'Audiences are no longer just consumers of media texts but producers too.' To what extent is this true of the media products in your case study?

Audiences do consume media texts as well as producing them. For example there are both media texts that are consumed and produced by audiences for the 2009 series Pushing Daises- fantasy crime series aired on ABC and ITV1. There are many articles about the third series of Pushing Daisies being cut, such as an article from the Guardian. This is a text to consume from e-media. As a result an online petition had been produced by a fan, which was sent to ACB executives. This shows how texts that audiences consume can lead to and influence what audiences produce.

Audiences could be seen as producers because they select what media texts they choose to consume. For example, when Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince, released in 2009, the trailer could be found on YouTube. YouTube is a User Generated Content website. This means people (audience) can upload and select what video clips appear in their channel. There are channels that have chosen to upload the Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince trailer and behind the scenes video clips. This shows how the process of mediation can make the person a producer.

Another example of mediation process making the audience a consumer and producer is for The Twilight Saga: New Moon. There is a website that gave audiences the chance to download the soundtrack of the film, which makes them consumers of the media text. As they had the option of what songs to download, they went through a selecting process also therefore making them a producer.

There are many examples, especially on E-Media where audiences can produce their own texts. For example there is an online quiz for Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince. In this quiz, it tests whether you know the differences between the film and the novel, basing it on the fact audiences have consumed both texts. This again shows how media texts consumed influence media texts audiences create.

Another example of audiences producing texts is though Fan Fictions. For example there is a fan Fiction website for Pushing Daises where people create and upload their own short stories for the series. Again, this is based on the account that these audiences have viewed the series. The user can comment and select which stories are posted, making them the producer of the website.

In conclusion, it is strongly agreeable that audiences do consume and produce media texts. In most cases the produced media texts are based on or inspired by the consumed media texts. Most produced media texts are found on the E-Media platform. This is because the internet allows people to upload their own content (UGC), and becomes media texts as the internet is very easily accessed by everyone.

"The Cell" Essay Analysis (New and Improved)

This clip begins at 0:50 and ends at 3:46.

"THE CELL" is a psychological thriller, and this particular scene is where the protagonist first enters the mind (dream world) of a serial killer. This film was distributed by a mainstream institution called New Line Cinema and released in 2000.


The beginning sequence is a montage. This builds up tension as is fast paced to create enigma for its genre: thriller. During this, the diegetic sound is enhanced to signify each subject matter’s importance. This could also connote the confusion of the serial killers mind. It is also low key lighting which could signify the dark thoughts of the killer’s mind and creates enigma.

For example a low angle shot of the character is used, where the audience are looking down on her, wondering if she is ok or she might be unconscious. It could signify the little physical power she has, she unable. This could also connote she is the protagonist hero, one of the narrative roles according to Propp.

Also included in the montage is a range of close up shots of different subject matters. A shot of blood drops in slow motion is used. This slow motion edit could signify its importance and makes it very significant. Dripping blood connotes death or suffering. This could foreshadow her destiny at the end of the film. Repetition of the shot and the sound creates enigma, tension and fast pace for the audience, as it is a thriller. The use of a regular jump cut is an unexpected interruption and could signify the interruption of the blood dripping and fast pace.

Another extreme close up is of an eye that blinks. It has a blue hue to it, added in editing, which connotes coldness or sadness. This could signify how cold, lonely and isolated the protagonist feels.

There is also an extreme close up of a lady bird getting blood dropped on it. The shot jump cuts and repeats the same thing but is slightly zoomed out. This disorientates the audience and signifies the confusion of the serial killers mind and thoughts. A lady bird could represent people or other characters getting hurt in the film. This could foreshadow violence or pain that could happen later in the narrative.

In the mise-en-scene there is a cloth over the protagonist’s face. It could connote death, isolation or the unawareness of her setting. When she takes it off, a sense of clarity for both the audience and protagonist is signified. This makes the audience identify with her. In this shot there is use of a top key light, which signifies the attention is on the protagonist. It also makes her look glamorous and contrasts with her dull, bland setting which is binary opposition.

There is a short shot of a wolf walking off, which creates enigma. Later on the wolf howls which is diegetic and creates more enigma.

There is a close up of her hand with the cloth and the blood on it. It is a point of view shot which means the audience identify with her. This is also signified because both the audience and the protagonist know as little information as each other.

Grasshopper, lady bird and leaf signify nature. This could connote the setting has outside qualities but is inside. This binary opposition could signify the confusion of the setting, protagonist, the serial killer’s mind and the audience.

Camera work of the first shot rotates while tracking which disorientates the audience. It could signify the protagonist is regaining consciousness. The establishing shot signifies distance and the character’s isolation. There is little identification which creates enigma codes, a theory of Barthes. The non diegetic sound is of a cell gate closing. It could also signify isolation or loss of freedom or escapism. This is also signified by the framing; she is positioned in the middle of the frame showing her loneliness.

The use of medium and long shots connote the size of the setting and her loneliness. For example there is a long shot of the protagonist looking into the darkness as she hears a diegetic howl from the wolf. This creates fear for the audience as they and the protagonist are relying on sound as protection, as she is alone. There is then a shot of the wolf shaking bloody water of its coat. This uses reversal shot of the protagonist and the wolf. The shot of the wolf sutures the meaning of the protagonist confused facial expression.

There is a shot of another character running up the stairs. Again there is use of low key lighting with a top key light, which creates a silhouette. This creates uncertainty and enigma for the audience. The top light could also connote foreshadowing of the next setting in the film which is in high key light.

The next scene is of a horse in a room. Again the animal nature reference could connote the binary opposition of the thoughts in the character’s mind. This shot is cross faded from the last which shows a time period of her walking up the stairs. This scene is high key lighting to connote a calm and angelic setting.

The shot pans from the horse to the protagonist. This creates enigma as the audience wouldn’t know what the large shape is. Then there is a long shot of the horse and the boy. This shows the setting to be inside and filled with clocks-props in the mise en scene. A close up of the protagonist shows her caring facial expression. This connotes protagonist’s sense of catharsis and therefore the audience catharsis as the boy is content. Along with this there is a loud enhanced diegetic sound of clocks ticking, this highlights its importance and could foreshadow events in the future.

A point of view shot of the protagonist from the boy’s perspective. This is signified as his head is positioned at the side of the frame- as if we are next to him. The audience identify with him and share his fear.

There is a close up and medium shot of a clock ticking, particularly the hand. At this point the diegetic sound of ticking gets louder. This connotes an action code will happen. It also creates tension and enigma, which is common in this genre.
A low angle shot of the razors in the ceiling create enigma. The angle connotes the razors are scary, intimidating and powerful.

Non diegetic sound builds up to create tension and provoke fear in to the audience. It is fast paced and exciting.

The character of the mind the audience see (the murder) is represented as a confused person. There is binary opposition of the dark side and the innocent side. On one hand it could reinforce their stereotype because many people have come to realise that psychos have their feelings and thoughts based on their past. He starts off as the Proppian villain and almost ends up as the innocent Proppian princess of the film.

This film is about understanding the world of a serial killer. Many people have stereotypical views of criminals which are created by the media. Sensationalist stories in the media about psycho killers recently have created a moral panic about people’s safety and wellbeing; society has not yet become desensitised to this issue. This has created stereotypical views and has stopped people understanding the “truth”. This text challenges these stereotypes and makes people aware of what serial killers think and what their thought processes are. This film therefore has positive ideologies because they want to change or make people aware of their though processes. This text could also have liberal values because it progresses the thoughts of the audience, personal growth.

The narrative of this clip is linear. There is chronology which signifies the audience are going on a journey with her at the present. In terms of Todorov’s theory, this section could be the disequilibrium because the character and the audience have little understanding of what is going on-there is no feeling of normality nor resolution and closure. Narrative pleasures from this clip include suspense, stars and escapism. Jennifer Lopes, the protagonist, is a big celebrity, which would appeal to her followers.

This film would appeal to Explorers and Reformers from Young and Rubicam’s 4C’s psychographics groups. Explorers would appeal to this film because they are willing to try out new and different styles of film such as this one. Reformers are for personal growth and social awareness, so this film will appeal to them as the values and ideologies behind it are similar to theirs.

In terms of demographics the audience would be B, C1 and maybe C2 from the Socio-economic scale. This is because the film challenges very adult values and ideologies. Also the B group would appreciate the creativity in the cinematography in the film as their jobs involve creativity. From the Uses and Gratification Theory, audiences would consume this text mainly for escapism because the settings and action codes are far from reality. It would also provide entertainment and social interaction because people would discuss the ideologies behind it.


To conclude, the clip is full of lots of shot, a montage, which builds up the tension needed for its thriller genre. It is done very well as little is revealed to the audience, engaging them and raising lots of questions. It also reflects the minds, thoughts and feelings of charters in the text creating a powerful, dynamic and "out-there" feel to the text. This is also created through the use of post-production effects:enhanced sound effects, jump cuts and colour hues, and the setting: a binary opposition of high key and low key lighting.

Hush Film Still Analysis

This is a film still from Hush (2009)...

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3776743936/tt1093369

The still frame is a low angle shot of a man standing.This makes him look very superior. The medium shot used signifies the little information the audience knows about the man. The low key lighting makes it difficult for the audience to see the man, only a silhouette as is it back lighting. These dark colours connote evil which signifies the man is the villain. The combination of a medium shot and low key lighting makes the villain look very mysterious, which is an enigma code.

The villain is positioned at the side of the frame which signifies he is always around the corner lurking or spying. As the audience see this, they might identity with his victim as they feel his evil, dark presence.

The villain's costume is plain black clothes which again connotes evil or even death. This creates expectaions for the narrative as he might kill or attempt to kill.

Fantastic Four Film Still Analysis

This is a still from Fantastic Four...

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm4079720448/tt0120667

In this still, the press are pressurising and interrogating the super hero group. As the audience are looking down on the group, we identify with the press because we want to find out what is going on, which creates enigma. This is signified through the use of a high angle shot.

The group are positioned in the centre of the frame which signifies the are very important to the people around them.

Props in the mise-en-scene such as the microphones and cameras connote a sense of chaos because they are coming from every direction.

High key lighing is used because it might signify the exposure of the group to the public; nothing is hidden in the dark.

Characters behind the group are in police and firemen costumes. Their costumes signify an event has occured such as a fire. As they are standing behind the superhero group, which could signify they are on their side, or they support what they have done. This suggests they might have helped put out a fire which is an action code.

Kill Bill Vol.1 Film Still Analysis

This is the link to the film still from Kill Bill Vol.1...

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm3613038848/tt0266697

This still from Kill Bill Vol.1 is a low angle shot of two characters. This angle makes the nurse seem more superior to the character lying on the bed. Props in the mise-en-scene such as her eye patch and syringe connote a sinister character because an eye patch is iconographic for pirates who are usually seen as the villain. This is creates enigma for the audience, but also raises certain expectations for the film.

The villain is dressed as a nurse in white. The connotations of white are innocence and purity. However the eyepatch has red on it which connotes sinnister actions. As it is on the eyepatch, it could signify she his hiding her evilness visually; she wants to appear innocent but she isn't.

Due to the low angle shot, the audience are forced to identify with the character lying on the bed because we are positioned beside her. This could signify she is the protagonist. She is also out of focus, which draws the audience's attention to the woman standing. The out of focus could connote that the protagonist is not well or is unaware of what is about to happen. This is binary opposistion because the audience are aware of what she might do, but the protagonist doesn't.

High key lighting is used and could signify the exposure of the villain's actions to the audience.

The Golden Compass Film still Analysis

Here is the link to the film still, a shot from The Golden Compass...

http://www.imdb.com/media/rm2604636160/tt0385752

This still is a high angle shot combined with a long shot. With this and her happy facial expression, it could signify that she is looking at something bigger than her. A long shot could connote the distance between the protagonist (the girl) and where the camera is, making her look even smaller. A high angle shot could signify a point of view shot because the audience are looking at the girl and she is looking back, maybe at a person or an animal.

The protagonist is in the middle of the frame which connotes she is an important character. The use of props such as her red coat make her stand out. Red connotes passion and love which could signify her passion or love for the person/animal she is looking up to.

High key lighting is used to see the mise-en scene clearly. This might be because there is a distinctive time period that helps create the setting of the film.

A Touch of Evil

Watch the opening of A Touch Of Evil (1958), directed by Orson Welles.

Discuss how the cinematography contributes to the telling of the story and the build up of suspense.

The opening sequence is one continuous shot on a crane (crane shot). However the cinematography changes throughout the shot.

A close up shot is used to focus on the activation of a bomb. This creates enigma straight away for the audience and creates expectations for the narrative. A tracking shot is then used to follow the character to the car which also creates enigma. The audience are almost forced to identify with this character as we join him on his journey, though we see he is the villain.

After the bomb is put in the car, the camera zooms out to an establishing shot to show the setting. It also uses a high angle shot which creates a CCTV effect- the audience are almost spying on the characters in the car, which could make us identify with the character who planted the bomb. This might disorientate the audience because we are seeing every thing as if we are joining the villain.

Throughout we lose the subject matter of the mise-en-scene (the car). The camera zooms out of the car or it goes out of view. This creates enigma and almost teases the audience because they know what is inside the car and they have expectations for what might happen, such as the car exploding.

Consider how the cinematography and the music and sound work together.

The use of sound bridge helpes move the plot forward. From the close up shot of the bomb, a female character laughing is herd from the distance, and the camera pans to the couple. This introduces the audience to important characters of the opening sequence.

When the bomb is being planted the non diegetic music is parallel because it fast paced with ticking and clicking sounds. This signifies the rush and excitement of the character planting the bomb and the sound of the bomb itself.

When the car starts the music is interrupted by a more relaxed style of music. This could signify that the couple in the car have no idea what is about to happen. It could also signify an interruption that might happen for the audience…an exploding bomb!

As the crane shot zooms out from the car diegetic sounds of the hustle and bustle of the town overpower the music in the car. This sound is parallel to the camera movement. It could signify that they want to draw attention away from the focus point, again to tease the audience, enigma codes.