Thursday, 31 January 2013

Summary of Class Notes

Framework for Analysis
- Significance of...
- Relationship of Power
- Difference
- Reinforcing or Challenging Stereotypes

Sexuality Stereotypes
- Victim
- Threat
- Promiscuous
- Romantic/Romance

Ethnicity Stereotypes
- Exotic
- Dangerous
- Pitied
- Humourous
- Sexualised
- Unified
- Conflict

Stereotypes of Disability
- Hero/Brave
- Villain/Freak/Abnormal/Scary
- Ugly
- Victim/Vulnerable

Tuesday, 22 January 2013

Grace and Martin Mentor Pairs Essay Plan.

Our Targets
Martin: To use more terminology all over and to include more information within the area of editing
Grace: Use more terminology in the field of editing

Example question, how is the character of Maxie represented in his confession scene in Skins?

- Explain clip, which characters we are focusing on

- Is this character straight or gay, if gay what stereotype is this character (use terminology, which stereotype) 
- What is the gender of this character, what is the relationship between this character and the others on screen (usage of shot types, terminology)
- How does editing reinforce the stereotypes of this character (prominance, screen time)
- In conclusion what stereotype is this character, and how does the editing and camera work back this up

- Make point about character, e.g dress appearance
- Does the dress express sexuality, how does the dress/location fit into stereotype
- Support judgement with evidence from the Mise-en-Scene, use specific terminology
- What sexuality is portrayed through this character, how is this reinforced by the Mise-en-Scene

- What is the characters position in the scene
- How do you film a straight/gay character?
- Does this make him abnormal?
- How does this sexuality create drama or conflict?
- How is drama/conflict created through the sexuality of the character, and how do you film a straight/gay character in conflict

- What qualities does this character have?
- E.g if 'changeable' this is a feminine quality
- How do these characteristics reinforce/challenge the stereotypes of this particular stereotype of sexuality?
- Use terminology related to camera
- How does the camera feminise/masculate the character, how do these characterictics reinforce stereotypes?

Conclusion.
- What stereotype does the character fall under
- Is this a negative or positive representation
- How is conflict created through the sexuality

Monday, 14 January 2013

Explain/Justify - How is Sexuality used to create drama in the sequence (Power/Threat)

Explain/Justify - How is Sexuality used to create drama in the sequence (Power/Threat)

Across the five clips very different representations are given of the character of Jim Moriarty causing him to fall under various stereotypes whilst that of Sherlock stays the same throughout. In the first two clips Moriarty is presented to be shy and shows no threat to Sherlock, we are explained in clip 2 that he is well groomed, wears brightly coloured underwear and left his number to Sherlock showing all his gay traits that cause him to fall under the typical 'gay stereotype'.  Sherlock however through these first clips is calm and controlled, ignoring all words Moriarty speaks to him other than when he says 'gay'. This calm leader like manor accompanied by Sherlocks smart black dress shows him to be the dominant character and the typical presentation of an alpha male as he is both smart and stronger than the other men present.

In the last 3 clips however Moriarty is presented in a much different way to how he was in the first 2. He is now dressed in a black suit matching that of Sherlock and is speaking in what we are led to think is his 'real voice'. This change in clothing and speech takes him from being a weak homosexual stereotype to a strong male who rivals Sherlock. When Moriarty shouts in a clip he is shown to be powerful, this contrasts with his shy timid voice he supposedly put on in the first two clips where he is 'gay'. We are left confused in the fifth clip though as when Moriartys phone rings he has a very feminine ringtone which you would not associate with the strong alpha male character he has become. This makes the viewer wonder which of the two personas is an act, is Moriarty really the timid 'gay' man or the alpha male who rivals Sherlock Holmes.

The apparent switch in Moriartys sexuality across the clips creates drama as it leaves the viewer and the character of Sherlock unsure as to which of the two personas is the truth. The threat however only comes when Moriarty is dressed smartly in a black suit speaking in his natural voice to Sherlock Holmes. Through this the clips give the idea that men can only be powerful if they are straight as Sherlock did not even acknowledge Moriarty when he believed him to be a homosexual however now that he is straight Sherlock confronts him and is caused many problems by him. Giving the idea that straight males are dominant over homosexual males, and homosexual males hold no true power in social situations or society.




Tuesday, 8 January 2013

Mock Grades.

Grace.
C2
E/A/A 16
Example 13
Terminology 4

E/A/A - Level 4: More editing analysis needed
Example - Level 3: Use examples of all technical areas
Terminology - Level 2:

Martin.
B3
E/A/A 16
Example 15
Terminology 4

E/A/A - Level 4: Write more on editing
Example - Level 3: Use more on editing and sound
Terminology - Level 2:  More Editing Techniquess e.g Fade