representation
LO: To understand why representation is essential during production
1. Business Capital is privately owned.
2. Buyers and sellers control the economy
3. Free-Will to spend Money
4. Minimal Government supervision
An economic system in which the means of production of goods or services are privately owned and operated for a profit.
Individual Material Gain
Capitalism
Trickle down economics
Representation
The description or portrayal of someone or something in a particular way.
E.g. "the representation of women in films"
Media representation
Representation is concerned with the way that people, ideas and events are presented to us by the media.
This could be represented in magazines, news, soaps, films, TV game shows etc.
The Media rely on the audience understanding these representations and accepting them.
What is ‘Real’ and what is represented?
CONFUSION TIME – how does this clip relate to representation?
It is not possible for the media to present the world as it really is (reality). This is because the media constructs meanings about the world and therefore they change or mediate what is really there.
Mediate: intervene in a dispute in order to bring about an agreement. Occupying the middle ground.
RE-PRESENTATION
The media re-presents the world to the audience. The ideas are a re-presentation of the original (reality).
As media students, it is important to question:
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Who is represented?
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Lifestyle, Class, Age, Gender, Ethnicity, Sexuality [ L – C A G E S ]
Identifying a lack of representation
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Is one group of people, person, place or situation being represented more than another?
Deconstructing how they are represented to the audience
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Media language, technical and cultural codes.
Stereotypes
LO: To understand why Stereotypes are essential within media
Stereotype
A widely held but fixed and oversimplified image or idea of a particular person, group of people or thing.
Example: Film ‘The Breakfast club’
Stereotypes: Dyer (1979)
Richard Dyer (1979)
Suggested that stereotypes are always about power – those with power stereotype those with less power. Link to Hegemony.
Example: He argued there were more recognizable stereotypes of gay men, non-white racial groups, the working class and women in society.
Semiotics/
Semiology
LO: To understand why Semiotics are essential within media
Semiotics / Semiology
“The science of the life of signs systems in society”
Ferdinand Saussure 1857-1913 (Swiss linguist
The study of sign systems. Explores how words and other signs make meaning.
Derived from the Greek – Semeion - Sign
Signs are categorised into those that are mental and private and those which are spoken or written in order to be made public.
Saussure highlighted the difference between what is on display in society and how the human made meaning from it.
Semiotics and this new process of creating meaning from society’s signs underpinned a new logic and way of thinking.
Sign
A sign is anything that stands in for something other than itself.
Signs do not have innate meaning humans assign value to words and signs.
REMEMBER: Different signs have different meanings to different people and cultures.
Example:
Denotation
A red rose with green leaves
Connotation
Romance, Lancashire, Danger, Love, Death
Why is semiotics so IMPORTANT in Media Studies?
Genre, narrative and meaning relies on SIGNS, SIGNIFIERS and SIGNIFYING PRACTICES.
SIGNIFYING PRACTICES are what defines a genre
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For example, Western films
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Cowboy costumes, locations, old western costumes, realistic props, action relating to the time period.
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Looking deeper at the SIGN?
TWO COMPONENTS
Signifier
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The physical existence e.g. sound, word, image.
Signified
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Meaning or mental concept conveyed by the signifier e.g. Western film.
SIGN
Mise en Scene
LO: To understand why Mise en Scene is essential during production of a Film
Mise en Scene
A French term meaning what is put into a scene or frame.
Visual information in the frame.
Communicates essential information to the audience. Represents people, places and events.
5 elements
1.
Settings & Props
4.
Facial Expressions and Body Language
2.
Costume, Hair and Make Up
3.
Lighting & Colour
5.
Blocking/Composition Positioning of characters/objects within the frame
*** Each aspect of mise-en-scene has hidden meanings within a media text, that uses signs to send signals to the audience about how we (the audience) are supposed to feel at certain points (preferred reading/dominant ideology) ***
1.
Settings & Props
Play an important role in manipulating an audience, the narrative, expectations and the genre of a media text. Sets are either built from scratch or located through a setting that already exists.
2.
Costume, Hair & Make up
Act as an instant indicator to the audience of a character’s personality, status and job. Tells us immediately where and when the media text is set in terms of timeframe, society and culture. Certain costumes signify certain individuals.
3.
Lighting & Colour
Used to highlight important characters or objects within the frame. To reflect a characters mental state/hidden emotions (i.e. bright = happy, dark = disturbed, strobe effect =confused)
4.
Facial Expression & Body Language
Provide a clear representation of how someone is feeling. It also indicates how a character feels towards another character or may reflect relationship. In film body language can be used as brand identification
5.
Blocking/Composition
​Positioning within a frame can draw the audiences attention to an important character/object. It can also indicate relationships between people.
Additional Notes
Mise-en-scene
Setting, décor and props
naturalism, time period, symbolism,
Atmosphere, emotional response,
dramatic irony/ tension, colour symbolism
Body language & facial expression
Character status, emotion, stereotype,
Where characters look
Hair & Make Up and Costume
Characterisation, status, symbolism, colours,
Emotion, similarities/ differences, alliances/ enemies
Blocking & Composition
Conflicts / alliances, statuses,
centre of attention / outcast, spacing – positive. Negative space
Lighting
Shadows, spotlight on? High / low key –
Emotion, colour symbolism
Todorov’s narrative Theory
LO: To understand how to write a professional script
Tzvetan Todorov
Born 1839 Franco-Bulgarian Philosopher
Wrote 22 books and visiting lecturer in Harvard.
In his work on narrative theories from 1960s onwards, he suggested that:
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Stories begin with an equilibrium or status quo where potentially opposing forces are in balance.
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This is disrupted by some event.
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There is then a realisation (recognition) of the problems.
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Problems are solved (the repair)
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Order and equilibrium can be restored in the world of film.
Todorov’s model applied?
Todorov’s narrative theory basically states that most story’s or plot lines follow the same pattern or path. There are 5 steps in this pattern.
1. EQUILIBRIUM
The first part of the story will display a happy start, where the majority of characters are content and everything is as it should be.
So in the Simpsons Movie, in the first part, everything is normal and Homer is just doing chores.
2. A DISRUPTION
The second part of the story will feature a problem or some thing will disrupt the happiness. In the Simpsons, it begins when Homer saves a pig.
3. REALISATION
This part of the plot is when everyone realises the problem and it is chaos. So, the Simpsons are kicked out of Springfield and forced to move to Alaska.
4. RESTORED ORDER
This part of the plot is when the characters attempt to repair the damage and restore the problem. So, the Simpsons go back and save Springfield.
5. EQUILIBRIUM AGAIN
This is the final part of the plot where the problem is resolved and normality can resume again. So, the dome is blown up and everyone is free.
Scriptwriting
LO: To understand how to write a professional script
4 GOLDEN RULES OF SCRIPT WRITING
​1. Sections
1. Slug Line
2. Action
3. Dialogue
2. Present Tense
3. Show Don’t Tell
4. Characters
1.
Sections
A screenplay is split into 3 sections.
1.
A slug line lists the location of the scene.
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For example:
INT. BASEMENT - EVENING
2.
The action lists everything that the viewer sees on the screen.
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For example:
A NAKED LIGHTBULB SPARKS TO LIFE. It dangles from the ceiling of a basement.
3.
The dialogue is everything that is spoken on screen.
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For example
ANNA: Mahogany. I'd say that cost at least a couple hundred. Maybe three.
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MALCOLM: Three? We should hock it. Buy a C.D. rack for the bedroom.
2.
Present Tense
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All screenplays are
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written in present tense
"Is" Words
Words like "is" should always be removed from a script. For example, "Joe is mowing the lawn" should be changed to "Joe mows the lawn." Read through your script, eliminate "is" and make sure the script is written in present tense.
3.
Show Don’t Tell​
Unlike books, screenplays are written to show only what the viewer can see.
For example, a screenplay would never include the line "Joe hates the thought of pickles." Instead, a scene would show Joe looking at a jar of pickles with disgust.
3.
Characters
When a character is introduced, his name appears in all capital letters. You can follow this by a brief description or let the action tell the story.
For example, JOE JOHNSON, 28, wears a suit and walks proudly down the office hallway.
Propp’s Character Theory
Vladimer Propp
Born 1895 Russian Literary critic and a scholar.
Founded the idea that a certain type of character was to be used in every narrative structure. His theory has influenced many filmmakers to writing and producing successful narratives.
Propp also suggested that all fairy tales follow a specific narratives structure.
He concluded that all the characters could be resolved into 7 broad character functions in the 100 folk tales he analyzed:
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The Villain
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The dispatcher
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The helper
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The princess or prize and often her father
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The donor
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The hero
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The false hero
These roles could sometimes be distributed among various characters.
Conversely, one character could engage in acts as more than one role,
Opening of feature films
SE7EN - Memento - Inception - The Matrix
SE7EN
This opening sequence were used lot of closed up shots and did not included any long shots of the setting, which it would assume that the things that were happening in the film was in somebody home, or in an office as the props were the equipment that you could find in your house. However, it was not shown therefore creating tension for the audiences.
In term of the props that had used in the opening it could associate with investigations and detectives work as it was included book, files, pens and papers. Also in this scene it was appeared that the person was putting pictures and information into the file or case.
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For the Positioning of the characters and objects, the reason that all of the objects in the film were shown as the close up shot and taking up most of the frames, because the creator would like to create the suspense to the audiences to make them did not know who was this character.
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Moreover all of the shots were represent as the dark colour because the film would like to give the sign of the danger and serious to the audiences. Also in terms of the lighting as it had used low key lighting this gave the settings a dull and suspicious feel.
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Lastly, the titles of the credits in the video were appeared as resembles handwriting because the editor would like to make it fit to the idea of someone creating a file or investigation, as well as some of the props.
Memento
In the opening sequence of 'Memento' uses a lot of close-ups and The extreme dose-ups to show the audience specific details to objects which are significant to what happens in 'Memento'. For examples of extreme close-ups used include an extreme close-up of the bullet, a pair of glasses and blood running down the wall. The use of extreme close-
ups gives the audience clues but not answers to what is about to happen in the sequence. The audience are encouraged to ask questions such as, "What has happened in this sequence?" and "What is important about these objects?"
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For the mise en scene in the video, low-key lighting is used in the opening sequence of 'Memento to create a dark, dangerous atmosphere. The use of the low-key lighting sets a dangerous atmosphere because in the dark, characters are seen to be more vulnerable and are in more danger because they can't see what is happening.
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Moreover, the character who shoots the other character in the opening sequence is wearing a suit which contrasts with the murder that he has committed. The suit makes the audience wonder whether the character is trained to be an assassin and does it as a job.
For Sound, the non-dietetic soundtrack that is being played in the background during the opening sequence builds up during the title sequence. It is slow, quiet and varies from a high pitch to a low pitch. The sound of the violin cords which are long and slow make the audience feel sorrow and grief even though they do not yet know what has happened. The soundtrack becomes a higher pitch close to the end to show that the sequence has reached a climax and something will happen.
As well as the dietetic sound of the gunshot at the end of the opening sequence when the other character gets shot shows the audience that someone has been shot. This makes the audience feel shocked and intrigued, they wonder what has happened and why.
lastly, the titles in the opening sequence of 'Memento are in a serif font which shows that 'Memento' is a very serious film. They are a dark blue colour in the centre of the shot where the polaroid photo is fading. This creates a sorrowful atmosphere for the film and shows that something tragic is about to happen to one of the characters. Also, they fade in and out slowly in time with the music to show the audience how calm the killer was eventhough we have not yet seen him and do not know that he is a killer.
​Inception
During the film opening of 'Inception' is used in the first scene when the man is lying on the beach and then in the next scene he has been taken into a room by guards. It is ellipsis because we cannot see how he ended up in the room. Also there is a flash back is seen when we see him reflecting back on the past. We are aware of this being a flashback due to
the change of lighting and theme. You can also tell it is a flashback due to the use of sound, using hard crashing and dramatic sound first when he is his current age changing into a calm, soft and light hearted sound when the flash back is seen.
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Furthermore it has been using the 180 degree rule to create realism that they are talking by using two cameras on the opposite sides to one another making them on the reverse side of the screen to one another. This makes it appear as if they are having a discussion. 180 degree rule normally uses close up shots to allow you to see their facial expressions rather ten using an establishing shot that’s shows the whole scene. To the left hand side is an example of a wide angle shot; this is an example of what can be used as an establishing shot as in the shot you can see everything that is happening within the scene. In this scene you can see the two guards by the door which shows the main in the chairs importance. Also in this shot rule of third can be seen showing the main focuses on the two guards.
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Continuing to the editing section this film has created realism by using eye line match where the character looks off screen and we then see in the next shot what they are looking at. This can be seen in this film opening shown on the screen shot on the left when he is looking down at something, and to the right hand side we then see a shot of a person who we assume is one of the main characters with a gun held to his back. This also creates cause and effect because this gun has been held to him it will lead to something else being the effect in the film.
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Lastly, in this scene it has used a slow motion shot to show a flashback, however they are normally used to create tension. Nevertheless A fast motion sequence is used to create excitement in films creating intrigue keeping the audience watching.
The Matrix
As the opening scene unravels you are introduced to a stream of green coding symbols filling the screen. The symbols eventually form the title of the film ‘The Matrix’ and use a fade transition to exit. The audience is once again reintroduced with the green lettering, as well as, a voice over between a man and
woman. That they are given understanding of the scene before the action has taken place. The coding numbers emphasizes the overall theme of the movie to the audience.
As the opening scene unravels you are introduced to a stream of green coding symbols filling the screen. The symbols eventually form the title of the film ‘The Matrix’ and use a fade transition to exit. The audience is once again reintroduced with the green lettering, as well as, a voice over between a man and woman. That they are given understanding of the scene before the action has taken place. The coding numbers emphasizes the overall theme of the movie to the audience.
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In term of the music and the sound effects, they both are combined to create the scene increasingly visually pleasing. With any other action/adventure film the music builds up during a scene to imply action and suspense, The Matrix is no different. In the fourth minute exactly, this happens. During the chase scene sequence the music is fast and relentless until it reaches its climax. As trinity leaps the audience are caught on the edge of their seat. The chase reinforces her super-human abilities and the excitement of the opening scene.
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The editing in the fight scene is very fast paced, however, whilst Trinity remained inside the pace of the editing was slower and a sense of tension was being built. Another example of this is the Agents. The Agent’s conversation reflects their calmness, and confidence. Whereas the faster paced editing of Trinity’s fight reflects energy and danger.
