Film and Media Studies Mrs Pistorius. Teachers Expectations: Come into the classroom quietly and calmly Take off coats and bags Have your books out and.

Film and Media Studies

Mrs Pistorius

Teachers Expectations:

• Come into the classroom quietly and calmly• Take off coats and bags• Have your books out and write the date and

title on a new page• Be respectful to all• Be ready to learn but also Enjoy!

What are your expectations of me?

What is Media

Studies?

This GCSE Media Studies course offers you a carefully planned balance between practical production and analytical, theoretical work. You will study different mediums in both of these ways, giving you a more in-depth understanding on how the media industry works.

Your GCSE Course

• B321 – Individual Portfolio 30%Film Posters & Representation essay

• B322 – Exam 40%

• B324 – Practical Production 30%Music video or Radio drama

Media Terminology The Key Concepts

M – Media LanguageI - InstituteG - GenreR - RepresentationA - AudienceI - IdeologyN - Narrative

Media LanguageThis concept centres on the ways that different techniques are used to create meanings for audiences.

Moving Image Language Print Language

-Sound; including sound effects & music- Camerawork; shots, angles, framing & movement-Editing ; cuts, dissolves, fades, cross cutting- Mise-en-scene; Lighting, props, costume, sets/location, make-up/hair, blocking of actors

-Layout-Typography; use of fonts and typefaces-Use of colour- Use of photographs- Mode of address; how it speaks to its target audience- Use of vocabulary; written style

*GenreThis is a term used for placing media texts incategories or genres. Audiences have

particular expectations of texts because of their generic conventions. This conventions are a set of element that are repeated in texts of the same genre.

Sci-fiRomantic ComedyHorrorSoap Operas

InstitutionThe institution that produces the text will affect themeaning of the text for audiences. Many mediaorganisations are driven by problems caused by falling audience figures.How was the text produced, by whom and for what purpose?When and were was the text produced and broadcasted/consumed? How was it funded?

AudienceThose that watch, read, listen and buy the text.Who is the target audience? How do they reach that audience? What attracts and contains anaudience? Things to consider; Scheduling, fragmentation of audience, expectations and pleasures.

RepresentationHow certain people/places/events/issues are

presented to use by the media.Representations also vary as social attitudeschange through time, or according to our

cultural backgrounds. Looking at how the media reflectsor Represents attitudes, behaviour and beliefsand how these are linked to the society we live

in.- Who is included/excluded from the text?- How are people/places/events represented?

Vikki PollardDavid Beckham

Media LanguageSound, camera angles, editing, mise-en-scene

InstitutionHow was the text produced, by whom and for what purpose

GenreWhat genre does it belong to?

RepresentationHow certain people/places/events/issues are presented

AudienceWho is the target audience?

Ideology – Beliefs and principles

Narrative – The story being told

clip

Compare how men and/or women are represented in the romantic comedy genre by analysing three key sequences in each of your chosen films.

Exemplar Texts: Bridget Jones Diary and Hitch

Bridget Jones’s Diary

Hitch

Lesson 2

LO: Exploration of essay question

Starter: Explain the narrative of BJD in less than 100

words.

What is your essay question?

Essay is due on the 22nd of October

As a guidance written work should be approximately 800–1,500 words in length and this may be divided into sections.

Key words

Compare how men and/or women are represented in the romantic comedy genre by analysing three key sequences in each of your chosen films.

Compare how men and/or women are represented in the romantic comedy genre by analysing three key sequences in each of your chosen films.

Basically, you have to write about how men and/or women come across in BJD & Hitch.

Your question

You will be marked on:

-Knowledge and understanding of texts-Insightful analysis and interpretation with good understanding of how media language is used.-Generic conventions-Confident comparison-Appropriate examples

Generic conventions of Romantic Comedies

Trailers

• Hitch

• Bridget

Compare the two trailers

• Did they share any generic conventions?

• What does this tell us?

• What is the narrative of each film?

From the information so far how are men and women represented in Romantic

comedies?

PB BJDKey scenes:BJD1.Opening 04.46 – 09.27

2. Flirting 11.20 – 13.57

3.Mini break / cheating 30.07 – 32.37 / 38.40 – 40.50

4.Just the way you are 50.29 – 55.09

TaskWatch the key scenes and identify how Media Language is used to

create representations of gender.

Media LanguageSound, camera angles, editing, mise-en-scene

RepresentationHow certain people/places/events/issues are presented

Generic Conventions

Lesson 3

Bridget Jones Diary

What are the conventions of a Romantic Comedy?

Bridget Jones’s DiaryStoryline• Bridget Jones is an average woman struggling against her age,

her weight, her job, her lack of a man, and her many imperfections. As a New Year's Resolution, Bridget decides to take control of her life, starting by keeping a diary in which she will always tell the complete truth. The fireworks begin when her charming though disreputable boss takes an interest in the quirky Miss Jones. Thrown into the mix are Bridget's band of slightly eccentric friends and a rather disagreeable acquaintance, Mark Darcy, who Bridget cannot seem to stop running into or help finding quietly attractive.

• What is Bridget like?

• What is Mark like?

• How does Daniel differ to Mark?

Female• Bridget goes against the stereotype of women in

romantic comedies, although she in actually fits within the realm of the real woman within the romantic genre spectrum she is against the norm.

• Bridget Jones is 30 something, slightly overweight (size 16) , extremely quirky personality ,foul mouth basically not a typical feminine figure in any sense

• Her difficulties are because of her masculine qualities and her desire to fit the typical feminine stereotype.

Female

• Bridget is clumsy and not really poised sliding down the pole is a classic example.

• Bridget is represented as love struck girl especially how she objectifies herself to grab the attention of Daniel Cleaver.

• There is this stereotype portrayed in the film that if you are feminist you are intent on being single.

Female

• Bridget in the end gives in to the female stereotype of falling for the ‘nice guy’ and living happily ever after she doesn’t have to sacrifice her personality.

• The director uses music a lot to convey Bridget’s mood.

Men• Men are represented as Young, charming and

handsome.• Daniel is represented as being an attractive man that

get whatever he wants and typically uses women. Example as he cheats on Bridget because he doesn’t take seriously.

• Mark Darcy is represented as a definite sweetheart, lovable, wears goofy sweaters that his mother picks for him and is a genuine caring person.

• Mark is represented as being the night and shining armor when he saves Bridget after she fails miserably to cook a fancy dinner for her friends.

Men

• Mark is a contrast to the representation of Daniel.

• Despite the difference in their representation, the are both conveyed as masculine and brawlers. Towards the end, they get in an all out street brawl over Bridget. They fight for the dominance of her.

Analyses sheetMedia LanguageCostume – Male/FemaleLighting

SoundtrackCamerawork

Audience

Who is the target audience? Why?

Genre

What is the genre?How do you know?Generic conventions?

RepresentationMen / Women/ Country

Stereotypes

Institution

What is the Institution and what is their Ideology

• Opening 00.00 – 07.00• Decision – 07.22 – 08.28• Friends – 10.23 – 11.10• Flirting - 11.28 • Big pants – 16.55• Trip – 30.00• Costume – 35.00 -37• Cheat 38.00• Change 45.00• Dinner 50.00 / 98.00• Fight 1.06• 1.16• 1.20

Key ScenesOpening 04.46 – 09.27

• Scene 1 Setting – winter/ cold, first floor flat/city Voiceover – Party hat blown acrossCredits‘All by myself’ songWatching TVAnswer phone – no new messagesPyjamas – red, childish, cartoonsLighting – dim flat / smallLong shot – we see state of flatTransitionDrinking smokingSinging along / drunk –mid shotPoints to name – we now this is bridgetTransistionsClose up on eyes – game changeNarrative – text on screenResolutions – will find a nice sensible boyfriend Red diary “ will not fantasise about a particular person who embodies all of these things”Lift bell, doors open on to a mid shot of Daniel CleaverMusic – RespectHas to walk down the steps – above every body

Dresses smartlyBridget on karaoke, cigarette in hand, drunk, singing badly.In office – Daniels office is above hersBridget is not dressed smartlyJude – Crying over Richard‘it’s vile Richard’

Flirting11.35 – 13.57

Scene 2Daniel in Office, smoking on phoneBridget at deskInstant messengerFlirting – skirt off sickLoved musicView of London‘will put a stop flirting first thing tomorrow’Music – upbeat – don't get me wrongBridget has hair done and a see through blouseMore flirting‘Mustn't read too much into it’Wedding image

Mini Break30.17 -

Scene 3Aerial shot of car‘a mini break means true love’Aerial shot‘Manner of Grace Kelly’ loses scarf – not gracefulMeets Mark Darcy and girlfriend – awkwardBridget's hairMark and Daniel clashBoatingMark and Natasha togetherDaniel being rude, smoking and drinkingCompare dressFalls into waterFun/ laughter

Cut to 40.00Daniels flatShe suspects cheating – apologises Pretends not to love himAttempts to leave and sees pink cardigan – connotations of colourSlow motion – music Lara‘ I thought you said she was thin’

Just the way you areScene 4Smug married couplesRed topTop of the table‘ one in four or one in three’‘why is it there are so many unmarried women in there thirties these days Bridget?’Silence - mid shot of table‘Underneath our clothes are entire bodies are covered in scalesHall way – fairy lights, magical, romanticMarkShot reverse shot / mid shot‘ I already feel like an idiot most of the time without your help’Mark apologises – complains about her but says ‘ I like you very much’Diegetic sound‘I like you very much just the way you are’Music kicks in – someone exactly like youFriends – shocked, not sure what to say

PB Hitch

Key scenes:Hitch1. 00.00.00 – 00.05.482. 00.06.27 – 00.14.123. 00.15.05 – 00.18.354. 00.58.18 -1.06.20 5. 01:36:58 – 01:46:26

TaskWatch the key scenes and identify how Media Language is used to create

representations of gender.

Media LanguageSound, camera angles, editing, mise-en-scene

RepresentationHow certain people/places/events/issues are presented

Generic Conventions

HitchLO: To explore Hitch with a view to

analyse the representation of gender

2005Will Smith

Eva Mendes

Lesson 4

Working in pairs, discuss how women are represented in the following images.

• Alex "Hitch" Hitchens (Will Smith) is a professional "date doctor" who coaches other men in the art of wooing women.

• While coaching one of his clients, Albert Brennaman (Kevin James), who is smitten with celebrity Allegra Cole (Amber Valletta), Hitch finds himself falling for Sara Melas (Eva Mendes), a gossip columnist who is determined to unmask and ruin the so-called date doctor after one of his "clients" (whom Hitch had refused to work with, unknown to Sara) had a one-night stand with her best friend. However, where Albert and Allegra's relationship continues to progress, Hitch finds that none of his tried and tested methods are working on himself, despite being a master of the art. After Hitch is unmasked, he and Sara break up, and Allegra and Albert follow soon. Finally, Hitch confronts Allegra and convinces her to reunite with Albert, before reconciling with Sara. In the process, he makes the startling discovery that he doesn't really do anything significant besides giving confidence to his clients, and that most of his customers (particularly Albert) really were successful by just being themselves.

Hitch: Life is not the amount of breaths you take, it's the moments that take your breath away

Sara: What should we toast to? Hitch: Never lie, steal, cheat, or drink. But if you must lie, lie in the arms of the one you love. If you must steal, steal away from bad company. If you must cheat, cheat death. And if you must drink, drink in the moments that take your breath away.

Vance: [after telling Hitch that he only wants a girl so he can sleep with her] No, I was told that you help guys get in there. Hitch: Right, but see, here's the thing - my clients actually *like* women. "Hit it and quit it" is not my thing. Vance: Let me make one thing clear to you, rabbi, I need professional help. Hitch: Well, *that* is for damn certain.

Sara: Relationships are for people who are just waiting for something better to come along.

Hitch: So how does it happen, great love? Nobody knows... but what I can tell you is that it happens in the blink of an eye. One moment you're enjoying your life, and the next you're wondering how you ever lived without them.

What do these quotations tell us about gender representation?

Analyses sheetMedia LanguageCostume – Male/FemaleLighting

SoundtrackCamerawork

Audience

Who is the target audience? Why?

Genre

What is the genre?How do you know?Generic conventions?

RepresentationMen / Women/ Country

Stereotypes

Institution

What is the Institution and what is their Ideology

Key scenes ML, REP, Genre• Opening 00:00 – 08.45 • Bar 09:45 – 14.21• Albert 15.27• Hitch meets Sarah 25:00- 28.45• The wrong man 30.00• Delivery 31.42• Foot in face 36.38 – 37.00• Face in book 39.23 - 40.37• Rice to riches, 41.27 – 42.05• Date, 43.48- 50.00• Kiss, 51.30 – 54.43• Set up, 55.40 – 56.30• Date, 57.30 – 1.01• Medicated, 1.02 – 1.03• Sharing, 1.04 – 1.05• Kiss, 1.05 • Friend, 1.06 – 1.10• Article, 01.11 – 01.50• Reveal, 01.18 – 01.19• Confrontation, 01.20 – 1.24• Paper, 01.24 – 01.25

• Speed dating, 01.30 – 01.32• Apology, 01.32 – 01.33• Love is job, 01.35• What did you do, 1.37 – 1.40• End, 01.43 – 01.46• 01.46 -

Key ScenesOpening

00.00 - 05.48• Scene 1• Sound bridge• Music• Voice over – women• Talking to camera – to audience – close up• Talking about women• ‘my job is to open her eyes’• ‘you can get it if you really want’• Talking to men• Good advice• Montage• ‘8/10 women believe the first thing can tell all they need to know about a relationship’

Sarah06.27 – 14.12

Scene 2Establishing shotOpposite to Hitch‘if he is stupid enough to cheat, then the world should know he is dumb enough o get caught’‘Barbados by myself’Sarah’s dress – dark colours – Beatles top‘Relationships are for people waiting for something better to come along’- Night outLow lightingIdea of a perfect relationship – marriageSarah and Casey - girls dressed up, Sarah notDate Doctor – ‘you’re not sick, you're singleHitch working his magic – then college flash back / music not sad ‘ she drives me crazy’

Albert15.05 – 18.35

Scene 3Albert eating lunch – messHitch watchingDress – Albert is a bad dresserNot typical rom com leadAlegra Cole – above AlbertAlbert – a good guy, needs Hitch’s help

Double Date58.18 -1.06.20

Scene 4Sarah wanting information from HitchHitch is being discreetHitch’s reactionHitch is not as a good on his own dates, makes mistakesSarah takes care of HitchHitch’s faceHe becomes high from the medicineSarah and Hitch get close – share ideasLow lightingIntimate but no sex Music – low, peaceful, reflective

Ending01:36:58 – 01:46:26

Hitch making things rightBoatMusic – exciting, chase,Alegra and Hitch‘create opportunities’All the stuff about me – ‘no, hell, no’‘that stuff worked for you’Music‘nothing’Alegra and Hitch hug – fight Alegra and Albert make up

Music up beat – Hitch runs to SarahSound bridgeTalks through the door – Sarah in more of a girlie dressAnother man in the flatHitch on top of the carSarah trying to driveThrows Hitch off car‘that’s what people do, they leap’‘there is only person who makes me feel like I can fly, you’KissRomantic build up - musicMan is Brother in Law

Plenary

How does Hitch conform to the generic conventions of a Romantic Comedy?

Bullet point three ideas and be prepared to feedback to the class.

PB Venn DiagramIn pairs, create

Past Essay

Highlight the following areas:

Lesson 5

Starting to write your assignment

You need to decide if you are going to write about men and/or women.

Rewrite your question: Compare how men and/or women are represented

in the romantic comedy genre by analysing three key sequences in each of your chosen films.

Assignment Plan

Key areas:Media Language

GenreRepresentation

TODOROVTodorov proposed a basic structure for all narratives. He stated

that films and programmes begin with an equilibrium, a calm period. Then agents of disruption cause disequilibrium, a period of unsettlement and disquiet. This is then followed by a renewed state of peace and harmony for the protagonists and a new equilibrium brings the chaos to an end.

What is ‘Representation’?What is ‘Representation’?Representation is the way the media RE-PRESENT individuals, groups, events and issues.

Key Representation areas are:

Gender GRADSVW

Race

Age

Disability

Sexuality

Values

World in film

Definitions• Stereotypes• Media Institutions use stereotypes because the audience will

instantly understand them. Think of stereotypes as a ‘visual shortcut’. They’re repeated so often that we assume they are normal or ‘true’.

• Task – Think of a stereotypical representation of Scotland or O.A.P’s

• Archetypes• This is the ‘ultimate’ stereotype. For example, the white

stiletto wearing, big busted, brainless blonde bimbo• Countertype• A representation that challenges tradition stereotypical

associations of groups, people or places

Representation of Good vs. EvilHero – ProtagonistVillain – Antagonist

How is Reece Witherspoon being represented? Think about her body language; what might she be doing?

Why is she the only character in bright clothes What might this represent?

Who is the AUDIENCE for this advertisement and where might we see it?

Applying Representation to Advertisements

How are women represented?

How do we know that this is a romantic comedy?

Example Paragraph:

Complete Assignment Plan

Assignment

Using your plan, start writing your assignment