Thursday, 8 December 2016
Wednesday, 7 December 2016
Sunday, 20 November 2016
Hotel Babylon - Improved
How is ethnicity represented in the clip from Hotel Babylon?
Ethnicity is represented in a number of different ways in Hotel Babylon one of which being from the start when the immigration officers came looking for immigrants working in the hotel. Another one would be that a black person is a doctor, currently working as a cleaner in the hotel, this is stereotypical thing to assume because of his skin colour. This is why she were surprised when she saw him treat her the diabetic women who fainted.
The director uses different types of editing to construct a representation of ethnicity in Hotel Babylon. Continuity editing was used when the alert went out that immigration was here and everyone rushed knowing where they should be. Fast paced editing also links in with this because when they all went in the room to hide a head count was conducted and one person was missing which is Ibrahim so everyone was worried and wanted to know where he is so the camera showed all their facial expressions which adds effect on the audience so they seem like they are part of what is currently going on. Stereotypicaly if the immigration officers found out that he was missing Alvarado’s Racial Stereotypes theory would have considered him as dangerous as ethnic groups can be displayed through their own behaviour according to his theory. This also makes the audience feel pity because he was vulnerable to this since he entered the country and just because he had his headphones in he was taken as he wasn’t aware of what was going on. This makes the audience feel as if they should help them and creates an atmosphere around one subject. A shot reverse shot was also used to switch between each one of the actors. It was mainly used in the same scene from when they were all in the room hiding. A zoom was also used when they knocked on the door to let her know that they took Ibrahim. This adds tension on the audience and makes them more engaged within what is currently happening.
The director uses camera work to construct a representation of ethnicity in Hotel Babylon. A hand-hand camera is used through the main part of the scene when they got alerted that immigration was here and she is running around the hotel gathering people together so the cinematographer just holds the camera and runs around behind her. This also links with a steady cam because at the same time it achieves a smooth shot even through the camera man is running around behind her while she gathers everything together. The focus of the camera mainly focuses on the representation of ethnicity, the shots and angles all link to one thing which is making the audience feel like they are with them and experiencing the same thing. It reinforces the role of representation thought-out the scene because it always links back to the topic of ethnicity and how it's represented. We see that the character who was taken could be related to Archetype as he can be classed as the type of character that can easily be recognised because of how vulnerable he was towards the immigration officers.
The director uses mise-en-scene to construct a representation of ethnicity in Hotel Babylon. The hotel in general had white people showcased especially on the front desk and there was only one black person who was employed in a formal job. All the immigrants were wearing informal clothing and working in the kitchen showing that they are not worthy enough to work anywhere else even though they all had high profile skills but couldn't apply them because they are immigrants and need to hide. An example of this would be when the girl who is diabetic collapsed and one of the kitchen workers was a doctor, and he knew exactly what to do in that particular situation. When he asked if he knew what he was doing he said "I wasn't always a cleaner you know" which proves to the audience that black people have heavily been stereotyped and that he was a doctor before he migrated. It is shown that the police have more status than the immigrant workers. Status is also differentiated by the type of clothing, the workers wear rough clothing even so some of them have high class qualifications and the other hotel workers are wearing suits. It also shows a clear sigh of Antagonists and Protagonist. The law officials would be called as the antagonists and the immigrants are the protagonist. Using the theories, we can see that Hotel Babylon could be used in many different ways to establishes and signifies the role of stereotypes in TV Drama. Because of the viewer’s assumption theories have been made to evaluate the role of stereotypes. The Asian women who would be classed the protagonist as she plays a part in helping the immigrants. We see she works at the Hotel and is responsible for gathering all the immigrants together when people like the immigration officers come in is showcased a smart, this is because stereotypically Asian people are known to be smart and intelligent. This may make the audience feel less worried about what is going to happen to the immigrants because they know that an Asian woman is the one looking after them. This uses Perkin’s theory on stereotypes and how they are not always negative. Another example of one point that he made is that the majority groups or the less powerful are not always the ones targeted for stereotypes. An example of this would be how white people in the clip are stereotypically considered to be powerful even though they are not the minority group. They just have more power as they are the immigration officers and they are the immigrants so no matter what colour or ethnicity they are they would still have more power over them showing that they are less powerful.
Another assumption which Perkins made regarding the stereotypes goes well with Hotel Babylon, this was on how they can be held about one’s own group. An example of this would be for the white women who is behind the desk. She is seen to have blonde hair which stereotypically presents her to being “dumb” and not as smart/intelligent as people with different coloured hair.
The director uses sound to construct a representation of ethnicity in Hotel Babylon. Diegetic sound on screen was used for example the running across the hotel you could hear the footprints of Jackie when she was running towards the kitchen. You could also hear the doors closing and opening quick as the tension builds up. At the same time there was also non-diegetic sound because thought the whole scene there was tension building music to engage the audience even more. Without the music it would still engage the audience but with it there’s more action to be seen on another perspective. Synchronous sound also links with Diegetic sound because it the sound that is expected with what is viewed and the diegetic sound is what is expected so they link together. The sound bridge also works well with the scene because the background music continues playing throughout the whole clip.
Thursday, 17 November 2016
Task 1 & Task 2 Theory - Stereotypes
Task 1
Evaluate Perkins five assumptions regarding stereotypes in relation to the Hotel Babylon sequence we have studied.
Stereotypes are not always negative: Some stereotypes represent good things about people. This means that sometimes it can be positive. The Asian women in Hotel Babylon is immediately showcased as smart and intelligent. She is the one which has the alarm to gather all of the immigrants in one place. When the audience see this they might be less worried because Asian are linked with being smart so they know that she will take care of them.
They are not always about minority groups or the less powerful: White people are considered to be powerful in the clip this also links to the stereotype even though they are not the minority group.
They can be held about one's own group: The white women with blond hair behind the desk links to two stereotypes one for being white, this means that she is represented to be powerful. Another stereotype that she links to is that she is blond. Stereotypically blond people are seen to be dumb and not as smart as people with other coloured hair.
They are not rigid or unchanging: We can see that stereotypes in Hotel Babylon do change over time, especially for Black-Africans. An example of this would be that people are now less racist towards Black-Africans because the stereotype has faded away slightly. However, stereotypes have changed for black people because they are now seen as strong especially in sporting events, so we expect them to do well in things like this. A stereotype we see in Hotel Babylon is that the expected to be uneducated was actually educated and was a former doctor as he helped the women who had fainted. Most of the audience would of thought that the doctor was uneducated because that is what must people stereotypically do, however we did find out later on the truth about him and what he did before he had to move.
They are not always false: It is thought that the stereotype for a small percentage of white people would be that they are racist. This however may not partly false. There are a small percentage of white people who are still racist. In relation to Hotel Babylon the immigration officers are the main ones which are portrayed as racist. It is seen as racist because they usually try to kick people out the country which weren't born in the country leading onto using racist behaviour against them.
Task 2
Explain how Festinger can be used to explain the popularity of programmes like Hotel Babylon or other similar TV Dramas.
In current TV Dramas characters from all different are represented. However, a negative of this is that they get discriminated against throughout the TV Dramas. For example, disabled people. They sometimes use stereotypes for the better. They do this by trying to portray the groups of people in a certain way which will take people change what they think about them. The problem with this is when they start using stereotypical characteristics which would then show a different side to the characters. When they do this they would not be judging the stereotypes as they would be the ones using the stereotypes. TV Dramas use stereotypes so that people know what type of person they are watching and what they should act like. As stereotypically that is what they are like. This also makes it easier for the audience to understand the characters and connect with them more. The audiences enjoy stereotypes because the majority of people understand them and what they are for. Especially people who have grown up around stereotypes.
Evaluate Perkins five assumptions regarding stereotypes in relation to the Hotel Babylon sequence we have studied.
Stereotypes are not always negative: Some stereotypes represent good things about people. This means that sometimes it can be positive. The Asian women in Hotel Babylon is immediately showcased as smart and intelligent. She is the one which has the alarm to gather all of the immigrants in one place. When the audience see this they might be less worried because Asian are linked with being smart so they know that she will take care of them.
They are not always about minority groups or the less powerful: White people are considered to be powerful in the clip this also links to the stereotype even though they are not the minority group.
They can be held about one's own group: The white women with blond hair behind the desk links to two stereotypes one for being white, this means that she is represented to be powerful. Another stereotype that she links to is that she is blond. Stereotypically blond people are seen to be dumb and not as smart as people with other coloured hair.
They are not rigid or unchanging: We can see that stereotypes in Hotel Babylon do change over time, especially for Black-Africans. An example of this would be that people are now less racist towards Black-Africans because the stereotype has faded away slightly. However, stereotypes have changed for black people because they are now seen as strong especially in sporting events, so we expect them to do well in things like this. A stereotype we see in Hotel Babylon is that the expected to be uneducated was actually educated and was a former doctor as he helped the women who had fainted. Most of the audience would of thought that the doctor was uneducated because that is what must people stereotypically do, however we did find out later on the truth about him and what he did before he had to move.
They are not always false: It is thought that the stereotype for a small percentage of white people would be that they are racist. This however may not partly false. There are a small percentage of white people who are still racist. In relation to Hotel Babylon the immigration officers are the main ones which are portrayed as racist. It is seen as racist because they usually try to kick people out the country which weren't born in the country leading onto using racist behaviour against them.
Task 2
Explain how Festinger can be used to explain the popularity of programmes like Hotel Babylon or other similar TV Dramas.
In current TV Dramas characters from all different are represented. However, a negative of this is that they get discriminated against throughout the TV Dramas. For example, disabled people. They sometimes use stereotypes for the better. They do this by trying to portray the groups of people in a certain way which will take people change what they think about them. The problem with this is when they start using stereotypical characteristics which would then show a different side to the characters. When they do this they would not be judging the stereotypes as they would be the ones using the stereotypes. TV Dramas use stereotypes so that people know what type of person they are watching and what they should act like. As stereotypically that is what they are like. This also makes it easier for the audience to understand the characters and connect with them more. The audiences enjoy stereotypes because the majority of people understand them and what they are for. Especially people who have grown up around stereotypes.
Because of stereotypes we see in the media everyone now has
their own opinion on different types of people. When people make up what they
think about a particular stereotype to make them change their opinion of the
type of person there would have to be something completely different that we
have ever seen before so it would be something new that has changed their
opinion into something other than it was. Most of the time we watch TV Dramas
looking for things which match with our views, so we can get more confirmation
that what we think is correct.
Tuesday, 8 November 2016
The Big Six
Major Film Studios
A major film studio is a film producer and production company that releases a substantial number of films annually.
The Big Six film studios are:
1. Warner Bros. Pictures. Comprising a whopping 19.7 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures), Warner Bros. Pictures is the biggest player in the film industry. Securing the rights to major films like Harry Potter, Superman, Batman, The Matrix and Star Wars have made Warner Bros. the No. 1 name in the business.
2. Paramount Pictures. With 15.5 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures), Paramount Pictures continues to be one of the most successful film production companies in the world. Star Trek, War of the Worlds, the Mission Impossible series, Transformers and Tropic Thunder are just a few of the popular films produced by Paramount Pictures.
3. Walt Disney. One of the most renowned film production companies in the history of the business, Walt Disney now holds 15.3 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures). With highly successful movies like Pirates of the Caribbean, National Treasure, Meet the Robinsons and Enchanted, there's no doubt that Disney will continue to play a key role in the industry for years to come.
4. Columbia Pictures. Comprising 12.9 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures), Columbia Pictures remains a big player in the business. Some of this company's recent successes include Casino Royale, The Da Vinci Code, the Spider-Man series and Step Brothers.
5. Universal Studios. 12.2 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures) belongs to Universal Studios, which continues to make millions for the film industry. With major hits like the Bourne series (Bourne Identity, Bourne Supremacy and Bourne Ultimatum), The American Pie series, Knocked Up, American Gangster and The Incredible Hulk, it's very clear that Universal Studios knows what it takes to make money in this industry.
6. 20th Century Fox. Also known as "Twentieth Century Fox," this highly successful movie production company makes up 11.9 percent of the US/Canadian market share (2007 figures). Some of the biggest and most successful movies from this empire include the X-Men series, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Star Wars Episodes II and III, and the Fantastic Four.
Roughly 9/10 films in the UK are seen as a result of these distributors.
Sunday, 6 November 2016
Ex_Machina Research
Producer:
Produced by: Andrew Macdonald - Founder of DNA films, the production company responsible for The Parole Officer, 28 Days Later, Sunshine and 28 Weeks Later.
Allon Reich - Andrew Macdonald's production partner. He also runs DNA with Macdonald and produces most films with him.
Director:
Alex Garland - First time film director, mostly known for his screenwriting on other films such as Never Let Me Go and 28 Days Later. He was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. The film also won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
Distributor:
Ex_Machina was disturbed by Universal pictures hence why it was so successful. Universal Pictures is a well-established American film studio owned by Comcast. It's also known to be one of the big six in Hollywood proving that it’s a large distribution company.
Cast:
Alicia Vikander - Ava
Oscar Issac - Nathan
Domhnall Gleeson – Caleb
Sonoya Mizuno – Kyoko
Corey Johnson - Jay
Budget:
$15 Million.
Produced by: Andrew Macdonald - Founder of DNA films, the production company responsible for The Parole Officer, 28 Days Later, Sunshine and 28 Weeks Later.
Allon Reich - Andrew Macdonald's production partner. He also runs DNA with Macdonald and produces most films with him.
Director:
Alex Garland - First time film director, mostly known for his screenwriting on other films such as Never Let Me Go and 28 Days Later. He was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay. The film also won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
Distributor:
Ex_Machina was disturbed by Universal pictures hence why it was so successful. Universal Pictures is a well-established American film studio owned by Comcast. It's also known to be one of the big six in Hollywood proving that it’s a large distribution company.
Cast:
Alicia Vikander - Ava
Oscar Issac - Nathan
Domhnall Gleeson – Caleb
Sonoya Mizuno – Kyoko
Corey Johnson - Jay
Budget:
$15 Million.
Locations:
4 weeks at Pinewood Studios.
2 weeks at Juvet Landscape Hotel in Valldalen, Norway.
4 weeks at Pinewood Studios.
2 weeks at Juvet Landscape Hotel in Valldalen, Norway.
Technology:
15,000 mini-tungsten pea bulb lights were installed into the sets to avoid the fluorescent light often used in science fiction films. The opening office is filmed at the Bloomberg Head office in Finsbury Square, London.
Number of screens - opening weekend:
1,289 on opening weekend.
Box Office figures:
$36.9 Million.
15,000 mini-tungsten pea bulb lights were installed into the sets to avoid the fluorescent light often used in science fiction films. The opening office is filmed at the Bloomberg Head office in Finsbury Square, London.
Number of screens - opening weekend:
1,289 on opening weekend.
Box Office figures:
$36.9 Million.
The issues raised by
media ownership in contemporary media practice;
Production companies who were involved in the production process of Ex_Machina are: Film4 and DNA Films. They are both small production companies one of the being Film4 which s a British film production company owned by Channel 4.
The importance of cross media convergence and synergy in production, distribution and marketing;
The company which distributed the film was Universal Pictures. They did the marketing and distribution for the film, working alongside Film4 and DNA films who helped with the distribution of the film.
The technologies that have been introduced in recent years at the levels of production, distribution, marketing and exchange;
The introduction of 4K streaming and recording has allowed the director and the production companies of Ex_Machina to film and distribute in this format. This allows a higher resolution picture than other resolutions such as 1080p or 720p. It was also distributed on blur-ray as well as streaming available for people to download by using services such as Amazon Movies. This means that people can take advantage of this by streaming their content to a TV whether they have 4K or not it would still look good either way.
The significance of proliferation in hardware and content for institutions and audiences;
Because of such advanced technologies people do not need to go to the cinema to see a film because of streaming services available. For example if a new film was released it will most likely be posted on an illegal website for the audience to see. This means that the production companies needed to make sure that the film was recorded digitally and distribution friendly on portable devices. There are also other services such as Netflix and iTunes for which the audience of a particular film can buy and stream across all their devices.
The importance of technological convergence for institutions and audiences;
This film had a different marketing strategy than other mainstream films. To market the film to a wider audience, the distribution company created a tinder profile for one of the main characters who was Ava. This got her views on her profile which then redirected each user to the website of the films release date etc. Although it was also marketed in the traditional ways of which films were for example a trailer of the film was posted on YouTube which got publicity. This means that new social media technology came together with film a market a smaller and lower budget film than you would expect.
The issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences (specifically British) by international or global institutions;
The film was marketed on a global basis including USA, Europe and China. They however did different things in each of those areas. For example in Europe they did the tinder marketing scheme.
The ways in which the candidates' own experiences of media consumption illustrate wider patterns and trends of audience behaviour;
I think that the way the film was marketed was new and different to other methods which are currently out there and used by other distribution companies such as trailers which was also included within the marketing campaign of Ex_Machina.
Production companies who were involved in the production process of Ex_Machina are: Film4 and DNA Films. They are both small production companies one of the being Film4 which s a British film production company owned by Channel 4.
The importance of cross media convergence and synergy in production, distribution and marketing;
The company which distributed the film was Universal Pictures. They did the marketing and distribution for the film, working alongside Film4 and DNA films who helped with the distribution of the film.
The technologies that have been introduced in recent years at the levels of production, distribution, marketing and exchange;
The introduction of 4K streaming and recording has allowed the director and the production companies of Ex_Machina to film and distribute in this format. This allows a higher resolution picture than other resolutions such as 1080p or 720p. It was also distributed on blur-ray as well as streaming available for people to download by using services such as Amazon Movies. This means that people can take advantage of this by streaming their content to a TV whether they have 4K or not it would still look good either way.
The significance of proliferation in hardware and content for institutions and audiences;
Because of such advanced technologies people do not need to go to the cinema to see a film because of streaming services available. For example if a new film was released it will most likely be posted on an illegal website for the audience to see. This means that the production companies needed to make sure that the film was recorded digitally and distribution friendly on portable devices. There are also other services such as Netflix and iTunes for which the audience of a particular film can buy and stream across all their devices.
The importance of technological convergence for institutions and audiences;
This film had a different marketing strategy than other mainstream films. To market the film to a wider audience, the distribution company created a tinder profile for one of the main characters who was Ava. This got her views on her profile which then redirected each user to the website of the films release date etc. Although it was also marketed in the traditional ways of which films were for example a trailer of the film was posted on YouTube which got publicity. This means that new social media technology came together with film a market a smaller and lower budget film than you would expect.
The issues raised in the targeting of national and local audiences (specifically British) by international or global institutions;
The film was marketed on a global basis including USA, Europe and China. They however did different things in each of those areas. For example in Europe they did the tinder marketing scheme.
The ways in which the candidates' own experiences of media consumption illustrate wider patterns and trends of audience behaviour;
I think that the way the film was marketed was new and different to other methods which are currently out there and used by other distribution companies such as trailers which was also included within the marketing campaign of Ex_Machina.
Thursday, 3 November 2016
Disability in TV Dramas
A media study by Paul Hunt identified 10 stereotypes that
the media use to portray disabled people:
- The disabled person as a pitiable or pathetic
- An object of curiosity
- Sinister or evil
- The super cripple
- As atmosphere
- Laughable
- His/her own worst enemy
- As a burden
- As non-sexual
- Being able to participate in daily life
Disability in TV Drama is heavily stereotyped. Wheelchairs
tend to predominate here, since they are an iconic sigh of disability. Most
actors playing disabled characters are, however not disabled. The wheelchair
allows the character to be obviously disabled, whilst still looking 'normal'
and does not therefore present any major challenged for the audience
identification.
Characters with disabilities are often portrayed in TV Dramas as being outsiders, strange, unable to do everyday activities, immature, weaker than “able bodied, able minded” characters, less attractive etc. Traditionally in films, villains were often given a disability or deformity to make them seem scarier or more evil. Although our association of disability with “evil” has since declined, society often still links disability to weakness and makes disabled characters’ objects to pity. The disabled girl is being represented as innocent and valuable to other members of society as we see when she is upset by being hit with the Frisbee. The girl can also be seen to have no control which is expressed in her emotions as she begins to cry and has her career to stick up for her in situations which upset her.
We are not supposed to laugh at a disabled person because in our society it is wrong to do so and can lead to a specific person being judged and seen in a negative light for laughing at an individual who is slightly different and might not have the same advantages as other people. Also, disabled citizens can be seen as vulnerable and weaker than the rest of us because of their difficulties and specialities. However, in this clip we see it is comical and can’t help to laugh at the situation even though when we giggle at this it’s not necessarily to be mean.
Characters with disabilities are often portrayed in TV Dramas as being outsiders, strange, unable to do everyday activities, immature, weaker than “able bodied, able minded” characters, less attractive etc. Traditionally in films, villains were often given a disability or deformity to make them seem scarier or more evil. Although our association of disability with “evil” has since declined, society often still links disability to weakness and makes disabled characters’ objects to pity. The disabled girl is being represented as innocent and valuable to other members of society as we see when she is upset by being hit with the Frisbee. The girl can also be seen to have no control which is expressed in her emotions as she begins to cry and has her career to stick up for her in situations which upset her.
We are not supposed to laugh at a disabled person because in our society it is wrong to do so and can lead to a specific person being judged and seen in a negative light for laughing at an individual who is slightly different and might not have the same advantages as other people. Also, disabled citizens can be seen as vulnerable and weaker than the rest of us because of their difficulties and specialities. However, in this clip we see it is comical and can’t help to laugh at the situation even though when we giggle at this it’s not necessarily to be mean.
Daredevil:
On the list of the 10 stereotypes which represent disabled people this falls in with the super cripple. This is because throughout the series this character is shown to be disabled however now in this scene he is shown as a super hero which is why Paul Hunt references him to being the super cripple. The director would of want this to happen because it shows a different point of view for disabled people it's shown a disabled person as a super hero here as non-stereotypical because when people watch TV dramas they think of disabled people there as stereotypically unable to do daily life especially for what the character had just done.
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