Narrative: blog task

1) Give an example from film or television that uses Todorov's narrative structure of equilibrium, disequilibrium and new equilibrium. 

Most Movies and TV shows follow Todorov's narrative structure. e.g. Grimm follows this narrative every episode, a movie that follows this structure would be Jurassic Park

2) Complete the activity on page 1 of the Factsheet: find a clip on YouTube of the opening of a new TV drama series (season 1, episode 1). Embed the clip in your blog and write an analysis of the narrative markers that help establish setting, character and plot.

The setting is very american, along with that but the main characters accents in the opening scene are also american. Due to the events that unfold, it becomes quite clear that the plot of the TV show is very horror based and may have supernatural villains. It becomes quite clear that the wife/mum is the damsel in distress and the father/dad is the hero in this narrative 

3) Provide three different examples from film or television of characters that fit Propp's hero character role.

• The Hero: Captain America (Avengers
• The Villain: Lucifer (supernatural)
• The Donor: Gandalf (LOTR)
• The dispatcher: Nick Fury (Marvel) 
• 
  

4) Give an example of a binary opposition.

almost all superhero movies have a narrative which are accurate examples of binary opposition

5) What example is provided in the Factsheet for the way narratives can emphasise dominant ideologies and values?

The Factsheet uses the examples of a police officer catching a criminal, this emphasizes the ideology of law and order. Another Ideology that was displayed in the factsheet was heterosexuality and how traditional rom-coms/Romantic movies further reinforced those ideologies.

6) Why do enigma and action codes (Barthes) offer gratifications for audiences?

Enigma and action codes offer gratification for the audience since the codes lead up to the climax of the text, the climax is generally where the audience feels the most excitement, stressed and are at an emotional high spot. The text will then get to the resolution of text, answering a lot of the audiences questions. The codes create questions for the audience that they wait to be answered later on in the text.

7) Write a one-sentence summary of the four different types of TV narrative:

• Episodic narrative (the series)
• Overarching narrative (the serial)
• Mixed narrative
• Multi-strand overlapping narrative (soap narrative)

Episodic narrative: Mainly in sit-coms where the narrative arc is resolved at the end of each episode.

Overarching narrative: Mainly in drama tv shows. This is when there may be mini narratives within the episode, but the episodes lead up to a resolution that occurs at the end of each series.

Mixed Narratives: This is a combination of both episodic and overarching narratives.

Multi-strand overlapping narrative: A continuous narrative where throughout the narrative there are multiple stories being told.

8) How does the Factsheet suggest adverts use narrative?  

The factsheet says that idea of problem and resolution is vital, when a problem arises, the advertise then almost immediately offers the solution to create a quick resolution

Media Index

1) Introduction to Media: 10 questions
2) Media consumption audit
3) Language: Reading an image - advert analyses
4) Reception theory
5) Semiotics: icons, indexes and symbols
6) Genre: Factsheets and genre study questions
7) Narrative: Factsheet questions

Genre: blog tasks

Read Media Factsheet 03 - Genre: Categorising texts and answer the following questions:

1) What example is provided of why visual iconographies are so important?

Star wars and stark trek are both given as examples as they both share very similar visual iconographies that are associated with their genres

2) What examples are provided of the importance of narrative in identifying genre?

It states that the genre can be defined by how the story is told, e.g. Soaps and sit comms can both be defined as individual genres due to the way their stories are told

3) What is the difference between character representation in action movies and disaster movies?

In action movies, the main hero tends to be a lone wolf while in disaster movies the main hero tends to be a team leader.

4) What are the different ways films can be categorised according to Bordwell? 

·         Period or country

·         Director / Star

·         Technical Process

·         Style

·         Series

·         Audience

5) List three ways genre is used by audiences.

• ·         People use genre to assume if they are going to enjoy a movie.
• ·         People compare genres to other movies and to see if they share similar characteristics.
• ·         People assume genres will hold similar characteristics therefore reject it and assume that they already will dislike it.

6) List three ways genre is used by institutions or producers.

• ·         Attracting an audience, for example loyal fan-bases will most likely be interested in their movie
• ·         Marketing texts, for example using adverts and trailers to promote their film.
• ·         Production, if a media producer wants to produce a new sit-com, there are certain rules that must be followed. Making it easier for writers and producers to create a film or show.

7) What film genre is used as an example of how genres evolve? What films and conventions are mentioned?

• ·         Vampire movies
• ·         Psychological horrors
• ·         Gothic horrors
• ·         Ghost stories
• ·         The Teen Slasher
• ·         Haunted-house movies.

SSome iconographies that are mentioned are Crosses, holy water, graveyards and gothic mansions for the vampire sub-genre.

    1) List five films the factsheet discusses with regards to the Superhero genre.

d·         The X men Franchise

·         The Avengers and its franchise including: Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, The Hulk

·         Spiderman

·         Guardians of the Galaxy

·         Agents of Shield

2) What examples are provided of how the Superhero genre has reflected the changing values, ideologies and world events of the last 70 years?

• Scott Pilgrim vs the world (Edgar Wright)
• The Avengers (Marvel)
• Superman(DC, Warner Brothers)
• Watchmen (Alan Moore)
• 300 (Frank Miller)

3) How can Schatz's theory of genre cycles be applied to the Superhero genre?

Innovation: The concept of heroes are introduced and the iconic symbolism is used in film, TV, and Radio.

Classical: Around the 1950's superhero media had conventions that were used repeatedly and recognisably

Parody: This is the point in which these conventions are ridiculed and parodied (e.g Superhero move (2008) Kick-Ass (2010 Megamind (2010)

Deconstruction: This is the point in a genres life cycle where you see the genre change. e.g while the very first Superman may have taken itself seriously with low-quality effects (obviously due to technology setbacks) New superhero films like The Avengers give the audience amazing effects and a serious tone with comedic aspects.

The Text I am analysing is Stranger Things Season 1 

General
1) Why did you choose the text you are analysing?

Stranger things is an interesting T.V show that has multiple aspects to it which are quite different to other shows within the same genre

2) In what context did you encounter it?

It was recommended on Netflix

3) What influence do you think this context might have had on your interpretation of the text?

It felt as if it was a special find as it was not mainstreme when i wacthed it

4) To what genre did you initially assign the text?

Initially as a horror

5) What is your experience of this genre?

I tend to enjoy the horror genre

6) What subject matter and basic themes is the text concerned with?

It mainly deals with life during the 1980's and the life of children growing up during that time period7) How typical of the genre is this text in terms of content?

Its quite different as the subject matter and how it was made is quite different to how tv shows of the same drama are made 

8) What expectations do you have about texts in this genre?

I expect them to have a good and coherent narrative 

9) Have you found any formal generic labels for this particular text (where)?

The only generic label I can think of is that other texts from the same genre are known to have bad CGI 10) What generic labels have others given the same text?

Bad acting is another label people have given to the genre 

11) Which conventions of the genre do you recognize in the text?

It follows the convention of having a clear hero and a clear villain 

12) To what extent does this text stretch the conventions of its genre?

While it does not challenge typical conventions, it does use the typical conventions and creatively adopts them for the show.

13) Where and why does the text depart from the conventions of the genre?

It doesnt really challenge the conventions of the genre

14) Which conventions seem more like those of a different genre (and which genre(s))?

It does have aspects of a rom com and sci-fi, the relationship between the two main characters and the nature of the main villain adopts conventions of a sci-fi villain

15) What familiar motifs or images are used?
The typical use of a male main character to lead the group of main characters is a typical motif of disasster/horror movies
Mode of address

1) What sort of audience did you feel that the text was aimed at (and how typical was this of the genre)?

I feel like the text was aimed for teens and young adults

2) How does the text address you?

The text addresses me through the relationships of the main characters

3) What sort of person does it assume you are?

It assumes that I like to be scared but I also enjoy having an attachment to lovable characters

4) What assumptions seem to be made about your class, age, gender and ethnicity?

It assumes that I am a young teen, other than that no specific other classifications were assumed5) What interests does it assume you have?

It assumes that I like horror esk texts, it also assumes I have an interest in sci fi texts.

Relationship to other texts
1) What intertextual references are there in the text you are analysing (and to what other texts)?

There are many references to different texts and motifs of 80's life 

2) Generically, which other texts does the text you are analysing resemble most closely?

It surprisingly shares a quite simlar vibe to E.T by Steven Speilberg

3) What key features are shared by these texts?

There is a group of friends in 1980 that come together for a strange supernatural anomaly that joins the friend group

4) What major differences do you notice between them?

The villain is quite different, so is the relationship between some of the friends, the supernatural anomaly is also very different

Reception Theory

1) Create a new blog post called ‘Reception theory’ and write a paragraph for each advert analysing the dominant, negotiated and oppositional readings.

The dominant reading for this advert is to show everyone that Reebok has a large target audience and that their clothing brand can be worn by anyone of all classes and ethnicity. The used 50 Cent to try and show people who grew up with the artist that Rebook is a cool brand that understand that target audience

The negotiated reading for this advert would be that Reebok's clothing brand is affordable and aimed at the lower and middle class who have encountered struggles and may be less fortunate. Having 50 cent the man in the advert implies this and shows that Reebok's clothing brand is aimed at people who are less fortunate than others. 

The oppositional reading for this advert may be that Reebok's clothing brand is of lesser quality in comparison to other brands as 50cent comes from a less fortunate background; another possible reading would be that Rebook supports gang violence as 50 Cent has a well known history in gang crime.

The dominant reading of this image is that if you have Nike items you are bound to win no matter what, another dominant reading of the ad is that winning is incredibly important.

The only real negotiated reading of this image is that winning is a difficult process to get to, hence the usage of Tiger Woods, an athlete that has history of failing before he succeeded

The oppositional reading of this image is that nothing matters but winning, this has a bad meaning behind it as it could also mean abandon everything for success. Tiger woods has bad controversy behind him, it can also be seen that Nike condones his actions     

2) Do these adverts provide evidence for the idea that audiences are free to interpret messages in a variety of ways - including rejecting them? Answer this question as a mini-essay, exploring both sides of the argument

I believe that everyone lives in their own subjective reality, what this means is that if many people were given the same text or image to analyze; These advertisements are clear examples of that.

Icon, index, symbol: blog task

Icon:


Index:



Symbol:
BIN
123
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2) Why are icons and indexes so important in media texts?

Icons and indexes allows people to recognise images and provide context to them and linking the context to the area around them and surroundings.

3) Why might global brands try and avoid symbols in their advertising and marketing?

3) Symbols in advertisement could give off the wrong message and therefor leading the audience to think negatively or differently to what the advert is trying to say. Therefore it is much wiser to use icons and indexs when creating an advertisement.


4) Find an example of a media text (e.g. advert) where the producer has accidentally communicated the wrong meaning using icons, indexes or symbols. Why did the media product fail? (This web feature on bad ads and marketing fails provides some compelling examples).

This text has tried to express a positive message about women's day however has failed to do this, instead the advertisement was seen as an extremely sexist advert where it is saying that women should act like men in order to be a boss. The use of symbols in this advert create a sexist Oppositional meaning in this advert, "Think like a man" which is implying that women are seen as less intelligent than men. However this advert would have been seen as a success if wasn't for the symbols (the caption) and if it only contained the icon and index as these tell a positive narrative rather than a sexist one.



5) Find an example of a media text (e.g. advert) that successfully uses icons or indexes to create a message that can be easily understood across the world.

This Coca Cola advertisement is a successful advertisement for several reasons, The Icon aspect of the advertisement is a pepsi can with coca cola cape over it, both brands a Iconic, due to their popularity they are easily recognisable and attractive. The Index of the image is that pepsi is being a coca cola can for halloween, what this implies that the pepsi can is pretending to be Coca Cola. The symbol for the advertisement are both the Coca Cola logo and the writing "Everybody wants to be a hero!". This is a comical jab at Pepsi showing that pepsi wants to be Coca Cola.

MIGRAIN: Reading an image

1) Analyse this RBK 50 Cent advert using the key media language you learned today: denotation, connotation, colour, pose, framing, composition, size, type of shot, subject matter, setting, lighting.

Within the frame of the image, there is an image of 50 Cent, a well-known musical artist. At first glance, its denotation is an advertisement for the company Reebok. The image has connotations of urbanisation, this is mainly due to 50 Cents' dressing. Within the frame, he is wearing urban camouflage clothing alongside a chain. 50 Cent is a dominant figure within the Hip Hop figure, the fact that he is advertising for Reebok shows the viewers that Reebok only handles with the best of the best, incentivising the viewers to buy Rebook.The lighting along with the pose shows the front side of his face only. With the colour palette chosen, it gives 50 Cent an ominous but authoritative feeling.

There are three significant variations of typography within the frame, one being the companies logo at the very bottom, one is in the middle, the writing says "I am what I am" this could mean two things. One, it is promoting the ideology that you should be proud of what you are, no matter the factors. Or it says that the company can make you stand out compared to everyone else. There is another one at the very top, the basic denotation of the text is that you never know what tomorrow is going to bring, so make sure you take advantage of the time and opportunities of today.

I believe that the target audience of the advertisement is around 20-40 year old's, this generally due to the nature of his music not being family friendly. This is also due to that fact that 50 cent isn't really as popular as he was before, the older generations will recognise him more than the younger one generations.

This images denotation is a  Nike advertise. within the frame, it shows a middle shot of Tiger Woods on a golf course looking at his golf ball going towards the hole. The text in the middle is a quote from Tiger Woods telling the viewer that winning solves all your problems. This text gives two messages, one message being motivational, that all of us need to try our hardest to succeed to achieve our aspirations. But the other message seems more shallow, that the only thing in life that matters is winning when in fact, it is not. Nike makes sure to add that exact quote in their advertise to make the viewer feel like Nike can help them to succeed in life. The natural lighting and the pose shows the viewer that the shot was taken in the middle of a match, creating the feeling that Tiger Woods is constantly working to be the best in the world. 

I believe that this advertisement is targeted towards an older age demographic, around 18-30 as not many young viewers would know who Tiger Woods is and not many people above the age of 30 would actively specifically buy Nike.

My consumption audit

• Which daily newspapers (if any) do you read?

I generally don't read newspapers, but I do occasionally read the economist 

• What sections of newspapers do you turn to first, and why?

Since I don't really read newspapers I can't name a specific section. I would say that the section I would most likely turn to would be current affairs or technology 

• What sections do you never read, and why?

I prefer not to read the sports section, they don't interest me 

• What kinds of stories do you usually read and why?

I read anything that catches my interest

• Do you, or someone else, buy the newspaper you read?

My sister pays for all the economist copies at home

• Do you look at the online versions of any newspapers? Which newspapers? Why do you visit their website and not others?

I generally don't read online versions of newspapers

Magazines

• What magazines (if any) do you buy regularly?  Why

I don't read magazines

• What sections of the magazines do you read and not read, and why?

If I did read magazines, I would probably read an article based on either technology or on a celebrity I follow online 

Television

• Approximately how many hours a week do you spend watching television?

I would say around 15-17 hours a week 

• What times of day do you usually watch television?

I usually watch tv when I come back from school and about an hour before I sleep

• What programmes do you like best and why?

I enjoy watching comedies such as Friends and Only Fools and Horses, not only that but dramas keep me on the edge of my seat throughout the show, some shows are, The Walking Dead and The Flash. I occasionally watch animes also, some being One Punch Man and Attack on Titan 

• Do you watch alone or with others? If you watch with others, who decides what you will watch?

I watch shows by myself most of the time, but a few shows like The Great British Bake Off I prefer to watch with family 

• Do you watch 'live' TV or on-demand/catch-up? Do you use any other devices to watch TV (such as laptop or tablet?)

No, I like watching TV on a TV screen

Radio

• Do you listen to the radio?

Sometimes in the car, otherwise no 

• If yes, what stations do you like best and why?

Captial sometimes has music I like playing 

• Approximately how many hours a week do you spend listening to the radio?

Probably less than an hour a week

• What times of the day do you usually listen to the radio?

No specific times during the day, mainly just when I'm in the car

• Where do you listen to the radio?

Mainly in the car

• What other activities (if any) do you do whilst listening to the radio?

N/A

• Does anyone else in your house listen to the radio? If so, when do they listen?

Sometimes my family when on a family trip 

Cinema

• What films have you seen in the cinema in the last month?

I watch most of my movies at home, but the last movie I watched in a cinema was Spiderman Homecoming 

• What films have you seen in other places – for example, through Netflix, Amazon Prime, satellite/cable film channels (free or otherwise) or streaming?

I've watched many of movies at home so naming them, in particular, would be difficult but some favorites I can mention are, Unbreakable, 12 Years a slave, Rise of the Planet of the Apes and StarWars 

• Who else watched the films with you?

My family

• Who decided what films to watch?

I did 

• What devices do you typically use to watch films: TV, laptop, tablet, phone etc.?

I mainly watch movies on my T.V or laptop

Online

• How often do you access the internet?

I'm constantly accessing the internet daily 

• Where do you access the internet?  At home, at college or school, or at work?

I have access anywhere 3 has a data connection 

• What are the main sites that you access?

I mainly use Instagram and Youtube

• What are the main reasons for accessing these sites – for example, for information, to make purchases, communicate with friends or for entertainment?

I normally access the internet for entertainment 

• What other activities (if any) do you do whilst accessing the internet?

My focus is generally on what I'm doing on the internet 

• What different devices do you use to access the internet? What is your primary device for accessing the internet?

My two only devices I use are my phone and my laptop. I would say my primary device is my phone

• What social networks do you use regularly (e.g. Twitter, Instagram)? Why do you belong to these networks in particular?

My main social medias are Instagram and snapchat, I occasionally use Facebook 

Reflection

• How can you develop the amount and variety of media you consume?

I don't believe that I need to change my media usage, but if I were to I would most likely read the economist more (a newspaper)

• What will you change in your media consumption habits this year as a result of studying A Level Media?

I would most likely watch less TV and or lessen the amount of YouTube I watch 

• List three sources of media (websites/newspapers/apps/TV programmes etc.) that you will start to access this year that you haven't engaged with previously.

I would try to use online news sources more, alongside that I would probably like to read traditional newspapers and netflix