Friday 20th June Room 213
Please bring your pre-liminary material with you and research you have carried out.
Tuesday, 17 May 2011
BBFC - Institutions
Make sure that you explore this website and know what the BBFC do. Make sure that you know what each certificate means.
Monday, 9 May 2011
Ms McLeod's e-mail address should you have any questions about the exam...
bishopmediahelp@gmail.com
What's the difference between Action and Adventure?
Adventure Films are exciting stories, with new experiences or exotic locales. Adventure films are very similar to the action film genre, in that they are designed to provide an action-filled, energetic experience for the film viewer. Rather than the predominant emphasis on violence and fighting that is found in action films, however, the viewer of adventure films can live vicariously through the travels, conquests, explorations, creation of empires, struggles and situations that confront the main characters, actual historical figures or protagonists.
Exam Preparation Question
Why are Action/Adventure movies so popular with audiences and institutions?
REPRESENTATION
A route into representation is through exploring gender representations. You should be able to discuss the function of stereotypes in a narrative and by looking at the role of heroes and heroines will be able to think about the extent to which these types of characters conform to a particular set of characteristics.
This is also true for other types of characters that appear in Action Adventure films such as the villain. In exploring character stereotypes students should be encouraged to consider if types of people are misrepresented and if
so does this limit the appeal of a film?
This is also true for other types of characters that appear in Action Adventure films such as the villain. In exploring character stereotypes students should be encouraged to consider if types of people are misrepresented and if
so does this limit the appeal of a film?
AUDIENCE
A useful way to begin a study of Audience is by considering the types of pleasures offered by Action Adventure and why the genre has remained so successful with audiences. Is it still the case that Action Adventure films appeal predominantly to male audiences? It is important that students are encouraged to
think of Audience in terms of the plural audiences in offering explanations of enduring appeal. The Uses and Gratifications theory is a useful tool to guide this but there are also other avenues of exploration in a
consideration of audience. Critics of Action Adventure argue that such films promote unhealthy attitudes towards violence and that narratives are becoming too dominated by special effects and action sequences.
think of Audience in terms of the plural audiences in offering explanations of enduring appeal. The Uses and Gratifications theory is a useful tool to guide this but there are also other avenues of exploration in a
consideration of audience. Critics of Action Adventure argue that such films promote unhealthy attitudes towards violence and that narratives are becoming too dominated by special effects and action sequences.
INSTITUTIONS
Action Adventure films are expensive to make and often command a high production budget. You should research the costs of making a film and the implications of this for the production company. High budget can mean high risk and this can lead on to an exploration of the range of ways profits are generated from a film.
This should involve a study of how films are marketed and the generation of many spin-offs which can include a range of merchandise for example.
In terms of Action Adventure, this leads to an opportunity to consider the Film Franchise strategy to widen appeal to audiences.
This should involve a study of how films are marketed and the generation of many spin-offs which can include a range of merchandise for example.
In terms of Action Adventure, this leads to an opportunity to consider the Film Franchise strategy to widen appeal to audiences.
MEDIA LANGUAGE: Genre and Narrative
For the exam you should know the following
• the importance of genre as a marketing tool
• the codes and conventions of the genre
• the sub genres that constitute the genre, leading to a consideration of hybridity
A useful way to begin exploring codes and conventions is through narrative. It is an important contributor to
the universal appeal of Action Adventure. You should know Todorov's narrative theory with regards to the way the plot is organised. By
an examination of the following, you can begin to ask what binds films together under the heading of
Action Adventure:
Storyline and Plot: Tease out the differences between these two terms. Think about the characteristics of Action Adventure films in having fast moving plots which provide plenty of excitement and tension.
Structure: All Action Adventure films have recognisable narrative structures which offer a way of examining how a story is organised and shaped in terms of time and events. It is interesting to explore the rules of narrative structure with regard to Action Adventure. For example a defining feature of narrative is the high degree of narrative closure, with all problems resolved and/or our hero triumphant. So in addition to linear structure (beginning, middle, end), narrative can often be seen in terms of oppositional structure too, as a fight between forces of good and evil (Levi-Strauss Binary Opposition).
Main characters: All Action Adventure films have a recognisable heroic central character, a hero or heroine who is able to overcome incredible odds (remember {Propp's characters). Whilst some films feature brave heroines, most narratives are organised around traditional gender roles. Explore the extent to which modern films have challenged traditional female (and male) stereotyping.
Oppositional characters: Action Adventure films tend to feature characters that play opposite the key central character, for example either in the form of a relationship (hero/heroine) or in conflict (hero/villain).
Journey/QuestAction Adventure films often involve central characters working towards a final goal (such as seeking
treasure). These narratives take place against the backdrop of a variety of exotic and sometimes glamorous locations. These can range from desert landscapes to urban settings. Not only can their use provide the audience with visual pleasures, but the location itself can serve an important narrative function as central characters find themselves battling with the challenges presented by it e.g. surviving earthquakes, struggling through jungles etc.
Action sequencesAction sequences and their accompanying special effects play an important part of narrative construction and contribute to the pleasures offered by Action Adventure films. With advances made in technology these are becoming more spectacular. Action sequences can range from battles and explosions to fist fights and car chases etc.
• the importance of genre as a marketing tool
• the codes and conventions of the genre
• the sub genres that constitute the genre, leading to a consideration of hybridity
A useful way to begin exploring codes and conventions is through narrative. It is an important contributor to
the universal appeal of Action Adventure. You should know Todorov's narrative theory with regards to the way the plot is organised. By
an examination of the following, you can begin to ask what binds films together under the heading of
Action Adventure:
Storyline and Plot: Tease out the differences between these two terms. Think about the characteristics of Action Adventure films in having fast moving plots which provide plenty of excitement and tension.
Structure: All Action Adventure films have recognisable narrative structures which offer a way of examining how a story is organised and shaped in terms of time and events. It is interesting to explore the rules of narrative structure with regard to Action Adventure. For example a defining feature of narrative is the high degree of narrative closure, with all problems resolved and/or our hero triumphant. So in addition to linear structure (beginning, middle, end), narrative can often be seen in terms of oppositional structure too, as a fight between forces of good and evil (Levi-Strauss Binary Opposition).
Main characters: All Action Adventure films have a recognisable heroic central character, a hero or heroine who is able to overcome incredible odds (remember {Propp's characters). Whilst some films feature brave heroines, most narratives are organised around traditional gender roles. Explore the extent to which modern films have challenged traditional female (and male) stereotyping.
Oppositional characters: Action Adventure films tend to feature characters that play opposite the key central character, for example either in the form of a relationship (hero/heroine) or in conflict (hero/villain).
Journey/QuestAction Adventure films often involve central characters working towards a final goal (such as seeking
treasure). These narratives take place against the backdrop of a variety of exotic and sometimes glamorous locations. These can range from desert landscapes to urban settings. Not only can their use provide the audience with visual pleasures, but the location itself can serve an important narrative function as central characters find themselves battling with the challenges presented by it e.g. surviving earthquakes, struggling through jungles etc.
Action sequencesAction sequences and their accompanying special effects play an important part of narrative construction and contribute to the pleasures offered by Action Adventure films. With advances made in technology these are becoming more spectacular. Action sequences can range from battles and explosions to fist fights and car chases etc.
Friday, 15 April 2011
Representation of men in action films
The Links to Youtube clips work!!!
Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
Check out this SlideShare Presentation:
Representation of men in action films
View more presentations from MsJMcLeod.
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Friday, 1 April 2011
Female Stereotypes
Tends to highlight: *beauty *physical appearance *sexuality *emotional (as opposed to intellectual) *relationships (as opposed to being independent)
How are women represented in Action movies?
P1: Explain Laura Mulvey Male Gaze Give overview of how women are represented e.g. usually at Proppian helper or princess and give some examples: sexualised through camera movement and costume. P2: Explore 1970s movie in detail e.g. Live and Let Die Proppian role mise-en-scene and camera P3: Explore 90s movie e.g. Alien, Terminator P4: Explore 2000s movie P5 conclusion: role of women has changed, are modern representations empowering or are they still just chicks with guns?
Monday, 21 March 2011
Friday, 18 March 2011
Narrative Theory 3: Levi-Strauss' theory of Binary Oppositions
Movies tend to reflect the values and beliefs in our culture. This can be done through themes and symbolic oppositions in the movie.
Some example are:
good vs evil
life vs death
nature vs mankind
Some example are:
good vs evil
life vs death
nature vs mankind
Neales' theory of Repetition and Difference
As we already know, film genres have particular conventions that help us to understand the story. Of course, if every movie of a particular genre stuck rigidly to those conventions then movies would become very boring, very fast!
Neale states that 'difference is absolutely necessary to the economy of genre': mere repetition would not attract an audience.
Don't forget that movies can also belong to more than one genre. This is called a hybrid. An example would be Scary Movie which has conventions of comedy and horror. This technique of combining genres can lead to new ideas and exciting movies for the audience!
Neale states that 'difference is absolutely necessary to the economy of genre': mere repetition would not attract an audience.
Don't forget that movies can also belong to more than one genre. This is called a hybrid. An example would be Scary Movie which has conventions of comedy and horror. This technique of combining genres can lead to new ideas and exciting movies for the audience!
Friday, 11 March 2011
Narrative Theory 2: Propp's Characters
Propp suggests that characters have particular functions:
Characters can fulfil more than one sphere character type, for example; a princess
may also be a helper.
- The hero, usually male, is the agent who restores the narrative equilibrium
often by embarking upon a quest (or search). Propp distinguishes between
the victim hero, who is the centre of the villain's attentions, and the seeker
hero who aids others who are the villains victims. The hero is invariably the
texts central character. - The villain who usually creates the narrative disruption.
- The donor gives the hero something, it may be an object, information or
advice, which helps in resolution of the narrative. - The helper aids the hero in the task of restoring equilibrium.
- The princess (the victim) is usually the character most threatened by the
villain and has to be saved, at the climax, by the hero. - The father's (who in fairy tales was often the king) role is usually to give the princess away to the hero at the narrative's conclusion. He may also despatch the hero.
- The dispatcher sends the hero on her or his task (who can typically be the
princess father) - The false hero appears to be good but is revealed, at the narrative's end, to
have been bad
Characters can fulfil more than one sphere character type, for example; a princess
may also be a helper.
Narrative Theory 1: Todorov
Todorov suggested that conventional narratives are structured in five stages:
1. a state of equilibrium at the outset;
2. a disruption of the equilibrium by some action;
3. a recognition that there has been a disruption;
4. an attempt to repair the disruption;
5. a reinstatement of the equilibrium
This type of narrative structure is very familiar to us and can be applied to many
‘mainstream’ film narratives. It is sometimes called the 'Hollywood' narrative because many Hollywood films follow this structure.
1. a state of equilibrium at the outset;
2. a disruption of the equilibrium by some action;
3. a recognition that there has been a disruption;
4. an attempt to repair the disruption;
5. a reinstatement of the equilibrium
This type of narrative structure is very familiar to us and can be applied to many
‘mainstream’ film narratives. It is sometimes called the 'Hollywood' narrative because many Hollywood films follow this structure.
Monday, 28 February 2011
Films and Sub-Genres
• Swashbuckler
The Mark of Zorro; The Three Musketeers; Pirates of the Caribbean
• Disaster
The Poseidon Adventure; The Towering Inferno; Airport; The Day After Tomorrow
• Fantasy
Star Wars; Lord of the Rings; Superman; Avatar
Star Wars; Lord of the Rings; Superman; Avatar
• Quest
Raiders of the Lost Ark; Romancing the Stone; King Solomon’s Mines
• Thriller/suspense
The Fugitive; The Thirty Nine Steps; Die Hard; Cliffhanger; the Bond franchise
• Historical: big adventures set against backdrop of history, legend and
folklore
Braveheart; Gladiator; Robin Hood Prince of Thieves
Introduction to the Exam
The exam is worth 40% of the final GCSE grade.
The exam is 1hr 30mins long and will take place on Monday 13th June in the afternoon.
You will be issued the brief 4 weeks prior to the examination. The brief will provide you with a contextualised scenario. The examination will require you to respond to four tasks in role. The tasks will be based on the contextualised scenario provided in the brief. From 16 May you are expected to consolidate your knowledge and understanding of Action Adventure films by completing independent research and preparation in response to the given brief.
After the brief is handed out to you I will no longer be allowed to teach you; it will be up to you to prepare for the examination. I will however be able to offer you support and advice.
The following assessment objectives are examined:
• A01: recall, select and communicate their knowledge and understanding of media products and the contexts in which they are produced and consumed (10%)
• AO3: demonstrate research, planning and presentation skills (5%)
• AO4: construct and evaluate their own products using creative and technical skills (5%)
We will explore the conventions of the Action Adventure genre and sub-genres. We will consider the impact of the dominance of Hollywood and the need to target global audiences. We will look at the way groups are represented in these movies such through gender or ethnicity.
We will select some movies to study as a class. You will later use the skills developed to carry out the case study in the brief and answer the 4 examination questions.
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