Research for poster design:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3003437/
http://www.denofgeek.com/movies/17146/how-to-fix-the-problem-of-spoiler-filled-trailers

Task 6 - Contextual analysis of existing movie posters

Django Unchained (2012)

This Quentin Tarantino approved poster is one of my recent favourites. The poster is for a revenge-based spaghetti western starring Jamie Foxx as the lead slave seeking vengeance, Christoph Waltz, Samuel L. Jackson and Leonardo DiCaprio among others. The poster has only one colour: red. The remainder includes varies gradients from black to white. The colour scheme of a movie poster is possibly one of the most important aspects of such. The colours scheme chosen in this film poster could not be anymore bold and appropriate for its subject matter: racism in the Old West. The poster features a primary centre image of Django upfront and large, hence showing his position of power and King and Calvin in the background of the piece. The tagline at the top of the poster states: 'Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Vengeance'.

Task 5 - Analysis of magazine front covers

In this blog post I will be analysing numerous magazine covers and detailing what representation is being used on each as well as how the cover lines relate to the audience of the magazine, of whom I will also be addressing. I will also be focusing on the main image and masthead in particular in my analysis of the following magazine covers:

Empire Magazine November issue - Interstellar
In this issue of the worlds most popular film magazine, the focus is on the new science-fiction film by Christopher Nolan titled Interstellar. The film stars recent Oscar winner Mathew McConaughey as the lead actor and he is hence the choice for the publications main image, as seen to the left.
In my view, the target audience is 18 - 45 years of age and primarily male. An indication of why I think the primary audience is likely to be male is the content of the cover lines. For example, one of the cover lines details the 15th anniversary of the start of the American television drama 'The West Wing' staring Martin Sheen. This televisions primary audience was male at the time of its original run. The majority of star wars fans are also male (a story detailing the secrets that link the sci-fi television series to the films is mentioned in another cover line).
   I also think that the primary audience is likely to be above the age of 18 as a cover line at the bottom states 'The scariest movie of the year revealed', if this is the case then it is likely to be classed as an eighteen by the bbfc for its horrific images and likely strong language, therefore the publisher is trying to entice an audience of at least eighteen. Star Wars, originally released in 1977, would likely appeal to an older audience of around late thirties to early forties and beyond due to its release date alone (the majority of those who viewed the original trilogy were children and teenagers, of whom would be around these ages now). The mention of the Star Wars Television series which is viewed mostly by pre-teens, would suggest a desired appeal towards a younger audience. However, it is unlikely that they would be purchasing the magazine themselves.
   The masthead of the magazine is the publications name and logo: 'Empire' (stylised as 'EMPIRE' here). In this instance in particular, the logo has been stylised to match the corresponding 'Interstellar' title. Both of these elements are in the space evoking style to mirror the films sci-fi genre and setting of outer space.
   It is most likely that this magazine cover would not appeal to those of fundamental religious beliefs as the film showcased revolves around finding other habitable worlds and lifeforms. Other scientific theories such as The Big Bang are also rumoured to be key features of the unreleased film. Whilst this may not prevent these people from seeing the film, it is likely to appeal less and have an oppositional reading as it is non-relatable to their beliefs.
   In this case McConaughey is making full eye-contact with the audience, therefore inciting them into the magazine cover.

Rolling Stone - 'The Bomber'
When released, this issue was received with a lot of criticism for its portrayal of the Boston marathon bomber as a rock star type of figure who is idolised. The worst criticism came for the fact that it was likely that the magazine knew of the controversy this cover would create, yet still decided to run with it, hence offending family members of and the victims themselves of the bombing. In my opinion, the use of the main title: 'The Bomber' glorifies the radical islamist terrorist as it almost sounds like the nickname of an idolised sportsman or someone who does good for recognition.

Task 4 - Analysis using technical elements of film

Focusing on Mise-en-scene/Camera/Lighting/Editing and sound, 'How do these technical elements add to your understanding of the action and narrative?'

Analysis of Charli XCX's 'Break The Rules' Music Video
According to an article the recording artist wrote on Buzzfeed regarding how the song came to fruition, Charli XCX states that its 'obviously about not giving a fuck'. This way of thinking is also a prominent aspect of the songs accompanying video.

The video beings with a fade-in from black of an apparent school corridor setting; as assumed by the following diegetic sound of a bell ringing and young adults running out of the attached rooms of the corridor (all dressed in matching uniforms, evocative of that of those worn by school children).
A series of jump-cuts are used, in my view, in order to get through the content of the video's narrative in the short time-span of the song itself. These series of shots of Charli XCX start as a long shot of her entire group of female company. Then it cuts to a medium-long shot of the group with Charli XCX in the centre and finally to a medium shot of mostly Charli XCX. It is implied that Charli is the group leader as she is the only one member of the group who's eyes are wide open, as if she were focused on her prey, almost like a hawk. She's on a mission of some sorts. Charli is also the only member looking towards the camera lens, however never directly at, as this could be deemed as intimidation towards the audience.

Numerous close-up shots from a high up angle in the video are of Charli's sexualised physical features such as her short skirt. This focus on her
The female group sets their sights on a 'Trashy Lingerie' shop, and arrive in their punk

Rose McGowan features as 'The Chaperone' in the video, she even gets her own title as such which pops up on the screen. McGowan is most commonly associated with the film genre of Horror as she has appeared in various horror films in her acting career. Her cameo would suggest that something horrible is about to take place at the school dance.

Notes:
The music is not live (diegetic) instead it is pre-recorded and added in post, hence non-diegetic.
High-key lighting in the corridor from the shining sun - suggesting these people live in a hot climate or that it is summertime: this is backed up by the ringing bell and running school children, these elements in combination have connotations of an end to a school year.


She's the only female school-girl who's wearing red lisper (killer-lips), suggesting she's dangers and unique in her ways.
A view from a lower-angle shot of Charli standing on a yellow school bus (giving the audience appear statuesque, thus powerful and in control.
First the 'ordinary' kids leave the class room, then the 'cool, calm and collected pac (including head wolf Charli XCX) leaves the classroom in a bowling pin formation (typical dance routine style).
Highly saturated colours - filter, connotations of social media (instagram) Makes it appear more artistic
slow-motion (Reservoir Dog's-esque) walking in a pac.
The bucket scene resembles/perhaps is a homage to: The blood scene in the Carrie horror film.
Numerous moving camera shots are used to create motion that

Task 3 - 'Readings...'

Website 1:
The Guardian

The Guardian is a daily british national newspaper founded in 1821. On the newspapers website, they try to appeal to a lot of different types of consumer by listing different topics of discussion in various associated colours at the top of the page. These include, for example, 'life and style', 'Tv' and 'Tech' etc. I think that this is a good example of how the producers of the website for the guardian want the majority of those who visit the site to have a preferred reading.

Website 2

Website 3

Note: Write about what the preferred readings of the sites are (the producers hopes)

'The X Factor UK 2014 - Raign sings 'Dont Let Me Go'' - Mediation Process

In this first clip from 2014 The X Factor UK, a 31 year old singer songwriter named Raign auditions for chance in winning the singing competition. She is negatively portrayed by the producers of the show as someone who lacks manners and is quite self-absorbed, negative qualities in which she also portrays herself. For example, when asked a series of general background questions by judge Mel B, Raign interrupts the former Spice Gils singer before she is finished.

Once Raign interrupts Mel for the second time, a reaction shot of all for judges is shown, with Cheryl (another one of the four judges) turning her head sideways towards Mel to view her initial response to this and suggest her own distaste for Raign's  lack of manners towards someone who is supposed to be judging her, someone who holds the partially vote on her progress in the competition. After this, numerous reaction shots of Mel B and head judge and producer Simon also expressing their negative views of Raign are quickly shown.
   After this, a montage of fake "celebrity being taken photos of by the paparazzi" shots (created by the producers of the show) are shown to the audience of Raign being questioned prior to her audition. During this montage Madonna's 'Hung Up' (which features lyrics of slowly passing time) is heard playing non-diegitically in the background, evoking the idea that Raign keeps talking about herself and her so-called 'journey' for too long, suggesting that she is self-obsessed.

Task 1 - Examples of "Representation"

Different examples of "Representation" 
Class - Newspaper 

(http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/12/oscar-pistorius-guilty-culpable-homicide-reeva-steenkamp)
In this article from The Guardian, Oscar Pistorius is portrayed as a wealthy well known working class member of society, of which I think is a fair representation of Mr Pistorius' social class.

Gender - Television 

According to this piece by Time, Lena Dunham's HBO series 'GIRLS' is not sending the right message to its audience. Despite Bill Persky's congratulations on the young stars impressive accomplishments; being the writer, director and star of her own network television show, in the piece, he is also very quick to criticise the content of the show itself. For example he states how the four main characters of the show often settle for less instead of aspiring for more and also accept the same of those around them, the journalist is essentially calling the characters, as Brando would say; Bum's. Whilst I understand his viewpoint and agree that these four women do not represent the average mid-twenties woman, I do not that that Dunham should have to do so. As previously stated to the press, Girls is loosely based off of Dunham's own experiences and relationships. The show still manages, now going into its fourth season, to achieve great ratings, suggesting its viewers, of whom are mostly female, find connections to themselves after all.
   I also do not view the characters of the show to be something in which its viewers aspire to being, as Persky suggests. Instead, its characters are often subject to the consequences of their actions, an aspect of the show in which is most true to life.

Age - Film
In the 2009 film Harry Brown, the main character of the same name (played by Michael Caine) is the victim of discrimination from the rebellious youth of the film due to his age and unwillingness to bow down to their desires. All of the youth on Harry's estate are shown in a negative light, something which is not representative of the majority of teenagers. All of these young adults are viewed as bad influences on society.
Race - Television Show
Family Guy is a very popular animated television show which does not ever shy away from making fun of racial stereotypes as well as discriminatory characters. Often criticised for its portrayal of these people, Family Guy. in my opinion, uses these opportunities to raise issues regarding the subject. The Simpsons is another show that has been criticised for its very stereotypical portrayal of characters of minorities. One instance in particular is when Peter Griffin of Family Guy is shown as ignorant by assuming that black people would be offended by the use of Black by white individuals to describe them. This attempt to not hurt the feelings of your "typical angry black person" comes off as racist despite his intentions to not be.
Gender - Film
In Director Quentin Tarantino's 2003 revenge film, 'Kill Bill' (staring Uma Thurman), the main assassin character in which she plays as well as the other female characters in the film are seen as equal to the male assassins and even become triumphant over them in the end. This is something in which was previously not a conventional aspect of cinema. It was common in noir films for the females to be portrayed in progressive anti-conventional ways also. However, in 'Kill Bill' Beatrix does not use her sexual attractiveness to manipulate men in order to gain power, independence and dominance instead she receives her well deserved vengeance in the same way men do so: War.
Sexuality - Film
In the 2005 American epic romantic drama 'Brokeback Mountain', Ang Lee



Comment on:

• Negative or positive representation?
• What are the values of the producer of the media that underpin the television show/newspaper/film.

Remember to embed the videos/other form of media to the blog.