Media Unit 1

Textual analysis exam questions Analyse how genre conventions have been used to create meaning in a media product you have studied (12 marks) Only need 3 paragraphs The first paragraph should include a brief introduction (a sentence or two), introducing the question and the set of text you have chosen - Get out (2017) Jordan Peele Each paragraph should then follow this structure: Point - what is the point that you’re making? Example/Evidence - where does this specifically link to the set text? Explain - how does it lie back to the question and why? Here is where you can expand on your media language Theory - what theory does this link support In the 2017 film ‘ Get Out’, Jordan Peele uses several horror conventions and stereotypes in order to enhance the audiences reactions to the events taking place. Critical theories such as Vladimir Propp’s character archetype theory can also be applied to Get Out, as the film has interesting plot twists which could make us question how the ...

  Media language Representation and Stereotypes To explore stereotypes in media products To question why they exist To begin to analyse how they can be challenged Stereotypes  Defining individuals in ways which suggest that their behaviour, attributes, identity is ‘typical’ because they belong to a social group or category (such as age, gender, race, class, region, ethnicity) Often stereotypes have negative connotations Answer the questions briefly in relation to ‘ Shelter’ Which stereotypes are represented in the short film? That Black people are aggressive and thieves Explain how the micro-features are used to re-present some of the stereotypes Editing - The editing whilst he was buying cigarettes was really slow - made us think he wasn’t going to pull out money and instead something like a knife Camera - During his therapy session, its shot reverse shot which shows how the two are very divided and different - Framing - They’re in a wide shot together but wit...

  ‘Get Out’ Holiday work Interesting Examples of: Camera Angles   ‘POV’ shot of what Chris can see whilst in the ‘sunken place’. The shape can relate to the shape of a TV, which could be really upsetting for him as that’s what he was watching whilst his mother died. Camera Movements   The handheld tracking shot of Chris trying to escape is great at capturing the sense of panic as the camera is shaky and unstable. Editing techniques   The use of quick cross cuts builds up speed and intensifies the tenseness you feel as a spectator wanting Chris to escape. Sound   The sound effects used when Chris is falling into the ‘sunken place’ really fits the moos. Its low pitched and really eerie. Mise-en-scene   The way that everything is extremely symmetrical, and monotone brown colours makes you quite uneasy and creeped out. Usually symmetrical things are aesthetic but considering the circumstances it gives off the opposite mood. Colour   Blue tones make everyth...

Micro Features Get Out (2017) Director: Jordan Peele   Stars: Danial Kaluuya, Allison Williams Production Companies: Blumhouse, QC, Monkeypaw Distributed by universal Budget: $4.5 million Box Office: $255.4 million Micro Features/Conventions of horror Sound - Slow - contrapuntal sound Makeup - mise-en-scene Murder Monsters Weather - gloomy/stormy shift in editing style = shift in narrative   Mise-en-scene Costume Props Lighting Setting Colour palette Editing Pacing Length of cuts Transition   Eliptical editing Sound Diegetic/Non diegetic Sound FX Parallel Contrapuntal Camera Work Camera movement Camera angle Field of depth Framing Get out opening sequence Camera Tracks Andre - Turns and sees what Andre sees - we see what happens as Andre does - we relate to him Cant see his face as he’s attacked - low angle, can’t see attacker - mystery - enigma code Hand held - shaky on what its focusing on - viewers feel like they are there because the shakiness represents fear Cyclical...

Film analysis - Theory Levi-Strauss - structuralist approach: conflict and binary opposition Social anthropologist who studied primitive societies who communicated with signs/paintings/drawings - visually Not spoken or written! Primitive drawing/painting on a cave for example - recognise ideas around conflict - opposites/binaries - Strauss develops this to argue that intrinsic to most cultures is an understanding f the world through CONFLICT and OPPOSITES = MEANING Narrative tension is based on opposition or conflict. This can be as simple as two characters fighting, but more often functions at an ideological level Relevant to Get Out: Black Vs White (Race) Good Vs Evil (The family) Girl Vs Boy (Relationship) Empowered Vs Victim Vladmir Propp: archetypal characters Archetypal characters He argues that a good story always needs a specific set of archetypes The characters themselves are not important - focus is on their role on function as a type Hero, Villain, Victim, Helper and messen...