AS Media - Visual Analysis Techniques - 'Rihanna'

Consider the three contrasting representations of Rihanna which we have covered in recent weeks.

Analyse each one from the point of view of the following:

The use of colour
The use of supporting written text
The use of costume, styling and imagery
Who the target audience might be and why?
How each image might represent a different aspect of Rihanna's character

Each analysis should be between 300-400 words each.

Pay close attention to particular examples within each text to support your points and ideas. Make sure these are highlighted in your responses.

Try to use media language such as 'representation', 'audience' and 'icon' within your response.

Post your response as a blog entry and send the link to me via email - bushm@bpc.ac.uk

A2 Media - three sequences from 'Nowhere Boy'

The opening sequence from Nowhere Boy (dir. Sam Taylor-Wood, 2009). Introduces the audience to the teenage John Lennon, representing his relationship with Aunt Mimi and his rebelliousness personality at school. The opening chord to 'A Hard Day's Night' is briefly heard at the very start - the only time a direct reference to The Beatles is ever featured in the entire film.

An important sequence in the film where John meets Paul McCartney for the first time - and history is in the making. It also shows the anger John often felt towards the situation of being brought up by Mimi and being abandoned by his mother and father.

The funeral of Julia raises the tension between John, his aunt and his friendship with Paul

A2 Media - sequences from 'Shutter Island'

In order to help you with the revision for the 'Text' part of the A2 Media course, I have uploaded eight sequences from Shutter Island (Scorsese, 2010).

Remember, we are studying the films primarily from a textual point of view, so you will need to consider the following:

Representation
Narrative
Genre

Alongside this you should also consider various cinematic techniques which Martin Scorsese uses to convey 'meaning' to the audience, including mise en scene (setting, location, lighting, costumes, character placement, performance, props), cinematography (use of the camera, including angles, framing and movement), sound (music, effects, dialogue) and editing (pace and effect).

You might also want to consider the role of the audience in the viewing of the film, particularly how we are being manipulated with the overall narrative, particularly the final act and the enigmatic last line of dialogue.

1. "You Have To Let Me Go" - the dream sequence between Teddy and Dolores

2. "Could You Stop That?" - Teddy interrogates a patient regarding the disappearance of Rachel Solando

3. "What If They Wanted You Here?" - Teddy tells Chuck that they need to leave the island before its too late

4. "I Buried You" - Rachel believes Teddy is her dead husband, Jim

5. "A Rat in a Maze" - Teddy talks to George Noyce in the sinister Ward C about the possible conspiracy happening at the hospital

6. "My Name is Edward Daniels" - Teddy refuses to believe the story Doctor Cawley tells him about Andrew Laediss

7. "Set Me Free" - the last moments between Teddy and Dolores

8. "Live as a Monster or Die as a Free Man?" - the final words of Teddy Daniels...but what do they really mean?

Sky Sports News - its a game of two representations...

What might these images taken from Sky Sports News tell you about the possible representation of men and women?

Who is always placed on the left (the apparent dominant side of the TV or cinema screen)?

Any clues in the way the presenters are dressed?

What could be read into the respective ages of the person on the left with the person on the right?

Perhaps the target audience might not be too difficult to work out.

AS Media - Exam Revision: Representation of Masculinity in Super Hero film posters

Analyse each of the four film posters for recent Super Hero film releases.

Consider the following aspects which will come up in the WJEC AS Media exam:

Textual Analysis
Representation
Audience

• Semiotically analyse each poster for possible connotations with regards to character, costume, locations, written text, messages
• Highlight the issues of representation which might occur in the four posters, using 'who, what, why, how' as an underpinning model. Consider the use of stereotypes and any dominant ideology.
• Who might be the target audience? Can you identify a potentially different audience?

Use your 'common sense' to start off with in analysing the four posters; then go into more detail with the wider issues regarding representation and audiences for potentially higher grades. You might also want to consider other similar or contrasting texts to compare with these four, particularly around the media representation of men and masculinity.

AS Media - Exam Revision: Representation of Women and Weddings

Analyse the following two images.

Both are based around the same theme - weddings - but construct two completely different representations.

You should carry out three tasks, each of which is part of the actual WJEC AS Media exam:

• Analyse both images semiotically - use of colour, costume, written text, message etc.
• Consider what is being 'represented' by each image - who, what, why, how? Can you identify if there is a use of stereotyping or going against the conventional representation? Is there any dominant ideology being used or might there be an alternative point of view?
• Who might be the target audience? How can you tell? By what means are 'audience expectations' either met or subverted? Can you possibly identify more than one potential audience for both products?

Use your 'common sense' to start of with - look for the obvious messages. To get the potential higher grades, you will also need to examine some wider issues linked to both images, such as the representation of gender, the use of stereotypes, the issue of dominant ideologies (and who is responsible for them). You might also want to compare and contrast other similar texts you can think of in relation to these two.

AS Media - Chanel adverts

Here you will find four adverts made to promote various Chanel fragrances as part of their high profile marketing campaigns. They include the most expensive commercial ever made - Baz Lurhman's 'film' starring Nicole Kidman to promote 'No 5' in 2004, at a cost of $18million

'Chanel: The Film' (2004), directed by Baz Lurhman, starring Nicole Kidman

'Coco Mademoiselle' (2007), directed by Joe Wright, starring Keira Knightley

'No. 5' (2008), directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet, starring Audrey Tautou

'Marilyn Monroe and Chanel No. 5' (2013) - the world's most iconic actress endorses Chanel's most iconic fragrance from an interview in 1960. When asked what she wore to bed, she replied "Chanel No. 5!"