AS level Media Studies Codes and Conventions of Films About Artists with Reference to Existing Films.

1. Polina Zalevskaya
AS level Media Studies
Codes and Conventions of films about artists with reference to existing
films.

2.  In order to successfully produce our opening sequence, it was important for
my partner and I find out what other films about artist are there and to see if
they have anything in common with each other as well as our film idea. We
researched about the most popular and successful films about artists, on the
Internet, asked our classmates and ended up choosing – “Big Eyes” and “At
Eternity’s Gate”.
 This comparison would give us a clear picture of how artists are represented
in films and particular moments we should pay attention to and maybe add to
our film idea.

3. Big Eyes
 Year: 2014
 Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
 Director: Tim Burton
 Film synopsis: A drama about the awakening of painter Margaret Keane, her
phenomenal success in the 1950s, and the subsequent legal difficulties she
had with her husband, who claimed credit for her works in the 1960s.

4. Codes and Conventions
 1. Setting
The film’s action mainly takes place in San-Francisco in 1950s. This is shown by
the setting as well as props and costumes. In the second part of the film, main
characters – Mr. and Mrs. Keane move to a big house which represent that they
have become wealthier.
By the end Mrs. Keane and her daughter move to Hawaii, setting changes and
color palette becomes warmer suggesting a new beginning of a better life as well
as a happy end to a Mrs. Keane’s story.
The action takes place in different locations such as clubs, cafes, art galleries
and so on.

5.  2. Sound
Non – diegetic and diegetic sounds is used. Diegetic includes dialogues, as well as
monologues by the main character – Mrs. Keane.
Music is used as non – diegetic sound in order to better depict the atmosphere of
the film and the feelings of the main character. Songs "Big Eyes" and "I Can Fly“
written by American singer and songwriter Lana Del Rey served as the title track
in this film.
Narration is included as well.
 3. Characters
Since this film is a biography main character’s profile was based on the real – life
artist - Margaret Keane. Narration was mainly led to describe her actions as well
as diegetic sound was used to mainly portray her feelings.
 4. Props
Props include different art supplies such as brushes, canvases, paint etc. as well
as books, posters, cigarettes and alcohol drinks.

6. Both films – our “Last Masterpiece” and “Big Eyes” include:
 Female artists and them as the main characters
 Romantic relationships, although in our film the main romantic part happens
in the end while in “Big Eyes” the main character falls in love in the
beginning and then starts to slowly split up with her husband.
 The beginning in which the main character decides to break away from
everything that has been holding her in the past and to start a completely
new life.
 Music in the opening sequence.
 Narration in the opening sequence.

7. At Eternity’s Gate
 Year: 2018
 Genre: Drama
 Director: Julian Schnabel
 Film synopsis: Famed but tormented artist
Vincent Van Gogh spends his final years in
Arles, France, painting masterworks of the
natural world that surrounds him.

8. Plot
 This film follows the final stages of a troubled artist’s life, Vincent Van Gogh.
Over the course of the film, we get to see the changes in Van Gogh’s
psychology and the factors that inspired his art. Another topic that is explored
in this film is the friendship between Van Gogh and an artist Paul Gauguin in
rather interesting ways.
 The film is driven more by the character and the theme rather than the story.
Instead of focusing on the events in Van Gogh’s life which would’ve been a
traditional biopic, the film focuses on the ways it all affected his mind and
therefore the influence those changes had on his art.

9. Codes and Conventions
 1. Setting
The film’s location is set in Arles, France in 1888. There are two prevailing types
of settings throughout the film.
First setting (which makes the majority of this film) takes place in nature
(countryside), which serves as Vincent Van Gogh’s escape. Those scenes are
always inviting, warm and full of color.
Second type of setting that takes place in the city (Arles, France) and the asylum
are cold, and depressing in contrast to the lively, warm countryside.

10.  2. Sound
Use of both diegetic and non-diegetic sound. This film is comprised of profound
themes and original motion picture soundtracks which dominantly consist of the
piano. This fits the presiding soothing, serene and lengthy sequences. Fast-
paced, scattered piano was used for the scenes that represented van Gogh’s
deteriorating mind.
 3. Characters
The story focuses on one main character (as is usual for dramas). In this case,
Vincent van Gogh, the collapse of his mind and the prosperity of his art.
The main characters are crucial as they create the atmosphere and the tension
of the film fitting to the circumstances they face.
The film includes many close-ups of the main character to get a better
understanding of the character which is typical for the Drama genre.

11.  4. Props
Props in this film included art supply, such as paint brushes, canvases, paint,
easel, ink etc.