LESSON 2: GETTING DOWN

The lesson will begin with a clip from PSYCHO the famous psychological horror/thriller by Alfred Hitchcock.

[1] Watch the clip.

[2] In pairs : How does the clip construct the sense of tension/horror?
Which elements can you identify and what part do they play?

The clip is a good introduction to what we call media forms, specifically the language of film.  Film language is made up of a number of elements that work together to create audience understanding of [1] what is happening [2] how we should feel about this [audience positioning] [3] create a sense of shared values/ideas about the content of the film [its story; its concerns] which forms part of what is termed the zeitgeist.

In the shower scene from PSYCHO the tension is created by a masterful interplay of sound [and silence],music, lighting, shot composition, audience point of view, editing of the shots and the actual narrative [the intercutting sequence of when/how things are revealed to us].  This is termed mise-en-scene  – roughly ‘everything in the frame‘

Mise-en-scene will form a key part of how we discuss moving image products this year.

Applying the media forms ideas discussed for PSYCHO :

How does this product construct a representation of youth? 
What is it?
 Is it an accurate representation?

What expectations does it set up for audience [of predominantly youth]? 
What ‘pleasures’ are offered to audience?

HOMEWORK:

[1] Find a [2 minute] clip to present to the group with your media form analysis as to how a mood/idea/representation are created in the clip [DEADLINE Lesson 5]

[2] embed the clip [and your analysis] in your blog