Wednesday, 11 May 2011
Wednesday, 27 April 2011
Representation of own product - P1-04
1) Who and what is being represented? AND 2) How is that representation being created?
In our music video we are representing the indie kids of the UK. Although Butch Walker is Canadian our video is depicted as a UK version so this is why we would represent indie kids of the UK. People who follow the indie trend would most likely listen to a lot of indie bands and wear the same sort of clothes as their indie music stars so by the way we dress in the video we are representing this type of group. The lyrics in the song also help the representation of indie people as they may relate to the indie lifestyle these people live - i.e. playing guitar, partying, fighting, drugs, lazy, skinny jeans.
3) Why did you create the representation in that way? What was your intention?
We created the representation in this way as we wanted to appeal to the target audience. We wanted to show our representation through the type of music, the lyrics and the visuals in the music video. Our intention was to come across as an indie band who appealed to the indie kids of the country.
4) What is the effect of the representation?
In our music video we are representing the indie kids of the UK. Although Butch Walker is Canadian our video is depicted as a UK version so this is why we would represent indie kids of the UK. People who follow the indie trend would most likely listen to a lot of indie bands and wear the same sort of clothes as their indie music stars so by the way we dress in the video we are representing this type of group. The lyrics in the song also help the representation of indie people as they may relate to the indie lifestyle these people live - i.e. playing guitar, partying, fighting, drugs, lazy, skinny jeans.
3) Why did you create the representation in that way? What was your intention?
We created the representation in this way as we wanted to appeal to the target audience. We wanted to show our representation through the type of music, the lyrics and the visuals in the music video. Our intention was to come across as an indie band who appealed to the indie kids of the country.
4) What is the effect of the representation?
- Representation has an effect to distinguish different types of groups/cultures/interests.
- It allows people to be part of a type of group and to express themselves.
- Allows directors/actors to portray their feelings towards certain types of people/representations.
Representation...
1) Who And What Is Being Represented?
In our music video we are representing the artist in a love story narrative. We focused on the lyrics to create imagery that matched what was being said. Therefore, the artist was represented in a serious and romantic role.
2) How Is That Representation Being Created?
We created this representation mainly through the choice of mise-en-scene. The setting was very important while filming our video. We analyzed the lyrics closely before filming and noticed that they mentioned nature a lot for instance "lakes and seas". So we then chose artistic and natural locations such as a forest, a river and around traditional cambridge architecture to film. These places had a romantic feel about them where you can imagine couples exploring together therefore they linked to the love story theme.
3) Why Did You Create The Representation In That Way? What Was Your Intention?
We wanted the settings to have a romantic connotation so that the audience interpret the surroundings as romantic places to be. Some people may see the image without any meaning for instance just a forest or just a riverbank but viewers with an artistic eye and romantic side to them will interpret the setting how we intended it to be seen.
4) What Is The Effect Of The Representation?
The intended audience of our song and music video we think is females. This is because the lyrics are a girl expressing her feelings about her love interest and comparing his beauty to nature. We chose to represent the artist as a mature teenage girl.
The majority of girls dream about a fairytale romance because they are influenced by love stories in films and television programmes, that's where their knowledge of romance comes from.
In our music video we are representing the artist in a love story narrative. We focused on the lyrics to create imagery that matched what was being said. Therefore, the artist was represented in a serious and romantic role.
2) How Is That Representation Being Created?
We created this representation mainly through the choice of mise-en-scene. The setting was very important while filming our video. We analyzed the lyrics closely before filming and noticed that they mentioned nature a lot for instance "lakes and seas". So we then chose artistic and natural locations such as a forest, a river and around traditional cambridge architecture to film. These places had a romantic feel about them where you can imagine couples exploring together therefore they linked to the love story theme.
3) Why Did You Create The Representation In That Way? What Was Your Intention?
We wanted the settings to have a romantic connotation so that the audience interpret the surroundings as romantic places to be. Some people may see the image without any meaning for instance just a forest or just a riverbank but viewers with an artistic eye and romantic side to them will interpret the setting how we intended it to be seen.
4) What Is The Effect Of The Representation?
The intended audience of our song and music video we think is females. This is because the lyrics are a girl expressing her feelings about her love interest and comparing his beauty to nature. We chose to represent the artist as a mature teenage girl.
The majority of girls dream about a fairytale romance because they are influenced by love stories in films and television programmes, that's where their knowledge of romance comes from.
1B- Concept 5- Representation.
1. Who and What is being represented?- The main focus of our music video, showing who is being represented, is the artist and the band. The artist is being represented as he is the main singer therefore he is being shown as a natural performer being spontaneous. The genre of the song is indie-rock therefore we tried to fixate this into the music video through his personality by making him flamboyant.
2. How is that representation being created?
- Our choice of micro elements helps create our representation we wanted to achieve. Using our choice of cinematography such as long shots of the main artist shows his body language of how he chooses to behave. Another form of micro elements that show this is mise-en-scene. This includes costume and colour which portrays his character because the striking red trousers.
3. Why did you create that representation in that way? what was your intention?
- We created the representation in this particular way because we felt the main focus should contrast other objects in the frame e.g the two members of the band. This was important because it attracts the viewers attention allowing the main artist to stand out.
4. What is the effect of the representation?
- The production shows which factors play which role in the music video to represent a certain figure. In our music video, the genre of the song decided what factors we had to control for example, the way the artist dressed, acted and appeared on screen.References made in our video is a stereotype because we wanted the genre to match his onscreen appearance so we purposely made the song and artist link.
The reception encouraged us to attract a certain audience that have an interest in this genre of music which is indie/rock.
Representation
Who and what is being represented?
Kanye West is being represented as the main artist in the video. The whole video is based on a narrative that we created from the lyrics of the song. We used visual/lyrics, so what you hear is related to what you see on the screen. The song is about himself and how he regrets the past.
How is the representation being created?
The video is created around the narrative of the song. Representing the story line that Kanye is portraying. We used visual/lyrics to create more of an atmosphere for the viewer. They can see what they're hearing about and vise versa. Also allowing the audience to relate to Kanye.
Why did you create the representation in that way? What was your intention?
We created this representation to help the audience to engage with Kanye and understand why he is how he is.
Kanye West is being represented as the main artist in the video. The whole video is based on a narrative that we created from the lyrics of the song. We used visual/lyrics, so what you hear is related to what you see on the screen. The song is about himself and how he regrets the past.
How is the representation being created?
The video is created around the narrative of the song. Representing the story line that Kanye is portraying. We used visual/lyrics to create more of an atmosphere for the viewer. They can see what they're hearing about and vise versa. Also allowing the audience to relate to Kanye.
Why did you create the representation in that way? What was your intention?
We created this representation to help the audience to engage with Kanye and understand why he is how he is.
Concept 5 Representation
1) Who and what is being represented?
Adam is meant to be the confident, cocky, "cool" guy who is trying to get the girl. What is being represented is a funny attempt for Adam and his friends to win the girls heart, but get rejected. There is a competition between Jack and Harry as well, but it is clear that they are minor characters and Adam is the leader. The girl is not interested in anyone except Joe.
2) How is that representation being created?
This is being created by each character having their own turn to chat her up. Adam seems the most interested and tries the hardest to get her, even fighting for her at the end. Adam is shown as the leader by showing his daily activities before going to college. This lets the audience understand his character more. Also, when he is walking with Jack and Harry, he is in the centre, so is the focus of attention. The fact everything is over the top shows it is a comedy as no one would take things so seriously (such as Jack crying when she walks off, and the fight between Adam and Joe).
3) Why did you create the representation in that way? What was your intention?
The representation was created in this way as it suited the college location. Teenagers were used so it was natural to put them in a typical environment doing typical activities such as socialising and trying to pull a girl. We wanted it to have a comedy effect because the song was upbeat and a serious theme would not suit this, so we decided to have Adam's character be very lively and funny.
4) What is the effect of the representation?
The audience found Adam's character funny and the video appealed to a teenage audience due to the way Adam's character is portrayed and how he acts in a school environment. The audience get to know more about Adam because they get to see his daily routine and who he hangs around with. Adam is shown as a stereotypical "lad" as he is showing off and cocky, and his friends seem to just follow in his footsteps. The denotation of this music video is Adam at the beginning shown as a normal guy getting ready for college. The connotation is that he is actually quite cocky and thinks hes ''all that''.
Adam is meant to be the confident, cocky, "cool" guy who is trying to get the girl. What is being represented is a funny attempt for Adam and his friends to win the girls heart, but get rejected. There is a competition between Jack and Harry as well, but it is clear that they are minor characters and Adam is the leader. The girl is not interested in anyone except Joe.
2) How is that representation being created?
This is being created by each character having their own turn to chat her up. Adam seems the most interested and tries the hardest to get her, even fighting for her at the end. Adam is shown as the leader by showing his daily activities before going to college. This lets the audience understand his character more. Also, when he is walking with Jack and Harry, he is in the centre, so is the focus of attention. The fact everything is over the top shows it is a comedy as no one would take things so seriously (such as Jack crying when she walks off, and the fight between Adam and Joe).
3) Why did you create the representation in that way? What was your intention?
The representation was created in this way as it suited the college location. Teenagers were used so it was natural to put them in a typical environment doing typical activities such as socialising and trying to pull a girl. We wanted it to have a comedy effect because the song was upbeat and a serious theme would not suit this, so we decided to have Adam's character be very lively and funny.
4) What is the effect of the representation?
The audience found Adam's character funny and the video appealed to a teenage audience due to the way Adam's character is portrayed and how he acts in a school environment. The audience get to know more about Adam because they get to see his daily routine and who he hangs around with. Adam is shown as a stereotypical "lad" as he is showing off and cocky, and his friends seem to just follow in his footsteps. The denotation of this music video is Adam at the beginning shown as a normal guy getting ready for college. The connotation is that he is actually quite cocky and thinks hes ''all that''.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Genre...
1) Do you think genres are timeless? Can we still label films?
We think that genres are timeless because they have been around for years and the story lines are very similar today as they were years ago. The standard genres have been used for many years and can't create a new type of genre without it being a hybrid genre. All the main genres have been covered so it's difficult to develop a brand new one.
2) Why do you think hybrid genres are developing so much?
We think that hybrid genres are developing so much because modern day audiences are getting fed up of predicable story lines. If you know the genre, it can be quite easy to guess what is going to happen throughout the film. Hybrid genres are used to surprise the audience and keep them interested.
3) Choose one of your products and determine how it does/doesn't conform to a genre?
We choose Yasmin's thriller 'A Bit Tied Up' to analyse. The genre is thriller, this is shown to the audience via three different themes including setting, theme/topic and format. You can tell Yasmin's film opening is a thriller from the setting e.g. the main action happens in a dark creepy room which is typical of the thriller genre. For example, the issues and concepts shown in the film. In our thriller, the main action is set around one character who receives a voicemail from the antagonist. This lets the audience know that the antagonist is messing with her head by letting her know that her friend was in trouble, but not giving her any information to tell her were she is. The antagonist seems to be getting enjoyment out of this which then shows the audience the sub genre.
We think that genres are timeless because they have been around for years and the story lines are very similar today as they were years ago. The standard genres have been used for many years and can't create a new type of genre without it being a hybrid genre. All the main genres have been covered so it's difficult to develop a brand new one.
2) Why do you think hybrid genres are developing so much?
We think that hybrid genres are developing so much because modern day audiences are getting fed up of predicable story lines. If you know the genre, it can be quite easy to guess what is going to happen throughout the film. Hybrid genres are used to surprise the audience and keep them interested.
3) Choose one of your products and determine how it does/doesn't conform to a genre?
We choose Yasmin's thriller 'A Bit Tied Up' to analyse. The genre is thriller, this is shown to the audience via three different themes including setting, theme/topic and format. You can tell Yasmin's film opening is a thriller from the setting e.g. the main action happens in a dark creepy room which is typical of the thriller genre. For example, the issues and concepts shown in the film. In our thriller, the main action is set around one character who receives a voicemail from the antagonist. This lets the audience know that the antagonist is messing with her head by letting her know that her friend was in trouble, but not giving her any information to tell her were she is. The antagonist seems to be getting enjoyment out of this which then shows the audience the sub genre.
Concept 4: Genre
1. Do you think genres are timeless? Can we still label films?
Yes because there are always going to be films classed into each genre. This links to Robert Stam's theory of persona acting because we are used to the same actors playing their certain characters to fit the chosen genre. We can still label films because we can tell straight away from seeing a film what the storyline will be and what characters there will be, etc. Writers are only writing films that fit into certain genres because that is what audiences want, no one creates films that cant be labeled because they wouldn't sell.
2. Why do you think hybrid genres are developing so much?
Hybrid genres are become extremely popular in cinema because directors are constantly trying to redefine cinema and try to keep modern audiences pleased and hooked on the film. they use multiple genres to appeal to a widespread audience to bring in more money and views.
3. Choose one of your products and determine how it does/ doesn't conform to a genre.
The genre of this film is thriller but it has a sub genre of psychological thriller and this is shown through the setting of the film, the characters and props for example Adam's character is the protagonist and he is male and in danger of being attacked. The film challenges the Janet Stieger's "id ealist method" because the protagonist in the antagonist, you would normally expect there to be a clear good guy and bad guy in a thriller. This conforms to Robert Stam's theory of persona actors, the kind of actor that we would have got for Adam's part would've been someone like Matt Damon, the generic thriller hero.
Yes because there are always going to be films classed into each genre. This links to Robert Stam's theory of persona acting because we are used to the same actors playing their certain characters to fit the chosen genre. We can still label films because we can tell straight away from seeing a film what the storyline will be and what characters there will be, etc. Writers are only writing films that fit into certain genres because that is what audiences want, no one creates films that cant be labeled because they wouldn't sell.
2. Why do you think hybrid genres are developing so much?
Hybrid genres are become extremely popular in cinema because directors are constantly trying to redefine cinema and try to keep modern audiences pleased and hooked on the film. they use multiple genres to appeal to a widespread audience to bring in more money and views.
3. Choose one of your products and determine how it does/ doesn't conform to a genre.
The genre of this film is thriller but it has a sub genre of psychological thriller and this is shown through the setting of the film, the characters and props for example Adam's character is the protagonist and he is male and in danger of being attacked. The film challenges the Janet Stieger's "id ealist method" because the protagonist in the antagonist, you would normally expect there to be a clear good guy and bad guy in a thriller. This conforms to Robert Stam's theory of persona actors, the kind of actor that we would have got for Adam's part would've been someone like Matt Damon, the generic thriller hero.
The Genre Debate
Do you think genres are timeless? Can we still label films?
Genres do have the ability to stay timeless depending on the reputation and reaction of the films in it; if these films are all good and have fan bases than they may be able to stay timeless. However if the genre is full of niche market made films than this could make it seem cheap and repetitive giving the genre no cutting edge when it comes to new releases therefore it does not coincide with Janet Steiger's four ways of defining a film because it will not be accepted by cultural expectation or predetermined standard, more specifically compared to other films in the genre.
We can label films, in relation to Robert Stam theory; about how genres are defined through the performer or persona acting; an example of this is Jean-Claude Van Damme films as they are usually involving the same type of character and then the audience no exactly what to expect.
Why do you think hybrid genres are developing so much?
I think hybrid genres are developing a lot because films need to meet audience expectations and preferences. It is no longer that an audience expects to see one type of genre in a film, they expect a genre within a genre so that is why they are developing so much. An example of this is Avatar, there are many genres in this film so it is hard to label one specific genre. This film was extremely popular with the viewing public all over the world due to having a hybrid genre.
Choose one of your products and choose how it does or doesn't conform to a genre?
I think that our thriller project only works as a thriller because it contains very little other characteristics that could be related to other genres. This also means that is does not really work as a hybrid genre as it can only really be linked to a thriller type of movie.
Genres do have the ability to stay timeless depending on the reputation and reaction of the films in it; if these films are all good and have fan bases than they may be able to stay timeless. However if the genre is full of niche market made films than this could make it seem cheap and repetitive giving the genre no cutting edge when it comes to new releases therefore it does not coincide with Janet Steiger's four ways of defining a film because it will not be accepted by cultural expectation or predetermined standard, more specifically compared to other films in the genre.
We can label films, in relation to Robert Stam theory; about how genres are defined through the performer or persona acting; an example of this is Jean-Claude Van Damme films as they are usually involving the same type of character and then the audience no exactly what to expect.
Why do you think hybrid genres are developing so much?
I think hybrid genres are developing a lot because films need to meet audience expectations and preferences. It is no longer that an audience expects to see one type of genre in a film, they expect a genre within a genre so that is why they are developing so much. An example of this is Avatar, there are many genres in this film so it is hard to label one specific genre. This film was extremely popular with the viewing public all over the world due to having a hybrid genre.
Choose one of your products and choose how it does or doesn't conform to a genre?
I think that our thriller project only works as a thriller because it contains very little other characteristics that could be related to other genres. This also means that is does not really work as a hybrid genre as it can only really be linked to a thriller type of movie.
Section 1B - Concept 4: Genre
Do you think genres are timeless? Can we still label films?
I do believe that Genres are timeless in the sense they will always represent a group of films. However genres constantly develop and change as the meaning of 'Drama' or 'Romance' changes within society. As more genres and sub-genres are created, it gets harder to categorize films as it is all a matter of opinion.
However, Janet Steinger believes there are four easy ways of defining films:
I do believe that Genres are timeless in the sense they will always represent a group of films. However genres constantly develop and change as the meaning of 'Drama' or 'Romance' changes within society. As more genres and sub-genres are created, it gets harder to categorize films as it is all a matter of opinion.
However, Janet Steinger believes there are four easy ways of defining films:
- 'Idealist method' - predetermined standard
- 'Empirical method' - comparing to other films
- 'Social conventions' - accepted by cultural expectations in society.
- 'Ironic hybridization' - combining elements of different genres.
This means you can always categorize a film into a certain genre.
Why do you think hybrid genres are developing so much?
Hybrid genres have increased in numbers because a hybrid genre creates a bigger crowd. If you make a romance film you will get 1 audience but if you make a romance action film you will get 2 audiences. Also, with the improvement of technology, you can collaborate a wider range of genres together. For example, 'Avatar' is a hybrid genre, consisting of action, adventure and fantasy. They used their technology to their advantage to get the best out of each genre.
Choose one of your products and determine how it does/doesn't conform to a genre.
do you think
Do you think genres are timeless? Can we still label films?
The main bases of genres are timeless, but the sub genres and hybrid genres are expanding and changing with trends. The way that they are filmed and the audiences that they are aimed at change with fashion and trends also. John Turby suggests genres are useful for marketing and attracting the target audience. This implies that genres are crucial to the success of a film, so we feel they are timeless and are going to be around for a long time.
Why do you think hybrid genres are developing so much?
Hybrid genres are developing because by combining to different genres you appeal to a wider audience. An example of this is Green Hornet which is a combination of comedy and action. By appealing to a wider audience, more people are likely to watch the film which means the film maker will be able to make more money as the film will be more successful. Also Robert Stam states that genres can be defined through the performer. If a film has a varied cast it can fall into a hybrid genre if there are different actors from different genres to appeal to everyone.
Choose one of your products and determine how it does/doesn't conform to a genre.
The video conforms to the genre as it is very dark lighting and there is a low slow rumbling noise with pianos playing chilling music over the top. It conforms to thriller theme as the opening scenes are linked with death and mystery which automatically gives the viewer an incite to the rest of the film. Janet Steiger says there are 4 ways of defining a film genre; one way is comparing to other films. The opening to this film is similar to other thriller films, with the slow moving camera, dramatic scenes, and subtle music. Another way is through "Ironic hybridization" where elements if different genres are combined. This is true for this film as it is a crime/thriller.
The main bases of genres are timeless, but the sub genres and hybrid genres are expanding and changing with trends. The way that they are filmed and the audiences that they are aimed at change with fashion and trends also. John Turby suggests genres are useful for marketing and attracting the target audience. This implies that genres are crucial to the success of a film, so we feel they are timeless and are going to be around for a long time.
Why do you think hybrid genres are developing so much?
Hybrid genres are developing because by combining to different genres you appeal to a wider audience. An example of this is Green Hornet which is a combination of comedy and action. By appealing to a wider audience, more people are likely to watch the film which means the film maker will be able to make more money as the film will be more successful. Also Robert Stam states that genres can be defined through the performer. If a film has a varied cast it can fall into a hybrid genre if there are different actors from different genres to appeal to everyone.
Choose one of your products and determine how it does/doesn't conform to a genre.
The video conforms to the genre as it is very dark lighting and there is a low slow rumbling noise with pianos playing chilling music over the top. It conforms to thriller theme as the opening scenes are linked with death and mystery which automatically gives the viewer an incite to the rest of the film. Janet Steiger says there are 4 ways of defining a film genre; one way is comparing to other films. The opening to this film is similar to other thriller films, with the slow moving camera, dramatic scenes, and subtle music. Another way is through "Ironic hybridization" where elements if different genres are combined. This is true for this film as it is a crime/thriller.
theories of genre
do you think genres are timeless? can we still label films?
In most cases, we are still able to label films, such as action and sci-fi, Commando and Moon respectively. However, there are certain films that defy conventions of genres making them difficult to put into a specific genre, examples being Melancholia where it is mainly a drama yet in a sci-fi setting. Over time, people's opinions of the world changes so their opinions on films change aswell.
why do you think hybrid genres are developing so much?
Hybrid genres are developing because we've already looked at the basics of each genre so people are experimenting with genres to create new and unique. Example being Cowboys and Aliens which combines Western and sci-fi, and Avatar, which combines sci-fi and romance.
choose one of your products and determine how it does/doesn't conform to a genre
In terms of genre being defined by setting, the thriller project has a busy post-modern setting, this allows the crime to be committed in an enviroment where the assassin can be unseen, this setting also presents it as more a political thriller, contradicting with the conventions of a classic thriller.
Then there is the theme and topic, which can't be seen so much as it is only the beginning of a film, but the scene was designed to follow on into a story of corruption within the political stance of Great Britain.
And finally the format. The way the film is represented with guns and murder and everything, shows the high level of risk being played with by few people. Shot in widescreen with various effects such as sped up footage, filters and techno soundtrack exaggerate the post modern nature of the political thriller.
So the project does conform to a specific genre as it meets the conventions of a thriller.
The project is mainly a subgenre of a political thriller as it deals with current affairs in an escapist form. It has a Ying and a Yang, weapons, murder, mystery and conspiracy.
According to Janet Steiger, there are 4 ways to define a film. The first is a Id Ealist Method, or the predetermined standard of a film. The Second is the Empirical method, which is comparing it to other films. The third is social conventions, which are accepted by cultural expectations in society, and the fourth is the ironic hybridization, which is combining elements from different genres.
Id Ealist Method: the project is conventional as it is a political thriller, the conventions are met such as dealing with current affairs, keeping a keen eye on political stance etc.
Empirical Method: Influenced by the Bounre films (assasination, enigma), Spooks (style and keeping with current affairs), Ichi the Killer (stylistic effects) and JFK (style of assassination)
Social Conventions: clear line between good guy and bad guy, easy plot to grasp
Ironic Hybridization: just a thriller, nothing more
According to Robert Stam, genres can be defined by the performer. The persona acting is the same character each time and this helps the audience to know what to expect. The actors are central to the brief storyline, and add an extra layer to the setting and music.
John Turby says that genre is useful for purposes of marketing, target audience and critical review. If this film was marketed, it'd be very mysterious, following a sort of viral marketing where not much information is giving about the film. He also said that screenwriters may use genre basis as a way to determine plot or theme.
In most cases, we are still able to label films, such as action and sci-fi, Commando and Moon respectively. However, there are certain films that defy conventions of genres making them difficult to put into a specific genre, examples being Melancholia where it is mainly a drama yet in a sci-fi setting. Over time, people's opinions of the world changes so their opinions on films change aswell.
why do you think hybrid genres are developing so much?
Hybrid genres are developing because we've already looked at the basics of each genre so people are experimenting with genres to create new and unique. Example being Cowboys and Aliens which combines Western and sci-fi, and Avatar, which combines sci-fi and romance.
choose one of your products and determine how it does/doesn't conform to a genre
In terms of genre being defined by setting, the thriller project has a busy post-modern setting, this allows the crime to be committed in an enviroment where the assassin can be unseen, this setting also presents it as more a political thriller, contradicting with the conventions of a classic thriller.
Then there is the theme and topic, which can't be seen so much as it is only the beginning of a film, but the scene was designed to follow on into a story of corruption within the political stance of Great Britain.
And finally the format. The way the film is represented with guns and murder and everything, shows the high level of risk being played with by few people. Shot in widescreen with various effects such as sped up footage, filters and techno soundtrack exaggerate the post modern nature of the political thriller.
So the project does conform to a specific genre as it meets the conventions of a thriller.
The project is mainly a subgenre of a political thriller as it deals with current affairs in an escapist form. It has a Ying and a Yang, weapons, murder, mystery and conspiracy.
According to Janet Steiger, there are 4 ways to define a film. The first is a Id Ealist Method, or the predetermined standard of a film. The Second is the Empirical method, which is comparing it to other films. The third is social conventions, which are accepted by cultural expectations in society, and the fourth is the ironic hybridization, which is combining elements from different genres.
Id Ealist Method: the project is conventional as it is a political thriller, the conventions are met such as dealing with current affairs, keeping a keen eye on political stance etc.
Empirical Method: Influenced by the Bounre films (assasination, enigma), Spooks (style and keeping with current affairs), Ichi the Killer (stylistic effects) and JFK (style of assassination)
Social Conventions: clear line between good guy and bad guy, easy plot to grasp
Ironic Hybridization: just a thriller, nothing more
According to Robert Stam, genres can be defined by the performer. The persona acting is the same character each time and this helps the audience to know what to expect. The actors are central to the brief storyline, and add an extra layer to the setting and music.
John Turby says that genre is useful for purposes of marketing, target audience and critical review. If this film was marketed, it'd be very mysterious, following a sort of viral marketing where not much information is giving about the film. He also said that screenwriters may use genre basis as a way to determine plot or theme.
Section 1B: Genre
Do you think genres are timeless? Can we still label films?
Genres are timeless as even though nowadays they are changing they're still sticking to the main route of how movies are seen by the audience and are still seen in particular genres. Even though genres are still used to inform audiences what the movie is like, they are still adapting and expanding.
Robert Stam suggests that genres are defined through the performer which supports that we can still label films as sometimes the performer has the same personalty in the same genre of films.
Why do you think hybrid genres are developing so much?
Recently, there are more films that are hybrid genres than not because combining two different genres can attract different target audiences depending on what genre they like. For example, Romantic comedies would attract two types of viewers; those who like comedies and those who like romances. This allows there to be a bigger target audience overall and therefore more popular. This relates to the theorist, John Turby who said that genres are useful for purposes such as target audience and marketing because a larger audience can expand the marketing of the movie. For example the film Avatar contains the genres, romance, action and thriller therefore there is a wide target audience who can help advertise the movie and allow it to become more popular. Hybrid genres are developing so much because genres are there to attract a specific target audience, so hybrid attract an even bigger audience because there is two genres to attract two types of people.
Choose one of your products and determine how it does/doesn't conform to a genre.
Our thriller, Group P3-68 does conform to a particular genre as the three aspects, Setting, Theme/Topic and format have been met. The way the setting has shown thriller to be the particular genre is because the main character is shown first off in a lift accompanied by low tone music showing jump cuts to the victim. To an average audience, these features can be seen as typical expectations. The way the theme/topic shows thriller to be the genre is because the mood and emotions shown in the footage puts the audience on edge as they would think something is going to happen. The format shows a number of different shots including, jump cuts and close ups. This helps the audience predict the story-line and the issues which are to come.
Also this thriller can be categorised into two subgenres: crime thriller and psychological. This does conform to the genre of the film because of the story line.
Janet Steiger says there are four ways of defining films. these four features can relate to our thriller because we are able to judge other thrillers with ours to know its particular genre, such as the music and camera angles. Also it could be a different cultural expectation in society because in some cultures our thriller could be very elaborate to some people while some cultures might see this is a mild thriller.
Robert Stam believes that the performer allows the audience to define the genre that the film is given, therefore the main character in our thriller should show a dramatic, determining performance.
John Turby believes the genre is useful for purposes of marketing and target audience therefore having the audience predict the genre can be important to the film and its production. Expectations are deliberately contradicted or agreed with to help the audience, this is done by screen writers using 'genre bases'.
John Turby believes the genre is useful for purposes of marketing and target audience therefore having the audience predict the genre can be important to the film and its production. Expectations are deliberately contradicted or agreed with to help the audience, this is done by screen writers using 'genre bases'.
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Uses and Gratification theory
Theorist: Katz, E., Blumler, J. G., & Gurevitch
This theory says that we are an active audience and seek our own media and that we are happier watching things that we understand and are comfortable with. It is not about how the media is presented but it is how we interpret it.
This theory says that we are an active audience and seek our own media and that we are happier watching things that we understand and are comfortable with. It is not about how the media is presented but it is how we interpret it.
Uses and gratifications theory
Focuses on why people use particular media rather than on content. Media users play an active role in choosing and using the media. Users take an active part in the communication process. The user seeks out the best source of media that best fulfills their needs.
Uses of gratifitation
Uses and Gratifications
One influential tradition in media research is referred to as 'uses and gratifications' (occasionally 'needs and gratifications'). This approach focuses on why people use particular media rather than on content. In contrast to the concern of the 'media effects' tradition with 'what media do to people' (which assumes a homogeneous mass audience and a 'hypodermic' view of media), U & G can be seen as part of a broader trend amongst media researchers which is more concerned with 'what people do with media', allowing for a variety of responses and interpretations. However, some commentators have argued that gratifications could also be seen as effects: e.g. thrillers are likely to generate very similar responses amongst most viewers. And who could say that they never watch more TV than they had intended to? Watching TV helps to shape audience needs and expectations. U & G arose originally in the 1940s and underwent a revival in the 1970s amd 1980s. The approach springs from a functionalist paradigm in the social sciences. It presents the use of media in terms of the gratification of social or psychological needs of the individual (Blumler & Katz 1974). The mass media compete with other sources of gratification, but gratifications can be obtained from a medium's content (e.g. watching a specific programme), from familiarity with a genre within the medium (e.g. watching soap operas), from general exposure to the medium (e.g. watching TV), and from the social context in which it is used (e.g. watching TV with the family). U & G theorists argue that people's needs influence how they use and respond to a medium. Zillmann (cited by McQuail 1987: 236) has shown the influence of mood on media choice: boredom encourages the choice of exciting content and stress encourages a choice of relaxing content. The same TV programme may gratify different needs for different individuals. Different needs are associated with individual personalities, stages of maturation, backgrounds and social roles. Developmental factors seem to be related to some motives for purposeful viewing: e.g. Judith van Evra argues that young children may be particularly likely to watch TV in search of information and hence more susceptible to influence (Evra 1990: 177, 179). An empirical study in the U & G tradition might typically involve audience members completing a questionnaire about why they watch a TV programme. Denis McQuail offers (McQuail 1987: 73) the following typology of common reasons for media use:Uses and Gratification Theory
The uses and gratification theory suggests we have 4 different needs, these are:
Surveillance
Personal Identity
Personal Relationships
Relationships with the media
Surveillance
Personal Identity
Personal Relationships
Relationships with the media
Uses and Gratification Theory
The uses and gratification theory says that people play an active role in choosing and using the media. They have a more active role in the communication process and people choose a media which is best for them. The theory assumes that the user has several choices to meet their needs. It is a popular approach to understand mass communication.
Usages and gratification theory.
- Blumler and Katz’s uses and gratification theory suggests that media users play an active role in choosing and using the media.
- Users take an active part in the communication process and are goal oriented in their media use. The theorist say that a media user seeks out a media source that best fulfills the needs of the user. Uses and gratifications assume that the user has alternate choices to satisfy their need.
- The theory places more focus on the consumer, or audience, instead of the actual message itself by asking “what people do with media” rather than “what media does to people”
- The theory also holds that audiences are responsible for choosing media to meet their needs.
Funny Games
How does the film break expectations?
The film breaks expectations as firstly everyone is killed apart from the man who is doing the killing - this breaks conventions of a thriller movie as in most thriller movies the killer is found out in the end and at least one or two people survive. Secondly the film has a really laid back atmosphere in which we wouldn't expect from a thriller film, we would normally expect their to be a tense and edgy atmosphere. Funny Games also breaks expectations due to the the killer talking to the audience and asking them what they think he should do. He also has the power to rewind real life through a remote control which also is not the normal thing we would expect when viewing a thriller.
What is he trying to make the audience think about violence?
We think that the director s trying to say that we do not necessarily need to see the violence for it to have an impact. The use of visceral sounds helps to give it this impact on the audience. This also forces the audience to think more about what it happening and gives them the chance to imagine it for themselves.
Do you think it is intentional shock
We feel it is intentional shock as the director has obviously done this film to shock us as it does not follow conventions.
The film breaks expectations as firstly everyone is killed apart from the man who is doing the killing - this breaks conventions of a thriller movie as in most thriller movies the killer is found out in the end and at least one or two people survive. Secondly the film has a really laid back atmosphere in which we wouldn't expect from a thriller film, we would normally expect their to be a tense and edgy atmosphere. Funny Games also breaks expectations due to the the killer talking to the audience and asking them what they think he should do. He also has the power to rewind real life through a remote control which also is not the normal thing we would expect when viewing a thriller.
What is he trying to make the audience think about violence?
We think that the director s trying to say that we do not necessarily need to see the violence for it to have an impact. The use of visceral sounds helps to give it this impact on the audience. This also forces the audience to think more about what it happening and gives them the chance to imagine it for themselves.
Do you think it is intentional shock
We feel it is intentional shock as the director has obviously done this film to shock us as it does not follow conventions.
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