1.3- A personal critical response to the film "Paranormal Activity 2"

Film review- Paranormal Activity 2


As low budget movies go, Paranormal Activity 2 is a good film. Infact the lack of HD cameras and amazing sound effects adds to the spooky and intense effect which film has such a good reputaion for creating.
After such success with the first film, Paramount Productions did it again with the follow-up; which in actual fact, holds the story line to what happens before the first film.

After I finally had the guts to go and buy my ticket for the scary film that everyone had been talking about, my anxitety had already made me a nevous reck. Taking our seats, we realised it was to late to go back-this was going to be one crazy cinema vist.

The movie is recorded opposed to filmed, as CCTV style cameras are used and home video devices are put to good, effective use. Even from the very beginning of the film, the characters often use a video recorder as a home diary style, recording footage of the new home they have just moved into, the family dog; Abby and the new addition to the family, a baby boy called Hunter.

After a while of the home-made video style recording, I started to get abit bored of it to be honest. I thought ok, I’ve come to see a scary film, why am I not being frightened as much as I was while watching the trailer.
However, this is probably the effect producer’s Oren Peli, Jason Blum and Akiva Goldsman were trying to create. Making the audience feel relaxed before introducing the demon into the household in the end, gave a bigger impact. Although the film wasn’t scary at the beginning, the audience was still nervous as it had an eerie atmosphere to it. However, towards the end of the film, the cinema was constantly being shocked and scared with unpredicted actions and noises; this part of the film really made up for the beginning- that audience was defiantly not being disappointed!

In the film, the demon is never seen, as well as this creating effect and playing with the audiences’ imagination, it also gives the element of mystery, helplessness and also anxiety.
At the end of the movie, an unexpected and dramatic conclusion is made. Much drama and chaos is portrayed equalling in a nervous and suspense audience. The ending created in this film seems to be a explanation for the storyline of the first Paranormal Activity film. I think this generates more interest form the viewers and also in a way re-launches the first film.

The film is said to have been based on a true story and, the movie itself does have aspects of real life in it (also making the film even scarier!). However, after about midway, when the spooky events start happening in the household, the acting becomes more ‘forced’ and my mind is put to ease that this isn’t real life and it is only a movie; as for the storyline, I guess we’ll never know…

Overall, I think that this film was very good after the tedious beginning. The good, simple use of sound and visual effects added to the atmosphere and made a scary film a horror movie! The characters acted well and the storyline wasn’t too far fetched and was even believable at some parts.

I rate this film 7/10…..after all, the full cinema left with husky voices and shaky hands! A highly recommended movie!

1.3 Research for the film critique

http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/columnists/david-edwards/2010/10/22/paranormal-activity-2-film-review-scary-sequel-even-better-than-the-original-115875-22651028/
Paranormal Activity 2 film review: Scary sequel even better than the original
By David Edwards 22/10/2010
Cert 15, 91mins ****

Nobody was expecting much as we filed into the Odeon Leicester Square for an eve-of-release screening of Paranormal Activity 2.
Shaky-cam horror follow-ups have had a habit of disappointing of late (see REC 2, Diary Of The Dead). And the only chance critics had to see the film was at the deadline-defying hour of 6.30pm.
Then there was the name that gloomily recalled one of those cut-price horror sequels from the Eighties. Fright Night 2. Creepshow 2. Child’s Play 2. Couldn’t they have classed-it-up with a ‘Part’ or at least some Roman numerals? Or, given it’s a prequel, did nobody think of Paranormal Activity: Genesis or Paranormal Activity: Origins. Or Paranormal Activity: The Footage We Found Earlier.
Maybe it was these low expectations – or just the chilly cinema – that caused the goosebumps. Or maybe it was because we ended up watching one seriously scary movie containing at least five jolts that will lift you from your seat and/or make you fill your tighty whities.

There are a few downsides but for sheer nerve-shredding terror, this actually trumps the original, which was released this time last year and grossed north of $200million.
The action unfolds at the home of Daniel and Kristi (who just so happens to be the sister of Katie, the star of the original) who share an opulent home with their baby son, Hunter, and his teenage daughter, Ali.
After their home is broken into, the family invests in an internal security camera system which tracks most of the action, supplemented by footage from a camcorder.
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Set two months before part one, it takes a while for things to take a supernatural turn. A saucepan falls from its hook in the kitchen. A pool cleaner lifts itself out of the water in the garden. Little Hunter and the family’s Alsatian are disturbed in the night by unseen forces.
At one point, Daniel rebukes the spooked Ali with, "I’ve had enough of this haunted house crap." Right with you, brother.
It’s a slow burn to be sure but, unlike the original, new director Tod Williams knows a thing or two about pacing, meaning that the chills kick in with a vengeance at the halfway mark. While part one was mostly build-up leading to that unforgettable climax, the prequel follows a traditional horror structure.
Doors slam louder. Creeping shadows are caught on camera. Little Hunter levitates over his cot.
And that’s just for starters, with events building to a shattering, terrifically scary finale that neatly links the film to part one, making it a perfect companion piece. Indeed, both Katie and her boyfriend Micah actually appear on a couple of weekend visits.
As for its faults, well, Ali’s online research into what may be spooking them raises an intriguing possibility that’s never fully explored while some may question the reliance on jolts (or ‘Lewton buses’ as they’re known).
But jolts work if they’re supported by atmosphere and at least half formed characters. And, despite the family’s residence being no Amityville, the use of dark lighting makes the house a suitably spooky setting for the horror.
So, a while perhaps not the prequel without equal, it’s certainly a harrowing, intense experience that just might cause you to sleep with all the lights on.


Read more: http://www.mirror.co.uk/celebs/columnists/david-edwards/2010/10/22/paranormal-activity-2-film-review-scary-sequel-even-better-than-the-original-115875-22651028/#ixzz1MtmiQyMC




http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/2010/oct/22/paranormal-activity-2-two-review
Paranormal Activity 2 – review
This 'found footage' follow-up is from the 'bigger and more' school of sequels. The extra effort isn't wasted
Phelim O'Neill
Guardian.co.uk, Friday 22 October 2010 11.53 BST
It can be tough to repeat the "found footage" routine that the first Paranormal Activity used. It's quite limiting; the bag of tricks can be pretty exhausted after one hefty dip into it. Book Of Shadows: Blair Witch 2 dropped it entirely in favour of making a more conventional horror film sequel that hardly anyone could be bothered with, while the Spanish film [Rec] 2 was more successful in replicating its source's charm by having two teams of video recordists at play.
Paranormal Activity 2 follows the "bigger and more" ethos of sequels, while sticking to the ground rules laid down by the first surprise hit of a film. Of course "bigger and more" is a relative term. Here we get a slightly bigger home to be confined in and more people: two parents, a teenage daughter, a maid, an infant and a dog. The latter two make good use of the rather spooky thing that babies and pets do when their attention is fixed on something invisible to others. More cameras too: instead of the one image of the bedroom we get to cycle through six static security cameras (brought in by the family when they return to find their furniture and belongings in disarray, seemingly following a burglary, although nothing was taken). These changes aren't enough to distort or taint the basic premise.
This time out we are with the family of Kristi (Sprague Grayden), the sister of Katie (Katie Featherston) who surprisingly pops in for a visit very early on, looking like she hasn't a care in the world. It's quickly revealed that the events we are watching are happening 60 days before the climax of the previous film.
The sequel goes for the same slow burn and build up. There are plenty of times where there is very little activity, paranormal or otherwise, but these are there to lull you into a routine, to get the viewer used to the quiet, to scanning the slightly more elaborate framings, to lean into the movie. It all pays off when things start going bump in the night (very loudly. Like the first one this has a great soundscape, up there with Robert Wise's The Haunting).
They could have very easily got away with a straight rehash, but here they've tried to expand on things, successfully, with a film that complements and connects, in both story and style, with its predecessor. As well as playing on the common fear of all the noises a house can make during the night – this time, with a baby involved, it's even more harrowing for parents – there are also some nice nods to Spielberg's Close Encounters and Poltergeist, effectively adapted to this far less showy film-making technique.
It was never going to have the same shock of the new that the first had, but there are at least half a dozen moments that really suck the air out of the room with a collective audience gasp, and plenty of scenes that string out the dread. It has to work a little harder and, with more characters and cameras as well as a little more humor, it really pays off.

http://www.viewlondon.co.uk/films/paranormal-activity-2-film-review-36316.html
Review by Matthew Turner 22/10/2010

Like the 2009 hit, this is an impressively directed, superbly acted horror flick that creates a creepy atmosphere and delivers some genuinely terrifying shocks, while cleverly building on the ideas from the first film.

What's it all about?
Directed by Tod Williams but produced by Oren Peli (writer-director of the first film), Paranormal Activity 2 is set around the time of the first film (primarily in August 2006) and begins as Kristi (Sprague Grayden), her husband David (Brian Boland) and her step-daughter Ali (Molly Ephraim) are making a video for their baby son Hunter. It soon turns out that Kristi is the sister of Katie (Katie Featherston, reprising her role from the first film), who's a frequent visitor to their house, along with her soon-to-be-dead boyfriend Micah (Micah Sloat).

After returning home to discover that someone has trashed their home, David and Kristi install CCTV cameras in their house – the film we're watching is comprised partly of videos they make themselves and partly of CCTV footage, both watched and unwatched. Sure enough, it isn't long before strange nightly goings-on lead the family to believe that their house might be haunted.

The Good
The script is excellent, cleverly building on the first film and expanding the mythology - without giving too much away, the way the two films tie together is extremely well done. There are also several nice touches, such as the moment where Micah coos over Brian's new video camera and announces that he wants one.

The performances are excellent, although casting familiar TV face Sprague Grayden (she was in a whole series of 24) rather ruins the ‘found footage’ conceit that worked so well in the first film because you know you're watching a movie. Molly Ephraim is particularly good as Ali, who's initially excited about the idea of a haunted house because she thinks it might be the spirit of her mother.

The Great
As with the first film, Williams expertly builds the suspense of the night-time scenes so that you're constantly scanning the footage of the empty rooms, waiting for a sign of movement. The use of the baby (who can walk but not talk) is inspired too, simultaneously adding an element that wasn't present in the first film and ensuring that parents with young children will be doubly freaked out.

Worth seeing?
If you loved the first film, you won't be disappointed with Paranormal Activity 2 and the ending is, if anything, even more terrifying. Highly recommended.

1.2 Summary of job roles in London

There are verities of jobs that are available within London. Many of which, vary few people know a lot of information about, like what qualifications are needed, where to study, how long it takes to study and how much money is earned in that specific career path.

For example:

• Architects
• Graphic designers
• Journalists
• Dancers
• Musicians
• Actors

In London, there are many universities that offer architecture for students to study.
An architect has the role of helping the customer to plan and finalise the design of a project.
They then have the responsibility of gaining planning permission.
An architect will sometimes ring around for builders and tradesmen for quotes and to set up contracts.

An architect’s role also includes administering the building contract, submitting financial reports, and giving advice on maintenance regimes. These things are done at different stages of a project.
As well as being able to study Architecture in London, there are also lots of companies and businesses thriving in London in the Architectural sector.
One architect firm in Southwark is Allies and Morrison. An architecture and urban planning practice based in London. It operates from its own studios in Southwark Street, the RIBA London Building.

Qualifications needed for this career choice are at least two subjects at A level or one A level and two AS levels. At least five GCSE’s including English Language, Mathematics and a double award in science or in a separate science such as Physics or Chemistry.


Graphic design is another popular career choice of many professionals in London. Graphic designers most commonly design and produce Logo’s and branding products, websites, product packaging, artwork, organized text and pure design elements like shapes and colour, used to unify a piece.

One Graphic design company in London is Four-letter-word graphic designers. Their main focus is to help companies to have successful promotion, good designs, logos and other visual components such as colour schemes and patterns/designs.

The average salary for a graduate or trainee graphic designer are about £11,000 - £18,000 and senior designers often have an increased salary or about £25,000 - £45,000. However, these sum’s vary as to where and who you are working for.

Qualifications that are needed to become a graphic designer is usually a bachelor’s or and associate degree in graphic design.
Diploma in Foundation Studies: Art and Design and/or BTEC National Diploma: Art and Design and GCSE (grade A-C) Five subjects including English Language OR Four subjects including English Language, plus an A-level or equivalent.

Journalism in London is a key point in society.
A journalist is a person who keeps a journal, diary, or other record of daily events.
Journalism is reporting news or experiences in the form of writing reports, taking photographs or video for the press or television.

Journalism is a popular subject to study at university; for example, the City University of London offers many courses to do with journalism.
To study Journalism at BA level you will need A-level grades: AAB 340 UCAS tariff points GCSE: grade C or equivalent in English language and math’s or statistics.

As well as London being a fantastic and popular place to study, its is also a rewarding and interesting place to work for example John Brown Media on Bramley Road in London is the company behind many home ware store catalogues and other glossy magazines.

The average salary range for a journalist is £17,315 - £26,519 depending on the amount of experience and the company a person works for.

Contemporary dancing is a popular example of arts within London.
Dancing is a competitive and physically demanding career, which often involves periods of unemployment and underemployment and as a result, many people aspiring to be dancers have combined part-time jobs as well.
Dancers work in a variety of genres ranging from classical ballet to West End musicals as well as contemporary dance styles.
A dancer's role may involve education or therapy, as well as performance.

To study dance an audition is usually what your assessed on, although qualifications in performance or something else related to dance would be useful in showing that you have knowledge and experience. A portfolio would also act in favor at additions to show these qualities.

Some dance companies in London are London Dance, Rambert Dance Company and also Random Dance, some of the more well-known and prestigious companies are Pineapple Dance Studios, Laban and The Royal Ballet School.

The salary for an experienced dancer may be around £420 - £480 per week. This can rise to £550 per week for a West End show. However payment is infrequent and unreliable as competition for jobs is high and many contracts are short term.


They are many musicians in and around London. However, it is very difficult to make a successful and substantial living out of this profession as there is so much competition in this particular industry. A musician is a person who composes, conducts, or performs music.

A company in London called The Midi Music Company, provide a space for all children and young people to be inspired and get into music and the creative industries.
A more well-known company in London is Sony Music UK. This company works with famous musicians opposed to artists starting off in their career.
To work in this industry professionally, persistence, hard work and dedication are required. The qualifications needed vary on what type of musician you are or aspire to be. However, to teach music, a master's or doctoral degree usually is required for advanced music courses in colleges and universities but a bachelor's degree may be sufficient to teach basic courses.

The salary of a musician in London widely varies. It can range from around £11,870 a year to £36,425 or even much more depending on the success of an artist.

Actors are people defined as people who act in stage plays, motion pictures and television broadcasts etc…

Again, this profession is dependent on the amount of work an actor gets as work is infrequent and unreliable. However when work is available, good money can be earned. £12,000-£40,000 is the average salary for this profession in London.

One acting agency in London is Spotlight. They hold professional acting jobs and auditions and are now world famous for their casting directories with clients such as Sky, Channel 4 and the BBC.

To pursue a career in acting, a degree would be useful; however, this career choice highly depends on the ability to commit time, effort and skill.

Monitoring log 2

Strengths:

• My strengths are that I have almost finished the information leaflet to a good standard. I have spent time designing drafts and developing my ideas on Photoshop after each stage.
• I have also brushed up on my Photoshop skills as a result of designing my leaflet on this programme. It hasn’t been too difficult
as I had already learnt the basics from previous units.
• I am now uploading the work I have been doing onto Blogger, ready to be drafted, checked and finally marked and graded. This is a positive step because it means I am ready to move on to the next step in this unit.

Weaknesses :

• My weaknesses are that I still need to finish my leaflet as I have still got the back cover to do. I am about one lesson behind on this so I should be able to catch up quickly.
• Another weakness is that I need to do more research into jobs within the creative and media industry, as this needs to be uploaded onto Blogger. However, I have started this, so its just a fact of getting it finished and uploaded.
• One more weakness is that I am still not working quick enough. I need to keep on top of the work set to avoid a build up of unfinished work. With a high input of time and effort this is defiantly achievable.

Improvements:

• Improvements I have made are that I am slowly catching up on work and keeping on top of tasks set. If I carry this on then I will be on top of all my work quickly.
• I have been working faster on tasks, although it means that it is rushed and not to such a great standard as before. However this doesn’t matter as when I upload documents onto Blogger, I re-read my work and improve on what I feel isn’t so good.
• Improvements I should make are that more work should be completed at home. This is something I will do more of when school subjects become less intense.

Monitoring log 1

Strengths:

• One strength is that I have made good progress on my research. I made a productive start on my film review and have almost finished writing up my view and the research I found about the Southbank onto a document.
• I have learnt about more tourist attractions within the Southbank. I have also come across more activities and places to go in the area. This has given me more knowledge to reflect in my work.
• I have productively added to my work each weak. I have tweaked my work documents each week to make sure it is up-to-date and ties in with the assessment criteria. I improve what I’ve done by reading through my work and making sure it’s correct.

Weaknesses:

• I feel that I need to work quicker and keep on top of all coursework that needs to be completed. To do this I need to prioritise my work in a more effective way.
• I should try and spent more time on diploma work at home. This is hard as I have many other GCES subjects that also need to be completed, however I need to try to set some time aside for diploma work as this will help me towards coursework deadlines.
• I need to plan my work better. This will help me to get more work done and the more important task’s finished to a higher standard.

Improvements:

• Work faster and complete the next tasks to a high standard insuring that I don’t fall behind on the coursework and also that I maintain the grades I have already obtained.
• Finish drafts in time for scanning them into the computer, to be used on Blogger.
• Make sure all coursework and word documents are finished so they also can be uploaded onto Blogger.

Unit1.1-Written report on the range and types of media activity in the southbank

Southbank is a lively, buzzing area in central London. It is renound for Art and photography, Performing arts and theatre, film and music. As the home of The Globe, IMAX and the Tate Modern, there are always events taking place. When I visited Southbank I found that there is a wide variety of people. There is always something to do there, whether it’s busking, showcasing art work or even just watching activities. The atmosphere highlights all of the aspects in London within just a small part of it. Everybody goes to the Southbank for the same reasons; to have fun, socialize, learn and entertain.

As well as being a great place for fellow Londoners to thrive, it’s also a brilliant place for tourists to discover the heart of London within a concentrated area of music, art and theatre.

Arts and Photography:
Tate Modern- The Tate Modern is Located on Bankside in London. It was created recently in 2000, and restored form an un-used power station. The museum is the home of international art and is one of four of Tate museums.
There are always things happening at the Tate Modern, whether your going with a school, with the family or as an corporate event. At the moment, the Tate are showcasing the Gauguin exhibition, running from the 30th September 2010-16 January 2011. Gauguin is one of the most famous artists from the 20th centaury, and the Tate Modern are hosting the first the exhibition in 50 years in dedication to the iconic French icon.

Performing arts (Theatre):
The Globe- The Globe was re-built in 1614, after an accidental fire broke out during a theatre performance in 1613. Located in Maiden Lane, this interesting building is extremely popular. As well as Shakespearian performances, the Globe also showcases many other plays. At the moment, the Globe is being used as a venue for performances such as The Merry Wives of Windsor, Directed by Christopher Luscombe.

Film:
IMAX- The IMAX cinema is the biggest cinema in the UK and one of the highest rated cinemas in Europe. Completed in 1999, the cinema has since won several awards including a millennium products award. Currently, the IMAX is showing Toy Story 3, Inception and The Wildest Dream: Conquest of Everest. The IMAX are also showing Avatar- Special edition.
Supporters of the BFI (IMAX) include Giorgio Amarni, Green and Black’s, L’Oreal (UK) Ltd, Renault (UK) Ltd, Odeon cinemas and Vue entertainment along with many others.
One of which is the Arts Council England. This is an art’s funding system in England designed for sport, media and the department of culture. The government-funded charity is responsible for distributing the lottery funding effectively.
Another important foundation supporting the BFI is The Henry Moore Foundation. This is a funding charity, which provides money for education and promotion involving the fine arts.

On our trip to the BFI IMAX, we met a woman called Charlie Roberts. She works at the BFI as the school and group bookings manager. She talked to us about the building and the technology used there to make such an impact to the audience.

Music:
Royal Festival Hall- The Royal Festival Hall is within the Southbank centre in London. It is a concert, dance and talks venue with the capacity of holding 2,900 guests. Up and coming events at the Royal Festival Hall are the Cheese & Wine festival in early October and the Christmas chocolate festival in early December. Famous singer Corinne Bailey Rae is also performing at the Royal Festival Hall on the 18th of October.

Web address and Information found:

http://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/
List of up and coming events in the Southbank area.

http://www.tate.org.uk/
Pacific events and exhibitions being held the Tate modern.

http://www.shakespeares-globe.org/
Productions currently showing and being planned at the Globe theatre.

http://www.bfi.org.uk/whatson/bfi_imax
Shows what films are sowing in the Southbank IMAX. Also tell me what is coming soon.

http://www.royalfestivalhall.org.uk/
Tells me what events the Royal Festival Hall is organising and presenting in the up and coming months. It also tells me other events going on either musically or creatively.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Main_Page
Told me extra information about the organisation and buildings of various places in Southbank. It was good for searching deeper into topics and it told me information the main websites didn’t.