Argo assignment details

1.     How has ‘Argo’ been marketed? (What type of film are they trying to sell to the audience?)

They are trying to sell an action film to the audience, the audience mainly being males.

Political thriller with hints of comedy to entice a wide range of audience.

2.     Which of the film’s USPs are highlighted in the trailer?

 Based on a true story. Ben Affleck features and produced and directed. Use of real raw footage.

George Clooney-Director Producer. Political, violence, action themes. Different narrative strands

(Hollywood iran Washington intertwined)

 3.    Is this an accurate representation of the film?

 Not accurate, the trailers sound and music gives us an idea that it will be an action film and with the

Editing techniques it feels faster paced whereas the film is political.

4.      How are the technical elements utilised for the trailer?

The use of lighting changes throughout the film, the coloring gets much brighter and warmer when in Hollywood. The filming in Iran is very grey. 

 NARRATIVE STRANDS

Task: Identify the key narrative strands

 1.  Hollywood- making the fake film.

2.  Iran- The hostages

3. Washington- CIA agents organizing the operation.

4.  Tony Mendez/Kevin Harkins- see his family his narrative throughout the film. He links everything together.

5.  The captured 6

Task: Q - What is the role of each narrative?

 Hollywood creates a safe zone (opposes no threat). Also lightens the mood with a comic effect. The hostages remind you of the desperation and experiences. The differences between these two strands are the film quality and color palette. Hollywood is much cleaner and warmer.

Tony Mendez links all the strands together.

 Task Q - How do they compliment each other?

 Keeps you in suspense throughout and creates an emotional rollercoaster for the audience, going through each strand feeling safe in Hollywood and risky with the hostages. Hollywood is incorporated to maintain the interest of the wider audience. Although very stressful the CIA creates another safe zone with suspense and tension.

1.Synopsis - What are the story’s key plot points?

 Hollywood fake film. Press launch. Airport integration. The first scene. Hostages torturing.

 2.    What is the purpose of the opening sequence? What techniques were used in the opening sequence? Were they successful?

 Using a comic strip to give context to the rest of the story.

Grainy footage to look like raw footage to make it seem realistic to place you in that space and time. Jerky hand held footage.

Loud disturbing sound. Intercut riot footage showing two different sides. Tried to provoke a response. Fast footage trying to disorientate the audience.

 3.    Cinematography – How does the camerawork create an emotional response?

 Hand held camera to make you feel as if you’re in the crowd. Realistic technique. When in the mini van past the crane the camera slows down for a reminder of the context. Disorientate the audience with sped up editing and jerky camera effects. Editing style very Hollywood for light entertainment style. Slower longer shots the actual look of the film was smoother and nicer.  CIA in Washington was fast pace cutting used to reflect that these people have to act fast.

4.Acting performance – How do the actors create empathy with the audience?

 Each hostage dealt with the situation differently (2 couples dealing with the situation in different ways) One couple breaking up whilst the other were supporting each other. Emotional response as the cleaner does not want to betray her own country but wants to do the right thing. Those in the safe zone were not there to provide empathy but there to create tension and give information. The producer and make up guy are there to create a safe zone so the audience isn’t tense the whole way through the film.

5.    Editing – How does this aid in our emotional involvement? (Consider the last 20 mins)

 Three or four narrative strands running parallel running back and forth-Difference in sound, diegetic sound to create a feeling. There is a jerky camera fast pace lots of cut aways. Raw footage and replication of raw footage gives a realistic believable world.

6.    How important is the fact that this is based a ‘real events’ and the use of ‘raw footage’ when generating an emotional response in the audience?

 An emotional response is created easier when the audience knows that the film is based on real events. It creates empathy.

 7.    What emotions did you feel whilst watching the film? What techniques were used to provoke these?

 8. What techniques created a believable world?

Diegetic sounds create effects that you’re in Iraq.  Raw footage was important due to the bad quality and real sound. The performance and cinematography created a real response and believable world. The actors and the makeup look very much like the real people, which make it believable.

Film review structure

·      General intro stating title, director, producer, genre, cinematographer, actors, release date etc.

·      A detailed target audience.

·      An outline of the plot

·      A subjective, informed response which will include reference to macro (narrative/plot) and micro (sound, cinematography, MES, editing)

·      Analysis of 3 key scenes to illustrate critical points.

·      Audience’s emotional response

·      The different responses/reaction/feelings during the film

·      Who might like the film and why

·      Include positive and negative points

·      Refer to marketing techniques used to sell the film- was it accurate?

·      Remember your target audience and refer throughout to audience response.

Word count 1000-1200

The film must be in italics (argo)

Refer to the actors playing the characters