We are now going to use everything we have learned about film language (camera shots, movement and editing) to produce a shot-by-shot analysis of key shots in the Minority Report sequence. Remember, writing analysis in Media means picking out the interesting or important aspects of something and then examining WHY or HOW they have been put together to create an effect on the audience.
The images are below and also on the M: Media Shared drive > Resources > Camerawork - Minority Report
Here's an example of what you need to do:
Over-the-shoulder / medium shot (OTS/MS)
The over-the-shoulder angle allows a point-of-view shot from the perspective of the man reading the newspaper. The medium shot allows enough background to establish the location as a metro train. The corner of the seat immediately in the foreground also helps place the location. The over-the-shoulder shot also means the following shots, with the newspaper man recognising the fugitive, are easy for the audience to interpret.
I'm sorry I won't be in lessons on Thursday - I'm out at an AQA Media briefing that I can't get out of. The work is all set up and you should be able to log in and get on with it. This is what you need to be working through: 1) Upload your photo storyboards on your blog. This is finishing the work we did on Tuesday on camerawork. Remember you need to write an analysis of each picture explaining the camera shot, angle and what it is communicating to the audience. You won't be able to take any additional pictures so if you are missing anything then you'll have to simply write what the picture should look like and how it would have developed the story. If you were absent on Tuesday, join another group and use their pictures. 2) Look over your blog carefully and make sure all the work due so far is up there: the ten introductory questions, the LIAR key concept film poster analysis, the photo storyboard from Tuesday. 3) Finish your Photoshop work on the fruit bowls, save them as JPEG images and upload them on your blog. Again, write a short description explaining the task and the palette the work represents. If you finish this, try another fruit bowl experimenting with different Photoshop tools and really being creative. Good luck - I'll see you next lesson for camera movement and editing!
If you missed any of the notes from today's lesson this should help: Language
The Language of Media Studies
How we ‘read’ media texts
Recognising the codes and conventions of media texts
Key media terms e.g. genre… denotation… connotation… narrative…
Institution
The companies or organisations behind the media
Most aspects of the media are a commodity: something that is bought and sold. There is competition and a demand for profit.
Huge institutions are called multinationals e.g. News International
Smaller institutions can include media texts we create ourselves (blogs etc.)
Audience
The people who consume media products
How does the media influence its audience? Who holds the power?
How is an audience targeted? What do the audience enjoy or learn from the media product?
Audience research: who exactly is buying our product?
Representation
The people who consume media products
How does the media influence its audience? Who holds the power?
How is an audience targeted? What do the audience enjoy or learn from the media product?
Audience research: who exactly is buying our product?
Key Concepts blog task 1) Find a film poster of your choice (use Google images) 2) Write an analysis of the film poster on your blog using the four key media concepts: language, institution, audience and representation.
Finish for homework if you don't complete it during today's lessons.
The key questions to ask: Language: how do we know it is a film poster? What impact do the key conventions have on the audience? Institution: who are the companies behind the film? Who directs or stars in the film? Who is making money from this media product? Audience: who is the target audience for this film? How can we tell? Representation: what representation of people or groups can we find in this poster? What does it tell the audience?
Example: Splice (2009)
Language
The title and tag-line, release date and billing block (information about the Director and the production company) all follow the expected codes and conventions of a film poster. The effect created here is…
Institution
The film was produced by Dark Castle (for Universal Entertainment) who are associated with horror… It was executively produced by Guillermo del Toro who is a well known director. It was commercially successful (being the highest grossing Canadian feature film in 2010)…
Audience
This looks like it would be targeted at an audience of mixed gender (although perhaps slightly more female?) An adult age range might apply due to the 15 certificate and the content which includes hybridity and genetic experimentation…
Representation
The focal picture shows a female in a dominant position with another female confronting her. There is a male in the background which is perhaps unusual, particularly in science fiction…
We are delighted you have chosen GCSE Media Studies and look forward to working with you! Over the next year you will produce some amazing production work, learn a huge amount about analysing the media and end up with an excellent GCSE grade. All you need to do is put the work in! Your first job is to start your GCSE Media blog. You can find step-by-step text instructions here. Once you have your blog URL, post it as a comment below with your name clearly written next to it. For example: Mr Halsey's blog: http://mediamacguffingcse.blogspot.co.uk/ IMPORTANT: It is absolutely essential you remember your log-in details for this blog - it is your Media work book for next year. Make sure you do the following:
Add your mobile phone number so you can get a code by text if you forget your password
Email your log-in details to yourself using your SCHOOL email address
Write a reminder of your blog URL, log-in and password in your planner
First blog task When you have set up your blog, it's time for your first blog post! Important: make sure you click on 'New Post' and NOT 'New Blog' when starting this process - it is a common mistake. You need to answer the following questions (detailed, full sentences) as your first post: 1) Why did you choose GCSE Media Studies?
2) Which part of the course are you looking forward to most?
3) What knowledge and skills do you hope to learn in Media?
4) What grade are you realistically hoping to achieve in Media?
5) What was the last TV programme or film you watched?
6) Why do you think that TV programme or film appealed to an audience?
7) What technology have you used to access the media in the last 24 hours? (Radio, TV, phone etc.)
8) What device do you use most to access the media?
9) Watch the first few minutes of this episode of the game show Pointless:
10) What aspects of this show might the audience enjoy? List at least three things and explain why the audience would enjoy each aspect. Extension question: What can you spot in Pointless that you will find in most television game shows? (E.g. presenter) These are called key conventions - list as many as you can think of.
Finish these questions for homework if you don't manage to get through them in the lesson - due Tuesday.
If you DO finish everything - well done! Spend some time looking through our Media blog, particularly at last year's Media student blogs. This will give you an idea of the fantastic work you will be producing over the next 12 months.
