Poster for Escape

 

Starting to make a trailer

 In today's lesson. we watched the trailer for 'A quiet place'; our class looked at the features of this trailer that made it gripping and thrilling to an audience. After taking notice of these features, (such as camera work and use of sound), we then got into groups and began to think about making our own trailers. My group is making a trailer for a thriller; it is about a girl (Kayley) who finds herself trapped in a strange maze in an unknown location. While trying to escape the maze, she is being chased by the psychopath who trapped her there (me). 

My group decided to use a phone to film our different shots. We left the classroom and began filming. First, we chose to film a few different shots in the tunnel by the mansion. The dark and eerie atmosphere made this location perfect for our trailer idea. We used lighting and the set to create a few different scenarios, before moving onto our next location. 

Next, we found a hill that overlooked a pathway. Hannah filmed a shot where Kayley runs down the path, and the camera pans out to behind my shoulder, so that it looks like I am watching her. After this, we went out onto a grassy field, where there was a large ditch. We then filmed a few shots where Kayley was running and she dropped her coat; the next shot is me slowly picking it up behind her. 

The last shot that we did showed Kayley in the ditch, peering up from behind the brickwork down there and my hand appears from off-screen to cover her mouth and pull her down. The camera then pans out to show the rest of the location. 

Once we had finished taking the different shots we wanted, we went back to the classroom and imported our videos from the phone onto the computer. Next lesson. we will be editing the footage together and adding the desired effects for our trailer.

Cuffs Q1 and Q2

 1 Analyse how camerawork is used in the extract to create meaning. Refer to at least two examples from the extract in your answer. (5 marks) 

Firstly, a reaction shot is used when Jo is speaking with the father. As Jo asks the father if she can speak with his son, he refuses. Jo then leaves the room to speak with the duty solicitor, and the father begins to look distressed. This creates meaning as the audience can infer that the father knows something that the others in the room do not, and that the son may reveal the truth if he is spoken to. A reaction shot is very effective as it demonstrates to the audience a particular reaction that a person has to a situation. 

Secondly, an arc-pan shot is used in the extract when Jake is attempting to arrest the woman. The criminal begins to take off her clothing, in order to make it look like Jake is trying to abuse her. The arc-pan shot is used here and it creates meaning because it shows how the people around are reacting to the scene, including Jake himself. This particular shot allows the audience to see what effect the situation has on those around it.                                                                

2. Analyse how far the extract creates a humorous view of policing (10 marks) 

The extract creates a humorous view of policing to an extent. On the one hand, it creates a humorous view as it shows the different types of situations the police deal with. For example, in the extract, a policeman stops his car in order to furiously demand that a group of school children to go back to school. When the policeman gets back into his car, his radio alerts him to the fact that there has been a robbery and there is a police chase happening, he calmly replies that he is responding to the case. This can be seen as humorous as it shows he audience that the policeman handled the first situation so angrily, and yet he was very tranquil as he found out that he needed to help arrest a criminal. Most would argue that a robbery is more serious than a group of pupils skipping school, and yet the policeman's reaction did not demonstrate this. 

On the other hand, the extract does not create a humorous view of policing; it creates quite a sad view instead. This is shown when Jake attempts to arrest the woman and she makes big scene out of it. The arc-pan shot shows people looking shocked; there is one woman watching who in particular catches the audience's attention. This woman goes up to Jake and claims that he sexually-harassed the criminal, when the audience know that this did not actually happen. This woman then has the audacity to spit on Jake; this creates quite a sad view of policing as it shows that many people in the police force have to deal with disrespect regularly, even if they are in the right. 

In conclusion, I don't think that the extract creates an entirely humorous view of policing. There are some minor aspects of humour, but I think that it creates quite a sad view of policing. Not only is Jake disrespected and humiliated in front of the general public, but also Jo is deprived of an 'interview' that could really help her to understand a certain case. The father of the little boy that Jo wants to speak to continually refuses, and the duty solicitor tells Jo that it is the fathers "right" to refuse this interview. It is quite frustrating to the audience, as we are interested in this case too and yet it is uncertain whether or not we will find out what happened. Therefore, I believe that the extract has an aspect of humour, but it mainly creates a sad view of policing.

Four questions on newspapers

Tasks

1. Find one example of the representation of a woman and say how she is represented.

2. Find another contrasting example of a woman and say how she is represented

3. Find one example of a news story about the Cold War

4. Find one example of a story about a domestic disaster

5. Find one example of a story about a European disaster

1. On 'The Observer' (20th October 1968) newspaper, the woman in the white hat and dress, Elizabeth Vambe, is shown smiling on the front page. She is happy as it is her wedding day. The story reads that she was a university graduate; this means that she was well-educated. The story underneath her picture states that she was marrying a Noble man. This is interesting because she was not only marrying a man of a different ethnicity, but he was of a higher social class. All of this would have been considered ground-breaking in the 60s; and yet she is not represented in a negative way. 

2. On 'The Observer' (30th October 1966) newspaper, the Queen is shown on the front page. She is shown looking very distraught and solemn. The story underneath states that she and the Duke of Edinburgh, went to visit Aberfan. She is shown looking very unhappy because the South-Wales village she visited was hit by grief, as many people (mainly children in the local school), had been killed in a horrible accident. I think that the Queen looks upset because of the horrible tragedy, but also partly because of guilt. It took the Queen too long to decide to visit this mourning village; i think that she knew she should have gone sooner. The Queen is represented as mournful and serious on the front page.

3. On 'The Observer' (30th October 1966) newspaper, a story about the Cold War is included. The heading is 'America accused of spy frame-up'. The story states that the US was "accused by the Soviet newspaper...of framing a Soviet diplomat in Washington." The Cold War in summary was a period of tension between the Soviet Union and the United States and their allies. Many stories on newspaper at the time would have included the latest about the 'Cold war'. 

4. On 'The Observer' (6th November 1966) newspaper, an example of a featured Domestic disaster is the 'Man flees from police guard in hospital' story. It states that a man in a London hospital escaped and left behind a dummy figure made out of books in his private room. Even after an extensive search that lasted all throughout the night, there was no trace of the man to be found. It was a disaster for the police force from whom he escaped custody and avoided capture, because it showed huge failings in their security. The fact that he made a dummy body to distract them is something from a comedy!

5. On 'The Observer' (6th November 1966) newspaper, an example of a featured European disaster is the 'Plane hits Alps in Snowstorm' story. In summary, the story states that a plane crashed into the French Alps. There were seven people aboard this plane; the police reported that they were all crew members or technicians. Sadly, it was reported that there was little hope of finding any of these people alive. 

Two uses and gratifications of video games

Explain at least two uses and gratifications of video games using Blumler and Katz’s theory. Refer to The Lego Movie Video game to support your answer:

One reason for the use of video games is for the audience to experience escapism. For example, The Lego Movie video game is based around the idea of walking around a Lego town, completing certain tasks and even fighting Lord Business. By allowing the audience to immerse themselves in a fantasy world where they are in control, the creators of the game are helping them to experience escapism. The audience can use this game as a distraction from the real world; somewhere they may not have as much control. Furthermore, the game can appeal to both a younger audience and a slightly older audience. Whitty comments and funny lines are said in the game (mainly by Lord Business) that, in some circumstances, would only be understood by an older audience. Therefore, video games can appeal to a range of different audiences and can be used for diversions (or escapism).

Another useful aspect of video games is learning about personal relationships. For example, in The Lego Movie video game the audience are in control of their character and chose how they should react to certain situations. This idea can allow the audience to reflect on their own personal identity because they are able to side with certain characters or even aim to be like them in some respects, while wanting to stray away from others. Vitruvius, for example, is a wise, somewhat omniscient and omnipotent character. He strives to do what is morally right and defends others from the enemy (Lord Business). In a way, he, and other characters such as Emmet, could be seen as a role model to some for example, teaching a younger audience to stand up for what is right and to have courage. 

On the other hand, Lord Business is a representation of the people in life who are selfish (he wants the Kragle for himself) and aim to do no good; he fights anyone and everyone in his way, even aiming to brainwash the Lego people who live in his city. The idea is that people who somewhat have these negative traits are inevitable in life, one of the messages in the game is that you have to stand up to them and do what is right. This is a message that is quite important to teach a younger audience, and an older audience would be able to relate to this too. Therefore, video games can be used as a way of reflecting on your own personal identity.

Explain one way in which music videos use media language to differ from each other. Refer to one example of contrasting media language in two music videos you have studied to support your answer

One way in which music videos can use media language to differ from each other is through performance. For example, in the Wheatus music video for “Teenage Dirtbag”, what is acted out on screen is the narrative of the song. We see a high school boy from a lower social class, admire the popular girl and suffer at the hands of her ‘jock’ boyfriend. At the prom, as he is sitting alone she approaches him with two tickets to see his favourite band in concert. The video is a literal translation of the lyrics. 

On the other hand, in the Beyonce music video for “Single Ladies” the video is black and white and the sole focus throughout is Beyonce and two backing dancers doing perfect choreography. The Beyonce video isn’t a literal interpretation of the song. Instead, it demonstrates the theme of female independence through the all-female performers and the attitude of the choreography. 

An example of contrasting media language is the use of location in the videos we have studied, which were Wheatus “Teenage Dirtbag” and Avril Lavigne “Sk8r Boi”.         

Avril’s video moves from a teen bedroom through to what appears to be an abandoned building. Then outside the building, they burst out of the door to hold a concert on the street against the backdrop of a cityscape.

Wheatus set their video in a typical All-American high school, against the backdrop of the scenery you would expect to see; from the lockers to the cafeteria and to finally, the end of year prom.                                                                                       

Despite both videos featuring high school-age American youth, they both take a very different approach. The street concert in Avril Lavigne’s video displays a theme of rebellion, with her performing on top of a police car, ultimately smashing the windscreen with her guitar. In contrast, the Wheatus video represents an average high school experience in an environment that any teen audience watching would relate to. 

My Mojo magazine

 

How is media language used on the front cover of MOJO?

Comparison of media language in MOJO and We Love Pop

The layout of MOJO is clean and isn’t image-heavy (just 2 photographs and 1 graphic), which connotes a more mature target audience. By contrast, the layout of We Love Pop is busy with many images which connotes the vibrancy and exuberance of youth. It gives you so much to look at and draws the eye to catch the attention of the tween-market.

The typography of MOJO is stylised to the issue (1967-1970’s music) and is sleek, with the logo part-hidden, which connotes that the readers will seek out the magazine because the brand has a strong identity and a loyal readership. By contrast, the typography of We Love Pop is cartoon-like with several different fonts and colours which connotes a younger audience.

The colour palette of MOJO is limited to black (which is prominent) followed by white and pink. Even the main cover image has been adjusted to suit the palette, which connotes simple, stylishness.

By contrast, the colour palette of We Love Pop is bubble gum pinks and blues which makes it seem aimed at older children / teens as it mirrors the colours of candies.

The language of MOJO emphasises the main headline (The Rolling Stones) and only uses one exclamation mark (the free CD offer) whereas the language of We Love Pop is less under-stated. Five exclamation marks are used to generate a feeling of excitement and interest to captivate the attention of the young readers.

What is a police procedural drama?

Police procedural drama is a detective fiction. It investigates the procedure of one or multiple police officers (the protagonists). The main purpose of a police crime drama is to aim to display the law enforcement profession.                                                                                                                                 In order to try to accurately depict what the profession entails, procedures such as autopsies, forensic science and interrogations are used within the dramas.                                                                                                                                    

Many police procedurals hide the criminals identity until the crime is solved at the narrative climax, and some reveal the criminals identity just to the audience earlier, which makes it an inverted detective story. 

It is thought that police procedurals date back to around mid-1800s, with the novel ‘The Moonstone’ by Wilkie Collins being the earliest example of the genre. 

Police procedural increased in popularity mainly after the second world war. ‘The Street with No Name’ (1948) and ‘T-Men’ (1947) are just two examples of police procedurals from around that time. 

This genre has continued to grow in popularity and still holds great entertainment value today. A commonly known modern example of police procedural is the series ‘Brooklyn Nine Nine’. 

Why do we enjoy watching this genre?

Police procedural dramas can be quite addicting to watch. I think that this is because it gives the audience an insight into the world of law enforcement, commonly in a more comedic way. 

Also, when the audience knows that someone had committed a crime, it is very satisfying to see them get locked up and for justice to be served. 

The fact that police procedural dramas are fiction means that investigations can go on that are far more interesting than what we see in real life. We get a detailed look at the way the protagonists handle certain situations and it hooks the audience in. 

Analysis of Avengers clip

Audiences enjoyed watching the relationship between John Steed and Emma Peel. In the clip, they have a flowing dialogue of repartee back and forth, which is mirrored in the fencing match. It is very entertaining and would have been escapism for the viewer as everything about the show was fantasy. From their job to their relationship (the suggestion that they could become more than colleagues) to Emma Peel’s black catsuit, the clip is clearly not based in reality. 

Emma is presented as confident and able. She is skilled at fencing and challenges Steed to a duel. She mentions that she has just finished writing an article for Science Weekly, which suggests that she is well-educated. During the duel, despite Emma getting the upper hand and backing Steed into a chair, she is very quickly made to appear less of an equal by Steed tapping her backside with the fencing sword. This is symbolic of the 1960s, where women were not represented as equals to their male counterparts. When Steed is discussing a beach trip, Emma says that she won’t carry his bucket and spade. This was Emma asserting her authority and suggesting that she wants to be seen as more of an equal. 

Steed is dressed like a gentleman and even addresses Emma as Mrs Peel. This is very formal and a total contrast to the flirtatious way he behaves with her. He comes across as an expert and authoritative and immediately offers ‘friendly advice’ on her fencing technique. This is, again, a 1960’s view of men knowing best and needing to be in charge, as Emma clearly looks as though she is a skilled fencer. In spite of being so well-spoken, wearing a suit and carrying a cane, Steed also comes across as cheeky in the way he speaks to Emma, and he clearly adores her and respects her (to a degree). 

Cuffs Cast