Category: Representation

Posted on in Contexts, Genre, Narrative, Representation

Macro Analysis Refresher

There are three key areas to any textual analysis essay:

  • Micro Features Analysis (within your chosen 5 minute sequence)
  • Macro Features Analysis (within the whole film)
  • Cultural Context Analysis (the wider significance surrounding the film / content)

We have four lessons to review what we already know and fill any gaps in your understanding.

Essential Macro Features
  • Genre
  • Narrative
  • Representation
  • Context
The Feynman Technique

“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.”

Resources

The class will be working in two halves and each of those halves will have one of the terms to define and apply. Follow this link to the slideshow that you will be working on.

Task 1
  • Using the Feynman Technique to define what is meant by one of these terms and how they can be used to analyse a film.
  • Define and explain the concept simply in one slide of your shared slideshow.
    • You should use the blog to help you.
Task 2
  • In pairs or threes discuss one of these ideas in relation to one of the films we have studied last year.
Posted on in Comparative Essay, Genre, Representation

Representation of a Vampire

Let’s do some close analysis of select sequences from our two set texts.

You will be allocated two sequences to analyse, one from each film.

OUTCOME

Your job is to explore the representation of the vampire monsters at these moments in the film.

  1. Firstly, do a close micro analysis of:
    • Editing
    • Sound
    • Cinematography
    • Mise-en-scene

Then consider, how these micro features communicate meaning about the nature of these monsters (their representation).

You will be responsible for putting together two slides, one for each film, which compares the scenes and considers what social fears are reflected by Eli & Nosferatu.

Here are the scenes.

Please complete two slides in this shared (editable) slideshow

Link to notes for micro analysis

Posted on in Comparative Essay, Genre, Representation

Horror Monsters

Some monsters to thrill, scare and delight you.

Why do we like to scare ourselves?

A key features of any horror film is the monster. The monster is said to represent the fears, anxieties and concerns of society at that time. That means that the monster and the theme of the film are inextricably linked and intertwined with each other.

To start developing your understanding we are going to look at some classic horror monsters and consider their representation and beneath that what social fear they stand for.

TASK

In pairs, do some research and develop a monster profile for your allocated monster.

Monsters Analysis

Posted on in Narrative, Representation

Archetypes in Film (Heroes and Villains)

Archetypes in literature are fundamental or prototypical characters that are used in stories. They have recurred in literature and art since the earliest writing.

They personify universal patterns of human behaviour.

Film uses and reuses archetypes in various forms and with varying degrees of nuance, between realism and hyperbole.

In this exploration of Batman the Dark Knight we are exploring two archetypes, the hero and the villain.

We will explore how the context in America, especially the events of 9/11, have reshaped the superhero and super villain in order to help the audience understand the ‘new’ world they lived in and help them contextualise their fears.

I want you to explore how the superhero has become darker and the super villain has been redefined in this time of anxiety & global terrorism.

Task

Complete one slide in this slideshow with an analysis of one Superhero that you have been given.

Independent Study

Read this article from the BBC about Hollywood use of Archetypes and their roots in Greek myth. It also goes on to describe what it is about us humans that continue to retell the superhero story across the generation.

Embed the slide show into your reflective journal and also find a clip of your superhero online and reflect on how the film’s narrative at that moment conveys their heroic characteristics and/or their very human flaws.

Posted on in Representation

Representation of Ophelia

Most films follow the story of one character, the central protagonist. Typically this central character has to undergo trials and overcome problems as the story progresses. These trails and conflicts change the character and they learn something essential about themselves or a great truth about the world.

Today we are going to look at the character development of Ofelia. You should consider how her journey and development reflects the themes of the film.

To help you consider what those themes might be watch this video essay from Nerdwriter: 

You will be allocated one short scene from the film and you should complete an analysis of how she is represented. Please look specifically at the mise-en-scene and comment on how C.L.A.M.P.S communicates messages and ideas about the character and her representation.

Here is a link to the whole film

Here is a document to help you complete the analysis.

TASK
  1. Complete this document on your scene.
    • Remember to look for the detail in the mise-en-scene and consider how it helps communicate meaning.
  2. How does this example / analysis link to wider issues of genre, narrative or representation?
Timed Essay (30 Minutes)

How does the mise-en-scene communicate messages and ideas about Ophelia in the scene <scene title>. How does this scene contribute to the genre, narrative or representation in the whole film?

  • The paragraph should include specific examples drawn from mise-en-scene (CLAMPS).
    • Costume
    • Lighting & Colour
    • Action
    • Proxemics and Body Language
    • Facial Expression
    • Make up & Hair
    • Props
    • Setting
  • Turned in using Google Classroom.
Assessment:

Textual analysis essays need to show the following:

  1. Ability to describe specific micro examples from the film using terms
  2. Ability to analyse the impact of those elements on the audience
  3. A link to wider significance to the whole film
HELP

Here is an example essay highlighted with T.E.A.S

Highlight the T.E.A.S in your paragraph.

Add a self assessment comment at the end of your essay. What do you need to focus on in the final essay on Pan’s Labyrinth, which will be set at the end of this week?

Posted on in Representation

Representation & Film

Think: Does film reflect the world we live in or shape the way we view it?
Task:

Consider the ideas and messages communicated by these two versions of the same character. Use this document to analyse one of the two characters.

Character 1
Character 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

Key questions to ask about film / media representations:

  • Who, or what, is being represented?
  • How are they, or it, being represented?
    • Using what film language?
    • Within which genre?
    • How does the narrative resolve for the character?
  • What ideas, values and opinions seem to be reflected in the representation?

The film + the ideas & messages communicated in it are collectively called ‘representation‘, put more simply:

Representation = an image + an idea.

So, when you’re asked to analyse representation, you are being asked to ‘read’ what films, through the way they show the world, tell you about the values attitudes & beliefs of society we live in. 

Think: ‘Why might the concept of representation in films be problematic?’