Games Industry- Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games

Two of the biggest characters face against each other to test their skill, endurance and sportsmanship.

Mario & Sonic at the Olympic Games gathers characters from the Mushroom Kingdom and Sonic Universe to go head-to-head in 20 Olympic Games involving field, track, aquatics and shooting sports. All characters are separated into sports that fit their powers such as Sonic and Yoshi belong to the Speed group.

Even though they have been Olympic-style games in the past none offer the interactive experience the Wii remote provides.
As well as with the Nunchuk controller, the Wii Remote enables the player to discover new techniques to get the winning edge. For example;

The player twists the Wii Remote and presses various buttons as instructed to perform tricks in the trampoline event.

The plot of this game is to simply complete the sports activities to win the medals and also to discover new techniques on how to gain extra boosts and also to unlock hidden secrets and levels.
Some of the new and developed features that players can do in this game is going online and playing against people in different countries.
The interactive and wireless aspect of this game allows you to get involved and unites family and friends together. Also players feel rewarded after playing the game because it’s different to sitting down on a controller.
There is a wide variety of Mii’s which allows different people to get involved to suit their personalities and skills on each activity.

The positive reception to Mario and Sonic at the games was a commercial success within few months of its release on four separate occasions it was the best-selling game in the United Kingdom all-charts chart.
It lasted seven weeks as the number one selling game as well as the Wii version which sold half a million in those seven weeks.
By June 2008, both Wii and DS versions reached combined sales of 1.2 million copies in the UK, prompting Sega to create plans on re-marketing the game.
According to the NPD Group (National Purchase Diary), the Wii game was one of the top-ten best-sellers for the month of December 2007 in the United States, selling 613,000 units. As of July 9, 2008, 561,003 units of the Wii version and 325,647 copies of the Nintendo DS version have been sold in Japan. In the same month, Simon Jeffrey, president of Sega of America, announced that Sega has sold approximately 10 million units worldwide combined of the game and showed interest in again collaborating with Nintendo to produce another game featuring the two companies' mascots.

The Wii version of Mario and Sonic was awarded the “Best Wii game of 2007”, however it received missed reactions from game critics and so did the DS version.
The common criticism was that the Sega and Nintendo failed to set the first matchup between their mascots in the genre that made them famous; instead they placed both characters into an Olympic- themed video game.
However the game was praised for being an entertaining multiplayer experience it was criticised for shallow game play, complex rules and instructions.
GameSpot rated the Wii version's motion control scheme as "uninteresting and occasionally frustrating”. X-Play agreed, calling the controls "non-intuitive" and commenting that the mini games required players to "wave their Wiimotes frantically while pressing several buttons at the same time". An Electronic Gaming Monthly editor mentioned that the controls were complicated for a game that should be a "pure pick-up-and-play party game".

Overall the Mario and Sonic at the Olympic Games works very well as it has developed the player and game interaction which enables people to come together. Although critics may say that it Sega and Nintendo didn’t create a game which used both characters genre that made them popular, bringing the characters together into a new genre challenges the characters as they are taken out of their well known environments it increases the rivalry.
Criticised for the Wiimotes which some say it’s too complicated they show the development from using a basic controller to increasing the level of interaction which allows the player to be more active.

Film Industry- Celador

Celador is an independent and small production company formed in 1983. It has light entertainment television and radio such as; · All About Me · The Detectives · Selection of Jasper Carrot stand up · You Are What You Eat (Channel 4) · It’s Been a Bad Week BBC Radio 2 starring Steve Punt, Hugh Dennis, Sue Perkins, Mitch Benn and Toby Longworth · The Hypnotic World of Paul Mckenna · National Lottery and Winning Lines · Richard Digance’s Greatest Bits When I was looking at the website I was intrigued by one comment in there FAQ’s, "What kind of projects are Celador Films looking for? Our aim is to develop and produce high quality, commercially viable feature films across all genres. " This gives us a rough idea that they are looking for some mainstream (commercially viable) and appeal to a wide audience (all genres). This is interesting as from first glance the majority of people think it’s a small company which makes specific films although they have produced films such as; · Separate Lives directed by Julian Fellowes · The Descent (2005) directed by Neil Marshall · Dirty Pretty Things (with other production companies) · Slumdog Millionaire (with other production companies) Complete Communications, which introduced shareholders including Paul Smith and Jasper Carrot, originally took over Celador. Under the ownership of Complete, Celador developed its radio, film and international businesses. However Complete decided to sell Celador International and ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire?’ to Dutch group 2waytraffic. As Celador has regained its radio production business Celador Films are run as a separate business although they use the same name and headquarters. Celador also handle the international sales of formats which is now owned a 2waytraffic located in Holland and is also currently the owned minor of Sony Pictures Entertainment since June 4, 2008. Celador Radio Broadcasting Board includes Paul Smith, Jim Moir and UBC Media’s Simon Cole and Tim Blackmore. The applications are each controlled by members from each community and targets audience over thirty-five. After the new structure of Celador’s previous basic divisons, Celador is now run by Danielle Lux managing director (since 2003). Slumdog Millionaire is a British film directed by Danny Boyle and co-directed in India by Loveleen Tandan. Released in 9 January 2009 Slumdog Millionaire has taken 8 Oscars another 71 wins and 26 nominations. Set in 2006 Jamal Malik (Dev Petal) is a former street child who goes to ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’. Although his aim is to appear on Latika’s (Frieda Pinto) favourite show just to know that she’s watching. The scene begins with Jamal being tortured by the police because he is one question away from winning 20 million rupees. Jamal then begins to explain how he came to know the answers to every question simply by living through it. The differences in the novel are that Jamal is named ‘Ram Mohammad Thomas’, who doesn’t have a biological brother, although he is best friends with Salim in the novel. In the film the Bombay Muslim Hindu-Muslim riots play a large part because Jamal and Salim loose there mother during this part of the question, although it has no role in the book. Also in the novel Jamal is an orphan in where he learns fluent English and is nearly molested by a visiting priest. In the movie is doesn’t explain how Jamal knows English and the priest scenes were not included. Latika is not a childhood friend but a prostitute named Nita that Ram falls in love with at 18 years old. In the summer of 2006, Celador Films and Film4 Productions invited Danny Boyle to read the script. After Boyle found out that the screenwriter was Beaufoy, who had written The Full Monty, one of the director’s favourite British Films. Boyle was impressed by how Beaufoy intertwined the storylines from the book into one narrative and soon committed to the project. Fox Searchlight Pictures made an offer in the $2 million range; however Warner Independent Pictures made a $5 million offer to win rights to the picture. Slumdog Millionaire was first shown at the Telluride Film Festival (North America) on the 30 August 2008, where it was positively received by the audiences, causing a “strong buzz”. In the UK the film was released on 9 January 2009, and opened at #2 at the UK box office. After its second weekend it reached #1 and set a UK box office record as the takings increased by 47%, breaking Billy Elliot’s record of 13%. In India, the film was released in Mumbai on 22 January 2009 and was attended by major personalities with more than a hundred attending the event. The original title was shortened for legal reasons and Loveleen Tandan, who supervised the dubbing, stated "All the actors from the original English including Anil Kapoor, Irrfan Khan and Ankur Vikal dubbed the film. We got a boy from Chembur Pradeep Motwani to dub for the male lead Dev Patel. I didn't want any exaggerated dubbing. I wanted a young unspoilt voice." The critic’s response to the film was highly acclaimed and was named in the top ten lists of various newspapers. As the critics gave the film a positive review, this seems to be the main reason why it achieved so much in the box office and in the awards. The considerations that the media institution had to take into account when planning the distribution was how they would get it to the cinemas and out on DVD/UMD as well as any related media products. The timing in which the film was released played a large part as it was close to the awards season and set a trend for fresh films and inspiration. Another aspect of the film that I found interesting was the use of only Indian musicians such as M.I.A- paper planes because it kept it authentic and kept ‘Who Wants To Be A Millionaire’ the only British relation for the audiences. Although the DVD release in on 01/06/2009 the consumption of the film are still increasing because it’s still in the cinemas.

Music Industry- Stonefish Records

A key role in the strategies of independent record labels as differentiation focusers should play brand management. It offers Independents many opportunities to improve their competitive position that are contrasted by just a few threats. Long-term preferences should be building not only for the artists respectively their releases but also for the label itself, especially considering the fact that independent record labels seem to be prides-tined for branding. The added value of labels as brands must be communicated. Simultaneously the branding measures have to be adjusted to each product personality. In this way the label as brand could be the strategic key to marketing.

I researched this record label because of the genre of the music and also as it was created in 2007 it has the latest artists. I was also intrigued by the relationship between the record company and the artist which based a good business relationship to succeed.

Stonefish, located in Newcastle, is an independent record label which is all about the music. Their aim is to let good music be heard while offering the artists guidance, management, creative freedom and industry expertise. The group consists of Steve Nelson (managing director), Nathan Hardwick (creative director) and Darren Hall (artist development director).

They handle all aspects of the record making process with a limited number of artists so they can offer there service with a personal touch.
Stonefish includes artists such as; People of Santiago, Ben Watson, Nat Hardwick and Oddur Runarsson which compose pop/indie and alternative style music.

Stonefish distributes the music by advertising the latest in the news page such as People of Santiago’s debut single and announcing their singing with the company.
The site has also recently released a music player which includes Nat Hardwick’s entire album while also adding any new music. This is easy and quick for the audience to obtain the music and helps to gain popularity for the artists.
In the news page I also noticed how they advertised the upcoming artists and tasters for the audiences.
The press releases also help with advertising the artists as they give audiences ratings and comparisons to other artists which determine how successful they are.

Stonefish records also have a store which sells singles such as Nat Hardwick’s debut album (Fact and Fiction) also Before Nights Fall featuring acoustic tracks.
As technology has developed it has become easier for the public to purchase their wanted items at home. Although Hardwick’s album cannot be downloaded elsewhere this makes it a limited offer and shows the record labels loyalty to the artist.
I noticed that the website also has a radio, although I couldn’t access it, I would imagine it distributes the latest music, artists, scouting and news. However there’s an alternative in a MySpace page in which audiences can listen to the latest songs and links to the artists private pages.

Britannia High

The camera angles opening shot into the scene is of a background view from a shimmering lamp, this seems as if the audience is walking in on a discussion. This invites the audience to feel part of the characters such as the camera angle being at the same level as the characters sat down.
The camera then tracks onto a mid shot to establish who the conversation is about as he is the odd one out who is stood up; this helps to understand the reason of the gathering.

The open shot presents us with a shiny and glittery object which helps to represent and inform the audience of the surroundings and settings that they are confronted with.
This also helps to introduce and inform the audience of the sort of class and age range of people viewing the programme.

The camera then pans to the characters in the scene. Giving the audience a view of the characters involved in the scene, and the way there composed within the shot. The camera then shows us a master shot this enables the location for audience to view all the people in the scene and the environment they are in. Then it shows an eye level shot of the characters and invites the audience in. makes them feel as if there part of what’s occurring within the scene and the conversation going on between the characters.
The next camera technique used was a two shot shows just two characters in one frame.
The camera then rises with the standing character and creates an emphasis with the character. Keeping the audience involved and keeps them within the conversation.

The character has a dramatic and emotional scene which cuts to a medium close up of the characters face. This represents and puts forward the emotions by the character.

There is then a Tracking of him leaving and wide shot of everyone’s reactions, this shot is at eye level and gives emphasis to the audience making them feel involved in the events occurring.
It then cuts to a Montage, whip pans and quick zooms, fast speed shows time progression. This informs the viewers were the scene is changing to, the surrounding environment.
A wide shot is used to show the characters are lost, and this helps contribute to the emotions feelings and worries the characters may be feeling. The viewer is kept constantly involved.

There is then a change in the depth of field, the camera changes the focus to a flower close up to the camera and the characters blurred but noticeable within the background.
The height of the camera is then raised and changes the status of the characters. Showing the house in front of them as dominant, and them in comparison to it. They also use the reverse shot technique to show two shots of the same thing, along with the long shot this helps to introduce the settings, characters and the objects involved.

When the characters enter their friends house it used a high angle shot to emphasise the size of the room they have entered.
It then cuts to the separate character in a different surrounding and emphasises the wealth and intelligence of the character by emphasising the books and the huge surroundings.
A long shot is used on the hallway which contributes to the magnitude of the environment and helps implement the high status of the wealthy character.
Worms’s eye view makes housing imposing and impressive and over whelms the character within the surroundings.

Why do you think continuing drama are so popular?

I think that continuing dramas are so popular because soon as they grab the viewer’s attention they feel committed to finding out the outcomes of the storylines and development in technology also keeps the drama updated suit the changes in society.

The editing in a continuing drama are kept simple to replicate a realistic environment such as using over the shoulder shot, which allows the audience feel that there part of the conversation, this is important because it affects the viewers self-esteem as being included in something happening in someone else’s life that keeps us hooked to the stories. A wide shot is commonly used because it often works as an establishing shot, in which the audience is shown the whole setting so they can orient themselves. The follow track is also used to simply follow on a character which allows the audience to watch multiple storylines as used in Eastenders and Coronation Street. This camera shot can also be used to follow on stories such as if a character was to go on a holiday the audience can keep track of there storyline.

The sounding is also as important aspect of a continuing drama because the environment that they live on aids the programme to seem more realistic such as a train going past makes it seem that it’s a real and urban area. Misé en scene is a significant aspect of a drama; if a character was open a fridge the audience would expect to see the contents in a fridge and enhances the realism of the drama.

Continuing dramas are so popular because the characters reflect the day to day problems that people go through such as Dawn Swan a single parent and Lucy Beale the troublesome teenager who always seems to get in trouble. These storylines cover issues that are happening in society and after the dramas end there’s always a help line given to the viewers to help them if they are experiencing the same issues as one of the characters. In a way continuing dramas help viewers to share there emotions because while watching someone else going through those issues it gives us viewers the confidence to speak to someone. Issues such as Whitney from Eastenders being abused by her step dad is an upsetting problem that some teenagers go through and bringing it to peoples attention helps viewers to understand the issues that most people are not willing to share with others. Although the exaggeration is most situations reminds the viewer of the unrealistic aspect of the drama that there’s always something bad happening to someone in the area.

The main aspect that makes continuing dramas so popular is that its chronological order it follows a specific 12 day as an average day would showing the characters in a routine that people follow makes the audience relate to the characters stresses.

The significant aspect about continuing dramas are that they simply are continuing, there’s always a storyline, a hidden secret or some suspicious plot which can only be revealed at a later date which keeps the audiences addicted to know more.

Eastenders camera shots

As soap dramas are known for their basic camera angles although in holidays traditionally seems to be a build up which will result in a range of camera shots to emphasise the drama and satisfy the viewers.

At the opening of Eastenders as customary the title dissolves to show the transition of the setting as the background.

The opening camera shot is into a cutaway corresponding from the characters in the scene; this is affective as an opening shot because it helps establish the characters and the setting. As the story lines change the cut edit is used as a spontaneous change of one camera shot to another; this is commonly used because it captures the realism of multiple scenarios happening in different characters lives.

As Zainab Masood is standing outside the post office the camera tracks from her mid shot to the back to show the relationship she had to the post office as something you looked up on, as the angle tilted upwards. The camera then cuts to a shot of Tanya and Lauren’s conversation in the kitchen following up from the opening scene shows the realism. A natural cut shot is then placed to show Tanya answering the door from the outsider/ the person waiting on the other side.

As Tamwar and Ahmed are walking away from the market the camera shot then dissolves into a shot of Phil upstairs in the Queen Vic. This shows the continuation of the on-going story lines. This then goes into an establishing shot of Phil and Ben which is then cut into a continuation of Tanya speaking to Bradley; this shows a mid shot of Tanya to capture her emotions as the story line is escalating.

A long shot of Sean and he construction worker appears as Masood and Tamwar are staring on then a long shot form behind of Masood walking towards the female construction worker. This shot is effective as it seems as the viewer is looking onto what’s happening. An over the shoulder shot of the construction worker which shows Masood and Tamwar in the background to show his reaction to Masood’s plan.

Skins

Cook played by Jack O’ Connell is the daring character of Skins, he’s attraction to danger cannot be controlled which he doesn’t give any thought. However his character seems to be dependable on Freddie who’s not afraid to stand up to him and warn him about his actions. The attraction to this character is he’s care-free approach which enables him to get his own way. He’s lad persona draws teenage boys as he lives for the moment and doesn’t plan for the next day; this attracts teenage girls as his character influences the people around him to rebel which appeals to girls who fall for the ‘bad boys’. Cook’s style says a lot about his character as he wears what he wants; his clothes seem to be more vintage which he wears well.

Effy played by Kaya Scodelario is the main character although it alters in episodes. Tony’s little sister seems to have inherited the cool and care-free attitude to life. Effy’s appeal to the audience is her confidence which is shown through her style and persona. Through following Skins from the beginning audiences would have related to Effy as we’ve watched her from the background growing and with it changing her style clothes. Effy’s clothes always seem to be either too short or too low cut with excessive jewellery which shows her confidence and rebellious side



Katie played by Megan Prescott seems to be the dominant of the twins; she also seems to worry a lot about the opinions of others around her as she dates a footballer and wants to be closer to Effy which makes her seem very insecure. Katie’s style seems to be exaggerated as she seems to want to be independent and in control by wearing clothes which expose her more. I think Katie will develop into the sympathetic character as we will learn as to why she’s so concerned about wanting to be accepted and liked by everyone just like every teenager.


Pandora played by Lisa Backwell is an adorable character as she is very innocent although eager to change that. Panda is the happy-go-lucky character and seems to be the glue of the gang, her persona seems to be infectious as Thomas soon realises. However as Panda seems to know everything about Effy (her only best friend) she doesn’t know anything about her. This makes us sympathise with this character as they don’t seem to pay any attention to her and her real feelings are soon shown Audience can relate to Panda as she seems to want to be like everyone else but always being the odd on out.




Emily played by Kat Prescott seems to always be overshadowed by her twin sister. As the series proceeds we begin to learn more about her character such as her sexuality. Emily’s style seems to be vintage such as Kate Nash. Emily dresses in a slight preppy school girl fashion although she begins to get what she wants and this is reflected in her style by being more daring.





Freddie played by Luke Pasqualino is the sensible character which seems to always be stopping Cook before he does something stupid. Freddie appeals to the teen girls as he is good looking and seems to be the ‘good boy’. He’s skater boy image seems to consume of easy going ripped shirts and trousers. Freddie seems to have a mysterious appeal because he seems not to be shown as much at the beginning of the series as he only appears to save JJ from Cook’s ideas.




JJ played by Ollie Barbieri seems to be a complex and slightly confused character he is the glue between Freddie and Cook. JJ seems to be easily manipulated as Cook always seems to find a way to get him to come along and don’t listen to Freddie. JJ is treated as the child between Freddie and Cook although as the series develops I think JJ will either become more independent or do the opposite. JJ’s style grows from being a clash of colours which may represent his persona into a more cool and trendy clothing as he grows. Naomi played by Lily Loveless doesn’t seem to have a big impact as a character other than the history that she shares with the twins. Naomi seems confident and independent which is appealing as she shows it through her own inspired style. As the series develops we will learn why Naomi has so many layers which have built a wall against everyone.


Thomas played by Marveille Lukeba is the honest character although he’s introduction into England isn’t as welcoming he soon meets the others and finds his place. Thomas seems to be the character that will have the ideal plans to get the gang out or into trouble. He’s style seems to be confused at first although he does find his way in to the culture.