BTEC Media Studies Jun.2014 | Page 12

During studying this unit I have developed an understanding of a number of theoretical approaches to film and apply them to specific films. I have come to understand that films do not exist in a vacuum, nor do they simply appear like flowers in the spring. Rather, they are created by a range of determinants and influences which include, amongst others, the culture and politics of the country where they are produced, the finance that enables their production, the technology of film production, distribution and exhibition, and the nature and structure of the industry which produces them.

In addition, I have explored the complex relationship between audiences and films and will be able to understand why and how audiences watch and make sense of films in particular ways.

By doing this unit I have opportunities to develop and apply research techniques through the completion of a piece of practical audience research. The unit will also help to put production work done in other units into context.

Tim Burton is an American director, producer, writer and artist. He is known for his dark, gothic and quirky themed movies such as Edward Scissorhands, The Nightmare Before Christmas, Ed Wood, Pee-wee’s Big Adventure and Batman. He emphasises the elements of his obsession with the 1950s horror movies in his imaginative mise-en-scene. Burton’s films usually have two worlds, the realist and the idealist, fantasy and the reality or underworld and overworld. A good example of this is in Charlie and The Chocolate factory where there is the normal world and the magical chocolate factory. Most of Tim Burton’s films has a theme of murder and death so the dark colours such as grey, black and brown are used for posters or adverts.