Textual analysis

Essay draft

Quentin Tarantino uses his authorship to recreate genres, he does this using his style and different themes that would not usually be used in specific genres. In this investigation I am looking at Inglorious Basterds ,a war film, and Django Unchained, a western film.

The themes Tarantino uses challenge the typical genres of both western and war films, and yet some do conform. By challenging the genres he has resulted in creating more complex genres. Django Unchained, is classed as a western film however Tarantino uses an unrealistic mise-en-scene for example the costumes are very stylised making them unrealistic and therefore the plot less serious. The plots are therefore made more complex as the story is combined with fantasy when it is a film about factual events. Tarantino has also used stylistic dialogue in the film, the language they use is exaggerated and not how people would talk in the time of the film an example of this is the term "negro" used a lot and during the conversation between the "KKK" attack. Their voices suggest that they're are illiterate creating a mockery of the group, and therefore mocking racism. By making a joke out of this situation, Tarantino implies the stupidity of racism and people at this time. This is one of the main themes which is often included in Tarantinos films. I believe he uses blaxploitation and racism in his movies to make the audience create a complex of how they act themselves as although the racism in his films is used in a comical manner it is still present in reality. 

'Django Unchained' explores the adventure of a slave who becomes a freeman when resuced my a German 'freedom fighter' who kills people for the reward however the people he kills are wanted for crime. 'Shultz' portrays the message that one mans terrorist is anothers hero. This message is also in 'Inglorious Basterds' as the basterds themselves kill many people for good however from the other view point they are seen as terrorists. Both films being conroversial have resulted in being criticised by Hollywood critics, due to the usual plots which were not followed. By not conforming to Hollywood films and using such contreverisal plots the films automatically are what Tarantino is known for. Th majority of his films conform to their genres through style however challenge it through the narrative. The characeters often reinforce their stereotypes however often will have some characteristics of mise-en-scene which do not conform. For example 'Django' although wearing slave like costume at the begining he then changes into what looks like a 'pimp' suit exploiting his stereotype and the serious theme of slavery. In 'Inglorious Basterds' I would say that the characters cobnform to their stereotypes more as they wear typical war or costume from during the time. Styllistic dialogue is a large part of Tarantinos films, to emphasise the setting of the film, as in Django, they are in Western America and use a lot of racism due to the slavery which occured in this time so for example the word 'nigga' is used a lot. In Inglorious basterds, their French, German and American accents vary throughout which is unrealistic at the time, this is what reminds the audience the historical events portrayed in his films are not factual.

The unrealistic mise-en-scene and narrative in the films gives them themes of fantasy and also some humour. Although Django does conform to some of the same characteristics that a western would have like some of the costume are similar only exaggerated and it also includes violence. Characteristics in an archetype of a Western film would be a basic cowboy and Red Indian conflict, the costume used would be cowboy hats, boots and for props horses and whips would be typically used. The setting of a Western film is most likely going to be set in deep South America, this was and still can be identified as a racist area which is why Django is set there because it exaggerates the racism. The violence however, would usually be shown as serious but Tarantino removes this feeling my exaggerating the blood and making it almost comical. The style in which the violence is shown is used in both Django and Inglorious Basterds, the colour of the blood is very bright and unrealistic reminding the audience that the historical plots are historically incorrect . The unrealistic violence is used more in Django Unchained throughout, Tarantino may of done this to portray Django as the hero and therefore Candie the slave owner and the people who are killed as the villains. In many films to do with racism and slavery the 'whites' are often portrayed as the villain however Tarantino created Shultz who is a white German,  to be a sidekick with Django and also saves him at the beginning. The character "Stephen" played by Samuel L Jackson is also challenging the theme of racism as he is black and yet labelled as a villain and on the side with the "whites". Django says "Now all you black folk I suggest you get away from these white folk. Not you Stephen, you right where you belong." this dialogue suggests Tarantino didn't want to follow the usual characteristics of a film based around slavery and reverse some of the roles.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv7FXjcRPfM

Again in Inglorious Basterds, Tarantino has used his style and mise en scene to make his films look like a graphic novel. An example of this is before the cinema scene, we are shown Shoshanna applying what looks like war makeup on her face. Although the war makeup conforms to the war genre, in the specific scene it does not fit especially as she is a female. Tarantino has made Shoshanna like a hero, as she is the personified ‘justice’ for the Jews. This is not normal for a war film as typically the hero would be a male and fighting in battle, as they are stereotyped as the ‘strong’ character. Tarantino decided not to challenge the gender roles in Django and followed the usual stock character of ‘the damsel in distress’, this being Hildy. Tarantino uses colour to foreshadow and evoke emotion. An example of this in inglorious basterds is the scene before and during the cinema scene. There is a lot of red used, this colour suggests blood and fire, which is an accurate foreshadow as the cinema is then burnt down with Hitler and everyone else inside. Before the fire, Tarantino shows Hitler and the Nazis cheering the death of soldiers on the film and we also see some Nazis killing Shoshannas family. And yet when we watch the Nazis die we are made to feel empathy for them because of the torture we see and Shoshanna laughs while the fire continues portraying her as a villain. Tarantino has done this to question whether it is ok to cheer for death whoever the person, and the answer is no. Blaxploitation is used in Inlgorious Basterds, through the romantic relationship between Shoshanna and the black projectionist. He is also a part of the plot to kill the Nazis which makes him the villain and also the hero. Again the recurring film is one man's terrorist is another man's hero.

                                                                                                        

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gS1IG8hw73A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DYYYAeSWOlI

By giving the films a fantasised revenge it allows them to conform to the classic Hollywood narrative as the heroes prevail evil and there is a general happy ending. The war and slavery did not end with a simple happy ending there were many disruptions and still today racism and discrimination towards religions continue. Tarantino may of used a violent revenge as his ending to compare with the disruption which in both films are caused by violence. 

9 Key Frames of 'Glorious'

This is an establishing shot to set the location of the first scene during the disruption. The location is a children's playground, challenging the genre of film similarly to what Quentin Tarantino does in his films.

This is a mid to long shot, showing the characters expressions. As they are looking into each others eyes, there is a clear intimate relationship between the two.

This shot is at a low angle making the gang leader look powerful. The beer prop is suited the location of a pub. The costume is a black hoodie to adapt to typical modern gang costume, however I have edited on a red band with the Jewish star to mix Nazi's with the Jewish religion.

The knives reinforce gang culture, and the dark colours foreshadow the bad which is about to happen.

The Torah, which lays beside the knives had been edited to contrast against the dark colours of the weapons. This suggests the loss of religion through violence and hate.

The close up of the clicking hands, links to the musical genre. This shows the audience a song or music is about to begin as it creates a rhythm.

The couple walking together, shows the relationship between the two as it is clear they are clicking in unison and therefore are in a team.

              

The gang walking together are shown wearing dark colours in contrast to the bright colours surrounding them. This implies the misery they are causing to the people near them. They are also clicking however are not in unison showing the audience they are not doing what is right. This would also be shown through the bad rhythm created through off beat clicking.

As he pulls her away from her brother, she stands between him and the gang showing she is torn between choosing her family culture and love.

Script and 9 Key Frames Evaluation

Q1. What were the aims (purpose) of the script & 9 key frames? 500 words 

The purpose of my script and 9 key frames was to explore my textual analysis answer by creating a disruption scene for a sequel to "Inglorious Basterds". My script was written to explore my MACRO, of Quentin Tarantino's way of challenging and conforming to style and genre. I modelled my characters around the characters in inglorious basterds but reversed the roles to make it controversial as this is often what Tarantino does as explored in my textual anlysis. He often changes history in his films, which is why I wanted to create the result of his plots. I wanted to create my 9 key frames with unrealistic effects and colouring to link to my MACRO and be able to compare it to Quentin Tarantino's authorship.

Q2. What codes and conventions (genre, character & narrative threads, how films use mise-en-scene, camera & sound to create meaning), identified in the textual analysis essay were used in thescript & 9 key frames? 500 words

I used conventions similarly used in Tarantino's previous films. As my two study films were Inglorious Basterds and Django Unchained, I wrote my script with themes of religion and racism. Religion was the largest convention which I used in my script and frames. To show religion I made it clear they were Jewish through dialogue, props and costume. The racism was added through dialogue, as the only black male in the scene is discriminated against. I was uncertain on how to add racism, as I felt uncomfortable using racist language however to use Tarantino's authorship I had to adapt to using blaxploitation. 'Jacob' My main character, playing the role of the Jewish gang leader had a suitable appearance for this character because his blonde hair and pale skin is similar to the characteristics which Hitler wanted all people to have. This meant that I could again reverse the roles through mise-en-scene conforming to Tarantino's films.

Q3. How was the location report used in the construction of the 9 key frames? 500 words 

The location which was I reported on, was suitable again to my analysis as it conformed to challenging the genre. This is what Tarantino also does. The estate had to be changed as there was a possibility of problems occurring with people in the estate and one of my actors. The park had an estate closer by so I used this to shoot in instead. The park was very empty when shooting which made the key frames better as it fitted the scene well to be isolated. The colouring of the sky and grass also influenced the location as i was able to edit the colours easier. This also meant it was more of an unrealistic style, relating to my textual analysis and how Tarantino uses style to influence his films.

 Q4. How successful was the script & 9 key frames in achieving the aims (its purpose)? 500 words

My script was successful in presenting my MACRO explored in my textual analysis. My key frames were also successful however, with a larger budget it would have been more achievable to portray the script in reality as what I had in mind. The narrative I created fits my MACRO as I have used Quentin Tarantinos style to create a controversial genre which in my opinion pushes the barriers of film. I am glad I chose to create a disruption scene as it gave me a larger choice to create a scene however, I think that a prequel would have been easier or a sequel in the past would have been easier because it was hard to adapt Inglorious Basterds into a modern film. With a bigger budget I would have been able to make the key frames better and also of gone more adventurous with my script and location. My actors although helpful, it was difficult to get them to cooperate again when I needed to retake some pictures, this was because the majority of them went on a trip to China. In the future if I had to do this again, I would have to make sure that my actors (especially my main ones) were reliable and flexible to take pictures. The costume was one of the aspects which I had a difficult time in adapting traditional Jewish fashion into modern day gang culture, so as a result I stuck with more street costume and just added the Star of David on the characters band. 

Drafted key frames

Script and shots

                   

• Establishing shot
• Mid to Long shot
• Close up
• Establishing shot
• Longshot ( low angle) 

 

• Over the shoulder
• Long shot- split screen
• Close up

• Mid to close up

Planning

Actors:

• Morgan Reynolds- Aliza
• George Hurrell - Jacob
• Ashley Walsh - Noah
• Tom East- Lewis
• Charlie Cox- Adam
• Aaron Groombridge- Eli

Props: 

• Knives
• Fake guns

On Friday 7th March, 5pm the actors will arrive at my house to get in costume. Once they are dressed we will walk to the first location (Oakfield Park) to shoot the first few scenes. Once these are completed we will then walk to the the next location (Tree Estate) to shoot the last scenes, this is likely to take longer as there will be more local people around. If it gets too dark due to time we will have to use the weekend or next week when the characters are all free.

Location report

How to get there:

 The first scene will be in Oakfield park on the swings. As it is close to my house it is only a 2 minute walk.

The second location, is set in a housing estate also close to my house, where the characters will get into costume. This means again it will only be a 5 minute walk to the scene location.












Both the park and street, are public areas meaning that there is no cost or confirmation which needs to be made to shoot there.
Health and Safety:
Oakfield Park:
In the park there are various hazards. The apparatus (slides, swings etc) may be slippery depending on the weather, this means that when shooting the actors need to be careful and sensible with how they use the equipment.
As there may be animals in the park, I need to check with my actors that they do not have a fear or allergy to dogs etc.

Estate: 
As we wil be shooting near roads I will need to make sure that everyone is in a suitable and safe location so that they can not get run over, and make sure my actors are aware of the vehicles. Being aware of the surroundings here is also important as pedestrians may find it difficult to pass us on the pavement so to guarantee the safety of not just my actors but local people I will make sure it is not busy.

The time in which we are set to film, should mean that the lighting outside is bright enough for the camera but slightly dim to fit the mood of the scenes. Flash can be used to brighten the scene, however if this lowers the quality the shoot will have to be done on another day.

This location is suitable to my Macro, as I am exploring Quentin Tarantino's Style and Genre. The children's playground links to my macro, as Tarantino's style is very controversial so having a film to do with Nazi's and gangs set in a playground makes it abnormal and therefore pushes the boundaries in which Tarantino also challenges.