Sanjay Patel Year 12 Media Studies Homework. Audience and Institution. 25% of your media grade requires you to understand how films are made. You’ll need to be able to compare US films and British films at every stage of production from pitching an idea, gaining funding, casting, filming, editing, advertising and finally distribution. Task 1. Case Study: Brave Plot – For the next in line for the Scottish throne, princess Merida has no interest in becoming a good role model for her people much to her mother’s disapproval and would much prefer spending her time horse riding and archery. After an argument with her mother Merida finds a Witch and asks for a spell to change her mother. After giving a ‘cake’ to her mother containing the spell Merida is shocked to find that the results are not what she had hoped for. She must try to find a way of fixing it The Film Rating – Brave is produced by Disney and Pixar Studio’s. It is identified as a ‘action/animation/adventure’. In addition many merchandise based on the film is designed to attract younger/ girl viewer The Film Genre – Brave is rated PG (Parental Guidance). This means that the film is suitable for all ages but younger viewers may need an older adult’s supervision whilst watching the film The Budget - $185 million Who Directed The Film – Mark Andrews – Is a Pixar employee and was the story supervisor for The Incredibles. He also directed a short film ‘One Man Band’ and co-wrote the short film ‘Jack-Jack Attack!’ Brenda Chapman – An American writer, animator, story animator and also a director. She became the firm woman to direct an animated feature for ‘The Price Of Egypt’ Who Starred In Them – Kelly Macdonald (Merida) Known Work: Trainspotting (Diane Coulston), The Girl In The Café (Gina), Boardwalk Empire (Margaret Schroeder), Harry Potter and The Deathly Hallows Part 2 (Helena Ravenclaw) Emma Thompson (Queen Elinor) Known Work: Love Actually (Karen), Harry Potter and The Order Of Phoenix (Prof. Sybill Trelawney), Nanny McPhee (Nanny McPhee), Men In Black 3 (Agent O) Bill Connolly (King Fergus) Known Work: Gulliver’s Travels (King Of Lilliput), Ben 10 (Captin Glowbeard), The Ballad Of Nessie (Narrator) Julie Walters (The Witch) Known Work: Harry Potter (Mrs Weasley), Mama Mia! (Rosie) Which Studio(s) produced them, (WHO owns them?) – Brave was produced by Walt Disney Pictures and Pixar Animation Studios What Technology Was Involved – The film is mainly computer animated and uses Dolby Atmos sound format which had to be re-written for the first time in 25 years 1 Sanjay Patel Which Studio’s Distributed The Film – Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures it is currently owned by The Walt Disney Company The Films Release Date In The UK and US – June 10 2012 (UK), June 22 2012 (US) How Many Screens Was The Film Shown On – 5 Different Examples Of How The Film Was Marketed – Posters, news articles, trailers. Representation By definition, all media texts are re-presentations of reality. This means that they are intentionally composed, lit, written, framed, cropped, captioned, branded, targeted and censored by their producers, and that they are entirely artificial versions of the reality we perceive around us When studying the media it is vital to remember this - every media form, from a home video to a glossy magazine, is a representation of someone's concept of existence, codified into a series of signs and symbols which can be read by an audience The study of representation is about decoding the different layers of truth/fiction. In order to fully appreciate the part representation plays in a media text you must consider: Who produced it? What/who is represented in the text? How is that thing represented? It is worth thinking about each of these for a moment - the first one is the more straightforward - the media are in the business of describing things to us- they represent people and types of people to us so that we end up feeling that we know what they are like Any representation is a mixture of: 1 The thing itself. 2 The opinions of the people doing the representation 3 The reaction of the individual to the representation 4 The context of the society in which the representation is taking place. Representation of certain groups is very common, for example, age, sexuality, gender. This makes it easier for media producers to get their message across and we recognize the ‘clues’ quicker. 2 Sanjay Patel Representation in TV Drama Or Soap Opera. Chose a character and think about how they are ‘represented’ in the show in which they appear. Make notes on the following point. TV Drama/ Soap – Coronation Street Genre Of TV Drama/Soap – Drama Actor/ Actress – Michelle Keegan Name – Tina McIntyre Age – 22 Ethnicity – British Regional Identity – Manchester Costume Usually Included – Large hooped earrings, mainly casual wear including basic T-shirt and jeans Sum Up Of Lifestyle – Tina comes across as a feisty, good morals, confident, puts others first and strong minded character. Friends Include – Rita Tanner, Stella Price, Tommy Duckworth, Tyrone Dobbs, David Platt, Gary Windass, Izzy Armstrong. Interests – Socialising with friends Motivation In Most Situations – Tina often tries help others reach the most beneficial outcome as well as knowing what the right thing is to do Love Life – EX David Platt, EX Jason Grimshaw and is currently dating Tommy Duckworth Problems In Life – Tina agrees to be a surrogate for Gary Windass and Izzy Armstrong in return for payment from Izzys father (Owen). Tina’s boyfriend, Tommy is concerned about the idea although Tina insists it will help end their finical troubles that they had been going through. After going through the transfer Tina feels pressured by Gary and Izzy’s family during her pregnancy and during this time is kissed by Gary. Outraged Gary begs Tina not to tell anybody although knowing it is for the best she tells Izzy Windass. Beginning a series of arguments and causing Tina to doubt if they would be good parents. As the arguments continue Tina goes into labour and decides that she does not want the couple as she is giving birth much to their dismay. Once she had given birth she develops an unexpected bond between her and her son while arguments are still continuing Tina decides that she wants the baby as both parents may not be able to provide a structured home for their son. This causes many complications including Tina becoming homeless and also becoming increasingly isolated from other members of the street. Eventually Tina agrees to hand over the baby to Tommy and Izzy much to their delight Key Moment In Drama/Soap – Handing over her baby to the surrogate parents (see above) Prediction For The Future – After finding out that her EX (David) has left his bother in a coma during an accident. She is forced to tell everybody causing David to take desperate measures in order to keep is crime quite How Is The Audience Supposed To React To Them – Many people enjoy watching Tina because of her strong morals. She is regularly on episodes trying to help people with their situations. This is because many of the people find her to be a good friend and can easily be confided in 3 Sanjay Patel Task 2 Design a new narrative that is suitable to your character within the show they star in. Involve known character/s. Write a script of dialogue, stage directions and description of how characters should appear. Make this about 10 lines long in total. Explore a: Confrontation / argument about an issue A revelation about something (where they learn something important) Plan a scene with care, make notes, discuss with a friend, think about you want the audience to receive them and how their actions / dialogue reflect the notes you made above. Scene: 8 Coronation Street (David’s/ Gail’s house) Character 1: Tina McIntyre Character 2: David Platt Character 3: Lily Platt (No Actual Role/Speech) (Door Knocks) Tina: David! It’s Tina!, We need to talk! (Frustrated) David: (Slowly walks towards the house door while knocking continues). Tina, this is not a good time, you know I’ve my wife’s had a baby less than a week a go! I’ve just put her to sleep and her you come knocking on my door looking like you’re ready to kill me! Tina: (Enter house, sits at coffee table). Listen David, I’m not going to apologise I wake your baby up because.. to be honest I don’t really care. – and yes I know that you think your that father of this baby but I know you David, deep inside the question is going round and round your head. ‘Am I the father? Or is it my brother (Nick)?’ David: Whoa! Hold on, you and I may have had a past but what makes you feel that you know what I’m thinking? Or even how I’m feeling? When you and I were together, yes I was a phyco! But how do you know if I haven’t changed? Tina: Because I know you (Shouts) David Platt, and people like you, no matter how hard they try.. Never change (Silent Pause) Tina: I’ve booked a table at the Bistro later and invited your mum and Leanne to come and have dinner with me- you’re coming to and I want you to tell them both what you have done to your bother. It is sick David! You had the smallest doubt that that baby she was carrying was your bothers and you messed with his head!, you went for a drive and crashed his van into a lorry and now he is in a coma!.