First Paragraph Rewrite

Children Of Men directed by Alfonso Cuarón presents the fear of the population dying out through the idea that women no longer gain the ability to become pregnant. Cuarón has acted in the way of reflecting the zeitgeists of genetically modified pregnancies through science, whilst also reflecting the idea's of pollution and contamination, as well as poor international relations, ultimately reflecting the 'what if' situation, such as what if we didn't have science to counteract infertility. the term apocalypse is 'used to refer to the end of the world'.[1] Uses and Gratifications is the idea that people use the media to get specific gratifications, so audiences use media to fulfill their various needs. These needs serve as motivations for using media.[2] According to Steve Neale the 'typical repertoire of elements'[3] or recurring theme's/elements in an individual genre.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uses_and_gratifications - descriptions and definitions on the theory of uses and gratifications.
[2] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uses_and_gratifications
[3] Neale, Steve (2002), Genre and Contemporary Hollywood

Historical Text

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_War_of_the_Worlds
The War of the Worlds is a 1953 science fiction film starring Gene Barry and Ann Robinson. It was the first on screen depiction of the H. G. Wells classic novel of the same name. Produced by George Pál and directed by Byron Haskin from a script by Barré Lyndon, it was the first of several adaptations of Wells' work to be filmed by Pál, and is considered to be one of the great science fiction films of the 1950s. It won an Oscar for its special effects.

The film was again remade by Steven Speilberg in 2005, the older version is important to my independent study as it allows me to gather up a picture of how people back in the 1950's had fears of being invaded from beings that were not of this world, also to gather up the idea of how the audience found this entertaining back then, relating it to my other text, I would link to how the fears have changed and how certain parts of the film have been adapted and kept the same in order to give off the effect required.

First Paragraph

Children Of Men presents the fear of the population dying out through the thought of women not being able to give birth to children anymore. The Director has acted in the way of reflecting the idea of the genetically modified pregnancies that scientists are now creating in order for women who cant get pregnant to actually get pregnant, so the film ultimately reflects the fears of the 'what if' situation, in this case what if we didn't have science to fix the problem. Apocalypse is 'the term applied to the disclosure to certain privileged persons of something hidden from the majority of humankind. Today the term is often used to refer to the end of the world.' applying this to films, it is the idea that the film targets the audiences fears through the idea of the end of the world.

Essay Plan

'What are the messages of post-apocalyptic/sci-fi films? And how do these influence audiences? paying particular attention to Children Of Men'.

my independent study is going to analyse the film Children Of Men and then compare it to an older text, in order to gather an idea of how a film can alter the attitudes of its audiences. I will analyse how the film covers global issues, such as pollution and global warming. I will go on to say that by targeting the fears of its audience post-apocalyptic/sci-fi films have the power to change the beliefs and attitudes of the audience.

Introduction:

• Brief synopsis of the film Children Of Men
• brief talk about the situations affecting the world, that are in the media
• Introduce the question
• Start Off with a quote

1st Paragraph:

• Talk about what fears are presented in Children of men, then link it to what is being presented in the media
• Compare what fears the two films represent (old & New)
• Begin to give a brief definition of what Apocalyptic films are
• Give some facts and figures on the film Children Of Men

2nd Paragraph

• Link the MIGRAIN analysis of scenes in children of men with SHEP
• Begin to introduce more theories and theorists, such as Reception theory
• Begin to link Uses and Gratifications theory

3rd Paragraph

• Apply a review from Roger Ebert (the sun Times)
• Apply the theory Auteur Theory, also give some background on the director
• Apply another review from Phillip French (the Guardian Website)
• Apply quotes from both books, Film Genre and An Introduction To Film Studies

4th Paragraph

• create the argument over whether the film has become more/less entertaining with the element of targeting audiences fears
• I will give my own personal opinion to whether i feel i am a passive or active audience, as well as linking this to the idea of the audience being passive or active

Conclusion

• Summarise all points made above
• come up with a conclusion to the argument, which side I agree with, based on the evidence I've given