Media Studies Annotated Exemplars - AS90277 V2 (2.2) Close Read Unfamiliar Media Text

Media Studies Annotated Exemplars

AS90277 v2 (2.2) Close read unfamiliar media text

Level 2 3 Credits

Achievement Criteria

Achievement Achievement with Merit Achievement with Excellence

 Describe how elements of  Explain how elements of  Analyse how elements of media language contribute media language contribute media language contribute to meaning in unfamiliar to meaning in unfamiliar to meaning in unfamiliar media text. media text. media text.

Moving Image Media Texts

Not Achieved

Example 1 Text: Donnie Darko Element of media language: Slow Motion Comments

Slow motion is used in the scene right at the end when The use of slow motion is described. Donnie is setting fire to the school and while the Sparkle Motion girls are performing.

This element of film language is shown by slowing Description of how the element is used down the Sparkle Motion girls dancing and having the includes barely sufficient description of audience stand up and clap in slow motion, while what slow motion is. Donnie is setting fire to the school at the exact same time.

The element of film language ‘slow motion’ is used to The response attempts to provide a create a more dramatic effect and to show the viewers reason why the element is used but is not how the audience and Sparkle Motion girls will be accurate and does not provide sufficient affected by this action Donnie is performing. specific detail to make the comment clear. Slow motion is also commonly used in films such as The generalised reason for the use of horrors and thrillers to show the viewers the intensity slow motion is not comprehensive and not that the characters are going to or are experiencing. very clearly expressed.

The slow motion also shows what the audience thinks The student claims an effect but does not of Donnie at the same time. provide any details of what the audience thinks, does not describe how this effect is achieved and is not convincing.

Example 2 Text: Donnie Darko Element of media language: Music Comments

Music is used to help establish a sense of pace of the A general comment is made about the use accompanying scene. The emotional colouring of the of the music in the scene. music also reinforces the mood of the scene. Music used for a chase scene becomes louder to underscore a dramatically important action. Repetition can link The use of the music is described in some shots, scenes, and sequences. more specific detail.

The sound of music changes as the scene progresses, However, there is no specific and clear thus as the mood of the scene changes, so too does the description of the effect created in the mood of the music, therefore enhancing the experience actual scene or of how that effect was for the audience. created. When Jerry Dandridge says, “For real,” the music is The response describes the use and effect made up of long dramatic beats (probably on a piano of music in general terms but it is not or keyboard). As the pace of the scene increases, so clear whether this is intended to refer to too does the beat of the music. the actual scene studied or to moving image texts in general. Example 3 Text: The Beach Element of media language: Close Up (CU) Comments

Camera shot sizes are very important as they allow us The response provides a brief general to see certain amounts of the scene at a time. introduction to shots.

In this scene [arrival on one side of the island], when There is a brief description of the use of the three are hiding in the crops, lots of close ups are the element which contains some limited used on Richard as he is the main character and it is implied description of what a CU is, and important to see his facial expressions to interpret his why it is used. thoughts and moves.

We mainly focus on Richard’s face with a close up, The response moves on to discussion of but as the monkey approaches with the armed men, we other shots without describing a clear have a low angle shot of the men and a looking room effect (e.g. specific emotions or reactions of the monkey. This makes it seem as if we are looking shown etc) or how it is created. from Richards POV [point of view] and it also establishes the men as not only dangerous but also dominating. Achieved (Low – close to Not Achieved)

Example 1 Text: Donnie Darko Element of media language: Music Comments

The diegetic music in this scene starts off with a slow, The student describes the element of peaceful song that Cherita dances/performs to. This language and what it is used for in music is played so the audience can relax and the general terms. suspense created after will make the viewer more tense.

After Cherita’s performance is over, The Sparkle The student describes a specific example Motion girls perform to a much faster upbeat song. of the use of the element with minimal detail.

This is played to warn the viewer that something Explanation of why the element is used is dramatic is about to occur, for example something that confused and not sufficiently accurate to will affect other cast members in a serious way or justify Achievement with Merit. something that helps to add to the sequence and create the image of suspicion and the tangent world by creating these images and alerting the viewers. The viewers can then relate this to their understanding of how they feel about this scene.

In this scene the viewers would probably feel anxious A limited and superficial effect comment and tense because they know something’s going to is made, but is largely suppositional. happen but haven’t yet any clues as to what it is.

The music is then faded, but not stopped completely Description of the use of the element because the Sparkle Motion girls are still performing continues and the student makes a further while the suspense is being created but a suspenseful limited and superficial effect and song is played on the top of the Sparkle Motion girls attempts to explain why the element is performance song to create suspense and help the slow used. motion fit into the scene. There is no explanation required for Achievement with Merit of why the use of the element contributes to the meaning in the manner claimed.

Diegetic music is faded and raised throughout the The student describes more details of how scene to draw the viewers’ attention to a certain pace the element is used and provides a second or thing in the scene. An example of this was when specific example of the use of the element. Jim Cunningham’s face was lit up by the flame. The The response describes how the element intense music over the top of the Sparkle Motion girls of music is used to link events occurring performance music got louder when this face was in two different places at the same time. shown so the audience’s attention is focused on his face so they know it’s Jim’s house Donnie is burning A limited and superficial effect comment down. is made. This is a common technique in film and specifically There is some attempt to refer to wider used on movies that want to create suspense or portray implications but the comments are too a certain emotion to the viewers. generalised to justify consideration of Achievement with Excellence, and are not supported by any specific examples from other texts.

Example 2 Text: Fright Night Element of media language: Music Comments

Music is used to help establish a sense of pace of the The response describes the use and effect accompanying scene. The emotional colouring of the of music in general terms but it is not music also reinforces the mood of the scene. Music clear whether this is intended to refer to used for a chase scene becomes louder to underscore a the actual scene studied or to moving dramatically important action. Repetition can link image texts in general. shots, scenes, and sequences.

The sound of music changes as the scene progresses, A generalised and non-specific comment thus as the mood of the scene changes, so too does the is made about the use of the music in the mood of the music, therefore enhancing the experience scene. for the audience.

When Jerry Dandridge says, “For real,” the music is The use of the music is described in some made up of long dramatic beats (probably on a piano more specific detail. or keyboard). As the pace of the scene increases, so However, there is no specific and clear too does the beat of the music. description of the effect created in the actual scene or of how that effect was created.

Example 3 Text: ‘Hurt’ Johnny Cash music video Element of media language: BCU (Big Close Up) Comments

The element of film language, Big Close Up, is used An element of film language and a reason throughout the music video perhaps suggesting Cash for its use/effect are briefly identified. has a lot of emotion and hurt [that] are expressed throughout the video.

One particular example is when he sings, “…the One specific example of how it is used in needle tears a hole…” Cash’s tired and worn face fills the video is described in some detail. The almost the whole frame just leaving a very small description provides barely sufficient talking space. His face shows the pain a needle can detail to demonstrate what the shot cause as it pierces your skin. referred to is, although the term BCU is a little loosely interpreted. The contribution to meaning is described, including how it is created by the use of the BCU.

This contributes to the meaning of the film and A further implied effect is described but especially the lyric as a large amount of the song is there is no description of how the based on him “hurting himself today.” audience knows this. When this song was composed he was clearly a sad and upset man.

Achieved (High – close to Achieved with Merit)

Example 1 Text: Stroke Element of media language: Overhead Angle (bird’s eye view) Comments

The overhead angle shots on Dorothy show us many The name of the shot describes what it is. things. We see how tranquil and at peace she is as she is shown drifting around with no direct objective.

We also see how small and insignificant she is in The descriptions of what the shot shows comparison to her surroundings, as if she is a small unpack the meaning of the term further. fish in a big pond. She is not disturbing her The descriptions also include a surroundings or hurting anything. description of several effects and how they are achieved by the use of the shot, although some of this is implied rather than stated clearly and specifically. This also implies some limited explanation of why the shot is used but requires further explanation, perhaps in terms of comparison to the use of different shots.

The overhead shots may also symbolise her The further effect of foreshadowing vulnerability to attack, although she is not in danger at raises the quality of the response to this moment. This may foreshadow the danger of the wider considerations. attack yet to come. However, the response does not include sufficient detailed explanation of why the shot is used and has the effect claimed for Achievement with Merit.

Example 2 Text: Blade Runner – first scene Element of media language: Mise-en-Scène, Character Positioning Comments

[Accompanied by a screen shot illustrating the The response provides a detailed general characters’ positioning in the scene] description of the element of language Another mise en scène element that was used to create and its use and purpose (effect / an atmosphere is character positioning. contribution to meaning) in moving image media texts. The purpose of character placement is to show There is some but very limited description character relationships, as relationships between in general terms of how the contribution characters can influence how a scene is presented. to meaning occurs. Character positioning shows how the characters relate to each other, and what the audience is supposed to think of them.

For example, in Clip 55 we see two characters sitting The response describes a specific at opposite ends of a table. This indicates that the example of the use of character characters have differences. We also see in the clip positioning in the scene. that the man in the suit has a bigger chair than Leon, which means that he is the more dominant and has more power.

The effect this has on the audience is that they see that The response describes a contribution to the characters have a relationship and can also tell by meaning. their positioning who is the more dominant character. The effect is not explained, and other interpretations could be made of this positioning without further detail and explanation.

We can also see that the physical distance between the A further effect is described and a characters is a long way. This suggests an alienation possible but very vague explanation for between them. the effect provided.

The audience would also want to know more about The response concludes with a statement what their relationship is, and how it continues through of what further information the audience the movie. might require.

Overall There is not sufficient explanation of why the effect is created for Achievement with Merit.

Example 3 Text: What’s Eating Gilbert Grape? Element of media language: Sound Comments

[Scene analysed is when Bonnie leaves her house to get Arnie back from jail] The mood / atmosphere is one of suspense and shock The response provides a brief description when Bonnie walks down the path. The crowd is of atmosphere in the scene. horrified but also curious.

The sound in this scene is diegetic but is also slightly Description of the sound in the scene unnatural, as certain sounds have been amplified so includes very limited implied reasons for they stand out. Some loud sounds are the click of the its use and specific examples of diegetic camera shutter, the clack of Bonnie’s cane and her sounds that have been manipulated for heavy footsteps, the click of the wheels on the bicycle effect. as the boy rides it around. This element contributes by drawing out the shock. A brief description of an effect is Each unnaturally loud sound makes everything else unpacked in terms of how the effect is seem still and quiet, which makes it seem like the achieved. world has stopped moving in shock at what Bonnie looks like.

It also emphasises the slow motion of the sequences. A second effect is described in terms of Everything is slowed down to emphasise the crowd’s what it contributes and how it contributes shock at seeing Bonnie. to meaning in the scene. Overall There is not quite sufficient explanation of why the effect is used and why the effect contributes in the manner described for a convincing Achievement with Merit.

Achieved with Merit (Low – close to Achieved)

Example 1 Text: Psycho Element of media language: Lighting Comments

Lighting in a film is a much-needed element to create The element and its use in moving image meaning in a film. Lighting can create a character’s texts are described in general terms. personality, a villain in shadow, a victim in light. The audience immediately pick up on who is the villain or victim because of lighting. The lighting in this film extract deeply explains the personality of Norman Bates and Marion Crane.

Marion Crane is shown on screen with a fully lit face. The response describes the use and This suggests to the audience that she is innocent, she contribution to meaning (effect) of is the victim. lighting in the sequence.

Norman Bates is shown on screen with a chiaroscuro The response also describes how the lighting. This is when one half of the face is shadowed lighting is used and how it contributes to and the other is lit up. Norman is the villain and the meaning in its use. audience know this by the way the lighting suggests an Sufficient specific supporting evidence 'evil' side to him. The side of his face which is away from the text is used to illustrate the from the audience is in full light, the shadowed side description. faces the audience. This subconsciously suggests that Norman is more evil than good.

The chiaroscuro effect also puts the idea of a ‘split’ There is some implied explanation for personality into the audience’s mind. The lighting why the lighting described is used (split creates a huge contrast between Marion and Norman. personality / ‘evil’ side, contrast between She has a ‘pure’ light, defining her innocence, whilst the two characters, etc). Norman is obscurely shadowed to make him appear However, the response only just odd and evil. adequately explains why the use of this lighting creates the effect / contributes to meaning in the manner described.

In the sequence shown [concert and arson], slow The response identifies the use of the motion is used near the end of the Sparkle Motion element of language but does not dance sequence and the audience response, and during describe what the element is, nor how it the arson of Jim Cunningham’s house. is used in any detail.

The use of slow motion in this sequence results in a The response describes an effect but there surreal mood in which the viewer feels distanced from is no description or explanation of how the characters, and creates the feeling that the the use of this element creates the effect. characters are becoming detached from reality.

The slow motion also helps to capture the importance A second effect is described but the of this scene, which is one of the examples of Donnie’s response lacks sufficient detail of how the behaviour being influenced by the manipulated dead. effect is created by the use of slow motion.

The characters’ growing detachment from reality could The response presents a theoretical be important in a number of ways. One theory of the explanation and analysis of the meaning story of this movie is that Donnie is a paranoid of the sequence but there is not sufficient schizophrenic and is growing detached from reality explanation or analysis of the role of and suffering daylight hallucinations. The detachment slow motion in creating this meaning in in this scene would be one of the most obvious the sequence. examples of this.

On the other hand, it could be that as the tangent A second alternative explanation of the universe is coming to a close it is the reality which is meaning of the sequence is presented but becoming less significant and detached. In other again is not adequately linked to the use words, as the tangent universe is ending, so is reality – of the element and does not explain how / or our idea of reality. why the element contributes to this meaning.

Example 3 Text: Blade Runner – first scene Element of media language: Dialogue Comments

Dialogue helps create a character’s personality. It can The response provides a detailed general be anything spoken, including the way it is spoken, description of the element of language e.g. accent, which helps reflect age and nationality. and its use and purpose (effect / The technique helps audiences connect with the contribution to meaning) in moving character through what they are saying. image media texts.

Through this, the audience can straight away recognise There is some but very limited the many different characteristics of this character, e.g. explanation in general terms of why the that they are educated/uneducated, foreign, have described contribution to meaning speaking problems etc, and because of this, they may occurs. like or dislike the character.

Leon’s dialogue in this scene determines his The response describes the effects of a personality and helps show the relationship between specific example of the use of dialogue in himself and Mr Holden. the scene.

Since his speech is rather distant and he asks many A further effect is described and a questions (“Is this the test now?” “What one?” What possible but very vague explanation for desert?”), this may show that they are not very open the effect provided. with each other and are on different sides.

Therefore, as well as an identity, dialogue as a Further detailed description is provided communication tool shows relationship between of the use and effect of dialogue in the people, e.g. when Mr Holden asks Leon about his scene, including how the effect is created. mother, he answers, “My mother… let me tell you Some comments are repetitive. about my mother,” before shooting him. By the tone of this speech, as well as actions, the audience realise that Leon is sensitive about his mother.

Overall comment There is barely sufficient explanation of why the effect is created for a convincing Achievement with Merit.

Achieved with Merit (High – close to Achieved with Excellence)

Example 1 Text: Heavenly Creatures Element of media language: Dialogue Comments

In this scene the dialogue is a large part which adds to The element is identified and the scene is the meaning of the film. Towards the beginning of this described in such a way that the meaning scene, the two girls are up in Pauline’s room, the of ‘dialogue’ is made clear. morning before they are to kill Pauline’s mother.

Juliet very much wants to talk about what they are A contrast between the two characters is about to do but all Pauline can talk about is the new established in terms of their dialogue but story she wrote. no specific examples support the claims.

What Juliet is saying shows that she is nervous and Description of the use of dialogue is scared about the killing and is trying to reassure herself generalised and includes only limited that they are doing if for a good reason. She talks specific supporting examples. The about how Pauline’s mother is a “…rather miserable dialogue of one character is explained woman…” as though trying to tell herself that the and an effect on the audience mother’s life isn’t worth living anyway so it is not understanding is implied. such a bad thing to kill her.

Pauline’s reluctance to talk about the killing shows The dialogue of the second character is that it does not bother her – that she is unaware of the described only in general terms and no reality of what they are doing. She sees it not as a direct quotes support the description. brutal murder of her mother but as a means of ensuring that she and Juliet can be together.

This relates back to an earlier scene in which Juliet A link is made to an earlier scene in the hesitates to jump in the cold water but Pauline, not wider text, but this relates to the accepting or understanding the consequences, jumps personalities of the characters, not the right in. use of dialogue.

Overall comment There is sufficient explanation for Achievement with Merit but no convincing analysis of the use of dialogue in other scenes in this text or texts.

Example 2 Text: Donnie Darko Element of media language: Lighting Comments

[Scene discussed is the auditorium concert during the arson of Jim Cunninghams’s home.] Lighting is used in this scene to help evoke tension and A reason for the use of the element is suspense. stated.

Before Sparkle Motion begin their performance, the The use of the element in the text is lights in the auditorium are dimmed, leaving the described in detail. audience to watch the pitch-black screen in anticipation.

A sudden camera flash emits an explosion of light. The effect of the use is described, with This illuminates Samantha Darko’s expressionless specific supporting details. face, making her look death white. This, along with her makeup, makes her appear almost evil.

Lighting is therefore an effective method of creating The effect of the use of the element is suspense as the audience compare her to a gothic clearly explained, and includes a general creature such as a vampire. A creature such as this is reference to other texts in the medium. usually associated with the horror genre so the However, there are no specific examples filmmakers have created suspense by reminding the from other texts that might assist the audience of horror movies that evoke a sense of fear. student to achieve with excellence.

During the performance we see Eddie Darko sitting A further, different use of lighting is with his wife and eldest daughter. As Eddie Darko compared and described in detail. begins clapping, a light flashes in the corner of the auditorium but this light is different from every other light seen during the show. The light is between red and orange in colour and therefore more noticeable than any other light.

Such a light can only be interpreted as a symbol or The contribution to meaning in the text is omen of danger. partially explained but would have benefited from further details of why this interpretation must be made.

The colour could also represent fire and so foreshadow Further explanation includes some the fire in Jim’s apartment. Because of this, the reference to the wider text but not audience begin to fear the outcome of the fire. They sufficient analysis for convincing become uncertain of Donnie and no longer sure Achievement with Excellence. whether he is good or evil.

Achieved with Excellence (Low – close to Achievement with Merit)

Throughout this sequence [auditorium and A specific sequence in the movie is Cunningham’s house], the film juxtaposes Jim described. Cunningham’s living room with the auditorium. Near the end of the sequence, the editors use a cut in order to replace the living room setting with the auditorium.

The events which occur in the auditorium do so in The use of slow motion and an effect are slow motion, yet the events in the living room occur at very briefly described, but with little a normal speed. The two speeds are used to separate specific detail. the settings, which in my opinion represent the two universes.

The auditorium represents the tangent universe that The effect of the use is explained in terms came into existence after a jet engine landed on the of why it is used and why the audience roof of the Darko family home, thus corrupting the gains a new understanding of the wider ordinary universe. As the events in the auditorium film. occur in slow motion, the audience begins to realise that the tangent universe is ‘slowing down’ and therefore coming to an end.

Jim Cunningham’s living room represents the The use of the element is compared with a reinstatement of the ordinary universe. Because the parallel and interwoven setting where events in this setting happen in a normal speed, it events occur at ‘normal’ speed. begins to seem faster in contrast to the auditorium.

The rising flames also play a part in increasing this Further details of the use are provided speed. Because the rate at which Donnie’s seemingly and explanation of the difference between infernal dead occurs is quick in comparison with the the effect of the different speed of events performance in the auditorium, the audience begin to in the two settings continues, and the realise that the ordinary universe is beginning to regain response presents some analysis of wider control over the tangent universe, dominate it and significance in terms of the text. eventually replace it. The use of slow motion was therefore very effective as Some wider significance is summarised in the audience were able to gain a grater understanding terms of the text, but not beyond the text. of the film and the fact that the fall of a jet engine There is just sufficient evidence to caused a temporary tangent universe which would support low Achievement with eventually be replaced. Excellence.

Example 2 Text: Heavenly Creatures Element of media language: Props Comments

During the scene two main props were used and these The props used are described in such a were for the death of Honora. The props were a brick way that the meaning of the term is made wrapped in a stocking and a small purple gemstone. clear.

In another earlier scene of the film, the same gemstone A link is made to use of one of the props was used in the fantasy killing of Nicholas, a character in an earlier scene, showing clear in the Borovnia world. The gemstone was a lure to explanation of why the use of the prop make Nicholas bend over, while Diello killed him. helps the audience understand what is This therefore was a foreshadowing of what was to about to happen in the scene studied. come in this later scene.

During this scene, as soon as Juliet drops the Description includes how one prop is gemstone, the audience realises that this prop will help used and how it creates the described repeat what had happened earlier. We get a sense of effect. The use of this prop and the effect suspense and terror when we see the same prop being created are explained with reference to used. We know that the death of Honora is about to the wider text (limited analysis). take place, just like the fantasy death of Nicholas.

The second prop, the brick in the stocking, was a prop The second prop and its use in the scene made to shock / make the audience aware that these are described, together with an effect on girls were deadly serious about what they were the audience. planning. It brought realisation to the audience that is was no joke and they were fully prepared to carry out this ‘happy moment’.

Overall comment There is only a little analysis of the use of props in the text and no analysis of other wider implications, such as the use of props in other texts for foreshadowing or symbolic purposes. There is just sufficient evidence to support low Achievement with Excellence.

Example 3 Comments Text: Thelma and Louise Element of media language: Costume

Throughout this film costume and dialogue are used to The use of the element is described with present changes in Thelma. In this scene, Thelma is specific supporting details. seen dressed in a black sleeveless shirt, with a green trucker’s cap and her hair is tied back with loose strands hanging down around her face. Her hair is messy and appears dirty too.

This use of costume portrays the idea that through self- An effect of its use in the text is described realisation and after having to face the challenges that in detail and includes some aspects of had confronted them along their journey, Thelma has explanation in terms of relevant aspects disregarded her femininity and has rebelled against of wider society. society’s idea that women are meant to be perfect, docile housewives and must present themselves in a respectable, servile manner.

It is not usually the norm for women to take on Further explanation of the contribution to masculine roles in society but in this scene Thelma’s meaning is provided in general terms of costume reflects dominance and strength and is very societal expectations, in particular casual, almost masculine attire compared to what she gender stereotyping, but does not offer was seen in at the beginning of the film. specific examples.

Thelma was first seen with her hair styled and neatly Thelma’s initial costume is described in set in curls, wearing makeup and slimming, detail to reinforce the point about how fashionable clothes. she has changed and her costume is reflecting the changes in her.

Her costume in this scene shows that she no longer Her costume in this scene is compared, considers her appearance an important issue and is sick and a reference is made to another text of aiming to impress others. Her outfit is practical for that illustrates a similar use of costume the situation and the black colour of her top symbolises by a female lead to show empowerment. her power and strength within the scene, rather like Ripley’s tank top in Alien.