Representation

Representation Theory

The media literally re-presents the world to us. Dominant and oppositional arguments conflict e.g. on one hand the media is showing us how things actually are, on the other hand they are telling us how things should be (dictating representations, not just reflecting society).

The main representations we study in the media are:

 Masculinity
 Femininity
 Social Class
 Sexuality
 Race and Ethnicity
 National Identity
 Age

So -

How did you represent social groups?

How did you ‘construct’ your characters? - Costumes, props, mise-en-scene

Task

1 Define Representation  

2 Talk about how you will represent your characters,

Using the very limited pieces of information you have been about your characters, describe the mise en scene of that character:

•        What would they look like

•        What would they wear

•        Where would they live

•        What props might you expect to see them with

•        What other visual information might you see related to this character

•        What other social group labels would they have?

Film Ideas!!

Your task is to post 1 or 2 movie outlines.....

You need to set out your work with the following titles or blog posts -

A Title 

(Or maybe a few different titles?) - Why you like them

Theme & Genre

What have you chosen - why?

The narrative or story

Tell me the basic story. Remember to use a beginning, a middle and an end or even better use Todorov and his 5 parts...

Remember Todorov and his narrative theory

1. There is an equilibrium (Normality/Balance)
2. Some sort of problem or issue disrupts this equilibrium
3. The characters realise that there is a disruption of equilibrium
4. They attempt to fix the problem
5. Returns to equilibrium or new equilibrium

Characters & Representation

Who are they? Whats their background? How are you going to represent your characters? what conventions are you going to follow? Why?

Opening and Closing shot

The first image introduces your story to your audience, so make it a good one! Ideally, the first image is a visual representation of your entire story, especially its theme.

Your closing image is your last contact with your audience, so make it strong. A good closing image, like the spinning top in Inception, can even change our interpretation of the entire ending.

Genre

 Genre is a French word that means type or kind. Genre is a way of classifying media to tell us something about it.

The first thing to ask about a text or movie is what is its genre. Film and television shows usually come under a few major genre such as: thriller, action, scifi, western, romantic comedy,horror, sport, soap opera, or comedy.

Many modern films are hybrid genres with elements of say thriller, comedy and maybe horror.

Pirates of the Caribbean is in the adventure genre with elements of comedy. If you see an adventure film what do you expect – exotic costumes, and a pistol perhaps.

In any text make sure you can identify the conventions of a genre. These are the particular characteristics that make each genre different. 

Try to work out how much the characters depend on the genre – could you have an action movie without a hero or heroine?

Discuss what the audience expects from each genre. If you go to see a thriller what do you expect to see –not men in hats with guns on horses.

Decide if the text/movie largely conforms to the characteristics of the genre, or maybe it treats them in a humorous way e.g. Scary Movie. 

A parody film is a film that mocks through comedy other films often of a particular genre. Hot Fuzz is a recent British film that makes fun of the genre of cop action films. (It is very popular with students).

A pastiche film borrows a number of themes and styles from other films even to the extent of copying some scenes and imitating others – the aim is to make it obvious that these elements have been borrowed or imitated as a form of flattery. The films of Quentin Tarantino are considered pastiche as they pay tribute to Chinese Kung Fu films and cheap (pulp) novels.

Discuss if the text/movie features a star actor, a famous director, or a writer (e.g. Hugh Grant, George Lucas) who is strongly associated with a particular genre.

Here are some ways of identifying genre:

• the story or plot
• characters
• Iconography
• setting – time and place
• dress
• action
• dialogue
• objects and gadgets 
• filming style

The combination of some or all of these elements in a particular style creates a pattern that is known as a genre convention. It is this pattern that identifies a genre and becomes the conventions of that genre.

Task 1 - Add a post to your blog explaining Genre.

Task 2 - Choose three genres that interest you - List the conventions of that genre and discuss a trailer from that genre.

Student Work

Name	Address
AZIZ Shehzadi	http://shehzadimedia.blogspot.co.uk/
BEECHAM Issy	http://issysmediastudies.blogspot.co.uk/
BEST Laoise	http://leeshabest.blogspot.co.uk/
BUTLER Millie	http://milliemedia2014.blogspot.co.uk/
CLARKE Amy	http://amyjclarke.blogspot.co.uk/
CLIFTON - WILLIAMS Nicole	http://missnicolewilliamsx.blogspot.co.uk/
DAVIES Bethan	http://bethandavies-mediagcse.blogspot.co.uk/
Davies, Emma	http://emdaviess.blogspot.co.uk/
DUSSOT Ruth	http://ruthdmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
FAULKNER Lily	http://lilyf-gcsemedia.blogspot.co.uk/
FISHER Elle	http://ellesblogx.blogspot.co.uk/
GLASZ Jessie	jessiesmedia.blogspot.com
HALTON Georgia	http://georgiahaltonsblog.blogspot.co.uk/
HAZELL Ellie	http://ehmediablog.blogspot.co.uk/
HOBSON Ellie	http://elliehobson.blogspot.co.uk/
MCDERMOTT Siana	http://sianalee13.blogspot.co.uk/
NUNN Grace	http://gracenunnmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
PATON Beth	http://bethsblogmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
REMZI Shannon	http://shanremzi.blogspot.co.uk/
SAUNDERS Sanchia	http://sanchiax.blogspot.co.uk/
SHARP Alicia	http://aliciasblogformedia.blogspot.co.uk/
SHARP Isla	http://islasharpgcsemedia.blogspot.co.uk/
SHARPE Daisy
SHORTER Shannon
THEW Harley	http://harleytsmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
TRUE Hannah	http://htmediablog.blogspot.co.uk/
WILLIAMS Bethany	http://bethprwmedia.blogspot.co.uk/
YELDING Tammy	http://tammysmediabeaverwood.blogspot.co.uk/

Trailers - An Introduction

Trailers

Trailers were originally shown at the end of films which is where they got their name from – they trailed after the film. That didn’t work because everyone got up and walked out the cinema before they were shown, so they were moved to being shown before the film.

Pre-trailer screens include  MPAA rating card – Motion Picture Association of America, Production company screen and Distribution company screen.

Trailers are said to have a 3 Act structure – 

• Act 1 lays out the context of the story.
• Act 2 establishes the problem and ends with a dramatic climax.
• Act 3 often features visual montage of key moments of the film and may have cast name screens if there are stars that sell the movie.

Planning a Trailer....

• Trailers use Long shots at the start to establish character and setting
• Fades to black that suggest shifts in time
• Transitions/cuts with by booming SFX build tension
• Transition screens place significanttext on screen, images and  shots before/after should echo the text
• Short shots and quick cuts of some of the most exciting moments from the film, the ‘events’ that lead to resolution but not necessarily in chronological order
• Resolution should be left out, viewers left guessing.
• Music should build to a crescendo
• Sudden moments of quiet and silence will have impact on mood and pace.
• The voiceover and text on screen will most likely feature the film’s USP, its unique selling point. 
• The  USP is anything that would make people want to see your film over any other films  currently released. This could be at the beginning or end of your trailer.

Award screens may be put before the trailer or after the title

Voiceovers

Typical voiceovers /text or V.O/Text mix include:

• ' This Season'… (creates a sense of anticipation)
• 'From the people who brought you…' (refers to established audience)
• 'Based on the unbelievable true story…'
• 'Based on the bestselling book…‘
• ‘Academy award winner....’

      The voiceover can also establish the narrative.  Words chosen can suggest key themes and summarise the plot in a grand way to suggest the plot is timeless and universal.  Some clichéd examples are single words of human emotion such as 

‘Love’ ‘Friendship’

Some actions.......

 .....can never be undone.....

They will find hope where they least expect it.....

One man's destiny…

She will face her biggest challenge.....

It will change their lives forever!

Experience a new kind of fear....

In a world where....

Fonts and transitions are chosen carefully to match genre/narrative.  They must be consistent throughout.

q  Trailers end with the title again and then a final credit page showing the names of the crew. The font used for this page is most commonly ‘Steel Tong’. 

Trailers also include a final screen with official website details. And commonly today, facebook and twitter links.

Welcome

Welcome to the new GCSE Media Studies blog! 

This blog will help you over the next three years, through your journey from Media consumer to Media producer extraordinaire!

Please check it every week and read all of the posts as they will help you with both your production work and your theory.

To start with you need to reply to this post or email your teacher your blog address so they can add it to this page.

Wishing you the best of luck for a very successful time ahead - Cant wait to see all of the wonderful media you all produce!