LO6 Essay Introduction

LO6 Essay Introduction

Discuss how far you agree with the regulatory guidelines for a media product you have studied

I fully agree with the regulatory guidelines given to my film as it fits all the characteristics of the rating it has been given. The product I have studied regarding regulatory guidelines is Django Unchained, a film released in December 2012/January 2013 by Sony pictures. It is aimed at adults, specifically men, between the ages of 18 and 50. This is because of its use of violence and extreme, racist language; this is also why it was given an 18 rating by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC).

LO6: Mark Scheme

LO6: Mark Scheme

Level 4 - 16-20
Level 3 - 11-15
Level 2 - 6-10
Level 1 - 1-5

Pass - 60%
Merit - 70%
Distinction - 80%
Distinction* - 90%

LO6: Revision - Media Effects - Passive & Active

LO6: Revision - Media Effects - Passive & Active


The Grand Theft Auto series is infamous for its use of violence, drugs and sexual content and many media organisations have criticised it for its use of these and have linked it to many violent crimes. They blame Rockstar, the creators of the game for influencing people; this links to Adorno & Horkheimer’s “Hypodermic Syringe” theory that implied that the media has a negative impact on the general public and mass audiences believe everything they see and hear.

LO3: Production Techniques Revision

LO3: Production Techniques

Mise-en-scene - What is included? relate to film meaning
Camerawork - pick 3 key scenes, identifying techniques, relate to film meaning
Editing - same key scenes, continuity techniques
Sound - diegetic, non-diegetic, effect and impact



Point - "used to create meaning"
Data
Question

In my film (Django Unchained) a series of close-up shots are used with a shot reverse shot structure during the scene before D'Artagnan is ripped apart by dogs to show the level of suspense in the scene and how tense the conversation is when Calvin Candie is talking down to Django. This could link to Stuart Halls theory (1995) that stated Western cultures continue to misrepresent ethnic minorities in the media due to underlying racist tendencies. Edward Said also said that ethnic minorities are portrayed as Pitied, humorous, exotic or dangerous.

In Django Unchained, dialogue (an example of diegetic sound) is expressed through the accent of one of the protagonists, Dr. Schultz. Dr. Schultz speaks with a German accent which allows the audience to understand that he is not from the area where the film is set like all the other characters are. 

LO3: Production Techniques

Mise-en-scene

Costumes - binary opposition
Props - binary opposition
Location/iconography - When and where we are
Lighting (high/low key)
Acting gesture - propp (1928)

Binary Opposition - Levi Strauss

The main characters in Django Unchained (Django and Dr. Schultz) often use weapons or equipment that someone of their profession would use in the time period the film was set (1870's).

Django Unchained features lots of props and costumes that link it to the time it is set; such as horses, old weaponry and fancy clothes. This is shown in the film during the scene where Django, Dr Schultz, Clavin Candie and his men are riding back to the candy land plantation on horseback wearing extravagant suits and carrying old fashioned weaponry such as Cobra "Big Bore" Derringer or the Colt 1851 Navy. This links to Tim O'Sullivan's theory (1998) that states "all media texts tell some kind of story".

The difference between the protagonists and antagonists in Django Unchained is shown by the use of acting gesture and costume. The protagonists wear expensive suits whereas the antagonists will dress scruffily. For example the difference in dress between Django and the brittle brothers during the scene where he shoots two of them; Django is dressed in a bright blue suit with a ruffled shirt whereas the Brittle brothers are all dressed in grubby, half-buttoned shirts and slacks. This links to Levi Strauss' Binary oppositions theory. Another example of binary opposition in Django Unchained is black vs white, when Django is fighting the plantation workers.

LO2: Advertising

A media product, such as a film, can be advertised through many different platforms. Such as: Billboards, social media, trailers, magazine adverts, web adverts, app/game. A social media campaign would be a successful method of advertising as it is free and it is likely to reach a wide audience. An app or game is a good method of advertising as it is a good way for the audience to interact with the production. A magazine advert is a good method of advertising as it can reach an older audience that may not have a digital device where they are exposed to social media.