Wednesday 30 September 2015

Representation

When considering how a person, place or thing is represented you may consider the following:

  • Who/what is being represented?
  • Is the representation positive or negative?
  • How is the image established?
  • How does the representation relate to the target audience?
  • Is the representation a stereotype?
  • Is the representation fair/accurate?
  • Are the representations conventional or subversive?








    Consider representation in terms of: 
    • Age
    • Gender
    • Race
    • Disability
    • Socio-economic status
    • Nationality 
    • Sexuality vvf


    Tuesday 29 September 2015

    The BBC and Independent Channels

    Similarities:
    -Programming (soap operas, chat shows, comedies, news shows and lifestyle programmes)
    -The utilisation of online platforms e.g independent channels having a streaming service which is similar to the BBC Iplayer


    Differences
    -The BBC is a publicly owned channel which means it is required to remain impartial in terms of representation of things such as political parties and issues to do with current affairs.


    The schedules of the BBC accurately reflect the viewers interests because as a publicly owned channel it is within their best interests to provide and cater for the public at large.





























































































    Thursday 24 September 2015

    Genre Conventions-Thriller

    The aim of the Thriller as a genre is to create suspense and excitement for the audience.











    The use of busy streets and suburban environments is often used to give a hectic theme which adds to the drama of the piece.











    The narrative tends to revolve around a mystery and the unknown which enables the audience to be sympathise with the protagonist who is often the only person who can solve the enigma.










    A technique often employed is violence which gives a dangerous aspect to the Thriller. This in turn gives the audience more of a sense of the troubles and problems faced by the protagonist whilst also giving them a powerful character to be admired.





    Furthermore the Thriller genre as a general rule reveals the inner and often corrupt workings of large incorporations and establishments such as the government, police or army.






    A further point about Thrillers is that the hero and villain often share ideals but go about implementing them differently causing a clash of character.


    A central theme of putting right the injustice caused gives the protagonist a status of hero of the people despite the fact that the public often don't believe or support them due to the influence of the establishment which the hero is trying to expose.


    The protagonist is also often characterised as a moral yet distant outcast of society who looks to right  the wrongs of society.



    Wednesday 23 September 2015

    Genre Convention - Horror



    Horror Genre Conventions














    The advancement of horror movies from past into present has brought about huge changes in how the public sees the films. More realistic gore has became available due to the advancement of special effects; Pair this with the new waves of ideas for this genre and there are countless new horrifying films that the public cant wait to scare themselves silly with. This genre is one of the most diverse in my opinion because if there are new ideas being produced or directors are beautifully re-mastering classics, such as Evil Dead, these films still remain as some of the highest watched films of their respective year. This proves that the horror industry has became a widely loved and admired section of modern film.


    Setting
    The setting of this genre usually follows a set example of:-
    -Isolated locations e.g. the middle of the countryside or a castle outside of town etc.


    Charlize Theron Snow White animated GIF

    -Small, tight-knit communities 


    -Usually a location with a dark history such as a place where a serial killer was located or a place which has an unusually high number of missing persons cases, location of an old mental asylum














    Characterisation
    The characterisation in horror are stereotypically as follows:-

    -The main protagonist is usually the victim/hero of the film.


















    -The villain often a mutated freak, monster, paranormal being, alien or serial killer.












    Morbid Pans Labyrinth animated GIF












    Creepy Children Horror animated GIF-Children are either portrayed as innocent or very creepy.



















    -Police officers tend to either be good or bad which can add to the story e.g. the police force are working with the serial killer to cover up their crimes or the police end up helping the protagonist in capturing/killing the villain.













    Super Troopers Cops animated GIF












    -There are many unnatural creatures which can be used in the making of a horror film such as a werewolf, vampire, witch, demon, ghost etc.





    Growl Werewolf animated GIF



    Themes
    In the horror genre there is a wide array of themes that crop up often in the more popular films. These themes connote the most fear, tension and realism to stir emotions as much as possible. These themes include:-

    -Revenge
    Revenge Sarah Butler animated GIF

    -Insanity
    Batman Insane animated GIF

    -Good versus Evil
    Film Tucker Vs Dale animated GIF

    -Supernatural
    Demons Paranormal animated GIF

    -Envy
    The Muppets Season 1 animated GIF

    -Childhood issues
     animated GIF

    -Religion
    Religion Black And White animated GIF
    

    Monday 21 September 2015

    What is a Genre Convention?

    A genre convention is a standard, stereotypical trope of character, setting, plot and theme in a piece of media.


    Thursday 17 September 2015

    Music Video review - From the Feminist and Post-Feminist Perspective

    Dirty Talk Wynter Gordon

    Feminist Viewpoint:-
    This young woman has been corrupted by the music industry. The camera angle used at the introduction to the video is a simple long shot that displays her whole body. However it is when Wynter spins around that is a cause for concern as it conveys that she is nothing more than an object on display from angles. On a similar note, her human figure is used and silhouetted in a regular order along a later shot. This is an effect of literally using this young woman as a pattern for decorative purposes. Heavily made up, scantily clad and dancing in an erotic manner. All of these indicate that the viewers that she attracts are not in fact interested in her music and she is simply in this video to fulfil the male gaze. This is further supported when the video takes a turn in which Wynter ends up fully naked and barely covering herself on the floor. This body language re-affirms the idea that women are helpless in the viewers and shows that she cares more about the amount of views she has compared to her own self respect as an artist. During her appearance being naked Wynter is say on the floor with a completely white background and her body radiates colour. This use of colour attracts the attention and draws it to her naked self. This epitomises Wynter Gordon's attempt at rising to superstardom through the medium of the music industry: Highly disappointing.

    Post-feminist Viewpoint:-
    This vibrant young woman uses all things at her advantage to further career. The long shot used to show all of her body is used to display all of her form and allow the viewers to appreciate her as a woman. Many of the effects use the shape of Wynter's body as a modicum through which the viewer may be enchanted by. This is shown when her silhouette is used to form a pattern which draws all the attention to the artist therefore embracing her in her music video. The portion of the video in which Wynter has removed her items of clothing and is shown crawled up on the floor has many meanings; she is naked because her music reflects who she truly is and she does not need to alter herself through her outfit. Furthermore her being crawled up on the floor displays Wynter as fully capable to accept all parts of being a woman including vulnerability. The nature of the song is that of a woman who knows what she wants and knows that she is going to get exactly that. If you pair this nature with her provocative dancing the viewer can ascertain that Wynter is a role model who fulfils her own desires and needs as an independent, driven woman with a career oriented overview of life.