Task 2.1: Research into existing products (Video Games' Research)

In the lesson we looked at various adverts for video games for example, Xbox and PlayStation. The main video advert that we looked at was for a game called Fallout 4. A new game about a nuclear post apocalyptic future. (Official trailer shown below)...

Fallout 4 is the fourth in the series of the 'Fallout' video games. It is a sci-fi dystopian game about an on-going war after a nuclear apocalypse. Fallout 3 was released in 2010 as Fallout New Vegas which looks very similar to fallout 4. All 4 instalments have the same basic plot but each game has varying qualities and new designs as the gaming world has improved.

The opening of the trailer fades in alluding to an old fashioned TV being turned on, the black and white effect adds to the idea that it is set in a past time. As the camera zooms out we see that the TV, car and the state of the house connotes this game might be set in the 50’s maybe slightly later. The run down house shows that there is probably nobody living there however, the lighting is quite high key meaning that the game genre probably isn’t horror such as ‘Outlast’ or anything as such else there would be high key lighting.

The make of the TV is ‘radiation king’ this gives us a hint that the plot of the game might be something to do with radiation/explosives resulting in the game being within the action genre. The camera then defocuses and a new image of the same house is shown. The house looks more upper class and like a typical suburban American household. The before and after shot shows the difference between what the house looked like before and after this nuclear apocalypse and sets the scene for the rest of the game. There are many varying shots showing the house a few years/months ago and then back to present time. Within the present day shots we meet a dog, this is the same dog that has been in all of the previous Fallout games. It is insinuated that this house is where the dog once lived.

In one of the rooms a crib can be seen painted in blue, it seems that this is the only brightly coloured and unchanging thing within the house. This could cannot that there is still hope for the future generations of this nuclear damage. When the dog leaves the house we then see a montage of images showing what happened to this location. We get to see what has gone on and make assumptions as to what the game will be about. Finally we see the ‘hero’ of the game and probably the protagonist. The blue costume could be linked with the blue from the crib earlier on in the trailer and the connotation of hope that is linked to it.

Music:

The music at the start of the trailer fits the 1950’s theme with a quite uplifting jazz song, however about 1 minute in with the addition of diegetic sound the music changes to one which is more fitting with the genre which is quite loud and booming. A voiceover is also used with the introduction of this music which is used as a narrator, to explain what the narrative is. 

Task 2.1: Research into existing products (Narrative & Performance - Johnny Cash)

Narrative & Performance (Johnny Cash)

At the beginning of the video when the music is playing, after each bar, the picture changes showing different statues/ornaments around his house. The ornaments are quite biblical and religious figures which reflects on his personality and lets the viewer know a little bit about him through the way he thinks and acts. 

The next thing that you see is a close up of Johnny Cash himself playing the guitar and then it goes into a scene in America with the American flag. The director and producer has done this to give the audience a bit of background knowledge into the life of Johnny Cash as he was very famous in America in his time. The colours of the video are fairly dark apart from the brighter shades of yellow which could symbolise the sun shining on him. Furthermore, this would reflect on how he was a massive star back in his time and is still portrayed as being a star. 

Next, this transitions into a shot of a sign saying "House Of Cash Museum - closed to public". From this shot we can see that the star had an amazing career and was extremely well known so that they even made a museum dedicated to him however, we also know that it is in the present tense due to the fact that it is now closed. Throughout the video, there are black and white clips from when Johnny Cash was younger and in his prime. The black and white indicates that the video is old due to the fact that this video is in colour.  

Later on in the video, there is a close up of Cash's face followed by a wide shot of a picture hanging on a wall in his house. The picture is of a woman who we assume is his mother and she is no longer around. After this, there is a another wide shot which shows a room with some Johnny Cash memorabilia in it. From this setting, we can gather that this was taken at the museum which was dedicated to him but is now closed. The room looks like it was once full but is now bare with broken merchandise. Due to the merchandise being broken, this shows that the museum has been shut for quite a while so he is nowhere near as famous as he used to be. 

There are several close up shots of food which is laid out on a large table. From all of the religious connotations so far in the video, this looks as if it could be symbolism for 'the last supper' which Jesus has before he was crucified. We have only ever seen Johnny Cash present in his house which could mean that he feels isolated and lonely so whoever the big banquette of food is for is a mystery to the audience. 

Towards the end of the video there are several religious connotations such as a low shot of the cross and a montage of images of Jesus and nails being hammered - Jesus being nailed to the cross. These convey Johnny Cash's religious background and how he follows religion. 





















































The lyrics are as follows; 

I hurt myself today
To see if I still feel
I focus on the pain
The only thing that's real

The needle tears a hole
The old familiar sting
Try to kill it all away
But I remember everything

[Chorus]
What have I become
My sweetest friend
Everyone I know
Goes away in the end

And you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

I wear this crown of thorns
Upon my liars chair
Full of broken thoughts
I cannot repair

Beneath the stains of time
The feelings disappear
You are someone else
I am still right here

[Chorus]

And you could have it all
My empire of dirt
I will let you down
I will make you hurt

If I could start again
A million miles away
I will keep myself
I would find a way

Task 2.1: Research into existing products (Short Film Research)

I have carried out some research looking at directors that make short film and then i have watched a couple of the short films myself in order to know the different codes and conventions that they follow to engage and intrigue the reader.

Lynne Ramsey has made many short films including 'Gasman', 'Rat-catcher' and 'We Need To Talk About Kevin'.