RESEARCH DOCUMENT THE JOKER, IN & OUT OF MAKEUP
IONEE-JAY FLETCHER YEAR 13 AUDIO FMP CONTEXT: PODCAST:
WHO ARE THE COMPETITORS:…………………………………………………………………….1 PODCAST MAG RESEARCH:………………………………………………………………………….1 DISTROBUSTION PLAN:……………………………………………………………………………….1 WHAT IS NEEDED IN THE PRE- PRODUCTION FOR THIS PODCAST?...... 1 CODES AND CONVENTIONS: ………………………………………………………………………1/2
SOFTWARE RESEARCH
SOFTWARE FOR MAKING WEBSITE LOGO:…………………………………………………..3 SOFTWARE FOR MAKING WEBSITE:……………………………………………………………..3 SOFTWARE FOR MAKING MERCH………………………………………………………………….4 SOFTWARE RESEARCH – PITCH…………………………………………………………………….4
WEBSITE WEBSITE RESEARCH:…………………………………………………………………………………..5 WHAT IS AESTHETICALLY PLEASING?...... 5 RESEARCH TO EXISTING RADIO AND PODCAST WEBSITES AND LAYOUTS……6
LOGO AND SLOGAN
HOW TO MAKE A GOOD SLOGAN:……………………………………………………………….8 LOGO RESEARCH:……………………………………………………………………………………….8 TEXT RESEARCH :……………………………………………………………………………………….9
MERCH: IMAGES OFF THE WEBSITE:……………………………………………………………………… 10
TARGET AUDIENCE RESEARCH: DEMOGRAPHIC, GEOGRAPHIC, PSYCHOGRAPHIC, BEHAVIOURAL:…………..12 DO PEOPLE DRESS UP?...... 12 HOW POPULAR IS THIS ENEMY COMPARED TO OTHERS?...... 13 SURVEY RESEARCH: RESEARCH QUESTIONS & RESULTS:……………………………………………….14
FOCUS GROUP: FOCUS GROUP QUESTIONS………………………………………………….…………17
BACKGROUND MUSIC: ……………………….………………….18
MAIN RESEARCH:
WHO IS THE JOKER?...... 19 HOW MANY JOKERS HAVE THERE BEEN?...... 19 JOKER PROFILES:
CERSAR ROMERO:………………………………………………………………………..19 JACK NICHOLSON:……………………………………………………………………….19 HEATH LEDGER…………………………………………………………………………….20 JERED LETO…………………………………………………………………………………20 JOAQUIN PHOENIX:……………………………………………………………………..20
IMAGES OF MAKEUP AND COSTUMES:…………………22
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES OF THE JOKERS IN THE FILMS? HOW THE ACTED ON AND OFF SCREEN:……………………………………..24 CESAR ROMERO:………………………………………………………………………….24 JACK NICHOLSON: ………….………………………………………………………….24 HEATH LEDGER…………………………………………………………………………..25 JERAD LETO………………………………………………………………………………..25 JOAQUIN PHOENIX………………………………………………………………………26 ON SCREEN VS OFF SCREEN TABLE…………………………………………….27 WHAT WAS THE SAME OR DIFFERENT ABOUT EACH JOKER:……..27 WHAT ARE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL/ MENTAL ILLNESSES HAS THE JOKER HAVE?
ARE THESE REAL-LIFE HEALTH ISSUES OR ARE THEY JUST FOR FILM AND ENTERTAINMENT?...... 28 COULD THEY BE HELPED OR PREVENTED?...... 28
IS THERE A REAL-LIFE JOKER CHARACTER TYPE CRIMINAL?...... 30
HAS CHARACTER ROLES OF PLAYING THE JOKER EVER TAKEN A TOLL ON THE ACTORS MENTAL STATE? CESAR ROMERO:…………………………………………………………………………..30 JACK NICHOLSON:………………………………………………………………………..30 HEATH LEDGER …………………………………………………………………………….31 JERAD LETO………………………………………………………………………………….31 JOAQUIN PHOENIX……………………………………………………………………….31
METHOD ACTING: CESAR ROMERO:………………………………………………………………………….32 JACK NICHOLSON: ……………………………………………………………………..32 HEATH LEDGER……………………………………………………………………………32 JERAD LETO………………………………………………………………………………..32 JOAQUIN PHOENIX………………………………………………………………………32
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PODCAST:
WHO ARE THE COMPETITORS:
- Not crazy podcast delves into the psychology and if it was portrayed properly, however I am focusing on mental health of the actor from playing he character
PODCAST MAGAZINE RESEARCH:
- brings in many different idea = me to move on from topic to topic in the sections
DISTROBUSTION PLAN:
- YouTube and Website - I plan to post these podcasts on YouTube as well as a website I plan to make dedicated to these podcasts.
WHAT IS NEEDED IN THE PRE- PRODUCTION FOR THIS PODCAST?
- From podcasts I have done in the past I did a magazine podcast about the Manchester bombing. Due to this I know what is needed in this podcast pre - production.
• Production Timetable • Location/ Recce sheet • Voice Cast • Show clock • Script/ Questions • Facts and figures • Sourced Audio • Sound effects • Equipment • Background music •
CODES AND CONVENTIONS:
CODES AND CONVENTIONS MY PODCAST Balance I will be showing both sides to the character, on and off set Bias I will not be letting my opinion inflict what I say towards the actor’s death or how deep he goes into his character Subjectivity I will be covering all angles with this podcast and getting lots of different opinions so that I can get all angles and views
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Opinion With the podcast I will not be saying ‘I think’ followed by facts Contrast with the listener Make sure I have an introduction about what the podcast is and isn’t about, making it clear that they know what is going to be the subject Representation Making sure that the facts represent something, but opinions do not Objectivity When talking about the death of Heath Ledger I will not be saying his death was caused by something, leaving the listener to make their mind up Accesses/ Privacy I will only use quotes when saying certain facts so that when fact checked it won’t be my own statistics Impartiality Getting all angles of a subject will allow me to not be un- biased against one party Accuracy Using numbers and real statistics will allow me to get accuracy Page 3
SOFTWARE RESEARCH SOFTWARE FOR MAKING WEBSITE LOGO: Adobe Illustrate: - I can save the image as a vector image so that I will not pixilate or blur when its being stretched on the website or the merch I make. - Able to layer images over each other and change the transparency for better effects. - Rich colour blend with gradients With these factors I will be able to create a nicer looking logo and be able to add shadows to the image if I please. I choose to use this software over Adobe Photoshop as I prefer the layout of the software and I have overall been using this software more than Photoshop, so I know my way around it.
SOFTWARE FOR MAKING WEBSITE: WordPress: - Has Pre-done themes - Unlimited pages - I personally struggle to keep a WordPress website looking nice, having used this previously. The text is normally all focused in the middle of the page regardless of changing the Alignment, leaving space on either side of the text. Wix: - Allowed to place buttons, images and text in any place you want on the document. - Unlimited pages - I prefer to use Wix over WordPress having chance to use Wix in a global Project before. I prefer this as I have more freedom with my layout. Jimdo.com: - Get tailored designs depending on what your producing. - Also gives you the change to design a logo - Inspired by other industry experts - I have used this website to create my personal portfolio and find it the best website to get good designs and have some structure. Unlike the other Page 4
- websites it doesn’t give you unlimited pages however I can find a way around this.
SOFTWARE FOR MAKING MERCH Adobe Dimensions: - When looking into the Adobe software’s that are avalible I stumbled across Adobe Dimensions. - Required to make 3D ‘real life’ images of products - You can change materials of the products, background and lighting depending on how you want the products to look. - The materials can show depth and textures and are able to revolve the image 360’
I will be using this to create the 3D merch such as water bottles and will be using a different software for the t-shirts.
Spreadshirt: - This software allows you to create personalised merch such as clothing. - Use unique designs and upload your own - Choose to use different textures such as glitter. I have used this website before for my own personal use are the prices that they give will also help me when finding out what the best price to sell my merch products at.
SOFTWARE RESEARCH (PITCH):
- Over 2 million people use this - Easy to download and put onto websites like YouTube - Lots of images to choose from - Add music so I can link up my audio with the of my pitch
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WEBSITE WEBSITE RESEARCH:
- Looking at numerus websites I can see that using solid text against a coloured background is popular. - I can also see that menus are good at the top of the page, either transparent or solid. - All the front covers have a clear image representing the page and what the website is about.
- Using the website below, I can see that they used a clear colour scheme such as the green for the connotations of health
Due to this I will be looking into the connotations of the colours I plan to use in all my work.
WHAT IS AESTHETICALLY PLEASING?
- White space: important as it keeps a breakup from the text - Navigation: to stick to a limited number of pages, top navigation or tabs. - Colour: colours suggest the theme - Images: use diagrams as well as photos - Page 6
- Colour psychology: looking at this will allow me to find the connotations and meaning behind the colours I use.
RESEARCH TO EXISTING RADIO AND PODCAST WEBSITES AND LAYOUTS:
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- All these websites in common have a picture either to the left or right of a description of what the podcast is about. Page 8
Logo and slogan HOW TO MAKE A GOOD SLOGAN:
- Keep it simple: use few sords as possible, avoid complex words, one short sentence - Use humour: only if its relevant to the brand, use sarcastic comments this makes it memorable - keep it short: sweet spot should be six to eight words
LOGO RESEARCH: When it comes to doing the logo, I wanted to use influence from comic books. Images of comic books:
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In all of the images the common colours are Red, Yellow and Green, due to this I am going to use there as the main colours in my Website Logo.
- this type of pop art boom and pop can also be seen in this clip https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qpoxHvmWPfc
Text Research :
- Using a website called WebFX, I was able to get inspiration on what text to use for my website.
- Having seen these text types, I investigated what was easiest and closest to this that was already avalible to such things as Adobe Illustrate. When looking I came across a font called Comic Sans MS. This was one of the closet fonts I had avalible and look good to be used as a comic book font for my logo.
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MERCH: IMAGES OFF THE WEBSITE: - With this section I would be looking at podcast and radio branded merch. - Using the website, Podswag, it allowed me to search merchandise of different podcast, through this I will be able to see what type of podcast merch they have and prices.
The prices of these items: £15:00 - £18:00 - £20:00
The prices of these items: £25:00 - £35:00 - £25:00
The prices of these items: £25:00 - £25:00 Page 11
I also know that Global also do pens for their stations as well as cups and a paper bag that it comes in. I know this as when I was at a careers fair they had a bag with these bits of merch inside. From this research I plan to create pens, mugs / flasks as well as some t shirts, as this is all very popular and occurs on many different websites. With all the prices that I have gathered for the merch, I plan to use this as a guidance to price up my merch. I would also like to create multipacks of merch also estimating the prices to as close as I can.
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TARGET AUDIENCE RESEARCH:
- My target audience is 15-25, due to this I decided to give the survey to this age group only. - April 25th, 1940 (First time Joker Appeared in a comic)
DEMOGRAPHIC, GEOGRAPHIC, PSYCHOGRAPHIC, BEHAVIOURAL: Demographic: (The statistical characteristics)
- 15 – 25 Years old – could be interested by older and younger generations also. - Any race, religion or gender Geographic:
- Any place as it is an online podcast and can be seen in any area of the world. - Mainly English-speaking counties. Psychographic:
- The audience will need to like the world of DC and the Joker character to enjoy this podcast however, those that would enjoy educating themselves on mental health would also like this podcast. Behavioural:
- People interested in Podcasts - Those that are interested in comics or movies: i.e., watch or read them. - Are interested in the actor out of costume and off screen.
DO PEOPLE DRESS UP?
- People like to dress up at conventions such as the big one being Comicon. - Comicon: Public event to dress up as you favourite comic book character. It’s a chance to see special guests and compete for best dressed. - The Joker is a very popular person to dress up as at this convention as seen in the images above also showing that people of all ages follow and admire this character. Page 13
HOW POPULAR IS THIS ENEMY COMPARED TO OTHERS? - Willing to take his own life for his ambitions - ‘He weakens his archenemy the most’ - The joker was mentioned five times when they were ranking DC comic villains with Heath ledger being the second most popular juts after Cat woman - 'Best Movie Villains of All Time' – according to Ranker.com’s survey results - The mirror made a list of the top 20 most famous villain with the Joker being number
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SURVEY RESEARCH:
RESEARCH QUESTIONS & RESULTS:
- What is your favourite joker? - What stands out about the joker you have selected? - Do you know that in some of the joker’s portrayal, that he has mental health issues? - What mental health do you think the joker could have? - What do You Like About This Character? Traits, personality - What do You Not Like About This Character? Traits, personality - How would you describe the joker? - Do you think playing the Joker, would affect the actor? And how?
What Joker is your What stands out About the favourite? Joker?
Body/ Posture Commitment to the role Cesar Romero Jack Nichilson laugh Heath Ledger Jared Leto Wiity / Humour Joaquin Phoenix Makeup
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Do you know that in some What mental health do you of the jokers portrayal, think the joker could have? that he has mental health issues?
Schizophrenia Depressed yes no Psycopath Bipola
What do You Like About Sales This Character? traits, personality
Quirkiness Unpradictable Laugh Careless Crazy Determined Nothing Energetic Evil / Mean Arrogent
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How would you describe Do you think playing the the Joker? Joker, would affect the actor?
Yes, if they are deep in the role Crazy Cold hearted yes Out of Control Misunderstood Only if they have pre exsiting conditions Sad Funny No
With this information I can see that Heath Ledger from the film Batman Dark knight is the most popular. Due to this I will be focusing the podcast that I produce on this joker out of the five. The audience I asked also said that they saw the joker as having schizophrenia, closely followed by being a psychopath. With this information, when I talk to my phycologist or mental health nurse I will ask if they can see this too and what qualities of these conditions the character has. The trait that the audience like most about the joker is his unpredictability, craziness, Carelessness and laugh. When it comes to asking people questions to record for the podcast, I will be asking why they think these are good traits and vis versa with the traits they didn’t like such as: Evilness, as why some people don’t have anything they dislike. Very little of the people that I asked said that playing the joker wouldn’t affect the actor. With this I plan to go over method acting and getting their opinions on what he did to get into the role. I will also be asking this to my professional. As I am focusing on Heath Ledger, I know already that the role of the joker has been blamed on his death. Because of this I will be asking if people think his role was taken too seriously. There was also a document called: The last hours of Heath Ledger, which also goes through this question which I plan to use in my sourced audio.
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Focus group
Due to the information above I plan to do a focus group, with this I will be recording and asking a group of people questions about Heath Ledger and the joker. Focus group questions 1. Why do you think Heath Ledger is the most popular joker voted? 2. If I said Heath dies before the premier of the film, would you say he got too involved with the role? 3. What do you think of the joker? 4. If I was to talk to a professional, what would u want to know about the joker and Heaths mental health? 5. Why do you think a large amount of people don’t have any dislikes towards the joker? I will also be giving each person a sheet so that I can get feedback on what logo they like the best and move onto producing them.
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Background Music: As I know that my podcast will be focusing on Heath Ledger, I immediately looked at the composer from the Dark Knight, Hans Zimmer. When looking at the Dark Knight soundtrack I didn’t feel that any of the instrumentals would work with my podcast. When looking into these I came across a video of Hans Zimmer playing a live set from the film along with a song called Aurora. The composer came up with piece of music just after the late Heath Ledger died. Zimmer was inspired by the mass shooting that happened in Aurora. He wanted to create a piece of music to show that they weren’t alone, and they could have someone to turn to and feel at home. I feel that this piece of music compliments the podcast I aim to do. The piece of music is subtle with un underlining message and tragedy without using words, which I feel represents the joker in several ways. Some that believe the Joker took Heath’s life can be linked to this music as it gives a sense of grief. However, this piece is also held with an uplifting tone, commemorating the actor while his was alive. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t7Hy4bJsCgI
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Main research: WHO IS THE JOKER? Comic book character introduced in 1940, with a clownlike appearance This clown criminal is known by many nicknames such as the following: The Clown Prince of Crime, Harlequin of Hate and the Jester of Genocide
HOW MANY JOKERS HAVE THERE BEEN? There are at least 22 different joker characters, mainly focusing on five main jokers of television: Jack Nicholson, Joaquin Phoenix, Cesar Romeo, Heath Ledger and Jared Leto
JOKER PROFILES: CERSAR ROMERO: Appeared in: Batman: The Movie (1966) Batman Tv Series (1966- 1968) First shown in 1966 Characteristics: Green hair, Bushy Dark brown/ black eyebrows, black lined eyes and a red to pink painted smile Behavioural Qualities: laugh, threatening, good fighter Joker Number: 1 Costume: Pink/Purple Tail coat blazer, Green shirt, Black Satin neck tie, purple/ pink gloves, Purple/ pink striped black trousers and black shoes also a long champagne satin tunic with black pompoms at the front for buttons, matching billowing pants, a cone- shaped clown's hat with a single black pompom as seen in the batman movie.
JACK NICHOLSON: Appeared in: Batman and Batman Forever First showed in 1989 Characteristics: Green Hair, White chalk Skin, Red lips and Grin Behavioural Qualities: Fixation with chaos, A propensity for violence and homicide, Sensation-seeking, Charisma, Lack of empathy Page 20
Joker Number: 2 Costume: Purple fedora hat, purple blazer/ tail jacket, purple plaid trousers, Orange satin shirt. Turquoise silk bandana. Blue cummerbund. Purple gloves, Purple shoes and 1920’s dancing cane
HEATH LEDGER Appeared in: Batman the dark night First showed in 2008 Characteristics: White self-applied look face, dark black darkened hollow eyes, smile red sfx scars, green washed hair Behavioural Qualities: Continuous licking of lips. Dark humour, throughout the movie he wanted to him hit to look real and authentic. Joker Number: 3 Costume: dark mid light purple jacket, joker custom green tie, hexagon blue/purple shirt, Green vest, purple custom thin stripe trousers, purple gloves and brown shoes
JERED LETO Appeared in: Suicide squad First showed in 2016 Characteristics: slick back green hair, acid washed white face, no eyebrows, red normal lipstick, darned eyes and face tattoos. A J under his left eye, star next to the right eye and damaged written on his forehead. Behavioural Qualities: violent, brave dear-devil, psychotic Joker Number: 4 Costume: Purple crocodile skin embossed long coat, a brown cane, black trousers and shoes. This version also has a collection of tattoos such as ‘Damaged’ on this forehead, a laughing mouth on his hand and a smile on his abdominal with many more. This joker also has silver plated teeth and one purple glove.
JOAQUIN PHOENIX: Appeared in: Joker Page 21
First shown in 2019 Characteristics: Green Hair, White chalk Skin, Red drawn smile with red high eyebrows, blue diamond’s eyes, brown shoes, in addition to this he also has hysterical compulsive laughter known as Pseudobulbar affect, he also reassembles like a puppet being controlled. Behavioural Qualities: Pseudobulbar affect, slow talker, childish handwriting, drastically underweight, dancing. Joker Number: 5 Costume: Red trousers with blazer, Yellow waistcoat, Green bubble patterned shirt
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IMAGES OF MAKEUP AND COSTUMES
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apart from the first image the rest of Joaquin Phoenix joker costume pictures are taken by me. Page 24
WHAT ARE THE DIFFERENCES OF THE JOKERS IN THE FILMS? HOW THE ACTED ON AND OFF SCREEN: CESAR ROMERO: On screen:
- Laughs an excessive amount - Performer, dresses up as a different clown - Makes jokes - Uses a hand zapper - Extravagant, the way he does crimes - Independent, alone doing crimes off screen:
- Refused to shave off his moustache - Cheerful, thought the Joker was a ‘wonderful character to play’ - Very professional There isn’t much information about this actor as he wasn’t much different from how he would normally act off screen.
JACK NICHOLSON: On screen:
- Unnerving, Comedic, Evil, clumsy - Lazy- gets others to do his work for him as seen in the Batman film (45:19) - Comedic, making simple jokes seen in the film (46:19) - Lively, he does his crimes in a very lavish way as seen at (57:27) of Batman 1989 - Lonely, crimes are done with other people, not a solo job - Dark (59:52) of Batman 1989 - Funny, he makes comedic jokes (1:01:50) of Batman 1989 • Uses a hand zapper Off screen:
- Into the character - In charge of the makeup - Professional - Ambitious ‘he would go beyond’ the role – said by Tim Burton the Director - Humour ‘Nothing sacred in the area of humour’ – friends and family said
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HEATH LEDGER On screen:
- Lonely, crimes are done with other people (2:35 onwards) from Batman: The Dark knight, 2008 - Intelligent, uses others to do his crimes then kills them off, from Batman: The Dark knight, 2008 - Funny, makes jokes about magic and puns (22:36) from Batman: The Dark knight, 2008 - Statistical (23:48) from Batman: The Dark knight, 2008 - Hidden and disguised, no real story. Tells multiple reasons of his scars (30:00) from Batman: The Dark knight, 2008 - Licks his lips – to keep the prosthetics on - Proforma: ‘Good evening Ladies and Gentlemen’ – Dresses up like a nurse Off screen:
- Ready, ambitious - Involved in the character. Involved with the costume down to the shoes and shades of purple - Licks his lips a lot in interviews - Up for a laugh - Skateboard around the set, was very lively. - Courageous - Falling into depression with family life - Too deep into the role… would Christian Bale to actually hit him in scenes and this was also in other films such as ‘Monster’s Ball’ “The more I beat [the Joker], the more he enjoys it — the more I’m giving him satisfaction. Heath was behaving in a very similar fashion,” Bale told The Hollywood Reporter. - Excited - Observe the other cast members https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGB7ONwzxng audio clip
JERAD LETO On screen:
- Violent - Manipulative – gets Harley to do as he pleases – she lives for him - Likes to be alone – when he rejects Harleen Quinzel ‘I’m not someone who is loved, I’m an idea’ - Does crimes with other people – getting access to a building Page 26
- Love interest - Does care for people – saves Harley Quin - Shoes emotion when he is taken away from Harley Off screen:
- Excited - Never broke character off set ‘doesn’t want to lose the emotion’ I’ve never actually met Jared Leto,” co-star Will Smith told Apple Beats Radio 1. “We worked together for six months and we’ve never exchanged a word outside of ‘Action!’ and ‘Cut!’ ” - Laugh on set - Most fun he has ever had - Still carries the joker ‘never really say goodbye’ said Leto to Good morning America - Send other casts weird gift such as rats and pig heads - Assertive as well as talking
JOAQUIN PHOENIX On screen:
- Pain - Misunderstood - Uncontrollable laughter - Kind – didn’t hurt people that didn’t hurt him - Performer Off screen:
- Frustrated when people would talk in his scenes. - Had fun making the movie - Awkward - Embarrassed about some things that happened on set - Laughing and joking around with the director
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ON SCREEN VS OFF SCREEN TABLE Actor What they have in common with their Joker Cesar Romero • Nothing Jack Nicholson • Funny, makes jokes a lot in the family, gets very close to the line Heath Ledger • Statistical, watched people on set • Licks his lips a lot – seen in an interview after playing the Joker • Performer, skated around the set, character was also a performer. Jerad Leto • Never broke character • The Joker never left him Joaquin Phoenix • Misunderstood and awkward
WHAT WAS THE SAME OR DIFFERENT ABOUT EACH JOKER: On further analysis I found out that Cesar Romero and Jack Nicholson’s joker both used hand buzzers which didn’t continue past to the other Jokers. From Jack Nicholson’s Joker we can tell that he is lonely as he does his crimes with other people. This is also seen in Heath Ledger’s Joker as well as Jerad Leto’s, loosing this trait when it came to Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker. Jerad Leto’s Joker was the only Joker to have a real love interest (Harley Quin) who he interacted with in the film. However, Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker did have a love interest however it wasn’t real, part of his hallucination and Mental Health.
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WHAT ARE THE PSYCHOLOGICAL/ MENTAL ILLNESSES HAS THE JOKER HAVE? From studying I have found out that the joker has: Depression, anxiety, hallucinations, uncontrollable laughter, schizophrenia, which are all real-life conditions.
ARE THESE REAL-LIFE HEALTH ISSUES OR ARE THEY JUST FOR FILM AND ENTERTAINMENT? All these conditions that the joker have are all real issues that most people face in their day to day life. The uncontrollable laughter shown in the latest joker film (JOKER 2019) is to be the most effective mental health that people recognise. This laughing condition is called the Pseudobulbar affect. And can either be seen by uncontrollable laughter or crying, but in this film it is laughter. There are many videos of real life with this condition with a video catching people’s eyes. A man with a friend names Scott has this condition and documented him when he laughs. In these videos you can see the pain the laughing causes just like in the Joker film.
COULD THEY BE HELPED OR PREVENTED? Depression:
- Depression can be treated but not cured. There are ways to cope with the condition. - Treatments can include talk therapy or medication. - Self-care treatments: sleep and rest well to impact mind and body health. Healthy diet and exercise as well as stress reduction. Anxiety:
- In the US over 19% of adults are affected by anxiety. - Treatments: Talking therapy: Exploring the root cause of your anxiety. Understanding your triggers and Management plans for social events - Exercise, meditation and herbal teas are all self-care people can take.
Hallucinations:
- Most common mental health some hallucination scan be treated however not cured. - Treatment will depend on how the hallucinations start. They would also consider counselling Page 29
- Self-treatment: talk to others, seek a Gps advice
Pseudobulbar Laughter:
- This condition is not curable however can be managed. - Treatment: antidepressant, antipsychotic medication. (depends on doctor recommendations) - Self-Treatment: distractions by doing something fun, focusing on breathing and rhythm. Schizophrenia:
- Cannot be treated to improve condition but it will never go away. - Doctors can suggest a wide amount of medications and stress relief. - Self-treatment: changing diet, seeking social support and boosting self-esteem Mental health Illness Can it be cured Doctor Self-Care recommendation Treatments Depression Depression can be Talk therapy or Sleep and rest well treated but not medication Healthy diet cured. Stress reduction Anxiety Can be treated and Talking therapy: Talking to others semi cured Exploring the root Exercise cause of your Meditation anxiety. Herbal tea Understanding your triggers and Management plans for social events Hallucination Treated but not Medication Talking to others cured Counselling Speak to friends and GP’s Pseudobulbar Manageable not antidepressant, distractions by Laughter curable antipsychotic doing something medication fun, focusing on breathing and rhythm. Schizophrenia Can be toned down Medications and changing diet, but not treated stress relief seeking social support and boosting self- esteem Counselling is a shown as a result as all these conditions, which is shown in the joker comics as the joker having counselling by Harleen Quinzel and a therapist in the film Joker 2019. Page 30
IS THERE A REAL-LIFE JOKER CHARACTER TYPE CRIMINAL?
Back in 2016, after seeing the joker a 14-year-old girl cut herself a smile and stabbed a friend in the chest. When questioned she said she had no inspiration from the joker and said that if the plan failed she would blame it on the voices in her head.
Another incident in 2016, a bloke names Joshua Van Buskirk started to set family and friends cars and homes once his marriage failed and he lost his job, leaving behind a joker playing card.
Another case in 2009 a man called Kim De Gelder, who dressed like Heath ledgers joker with dyed red hair, went into a nursery in Dendermonde killed two infants and their caregiver. This man was described as a paranoid schizophrenic and cannot be punished says his lawyer.
After saying he would commit suicide he then decided to kill innocent people for an unknown motive and was later found guilty of murder and sentenced to life on the 22nd March 2013.
HAS CHARACTER ROLES OF PLAYING THE JOKER EVER TAKEN A TOLL ON THE ACTORS MENTAL STATE? CESAR ROMERO After the roles of the Joker that other people have played many say the Romero didn’t take that character serious enough. This was due to him not wanting to shave his moustache and relied on the makeup team to cover it. There is no report of him having any mental effects from playing the character. The actor said it was a ‘hoot’ to play this character.
JACK NICHOLSON After the Joker role was played by Jack Nicholson, although he took it to another level of crazy he never said he came away with any problems, due to already playing a role in the shining. Once Nicholson found out that Heath had the part of the joker under his belt he was “furious” and after Heaths death he told reporters that he “warned him”
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HEATH LEDGER Ledger had the most impact with playing the famous Joker, as his death was blamed on how the role messed with his head. Although Heath died on the 22nd of January 2008, many people called his death a suicide due to playing the Joker even though he said this was the most fun he had acting. Heath suffered with insomnia and became addicted to sleep medication. Considered an accidental overdose, according to the autopsy the actor took too many analgesic painkillers and prescriptions medication. Playing the joker ‘finished’ him ‘mentally’ according to Heath. The policeman in ledgers apartment said that the place was filled with battered Batman posters, joker quotes and Joker lines playing through a speaker. People have been told according to ‘CurioSips’ that he was found with comics and joker voices playing in his apartment
JARED LETO Leto was found saying that he found the role challenging and stayed in character throughout the shoots. Leto fell into the method acting by sending rats to Margot Robbie, who played Harley Quinn, and other ‘gifts. when he was found dead. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qYPb9em6YbU
JOAQUIN PHOENIX Phoenix, according to E! News developed a disorder with his new weight. After losing the weight he said he could move his body in ways he couldn’t before. Best experience of acting. Phoenix was a confessed alcoholic after shooting the film ‘Walk the line’ in 2005. After this he went to a rehab facility and attending alcoholics anonymous meetings. Once he saw that drink was keeping him happy. He had also said that being in the spotlight can be isolating and aften felt abandoned. In every interview after his brothers passing outside a club, they would ask about the death. He did what he needed to do even when he was depressed. “[Weight loss] has a drastic effect on you not just physically, but emotionally and mentally as well when you enter into that starvation mode,” he told the Toronto Sun.’’
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Method Acting: Cesar Romero:
- Refused to shave off his moustache - Could do things a normal actor isn’t allowed to do or think. There isn’t much information about this actor as he didn’t really embody the role of method acting or take the role as serious as the actors to come. Jack Nicholson:
- He was written into the contract to make sure that he approved the makeup and costume to embody the role. He mainly wanted this so that he could rest in the evenings. - He wasn’t considered as doing method acting, as this didn’t start until Heath’s joker. - He wanted the wardrobe and makeup to do most of the acting. Heath Ledger:
- Heath studied ark comic depictions and A Clockwork Orange. - He documented his experience in a diary which he called a ‘Joker Journal’ - Locked himself in a hotel for six weeks before filming and losing a lot of sleep. (around 2 hours or little of sleep ) - Experimented with voices ‘it was important to find the iconic voice and laugh’ - Told his co-start Christian Bale to actually beat him in scenes. Jerad Leto:
- Got deep into the role by staying in character for all the shots - He would send rats, dead pigs and other ‘interesting gifts’ to co starts including Margot Robbie who played Harley Quinn. - Met up with experts and doctors as well as criminals. - Isolated himself from the rest of the cast - “I had to be committed beyond belief… And I did what I needed to do to deliver the best I possibly could.” Leto said. Joaquin Phoenix:
- Loosening all the weight for the role, more than 50 pounds - studied a book on the psychology of assassins. - Spent 8 months researching - He practised and auditioned his own laugh