Evaluation

Q1- What were the aims of the script and 9 key frames?

The aims of the script and 9 key frames were to provide a resolution to a sequel to the film 'Four Lions'.  The aim of the script was to show my MACRO theme of themes and messages, which is the modern day theme of terrorism. The script attempted to find humour in an exaggerated stereotypical terrorist character and put him in a scenario where he accidentally stops a terrorist attack on England. The script showed my MACRO because it used the theme of terrorism as a basis for comedy. The location I picked was a traditional british countryside, which contrasted with my terrorist character's anti-english beliefs. I picked traditional english costumes like football tops and countryside apparel for my english characters and stereotypical terrorist costumes for my muslim terrorist and the terrorist at the end of my script. This was to create a contrast between the english and the terrorists. The audience themselves would be english and the humour would come from how the terrorists are different to the audience. My main props would be bombs, which is a key stereotypical prop of the terrorist characters I am presenting. The characters in my frames are typical of comedy films, we have one group, the terrorists who are exaggerated and ridiculous compared to the normal and straight-headed british people.

Q2- What codes and conventions identified in the textual analysis essay were used in the script and in the 9 key frames?
The codes and conventions that I used in the script and 9 key frames were the characterisation of the terrorists. In other films, terrorists are portrayed as ruthless killing machines who want to destroy all western culture whilst in my film and the original 'Four Lions', the stereotype and audience expectations  for the terrorists are subverted and they are shown as stupid and useless in their terrorist attempts. My character also has this audience expectation subverted. Another convention used was the location. Most films about terrorism take place in urban areas whilst my film takes place in the countryside. I chose this because it subverts the stereotype of terrorism whilst also making the concept of a terrorist running round the countryside funny because it wouldn't be something that would realistically happen. Another convention used were the costumes and props. I kept stereotypical costumes and props of a terrorist like the ethnic costume of a white outfit and black robe and the use of a backpack bomb. I kept these conventions because I wanted to make the character conform to the convention of terrorists slightly so the audience recognise he is a terrorist and that the stereotype isn't completely subverted.  Linking back to my textual analysis, another theme that I wrote about was the theme of redemption. In my 9 key frames and script, we see the terrorist character unintentionally redeem himself from being a terrorist by uncovering an actual terrorist who planned to do actual damage. This theme is used ironically which links to the genre and original theme of the first film, 'Four Lions' which is a comedy.

Q3- How was the location report used in the construction of the 9 key frames

The location report was useful because it allowed me to pick which side of the field had the best view and which looked more traditionally british. For example, behind my shots, the field was facing a motorway so the location report helped me prepare for that specific angle. The location itself was easy to get to for all my actors and myself, there was a car park near the field. The location was useful in my 9 key frames because it was used to show how I broke the convention of a terrorist being in a urban area, and instead having him in a rural area. Another use of the location in the 9 key frames was to create a juxtaposition between the terrorist and english countryside, making it ironic for the audience to have someone who hates England in a traditionally british area. I did encounter some problems with my location because their was no shed in the field which was needed for a narrative point in my 9 key frames. To solve this I photoshopped a shed into the background of my locations. However, before this I thought of changing the location if necessary but in the end, I didn't need to.

Q4- How successful was the script and 9 key frames in achieving the aims?

The script and 9 key frames achieved the aims of my MACRO because it showed my understanding of the themes and messages used in the original 'Four Lions' which was the modern day theme of terrorism. I felt that the script was well written and appropriate to the previous film's style of comedy. I also made it darkly ironic, by dealing with a controversial topic like terrorism in a light hearted way. However I felt that it's success as a resolution to sequel isn't as resolved as the original 'Four Lions'. The ending to my creative artefact is quite open-ended, maybe asking more question than it answers. I also feel that some of my costumes could have been better, and particularly the shed scene in the last two frames, which heavily relied on Photoshop. I should have found a dark room or a actual shed to shoot with my actors. If I had done this, it would have made it more clear to the audience about what the scene is trying to show.