Blog Task; Representation

(Ghost in the Shell)

Firstly, this extract contains a significant amount of dominant representations because it follows the typical narrative of a sci-fi film. The first noteworthy dominant representation was that the antagonists of the movie were foreigners. This is a conventional prospect of this genre of film. To continue, the robot is unable to express feelings or emotion which are innate to human beings. However, this mechanical character is enticed by any emotions and subsequently triggers her longing to remember her past human self. An alternative representation would be her having a black lesbian lover and the fact that she is portrayed as a female protagonist. To culminate, her rebellious attitude and skill of transforming from a subservient robot into a incompetent robot, is again quite an dominant representation of mechanical characters such as robots.

Media and Audiences -The Effects Debate

1)Do you play violent games? Are you violent in real life?'
I do not regularly play violent games but i do enjoy the thrill of them. I do not consider myself a violent           person either.

1b) Do you ever see a product advertised on TV or on the internet and decide you want to buy it?
      Yes, espically products advised through youtube and youtubers. Usually relating to makeup though.

2) What are the four categories for different effects theories?
 Direct Effect Theories, Diffusion Theories, Indirect Effect Theories and the Pluralist Approach.

3) What are the examples provided for the hypodermic needle theory - where media texts have been blamed for certain events?
An great example are copycat crime cases such a teenager who murdered his girlfriend due the inspiration he felt from the show 'Dexter'.


4) What was the 1999 Columbine massacre? You may need to research this online in addition to the information on the factsheet.
the columbine massacre was shooting spree that caused 15 deaths including two young male shooters and injured 24 people. This was the worst high school shooting in us history. In addition, as the coverage of the shooting got more publicity, copycat crimes started to increase. It has been said to inspire at least 74 attacks across all states. Many even said that their goal was to outdo the columbine body counts.

6) What does Gerbner's Cultivation theory suggest?
cultivation theory looks at  the long term effects of media consumption. quote-" cultivation theory states that the more time people spend 'living' in the television world, the more likely they are to believe social reality portrayed on television."  this means perceptions of our general world are based heavily on the  images and ideological messages transmitted through popular media texts.
   

7) How does this front page of the Daily Mail (from this week - Wednesday 16 November) link to Cultivation theory?

Audience theory

The hypodermic needle model:

This is a crude theory from the 1920's that suggests the media injects information into the audience like a hypodermic needle and therefore can have a dangerous effect on us.

The two-step flow model:

The two-step flow model was developed in the 1940's because the hypodermic needle theory was considered too simplistic, assuming the audience consumed media without thinking.

The two-step flow model instead suggests the audience are influenced by ‘opinion leaders’ in the media who mediate how the audience react to media texts. The theory suggests the media is not all-powerful and that social factors are important.

Blumler & Katz: Uses and Gratifications theory:

Researchers Blumler and Katz reignited audience theory in 1974 by stating that media audiences are active and make conscious choices about the way they consume media.

They suggested there are four main uses or gratifications (pleasures) that audiences get from the media.

Diversion: escape from everyday problems and routine - entertainment.

Personal Relationships: using the media for emotional and other interaction (e.g. developing affection for characters in TV)

Personal Identity: finding ourselves reflected in texts or learning behaviour and values from the media. Reality TV or documentary (Educating Yorkshire) are good examples.

Surveillance: Information useful for living (e.g. Weather, traffic news, holiday bargains etc.)

HOMEWORK;

1) Read this Mail Online article about the effects of videogames. How does this article link to the hypodermic needle model?

This relates to the hypodermic needle model as this article by the mail suggests that consumers of video-games are unable to make conscious choices ad are unable to take understand reality.

2) Summarise the two-step flow model. In your opinion, is the two-step flow theory still relevant today?

The two step flow model was an idea that came from the hypodermic needle model and was further devolved. It is the idea that audience are able to consciously mediate pieces of media but are influenced by opinion leaders  (e.g celebrities) and social factors.

3) How does this YouTube blogger fit into the two-step flow model?

We can see through his youtube channel he has 2.5 million followers which will listen and take in his thoughts and opinions. this is fits in the two step flow model as he is an influencer.

4) How this this Telegraph article on influential tweeters fit the two-step flow model?

Similarly, these influential tweeters such as one direction dominate social media which is where most people form and insert their thoughts and opinions.

5) Read this BBC profile of Jamal Edwards. How does Jamal Edwards link to the two-step flow model?

Again, Jamal is a social influencer similar to the ones mentioned before. this means he has the ability to shift and change opinions.

Part 2: Uses and Gratifications theory 

This is a popular show that gives the audience access to entertainment and laughter as they allow you to forget about hardships and reality of our daily lives

An example of a show that gives the audience access to other's personal relationships is Eastenders as it allows the audience to focus on problems and crisis's of others.

Big brother is a show that allows the audience to watch (surveillance) to their favourite celebrities and they got through the obstacles  of the show

Shows like black-ish are popular and made to relate and to prove better representation of the public, specifically people of colour. This is show focus are the personal relationships between family members and friends

Genre Factsheet

                           

                               Genre

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

    

Visual iconography is used to symbolically announce the genre.

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

     

   to convey the plot and to add realism.

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

   For example, a character in a action film such as captain america will appear as the heroic and the saviour of mankind whilst in a horror film, the character are expected to face their fears and examine  their weak qualities. 

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

  

    Period,Star,Technical,Style,Series and Audiences 

5) List three ways genre is used by audiences?

 This is to help the audience consolidate prior knowledge then comparison and lastly taken in the text and preparation into consideration.

    

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

This is to help the institutions or producers consolidate prior knowledge then comparison and lastly taken in the text and preparation into consideration.

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

 An great example would be the modernisation of the James bond films. 

                         

                                                     Genre 2

The accountant (film)

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

   The genre of this is partially divergent as it is a hybrid of action, thriller and drama.

   
2) In what context did you encounter it?

    At the cinemas

   

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

     The cinematic feel allowed me to really submerge myself into the film.

     

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

     Simply Action movie. i initially thought it was going to be very generic.

5) What is your experience of this genre?

    I was pleasingly surprised.

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

    Autism and our general understanding of it. Also parenthood and romance/bromance. 

7) How typical of the genre is this text in terms of content?

    Not typical at all because it taken other factors of other genres.

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

    Suspense, Thrilling, Compassion. 

  

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

     Other labels i have found are Crime and physiological film

     

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

       Killing, Misunderstandings,Family-hood,Romance.

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

       Quite a bit.

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

        Bringing topics like Autism and criticising our general attitude towards it.

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

       Maybe movies centring family-hood and children.

15) What familiar motifs or images are used?

     The fight towards the end that resolves tension between the brother and saving the girl from death whilst destroying the corrupt company.

 

Narrative Homework

suicide squad:

The movie suicide squad has a linear pattern as follows the chronically order of beginning, climax and resolution. 

Action codes are used when the two character's refused to follow orders and begin to fight the rest of the team and the soldiers. the audience is left to wonder if they will survive. Enigma codes are send to the audience when the character try to form a plan to escape. The audience is left to wonder if they are able to trust and tell the truth to one another.

The equilibrium is when all the character leave the helicopter and briefly walk together. The false hero is the criminal that tries to leave and also sets off the disequilibrium. The new equilibrium is set when all the characters realise that retaliation causes instant death.

EASTENDERS:

This is clip from Eastenders is a part of a multi-strand narrative as other character in other location with different storyboards are shown as well.

The action codes are displayed by the fiancee of Syed crying and having a nervous breakdown. Enigma codes are sent to the audience because although they already know that syed is having affair with his gay lover, the audience doesn't know who is going expose syed's sexuality. The equilibrium is created when the parents of syed are trying to calm down the fiancee. The disequilibrium is created when syed exposes his sexuality with his gay lover w then being assaulted by his future dad in law. The new equilibrium is created when syed decided to leave him and is accepted by his brother. The dispatcher is the syed's lover who encourages him to reveal his sexuality.

Finding Dory:

Initially there is a sense of equilibrium as dory, Nemo and Nemo dad's are by the reef. The disequilibrium kicks in when the dory suddenly remembers her parents and has an urge to find them. New character are introduced such as the octopus which helps dory but in fact it is only to better and help himself, this makes the octopus the fake hero and the donor. the disequilibrium is extended as the dory finds herself in fish tank and is being imported to a aquarium.

Institution

Institution: Brand values

Coca cola is a popular carbonated soft drink created on May the 8th in 1886 by John Pemberton. Coco cola had been repurchased by a businessman called Asa Candler. The name of the drink refers to two ingredients within the beverage. Kola nuts and coco leaves. Coco cola is also known for its top secret recipe. Coco cola also known other soft drinks such as Fanta, Smart water, Powerade, vitamin water and etc.

Coco Cola is the most recognisable brand in the world.

Syrup

Nike is a popular sports brand that sells clothing, shoes and sponsors many different things that relate to sports e.g football players. The company's headquarters is based in the state, Oregon. It is also the world's largest supplier in athletic clothing. The brand, Nike is worth over 19 billion dollars making it the most valuable and notorious sports brand. Nike owns other brands such as Jordan's, Converses and Hurley.

Nike is named after the Greek Goddess of Victory.

Tick

McDonald's a well-known food chain brand that started of as a barbecue restaurant in the 1940s by Richard McDonald (named after him). McDonald's approximately serve 68 million customers daily across 119 countries worldwide.
The McDonald's brand owns other brands such as Chipotle, Kristy Kreme, Red boxes and etc. The McDonald brand has been around for 61 years. Lastly, McDonald's 24 billion dollar revenue makes it the 90th largest economy in the world. 

Mcdonald's was originally made for selling hotdogs.

Calories








  Vine is a video sharing service free app that was founded in June 2012 and is owned and supported by Twitter. It is compatible with other social media outlets such as Instagram and Mobil. Vine has logged over 200 million users. Vine was made in Florida by Dom hofmann, Rus yusupov and Colin Kroll. Lastly, Vine is available in 25 languages.


Vine is a popular app that gained popularity in 2012

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