The Soloist (2009)

This film was formed from a true story, where a LA Times writer; Steve Lopez (played by Robert Downey Jr.) who is searching for a story to put in the newspaper. He finds a homeless person, played by Jamie Foxx, who is wearing peculiar clothes and playing a violin, which only has 2 strings. The man introduces himself as Nathanial Ayers, who does not seem all there, although something tells Steve that the man was once a very intelligent man...

The main actors of the film, the Soloist consisted by Jamie Foxx, Robert Downey Jr. and Catherine Keener. These actors are very famous for various other film such as Miama Vice and Sherlock Holmes sequel. These films all did well in the cinema, which gives this film a confident cast and good chance to be popular with the public. 
The director; Joe Wright, who has only been directing since 1997, has directed many movies that have done very well in film, for example Atonement and Pride and Prejudice. This give the film a better chance of being popular with the public.
The film had an exceeded high budget of $60,000,000 which meant that the producer could afford to have very famous actors involved in the film and also would be able to use appropriate locations and equipment.
Although the film had well known actors and directors the film did not do as well as what the producer had hoped for. This, i think, was because it was not advertised enough to the population.


http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0821642/ - IMDB website with information about the film

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0821642/usercomments?start=20 - Public reviews on the film

http://www.cinemaverdict.com/2009/04/27/review-the-soloist/ - Review

Star school!

View more presentations from Sarah Daniels.

Star School Pitch!

When Emily first arrives at the school she is a mild manoured shy teenager, but after revealing her performing talent she is shot straight into the limelight.
Will she rise to the challenge and reach her potential or will the 'teen queen', Paris Maglar, over-ride her dreams?
This fun packed, all singing, all dancing film is sure to have you moving to the beat!

Facial Expressions.

Marjorie Ferguson, 1980 

Chocolate Box: half or full-smile, lips together or slightly parted, teeth barely visible, full or three-quarter face to camera. Projected mood: blandly pleasing, warm bath warmth, where uniformity of features in their smooth perfection is devoid of uniqueness or of individuality.

 Invitational: emphasis on the eyes, mouth shut or with only a hint of a smile, head to one side or looking back to camera. Projected mood: suggestive of mischief or mystery, the hint of contact potential rather than sexual promise, the cover equivalent of advertising’s soft sell.

Super-smiler: full face, wide open toothy smile, head thrust forward or chin thrown back, hair often wind-blown. Projected mood: aggressive, ‘look-at-me’ demanding, the hard sell, ‘big come-on’ approach.

Romantic or Sexual: a fourth and more general classification devised to include male and female ‘two-somes’; or the dreamy, heavy-lidded, unsmiling big-heads, or the overtly sensual or sexual. Projected moods: possible ‘available’ and definitely ‘available’.

Trevor Millum, 1975

 

Seductive: similar to the cool/level look in many respects - the eyes are less wide, perhaps shaded, the expression is less reserved but still self-sufficient and confident; milder versions may include a slight smile.

 

Carefree: nymphlike, active, healthy, gay, vibrant, outdoor girl; long unrestrained outward-flowing hair, more outward-going than the above, often smiling or grinning.

 

Practical: concentrating, engaged on the business in hand, mouth closed, eyes object-directed, sometimes a slight frown; hair often short or tied back.

Comic: deliberately ridiculous, exaggerated, acting the fool, pulling faces for the benefit of a real or imaginary audience, sometimes close to a sort of archness.

 Catalogue: a neutral look as of a dummy, artificial, waxlike; features may be in any position, but most likely to be with eyes open wide and a smile, but the look remains vacant and empty; personality has been removed.

Calvin Klein Notes

- Tanned body

- Eyes are closed

- long legs, on tip toes as well as wearing hells

- hair it wet and messy - sex look

- lips are parted/sexy

- body is sweaty or oily indicating sex look

- her stance, legs are open which show power/strength, hands are on hips, in control but venerable at the same time

- the male fantasy

- gritting teeth, sex

- in pain, looking away, doesn't care

- disappointed?

 

- Tattoos

- muscular body

- stern facial expression, pouting lips

- necklace/pendant , gay?, makes him less naked

- toned abs, shiny/greasy body, gym?

- masculine hair cut, skin head, rough/crop

- defined cheek bones, thin, high

- stubble, masculine/manly, attractive to women

- tan line, shaved, feminises him, makes him look like a boy rather than a man

- pulling boxers down, seductive, too posed

- fist is clenched, aggressive?

- bicep, muscular

- tan, un-manly. girly

- red background - lust/hot/danger/blood

- bar, prop - gym, pull up bar?

- manicure hand, not as tightly clenched

- gaze, trying to seduce

'Paul' notes

Notes on the Blogs

-  same kind of humour as the film

- trying to get the public more involved in the film

- to show how well and funny actors get along

- incentive to watch the film

- Simon Pegg and Nick Frost fans would enjoy watching the blogs

- the blogs would be put on the DVD as extras or bonus features which is an incentive to buy the film

- audience participation - cast answers the audience questions on the blogs

- the blogs will promote the film as they will be extras on the film when it is released to buy

- we find out about the cast and the crew

- documents production

- teaser to the audience

- find out what the film is about, although they are conscious of giving to much away

Video