Revision “BLAST!”

Wednesday 5th June 2013

Unit B322: Textual Analysis and Media Studies Topic

Why?

Aims & Objectives

So you are well prepared for the exam!

• Outline the expectations for both Section A and B of the exam.

• Re-cap existing knowledge of Section A key terms/theory

• Complete some practice analysis of a surprise sequence from an Action-Adventure film which COULD be similar to the one you will be shown in the exam tomorrow.

• Show you some updates to the BLOG for Section B

• Complete some analysis of “Audience Appeal” surrounding both TV Comedies.

Schedule for the Revision Session:

9am – Start and Hand out Booklets

9:05am – Section A “Quiz”

9:10am – “Fill in the Blanks” Test

9:20am – Technical Areas “Re-cap”

9:25am – Section A- Action-Adventure Overview

9:35am – Section A Practice – Watch a sequence and make notes

10:00am – Answer Questions 1) – 3)

10:50am – Break

11:05am – Feedback/Peer Assessment

11:20am – Section B – Overview/Tips

11:30am – Section B – Audience Appeal Task/Practice/Questions

On Page 2 of the Booklet you have been given YOU MUST fill in the blanks and complete some of the set questions.

YOU SHOULD take note of the Questions each of the terms/theory are associated to as they are where you need to use them in the exam.

We will then complete some Feedback the answers.

FEEDBACK

Question 2 – Technical Features (20 marks)

The genre needs a series of “whammos” (Joel Silver) to keep the audiences adrenaline pumping.The genre is characterized by “excess” and is high in production value.

Question 3 – Stereotypes (20 marks)

According to King & McCaughey, the genre can present the anti-stereotypical “heterosexually tough woman” to the audience.According to Yvonne Tasker (1993) the genre will either present the audience with a tough guy or wise guy character.

Question 1 – Narrative & Character roles (10 marks)

The usual narrative theme of binary opposition (Levi Strauss) is presented in the genre – for example ____________ vs ______________.The audience would expect the main character to embark on some form of “Quest”

2 MINUTESOn Page 3 of the booklet YOU MUST note down as many examples as possible for EACH of the 4 technical areas you need to address in the exam above – for example:

Soundtrack – Diegetic SoundCamerawork – Whip PanEditing – CGIMise-en-scene – Setting

YOU SHOULD be prepared to give ATLEAST x2 examples for EACH technical feature in the exam tomorrow in order to maximise your chances of achieving a Level 4 (16 – 20 marks)

FEEDBACK

Section A – Action-Adventure

Question 2 (20 marks)

• 2 Detailed examples from EACH Technical area to establish how they “fit” the Action-Adventure genre.

• Elaborate on these examples by explaining HOW they “effect” the audience – for example “whammo” (Joel Silver) or human like emotions such as Tension, Suspense, surprise etc.

• Use of terminology is KEY – for example YOU WILL be heavily rewarded for using terminology such as CGI (Editing) and non-diegetic sound (Soundtrack)

Question 3 (20 marks)

• YOU COULD be given “prompts” in the exam to focus on certain areas of stereotyping – for example Ethnicity, Gender, Nationality etc – If you do YOU MUST ensure you give at least x1 example of where something is stereotypical OR un-stereotypical in the scene.

• Stereotypes might include the Hero being a dominant alpha-male who rescues the “damsel in distress” ‘princess’ (Propp) from danger.

• Anti-stereotyping might include the presence of an African American or black male/female lead.

• Whatever is presented, YOU MUST support this with evidence – for example:

“The hero is male and strong” = X Basic (E/D Grade)

“The sequence form the action-adventure genre provides the audience with the stereotypical strong, heroic male who is heterosexual and desires to save the ‘princess’ (Propp). For example the verbal code “I’ll save you my dear!” signifies this expected stereotype to a predominantly passive audience who enjoy the “dumb, fun spectacle” (Tasker – 2004) of an Action-Adventure film” = ✓ A/A*

Question 1 (10 marks)

• Two ways – AT LEAST x1 Narrative based example and x1 Character based example.

• YOU SHOULD write your “explanations” in a PEA format and use theory/terminology where relevant – for example:

P – The narrative of the sequence is linear and is single stranded, focussing on the heroism of the lead protagonist as he/she aims to overcome the threat of the ‘villain’ (Propp) and embarks on a quest to save the ‘princess’.

E – The character embodies this “tough guy” (Tasker -1993) persona through the non-verbal code of jumping over ‘booby traps’ and fighting the villain.

A – The representation of a battle between 2 binary opposites, according to Levi Strauss, (Good v Evil) is therefore established, which is common in the Action-Adventure genre in order to get the audience excited about whether there is going to be a ‘new equilibrium’ (Todorov) and resolution to the dilemma.

You are going to be shown a 3-5 minute sequence from film ‘Independence Day’ (1995) Dir. Roland Emmerich.

In the exam YOU WILL:

• Be shown the sequence 4 times• You are NOT allowed to make notes during the first sequence.• Need to answer all 3 Questions based around the sequence ONLY!• Be given details such as a summary of the sequence and the characters involved.

Advice for the Exam

Viewing 1 – NO NOTES (Make a mental note of examples though!)

Viewing 2 and 3 – Analyse and note down 2-3 examples from the sequence for EACH technical feature:

Viewing 4 – Finalise your notes/Plan your answer for Questions 1-3/Answer the questions – Get a head start!!

Using the advice you have just been given YOU MUST use your notes in the booklet provided (Page 4) to help you answer Questions 1 – 3 (Page 5 – 12) in timed conditions.

Remember:

• Viewing 4 – Start if you want!• Order of questions to answer – If you are worried about time, answer Question 2 (20

marks) and 3 (20 marks) FIST as they are worth more marks than Question 1 (10 marks)

FEEDBACK

Question 2) – Technical Features FeedbackSoundtrack

• Adrenaline pumping non-diegetic instrumental during the chase sequence.

• Synchronous sound effects of the laser shooting from the space craft towards the aircraft.

• Diegetic Dialogue – “Welcome to Earth!”; “Now that’s what I call a Close Encounter” – Hybrid (Humour)

Camerawork

• POV shot’s inside the cockpit• Close-up shot of Captain Hillard willing

the Alien to “get me”• Shaky cam during the chase sequence to

add tension and suspense• Whip pans during the chase to track the

frenzied pace of the chase

Editing

• Fast paced cuts during the chase• Slow motion when the ship crashes• CGI/SFX for explosions/weapons firing

Mise-en-scene

• Setting – Deserted, isolated during the chase, then transitions to a dystopian and devastated urban area.

• Props – Weapons, military costume, mask initially hides the identity of the hero.

• Ejector seat – “whammo” (Joel Silver)• Lighting – high key

Question 3) – Stereotypes Feedback

Key Area: Anti-Stereotyping

• HOW does Captain Steven Hiller (Will Smith) represent some anti-stereotyping to the audience?

• What examples from the scene meet OR challenge our expectations of character stereotypes in the Action-Adventure Genre?

Question 1) – Narrative and Character role Feedback

• Explanation 1)

HOW would you define the narrative?

With the person nearest to you, discuss HOW the sequence conforms to:

- Todorov’s 3 part narrative- The Action-Adventure genre focusing on a “Quest”- What structure the narrative follows – Linear? Non-Linear? Single-Stranded? Multi-

stranded?

• Explanation 2)

What character roles are represented and where/how?

With another person near to you, discuss HOW the sequence presents character roles according to:

- Propp’s Character roles- Neale & Krutnik “Monstrous Characters”- Yvonne Tasker (1993)

Section B – TV COMEDY

vs4 minutes

On Page 13 of the booklet YOU MUST provide as many examples of similarities and differences between the 2 TV Comedy Case Studies.

YOU SHOULD make sure they are based around the scheduling - Question 4a) – and Audience Appeal – Question 4 b) – for example:

Scheduling – ‘Outnumbered’ is shown on BBC – a PSB channel that provides programming that “informs, educates and entertains” and is syndicated out to Dave and Gold, whereas ALOTO is….

Similarities & Differences

FEEDBACK

http://ncrafts.wordpress.com

Towards the bottom of the page, YOU WILL find an exemplar answer to both:

and

• The structure and layout of the answer, as well as the implementation of facts, key terms and theory, are what you should aim to replicate in the exam.

• The examples used for 4 b) – Audience Appeal are also the type of examples you should aim to reproduce.

• See Page 14 - 16 of the booklet for a print out of EACH of these exemplar answers!

Key Areas to address

• Make sure you highlight the differences in scheduling (Time, Day, Channel) for BOTH TV Comedies.

• Focus on the Institutions who schedule the shows – BBC (Outnumbered) and SKY (ALOTO) – for example what are their beliefs and how are they different?

• Point out how the BBC syndicate Outnumbered out to other commerical TV Channels such as Dave and Gold – again state which Time/Day as well!

• How else can you view the shows?

Discuss innovations with the BBC in terms of catch-up services such as iPlayer and Sky offering Sky + and Sky Go.

Key Areas to address

In defining the “Audience pleasures” offered by ONE TV Comedy, YOU MUST address:

• Type (Genre) of Comedy – for example Outnumbered is a semi-improvised sitcom – what is the appeal of sitcom (situation comedy) for audiences therefore?

• Characterization – Know the names of the characters, their role in the show and how 1-2 stock (key) protagonists (main characters) “steal the show” in terms of providing humoour for the audience.

• Target Audience – Refer to theory such as Maslow and Stuart Hall – for example are we in a dominat position when we consume an episode of Outnumbered

• Give actual examples (x1-2) from EITHER ‘Outnumbered’ OR ‘ALOTO’ to support any points you make.

Using the booklet you have been given (See Page 17) YOU MUST watch the sequence from 2 of the Case Studies YOU MUST refer to in the exam tomorrow.

YOU SHOULD make reference to the humour presented, the level of audience interaction and which audience theory applies to EACH sequence.

We will then FEEDBACK our findings and establish if there are any similarities & differences between the audience appeal of both shows.

FEEDBACK

and

Page 18 – 21 (22 and 23 are extra pages) - Using the notes you have made – including during the Feedback – YOU MUST answer the following questions in Timed Conditions:

4 (a) Compare how and why two programmes were scheduled on different channels. State the day, time and channel on which the two programmes were scheduled.

(15 Marks)

(b) Discuss in detail how one comedy programme offers audience pleasures.Give examples from the programme.

(15 Marks)You have 30 minutes to answer BOTH questions – You may use your notes and the guidance on Page 14 - 16 taken from the Blog

FEEDBACK

Are there any questions?