Director: Christopher Nolan Case Study

Director Christopher Nolan

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0634240/?ref_=tt_ov_dr

Transcript of Director Case Study: Christopher Nolan
Biography
Nationality: British - American
Filmography:
Director Case Study: Christopher Nolan
This is exceptional example of film brilliance as he rose from short films from the BFI to having success in mainstream film today, he can tackle the most challenging roles in the industry and he is certainly an auteur of the film industry by having his own mark to it.
1998 Following Director/Producer/Writer
2000 Momento Director/Writer
2002 Insomnia Director
2005 Batman Begins Director/Writer
2006 The Prestige Director/Producer/Writer
2008 The Dark Knight Director/Producer/Writer
2010 Inception Director/Producer/Writer
2012 The Dark Knight Rises Director/Producer/Writer
2013 Man of Steel Producer/Writer
2014 Transcendence Producer
2014 Interstellar Director/Producer/Writer
This is an exceptional example of film brilliance as he rose from short films from the BFI to having success in mainstream film today, he can tackle the most challenging roles in the industry and he is certainly an auteur of the film industry by having his own mark to it.
Teaser Trailer
The Dark Knight Trailer(s) Analysis
Preview screen information used in both trailers to signify that this is a film preview.
Production and distribution companies placed after the preview screen, this would be important as some cinema goers would like to know what company's have participated in the release of the film
Fades to black for a few seconds to heighten the anticipation for something to happen.
Similarities
Beams of light to suggest an atmosphere of darkness being overcome by something good
After many beams of sight shining through the screen, a bat sign appears which would directly engage the spectator to think other other media revolving around the Batman (iconography)
The Bat Sign deconstructs while the background light gets even more brighter
After the bat sign is destroyed, the joker card appears suggesting a character's (the joker) involvement in the film
Everything then fades to black leading to the film title to appear
The next screen shows a release date although not showing a full release date as this is a teaser trailer which advertises a film for awareness months before the release
Exposition/ aerial view shot to suggest location as a city
Pyrotechnics or CGI explosion used emphasizes the action of this film, explosions are loud as well to give an impact of this environment reflected in character reactions
Mise - en - scene: costume of the batman being shown, giving him empowerment through all his gadgets
The joker making his appearance in the film, shown many times to signify his importance as the suggested antagonist
Film title appears
Sports car showing characterization separate form Bruce Wayne's alter ego
One liners (voiceover dialogue) are heard, providing important hints to the story of the film
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Trailer Analysis

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What is revealed about the story? Who do you think are the main characters? What is the genre? How can you tell? From watching the trailer, it can be suggested that it is a zombie - like film because of apocalyptic nature as something is seen to have gone wrong and so the whole population is affected. Horror – something was created to make this destruction happen; looking at scenes in the trailer suggest monster – like creatures Apocalyptic – as the film depicts towns and cities destroyed in which the apocalypse/ destruction has started. From watching the trailer, it can be suggested that it is an epidemic - like film because of apocalyptic nature as something is seen to have gone wrong and so the whole population is affected. What can you say about the editing (e.g. shots selected and shot length, captions, Linearity)? Shot lengths are long at the beginning until the disruption of someone unexpected happening in which shots begin to be shorter and the length between shots are shorter for faster viewing of the best bits of the film. As with most film trailers, the narrative or story is not linear but non – linear as shots are modelled to show most of the best bits but not all – to engage the audience to watch the film. Who is the film's target audience? Do you think the film will appeal to them? This film would be aimed at the teenage years of 15 and up along with older ages who enjoy watching epidemic, future or the ‘what if’ question films. This may be because this target demographic may enjoy fantasies that go wrong- dystopian rather than utopian peaceful societies which do tend to get boring. Do you think the trailer is effective and why? Are the names of the director/producer/stars given to us? Why (not) What can you say about the use of sound (e.g. voice - over, dialogue, music)? The trailer suggests a war has occured because of the burning, broken down buidings and running scared people with a scale deplicting the drastic fall of the whole population. Male Protagonist – family oriented; the disruption of a normal lifestyle - established through most of the character shots It can also be assumed that this is a zombie film as the film title uses the 'Z' which may stand for zombie and in being a world war, also suggests a sudden change in world events Yes, I do think the trailer is effective as the long, aerial shots produced show the devastation that has happened coupled with the faces of innocent people in pain and suffering. This leads to the spectators/ audience in wanting to watch more as they barely see the antagonist in the film and don’t have a clear picture of who or what the audience is. The power of suggestion is used here as the trailer makes the audience imagine the disruptors up to the point where they want to find out about the actual antagonist therefore watch the film. None but Brad Pitt is shown as he is the main star of the film and by having his face shown, the audience already know who he is although shown at the near – end just to let audiences remember. This is essentially a Brad Bitt film in which everything is branded in his name showing his importance as a key person in making of the film itself. The trailer suggests a war has occurred because of the burning, broken down buildings and running scared people with a scale depicting the drastic fall of the whole population. It can also be assumed that this is a zombie film as the film title uses the 'Z' which may stand for zombie and in being a world war, also suggests a sudden change in world events. Military personnel are also shown to emphasise the impact of this disruption is of a large scale; this would be part of the mise – en –scene as well as the use of weaponry, combat items show that action may come into play.

Magazine Front Cover Analysis 2

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This is the Empire edition of the film which features two variations - solo close ups of characters who would be known through past films and comics and so already iconic, already having an audience behind them Other sell lines of information different to the main content is placed on the right which suggests a sense of less importance as readers read left to right therefore making the Dark Knight the main product Here, only the only change is the character which is also a seller due to there being a demand for this character to be displayed in real action but also showing an antagonist, thereby having two covers as stock - types good vs evil labelled on them Features the name of a character who is already established and so would already have a fan base and so be appealed towards as they favour the actor from past appearances Adds social network sites for even more information to be access and shared by interested fans The colour scheme is focused on a dark pallet which is the theme of the trilogy, a more dark and thriller like theme in its storyline and how it is filmed Information importance is displayed through the size of the sell line and colour to categorize the information and so making it easier for information to be obtained

Empire Magazine Case Study
Empire is one of the biggest film magazines distributed worldwide, releasing the latest in film. It is a mainstream magazine as its contents are of mainstream movies especially popular American films made by Hollywood. These are the results from the national readership survey which provides the most authoritative and valued audience research for print work in the UK. ABC1 refers to consumers of higher social and economic groups, be more educated and have better-paid jobs than those in C2DE. C2DE refers to consumers who are of lower social and economic groups in society. In this particular survey, more than half of the higher class demographic read the Empire magazine suggesting that it may be of more quality as reflected in the price .Almost three quarters of readers are men suggesting that men are more interested in this film magazine than women More than three quarters of readers are aged 15 - 34 and could link to the amount of times costumers who go and watch films shown on the magazine as this age group would be more likely to go for big budget movies like The Dark Knight to have a successful opening weekend and high gross, they need to be released to as many consumers as possible. In order to do this films are also advertised in other countries and their respective country. The Dark Knight is an American Film released worldwide.

Magazine Front Cover Analysis

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This is an ensemble image as more than one character is shown and so gives out more about the film through the additional characters shown. This suggests that this was released closer to the actual film release as more content is being provided. Unlike the first poster that was shown, this particular poster contains additional pictures with the PLUS sell line which would attract readers due to having more content teased just by looking at the front cover Features the name of the character who is already established and so would already have a fan base and so be appealed towards as they favor the actor from past appearances This magazine is available on devices such as tablets to further the experience of customers as there is more choice of obtaining the magazine therefore more reason to get the magazine. The Wolverine Issue is a sell line which would suggest that the film is devoted mainly to the movie and so fans old and new can assume that it provides most of the information about he upcoming film Yellow is a bright colour that is used which is different from the dark scheme of the images and so is contrasted leading to this to these sell lines being looked at first as the importance is indicated through the brighter colour. This is the Empire magazine cover which features a close up of the character Wolverine who is displaying his claws as it is known as his powers. A sword is held on the opposite side which makes this a very effective image as the audience already knows that he has claws on both hands and so makes them curious to see him holding a weapon due to being just as dangerous without weapons. His eyes are looking directly towards the camera and so at whoever is reading this magazine. His stock - type (regular) profile of having an angry face is shown which would get the audience to be curious about this new reason of being angry The title Wolverine is the main sell line which is the same font and almost the same size as the masthead suggesting its importance to both the fans and new audiences wanting to know more about the upcoming release

Poster Analysis 3

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This is the poster shown on the apple trailers website which contains the specific date, the cast and crew information along with the production companies behind the film. Only one character is shown in the poster as the poster is character specific meaning that there is a focus on the character as he is the protagonist The white background adds to the effectiveness of the poster as the character is a cop therefore representing purity in the job he does which is to fight justice Since this is a remake, the character and name is already established. This shows that their was a demand for the character to be shown again on the big screen from the classics shown before It is a simple poster as it can be suggested of having been distributed at the earliest release of the film Release date not confirmed here which does suggest that it is an early release poster, hinting that it will be coming soon to cinemas The character is looking directly at the audience while holding his gun which suggests a sense of judgement in which the character may have from thinking about the conventions of the last films The quote 'Your Move' is simple but effective which could date back to duels in the western period of films where the two characters are focused upon. This can convey to the theme of good vs bad in which the person behind the robotic armor is good
Both posters are in portrait mode with one giving out more than the other, they are both also character posters featuring the main character indicated by the film title "Robocop" the first film poster has the character take most of the page with mid to close up photography while the other poster has the character in an american mid shot while the background is of city buildings and a futuristic bike indicating that the film may be set in the near future. There is a badge implemented in the armour of this character implying that the story would be set in the location of Detroit having him as a Detroit policeman.
The poster seems very effective due to the characters position as he is in a position of power as if he was in a shoot out, containing the western element of saying your move, making him a very empowering character as he has his visor on flashing red to represent war and that he may be angry.
The next poster has the tagline of crime having a new enemy suggesting that he could be an anti - hero as he represents both sides of the law, law enforcer and punisher and so making him the most powerful character just from the poster. This poster also contains the sell lines of actor names such as Samuel L Jackson and Gary Oldman to advertise towards fanbase while the film is also a remake which would have fans excited about a new take on their Favorited film. Through these elements it can be said that the poster on the left is an early release poster while the poster on the right is a poster close to the release of the film as more information is given out.
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Poster Analysis 2

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World War Z is a action adventure horror film which is different to the genre that my group produce but a very interesting film Main Poster Analysis Film Poster Analysis: World War Z This is a theatrical poster used to promote the film. Note that its simplicity only hints but does not show what the full film is about which makes movie - goers curious about the film more. No characters are shown in the single scene as the specific poster focuses on how the world is affected and suggests that this would affect the characters in the film This is a landscape (page view) poster of the featured film which may of been promoted on billboards and long vehicles such as lorries Features the name of actor who is already established and so would already have a fan base and so be appealed towards as they favor the actor from past performances Adds social network sites for even more information to be access and shared by interested fans Release date not confirmed here which suggest that it is an early release poster, hinting that it will be coming soon to cinemas This particular landscape poster could be an exposition shot of the film where a World event happens This could be another world war which the title gives away slightly but does not show anything else therefore becoming more intriguing as you don't really know whats going to happen This may seem an early release poster but it contains a specific release date at the bottom. It is mistaken for its simplicity and unlike the background exposition poster, it contains action where people sized characters are crowded together trying to reach the helicopter. It does however show devastation created as cars are toppled over, the contrast of dark and white is very effective as the white brings space in which is being filled up by these crowds of characters - antagonists. The background poster only shows the aftermath while this poster shows what is occurring but in very little detail. Brad Pitt is shown in all posters as he is the main face of the film and sponsor, advertising the film through his popularity. Release date: the first poster has the coming soon date meaning that it may be the oldest and so early release date poster while the second as a specific release date including the day of release which makes a close to release poster which would be advertised on buses and billboards ready for the opening weekend This poster has the character looking over the landscape which has been cooled, calmed down; the blue and grey colour theme shows this while the other poster shows the aftermath with no fix and so devastation is still continuing It is also a contrast shown in cities as the iconic Eiffel Tower is shown in the other poster while this poster shows probably Miami and so suggest a War within more than one Country or place

Poster Analysis

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What is revealed about the story? Who do you think are the main characters? What is the genre? How can you tell? From watching the trailer, it can be suggested that it is a zombie - like film because of apocalyptic nature as something is seen to have gone wrong and so the whole population is affected.
Horror – something was created to make this destruction happen; looking at scenes in the trailer suggest monster – like creatures Apocalyptic – as the film depicts towns and cities destroyed in which the apocalypse/ destruction has started. From watching the trailer, it can be suggested that it is an epidemic - like film because of apocalyptic nature as something is seen to have gone wrong and so the whole population is affected.What can you say about the editing (e.g. shots selected and shot length, captions,
Linearity)? Shot lengths are long at the beginning until the disruption of someone unexpected happening in which shots begin to be shorter and the length between shots are shorter for faster viewing of the best bits of the film. As with most film trailers, the narrative or story is not linear but non – linear as shots are modelled to show most of the best bits but not all – to engage the audience to watch the film.
Who is the film's target audience? Do you think the film will appeal to them?
This film would be aimed at the teenage years of 15 and up along with older ages who enjoy watching epidemic, future or the ‘what if’ question films. This may be because this target demographic may enjoy fantasies that go wrong- dystopian rather than utopian peaceful societies which do tend to get boring.
Do you think the trailer is effective and why? Are the names of the director/producer/stars given to us? Why (not) What can you say about the use of sound (e.g. voice - over, dialogue, music)?
The trailer suggests a war has occured because of the burning, broken down buidings and running scared people with a scale deplicting the drastic fall of the whole population.
Male Protagonist – family oriented; the disruption of a normal lifestyle - established through most of the character shotsIt can also be assumed that this is a zombie film as the film title uses the 'Z' which may stand for zombie and in being a world war, also suggests a sudden change in world events
Yes, I do think the trailer is effective as the long, aerial shots produced show the devastation that has happened coupled with the faces of innocent people in pain and suffering. This leads to the spectators/ audience in wanting to watch more as they barely see the antagonist in the film and don’t have a clear picture of who or what the audience is. The power of suggestion is used here as the trailer makes the audience imagine the disruptors up to the point where they want to find out about the actual antagonist therefore watch the film.None but Brad Pitt is shown as he is the main star of the film and by having his face shown, the audience already know who he is although shown at the near – end just to let audiences remember. This is essentially a Brad Bitt film in which everything is branded in his name showing his importance as a key person in making of the film itself.The trailer suggests a war has occurred because of the burning, broken down buildings and running scared people with a scale depicting the drastic fall of the whole population.
It can also be assumed that this is a zombie film as the film title uses the 'Z' which may stand for zombie and in being a world war, also suggests a sudden change in world events. Military personnel are also shown to emphasise the impact of this disruption is of a large scale; this would be part of the mise – en –scene as well as the use of weaponry, combat items show that action may come into play.