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

LESSON 1 : BEGINNINGS

Today we intend to help you start off on the right foot by providing a detailed introduction to

[1] what media studies is [sort of]
[2]why we study it
[3] how we will be studying it here this year.

You will need to read through the Student Handbook with special emphasis on the section Key Concepts in Media which will form the backbone of all of the lessons this year and of your coursework portfolio. The PowerPoint will emphasise some of the issues that underline the importance of the concepts and how we will go about applying them to analysis of commercial media products and to our own work.

You will also be introduced to the media diary – a log of your own personal media consumption that you will be required to complete for a period of 1 week which will then form the basis of lessons 6 and 7.

HOMEWORK:
Create your media studies blog [using blogger] and email the link to Media staff

absence makes the heart grow fonder

Dear all

As i'm off work ill until next week you need to use the time wisely.

there are a number of things to be doing

[1] finding a 3-5 minute sequence of film to prepare for your film studies essay [1500 words as analysis].  Start drafting notes and ideas as to how the film language works as prep for the essay

[2] researching ideas for your A2 research project - consider topic areas, ideas for practical work

[3] reading the booklets on the films studied thus far and attempting the tasks contained there and on the lessons on this blog

evolution of artist's image

For those of you considering a music celebrity or style of music for your Cross Media study then here's an interesting link to evolution of an artist via their album covers.  

How do these images represent Jay-Z?  
How do they link to [changing?] audience needs and expectations and the prevailing zeitgeist?
How do they construct his image and that of a rap star in general?
Does he lead the prevailing representations or reflect audience expectations?
Do any threads run through them that suggest enduring qualities of Jay-Z?

http://davisdnadesigns.com/jay-z-album-cover-evolution/

A2 resource

A very useful resource for the A2 students on wider contexts of the debate over the impact of digital media on society and media institutions

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/series/battle-for-the-internet

Have a read of the debate split into sections of concern.  It will help with Section B of the paper as wells informing you of issues that might appear in Q3 of Section A - debates and contexts

TV PROMOTIONAL TRAILER 2

Have a look at this video for ITV encore.  This is the launch of a new ITV channel that is available only to  Sky customers and consists of what ITV term 'Modern drama' - essentially it is a channel of repeats of recent shows from the ITV back catalogue such as Downton Abbey and Broadchurch

In what ways does it differ from the previous clip we explored? [The ITV where the stars live promotional trailer]
Why is this so? [consider audience and needs/expectations]
How is the audience positioned - how are we expected to'feel' about what we are being shown? What examples of the media form [lighting; shot; costume; music; dialogue] construct this?

CLIP ONE:

                                     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XYYgLcaz1oA

What about this one?  
what differences are there here between the two clips?  
Can you account for why?

CLIP TWO:

                                     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFKwzBj43PQ

SECTION A PRACTICE

SECTION A

Watch the following clips.  

[1] Watch the first without making notes

[2] second viewing develop your notes - look for details, ideas

[3] third viewing confirm evidence and examples - seek clarity

we will do the first clip together in the lesson

CLIP ONE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIUXvxoqpDg

CLIP TWO:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThHEcmDBXpg

Texts:

Audience  - who is the audience for this text? How are they positioned?

What are the brand values of the institution?

How are media forms used to shape understanding of the values of the broadcaster?

How is the media institution represented?