Quentin Tarantino

In the following case study I will be briefly describing whom Quentin Tarantino is and outlining, describing and analyzing four thriller based films that he has directed; ‘Kill Bill’, 'Pulp Fiction', 'Reservoir Dogs' and 'Death Proof'.

Quentin Tarantino is a well known director. Tarintino born in 1963 raised in Tennessee, USA he attended school but dropped out at the age of 16, to then enrol in acting classes at the 'James Best Theatre Company'. In 1984 Tarantino took a job at the video archives, a video store in Manhattan Beach, California where Tarantino had analysed, watched and studied hundreds of films and developed a supreme knowledge of well known movies which is where Tarantino discovered his talent. At the age of 22 he had written his first movie script named 'Captain Peachfuzz and the Anchovy Bandit'. Years later Tarantino had sold another successful script 'Natural Born Killers' to a makeup company for $1,500 dollars and they had made a deal to do the makeup work for his first movie. Tarantino then went on to sell yet another script named 'True Romance' for $50,000 dollars and then decided to put the money to use and invest it into his first film;  Reserviour Dogs. The year after Tarantino travelled around to various film festivals to promote 'Reserviour Dogs', which was highly successful. Tarantino then made another film; 'Pulp Fiction' which then went on to win an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay, and the 'Palne D'Or award at the Cannes Film Festival while also grossing over $100 million, making Tarantino a household name. Tarintino since then has made many well known sub-thriller films such as Kill Bill volume one and two, 'From dusk till dawn' and 'Deathproof'.

Kill Bill: Volume 2

'Kill Bill: Volume 2' is a thriller with action elements attached and therefore is a sub-genre, this film was directed by Quentin Tarantino. The film summarized is based on, a pregnant bride that has been a victim of attempted murder, and now fiending for revenge. Subtle, action based music builds up in the opening of the scene of the film to create suspicion and awareness of what is occurring throughout the whole scene, the music intrigues the audience and keeps them interested, in the scene. The music is perfect for a thriller genre because the type of music could change at any time according to the film to shock or scare the audience. The lighting is fairly bright, excluding the fact that the effect of the opening scene is black and white. Using a black and white effect allows the audience to question and begin to become suspicious about what will occur next, dark elements are also used in the lighting to remind the audience of thriller aspects. The atmosphere consists of dark surroundings which attract the audience as they can already see that the main actress is lonely by herself which creates suspicion as to what the story is for example if she is on a quest, plotting for revenge or where her next destination will be. The dialogue that is shared is intense and alluring especially by the male voice as we as the audience cannot physically see the male which makes us question who he is as he sounds devious, mysterious and overall intrigues us. The dialogue given by the main character allows the audience to make assumptions about the plot of the story for example that she has previously made murders and is now in search of one person in particular (Bill).

Pulp Fiction

Pulp Fiction is a sub genre American crime and thriller combination. The film was directed by Quinten Tarantino in 1994, the film is widely known and famous for the humorous yet violent scenes and diverse dialogue. The film plot is about the two diverse lives of two diverse lives of two mob hit men, a boxer, a gangster's wife, and a pair of diner bandits that become intrigued and addicted to revenge and violence. The atmosphere in the opening scene is within a stereotypical American coffee shop between a couple discussing different locations to rob a bank they decide that a restaurant is a unique and clever idea to rob as no-one else has done it before; whilst this conversation is taking place conversation in the background is occurring, chairs are being moved and a waitress gives them more coffee, which is a very relaxed and causal environment but more into the opening scene the couple both seal a kiss and exchange the words 'I love you' and just after that they commit a 'stick up' and pull out guns which therefore indicate they will kill anyone that gets in their way of robbing the coffee shop. The atmosphere then changes dramatically which intrigues the audience because now the atmosphere is no longer calm and relaxed but now surprising and exiting as the audience now see that the film is not only one genre but an action-based thriller. The lighting in the opening is effective as the camera angles in this scene focus only on the couple whereas the lighting that seeps through the blinds allow the audience to not directly focus on the characters yet because of the camera angles used the viewers attentions directs only to the actors conversation. The music used in the opening scene by 'Dick-Dale- Misirlou' comes into sequence when the couple announce that they are going to commit a robbery within the cafe which excites and interests the audience. The music is a brilliant idea and contrast as it is not expected in the start of the opening scene. The dialogue shared between the two people is interesting because the male has a London, British accent whereas the female has an American possibly from New York accent. The slang and sear words that are used between the two people show the audience how comfortable they are with one another which also shows that they have a close bond. The dialogue used is not expected in the scene because the atmosphere is so casual and relaxed, for example they start to talk about robbing shops and banks which gives the audience the impression that they are not so ordinary bit then the male pulls out a gun whilst saying “same as last time, remember…” which makes the audience question the couple further, the male then jumps up, points the gun at the customers and says “everybody be cool this is a robbery” the audience is now lured in and shocked the female then says “any of you fucking pricks move and I’m gonna kill every last motherfucking one of ya” this confuses but yet excites the audience, they then have an idea of the film and what genres are used.

 

Reservior Dogs

Reservior Dogs is a thriller with mystery and crime elements attached and therefore is a sub-genre. This film was directed by Quentin Tarantino in 1992. The film summarised is about after an attempted robbery made by the main characters, after one of the members of the team goes crazy in the robbery the police turn up and the team therefore suspect a snitch within the team. The film jumps before and after the robbery but never during, which is effective and creative. The dialogue that is used in the opening scene seems to be a causal chat between 7 friends discussing money and the economy, from their accent they seem to be from Los Angeles, America, they all use slang and swear allot which shows their relationship with one another showing that they are comfortable with one another and therefore share some form of friendship together, in part of the scene the group have a disagreement about. The atmosphere is in a busy coffee shop which appears to be very casual and laid back also some of the camera angles etc point of view shot; used are to make the audience feel like they are part of the scene and are actually there in person, the atmosphere makes the scene appear to be more realistic and interesting.  The music that is used by 'George Baker- Little Green Bag' is played when the group of men leave the coffee shop and walk together away from the shop, in this part of the scene the credits of the actors name comes up which we as an audience notice Quentin Tarantino himself stars a role in the film. The lighting used is of low light to collaborate with the atmosphere and the dialogue; casual. 

Death Proof 

Death Proof is a thriller with action elements attached and therefore is a sub-genre. This film was directed by Quentin Tarantino in 2007. This film is about a maniacal ex stuntman who murders beautiful women in his own 'death proof' cars. The music was made for the actual film and goes together with the opening as the very start of the opening scene is set in a car and then of a woman's legs crossed over the other, feet resting on the dashboard whilst bobbing to the beat of the music which shows the music is diegetic sound, whilst the credits are being shown. The atmosphere of the opening scene is realistic and consists of casual environment the first part of the opening scene shows a women with her feet on a cars dashboard  which shows how relaxed she is then the second part of the opening scene shows another female casually walking around her flat in a top and French knickers displaying what type of character she plays in the movie for example from the atmosphere and environment of her flat and how she is dressed I can conclude that she is beautiful, independent and confident character that is laid back and pretty much an ordinary 20-27 year old. The lighting in the scene contrasts with the dialogue and the atmosphere; it allows the audience to be keep guessing on what the film is about and what will happen next.

Conclusion

In conclusion Quentin Tarantino has various similarities in his different thriller themed opening scenes rather than differences. Quentin Tarantino has used Tim Roth in two of the films that I have chose for this case study in the films Reservior Dogs and Pulp Fiction, generally most film companies and directors do this. All opening scenes have a relaxed and interesting setting which gives the audience a sign of familiarity to all his films the fact that they all have a build of in the opening scenes and then have a cliff hanger to allow the audience to want to read on, also all his films are of sub-genre generally amongst thriller and action.

Using Adobe Firework programme to practicse making a logo

In this post I will be displaying what I have done today in my media lesson, and will show the different stages of how I have done this.

Above I have chosen an appropriate background for my logo.

Here I have inserted shapes and and editited the colour and gradient of them.

I have now added text.

Lastly I have imported an image and used the magic wand tool to edit the background of that particular image. I have now finished practicing how to use the programme.