Ill MANORS Indext

Ill Manors: Film Review

Broadcast Platform: Ill Manors Trailer Analysis

Broadcast: Ill Manors Music Video Analysis

Broadcast Platform:Ill Manors TEDx Lecture

Broadcast Platform Concluded: Ill Manors "Making Of" DVD extra, television and radio interviews

Ill Manors: Print Platform

Ill Manors Print : Branding

Ill Manors e-media: Tag London Campaign

Ill Manors: e-media off-site research

Ill Manors e-media: Website Analysis

Blog task: Binary Oppositions and Ideology

In this debate we see a clear example of binary oppositions between Nigel Farage and Russel Brand not only from how they present themselves but also in the political point of view. The politician Farage seem to have the power in this situation as he is more experienced in the field where Brand tries to incorporate this and try to connect with the audience. We also see that Brand is left wing meaning is possibly a labour supporter whereas Farage is more right wing  and represents UKIP. Throughout the debate we see Brand trying to connect with the audience and hightlight that he is "just like you" and how is an average person which is another opposite of rich vs poor.

January Assessment: Mest 1 Exam Feedback Learner response

WWW: Much stronger question 1 and 2 than 3 and 4- timing issue? You are starting to consider effect of techniques you've noticed.

EBI: Proof read and re-structure. make sure you are answering each question focusing on that part only eg don't discuss mise-en-scene unless its for question 2.

LR

Mise-en-scene makes a huge contribution to the impact of the short film. The use of costume was used in a unique way. The two adults were dressed in the conventional day to day clothing giving an authentic sense of realism. However, the daughter was dresses in a fairy costume which could foreshadowing of the accident and the daughter being one of the sources to help save the father's life. The advert has effective use of high key lighting giving the shot film a more warm look being in a middle class, aspirational family. The lighting also changes at certain parts of the advert to reflect the events that are occurring. For example when the crash nearby the lighting starts to dim.The actors also use their facial expression to mirror the events that occur in that minute. For example during the beginning all three actors are smiling and reflecting the mood of being with family and happiness however, this changes when, the crash is seconds away and their facial expressions as well as body movement changes from the man (father) smiling and relaxing to becoming afraid and stiff. Sussex Safer Roads also uses the use of props in a distinctive way. For example the use of the glitter to represent the glass from the car once the crash has taken place. This is significant as the audience get to see the effects with any extreme violence. 

Audience: Effects Theory

 Media and Audiences Factsheet 030 -The Effects Debate

Does the media have the power to change peoples’ behaviour, attitudes or promote values and ideologies?

a. Do you play violent video games and/or watch violent films? Are you violent in ‘real life’?

No, I don't really play violent games but have seen some violent film.This doesn't really make me violent. I think it depends on the mentality you have and how individuals process it.

b. Do you ever see a product advertised on TV or on the internet and decide you want to buy it?

Yes, some products are advertised in interesting ways. In particular, in my opinion, I feel that the ones that also contain humour draw the audience in and makes it more appealing

c. Have you ever seen a documentary which has drawn your attention to an issue which you now feel strongly about?

Yes, I've seen many documentaries that make me realise a various amount of issues, however, the ones that make me 

2) What are the four categories for different effects theories?

The four categories are:

• Direct Effect Theories

• Diffusion Theories

• Indirect Effect Theories

• The Pluralist Approach

3) What are the examples provided for the hypodermic needle theory - where media texts have been blamed for certain events? 

Some texts which have been blamed for specific events are:

• Child’s Play – The murder of Jamie Bulger

• Marilyn Manson – The Columbine High School shootings

• Natural Born Killers – a number of murders committed by

romantically linked couples. in one case, the director was sued

for inciting violence although the court case was later dismissed

4) What was the 1999 Columbine massacre? You may need to research this online in addition to the information on the fact sheet.

The 1999 Columbine massacre was the incident where two teenages boys Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold went to school loaded with weapons and killed13 students then killed themselves. Their role model was Adolf Hitler hence why they chose to kill on his birthday. 

5) What are the reasons listed on the fact sheet to possibly explain the Columbine High School massacre?

The Columbine High School shootings occurred due to a complex relationship between: The ease of access to firearms and the social acceptance of gun ownership,the alienation felt by teenagers who felt as though they did not fit in, the hopelessness caused by living in an area where unemployment was high and was economically disadvantaged and the general desensitisation caused by access to a

range of violent images: film, TV, the news, the internet.

6) What does Gerbner's Cultivation theory suggest?

This theory considers the way the media affects attitudes rather than behaviour. The media is seen as part of our socialisation process, communicating ‘appropriate’ attitudes and the norms and values of the culture. According to this theory, while any one media text does not have too much effect, repeated exposure to certain ideas and values may make the audience less critical of the ideas presented as they may become normalised. The audience become desensitise toward negative or violent behaviour and may think it to being "normal".  

7) How does this front page of the Daily Mail link to Cultivation theory? 

This front page links to the cultication theory as the theory suggest that the more the media repeats an idea the audience will except it and will not question if it is "normal" or not. So, the fact that "UNDER 5s" are "GLUED TO SCREENS 4 HOURS EACH DAY" says something about our media today. It could suggest that children at an even younger age are influence by the media as a result of them using it on a daily basis. 

    

8) What does the factsheet suggest about action films and the values and ideologies that are reinforced with regards to violence?

The factsheet suggests that action films violence and this being a negative influence can reinforce this violence to younger children. 

9) What criticisms of direct effect theories are suggested in the factsheet?

This theory is largely discredited as it makes simplified judgements about the audience. One criticism that is suggested in the factsheet is that some theories e.g. the hypodermic needle theory have a tendency to scapegoat, in that they habitually blame the same types of media texts such as horror films, rock music, video games for the things that are supposedly resultant of the overexposure to those texts. For example the Jamie Bulger case and also the Columbine massacre.

10) Why might the 1970s sitcom Love Thy Neighbour be considered so controversial today? What does this tell us about Reception theory and how audiences create meanings?

11) What examples are provided for Hall's theory of preferred, negotiated and oppositional readings?

The Sun and The Guardian may report the same ‘facts’ very differently as the sun is targeted towards more working class people whereas the Guardian  is targeted towards more educated readers- middle class.

12) Which audience theory do you think is most convincing? Why? It is important that you develop critical autonomy in judging the arguments for and against different theories and form your own opinion on these issues.

In my opinion, I think that the most convincing theory is Gerbner's theory of Cultivation. This is because it reinforces the idea learning through watching over and over again. It is important to develop critical autonomy because having your own opinion on media texts that we watch gives us ac chance to agree but also argue  

The British Film Industry: Institutional Context

Media Factsheet 100 - British Film Industry 

1) What is the 'cultural test' to see if a film counts as British?

If a film does not qualify as a co-production, it must pass the British Film Institute’s Cultural Test in order to be defined as British. The Cultural Test is divided into four sections and a film must score at least 16 out of a possible 31 points to be classified as British.

2) What is the main problem for the British film industry?

Filmmakers have to sacrifice the distribution rights by selling the film to a distribution company.Once sold, all revenue from cinema screenings, DVD and Blu-ray sales, plus sales to television companies, are lost. Even a highly successful British film is not necessarily making money that will be reinvested in British film making.

3) What are three of the strengths of the British film industry?

• Outstanding creative skills of practitioners

Directors like Richard Curtis have made films, such as Love Actually (2003), which have grossed billions of dollars worldwide and intellectual property, such as J. K Rowling’s Harry Potter books, have also enabled British film production companies to
be involved in the production of financially successful franchises.

• Outstanding facilities

British studios, camera companies and digital post-production houses all attract investment from filmmakers around the world, especially the USA.

4) What are the two options for the future of the British film industry?

Firstly, British filmmakers could choose to rely upon co-productions with American studios to keep the industry afloat.The UK film industry’s second option is to attempt to make low budget films targeted at a niche, British audience.

5) In your opinion, which of these two options would best safeguard the future of the British film industry?

In my opinion, I believe that both of these solutions could work, however after watching Ill Manors I feel that low budget films do have the potential to make an impact. This would best safeguard for the future of the BFI as not only will there be interesting films but also give new actors opportunities.  


Media Factsheet 132 - British Film 

1) Write a one-sentence definition of what makes a film British.

A British film is one that either uses location in Britain, has British actors and possibly reinforcing some of the British values.

2) What is the difference between a Hollywood production context and production context of a British film?

The Hollywood production context means that most films made by Hollywood studios have high budgets, a heavy reliance on celebrities both in the cast and crew and spectacle driven stories. Whereas the independent production context films tend to have low budgets, character rather than spectacle driven stories and a heavier reliance on word of mouth and viral advertising.

3) When did the James Bond franchise start?

The James Bond Franchise started in the 1960s.

4) In terms of film censorship and graphic content, what began to change in British film in the 1970s and 1980s?

British film censorship of the 20th century is the history of social, cultural and political change as British Film being like any other art reflects the current climate of the times in which it is created.As the 20th century progresses each decade sees a willingness to allow more through to audiences than the previous decade with the tipping point being in the late 1950s, 1960s and early 1970s.

5) What groups are often represented in British film? Give examples of films these groups feature in.

Many of the representations of different groups within British film focus and change according to  issues. For example in Kidulthood teenagers are stereotyped as being trouble makers.

6) What does the Factsheet suggest might be the audience appeal of British film?
The main characteristics that can be identified as appealing to the British audience would include; the actors, British actors and will often be associated with a particular genre of British film, for example Hugh Grant having an association with British romantic comedies.

Mest 1: Blog Feedback

MEST 1 FEEDBACK DECEMBER 2016

WWW

·         You are really up-to-date with all your work which shows that you are spending the right amount of time on the subject and aiming for the highest levels. It is also clear that you enjoy engaging with the Media outside of the classroom which will help you so much as we approach the exam topic and you want to push yourself. You also choose to focus on a wide range of different genres and text types (from more dated texts like Speed, to more modern franchises) when you are choosing media to analyse which shows breadth as well as depth.

·         Your blog is in depth, detailed and consistent in its level of accuracy but you now need to focus on your media literacy. I really enjoyed reading the analysis of media texts that you have chosen but more in depth analysis will really push this up to A level standard. You need to be really careful that you say HOW texts link to media theories rather than just giving narrative examples to show that they do eg for the Lord of the Rings, you say that there is Equilibrium and give an example in the narrative but you need to take this a bit further – how do you know this is equilibrium and why is it like this at the start? What does this offer as an appeal for the audience?

·         Your literacy levels are getting a lot better which shows your hard work. Your use of media specific terminology is impressive considering that you have not studied Media at GCSE- well done! A tip - when you are engaging with higher level media texts such as the factsheets that we have read and used to answer questions, don’t be vague and general with your points but be really specific.

EBI

·         You are still missing a tiny amount of work that needs to be added to your MIGRAIN index- I think it is only the work on the Fact sheet for Audience and your Photoshop work on Representation (important as you may not have done this before and need to practise these skills for your coursework at MEST2).

·         Applying theory is a really important skill at A Level so make sure that you are trying to bring in the theorists that we have looked at, as often as possible and applying them accurately. Get into the habit of putting all your media language into bold text so that I can see the progression and check your accuracy.  

·         Sometimes you are a little vague –always think of the WHY eg when you are talking about Waterloo Road and answering the David Chandler questions, you say that you find the ‘genre intriguing’ but you do not go into enough details. What are the conventions of this type of genre? Is there anything subversive about the example you have given (anything unexpected for the genre)? Are the representations dominant? Try and use ALL the theory that we have looked at as often as possible in all your work now.

Audience Pleasures: The Battle Of The Christmas Advert

John Lewis AD 2014

John Lewis AD 2015

John Lewis AD 2016

Sainsbury's AD 2016

Heathrow AD 2016

Very AD 2016

Aldi AD 2016

M&S AD 2016

1) Which do you think is the most appealing and why? Try to use some of our audience theory in your answer. 

In my opinion, If I had to pick the top three it would be John Lewis 2014 with Monty the penguin because it uses the innocence of a child to bring a toys happiness. Also,the heathrow advert has a warm family feeling- the idea that Christmas is't only for children but for all generations. Finally, the M&S advert as is quite uncommon to see  Mrs Claus, also the fact that it is based on family love and we get a child's point of view

2) Are there any audience pleasures that two or more of the adverts have in common? Choose two examples to illustrate your point.

In some of the adverts including John Lewis, Aldi and Heathrow  they bring objects to life. For example John Lewis a toy penguin, Aldi a carrot and Heathrow teddy bears.This also makes more children involved making them want something animated.

3) Choose a different advert and identify the target audience for the advert. Answer in terms of demography and psychography. What tells you this?

This is the Christmas advert to Littlewoods 2016. This is a very family orientated advert with a little humour. In terms of demography, age group could be seen as for teenagers, children and adults from the products that were shown. The advert has a middle class, very typical looking family (mother, father children, and grandparents) which is what you would expect during Christmas. In terms of psychograpgics, the two families that cross paths  look as if they both live similar lifestyles (middle class, good income) with each of the family member mimicking the other (different genders- so it is targeted towards both genders) therefore they had similar attitudes and values - the parents,the grandparents, the children both had toys and the teenagers both had headphones. This tells us that Christmas is for everyone, every family.

4) Why do you think Christmas adverts, in particular, often use emotive language and narratives to appeal to a wide audience?

Christmas adverts use emotive language to capture their audience. Christmas is a time for family and friends so this language gives the audience Christmas spirit and a warming feel to be around those we care about. The more welcoming and relatable it is towards the target audience the more successful.

5) Choose an advert with a narrative and, just for fun, apply one of our narrative theories to it. Why does a narrative have a place in an advert? 

This is the Christmas advert to Sainsbury's 2014 which in my opinion was very successful. They reinforce the idea of sharing with others and bring in the aspect of true events to life.They used the idea of the Christmas Truce during world war one to make it more relatable in terms of the history that brings everyone together. The audience develop an attachment with the characters in the story and is heartwarming in the way that in a war zone Christmas can bring them together.