Preliminary Exercise

For our preliminary exercise that we were told we had to work in a four to create, we all came to the conclusion of making a cliff-hanger ending of soap, which would come across as linking to the next/previous episode. The reason why we chose this was because, we felt that we had good actors whom would be able to take on the roles well of the decided idea and thought it would work well. To begin with, in our scene, we have chosen two characters who appear to be the protagonists who connote the fact that they are a couple and are together. The first shot that was made was the medium long shot of the girl. This shot shows the girl (anjali) walking towards a door, and allows the audience to see exactly who she is, avoiding any enigma codes being created.  Following on from this shot, an extreme close up of the door being opened, of her (anjali's) hand on the handle, has been shot. We have then shot when anjali walks through the door and shows that she is happy as she has a huge smile on her face. Throughout this clip, this is one of the places in which match on action has been shown clearly. After this we have created a scene in which it connotes that she is in a good mood and she is smiling walking into the room. A long shot has then been made, were we have started shooting from her point of view, and show her walking towards the male. The medium long shot that has then been shot from the side of both of them shows both of the shown couple to be hugging. This is the part within the scene in which the audience are meant to engage and begin thinking about the fact that they are a couple. After a few seconds this scene slowly fades and with an effect blurs, and all of a sudden the females (anjalis) phone starts ringing. From this part onwards, an enigma code has been created. And in order to achieve this, the phone was a vital piece of crop that we needed. Following this shot, we managed to create a shot using the 180 degree rule. This shot was when the camera was placed over anjalis shoulder and the male in front of her asks her how her day was, and when she responded, we created the same shot but then over his shoulder. Making sure that there was a distinct 180 degree line, we were able to make it exact. It is after this shot that more of an enigma code has been created as there is a repetitive shot being used of the phone vibrating. This again has been used in order to bring attention to the scene and creates more attention. After this shot, there is then a conversation recorded between both the male and female in the scene and this has been created using the 180 degree rule. This has been done filming over the shoulder and facing the camera towards the person who is speaking. This is followed by a shot of the female grinning suspiciously and stating that it was no one. Creating suspense and a sort of enigma code at the same time, as to why she is hiding who was contacting her. Then there is a straight cut, and this is used in order to go onto the next shot, which is the medium shot were the boy leans forward to snatch the phone off of her and she is trying to snatch it back. We have then used a long shot, of when the boy is standing up in anger and this again creates some sort of enigma code as the audience have not yet seen what it is on the phone that has made him angry. The shot after this, we have used a close up of the female, in order to show the actual expressions on her face, and from this, the audience should slowly gather that she has done something wrong, as she looks down and appears to be very guilty with the movement of her eyes rolling and the attitude shown. The final shot is of a close up of the phone, and gives the audience the exact reason as to why her supposed ‘love’ was angry – as he phone shows a picture of herself and another guy, not him. This is where the audience are most likely going to understand what is going on, and creates even more of an enigma code as they are going to start questioning why and what she did.

My Narrative - A Movie Bob'Super

Main character is Bob. He is thought to be a normal guy who lives in a village, working for the local train station. One day, he is fixing the rails of the train track, when out of no-were a train comes, and WOOOSH, all you can hear is the train passing. Whilst all witnesses gather around the rails to see what is left of him, everyone is shocked to see that there is no Bob to be seen. Clearly the train ran over him, where has he gone? How did he disappear? This creates an enigma code, as it makes the audience wonder as to were he has gone and how he could have gone, when clearly he has been ran over. The fact that he thinks he is normal, however it is later on revealed that he is a superhero, and for this reason he managed to escape the incident within a matter of seconds. This shows the equilibrium, however later on the Villain comes along and tries to kill him. This shows the disequilibrium. Further on , he meets Bobby – a girl who is also a superhero and begins to find out his history alongside her, and how he has these powers. It is through this that he comes to know ways in which he can defend himself, and in the end when again the Villains come to attack him, and take his powers away from him, him and the super heroin are able to defend him.  

The Villain: Bob

The Donor: Superpowers

The Hero, Helper, Princess: Bobby

Evaluation Of Teaching

                                                     

WWW
-Excellent starter; really engaging and gets people talking. Also introduces topic properly.
-Good detailed history
-Video is effective and clearly engages class from comments and interaction
-Reference to market is interesting
-Some very good content

EBI
-Less words
-Don’t just read the PowerPoint
-Make it clear what needs to be written down from the board (hence 20 word limit)
-Probably a little long for 6-8 minute lesson
-Way too much text on the slide (better if it was less)
-Could do with more focus on the different media aspects of Sony
-Some content missing (Sony picture, movies, games, computer, entertainment)
-Make it clear whether if their channels or media companies

In my opinion I think that the lesson that me and my partner both did, had a great started to it, as we both observed a lot of students begun asking questions, and they all started to come up with their own ideas as to which logo belonged to which industry within Sony. In addition to this the video we showed had a great amount of history within it, which also got the students engaged, despite it being too long. On the other hand, I believe that we both didn't put as much effort as we should have, as we didnt include some of the most important things that were meant to be included, such as the influence politics has on them and the synergy, neither did we have a hand out to physically give to the students.

Film Extract Analysis; Lighting

At the beginning of the clip, low key lights have been used in order to see the specific moving objects, ie the police cars and motorbikes. All of a sudden the lights turn off and only the small lights on the vehicles are visible. This creates tension within the scene as the audience may begin to wonder what is going on, creating an enigma code. Continuously within this scene low key lighting has been used, which only highlights the character when close to the camera.  When batman comes into the scene, top lights have been used, in order to show the mis – en – scene, such as the ‘laser gun’ he has, cape and mask. This gives the audience an idea as to who the main character is, as he appears to be being chased by the police. There are also close ups to the police mans face, then batmans face, then the police mans face, then batmans face, continuously throughout the scene. When the camera is on the police man, there is a slight use of a filler light, as we can only see half of his face and the rest is shadowed. When the camera is on batman, a high key light has been used. This connotes that, both these people are in power and authority, and creates a build up of tension throughout the scene for the audience as they do not know what is going on.

Still Image Analysis; Lighting

This is a still image from men in black. They have used high key lighting, which shows all the features of the characters and allows us to see everything in detail, including the colour of their skin. As the man in the middle, actor WILL.I.AM, is black and is standing in the middle, it also appears that there are filler lights that are reflecting on the other two men, which is making him appear more, which connotes that he is the main character. In addition to this, the fact that he is brought closer to the camera in comparison to the other two men beside him also gives us the idea that he is the main character. As the lighting appears to make WILL.I.AM stand out more in comparison to those standing either side of him, this connotes that he is of authority and power, which gives the audience the idea, that he could be in power of the other two men.

Citizen Kane Extract Analysis

Cinematography

Cinematography, and the use of different shots within a scene, helps in order to engage the audience and give them a sense of what is going on within the a scene.

In the opening of citizen cane, many different camera shots have been used. First of all they have a close up of the ‘No Trespassing’ sign, and as they have used a tilt shot going upwards, it conveys the message to the audience that the character is ignoring the sign and is crossing the fence, as each shot is getting an inch closer to the light that is shown in the window, until we eventually reach the main character; Kane on the deathbed. The most common shot that has been done is a medium shot. By doing this we can clearly see what is going on within the scene and the expressions on the characters faces. One of the main close ups that are shown in this scene is used when Kane is crying. This creates a sort of enigma code, as it is the opening of the scene, and it makes the audience begin to think as to why the character is crying. Another shot that they have used is a panning shot. This shows the audience clearly what is happening within the whole scene, as in this scene we can see the globe being thrown on the floor, and smash, as he takes his last words. There was also an extreme close up on his lips, when he said the words, rose buds in order to create tension and a sort of enigma code as he makes the audience think as to why he may be saying what he said. When the camera moves side to side towards the end of the clip it shows everything going on in the scene, as the nurse folds his arms and puts the bed sheet over him. This creates tension within the scene as it conveys the message that he is someone of authority as he has his own nurse.

Sound Collage

 Rihanna - Diamonds

Parallel                                                                                 Contrapuntal

Mise - en - scene Still Image Analysis

By wearing the iconic costume, the character identified is clearly Batman. The lighting is very dark and creates a very gloomy atmosphere. This connotes a feeling of fear and danger, which relates to batman himself as the hero, who is back after eight years in order to defeat the villain. The way he is posing and the expression on his face shows Batman in the role he plays in the film. The colours shown in the background create a slight enigma code, as it is light in comparison to Batman himself, who is black all over. The background shows tall city buildings, which are so high, only a small amount of light appears to shadow over them. The background within the city relates back to Batman, as it is the same place which he is going to be busy sorting out problems to do with the villain of the movie. This appears like a close up shot of Batman himself that has been taken from below him, in order to bring focus onto him. The main prop shown in this is the body costume, cape and mask of Batman which shows iconography.

Reebox Advert Analysis

As shown in the advert above, the only colours which have been used are black and white. The colour black has a negative connotation as it portrays that 50 cent could be not such a great person; ‘Thug’, ‘Gangster’, etc. who has committed many crimes and has been to jail as a result. However this color that has been used could also have been used to portray the fact that 50 cent could be a very powerful and dominant person. Using this color brings a very negative feeling to the audience, because in most scenarios, black is used in order to show serious situations, such as crime and deaths. 50 cent being a person, who in the past survived 9 shots, shows that he is a person of power. In this advert, they are not specifically advertising one product but they are advertising the brand as a whole, and for this reason have used a celebrity, as they know that he is well known. This is more likely to have a good effect on the audience as they will be attracted to it, however as 50 cent is known for being a former criminal; this may portray a bad image, and may not attract the audience as much. This shot used in the advert is a Close-up. These are the shots used in order to focus on a specific item/subject. In this advert, the main subject that is being focused on is not only 50 cent but the quotation alongside it. The main subjects we look at in this advert are 50 cent, the quotation and the fingerprints in the background. This has been intentionally done in order to grab the audience’s attention. These things shown within the advert portray the fact that 50 cent is a changed person, and despite the challenges he has faced, he is a different person. A dark and gloomy look has been created within the advert by the use of low key lighting. This portrays a crime sort of scene, which goes well with the fact that 50 cent is in the advert

The dominant reading of this print advert is that the brand and products that are sold are aimed at youngsters, whom listen to 50 cent and the negotiated reading is that a certain amount of the audience may look at the other side of the advert and think it is aimed at those that have been in a similar situation to 50 cent.  Finally oppositional reading could be that Reebok is fully aimed at those that have been in the same situation as 50 Cent, and by wearing Reebok products you are classed as the right person, or in their language, a ‘Gangster’.

Media Consumptions

Newspapers

Which daily newspapers do you read?

To be honest, I don’t really read newspapers much, however if I do read one it is always ‘The Times’. The time when I will read this is when I’m sitting on the bus, train, other public transport or when I’m bored, as I generally am not much of a reader.

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

The first section that I will always turn to when reading The Times, is the one in which most serious and life taking situations are written in. These are what I find interesting and also helpful as I can gather what is going on within my area.

What kinds of stories do you usual read and why?

As I am not much of a sporty person, I tend to avoid the Sports section as there is no point in reading about something I am not interested in.

What kind of stories do you usually read and why?

I normally read stories to do with crime. This is because, these articles engage me alot as they teach me about what happens to people in life and also teaches me things that I do not know and makes me more aware of the society we live in today. This section not only engages me but also makes me want to carry on reading to find out more issues within the society and the people in it.

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

Within my family the only person that reads ‘The Times’ is my brother, and he tends to purchase it and give it away to one of his peers, however I tend to read it when I find it on public transport or in public places, such as the doctors, were they have free ones to read.

Magazines

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

I am not much of a magazine collector, however if I do get them, I tend to buy teen magazines, which are full of the latest gossip and have a huge section of the latest fashion. This means that I am able to keep up with the day to day fashion and know what is in when. It also gives me something to read that interests me and keeps me entertained, when I am bored and have nothing else to do.

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

I don’t tend to read the section with the stories in them, as I am more interested in real life situations, than non-fictional.

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

Depending on how much work I have from school, I watch TV. Approximately, when I have a small amount of work, I watch around 25 hours of TV per week. However on normal school days, I watch around 30 minutes of TV per day, or even an hour if I’m lucky.

What times of day do you usually watch television?

During the normal school week, I tend to watch Television for a short period of time when I come back from school, at around five in the evening. On other days I tend to sit and watch it at night time, together with the family.

What programmers do you like the best and why?

I find any comedy and entertaining programme the best. Two of the best ones I watch are both based on families and are both as funny as each other, these are: ‘The Middle’ and ‘The Modern Family’.

Do you watch alone or with others?

A majority of the time, I watch these programmes with both my brother and my sister, and sometimes my mother. In addition to this, some of the time I do tend to have time alone and watch it on my own as well.

If you watch with others, who decides what you will watch?

If I watch the television with both of my siblings or even one of them, we both have to equally share the remote, and the time we watch the television.

Radio

What stations do you like the best and why?

The radio stations I like the best are Kiss FM, Capital FM and Buzz Asia. The first two, because it keeps me updated with the latest RNB and the third one because it keeps me up to date with the latest Indian songs. 

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

Within a week, I tend to listen to more of the radio than I watch TV, so within I week, I approximately listen to around 35 hours of it.

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

A majority of the time I listen to it whilst I’m doing my work, however I also listen to it when I’m doing my chores as the kitchen has a radio with surround system all over it and it keeps me motivated whilst doing the work around the house.

What stations do you dislike the most and why?

One of the stations I dislike the most is Classic FM. This is because I don’t enjoy listening to such soft and soothing music, as I feel there is no beat and is just too dead for me. I’d rather go to sleep than listen to it.

Do you listen alone or with others?

When listening to the radio, as I work alongside my sister at home and she enjoys the same radio stations as me, she tends to listen to the radio with me. In addition to this we also listen to the radio stations together as a family in the car.

Where do you listen to the radio?

I listen to the radio, in the car, in my room, kitchen and even in the bathroom when i’m having a shower.

Cinema

What films, if any, have you seen in the cinema in the last month?

Within the last month I have been to see ‘Monsters University’ and ‘Meet The Millers’

What films have you seen in other places – for example, through rental, satellite film channels (free or otherwise) or through video-on-demand?

I don’t tend to watch many movies, however we did rent out one of Mr Beans old movies as it never gets old!

Who else watched the films with you?

When I watch films, or go to the cinema I tend to go with the family or with my friends.

Who decided what films to watch?

When it comes to the decision of what films are watched, we either decide civilly amongst ourselves as friends, or as family, we decide amongst siblings and vote.

Internet

How often do you access the internet?

I access the Internet every single day.

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

I access the Internet at both my home and my school as I have work to do in both places.

What are the main sites that you access?

A majority of the time ‘Google’ is the main site that I use, as I need to do research for specific information. In order to complete media work I also have to access my blog. In addition to work, I also use it to access social networks, such as ‘Facebook’ in order to contact my peers and socialise, etc.

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

The main reasons for accessing these sites are due to work that has been set by the teachers at school and in order to communicate with my peers at school.

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

In addition to the reason why I have to access the Internet, I also use the internet for a various amount of reasons, such as to Skype, which is video calling people from anywhere, in order to see my cousins from abroad, play games, and socialise with my friends online

Why I Decided To Chose Media As An A Level .....

The main reason as to why I chose Media as an A level, is because in my first year of A levels, which was last year, I chose a subject that I didn't enjoy and found that I didn't really put much effort into it. For this reason I decided to drop this subject and go for something that I would not only enjoy but would find interesting so that I would put in the effort in order to get the grades. Also many of my other peers had said how fun and interesting media was and this is what made me chose Media. A majority of people whom I asked about Media, also said that the teachers within the school itself, taught Media with a passion and are always willing to help in order to get the highest grade possible. Which made me realize that I could do well in this subject. By also doing additional research I came to know that Media would be suitable for me as I enjoy doing coursework over exams, and this is not a purely exam based subject and is also based on coursework. In addition to this, it goes well with the other subjects I do which is applied busness; mixture of both business and finance. By doing these subjects, I will have a wide area in which I could go in to as a career.