Post Apocalyptic Genre Information

The first ever film that is Post Apocalyptic I watched was 2012. This is one of my favourite films still to this day, I also love how it is a different styled film because it is a natural disaster so it is not over exaggerated and seems more realistic than zombies or a medicine fault. The film constantly kept me up, there was not a moment where I got bored, it keeps you alert and it action packed.


Extra Investigation

1. How popular are post apocalyptic films?

Personally I would say that PA films are getting popular year by year, due to the genre being very unique. Audiences will know their typical romance and comedy films however I would say that PA films are now increasing their popularity. This genre allows many more options on where to film and what to wear due to it being very open, for example PA films can start off by a war, medicine fault or a natural disaster and the films can be set in whatever time you want which is what makes this genre so different.


     2. How do they compare to adult genre film takings?


The way that I think that adult genre films are different compared to post apocalyptic film takings would be due to how realistic the films feel, PA films have to make the audience feel some sort of emotion to build a great connection between the audience and the film. PA films will take much longer to create, there is a lot more to edit and special effects to work with compared to adult genre films as they can be natural locations which makes the films quicker to make.


    3. Is there a difference in terms of taking between UK make films and Hollywood made films?  

The reason behind this will be the budget that the UK film companies get, Hollywood film companies will be getting a much bigger budget on their films in which they can get better props, equipment and clothing for films. Having a bigger budget also allows the company to get better actors in their films which would then make the film even more popular.


   4. There has been an increase in the number of PA films produced since 9/11, explain why?


9/11 helped create a stronger awareness of how the terrorist attacks of the new century have truly shaped the state of apocalyptic cinema in the past decade. From 1805 to 2001 there were 626 post apocalyptic films produced in them 196 years, and from 2001 to now there are 319 films produced which is only 15 years, this shows us that we are on our way to produce more films since 9/11. The apocalyptic films from the decade that preceded 9/11 served as the barometers of two particular anxieties held by American culture at the time: fear concerning the changing environment and growing globalization. The aim of the genre was to allow the audience to take a glimpse of the future, "what if...". Some writers and directors used 9/11 as an inspiration, for example Chris Gorak states: “The radio played an important part in the script but I only wrote the most essential story points in the original draft. But, I knew, eventually, I wanted to wallpaper the film with constant radio reports to increase the tension. So, upon completion of filming, during post [production], I sat down and wrote an additional 60 page script of only radio broadcasts. I researched the radio broadcasts from 9/11. Reporters'ʹ inflections, the difference between announcers in the studio and those reporters on the scene”, the attack allowed film makers to get a real life experience to help them create realistic films for the genre, which allows the audience to feel as if they are in the film. A sampling of post 9/11 apocalyptic horror films proves that the terrorist attacks in 2001 strongly influenced the visual imagery and plots within the genre; prior to 9/11, natural disasters defined the genre. Despite of the numerous subgenres contained within. Subsequent to 9/11, however, the genre became radically shaped by the dominant fears in the forefront of the American psyche: terrorist attack and the eerily unknown methods by which they might be carried out. The visual images used in the genre serve as allusions to the dominant images that filled newspapers and television broadcasts on the day of 9/11 and the weeks, months, and years that have followed.

Editing Techniques

In today's lesson we are looking at different editing techniques to help us when we start editing our short films.

1. Match on Action
This is a shot that cuts from one piece of action to another movement between the shots. The audience can then see a smooth action despite the cut. The effect is to show that the camera is following the action.

2. Shot/Reverse Shot
This cuts between 2 people having a conversation, instead of including both people in the shot we can do over the shoulder shots, the effect is to show that there is a difference between the characters.

3. Cross Cutting/Parallel Editing
The editor cuts between 2 different scenes in 2 different locations at the same time to show a link between them.

4. Jump Cut
A cut that moves to a similar part of the same scene but missing a piece of action out, for example a character is in a corner of a room then the next shot shows him in the opposite side but the camera wont show the character moving, just to increase the pace of the film.

5. Fast Pace Cut
This is to increase the speed and excitement/tension in an action scene.

6. Wipe
Used to move the action on without a jump cut so that the edit looks smooth and clear.

7. Dolly Shot
A scene where the camera zooms in and out to show a characters expression, for example in Jaws the male notices the shark attacking and the camera focuses on his face and uses this shot to create tension and makes you nervous as the camera shakes slightly.

8. Dissolve Shot
A shot where the camera will fade from one scene to another, can be used to show a link or time moving.

9. Visual Effects
This can be numbers or words to explain what is happening.

10. Graphic Match
A cut from one shot to another that looks visually the same, could be a link by colour or shape.

11. Slow Motion
Slows down an action, great to use for a tragic scene to make it heartfelt.

12. Continuity Edit
Shows the film in chronological order.

13. Cutaway
An example of this editing terminology is by showing a couple arguing then the scene could show a child crying will show that what the couple are doing is unacceptable and is not approved.

14. Ellipsis
This is like foreshadowing slightly, for example a film could show a man drinking with friends looking happy then the film could show the man being sad, lonely and drunk.

15. Eyeline Match
This maintains the eyeline or level when cutting from a character to what the character sees.

16. Fade
A fade to black suggests that time has passed or a situation has ended and a fade to white suggests a dream or even death.

17. Linear Narrative
Basically same as 12.

18. Long/Short Take
Long takes can make the scene look calm and peaceful, whereas short takes look very dramatic and tense.

19. Montage
The best example of this is when Rocky is shown training and getting better through time before his fight.

20. Slow Motion
Says what it is.

21. Split Screen
This is to show two different scenes happening at the same time.

22. Superimpose
Basically Visual Effects.

23. Cloning Edit
This is used for many different reasons such as an experiment gone wrong such as Doctor Who's 2011 Red Nose Day Special or for twins like in The Parent Trap.

Camera Terminology

In today's lesson we watched a short clip on camera angles and shots to learn the basics if we didn't do media at GCSE and weren't familiar with the technical terms. I wrote brief notes for myself to understand the terms.


1. Extreme Long Shot
A shot that shows scenery/setting to show the storyline, in this shot people may be visible.

2. Long Shot
Films a character from head to toe, this is to understand the character and the environment.

3. Mid Shot
Films a character from the waist up, this shot is usually followed by a long shot, this also shows facial expressions and body language.

4. Two Shot
Two characters in action or to show their relationship.

5. Close Up
This films a character showing only their head and shoulders.

6. Extreme Close Up
Shows a very close up shot of an object or a characters eyes, this shows a lot of detail to understand a characters emotions or to give you extra information on what is happening in the scene.

7. Point of View
Characters point of view which shows the characters eyes and shows us the characters motives.

8. Tilt Shot
This shot shows the atmosphere in the room, for example perfect to show tension.

9. Tracking Shot
Shows the importance of a scene, for example a character walking to a death trap so you capture their movement.

10. Upwards Tilt Shot
The shot films someone's height or significance.

11. Arc Shot
A full or semi circle shot that shows intensity.

12. Crane Shot
Camera filming downwards, great for filming a character that is unconscious or asleep to build up tension.

13. Panning Shot
Circles around the room to show any extra detail for viewers.

14. Canted Angle
Tilted camera to create a feeling of disorientation.

15. Crab Shot
The camera is placed in a confined space, used well when a person is opening a cupboard which can add mystery to the film.

16. Deep Focus
Camera allows objects both near and far to be focused at the same time.

17. Establishing Shot
Shown at the start of a film to show where we are set.

18. Hand Held Shot
A shot filmed by hand to make it more realistic due to shakiness.

19. Head On Shot
A shot showing when an action comes directly to the camera, this works well in 3D films.

20. High/Low Angle
If the camera films someone from a high angle it makes them look vulnerable and powerless, whilst a low angle does the opposite.

21. Loose Frame
This is a great way to show isolation and loneliness as the camera will show there is nothing around a character.

22. Master Shot
This is shown at the start of a sequence to establish the component elements and relationships to allow the audience to understand the actions being shown.

23. Pull Focus
Where an object is in focus but then changes to something else in focus to show importance.

24. Rule of Thirds
The camera films someone on the side to show background as it may show hints to the viewers or it can be to make the shot look more interesting.

25. Shallow Focus/Depth of Field
The object in front of the camera is in focus whilst the background is out of focus.

26. Soft Focus
This is a great effect for scenes showing the past for example as the aim is to add a filter or a special lens which add a hazy light to the look.

27. Tight Space
A shot which shows very little space around an object, this can show importance or that someone/thing may be trapped.

28. Whip Pan
A quick pan of characters talking, great in action films.

29. Zoom/Reverse Zoom
You get the point...

30. 180 Degree Rule
An example of this is when characters are speaking there would be two cameras shooting the scene, the cameras must not be seen therefore they have to be at an angle.

31. Breaking the 180 Deegree Rule
Where the cameras do not stay in the same place, this can make the scene confusing to the audience as they do not know where the characters actually are standing.

About Me

My name is Ewelina Stefaniak, I am a student at Ashfield Post 16 studying Photography, Travel and Tourism and Media. This blog is going to be all about my media studies and I will be uploading my coursework onto this blog, hope you enjoy it! I would say that I am more of a creative person rather than academic, I prefer doing something practical and creating new things. I feel like all 3 of my subjects link well together and I hope that by the end of the year I will be able to say to myself that I have found a new creative talent. On weekends I also have a part time job as a sales assistant close to home.

A Level Photography Work

I was born in Poland and I moved to England when I was 4 years old therefore I do not know much of the language which is also why I would say that English is my first language due to the fact I never went to school in Poland. I have lived in a few different places in England and I have lived in Sutton-in-Ashfield for 12 years now. I am very glad I moved as I feel like this is my home and I feel a lot more comfortable and relaxed being around my family and friends here.

Urban Decay Naked 2 and 3

In my spare time I enjoy going out with my family and friends, I also enjoy visiting different places and taking photographs to add into my photography work. Growing up I was a very sporty child, I played football after school and went swimming every week with my dad. As a child I was very into art and languages, learning new languages to me is a hobby as it is very easy for me to learn them and so is creating things such as models out of clay and creating a giant rubix cube that you can completely take apart and rearrange, each year I learned a new thing about myself and I have finally found my passion which is exactly why I chose the subjects that I am currently studying, I hope that when I am older I am doing a creative job linked with either Photography or Media due to me having an interest in fashion and make up.



I chose to study Media as I felt that there was potential in me doing well in this subject. I watch many  TV shows and films which is a reason why I feel like I could be good at this. I enjoy binge watching TV shows when I really get into them for example, when I first started watching Pretty Little Liars, I got so into it that I just couldn't leave it, it still keeps me up at night because I start to figure out who A (the villian) could be. I would say that I prefer TV shows to films just because there's more to watch and I don't like the way that some films end. A film I have enjoyed watching recently is The Shallows, it made me jump so many times, it is a fantastic film however I wouldn't recommend you watching it before you go on holiday like I did! Not only am I just into films and TV shows I do also enjoy listening to music, I would say that my favourite artists are Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, The Weeknd, and more but at the minute my minds gone blank😂I am very into social media, my favourite social media app would definitely be Twitter, I have made many friends through it and I am literally on it 24/7.