1. Fiction Unit NAB Preparation
The Untouchables
Fiction Unit
NAB Preparation

2. The Untouchables - NAB Prep
The following is merely one possible way of successfully completing the assessment.
The Untouchables - NAB Prep

3. The Untouchables - NAB Prep
Question:
Explain the use of Categories, Narrative, Institutions and Technology in Brian De Palma’s The Untouchables.
The Untouchables - NAB Prep

4. The Untouchables - NAB Prep
Para 1: Introduction
The Untouchables – Brian de Palma – 1987
Paramount Pictures makes use of Categories, Narrative and Technology
To have a wide appeal and, in particular, attract an American audience
The Untouchables - NAB Prep

5. Para 2: Categories - Purpose
Topic Sentence: The categories employed were appropriate to the needs of the Institution and the target audience.
Purpose
Profit – spent $25 million recouped $75 million on American cinema release alone – Worldwide release and video sales meant huge box office success; DVD re-release means it is still making money 20 years later – Paramount owned the rights to the TV series therefore didn’t have to spend more money on legal permissions and copyright
Made profit by entertaining audience – explain how
The Untouchables - NAB Prep

6. Para 3: Categories - Genre
Topic Sentence: state how selection of genre was key to entertaining audience and thereby making profit
Discuss the main genre markers of the gangster film – give examples from The Untouchables
Discuss De Palma’s need for an established genre star and the ensuing obstacles to getting De Niro
Discuss the violence and give reasons as to why this stopped those younger than 15 watching it (BBFC)
The Untouchables - NAB Prep

7. The Untouchables - NAB Prep
Para 4: Narrative
Topic Sentence: state how narrative structure and conventions were designed to satisfy the audience and therefore give the film more of a chance of being financially successful.
Binary Opposites – Ness & Capone – Baseball Bat sequence
Setting
Character Interaction
Use of Camera
Give examples of each, stating denotation and explaining connotation
The Untouchables - NAB Prep

8. The Untouchables - NAB Prep
Para 4: Narrative cont…
Classical Narrative Structure (order/disorder/order restored)
Describe how the Untouchables conforms to this
Narrative is Western rather than Gangster – explain why (Audience)
Character role of villain split into two – explain why
At climax when Nitti is pushed, Bluescreen is used – explain why
The Untouchables - NAB Prep

9. The Untouchables - NAB Prep
Para 5: Conclusion
Sum up your main points
The Untouchables - NAB Prep

10. The Untouchables - NAB Prep
General Advice
Remember to write this essay as if your reader does not know the film very well
Therefore, you will have to describe (denotation) in enough detail for she/he to understand the points you are making
Don’t just make bald statements
Support all your points with evidence from the film
Your essay is supposed to be an EXPLANATION, hence, you need to explain HOW
The Untouchables - NAB Prep

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