Production Aims

For my Film Studies F634 coursework, I aim to produce a fiveminute film sequence, showcasing the ways in which the
representation of black males has changed over the years,
focusing on the 1970s to present day. During this era, black
people were looked at in a very negative light in comparison
to todays day and age. I managed to plan a thesis, which was
that the representation of black males had changed drastically
over the time period between the 1970s to the present. I began
by writing a three-thousand word essay in which I explored my
topic in greater detail through the use of media text. I
explored films such as Boyz N The Hood (1991) as well as 12
Years a Slave (2012), showing how the representation and
overall view of black people significantly improved (with some
exception). As well as this, I also decided to analyse the
micro-elements incorporated in the short films whilst noting
down what conventions I could use to make my film more
suitable for my audience, whilst presenting accurate factors
of the action genre.
The idea in which I have come up with is to present a fiveminute film focusing on a group of 3 Friends who live at a
local estate. They are involved with some illegal activities,
including the selling of illegal substances/drugs. The group
of friends consist of both Asian and Black descent. My idea
will be focused on creating a sequence that will be based on
the violence through the use of gangs and rivalry. This
includes brutal murders and killings along the way. I have
researched multiple media products in which I believe will be
a helpful resource in order to incorporate elements into my
final production. Even though I am aware that it is a
television show, I watched Top-Boy, focusing in particular
on the ways in which the black characters are represented
towards their society. Even though this production isnt like
the rest that I researched (due to the fact that it isnt a
film) I wanted my characters to follow some of the codes and
conventions used as they could also be applied to the world of
film. The director has the majority of the characters
(especially the main) dressed in dark clothes to signify
danger is present and give them a sense of mystery and a shady
side to their character. I intend to have 3 main characters
within my production, (the group of friends) Jojo, Castro and
Young General. Having white actors to perform as the
characters that I have set, would go against the common
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stereotype that go with the theme of gang warfare and

violence.
My main focus is the representation of black males in my final
production as that is the subject that I will be focusing on,
including the characters and how the general representation
has progressed over the years.
I will be communicating my ideas through the four major
microelements, mise-en-scene, cinematography, sound and
editing. Mise-en-scene is a key factor which I will be using
in my production in order to emphasise the changed of black
male representation. The location used is that of a
stereotypical area where black people reside, an old estate of
run-down flats with little greenery. This will help me to
successfully communicate the messages and values of a
stereotypical black film. Their costumes will reflect that of
a typical teenage boy part of a rough area/hood. The colours
used will mainly reflect the subject of danger and violence in
order to make it clear to the audience and comply with the
codes and conventions of an action film.
Overall, I aim to produce a film that not only provides my
audience with a meaningful and powerful sequence, but a strong
message which will be delivered through the characters speech
and actions as the scenario relates to real-world events.

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