Firstly, read the exam paper
carefully. Take notice of what the
questions are asking and what information you will need to gather from the text
in order to answer them.
Question
1:
You will watch the extract 3 times and
during the allocated time will be included 10 minutes for note taking. This is very valuable time - use it to
make as many notes as you can on the text. Be specific and focused in your note taking – use
subheadings (the different codes, different audiences etc) to organize your
note-taking.
There is a great deal you can get done in
this time – DO NOT waste it!
Once the exam begins you will have 2 hours
to answer all questions.
Spend 40 minutes on EACH question.
Question
2:
Question 2 is divided into 3 sections with
different marks available for each part.
2a is worth 4 marks. Spend no more than about 5-6 minutes on
this part. Write a short
paragraph.
2b is worth 10 marks. Spend no more than about 15 minutes on
this part. Aim to write about a
page.
2c is worth 16 marks. Spend about 20 minutes on this
part. Aim to write about 2 pages.
Question
3:
Question 3 is a single essay answer. It is worth 30 marks and you should spend 40 minutes writing this answer. Ensure that you plan the essay before
you start writing and that you know what examples you are going to use. It would be advantageous to spend the
first five minutes jotting down a very brief plan which you can then use to
write the essay.
Make sure that you read the question
carefully and respond appropriately – eg. if it asks for two events to be
explored make sure you refer to two events.
There are several different areas to concentrate your analysis on for the British Film and Genre topic. These are:
The Descent as a British Film.
The Descent and the horror genre.
Narrative structure of The Descent.
Representation in The Descent.
Key Sequences.
The Descent as a British Film.
The film's key cast and crew were all British as was its financing. It was written & directed by Neil Marshall (a British director, editor and screenwriter), it was filmed entirely in the UK (even though it was set in North America), the cast & crew is predominately British, the main production company is Celador Films which is a UK company, and the Producer was Christian Colson (another Brit).
Despite this, the film does not use the typical British iconography or overall 'style'. It does in fact look much more similar to Hollywood-produced fare. There are some characteristics of British film apparent despite the surface sheen however. The story and script are more character-based than typical American Horror movies. There is also a sub-plot involving an affair one of the characters (Juno) had with one of the other's (Sarah) husband. This could be argued is a characteristic of British film. Most significantly however, the ending of the film is very downbeat and pessimistic. Sarah hallucinates her escape from the cave and the audience believe this to be true and that she is safe (though her friends are all dead) but then there is the sudden cut back to the cave and the audience sees that Sarah is in fact still trapped underground. As she hallucinates her dead daughter appearing in front of her, we hear the sounds of approaching crawlers and the camera pulls back revealing just how deep underground she really is. This firmly states to the audience that Sarah's chances of survival are virtually non-existent.
It is particularly relevant that the American theatrical release of this film cut this ending out and the film ended with Sarah escaping the cave system.
The Descent and the horror genre.
The film is quite clearly part of the horror genre due to its use of horror conventions:
The Crawlers:
The use of blood and gore:
Scary music:
Narrative structure of The Descent.
The Descent uses the 3 act structure typical of the vast majority of American films. It has a clear set-up, conflict and resolution. What makes it different however is the fact that for the first half of the film the main 'villains' or antagonists (the vicious and carnivorous crawlers) do not appear and are only very subtly hinted at. The main drama and tension is derived from the girls' attempts to escape from the cave.
Act 1: Set-up: The film introduces the group of girls and we meet each of them and learn a little about their characters. They enter the caves. Act 2: The girls become stuck after a cave-in and try to find a way out by travelling through the caves. they overcome various obstacles before being attacked by the creatures at the mid-point. Act 3: Juno and Sarah are the only ones left alive and they begin to fight back. Just as the big face-off against the creatures seems about to happen however, Sarah stabs Juno with her pick and leaves her for dead. She then hallucinates her escape.
Todorov's theory of a classic Hollywood narrative also applies to this film.
Representation in The Descent.
Gender is obviously a very significant area of representation in this film. It is unusual for a film to focus solely on a group of female characters and especially so for a horror film.
The following presentations are the resources and lesson plans created entirely by Year 13 students (2012). They contain some excellent insight and information. They are very valuable revision resources - please use them!
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 is a video game developed for the Xbox 360 and PS3. It was released in 2009.
It is part of a genre of video game called 'first person shooters'. This means that the player controls a character from the perspective of looking through the character's eyes. It also means that the nature of the gameplay will include guns, violence and shooting.
The player alternates control between two characters, a British SAS commando and a US Army Ranger. The narrative concerns a fictional war against an Eastern European terrorist threat.
The action is presented in a realistic manner with a great deal of violence, explosions and attention to detail regarding the military language and hardware used.
Take a look at the trailer:
Controversy
The game has been the centre of a lot of controversy due to its graphic violent content. One particular level of the game caused a great deal of offense.
This was due to one notorious scene in which the player must infiltrate a terrorist organisation and prove their loyalty. This is done by participating in an attack on civilians in an airport.
Watch the following clip and think about what you think of this. Is it making a point? If so, what? Is it gratuitous violence? If so, why include it? Is it offensive? Why?
This level can be viewed below.
Audience
Who is the media text aimed at? Which audience is it targeting?
Male audience.
18-40 years old.
Primarily British and American.
People interested in army/military/war.
Gamers.
HOW is this audience targeted?
The nature of the game and subject matter appeal to a stereotypically male audience - guns, war, violence, explosions etc.
The realistic nature of the game and attention to detail will attract those who are interested in the subject matter in particular.
The rating of the game is 18 which means that an older audience are being sought and catered for.
The cover art depicts a male solider in muted colours in a heroic stance. This shows that the male gender is more dominant in the game. it also shows the serious and realistic nature of the game. It also shows that war is being somewhat glamourised.
The fact that the player is put into the perspective of British and American troops clearly will attract gamers of those nationalities as opposed to Russian gamers who may be put off due to the fact that Russians are portrayed in the games the villains.
The game has gained much critical acclaim and won many awards for its quality and playability which will attract those interested in games in general.
What is the preferred reading of this media text?
The preferred reading is that war is violent, brutal and cruel. It is also however exciting and providers a backdrop against which people can stand out as heroes. There is honour and nobility in being a soldier and fighting for your country and for your fellow soldier - 'brothers'.
What is the negotiated reading of this text? Who might hold this view?
The negotiated reading could be that the game is clearly very effective and enjoyable to play but that perhaps it goes too far in its realistic portrayal of war and armed conflicts. Perhaps the terrorist level will be crossing boundaries of taste for some players. Some people may object to the glamorisation of violence in the game yet still enjoy it seeing it as something of a 'guilty pleasure'.
Perhaps this view is more likely to be held by people who are not part of the core target audience - older gamers maybe? Female gamers? Gamers of other nationalities? People in positions of responsibility?
What is the oppositional reading of the text? Who might hold this view?
The oppositional reading is that the game is morally wrong, the portrayal of violence is dangerously positive and that it could lead to people copying these actions in real life. The Norwegian mass murderer, Anders Breivik said that he played this game as he was planning the shootings in which he murdered many people. The Effects Model (hypodermic needle) could be discussed in relation to this though it should always be stated that this is an outmoded and largely discredited idea.
Uses and Gratifications
Entertainment and diversion – a form of escape from everyday life.
- It is a game and as such this is its principal aim.
Personal relationships (the water cooler moment) – Pleasure in discussing media texts with others.
- The shocking or controversial content could be a source of discussion amongst people. There is also the fact that people can talk to each other via headsets whilst playing the game. This increases the appeal of the game to many people.
Personal identity – pleasure in comparing your life to characters in media texts.
- Players of the game will often think about what how they would act in the situations portrayed in the game.
Information / education – To learn about what is going on in the world.
- There is a lot of information about guns and military hardware as well as military practices and slang.
Representation
War is obviously a large issue in this game. It could also qualify as an ‘event’ for the purposes of an exam answer.
How is it represented?
What words would you use to describe it?
What makes you think this?
Gender Representation
How is gender represented in this media text?
In groups put together your thoughts on this and prepare to feedback to the class in 5 minutes.
Consider what messages are constructed?
What is the game saying about gender roles and archetypes?
"How is gender represented in the horror or comedy films you have studied for this topic?"
INTRODUCTION
Refer to the question and discuss gender representation in horror generally.
Discuss differences between British and American horror.
Mention the key texts - including director and year.
Dominant ideology with specific regard to gender representation.
SHAUN OF THE DEAD
Speak about the general representation of gender in SOTD. Refer to dominant ideology and horror conventions.
Typical of horror because dominant ideology conformed to as men are the dominant characters BUT women are shown to be stronger frequently so there is some argument on this.
Shaun and Ed seen as quite weak and 'wimpy'. Eg behaviour around Pete, throwing the rubbish weapons.
Shaun and Ed are seen as 'losers' only interested in the pub or drugs, playing games.
Women frequently seen in active roles NOT passive as in classic horror films (Liz with weapon).
Women seen as more mature and responsible (but not as humorous maybe?) - Barbara treating Shaun as a child, Liz being the one who wants Shaun to give up smoking, stop drinking, go to gym etc.
Yvonne (Shaun's friend) does everything the right way and brings in the military.
Shaun sometimes seen as a hero (the bag of nuts catching scene).
Overall - Men seen as weak, foolish, silly and women strong and responsible BUT still men are needed to 'save the day' at the end. Shaun becomes more responsible and mature and saves Liz (though not anybody else it must be said!).
THE DESCENT
Goes against dominant ideology and general horror conventions (particularly American examples). Lack of male characters. All characters are strong females.
Strongest characters are however the more 'masculine' ones.
Women seen as non-stereotypical characters. They are more rounded and have interests other than just men or shopping. Not 'bitchy' stereotypes.
They fight back. Not waiting for somebody else to help them or save them. They are resourceful.
Ultimately however they all die. Does this affect their representation?
THE WICKER MAN
Sergeant Howie begins the film as a conventional dominant male character. He is in full uniform, flies a plane and has a very commanding presence. He orders people around (on the megaphone - Dinghy!).
This is steadily undermined throughout the film leading to his complete emasculation at the end when he is imprisoned and burned alive inside the wicker man.
Howie has many encounters with women who often get the better of him in some way - the teacher, Willow the barmaid and her seductive dance, the little girl. At the end of the film the women in white are instrumental in his capture and sacrifice.
The little girl is used to trick him - it could be argued that it is his very masculinity and urge to protect and defend females that lead to his downfall.
Lord Summerisle is portrayed as a very strong and authoritative character. He leads the island's people and commands them. He is seen wearing women's clothes and a wig at the end of the film however. The female gender is seen as stronger than male by this point arguably.
CONCLUSION
Refer to the question. Gender rep is different in all texts.
Personal response/engagement.
Speak about the genre and also refer to British and American film.
Make reference to The Phantom of Liberty and/or Alice.You must refer to a minimum of three appropriate films in total.
1. 1. “Surreal sequences often distance the spectators rather than involve them.”Has this been your experience in studying films for this topic?
2. 2. Write an introduction to a season of films made up of those you have studied for this topic, which draws attention to some of the ways in which these films offer a different kind of cinematic experience from the kind of Hollywood fantasy film available at the local multiplex.
3. 3. What are some of the most interesting ways in which films you have studied challenge our usual experience of watching narrative realist cinema?
4. 4. Some filmmakers use the medium of cinema in more exciting ways than others.”How far have you found this to be true in your viewing of films for this topic?
5. 5. How far do you believe the films you have studied for this topic were motivated by their filmmaker’s commitment to distinctive social and/or political values?
6. 6. How important is it to see the films you have studied for this topic as being marked by their specific time and place of production?
Media Coverage of the London Riots
(Audience and Representation Issues regarding an EVENT and a PLACE)
What caused the riots in London in August 2011?
What happened during them?
Who was to blame?
What happened afterward?
This event was a thoroughly unexpected outburst of violence perpetrated by a large group of people who destroyed property, stole goods and caused fear and mayhem with their actions. It apparently started with an escalation of a protest regarding a young black man named Mark Duggan who was shot by the police. The event is still being discussed by sociologists, politicians and theorists and is a complicated phenomenon with many sides to it:
It could be seen as a political struggle, a racial conflict, a class uprising, an example of an increasingly lawless youth or many other things.
What we are interested in exploring however is how the media represented it.
The O'Reilly Factor
The following extract is from an American TV news and current affairs programme called The O'Reilly Factor. The programme is transmitted on the Fox News channel and is hosted by a famously opinionated, right wing broadcaster named Bill O'Reilly.
What view might you expect him to take and promote on his show?
What audience do you think the programme is targeting?
Target Audience
L
Audience Needs
L
Other Media Coverage
Look at the following extracts and consider who their target audiences are and how those audiences are being appealed to. Also, think about what needs are being catered for by these media texts - why might an audience wish to consume this text?
