Current Ethnic Issues
In various shows, ethnicity is a main issue, as the black characters, are often portrayed in a lower living, or as a dangerous or pitied character. Alvadaro (1987) concluded that in television dramas, black people are shown in one of four lights:
1) Racial difference was represented as something exotic ( different/unusual)
2)Represented as a dangerous character (blaxploitation)
3) The humorous character (Lenny Henry)
4) A character who is pitied, by other characters.
On Waterloo Road (BBC1) a young girl from a muslim background is found pregnant, when confronted by her brother. She belongs to the only muslim family at her school. Trudi discovers her pregnancy.
Thursday, 26 April 2012
Hotel Babylon Extract
Stereotypes (3:00-4:00)
Foremost, during this clip of an immigrant raid during the clip of Hotel Babylon, all of the police officers leading the raid are white. This is promoting the fact that in the media, immigrants are only black, or a different skin colour. The opening begins with 3 white men, arresting and man handling a black man who was cleaning. They force him downstairs. They protest to him being deported due to the fact he will be killed, as the rest of the family were killed. The editing is fast-paced, this shows how the immigrants are rushed, panicked and have very little time. This can also represent the nature of the immigration officers, that they are, in a rush, to catch as many illegal workers as a possible before they hide away. One black man, "Ibrahim" was captured. Once the multi-lingual supervisor finds out he was captured, she protests in front of all guests and workers, this is when the frames and editing slows. Also, the head immigration officer then declares that he is aware of the codes that are used to give the immigrants minutes to hide away, hence the multi-lingual supervisor. This clip of footage, in my opinion strongly shows how all immigrants are branded as violent, low-life aggressive thieves. However, it contradicts the stereotype by
showing the immigrants to be, clever and hard-working people. During this scene we meet a cleaner, Adam, who we discover is a former doctor. He saves a diabetic woman who whilst hiding for her life in the cupboard has a hypoglycemic attack. Adam helps recover the woman, by placing jam in her mouth. This is confronting media and everyday views that immigrants bring crime and violence with them. They all appear to be a strong 'family' unit. However, when it comes to meals, each racial group, eats only with others from the same background. It's as if they are segregated into their own cultures for meals.
This clip, conforms, and combats, various media and personal views about the stereotypes of immigrants, illegal and legal.
Foremost, during this clip of an immigrant raid during the clip of Hotel Babylon, all of the police officers leading the raid are white. This is promoting the fact that in the media, immigrants are only black, or a different skin colour. The opening begins with 3 white men, arresting and man handling a black man who was cleaning. They force him downstairs. They protest to him being deported due to the fact he will be killed, as the rest of the family were killed. The editing is fast-paced, this shows how the immigrants are rushed, panicked and have very little time. This can also represent the nature of the immigration officers, that they are, in a rush, to catch as many illegal workers as a possible before they hide away. One black man, "Ibrahim" was captured. Once the multi-lingual supervisor finds out he was captured, she protests in front of all guests and workers, this is when the frames and editing slows. Also, the head immigration officer then declares that he is aware of the codes that are used to give the immigrants minutes to hide away, hence the multi-lingual supervisor. This clip of footage, in my opinion strongly shows how all immigrants are branded as violent, low-life aggressive thieves. However, it contradicts the stereotype byshowing the immigrants to be, clever and hard-working people. During this scene we meet a cleaner, Adam, who we discover is a former doctor. He saves a diabetic woman who whilst hiding for her life in the cupboard has a hypoglycemic attack. Adam helps recover the woman, by placing jam in her mouth. This is confronting media and everyday views that immigrants bring crime and violence with them. They all appear to be a strong 'family' unit. However, when it comes to meals, each racial group, eats only with others from the same background. It's as if they are segregated into their own cultures for meals.This clip, conforms, and combats, various media and personal views about the stereotypes of immigrants, illegal and legal.
Friday, 20 April 2012
Common Stereotypes of Immigrants
Common Stereotypes of Immigrants
Common Stereotypes of Immigrants:
Common Stereotypes of Immigrants:
- All immigrants are bad news and cause and bring trouble and crime
- Immigrants are played in negative roles and portrayals
- Always played in a derogatory role, or pitiful situation being looked down upon often by a middle-class white British citizen
Monday, 16 April 2012
Ethnicity
Ethnicity
Alvadaro 1987
Racial representation comes in one of four types:
1) Racial difference was represented as something exotic ( different/unusual)
2)Represented as a dangerous character (blaxploitation)
3) The humorous character (Lenny Henry)
4) A character who is pitied, by other characters.
Alvadaro 1987
Racial representation comes in one of four types:
1) Racial difference was represented as something exotic ( different/unusual)
2)Represented as a dangerous character (blaxploitation)
3) The humorous character (Lenny Henry)
4) A character who is pitied, by other characters.
Representations of Ethnicity
Representation of Ethnicity
Ethnicity: relating to or characteristic of a human group having racial,religious, linguistic, and certain other traits in common.
Ethnicity: relating to or characteristic of a human group having racial,religious, linguistic, and certain other traits in common.
Skins Extract- Bus and Estate Scenes
Skins Extract Video
Tony in the finale of season 1 was hit by a bus causing him mental and motoring sensors of his body, in other words he is incapable of being independent. In the scene concerning Tony and his friend Maxxie are returning home after Maxxie has performed his dance. We open with Tony staring out of the bus windows at people walking and cycling along, with only the use of medium shots. The colours are very dull. Tony first reacts properly in a panic when a passing bus sounds it's horn. He jumps, panics and grabs hold of the closest thing to him, which happens to be Maxxie who reassures him. Tony is told all is okay, and acts arrogant in his voice and face, but his hand squeezing Maxxie's says otherwise. The camera focuses on Tony's face and his hand gripping Maxxie's. The camera shots are rapid but slow down as Tony calms, rather like his heart beat. The scene continually has non-diegetic music playing in the background predominantly before the bus drives past, after, it slowly fades. The music is calming and at a slow pace.
Tony in the finale of season 1 was hit by a bus causing him mental and motoring sensors of his body, in other words he is incapable of being independent. In the scene concerning Tony and his friend Maxxie are returning home after Maxxie has performed his dance. We open with Tony staring out of the bus windows at people walking and cycling along, with only the use of medium shots. The colours are very dull. Tony first reacts properly in a panic when a passing bus sounds it's horn. He jumps, panics and grabs hold of the closest thing to him, which happens to be Maxxie who reassures him. Tony is told all is okay, and acts arrogant in his voice and face, but his hand squeezing Maxxie's says otherwise. The camera focuses on Tony's face and his hand gripping Maxxie's. The camera shots are rapid but slow down as Tony calms, rather like his heart beat. The scene continually has non-diegetic music playing in the background predominantly before the bus drives past, after, it slowly fades. The music is calming and at a slow pace.
Thursday, 29 March 2012
Mental Illness on Television Drama
Television Drama has enormous power to shape public attitudes towards mental illness - a subject still shrouded in ignorance and misunderstanding. But it is the job of the industry to challenge popular myths? Or does it have a responsibility at least not to mislead? Is using pejorative dialogue about people with mental health problems any more acceptable than broadcasting racist language?
This report is based on research led by the Glasgow Media Group (GMG) at Glasgow University and is commissioned by SHIFT, the department of health programme to tackle the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness. The research analysed three months of Television Drama on UK terrestrial channels between 4pm and 11pm. From 74 episodes from 34 different programmes contained mental illness-related storylines.
This article is trying to convey a serious message to producers and directors of Television Dramas. It is displaying how mental health is portrayed in extremes, which the audience interpret as stereotypical mental health and that is the main cause of stereotypes, and how all people who have mental health are maniacs who are going to kill you if you look at them.
Television producers and mainly concerned with increase ratings, and getting more viewers than before. They do not seem concerned about the 'real-life' repercussions of there representation of mental health. What they show people interpret as reality, and believe that mental health is very serious and severe, ultimately, having a mental health issue makes you a murdering or suicidal maniac.
The statistics shown by the GMG are interesting and are definitely showing the consequences of how Television Drama explores mental health.
Overall Television Drama has large potential to combat stigma and improve public understanding of Mental Health. However, unsympathetic portrayals and references to mental health are still dominant in soaps. The over-representation of violence, with most programmes suggesting people who have mental health issues are dangerous and should not be in public. Mental Health professionals, charities and people affected by mental illness are all keen to work with the industry to help create authentic programmes rooted in reality.
Monday, 26 March 2012
Marketing and Distribution Homework
1) What is the vertical distribution system?
Vertical distribution is where one company produces and distributes its own films.
2) How does this affect control of the film industry?
This indicates that large companies and corporations will continue to dominate the film industry and smaller, independent companies will struggle to compete.
3) How does a recent Disney film benefit from this?
Disney is currently owned by a company called General Electric, which is one of the 'Big Six' media companies in the world, and is dominant in the film industry. This company is so diverse that it also builds engines for Airliners and fighter jets. One of Disney's recent films like The Princess and the Frog would have a major advantage over independent companies due to the already well-established connections General Electric have for distribution. This enables them to distribute large quantities of items over a large area, at a rapid speed. Continued repetition of this method will ensure future Disney films they will be allowed the same advertisements.
4) Which media companies do General Electric own?
General Electric own the following companies: 80% of NBC Universal; Universal Picture, Focus Features and Rogue Pictures. General Electric has production agreements with: Imagine Entertainment, Jersey Films, Tribeca Films, Shady Acres, the Kennedy/Marshall Company, Playtone Company, Strike Entertainment, Type A Films, Depth of Field, Stephen Sommers and Working Title Films (Europe).
5) What manufacturing facility do they own which supports the vertical distribution system?
The facility which supports the vertical distribution system is Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
6) Look back at the previous 2 answers. How then, do companies owned by General Electric benefit from their vertical distribution system?
Other companies owned by General Electric benefit due to the already established and sterling relationships and connections General Electric currently have concerning distribution.
7) Compared to the production cost of a film, how much does marketing and distribution cost?
No information available, marketing and distribution budgets are difficult to research.
8) Who do Working Title Primarily market their film towards?
Working Title primarily market their films dependant on the genre of the film. Films such as Paul, and Johnny English are generally marketed towards Americans, as the main protagonists are 'typically British' and this is what intrigues Americans in. These type of action/comedy films are generally for audiences between 16-24 years old, and bias towards a male gender. On the other hand we have Atonement, a film set during the second world war, which is cleverly pieced together and intertwined, from a single lie told by a young and ignorant girl. This films naturally markets towards men and women around the ages of 30-50 years. The film envelopes the audience around the love between two people, and their struggles, due to ignorance of a young girl.
Whether action-packed or making the audiences think as they watch, and develop a deep message, each genre is unique to its own audience.
9) Vertical distribution should guarantee a film's success. Find a Working Title film that did not perform as well as expected. What factors, other than distribution and marketing, caused this film to be a commercial failure?
The film I have selected to discuss is Captain Corelli's Mandolin, which was meant to be a great success. This film was one or Working Title's largest budgets, however, due to its change in story, and lack of mirroring the book, audiences were disappointed, which caused the film to perform in the box office very poorly.
10) Smaller Companies cannot benefit from a vertical distribution system. What marketing methods do independent or small film studios use instead?
For smaller film companies and studios, the best way to increase distribution is through a marketing company, which scour the huge multi-national corporations for someone willing to buy. It is now possible to bypass traditional methods of marketing and distribution, using the internet, social networking websites and game consoles to increase a film's exposure to audiences across the globe. Using the internet, you can publicise to a large audience or to a niche audience.
Vertical distribution is where one company produces and distributes its own films.
2) How does this affect control of the film industry?
This indicates that large companies and corporations will continue to dominate the film industry and smaller, independent companies will struggle to compete.
3) How does a recent Disney film benefit from this?
Disney is currently owned by a company called General Electric, which is one of the 'Big Six' media companies in the world, and is dominant in the film industry. This company is so diverse that it also builds engines for Airliners and fighter jets. One of Disney's recent films like The Princess and the Frog would have a major advantage over independent companies due to the already well-established connections General Electric have for distribution. This enables them to distribute large quantities of items over a large area, at a rapid speed. Continued repetition of this method will ensure future Disney films they will be allowed the same advertisements.
4) Which media companies do General Electric own?
General Electric own the following companies: 80% of NBC Universal; Universal Picture, Focus Features and Rogue Pictures. General Electric has production agreements with: Imagine Entertainment, Jersey Films, Tribeca Films, Shady Acres, the Kennedy/Marshall Company, Playtone Company, Strike Entertainment, Type A Films, Depth of Field, Stephen Sommers and Working Title Films (Europe).
5) What manufacturing facility do they own which supports the vertical distribution system?
The facility which supports the vertical distribution system is Universal Studios Home Entertainment.
6) Look back at the previous 2 answers. How then, do companies owned by General Electric benefit from their vertical distribution system?
Other companies owned by General Electric benefit due to the already established and sterling relationships and connections General Electric currently have concerning distribution.
7) Compared to the production cost of a film, how much does marketing and distribution cost?
No information available, marketing and distribution budgets are difficult to research.
8) Who do Working Title Primarily market their film towards?
Working Title primarily market their films dependant on the genre of the film. Films such as Paul, and Johnny English are generally marketed towards Americans, as the main protagonists are 'typically British' and this is what intrigues Americans in. These type of action/comedy films are generally for audiences between 16-24 years old, and bias towards a male gender. On the other hand we have Atonement, a film set during the second world war, which is cleverly pieced together and intertwined, from a single lie told by a young and ignorant girl. This films naturally markets towards men and women around the ages of 30-50 years. The film envelopes the audience around the love between two people, and their struggles, due to ignorance of a young girl.
Whether action-packed or making the audiences think as they watch, and develop a deep message, each genre is unique to its own audience.
9) Vertical distribution should guarantee a film's success. Find a Working Title film that did not perform as well as expected. What factors, other than distribution and marketing, caused this film to be a commercial failure?
The film I have selected to discuss is Captain Corelli's Mandolin, which was meant to be a great success. This film was one or Working Title's largest budgets, however, due to its change in story, and lack of mirroring the book, audiences were disappointed, which caused the film to perform in the box office very poorly.
10) Smaller Companies cannot benefit from a vertical distribution system. What marketing methods do independent or small film studios use instead?
For smaller film companies and studios, the best way to increase distribution is through a marketing company, which scour the huge multi-national corporations for someone willing to buy. It is now possible to bypass traditional methods of marketing and distribution, using the internet, social networking websites and game consoles to increase a film's exposure to audiences across the globe. Using the internet, you can publicise to a large audience or to a niche audience.
Thursday, 22 March 2012
Lighting Types
Lighting
Key Light
Key lighting is used to highlight a protagonist or object in a scene.
Back Light
Back lighting is used to highlight objects or characters toward the back of the scene.
Fill Light
A fill light is used to reduce the contrast of a scene and/or highlight areas of a scene which are in shadow.
Chiaroscuro
This form of lighting is used to indicate an extreme case of low-key lighting to highlight areas of light and dark in scenes. Such as heaven and hell or right and wrong.
Rim Lighting
Rim lighting creates a halo effect or stark glow around the designated area.
Key Light
Key lighting is used to highlight a protagonist or object in a scene.
Back Light
Back lighting is used to highlight objects or characters toward the back of the scene.
Fill Light
A fill light is used to reduce the contrast of a scene and/or highlight areas of a scene which are in shadow.
Chiaroscuro
This form of lighting is used to indicate an extreme case of low-key lighting to highlight areas of light and dark in scenes. Such as heaven and hell or right and wrong.
Rim Lighting
Rim lighting creates a halo effect or stark glow around the designated area.
Monday, 12 March 2012
How does piracy affect Working Title Film and how have they tried to stop it?
Piracy affects the production, distribution and exhibition of the film industry. Piracy is "murdering" the film industry, the continued increase of piracy is costing companies millions of pounds a year. In 2009 77.75 million pirated Digital Versatile Discs (DVD) were sold. This some took around £7'000'000 from the film industry in 2009. The smaller studios with talent pools and aspiring young films makers and workers lose out on money, and experience as the smaller companies are less willing to take risks with films, and film-making begins to dwindle. This hampering of talent, stops aspiring young workers on their way up to large dominant film companies, such as Warner Bros.
Companies such as Working Title Films are now introducing technologies not available or at the same quality of public purchase, such as 3D or digital films. Digital films projectors cost around £250'000 per screen, this innovative new way of watching film is more secure, and makes for much better viewing. The screen is no longer pixelated either. Each cinema is sent a copy of the film for example, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy recently made by Working Title is distributed in an encrypted safe, with a password unique to each container, and will expire after a set time, this is how piracy is currently being combatted.
Piracy is increasing at an average of 3% each year. This is mainly due to the dramatic increase in digital and media technologies. Faster broadbands and different torrents make downloading a film from the World Wide Web very easily and fast. The quality is often good nowadays.
Companies such as Working Title Films are now introducing technologies not available or at the same quality of public purchase, such as 3D or digital films. Digital films projectors cost around £250'000 per screen, this innovative new way of watching film is more secure, and makes for much better viewing. The screen is no longer pixelated either. Each cinema is sent a copy of the film for example, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy recently made by Working Title is distributed in an encrypted safe, with a password unique to each container, and will expire after a set time, this is how piracy is currently being combatted.
Piracy is increasing at an average of 3% each year. This is mainly due to the dramatic increase in digital and media technologies. Faster broadbands and different torrents make downloading a film from the World Wide Web very easily and fast. The quality is often good nowadays.
Monarch of the Glen- Camera Movement and Composition
During the start of the clip, we are mainly using a tripod, up until a young girl by the name of Amy, begins to drive the car. The camera moves towards her as if someone is walking up to her, and listening to what she is saying to herself, as it turns out she can not actually drive. The majority of dialogue between characters is close-up shot of the protagonists. It switches between each character as their dialogue comes up. The majority of camera movement is still. Except for the two most significant parts of the story, where the camera applies the representation that you as the viewer are also in the situation and walking towards the point of significance. The second significant situation after the car crash into her teacher Mr Edward Green and her uncle Paul Mcdonald are in what appears to be the library (with the candlestick) having a brandy and discussing Amy's future when the camera dollies toward our characters as if walking into the conversation and being involved.
Monday, 23 January 2012
EastEnders: Soap Opera Conventions
This is a short ten minute clip of Eastenders, we analysed this clip using the conventions of soap opera. The first shot is in the title sequence and it is called an establishing shot, this shot shows us where this soap is set, which is the east-end of London near the River Thames. We open the first scene with one of the main protagonists in the current storyline. We open the first clip with our main storyline dealing with one of many social issues of deceit and homosexuality. The centre of gossip of meeting place in EastEnders is the Queen Victoria pub, this is where Phil firsts confronts Christian (a homosexual man) for touching his boy. This has all stemmed from Ben lying about attempting to kiss Christian due to the fact that he is homosexual. He lied to Phil (his dad) due to being scared of him and how he would react to his son being homosexual. This attempts to conquer another social issue of standing up for yourself, and being truthful to the people around you. The depiction of the community is they know all and everything that is going on, and gossip develops and flows quite freely.
Friday, 6 January 2012
Final Video
This is the final cut, of our thriller. A lot of time and effort has gone into this, and we are really pleased with the end result! Enjoy!
Thursday, 5 January 2012
Avatar Official Website
The first part of the website greets you with a trailer of the most recent product, The Avatar Extended Collectors Edition. The trailer automatically plays to invite you into the product, it shows parts of the film and special features. The website offers you a translation of 20 different languages and countries. You are then given the option of three websites to join. I opened the main site. The opening page displays one of the main protagonists, whilst the pictures change between the environments and characters of the film. The bar at the bottom displays over 10 different forms of media technologies for downloading, playing, and purchasing. You can also be immersed into the world of Avatar by uploading a picture of yourself, which chages you into an Avatar. From the uploaded photo, this is the end result of turning yourself into an Avatar. Just from doing this quick and simple process you are hit with various media technologies. Such as you can 'Share' your Avatar to social network sites like Facebook, MySpace and Twitter. The page shows the latest release of their newest product. 'The 3-disc Extended Collectors Edition' with the release date straight after. Their are links to the Official Website of the Avatar and The official Avatar store, which helps to sell all Avatar related games and other products. There are also many
environmental sections to this website, as previously mentioned about one of the plots of the film being about destroying the local environment in the film, the Director and Actors, have made a short clip with interviews and footage of them explaining why and how to help protect and save the environment.
This website page is a 'message from Pandora' which is conveying where to go (such as websites) and why you should protect the environment. With links and images posted below the video to visit the website to donate and read articles about the Amazon Rainforest. You can also 'tweet' (Twitter) or share the video or the page on your own social networking sites.
This image ( shown above) is displaying five different ways to explore and enjoy the film in your own ways. Through computer games or various devices such as the Iphone, Ipod and mobile phones. Downloadable content, such as wallpapers for your phones and computers. Toys and other miscellaneous objects you can purchase online as presents for children and loved ones at anytime of year. They keep the process relatively simple and straightforward to keep customer satisfaction. New products and items are constantly being released to keep the spirit of the film alive.
This frame ( left) pictures one of the five different methods to indulge the consumers into the world of Avatar with these games. This game is adapted for the Iphone and other various such devices with equivalent capabilities e.g. Ipod and Ipad. The page displays a trailer of the game, on an Iphone screen, showing the consumer what the finished and downloaded product will look like. The page in the centre toward the bottom also offers the site, in various translations. You can also share the page with friends and followers on your social networking site. On the left side of the page the creators of the product are persuaded to investigate the company after discovering the Avatar product, which may help increase sales for other productions.
Overall this website contributes well to engaging with consumers, and also helping protect the environment, which links to the film. It is easy to navigate, and fun for children of all ages.
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