A Level Media
Friday 8 March 2019
Deutschland 83- representation- screen grab and analysis.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r36RS_DcuCOVpmS1pqZCX4zsvXKWB-FixLj5Mp-dYyQ/edit?usp=sharing
Tuesday 26 February 2019
Deutschland 83
Deutschland 83
Season 1, Episode 1
'Quantum jump'
Verisimilitude- the appearance of being true or real.
"the detail gives the novel some verisimilitude"
How is media language used to create meaning?
Contrasting palette- split image-world,personality,roles
Clothing- left/East= dark clothing solider- military
Right/West= colorful, casual clothing, bright.
left- iron fist Germany violence- binary opposition- right- peace sign, kites= freedom, kiss= sexual tension
left- military jets, linear construction on buildings, political figures of the founder of communism.
grass/concrete representing rigid structure
Walter presents'
trailer music- two tides
similar to stranger things both set in 1983
trailer= editing is cut quickly builds tension- lots of action
two sides to the center- main character, sexual tension throughout.
Saturday 23 February 2019
Historical, economic and social/ cultural context for East Germany in the early 80's?
Consider:
What was life like?
"Apart from the wonderful sights and sounds of Berlin, the overriding feature was the tension that one unmistakably felt when you came close to any part of the wall. It was not imagination, it was real and genuinely scary. There was The Wall, the electrified barbed wire fences, the watch towers with scary soldiers carrying scary looking weapons, the 'no-man's-land' near the wall where you were at risk of being shot, posters of people who had died trying to escape to the West" Spoken by Ravi Thatté, worked at Germany.
When the doors of border houses were locked, people jumped out the West-facing windows. When the lower floor windows were sealed, people climbed out of 4th and 5th floor windows and the West Berlin firefighters caught them. The Wall evolved: people started by vaulting over the Wall, so the East German government built it higher. Later they added barbed wire, watchtowers, a second wall, watchdogs, a death strip, all in an effort to stop their people from continuing to escape to the West. Over the years, the Wall became deadly and insurmountable, so people dug tunnels, crammed in hollow spaces of cars, escaped by swimming, by balloon, by ultralight aircraft, even by surfing. Yet others used the fact that the subway and the sewers still ran under both parts of the city. In the end, you cannot keep people apart if they're determined to get together.
What did young people do for fun, like, listen to?
The young eastern Germany kids, like many, loved playing with toys- although as you can imagine all toys during the war often had a military theme, and diecast tanks and model air planes and ships were popular. Board games were very popular as were books and activities such as stamp collecting. A location where young people loved to hang out and socialise was the Tiergarten, Berlin’s large central park, which was crossed with paths, trails and streams. And the adjacent world famous Berlin Zoo was always a hit with the young people.
What was education like?
The communist leadership’s punishment against anyone who opposed its regime meant that the children of those interested in human rights in the Eastern bloc would have to pay a heavy price.“Those regarded as oppositional or academic children, whose parents were not members of the communist party, were not allowed to study. It was the social engineering of the East German dictatorship. They wanted to ensure that children who were socialised at home to be independent thinkers and would not rise to any position.”
Why was there so much tension and suspicion?
Many east Germans were put under surveillance if the stasi thought that they were being rebellious by associating themselves with western culture.
east Germany regarded the west as being run by old fascists that corrupted by big, international companies. They suspected the wet to prepare for ww3. the west stated that the east deprived citizens of their human rights such as freedom of religion, speech and ability to leave the country.
Why did people want to escape the East?
West Germany, with a social market economy and the backing of the Marshall Plan, was soon much more prosperous than East Germany, which had a planned economy which was being bled by the Soviets. In the 50s and 60s, East Germans fled to West Germany in droves, both to escape their brutal regime, to escape scarcity, to re-unite with family and in the hopes of becoming prosperous abroad. Particularly young, healthy and educated people moved, further weakening the East German economy.
Escapees had various motives for attempting to flee East Germany. The vast majority had an essentially economic motive: they wished to improve their living conditions and opportunities in the West. Some fled for political reasons, but many were impelled to leave by specific social and political events.
How did they view the West?
For East Germans dissatisfied with life under the communist system, West Berlin was a gateway to the democratic West. Between 1949 and 1961, some 2.5 million East Germans fled from East to West Germany, most via West Berlin.
Friday 8 February 2019
Class notes- LIAR
Camera
High angle looking down on social worker- patriarchy
Ecu phone after it falls extreme panic
Most camera shots of the young people were eye level equality amongst us and directly with the audience
Gun shot long shot of Connie cut to cu eleven shot demonstrate panic
level three shot of boys in woods
two mid shots of jonathon and Joyce close on the sofa signifies closeness in relationship.
Mise en scene
Byers house- dim lighting, brown clothes, 80s interior
yellow phone contrasts and stands out=
communication
Benny diner- eleven seeks shelter
woods- heavy rain
Nancy's bedroom
choppers, torches, shine elevens, theme of light.
SOUND
Off screen sound of pot wash in beenys diner to on screen of Benny washing
off screen diegetic knocking disruption in the narrative and raises alarm
diegetic dialogue 'you dont sound the same as you did on the phone
non diagetic contrapuntal song commences as soon as Benny is shot- white rabbit Jefferson find song- volume and pace increases as eleven runs away.
non diagetic sci fi instrumental emphasizes tension when they find eleven
Joyce on phone screen diagetic sound of mysterious creature
nacys room- Africa Toto is contrapuntal- romantic moon-80's theme
looking for twig sound and music instrumental
editing
jump cut nacy room/proximity/intimacy
Connie pace of cuts increases- panic
sfx electric bang from phone communication with will and sci fi other
shot reverse shot
order of the narrative- multi stranded narrative
underlines the LFTVD drama conventions. in the scene- happening mostly simultaneously expect elevens escape and discovery. linking characters at the end of the episode.
Tuesday 5 February 2019
Presentations of LFTVD
Production...
- https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1hPOdOLhCoMXUMpyvVQj5BqzCWgECtAtC1casZ3Nv6iQ/edit?usp=sharing
- https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1WcOZORCu8fFKySiAlzXFDJ8EZIe26SJyc9ijsDJm8p4/edit?usp=sharing
Distribution...
- https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1-1c6Ikuopbl7ItwvhWcHWAQfXHM3uzCAurdBLl_Wb08/edit?usp=sharing
Circulation...
- https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1RDBwl4DcrSHPSEI3e_-kY4B-Kym7_Sv9t76ceN5_rHo/edit?usp=sharing
Theorists
Todorov: Equilibrium theory
- Traditional narratives follow a 3 part structure of beginning middle and end which unfolds in a narrative arc of 4 phases: 1. Exposition, 2. Introduction to conflict, 3. Climax, 4. Resolution
- Narrative is usually a chronological and linear sequence of themes, actions and motives.
- Todorov identifies that the 3 part structure has 5 stages:
o Narrative begins with an equilibrium
o The Equilibrium is usually disrupted by and event to create disequilibrium
Strauss- Binary Oppositions
- Identified that we understand the world by the relationship that two opposites have together.
- He believed that narratives are arranged around the conflict of binary oppositions.
- Some of these oppositions could include:
o Man vs women
o Good vs bad
Thursday 31 January 2019
Stranger Things Homework- Social groups
How are different social groups represented in the sequence you have analysed? What role does the use of media language, signs and significance have in constructing and presenting these representations as real?
In stranger things season one, episode one, there are many
stereotypical social groups that appear throughout. The Duffer Brother s of who
produced and directed stranger things wanted to revolve to series with a 1980's
theme therefore the setting, costume, props etc. have intertextuality to some
of the most well know TV dramas out there. In addition, the social groups
representing have stereotyped objects such as wired telephone, bikes, old cars,
old American looking houses etc. Due to stranger things multi strand,
fragmented narrative we are introduced and become connected to certain
characters in the series, this is due to us as an audience, being exposed to
only positive or negative actions from the characters we are controlled to like
and hate certain characters as a result.
The first social group that is
represented is the four/ five middle school boys, the present a strong
friendship, humour, trust, honesty and a lot of competitiveness. Mike is
introduced as the leader of the group of who arranged the dungeon and dragons
board game for them all, also in the school the boys sit either side of him and
he control conversation as well as having the most screen time out of them all
in the first episode. The boys seem to listen and look up to his knowledge and
intelligence for someone of his age. The boys are seen as a team as they have a
lot of screen time together of which show their support and determination when
finding their missing friend will.
Another representation of high schools friendships and relationships is when we are introduced to Nancy and steve.
Friday 25 January 2019
Tuesday 22 January 2019
Monday 21 January 2019
Stranger Things Class notes
Vocabulary:
Narrative Structure
Message and values
Audience involvement
Multiple narrative strands.
Narrative:
What is a Narrative?
What narrative structure does your chosen TV drama have?
Stranger things employs a fragmented narrative, because right from the beginning, we witness multiple parallel plot lines such as the laboratory, eleven and the boys. We also see non chronological narrative strand in the flashback to Joyce and wills conversation at castle Byers.The fragmented narrative creates enigmas or questions for the audience, who therefore have to work out the connections, ensuring greater audience engagement.
Narrative Types:
Restricted narrative: Experience a story through senses and thoughts of just one character. Always the Main Character. we only find out when the main character finds out.
Omnipresent narrative: a paranoiac, all seeing, view of the world of the story, not just one character view point.helps the audience see a broader background. used for telling stories in which the context, views and feelings of many characters are important.
Stranger Things is an omnipresent narrative provide multiple gratifications for the audience- we can empathise and identity with some characters, while gaining escapism and mystery from others.
Narrative endings:
closed endings: TV drama traditionally feature one characters story or point of view in an episode, which comes to a resolution at the end of the episode.
Opening endings:
Narrative Structure
Message and values
Audience involvement
Multiple narrative strands.
Narrative:
What is a Narrative?
- The structure or chain of events in which a story line is told.
- The narrative structure is carefully considered while writing the screenplay for a drama.
- It is visually achieved through the editing of different shots together.
Why is narrative important?
The narrative structure chosen directly affects how the audience experiences the story. The way a story is told can provide certain messages and values about who we see and what is being said about a character.
Narrative Structure:
linear narrative: clear beginning, middle and end. follow and chronological timeline, action a leads to action b which leads to action c etc.
Fragmented narrative: non-linear and fragmented. no clear beginning, middle and end. similar to how your life works, lots of influences disturbing. The audience have to try harder, concentrate.
What narrative structure does your chosen TV drama have?
Stranger things employs a fragmented narrative, because right from the beginning, we witness multiple parallel plot lines such as the laboratory, eleven and the boys. We also see non chronological narrative strand in the flashback to Joyce and wills conversation at castle Byers.The fragmented narrative creates enigmas or questions for the audience, who therefore have to work out the connections, ensuring greater audience engagement.
Narrative Types:
Restricted narrative: Experience a story through senses and thoughts of just one character. Always the Main Character. we only find out when the main character finds out.
Omnipresent narrative: a paranoiac, all seeing, view of the world of the story, not just one character view point.helps the audience see a broader background. used for telling stories in which the context, views and feelings of many characters are important.
Stranger Things is an omnipresent narrative provide multiple gratifications for the audience- we can empathise and identity with some characters, while gaining escapism and mystery from others.
Narrative endings:
closed endings: TV drama traditionally feature one characters story or point of view in an episode, which comes to a resolution at the end of the episode.
Opening endings:
- when an episode or season ends on a cliff hanger
- a story telling technique
- in films open endings can be unsatisfying for audiences.
- in long form TV drama open endings indicate there will be a continuation of the story or possibly a resolution in the next episode.
- open endings encourage the viewer to continue watching the serial.
TODOROV: EQUILIBRIUM THEORY
Harmony at the beginning, something goes wrong, change for the better, restore equilibrium.
equilibrium-disequilibrium-recognition-restore the disruption-new equilibrium
Strauss- Binary oppositions
strauss identified that we understand the world by the relationships that two opposite have together.
he believed that narratives are arranged around conflict of binary oppositions.
man v women
good v bad
Friday 18 January 2019
Stranger Things Episode 1 – Scene by
Scene
Scene Name
|
Screengrab
|
What happens
|
Key features and terms - DISTINCT and camera, editing,
mise en scene, sound, themes
|
Meaning - why, how?
|
Opening Scene – Hawkins Laboratory
|
●
Scientist running
down corridor
●
Gets into the lift
to escape
●
Scientist snatched
by unknown thing
|
●
Flashing lights
●
Centre shot of a closed metal door
●
Slow paced music at the beginning with the
same speed to getting a close up of the door
●
Comes into contact with Hawkins fast pace.
Loud, many noises and distractions
|
●
To build tension, curiosity
●
Danger and a sense of seclusion
●
Tension build once again, increases the
suspense
|
|
Boys playing Dungeons and Dragons
|
●
Mike is the DM and
introduces the Demogorgon
●
The boys try to
‘fight it’ by rolling a dice to attack with a fireball
|
●
Emphasis on the game characters, louder noises
when anything hits the table
●
Theme song starts to play showing a relation
of this scene
|
●
Showing their friendship bond
●
Loud music to engage significant parts of the
game.
|
|
Mike talks with his mother
|
●
Game took ten hours
●
Disinterest of the
mother
●
Ignored by the
father
|
●
Low angle shot to show power
●
Off the shoulder angle to clearly see who’s
talk.
●
1980 fashion, middle class potentially
working.
●
Theme song still playing in the background
|
●
To show mikes relationship with his parents.
|
|
Boys find the dice
|
●
Boys find the dice –
Will is ‘got’ by the Demogorgon
●
Encouraged to lie
|
●
Dark lighting
●
Boy moving quickly to get out
|
●
Creates a spooky atmosphere
|
|
Dustin goes to Nancy
|
●
Nancy is on the
phone to Barb
●
Dustin attempts to
offer pizza
●
Nancy slams the door
|
●
Another over the shoulder camera shot to show
their conversation between each other.
●
Theme song still playing throughout
|
●
Nancy is uninterested, and considered as rude.
Concludes an audience opinion of her.
|
|
Cycling home
|
●
Flickering porch
lights
●
Will says “the
Demogorgon, it got me”
●
Will cycles off
alone and falls from his bike – he is pursued
|
●
long camera shot of the boys riding in the
distance coming closer to the camera.
●
Music of theme song gets louder
●
When following byer on his bike the music cuts
and plays spooky music, majestic sounds
|
●
To focus our eye on bryer and what’s going on
around him
|
|
Byers’s home
|
●
Chased through the
house
●
Silhouette of the
Demogorgon at the window
●
Telephone not
working
●
Will pursued to the
shed where he is taken by the unseen monster
|
●
Close ups of bryer
●
Rattling music
●
Mix with fast and slow edit and camera
movement
●
A lot of zooming in and out to gain focus on a
subject
|
●
To express emotion felt. Increasing the
viewers interest
|
|
Opening Credits
|
●
Red font
●
Minor key increasing
tempo music
|
●
Fading editing
●
Zoom in on a letter at the end
●
Black background, emergence
|
●
Red representing danger, angry possibly blood
●
White representing emptiness, blank space with
no information.
|
|
Hopper’s Home
|
●
Hopper waking up and
getting ready
●
Cigarettes, alcohol
and prescription drugs
|
●
Tv weather in the background,
●
Messy room, unorganised negative
representation of hopper
●
Hopper outside smoking, peaceful surroundings
|
●
Shown this to make an opinion on if he’s good
policeman, unreliable.
|
|
Byer’s Home
|
●
Joyce Byers also
getting ready
●
Jonathan Byers
cooking breakfast
●
Joyce Byers ringing
Mike's mum
|
●
Long length camera shots, showing the surroundings
we saw when will went missing.
●
Close up camera shots with wills mum on the
phone re-creating when will was on the phone asking for help. Before he got
taken.
|
●
Suspension as we know he’s milling whereas the
character knows less, feeling synthetic and engrossed wanted to find out
exactly where he has disappeared to, just like the parents.
|
|
Middle School
|
●
Boys confronted by
bullies
●
Will noticed to be
missing
|
●
Wide angle shot
●
Characters walking towards the camera.
●
Over the shoulder camera shot
●
Slow editing
●
No theme songs or noises in the background
|
||
High School
|
●
Nancy and Barb
talking dating
●
Nancy and Steve
talking about tests and studying
●
Nancy and Steve in
the bathroom
|
|||
Police Station
|
●
Local police offices
– Powell and Callaghan
●
Hopper interacts
with his colleagues
|
|||
Joyce and Hopper
|
●
Talking about Will’s
absence
●
Hopper’s local
knowledge
●
Joyce’s concern for
her son
|
|||
Hawkins Lab
|
●
Dr Brenner’s first
appearance
●
Changing into
Haz-Mat suits and arming themselves
●
Upside Down portal
|
|||
Benny’s Diner
|
●
11 arrives at
Benny’s diner and steals food
●
Is caught by Benny
|
|||
Middle School
|
●
Teacher introducing
the AV Club
●
Boys talking to the
teacher
●
Interviewed by
Hopper
|
|||
Castle Byers
|
●
Flashback to Joyce
and Will talking
●
Back to present and
he isn’t here
|
|||
Benny’s Diner
|
●
Discussion with
Eleven and her lack of speech
●
Benny phones ‘social
services’
●
Eleven reveals her
powers
●
|
|||
woods
|
●
Searching for Will
Byers in the woods
●
Discovery of Will’s
bike
|
|||
Hawkins Lab
|
●
People listening on
local telephone conversations
●
Implication that
they are listening to Benny
|
|||
Byer’s House
|
●
Joyce Byers ringing
ex-husband
●
Hopper brings Will's
bike to the Byers household
●
Hopper checks the
shed
|
|||
Mike’s House
|
●
Mike’s house at the
dinner table
●
Different family
relationships
|
|||
Woods
|
●
Night search for
Will Byers
●
Hopper’s daughter
discovered
|
|||
Boys Houses
|
●
Discussion on
walkie-talkies
●
Plans to find Will
●
Setting off on bikes
|
|||
Nancy’s Room
|
●
Steve sneaking into
Nancy’s room
●
Study cards
●
Kissing
|
|||
Benny’s Diner
|
●
Female ‘social
worker’ arrives
●
Benny is shot
●
Eleven is pursued
and escapes
●
Attacks the two
government officials
|
|||
Woods
|
●
Boys looking for
Will
|
|||
Nancy’s Room
|
●
Moved from studying
to kissing
●
Nancy argues with
Steve
●
Nancy throws Steve
out
|
|||
●
Joyce and Jonathan
Byers reminiscing
●
Will Byers? On the
telephone
|
||||
Woods
|
●
Boys discover Eleven
|
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Deutschland 83- representation- screen grab and analysis.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1r36RS_DcuCOVpmS1pqZCX4zsvXKWB-FixLj5Mp-dYyQ/edit?usp=sharing
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How are different social groups represented in the sequence you have analysed? What role does the use of media language, signs and significa...
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