1 = excellent, 2 = very good, 3 = good/average, 4 = poor, 5 = very poor
Attainment (2) I’ve learnt a lot of new keywords that I understand well. I have also learnt and understood most of the key concepts and things to comment on about them.
Effort (2) I think I try very hard most of the time but I could put even MORE effort in some of my blog work.
Punctuality (2) I’m always on time, however I have been a couple of minutes late once or twice.
Submission and quality of homework (2) I put a lot of effort into my homework to make it good, and I always do the homework (just sometimes forget to post it!)
Ability to work independently (2) I think I work well independently, especially with homework/blog work.
Quality of writing (2) I think my writing is at a high standard as I used lots of keywords and write in a formal tone most of the time.
Organisation of blog (1) I think my blog is very organised; I title all my work and sometimes add some pictures. It is clear what each post is about.
Oral contributions in class (2) I think I contribute a lot of ideas in lesson and I am willing to guess even if I’m not sure of the answer.
Three achievements...
1. I’ve always tried to use as much media terminology in my answers.
2. I try to comment on the key concepts.
3. I gave a balanced argument for the two questions.
Four targets/areas for improvement...
1.Use more keywords and use them correctly.
2.Refer to more theorists and link them to the media text I am analysing e.g. Todorov, Propp, Hall.
3. Try to comment on ALL the key concepts (MIGRAIN).
4.Add strong introductions and conclusion to my written work.
Saturday, 24 October 2009
Thursday, 22 October 2009
Who's Bad? Trailer Review
This teen comedy really captured my attention from beginning to the end.The protagonist is based on stereotypes of a teen nerd; goofy facial expressions and goofy props such as a very large backpack and glasses. The other characters are your typical dominant teen characters in a school setting, mainly black males who are intimidating and troublesome. This use of binary opposition makes the film exciting and creates enigma as they would want to know if and how the nerd would survive in their “survival of the fittest” world.
The music is non digetic and really links well with the genre and storyline, making it lively and comical.
The Edukated Fools Trailer Review
The Edukated Fools is all about youth, drugs and violence; surely it’s the next blockbuster film?Its all about a clever teen, who finds his way into a life of crime…
Firstly I must say the use of editing effects was amazing! The flashy lights really gave a sene of chaos, which reflects the lifestyle of the protagonist.
The mise-en-scene really helps the audience to understand the genre of the film: Crime and Gangster genre. The setting, in a school, gives an insight to their target audience, young people. The use of sherbets to represent drugs is an original idea. There is a particular shot where a character wipes his face, but there still remains a powder on his face, which signifies he has used drugs. The use of iconography also reinforces the genre such as drugs, hooded jackets and fight scenes.
Stereotypes are used to represent characters well. According Stuart Hall’s theory, black people are represented either as criminals, victims or entertainers. This film reinforces a criminal stereotype as the protagonist is a black young male who sells drugs, and gets into a lot of fights (violence).
As the storyline is not over the top, the film doesn’t seem to have that much of an impact on me. It could be because we, as a society, have become desensitised to the issues of violence and crime. Especially as recently there has been a moral panic about knife crime in the UK. However I did feel catharsis as younger teens get up to “Big-Boss Bussiness!”
I think it is a good trailer and storyline, but the real excitement wasn’t there. However with a 3 of 5 stars it’s on its way to success…
Sunday, 18 October 2009
Do images of skinny models have an impact?
In the present, looks seem to be everything. If you don’t have “that” look in the celebrity world, then you are probably not that important. The media focuses on skinny celebrities; the skinnier you are the more publicity you get. But this has an effect on people, especially children and teenagers…
Most celebrities in the public eye are skinny and they are also role models to teens and children. People will do anything to be them even if it means they starve themselves or continuously eat to make themselves throw up. Anorexia and Bulimia are two eating disorders that very recently have been sensationalised by the media. It has created a moral panic as children as young as seven have been diagnosed with these disorders, which has been the cause of skinny models everywhere in the media. Even these made up terms in the media such as “Size Zero” and “Manorexia” have contributed to the moral panics as they have labelled these common problems with exaggerated names.
Many catwalk models are extremely thin. As they’re in the limelight they are seen as role-models, who should be promoting a healthy lifestyle. Instead they are promoting the wrong thing and the media injects this idea to people who also believe its right. This relates to the Hypodermic Model theory that the media impose ideas to their audiences. Also the media effect idea that means people will copy what they see.
Images of skinny models have become “normal” or OK ting to see or even look like; society has become desensitised to it. People who are very skinny or have been diagnosed with the disorder may feel relieved to see celebrities just like them, causing catharsis.
Overall I do believe that images of skinny models. These images have put ideas into people’s heads and now children, women and even men are suffering.
Most celebrities in the public eye are skinny and they are also role models to teens and children. People will do anything to be them even if it means they starve themselves or continuously eat to make themselves throw up. Anorexia and Bulimia are two eating disorders that very recently have been sensationalised by the media. It has created a moral panic as children as young as seven have been diagnosed with these disorders, which has been the cause of skinny models everywhere in the media. Even these made up terms in the media such as “Size Zero” and “Manorexia” have contributed to the moral panics as they have labelled these common problems with exaggerated names.
Many catwalk models are extremely thin. As they’re in the limelight they are seen as role-models, who should be promoting a healthy lifestyle. Instead they are promoting the wrong thing and the media injects this idea to people who also believe its right. This relates to the Hypodermic Model theory that the media impose ideas to their audiences. Also the media effect idea that means people will copy what they see.
Images of skinny models have become “normal” or OK ting to see or even look like; society has become desensitised to it. People who are very skinny or have been diagnosed with the disorder may feel relieved to see celebrities just like them, causing catharsis.
Overall I do believe that images of skinny models. These images have put ideas into people’s heads and now children, women and even men are suffering.
Does watching violence produce violence?
It has be a question that has been playing on our minds for a very long time, but is there a definite answer?
Over the years people have become desensitised to violence. It’s everywhere on the news, in films, and various other places. The media shows it everywhere that it is almost “normal” to see or hear about someone getting stabbed or ripped into with a chainsaw. 50 years ago, a violent film such as “Saw” would have shocked the audience as they weren’t so exposed to so much brutal violence.
Now days we have all seen a range of violence and it has almost given us a “moral limit”. Seeing the media and society’s reaction to real life violence and violence in different media texts gives us a limit or understanding of what is acceptable or not. We see the effects and problems that violence creates in media texts that we don’t want to do it ourselves; it also fulfils our curiosities and we gain pleasure causing catharsis.
However some may agree that violence is mirrored by violence in media. They believe that viewing violence creates aggressive feelings and thoughts. For example 1993 was the year of The Bulger Case. Three year old James Bulger was kidnapped by two 10 year olds who brutally murdered him. It created a moral panic because the two kids rein-acted a scene from 1991 horror film Child’s Play 3, by splashing Jamie with blue paint, which made people question the acceptability of violence in films. This reinforces the Hypodermic Model Theory- that the media injects ideas into its audiences; and the media effects idea that people will imitate what they see on TV. It could be argued that the boys lived in a neglected house hold and were vulnerable to anything they saw.
Another example of media effects is when a French boy obsessed with the film Scream watched it and the same night decided to kill someone. He admitted to murdering a 15 year old girl, who was stabbed 17 times. However, he said he had hallucinations after watching the fill- hearing voices which said to kill his parents, and the teenager was sent to a psychiatric hospital. Again it could be argued that he was not in a mentally fit state to judge his own actions as right or wrong.
In 2004 Stefan Pakeerah, 14, was murdered by his friend who, according to his mother, was obsessed with the video game “Manhunt”. This created a moral panic due to sensationalisation and companies such as Game removing the sales of the game. However it was found that the game had no link to the murder, but that Stefan owned the game, not his murderer. This shows that the media can exaggerate an idea again reinforcing the Hypodermic Model theory.
At first I didn’t think watching violence produced violence. But now I have reconsidered my opinion: It doesn’t produce violence depending on the individual. It all depends on a wide range of things such as the experiences you have encountered, your mental state and you maturity or age. Some may understand what is morally right or wrong and some don’t. Overall, no, watching violence does not produce violence.
Over the years people have become desensitised to violence. It’s everywhere on the news, in films, and various other places. The media shows it everywhere that it is almost “normal” to see or hear about someone getting stabbed or ripped into with a chainsaw. 50 years ago, a violent film such as “Saw” would have shocked the audience as they weren’t so exposed to so much brutal violence.
Now days we have all seen a range of violence and it has almost given us a “moral limit”. Seeing the media and society’s reaction to real life violence and violence in different media texts gives us a limit or understanding of what is acceptable or not. We see the effects and problems that violence creates in media texts that we don’t want to do it ourselves; it also fulfils our curiosities and we gain pleasure causing catharsis.
However some may agree that violence is mirrored by violence in media. They believe that viewing violence creates aggressive feelings and thoughts. For example 1993 was the year of The Bulger Case. Three year old James Bulger was kidnapped by two 10 year olds who brutally murdered him. It created a moral panic because the two kids rein-acted a scene from 1991 horror film Child’s Play 3, by splashing Jamie with blue paint, which made people question the acceptability of violence in films. This reinforces the Hypodermic Model Theory- that the media injects ideas into its audiences; and the media effects idea that people will imitate what they see on TV. It could be argued that the boys lived in a neglected house hold and were vulnerable to anything they saw.
Another example of media effects is when a French boy obsessed with the film Scream watched it and the same night decided to kill someone. He admitted to murdering a 15 year old girl, who was stabbed 17 times. However, he said he had hallucinations after watching the fill- hearing voices which said to kill his parents, and the teenager was sent to a psychiatric hospital. Again it could be argued that he was not in a mentally fit state to judge his own actions as right or wrong.
In 2004 Stefan Pakeerah, 14, was murdered by his friend who, according to his mother, was obsessed with the video game “Manhunt”. This created a moral panic due to sensationalisation and companies such as Game removing the sales of the game. However it was found that the game had no link to the murder, but that Stefan owned the game, not his murderer. This shows that the media can exaggerate an idea again reinforcing the Hypodermic Model theory.
At first I didn’t think watching violence produced violence. But now I have reconsidered my opinion: It doesn’t produce violence depending on the individual. It all depends on a wide range of things such as the experiences you have encountered, your mental state and you maturity or age. Some may understand what is morally right or wrong and some don’t. Overall, no, watching violence does not produce violence.
Thursday, 8 October 2009
The Seven Spheres of Action
Stardust is a 2007 fantasy film, based on the novel by Neil Gaiman. It follows a multistrand and linear narrative as there are three naratives following in chronological order . It is about a man in search of a star to prove his love for a woman, but he is not the only one looking for it...
The Hero is Tristan, a young male seeking a fallen star. He’s is the protagonist because the audience see him throughout the adventure and identify with his struggles, success and self-progression. His aim is to restore the new equillibrium. He promises a woman that he will find the star to gain her love. Therefore, he is also the Dispatcher.
The villains are the three witches, mainly the leader Lamia. She is seeking the star for evil, to regain youth, to be evil. The audience know they are evil but the character don’t. Lamia is the charater who contributes to the disequilibrium.
The princess, called Yvaine, at first is thought to be a real star, but turns out to be a woman with “star” qualities. Both the hero and the villain are in search of her, and when she is capture by the villain, Tristan saves her. They also fall in love after the villain is killed, which is common in this fantasy genre. As the film reflects a patriarchy ideology (a female who needs to be protected and saved by a dominant male ), it is clear that she is the princess.
The donor is Captain Shakespeare. He gives Tristan a tube of lightening to trade for a black candle, which transports them back home. He also teaches him a skill, to fight which is valuable to the hero, to defeat the villain.
While the hero was sleeping, he was spoken to by Yvaine’s angel friends who told him she was in danger and the story of the narrative. They help him understand what is going on and how to save her and therefore are the Helper. There is also another helper, Septimus, who at first is in search for the stone for himself, but helps defeat the villain with the hero.
The Hero is Tristan, a young male seeking a fallen star. He’s is the protagonist because the audience see him throughout the adventure and identify with his struggles, success and self-progression. His aim is to restore the new equillibrium. He promises a woman that he will find the star to gain her love. Therefore, he is also the Dispatcher.
The villains are the three witches, mainly the leader Lamia. She is seeking the star for evil, to regain youth, to be evil. The audience know they are evil but the character don’t. Lamia is the charater who contributes to the disequilibrium.
The princess, called Yvaine, at first is thought to be a real star, but turns out to be a woman with “star” qualities. Both the hero and the villain are in search of her, and when she is capture by the villain, Tristan saves her. They also fall in love after the villain is killed, which is common in this fantasy genre. As the film reflects a patriarchy ideology (a female who needs to be protected and saved by a dominant male ), it is clear that she is the princess.
The donor is Captain Shakespeare. He gives Tristan a tube of lightening to trade for a black candle, which transports them back home. He also teaches him a skill, to fight which is valuable to the hero, to defeat the villain.
While the hero was sleeping, he was spoken to by Yvaine’s angel friends who told him she was in danger and the story of the narrative. They help him understand what is going on and how to save her and therefore are the Helper. There is also another helper, Septimus, who at first is in search for the stone for himself, but helps defeat the villain with the hero.
The Golden Age of Hollywood
The 1940’s and 1930’s was named The Golden Age of Hollywood. It was the beginning of sound and colour and this changed the way film was made, and consumed.
Musicals were popular in the western world. Waner Brothers made the first musical called “The jazz singer” made in 1927. Towards the end of the 1930’s they phase out because people were so sick of them.
After the 30’s when sound was available in films, gangster films became very popular. They reflected the crime and violence that existed in society in that era. For example a real life gangster, Al Capone, and the 1929 St Valentines massacre contributed to the ideas in this genre.
Comedies were mainly the sub-genre screwball-a binary opposition of two ideas in one film eg rich and poor or educated and uneducated. It was a very popular slang word in the 1930’s and was then introduced as a genre in film.
Historical biopics were films based on famous figures or groups from the past. They were also very popular in the 1930’s.
In the 1940’s Social realism film were popular. They were based on political and social issues. Many of these films were based on inequality and injustice. Four films dealt with racism made in the late 1940’s.
Horror films became very popular- it is said to be the classical era. It also involved the Dracula and Frankenstein phase- werewolves, vampires, mad scientist themes ect.
Musicals were popular in the western world. Waner Brothers made the first musical called “The jazz singer” made in 1927. Towards the end of the 1930’s they phase out because people were so sick of them.
After the 30’s when sound was available in films, gangster films became very popular. They reflected the crime and violence that existed in society in that era. For example a real life gangster, Al Capone, and the 1929 St Valentines massacre contributed to the ideas in this genre.
Comedies were mainly the sub-genre screwball-a binary opposition of two ideas in one film eg rich and poor or educated and uneducated. It was a very popular slang word in the 1930’s and was then introduced as a genre in film.
Historical biopics were films based on famous figures or groups from the past. They were also very popular in the 1930’s.
In the 1940’s Social realism film were popular. They were based on political and social issues. Many of these films were based on inequality and injustice. Four films dealt with racism made in the late 1940’s.
Horror films became very popular- it is said to be the classical era. It also involved the Dracula and Frankenstein phase- werewolves, vampires, mad scientist themes ect.
Tuesday, 6 October 2009
Hollyoaks
This episode of Hollyoaks was aired on Wednesday 30th September. The primary audience is teenagers, both genders. This is the episode summary...
Spencer is the protagonist. He is the first character that the audience sees at the beginning of the episode. Spenser is also alone, so all the attention is focused on him making him the most important character.
In this first scene there is a high angle shot and an over the shoulder shot. This makes the audience feel like they are CCTV prying into his personal space or life: they feel they are going to learn something knew about him.
Also, during this first scene the protagonist is standing over a “property sale board” and then pulls out a poster advertising a re-launch of a club. This uses the enigma codes for the audience. This again tells the audience the will learn something new.
This is resolved when he explains he is to open and manage his own night club but two other characters are dismissive to the idea. The audience will believe he can achieve his goal, identify with him, and relate to a time in their lives where they have felt the same.
The episode starts off with Spencer preparing for his launch night which is the equilibrium. This is disrupted when Sasha tries to convince Spencer that he needs help to run the night club, though he doesn’t give in: disequilibrium. The new equilibrium is when Spencer finally asks for help from Calvin and Sasha. This is the main action code of the episode.
Mercedes and Malachy are looking for jobs, this is the equilibrium. Mercedes asks around for jobs. The disequilibrium is when she asks Spencer, who gets angry and says no while freaking out. As revenge Mercedes and Malachy threaten Spencer by suing him for his involvement in Malachy accident. This is the new equilibrium and is another action code of the episode.
"Mercedes threatens to sue Spencer over Malachy's accident at The Loft after Spencer refuses to give her a job. Bel and Gov reluctantly agree to let Anita stay in Hollyoaks. "
This episode is a linear narrative, mainly a multiple narrative because the story moves in chronological order, though there are many stories going on at once. A multiple narrative is common in soaps such as Eastenders and Coronation Street, to keep the audience entertained.Spencer is the protagonist. He is the first character that the audience sees at the beginning of the episode. Spenser is also alone, so all the attention is focused on him making him the most important character.
In this first scene there is a high angle shot and an over the shoulder shot. This makes the audience feel like they are CCTV prying into his personal space or life: they feel they are going to learn something knew about him.
Also, during this first scene the protagonist is standing over a “property sale board” and then pulls out a poster advertising a re-launch of a club. This uses the enigma codes for the audience. This again tells the audience the will learn something new.
This is resolved when he explains he is to open and manage his own night club but two other characters are dismissive to the idea. The audience will believe he can achieve his goal, identify with him, and relate to a time in their lives where they have felt the same.
The episode starts off with Spencer preparing for his launch night which is the equilibrium. This is disrupted when Sasha tries to convince Spencer that he needs help to run the night club, though he doesn’t give in: disequilibrium. The new equilibrium is when Spencer finally asks for help from Calvin and Sasha. This is the main action code of the episode.
Mercedes and Malachy are looking for jobs, this is the equilibrium. Mercedes asks around for jobs. The disequilibrium is when she asks Spencer, who gets angry and says no while freaking out. As revenge Mercedes and Malachy threaten Spencer by suing him for his involvement in Malachy accident. This is the new equilibrium and is another action code of the episode.
The equilibrium is that the Roy Family are planning to move to Middlesbrough. The diseqilibrium is when Leila finds a room to rent, as she wants to stay in Hollyoaks. Her sister, Anita wants to stay to but she is not allowed. Their parents discuss and decide that they can stay along with the older brother Ravi.
Sunday, 4 October 2009
Final Destination: Teen Terror
Equilibrium
A group of normal teenagers enjoy a night out and a fair ground.
Disequilibrium
While boarding a rollercoaster ride, the protagonist, Wendy, has a premonition that the roller coaster will go off the rails and everyone will die. In an attempt to persuade people about what she saw, she only magages to encouage 9 people to leave the ride. Her premonition happens.
One by one the survivors of the roller coaster die off one by one in the order thy came off the ride. Wendy realisies a connection between the deaths and the photographs taken that night. She teams up with another character, Kevin, to attempt to interveane these deaths.
Wendy still manages to narrowly miss avoiding other characters deaths, and three (Wendy, her sister and kevin) are left awaiting their deaths. 6 months later, Wendy meets her sister on the train, and then also Kevin. She sees a promonition that they are killed in a train crash, and attempts to escaped. The film ends.
New equilibrium
The villain or "Fate" wins in this film so there is no new equilibrium. It could be arued that what is expected of the film (that they all die), happens and there is a new balance of what should be right. However it is not certain that they die at the end, though it is suggested.
Saturday, 3 October 2009
MacDonalds
This is about a MacDonalds advert that I saw, aired on ITV1, during the programme "X-Factor".
Equilibrium
The characters wake up tired in the morning. This would be a daily reoccurrence that the audience could identify with. The audience would be working adults, male or female
Disequilibrium
They are so tired that they keep making silly mistakes like putting a bottle of milk in the machine, as appose to the fridge. This leads to a series of mistakes. Again, audiences might socially identify with the characters and therefore find humour in it.
New equilibrium
They go to MacDonalds and indulge in their food. The dominant reading would be that Macdonald’s opens early to provide you with breakfast even when you’re tired. This seems like a win: win situation
Equilibrium
The characters wake up tired in the morning. This would be a daily reoccurrence that the audience could identify with. The audience would be working adults, male or female
Disequilibrium
They are so tired that they keep making silly mistakes like putting a bottle of milk in the machine, as appose to the fridge. This leads to a series of mistakes. Again, audiences might socially identify with the characters and therefore find humour in it.
New equilibrium
They go to MacDonalds and indulge in their food. The dominant reading would be that Macdonald’s opens early to provide you with breakfast even when you’re tired. This seems like a win: win situation
Friday, 2 October 2009
Garfield The Movie: Children's Comedy
EquilibriumA lazy cat call Garfield lives the ultimate dream- doing nothing all day. His owner, Jon, provides him with everything he wants and waits on him hand and foot, and he believes they have the best friendship ever.
Disequilibrium
In a bid to catch the attention of an old crush, Jon decides to take care of a dog call Odie. Now Garfield has to share his living space, his food, his owner and ultimately, his whole life is rearranged. Odie sadly runs away and Garfield feels guilty as he is to blame. Seeing his owner upset by this, he decided to rescue the dog from the villain who captures Odie on is disappearance.
New equilibrium
Garfield finally finds Odie and the villain is humorously tortured by his own “Dog flipping torture device”, along with a mass of dogs. Everyone is happy and Garfield learns and understands the true meaning of friendship and companionship.
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