking at Attack the Block you could say that the estate in which the gang live in has influenced them to be this way. They are living in an unhealthy environment, which is full of drug dealers and old rustic buildings. The director for Attack the Block is trying to get the message across that the environmental issues that are around can therefore depict what ethics you have and define who you are. Example; chav’, gang member. The colours in these two scenes are also very significant when representing the youths. In Super 8, the colours are earthy and there are some really dark browns and some reds in there, this to me, implies that it’s quite close to home. The reds can represent a love interest between the two characters Joey and Alice. This progresses throughout the film, showing that love can grow at such a young age, representing them as mature people, contrasting against the gang members in Attack the Block. As we explore the scene from Attack the Block we notice the cold colours of blue and black, this represents the feeling in which Moses and his gang feel towards the aliens that have landed on their ‘territory’ and this can then again their damaged, criminal side, their cold blood towards their area and people. The colours put forth the differences between the two groups of youths from the two films, the browns and reds show heart and the blues and blacks show their coldness! To look at the films both in more depth, from background information, we notice some aspects of the films relate back to the film E.T. by Spielberg. The dull colours from E.T. are seen in Super 8; also the visuals of the alien are also seen as less scary and more innocent, just like E.T. Both films were actually influenced by E.T.; however, one is schmaltzy like Spielberg’s original.

Lastly, I will be discussing the relationships between the main protagonists and how the friendships they shared gave them strength and will power to fight on and show how the representation of youth has contradicted society in Super 8 and that although Moses was a hero in Attack the Block, he still is a criminal for the way he saved his estate. Firstly, when looking at Super 8 and we see the scene where Joey saves Alice’s life from the alien underground; we notice how much strength and courage her has when he goes to speak to the alien. This is a positive and contradicts Society, because Joey knew that his friends were behind him and that they needed saving and he just had full courage and if you were to look at the alien, you can see innocence in it’s face. You may be thinking, that’s slightly strange for an alien to look innocent but the alien has a resemblance of ET. Originally, JJ Abrams wanted to work with Steven Spielberg on Super 8, which is the alien has resemblance of ET, the features are innocent looking and less alien like more toy like (It was almost like Super 8 was a love letter to Steven Spielberg, thanking him for working on it with him and for being a generally amazing film director/producer). It ends up with the alien understanding and  letting them out from the underground, this is evidently a positive and you see Joey and his Father united at the end, which also shows that he did in-fact depend on his Father before the crash.  With Attack the Block it’s different, Moses the main protagonist out of the gang takes things into his own hands. He musters up the courage and strength as well for his friends, to be that heroic person in the film; he jumped from a multi story building, blowing up the aliens inside the flat. Bearing in mind that we just found out that Moses is 15 years old and has the courage to do that, it’s pretty impressive. It’s a shock for the Nurse and the audience to find out that Moses is only 15 years old, because he is so grown up about this whole ordeal. Moses has to be the grown up of his gang because of the fact his parents had abandoned him, he’s had to be grown up from a very young age which makes him more mature, but he’s going the wrong way about it. The directors getting the message across that sometimes we don’t need parents to grow up. However, again, this shows that the Attack the Block gangs do things in a different manner, a way in which terrorist attacks are done (blowing things up) and a way in which most of the older generation perceive. It’s basically saying that no matter what way they become heroic or save the day, it’s that strength comes through friendship and that no matter what happens, friends and others come before you do, so this makes Moses the traditional hero. This is representing youth because a lot of people who are involved in gangs are always sticking together, they become more like family and less like friends. They grow up together. Being in groups can cause people to stereotype you though, as being a gang or someone who would cause some sort of havoc.

Both directors have represented these youths as being brought up into broken families. Moses doesn’t have a family; his family is his gang members. Joey has a family, but he lost his Mother, the main person in his life, it seemed as if he depended on her in the first part of the movie as you can see him and his friends grieving and he holds her locket in his hands. Then Joey’s friend Alice is shown as having a broken family too as she is seen arguing with her Dad. Throughout the films, you see these youths progress and grow up as they are their own individuals through most of the film and they needed to be strong a mature to ensure safety for others around them and to save their estates. This evidently shows that both films are challenging the stereotypical youth conventions as they are both contradicting how society feels about youths. They are a lot smarter and mature then they think, they may act differently and they may be alarming or innocent, but they are still challenging youth conventions by taking on the parental role (the main protagonists/antagonists of both films) for them and others. You could say that Attack the Block reinforces this idea of broken families causing disruption in the youths, because Moses and his gang members are more corrupted and Moses being without parent’s shows that he hasn’t had a good upbringing, so he wouldn’t have manners etc. super 8 challenges youth stereotypes, whereas, Attack the Block does both challenging and reinforcing.

Overall, after analysing the two films in high detail, I noticed that youth was represented through the way in which the actors and actresses were portrayed. Example one, in the independent London situated film Attack the Block, we notice that the main characters in the film are a gang of ‘chav’s’. The way in which they speak and dress are the main give away as to who they are inside, personality wise.  In society and media usually any youths that are dressed in this way are in-fact addressed as troublesome people; they would usually be seen mugging people or inflicting pain on others, etc. We first see this happen in the beginning of Attack the Block when it all starts out negative, however, as the film progresses we notice a change of heart in the gang of youths, they end up helping people and a lot of positive attitude is spread throughout the characters. The time period in which this movie was made in was in 2011, when the London riots were happening, the movie obviously can relate to this devastating point in history and the director has given us a sense of nostalgia as they are showing that if this is happening now, what would it be like in the near future? Furthermore, when we look at Super 8, the gang of youths that are involved in this film are the opposite of what youths are thought of today. The film depicts this by the youths involving themselves in something that is harmless and creative; they wanted to make their own Super 8 film away from the rural area. During the time period of when Super 8 was filmed, it was set in the time of the 1980’s. The kids in the film had to make do with what they had and they took it upon themselves to make a movie to spend their time, rather than causing problems. This film evidently goes against what the older generations think of us and they do it by their use of language and positive attitude to their elders who are involved in the film. The representation of youth in both of these films have their negatives and positives, for example, a negative could be that no matter what, people are constantly stereotyped for what they look like or for how they speak or the place in which they live. Positives of youth in these films are that, youths will stick together always to help each other out. 

Feedback on Textual Analysis

Feedback on Textual Analysis, which I will look at and improve on.

Textual Analysis: Draft

Super 8 vs. Attack the Block – Representation of Youth

In this essay I will be discussing how the typical youth stereotypes conventions are used in these two films: Super 8 and Attack the Block. Super 8 was directed by J.J. Abrams (2011), it’s about a small group of friends who live in a small Ohio Town who witness a disastrous train crash whilst making a Super 8 movie and they soon suspect that the whole train crash wasn't an accident. Shortly after, unusual disappearances and events beginning to unfold. The local deputy, (the main protagonists father), tries to uncover the truth. However, the truth was far more terrifying than any of them could ever imagine. Attack the Block (2011) was directed by Joe Cornish is about a small council estate in South London, where hostile aliens have fallen from the sky. A local teenage gang take it upon themselves to fight off the unwanted visitors, but quickly discover these pitch-black, bear like creatures with glowing razor sharp teeth outnumber them. Attack the Block is a fast-paced and inventive action/science-fiction film with an unconventional set of heroes. Both of these films represent youth by using two groups of young people who are adventurous and are willing to risk their lives for the life of others, each film represents the youths in different ways. Society would see youths as being dangerous individuals, who go around causing havoc, but as we look at these films in more depth, we notice that Super 8 challenges the stereotypical youth conventions in Society. We notice that they are down to earth individuals, who do group work to make a successful movie, rather than causing and inflicting pain on others by mugging and beating individuals, like the gang members do in Attack the Block. The individuals in the group of children in Super 8 can be seen as well educated children as they have written their own scripts and they have manners and they are very well spoken. Whereas, when you look at Attack the Block, the gang members are un-educated and they spend their time causing havoc to individuals around their council estate, talking in a language that resembles chav’s.

The key points that I have chose to discuss really show the different types of youth and how we are seen in people’s eyes. The scene in which Super 8 opens with, the children are all dressed up in smart attire as they pay respect at Joey’s Mother’s funeral. The camera angle, which is a wide angled lens, shows the main protagonist Joey looking content and timid as he holds his Mother’s locket in his hand. This illustrates that he is an innocent young child, who is involved in one the kindest friendship groups as you can see them paying respect in his home for his Mother. This contradicts the way society we live in thinks of us youths nowadays, we aren’t all bustling through the streets causing havoc, however, when you look at the opening scene of Attack the Block, it shows that a few teens can be very disrespectful and rebellious. The main reason why we think this is because the first thing the gang do is mug the nurse; also we notice that one of the gang members is carrying a knife on them. Also, we notice straight away, that the first thing they do when the aliens arrive on earth, they beat the baby alien inside the crate, with a variety of sticks and metal poles. Showing that they are the stereotypical youths of society. Showing that they are thugs. The nurse was utterly defenceless when they were threatening her, there was nothing she could do and in this opening scene, we notice the difference in dialogue as well. In Super 8 the youths are well educated and have perfect diction, then when you look at Attack the Block’s gang members dialect, you notice that they are very chav’ like and don’t seem well educated. Also, another difference is the clothing, from smart attire to a gang of tracksuits and scarf’s, which cover their mouths, resembling the look of the people in the 2010 riots. At the time in which Attack the Block was made it was around the time of the riots, when gangs were going around and stealing from shops, etc. The gang members in Attack the Block mirror the individuals in the 2010 riots. Wearing snapback caps, tracksuits, hoodies, scarfs around their mouths, this can also mirror the way in which terrorists’ look like. This reinforces the way in which Society perceives us all.

Furthermore, the next two scenes that I have decided to analyse in more depth are the alien’s arrivals in both films. Firstly, in Super 8, we actually didn’t know whether they were aliens or not, all we knew was that there was a train crash. The youths thought exactly the same as what we did. Joey and his group of friends simply ran when the train crash happened, this is a normal thing for any teenage group to do, because in reality, no-one would stand still during a train crash. Although, when it came to Attack the Block it was a completely different story. Joe Cornish used a lightning speed effect so it looked like a comet had crashed to the earth, but instead they dropped crates to the ground, inside those crates were the aliens. The black, bear like aliens that in-fact were killing machines. Unlike normal youths, Moses and his gang went into crates armed with metal poles and Moses is seen carrying a knife, the gang collected the metal poles from around them and went into the crate and smashed the baby alien to pieces. They didn’t know what was in there until they came out, there could have been anything in there and it may have not done anything to them. This inevitably conveys that people who look like Moses gang would definitely cause damage or harm to people that are either around them or in the way.

Once again, Attack the Block links with what the society and media think of youths and then Super 8 contradicts this because they acted in the same way in which any person would do. Overall, the representation of the youths in these two scenes suggests that kids will be kids and some may act in a smarter manner and some may be completely ludicrous and self-centered. When looking at Attack the Block, you could say that the estate in which the gang live in has influenced them to be this way. They are living in an unhealthy environment in which is full of drug dealers and old rusty buildings. However, just because you live in such a place, does not mean that you are a thug, chav, gang member etc. If Attack the Block was written differently, they could contradict society by saying that not everyone is stereotyped by the place in which they live in. The colours in these two scenes are also very significant when representing the youths. In Super 8, the colours are earthy and there are some really dark browns and some reds in there, this to me, implies that it’s quite close to home. In a way, it’s as if there is a passion in those colours, a passion for filming their own film, a passion for Joey and Alice. As we explore the scene from Attack the Block we notice the cold colours of blue and black, this represents the feeling in which Moses and his gang feel towards the aliens that have landed on their ‘territory’ and this can then again their damaged, criminal side, their cold blood towards their area and people. The colours put forth the differences between the two groups of youths from the two films, the browns and reds show heart and the blues and blacks show their coldness! To look at the films both in more depth, from background information, we notice some aspects of the films relate back to the film E.T. by Spielberg. The dull colours from E.T. are seen in Super 8; also the visuals of the alien are also seen as less scary and more innocent, just like E.T. Both films were actually influenced by E.T.; however, one is schmaltzy like Spielberg’s original.

Lastly, I will be discussing the relationships between the main protagonists and how the friendships they shared gave them strength and will power to fight on and show how the representation of youth has contradicted society in Super 8 and that although Moses was a hero in Attack the Block, he still is a criminal for the way in which he saved his estate. Firstly, when looking at Super 8 and we see the scene where Joey saves Alice’s life from the alien underground; we notice how much strength and courage he has when he goes to speak to the alien. Joey got up there because he knew that his friends were behind him and they needed saving and he just had full courage and if you were to look at the alien, you can see almost innocence. You may be thinking, that’s slightly strange for an alien to look innocent but the alien has a resemblance of ET. Originally, JJ Abrams wanted to work with Steven Spielberg on Super 8, which is the alien has resemblance of ET, the features are innocent looking and less alien like more toy like. It was almost like Super 8 was a love letter to Steven Spielberg, thanking him for working on it with him and for being a generally amazing film director/producer. With Attack the Block it’s a completely different story, once again, Moses the main protagonist out of the gang takes things into his own hands. He musters up the courage and strength as well for his friends, to be that heroic person in the film; he jumped from a multi story building, blowing up the aliens inside the flat. Bearing in mind that we just found out that Moses in 15 years old and has the courage to do that, it’s pretty impressive. However, again, this shows that the Attack the Block gang do things in a different way, a way in which terrorist attacks are done (blowing things up) and a way in which most of the older generation perceive. It’s basically saying that no matter what way they become heroic or save the day, it’s that strength comes through friendship and that no matter what happens, friends and others come before you do. This is representing youth because a lot of people who are involved in gangs are always sticking together, they become more like family less than friends. They grow up together. Being in groups can cause people to stereotype you though, as being a gang or someone who would cause some sort of havoc.

All in all, both directors have represented these youths as being brought up into broken families. Moses doesn’t have a family; his family is his gang members. Joey has a family, but he lost his mother, the main person in his life. Then Joey’s friend Alice is shown as having a broken family too as she is seen arguing with her Dad. Throughout the films, you see these youths progress and grow up as they are their own individuals through most of the film and they needed to be strong and mature to ensure safety for others around them and to save their estates. This evidently shows that both films are challenging the stereotypical youth conventions as they are both contradicting how society feels about youths. They are a lot smarter and mature then they think, they may act differently and they may be alarming or innocent, but they are still challenging youth conventions by taking on the parental role (the main protagonists/antagonists of both films) for them and others. You could say that Attack the Block reinforces this idea of broken families causing disruption in the youths, because Moses and his gang members are more corrupted and Moses being without parent’s shows that he hasn’t had a good upbringing, so he wouldn’t have manners etc. Super 8 challenges youth stereotypes, whereas, Attack the Block does both challenging and reinforcing.

All in all, after analysing the two films in high detail, I noticed that youth was represented through the way in which the actors and actresses were portrayed. Example one, in the independent London situated film Attack the Block, we notice that the main characters in the film are a gang of ‘chav’s’. The way in which they speak and dress are the main give away as to who they are inside, personality wise. In society and media usually any youths that are dressed in this way are in-fact addressed as troublesome people; they would usually be seen mugging people or inflicting pain on others, etc. We first see this happen in the beginning of Attack the Block when it all starts out negative, however, as the film progresses we notice a change of heart in the gang of youths, they end up helping people and a lot of positive attitude is spread throughout the characters. The time period in which this movie was made in was in 2010, when the London riots were happening, the movie obviously can relate to this devastating point in history and the director has given us a sense of nostalgia as they are showing that if this is happening now, what would it be like in the near future? Furthermore, when we look at Super 8, the gang of youths that are involved in this film are the opposite of what youths are thought of today. The film depicts this by the youths involving themselves in something that is harmless and creative; they wanted to make their own Super 8 film away from the rural area. During the time period of when Super 8 was filmed, it was set in the time of the 1980’s. The kids in the film had to make do with what they had and they took it upon themselves to make a movie to spend their time, rather than causing problems. This film evidently goes against what the older generations think of us and they do it by their use of language and positive attitude to their elders who are involved in the film. The representation of youth in both of these films have their negatives and positives, for example, a negative could be that no matter what, people are constantly stereotyped for what they look like or for how they speak or the place in which they live. Positives of youth in these films are that, youths will stick together always to help each other out.

And show that we should never, ever, judge a book by their cover.

Creative Artefact: Shot types

The shot types for my Script.

1: Photo of the empty prison corridor - long shot

2: Distant figures of two people walking down the corridor - one in all black (Moses - prison uniform) - long shot

3: Mid close up of Moses and Mayhem - shows top half of body - outside prison

4: Over-shoulder angle of Nurses shoulder, talking to Moses

5. Moses and Pest talking, shocked expressions of their face, hoodies (Pest with a cap) - mid close-up

6. Moses talking to two unexpected people, government speakers, over-shoulder angle over Moses shoulder

7. Walking home from Prison - mid shot - backs (Pest and Moses)

8. Outside the Council Estate/ Flats (Moses - left and Pest - Right)

9. Inside the Council Estate, looking at their new flats/building block (Moses - left and Pest - Right) - Mid- close up of backs

Location Report: First Draft

The corridors in Bluewater can be used as the police corridor/hallway as it is a tiled and dingy dark grey colour which is the main colour of a police corridor, etc. This is easily accessible, get into the place easily, there is easy access for me to take a camera in there and film, no need to dress the set because it is perfect the way it is:

Outside a Buddha foundation down my road, this can be shown as the outside of the prison. The CCTV camera is suitable because it shows that they are going to be constantly watched, like you would normally inside and out of a prison, every second, every minute of the day you are being filmed on CCTV, so this location is suitable. The Oak door also resembles Brixton prison as well, which makes it even more suitable:

The outside of this Buddha Foundation for the front of the prison is easily accessible. The road is not very busy and this location is very silent at times. Now and again you would hear the school kids in the playground over the road, but other than that, this area is silent and does only have a few cars going through.

Council estate flats, just round the corner from my house, new and renovated, could be seen as the newly transformed council estate that Moses used to live in because it was demolished. Location is suitable as it is flats, seeing as the flats are new as well because the government wanted new flats in this new area for Moses as he deserves this, they are a block of new flats. It is easily accessible and the location is nearby and are all free to access, no-one needed to be contacted to take any photos.  It is suitable as well because it shows that since the young individuals are growing up, so is the environment. Seeing as youths are stereotypically based on the environment they are brought up on, this is definitely suitable:

Health and Safety: This is suitable for health and safety as they are no restrictions and it is a safe environment. 

Lighting, noise and electricity: They shall be noise from the public and of cars and this is suitable for my film sequel as if it was outside of the prison then there will be talking no doubt and cars going past, picking and dropping people off. It is quite dark in my hallway which is suitable and will give an eery, dark look for a prison corridor.